Morning.

Let’s begin with Champions League motion from final night time, and Arsenal Ladies hammered Juventus 4-0 away from residence. The objectives got here from Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Mariona Caldentey and Caitlin Foord. It’s one other win for interim head coach Renee Slegers, and Arsenal are unbeaten in 5 video games since she took over after Jonas Eidevall’s departure.

You’ll be able to see the objectives within the report right here, and get the response from Renee Slegers with questions from Tim right here. Subsequent up for the ladies, a North London derby away from residence on Saturday, and hopefully one other good outcome within the offing there.

In the meantime, Martin Odegaard went to Norway, had a chat with the nationwide group, and it was determined he’d be greatest served persevering with his restoration in London quite than enjoying in opposition to Slovenia and Kazakhstan. The Norway group physician mentioned:

This has been a sophisticated ankle damage. With only a few coaching periods with the group within the final 9 weeks, it’s pure that the physique just isn’t 100% at this stage. In session with him, now we have agreed that it’s higher for him to return residence to London to proceed his rehabilitation.

Odegaard, for his half, says he has to take heed to his physique, and to me that is probably the most wise method. Did he actually need to go all that approach for them to come back to this conclusion? It’s laborious to grasp how this choice couldn’t have been reached over the telephone, however it’s what it’s. The primary factor is that he can proceed to recuperate again at base, to talk.

It doesn’t imply that’s a zero threat setting, but it surely’s a lot much less dangerous than enjoying aggressive video games. There are a few different gamers who we hope to have again after the Interlull. Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu have gotten their comebacks to handle, and we’ll have to attend and see what occurs with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice who withdrew from England responsibility.

As for the remaining, we maintain every little thing crossed they arrive via their worldwide duties with none points. The gamers to keep watch over are: William Saliba (France), Kai Havertz (Germany), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Jurrien Timber (Netherlands), Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil), Jakub Kiwior (Poland), Mikel Merino and David Raya (Spain), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine).

Simply going again to Odegaard for a second, it’s been attention-grabbing to see how a lot of the discourse in his absence revolved round Ethan Nwaneri. I feel we will all perceive why, he’s an distinctive expertise with tons of potential, and there’s one thing basically romantic in regards to the concept of a child from the Academy stepping as much as the fill the hole. Would I’ve preferred to see extra of him? For certain, however I do suppose the give attention to him obscures the truth that there are inquiries to be requested about your squad constructing when a 17 yr previous is the one actual choice you’ve got within the absence of the captain.

Arsenal let each Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira go away this summer time, and whereas there is perhaps good causes for each these departures, we left ourselves mild. Maybe the Odegaard absence wouldn’t have been felt fairly so keenly if Mikel Merino’s introduction hadn’t been delayed by damage, and his pre-season principally befell in his first few video games for the membership. That’s not excellent, however whereas I believed there have been encouraging indicators from his efficiency in opposition to Chelsea on Sunday, he’s clearly a really totally different type of participant from Odegaard.

I feel it’s clear Mikel Arteta and the recruitment group have a very good eye for defenders. Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu all look the half, even when the latter has been sadly stricken by accidents. It’s additional ahead the place I feel we have to see the subsequent constructive wave of arrivals. Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard have been good signings, and I feel the previous may go on to be a really profitable buy as a result of years he has forward of him.

However Gabriel Jesus hasn’t labored out the way in which we’d have preferred, and in 5 years right here Arteta hasn’t but purchased an out and out centre-forward. He inherited Saka and Martinelli (which isn’t a criticism, simply an statement), and it’s neglected in our present funk simply what number of objectives we scored final season. However is there room for enchancment, each when it comes to creativity and effectivity in entrance of objective? 100%, and that’s what I’m on the lookout for as we head in the direction of the subsequent switch window.

I’m getting forward of myself a bit, I do know, but it surely’s the Interlull, and if we will’t let our minds wander now, then when? Proper, I’ll go away it there for this morning. Have a very good one.

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