At last … I know it’s only been a few weeks since our disappointing end to last season. I, like, many felt like I needed a break from football … but you can’t help salivating at the thought of seeing those red and white shirts strutting their stuff again at Borehamwood today.
The first team will only return to training next Friday and so we will field a side composed mainly of under 23s with Steve Bould back in charge. The exact team has not been announced at the point of publishing, but there will be plent of young talent on show at Meadow Park.
It is expected that Amaechi, Balogun and John-Jules will feature whilst Zech Medley is also likely to play along with promising young goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. There will also be several promoted from under 18 level, the likes of Mazeed Ogungbo, Sam Greenwood and Matthew Smith.
However, more significantly, these players are not in the squad …
Eddie Nketiah
Emile Smith Rowe
Bukayo Saka
Joe Willock
… they will be joining the first-team for training. This is great news and one that is likely to be music to the ears of AA bloggers following the comments this week calling for their inclusion.
Zech Medley (he’s a centre back if you didn’t know) may be one who some wish had also made the step up … does this mean we will be getting a new, more experienced CB?
Just for the record, in the same fixture last season we fielded a side peppered with first team stars and won 8 nil with a hattrick from Auba, and a goal apiece for Laca, Mkhi, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Jeff Reine-Adelaide.
Rasp
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Finally… match day is upon us!! Now pre-season begins today – it’s going to fly by!! 3 weeks tomorrow is the Emirates Cup (our only chance of silverware this season 😂 only joking!!)
I know none of the 1st team will be playing today, but it’s going to be lush seeing the new kit on display (salivating at the double, Rasp!!)
Plus our future stars on display… COYG – how lush it is, writing that again!! 😊
A nice little hopeful signpost for the immediate and longer term potential of our Youth/First Team players.
My own view, unsurprisingly, is very similar to yours, but modified by remembering other really promising youth talents, and you name one of them in your Post — The Jeff.
He looked superb — and he was released. Mavididi looked a fine prospect scoring goals galore — this year he has gone. Then there was Zelalem another player many of us thought looked a bright find for the future — then a loan spell — and goodbye dear boy.
Only a tiny fraction of each years recruits have any chance of making it at Arsenal, or the other top clubs, so it is obvious there is an element of luck involved when the cheap, chippy, chopper comes down each summer to cull the crop.
I named 3 players above, and there are many others too, who were once shining as bright as a light at the top of the Xmas tree, and whose light has sadly gone out.
The selection process is baffling and obviously very subjective, so my pleasure in hoping to see this year’s kids strut their stuff in their new kids is not unbounded — all of them may be gone by next year!
Sue,
Salivating at a double Rasp??? There is no chance — he is a Koi man, and no one can put him, and them, asunder!! 😳
Bugger — ‘Kids” @ 10 : 07 = KITS.
A computer correcting spelling is fine — but changing my words for something similar means — it’s war!!🤠
Good morning AA. A worthy topic, close to our hearts. Missing from your list – and, I believe, from the squad – include Reiss Nelson and Krystian Bielik.
Look where Mavididi is plying his trade now: not good enough for Arsenal, though! Another we let go, who I thought was the DBs even at the time, is Chuks Aneke, who’s just been signed by Charlton from MK Dons, where he scored thirty + goals in eighty-odd appearances.
I heard a discussion between ex-pros about the youngsters who are let go, and it is not just about their talent, or lack of it, but it involves the money clubs are forced to pay them at 17,18 or 19 years old to stop them leaving for pastures new.
At that age, they understandably want to go and spend their new found wealth with new super-dooper cars, girls, wacky baccy, night clubs etc, as they think (wrongly, in most cases) that they’ve made it, and do not spend enough time learning from their coaches, and then find, too late, the only door they go thru is “The Exit”.
I’ve never been a pro-footballer but that theory seems only too likely for many of the youth team kids.
