[](https://i0.wp.com/highbury-house.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_1141-e1735572861652.jpeg?ssl=1)
Photo from Freepik
Morning all.
Myles Lewis-Skelly started again for England last night and by all accounts, he played well. Declan Rice too and it was he who provided Kane with the easiest of finishes. I watched some of the game but another 90 minutes of watching England soon went out the window.
Most of our players international duties are finished now with just Martin Odegaard and Gabriel left to play one more fixture. Norway play tonight whilst Brazil play in the early hours of tomorrow. Riccardo Calafiori is our only casualty so far and I hope it stays that way. There’s been nothing official from Arsenal yet on what the Italians injury is or how long he could be out.
In a couple of days time, Premier League clubs will hold talks over what date this coming summer transfer window should close. According to reports, a number of clubs want deadline day to be before the new season begins whilst others want to stick with early September.
I can understand the differing or opinions but personally, I don’t know why the transfer window can’t officially open on the day after the Champions League Final and close before the new season begins because that way, clubs with huge budgets, cannot simply go into the transfer market should one of its players suffer a long term injury in the opening week or two of the season.
We have seen what injuries can do to team/squad so I’m of the opinion that if a manager has to try and cope with injuries half way through a season, he should have to deal with them from day one too. Two and a half months should be more than enough time for clubs to make the signings they need to. After all, they’ve had all season to discuss what and who they need.
I know many of us write about how slow we as a club are to get deals over the line but perhaps our new sporting director, reported to be Andrea Berta, will get things done a lot quicker. He might not have been officially announced yet but if he’s coming, he’ll already be working I’m sure. No way would a sporting director of his calibre go into a new job cold.
The Arsenal board know that Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Kieran Tierney are out of contract this summer, just as they know Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz won’t be ready in time for the new season so there’s five issues which need addressing. Personally, I don’t think Tierney needs to be replaced but Partey and Jorginho, absolutely but not necessarily by new players. By that I mean certain solutions/replacements might already be at the club.
A goalkeeper, midfielder and a goal scorer would be top of my agenda but in truth, we need creative players too. Even if Martin Odegaard returns to his form of last season, who is there to step in when/if he’s not available? Ethan Nwaneri cannot be in two places at once and I personally would love to see his skills and strengths put to better use in midfield. But hey, what do I know….
I can see a busy summer ahead for Arsenal. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Leandro Trossard moving on, Jakub Kiwior too. Plus, we have a number of players who are currently out on loan who I cannot see a way back for. Fabio Vieira, Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Marquinhos and Reiss Nelson. Karl Hein perhaps has the best chance of lengthening his Arsenal career but I wouldn’t put my mortgage on it.
Perhaps this summer is the most important for Arsenal, for Mikel Arteta too because he really needs to deliver silverware. Players want to be getting their hands on a trophy, fans want to see them doing it too and so far in five years, we have an FA Cup which the majority of this current squad weren’t part of.
Winning the Champions League this season would undo all I’ve just written.
As unlikely as that might seem, never say never in this game…
Catch up later..