Morning all.
So going into Christmas, we sit in third place within the Premier League desk, 6 factors behind Liverpool who even have a recreation in hand. I don’t assume we will learn an excessive amount of into their efficiency and win yesterday, as a result of it got here towards a staff so patently absurd I believe there’s an excellent case to be made that they need to be wound up and put out of existence altogether.
Look, there’s no query Liverpool are superb, and have some incredible attacking expertise, however if you’re taking part in towards a again 4 and a goalkeeper who wouldn’t be capable to maintain a clear sheet towards a staff made up total of Steve – a one-legged septuagenarian with a club-foot who’s coping with a depraved case of terminal shingles and a dose of the inexperienced apple splatters – then you’ll be able to’t go overboard. Truthfully, it was so ridiculous to observe yesterday. Liverpool might have had ten towards the trumpet twats.
The Mugsmashers are using the crest of a wave proper now, and so they’re going to be robust to catch however there’s nonetheless an extended option to go and so they received’t be taking part in a bunch of disorganised halfwits each week, so let’s simply do our stuff and see what occurs. Elsewhere, Chelsea dropped factors as Everton Dyched them with a 0-0. I didn’t see the highlights but, however 25% possession and 30 tackles sounds just about like how they obtained a degree from us. I assume Chelsea want a brand new striker now too.
Anyway, for extra on yesterday’s Premier League motion, be part of us over on Patreon a bit later after we’ll have an episode of The 30 for you, rounding up all of the video games and clearly laughing on the groups who should be laughed at.
As for us, we’ll look forward to an replace on Bukayo Saka after his harm on Saturday. Even when the crutches had been extra about warning than the severity of the harm, the very fact he wanted them in any respect doesn’t augur nicely. A gentle hamstring pressure is often round three weeks, however this does look a bit extra severe, and it’s not his first one this season in order that’s an additional fear. It’s compounded by the very fact Raheem Sterling, who’s the back-up choice (or one among them not less than), additionally picked up an harm this week, so we’ll have to attend and see how forthcoming Mikel Arteta is on each these guys when he meets the press a bit later this afternoon.
It does look as if Saka goes to overlook chunk of January not less than, which suggests dealing with out him for some troublesome away video games (Brentford and Brighton), cup ties towards Man Utd and Newcastle, and doubtlessly a North London derby and the go to of Aston Villa. Suffice to say, the timing just isn’t nice.
The broader dialog about what we do in his absence is an fascinating one too. First, it’s about how we address the gamers we’ve. Gabriel Martinelli did nicely there at Selhurst Park, however how a lot can we get out of him, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz as our solely ahead choices as we face 10 video games between December twenty seventh and January twenty eighth? It’s so much to ask, and maybe it’d imply the supervisor giving Ethan Nwaneri some minutes in additional superior positions to supply a bit extra depth. He spoke about him taking part in as a ‘9’ sooner or later in his future, however perhaps a while as a Saka various may be on the playing cards.
Then individuals will take into consideration the January window and what we’d do there. I can’t say I’m significantly assured proper now, particularly after the replace James gave within the new Arsecast Extra yesterday, however it may be a case that circumstances power our hand. If Saka goes to be out for an extended interval, and with Sterling’s contribution to this point this season a fear anyway, we might haven’t any alternative however to try to convey ahead one thing we’ve deliberate for the summer season. With two gamers already in on mortgage, we’re on the restrict for loans so there solely choice is to purchase.
The opposite side of that’s do you compromise on a participant you’re not utterly bought on as a result of circumstances dictate? The query of January availability and value is a part of the dialogue too, however whereas it’s undoubtedly extra sophisticated and troublesome, it’s not inconceivable to make an efficient signing on this window both. Let’s see how this all performs out, and what we’re prepared to do if we have to.
Saka is our best attacking participant by far, and if there’s one participant who can come up clutch in a decent recreation, it’s prone to be him. So whereas his absence will likely be keenly felt due to his stature within the facet and all the pieces else, that’s one other consideration for Mikel Arteta and people at govt degree after we go into this hectic interval within the subsequent few weeks. Does this Saka harm convey to the fore some considerations about our squad constructing that exist even when he’s match?
Proper, I’ll go away it there for now. For some additional studying, Jon Spurling writes about George Eastham here. When you haven’t had an opportunity to hear already, the Arsecast Further is beneath. Get pleasure from!
