Morning.
As anticipated, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice each began England’s match towards North Macedonia final evening. The previous performed 84 minutes of the 1-1 draw, the latter the entire 90. I did not see any of it, however I did discover folks speaking concerning the referee. The nice factor from an Arsenal perspective is that our boys have the remainder of the week to get well from the sport time and journey, and since England had already gained the group, not a lot else deserves touch upon this this morning.
The opposite match within the group concerned Arsenal, as Oleksandr Zinchenko performed 86 minutes for Ukraine, whereas Jorginho acquired 71 minutes for Italy in a 0-0 draw. A end result that enables Italy to qualify by means of a greater head-to-head report. Nevertheless, Ukraine could really feel badly affected as a seemingly apparent stoppage time penalty towards Mykhaylo Mudryk was not given. They nonetheless have an opportunity to qualify by means of the play-offs in March, however it’s important to think about they are going to be pissed off with the match officers.
As for right now’s matches and who is perhaps concerned, France are enjoying Greece and since they’ve already certified, William Saliba may probably get a begin there. For some cause he is not rated as extremely together with his nationwide group as he’s right here, so his worldwide minutes aren’t as excessive as they need to be. That is good for us, however he might be beginning this.
Austria will tackle Germany in a pleasant and we’re all ready with bated breath to see the place Kai Havertz will begin. Will he be a left again once more? Possibly this time he fancies a shot at centre-back and channels his inside Beckenbauer as a marauding sweeper? May Julian Naglesmann see him as an inverted trequartista, or a semi-visible regista? Or simply put the lanky boy in nets. We’ll simply have to attend and see.
There may be additionally a pleasant match between Poland and Latvia, through which Jakub Kiwior may play a job. I’ve seen false speak about how golf equipment in Italy would possibly attempt to mortgage him in January, however there is definitely no probability of that taking place. With Jurrien Timber nonetheless sidelined and Takehiro Tomiyasu out of the Asian Cup, we’d be far too gentle on the again to permit anybody to go away. As issues stand, January is already more likely to trigger Mikel Arteta some complications. Along with Tomiyasu, AFCON can also be happening, so it’s totally potential that Thomas Partey, who has simply returned to health, makes his return for Ghana, as a substitute of Arsenal.
These absences are in fact comparatively short-lived, however they nonetheless pose a problem. You could possibly in all probability make an excellent case for an addition to the squad that month, however it will be very tough to say the identical for any departure. To not point out that Kiwior, though he’s in all probability the defender most on the fringes resulting from Gabriel’s consistency, has nonetheless performed 13 video games this season – though a few of them are late within the video games, so the minutes usually are not as massive as others.
In the meantime, information from Brazil means that Gabriel Jesus is in full coaching and will play tomorrow’s massive match towards Argentina (which is there right now, however right here tomorrow resulting from kick-off).
Gabriel Jesus has been ready to participate in full coaching for Brazil forward of tomorrow evening’s match towards Argentina.
Extra right here: https://t.co/CeXcYdwnIw
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) November 20, 2023
At this level we are able to solely hope that the choice has been made for the precise causes, i.e. he’s truly totally match and prepared, and never as a result of the significance of the sport has led them to take a threat. If you see a few of the accidents suffered throughout this Interlull it is laborious to not fear, so fingers crossed. All the pieces crossed.
Lastly for right now, there was a number of dialogue just a few weeks in the past when the Arsenal Ladies group photograph was launched. The group in its present type doesn’t symbolize the variety of the membership basically, or the broader neighborhood through which Arsenal exist. However why? To seek out out, take the time to learn this glorious piece that Tim Stillman has put collectively for Arseblog Information, which explains a lot of this, and what the membership is attempting to do to handle this imbalance.
It is an essential subject, and because of the folks he spoke to for the piece and the subject material lined, it is introduced to you in an sincere, delicate and accessible manner. It is undoubtedly price it.
Okay, that is it for now. Have a great one.