Sue we also play Barcelona for a trophy and we play in champions cup some have a few chances for silver wear
Yep, we’re going to win the lot, Fred 😛 and then go one better than City last season & do the quadruple 👍🤣
Also, someone said to me earlier, that it might be worth checking Hes goal.com for our match later!
Well, at that height RA.. you should have been a slam dunker!!!
If you had been a pro footballer, you’d have been a Peter Crouch clone… no sleeves long enough…. bambi on ice… you get the gist 😀
That’s pretty good, Sue, except I am many stones heavier than him. 😜
I had lunch with a friend who works in the City, at the moment, and at 6′ 10″ he makes me look very average – except he is skinny. 😀
What about Reiss Nelson……is he playing?
The match is on Premier Sports today, a pay-per-view channel…
According to the sales pitch, Premier Sports have 8 Arsenal pre season friendlies, including Real Madrid and Lyon.
Premier Sports is Channel 551 on my Virgin package.
If you can be patient you can watch the Borehamwood game for free on Monday night 10pm on Free Sports, channel 553.
The word colossal springs to mind, RA 😛
Due to Nelson taking part in the U21’s tournament, he’s been given more time off, Fred.. as has Bielik
Very, very few of those we let go, prove themselves ‘above’ our level. Currently can only think of (possibly) Serge Gnabry, but I think even he has it easier in the German League.
In the 70s I coached U15s to a fairly significant level in Essex. Our local professional Club was the ‘appy ‘ammers. At that time I had 8 out of my school U15’s signed for them on what was then schoolboy associate forms. None of them made it and West Ham at that time signed 250 U15s a year expecting one to go through to professional contract with first team squad.
Probably my crap coaching, but in 23 years of teaching Physical Education I saw two goalkeepers, one for Chelski and one for Crystal Palace and one centre back for Manure, make it to full first team professional. Before anyone comments ( GiE) cant take much credit for goalkeepers success. They were natural cats before I got hold of ’em.
Morning everyone have a quick question those who are familiar with TV schedule the city game that was previously schedule for December 14th when u think it would be reschedule for probably the 15th or 16th right?
Probably 15th, Fred if Europa League still on the previous Thurs. Re thinking. Europa League may be complete.
It’s on YouTube
Thanks rasp for the post ………….. I’ve just checked in to the game and we’re 2-0 down 😦 😦 😦 nearly half time, maybe Bouldy can make some changes.
It ended 3 : 3 — or did it?
We need to know, Sue!! 🙃
yea it did
John Jules scored 2
Matt Smith got the other.
Nwakali & Sheaf trained with the 1st team.
OMG Iwobi has just scored for Nigeria 😳 was just beginning to wonder if he’d ever score again 😂
So John-Jules did well earlier (it was a draw, RA 😜)
The Lionesses lost…
Come on Argentina, in particular Sergio 🦵
Hello all. Sorry for the radio silence but I’ve been on hols in England. Very nice it was too !! Read a couple of the posts and seems like there’s still very much a verdict out on UE. Which is justifiable and understandable. I do think the players needed and probably got a bit of a culture shock. I don’t think he had a good enough squad to do it the way he would have liked. Remember Pep’s first year at the Oilers? I distinctly remember people saying he was training them too hard and he was going to burn out his poor millionaire superstars. I think he did too. They didn’t win much. I do agree we hit a wall and burned out too last season. So for me. it bodes well. Ask any City fan, Raheem Stirling, David Silva, Fernandino, Kevin De Bruyne and I’m certain a few more how they feel about it now. Alternatively you could ask Joe Hart (learn to pass it Joe or you can’t play for us), Jesus Navas, Eliaquim Malanga, Samir Nasri, John Stones, Bernard Mendy etc. who may see it differently.But I hope you get my point.
