Photo from Daily Mail
Morning guys.
Thursday night football brought the worst start to this international break with the news that Kai Havertz has a hamstring strain and it’s to the same leg as last years. His injury hasn’t been confirmed by Arsenal yet but whatever it might be, I hope it’s not one which will keep him out for months again. Regardless of whether you or I think he’s our best option up front, Mikel Arteta clearly does so he’s going to be immensely disappointed.
My fingers and toes will be crossed, hoping that neither Viktor Gyokeres or Mikel Merino pick up any kind of injury over the next couple of weeks otherwise we really are going to struggle up front.
I still find it odd that our highest goal scorer of last season has been given limited minutes so far but that might have to soon change. Unless of course, Arteta opts for his namesake up front instead which would in my opinion, be a strange move.
In other fixtures, on Thursday, Jurrien Timber didn’t take any part in the Netherlands game. His brother Quinten did though and in case you didn’t know, it was he who caught Havertz with a high boot before our forward left the pitch. Whether the two were connected I’ve no idea. Martin Odegaard put in a fine performance for Norway, picking up a couple of assists and Christos Tzolis scored for Greece. Summer signing James Scanlon played 45 minutes for Gibraltar the night before.
Yesterday, Viktor Gyokeres, Bruno Guimaraes and Riccardo Calafiori were in action. Gabriel was an unused substitute for Brazil. Viktor got his name on the scoresheet.
Tonight it’s Spain v England with seven Arsenal players potentially involved. Bukayo Saka, Ebe Eze, Ezri Konsa and Myles Lewis-Skelly on one side, Mikel Merino, David Raya and Martin Odegaard on the other. It’s not a friendly, but I hope it’s played like one.
The biggest news to come out of English football yesterday though was that Man City had been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the FA. As expected, City is appealing the decisions made. One would like to think that considering the amount of time this case has been mulled over, certainly post hearing, any appeal would be futile. The news kick started guessing about what City’s punishment might be but I just hope they get the book thrown at them. Just as I hope the clubs owners are booted out of football in England because quite clearly, they and their money have been behind all which has gone on. They clearly should not be considered fit and proper owners.
This will no doubt rumble on for a while as the appeal process takes place but hopefully, not for too long.
Catch up later.