Morning all and welcome to a doubtlessly busy week from an Arsenal perspective.
After Saturday evening’s 2-1 win over Manchester United – expertly coated by Lewis – Mikel Arteta and the boys have swapped Los Angeles for Philadelphia forward of a conflict with Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
The West Coast leg of the tour seems to have gone very easily. Whereas the supervisor would have wished extra senior squad members at his disposal, he clearly relished the chance to present a lot of the children a style of the large time, particularly given current criticism aimed in his course following a spate of high-profile departures from the academy. Whereas a few of these children will now fade into the background, there are others who would possibly simply fancy their probabilities when the League Cup comes into view in September.
Earlier than the tour, Arteta spoke concerning the significance of successful matches and setting the suitable tone for the season forward. On that entrance, two(ish) victories from two bodes properly.
After all, we haven’t simply flown to the opposite facet of the world for a change of surroundings – this isn’t a closed-shop journey just like the transformational January jaunt to Dubai – the membership is there to win hearts and minds (and to flog some merch).
Forward of Saturday’s match, Arteta said: “It’s a chance for us to attach with our supporters. In the event that they’re Arsenal supporters then nice, and if they’re soccer supporters let’s get them to turn into Arsenal supporters. That might imply that we produced sure pleasure and pleasure in them in the best way that we play the sport.”
Afterwards, he was buoyed by the help his gamers acquired: “Thanks a lot once more for coming to observe us. Hopefully, they had fun and we supplied good leisure for them.”
There was a very touching second when 4 of the Arsenal gamers took outing to speak with an area man who appears to have fallen on hard times. Right here’s hoping the expertise serves as a well timed increase to his confidence.
In all seriousness, I hope everybody in Los Angeles, the natives of the town and the hundreds who visited from everywhere in the States and past, loved this newest Arsenal expertise. Once I met a few of you final yr, I used to be in awe of your ardour for the staff and your dedication to watching matches at ungodly instances of the day.
I’ve to say, I discover it genuinely fascinating how nearer ties are being cast with the Kroenke household’s different sports activities franchises. Clearly, the gamers have been utilizing the LA Rams’ amenities this week and SoFi Stadium has now hosted friendlies in consecutive years however there’s extra taking place beneath the floor.
Arteta and Sean McVay, head coach of the Rams, appear to have struck up a real connection and their co-hosting of a community event on Friday, at which each Stan and Josh Kroenke had been current, can have deepened that relationship. McVay was solely 30 when he was employed by the Rams in 2017. 5 years later he turned the youngest head coach to win a Tremendous Bowl. You may see how he and Arteta would possibly get on.
“We have now an enormous reference to the Rams. We’re producing one thing particular within the US, which is absolutely essential for us,” was the Spaniard’s parting message.
Elsewhere, the membership additionally revealed that former gamers, employees and companions from throughout the KSE community – together with Arsenal, the Rams and NBA franchise Denver Nuggets (who received their first NBA title final yr), had been invited “for lunch and a panel discussion about their careers” to “share information and spend time collectively”.
Certain, all of it sounds horribly ‘LinkedIn’ and makes me wish to gag a bit however frankly, if the Rams and Nuggets have recommendation on learn how to win shit and make extra cash (which can assist with that), I would like our lads and lasses (and Gunnersaurus) to soak all of it up. In return, perhaps we will get Louis Dunford to put in writing them a music or ship Stu MacFarlane to do a staff speak: “That is my franchise, I fucking love this franchise…”
I don’t know if the membership is lining up comparable group occasions and whatnot in Philly – the excursions are fairly gruelling for the employees so it is smart to front-load these things – however no less than the East Coast Gooners would be the first to get a glimpse of Riccardo Calafiori in Arsenal colors.
The Italy worldwide underwent his medical in London on Saturday and flew to the States yesterday, so, within the coming hours, we must always get official affirmation of his official arrival from Bologna. As negotiations have dragged on longer than anybody would have favored (even his under-7s facet had a sell-on clause apparently), there’s no time to waste. He’ll be chucked straight into coaching and must be on the bench for the Liverpool match. We wait with bated breath to listen to which of the various chants proposed on Twitter greatest interprets to the terraces.
By the sounds of it, Edu will spend the remainder of the week finalising Emile Smith Rowe’s departure earlier than directing funds in direction of the recruitment of Mikel Merino. Whereas the Spaniard is clearly excessive on our procuring checklist, Fabrizio Romano said yesterday, “he’s not the one identify on [the] checklist”.
I believe that’s the kind of line you plant to cease Actual Sociedad’s collective eyes from lighting up on the £35 million Fulham are wiring straight to our switch warfare chest. In a really perfect world, Smith Rowe won’t simply pay for a brand new midfielder, he’ll additionally cowl the price of a few backup goalkeepers and Arteta’s subsequent spherical of Botox. I child, I child. He will pay for that himself…
Proper, I higher get to work. After Lewis’ terrific job over the weekend, the baton now passes to younger whippersnapper Tim Stillman. If you happen to’ve not learn his stuff earlier than, you’re in for a deal with…
I’ll be again on Thursday to evaluation the Liverpool sport.