Obviously the big difference is what to do about it. City just bought better players for a shed load of money. We can’t. So one of our alternatives is to promote the youngsters, which is what the post above is about. I think it’s VERY important that we’re very careful here if we use this strategy. Reiss Nelson will not turn into Ryiad Mahrez in one season, Nor Eddie into Sergio Aguero. As a believer in a much needed mentality shift, I can’t see a problem with bringing in a young player to replace some of our current squad who just don’t seem to have a good enough attitude and/or work ethic. But if we do, just make sure we temper out expectations of our team and manager so we give them a chance to succeed. Because it took City 2 years and Liverpool 3 years to do it and I’m not sure we can compete with either one of them financially (certainly the Oilers but probably Liverpool now too).
Sergiooooooooo!!!
Fred.. you must be as gutted as I am (not!!) Sanchez has gone off injured & to rub it in even more, they’re 2-0 down now!! Beautiful!! 👍
Actually find third place is such a waste of time especially since I don’t want any of the sides to win
Ref should give everyone a bloody red card and it us out or misery
That midget fight was the funniest thing I have ever seen
Matt Smith an 18 year old star today for me. Medley and Thompson showed their previous potential especially against powerful frontline players for Boreham Wood
John-Jules plainly talented but dont think he can replace Eddie or of course Aubang and Laca. Thought for some time he needs loaning. but might choose to leave instead
Pogba to Real Madrid may actually happen.
Militao, Pogba, Rodrygo, Hazard, Jovic
Another galaxy in terms of recruitment
Courtois – Carva, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo – Modric, Casemiro, Pogba – Hazard – Benzema, Jovic
Pls they recruited Mendy too from Lyon
They have Ordiozola, Militao, Mendy, Kross, Rodrygo on the bench…it s crazy
Isn’t Marcelo of to juventus
Yea and they still going to lose la liga next season lol
Boreham Wood 3 Arsenal 3 – Player Ratings
An experimental player rating if all goes well I wouldn’t mind assisting Chas in doing this
I was very nice to see the boys back in action although I didn’t have a clue who all the players were. I guess slow starts has made it way even the youth set up conceding some early goals.
See highlights below
Ratings
Karl Hein – conceded to early goals but couldn’t do anything about the 3rd … 6
Zak Swanson – Boreham Striker give him some trouble … 5
Dominic Thompson – looked solid at left back, caught out of position on second goal … 6
Matt Smith – looked solid scored our first goal by calmly putting it into the bottom left … 7
Mark McGuinness – Also struggle to deal with kabongo … 5
Zech Medly – kept a close eye since he was mention in the blog early nice pass to Smith for opening goal … 7
Nathan Tormey – Wasn’t spectacular and looked lost at times … 5
Robbie Burton – our captain for the day struggle to impose himself … 6
Flo Balogun – had a solid game … 6
Jame Olayinka – looked out of position as the number 10 guess Mesut is his idle … 5
Tray Coyle – was anonymous … 5
Subs
Tyreece John-Jules – came on in the second half and had a brilliant game scoring 2 goals, he needs to work on his penalty kick … 8
[img]https://i.imgur.com/4iL5Mer.jpg[/img]
//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js
[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/4iL5Mer.jpg)
Thanks for the highlights Fred, a bit of mixed bag, but a good work out, you don’t learn anything from a walkover, good potential from some of our lads, plenty for Uncle Bouldy to work on…
USA v Netherlands, Brazil v Peru… not a bad day for football 😉
I noticed Carlos Vela is still banging them in for Los Angeles FC… scored twice last night, taking his tally to played 46, scored 31!! Not too shabby, hey?!
yea he scoring goals for fun
Messi’s “corrupt” comments may lack respect, but they weren’t wrong, IMO.
https://www.arsenal.com/news/bould-our-ball-work-was-superb
Mustafi has removed his Arsenal profile picture & player for Arsenal from his Instagram Bio…. what a tease!!! One can hope though.. surely someone will come in for him – they might not be right in the head though – but there must be someone out there that wants him 🙏🙏🙏
Well I’ve just been to Tesco – I’m pleased to say, there was no lunatic hanging around the sugar puffs (🤣🤣 Terry!!!)
Hi Sue, Mustafi doing the offski and Zech Medley playing yesterday … does this mean that Wiiliam Saliba will be the big signing this week?
Lolol
Alright Rasp… possibly, but isn’t he going to be loaned back to Saint Etienne?? Which baffles me.. yes he’ll be one for the future – which is good & all – but what about now??
I hope that’s good news regarding Mustafi – my ticker can’t handle another season of his “errors”….. saw him on Instagram the other week – underwater (manatee, anyone?!!) Sheesh!!
I still have my heart set on Wilf……
Like you say, Rasp….. Medley!! Mavro…. anyone’s better than Shkodran – even Gunnersaurus 😜
Sue, I have a theory about Gunnersaurus … I think it’s David Dein … how could he walk away from the arsenal?
fred … apologies, I missed your player ratings. I would have put it up as a post. Have another go next game and we’ll see if we can publish it.
Gunnersaurus for PM!
Ooh I never thought of that, Rasp!! 👍😀
LBG.. 🤣 surely he’d do a better job than Boris, the buffoon!! Gunnersaurus is very underrated 😜
KNOW he’d do a better job than Boris the Buffoon, and Farage……and anyone else in the Tory Party. And Chump…….
Women’s WC Final: USA vs Netherlands tactical preview (from Tifo Football)
(PS: The above should also be applicable in any men’s football/soccer game)
Arsenal WFC’s Daniëlle van de Donk, Vivianne Miedema & Jill Roord (and previously Sari van Veenendaal & Dominique Bloodworth) are with the Netherlands Women’s.
All I can say LBG is…. God help us 🤣🤣
If we sell Jenko, Mustafi, Xhaka, El Neny and Asano, I believe that we will all be happy 😊
And if we get 70 Mln EUR for them, we will be content but I think in this crazy market, we can get more
Lacazette says that priority is Champions League qualifications for next few seasons
Good luck to the Dutch & American ladies… I fancy the yanks to win (RA told me to say that 😜) Should be a great game!
Sue what have i ever done to you grr, giving me a false sense of hope that mustafit is leaving i have literally spent whole morning searching the internet looking for some kinda information that it was actually happening
Stop growling at me, Fred 🤣🤣 at this moment in time, it’s wishful thinking, although having removed his Arsenal profile picture etc is a start! 32 days left – there’s still time & I’m keeping everything crossed 😁
32 days to long Sue, next thing he just doing maintenance and bit it back tomorrow
Now watching highlights of Nigeria game apparently iwobi played at cam and he was all that influence, I remember some one saying he should be playing in midfield and not as winger from that game I think not
Or am I expecting to much from a player who plays in the CAM
Hmm this just got me thinking we have been criticizing mesut but in this day and age in football has the game moved away from the traditional CAM that why mesut is left effective
If we scan the league who actually plays with a traditional CAM to a certain extent with the likes of KDB and probably silver, but watching there formation they don’t really lone up that way, Bournemouth and Leicester has Brooks and Madison respectively but are there consider a traditional CAM IMO nope
That probably why the likes of Ramsey is so effective when he plays CAM position cause the game had moved away from a CAM controlling the game and more CAM basically being CF
Congrats to the good old US of A!! Hard luck to Miedema and the team…
That really is a crappy trophy compared to the men’s!!
Rough hand ball for Brazil
USWMT with a well deserved win. Had the majority of chances, and played a better game.
Glad to see some coverage here about the youngsters.
Mustafi going, a man can truly dream, but if he does not, bring in a compliment for him and see what he can do.
Morning all ….
…. New post ….
https://www.whoscored.com/Articles/vIO8S7UUy0iBAVtWMon4RQ/Show/Copa-America-champions-Brazil-dominate-tournament-best-XI
Alves is available for free
Mina is maybe approachable and Thiago Silva as well
I like Jomenez and Betancur but unlikely to move