Morning.

Let’s begin with Champions League motion from final night time, and Arsenal Ladies hammered Juventus 4-0 away from residence. The targets 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 possibly can see the targets 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 crew, and it was determined he’d be greatest served persevering with his restoration in London quite than taking part in in opposition to Slovenia and Kazakhstan. The Norway crew physician mentioned:

This has been an advanced ankle harm. With only a few coaching periods with the crew within the final 9 weeks, it’s pure that the physique is just not 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 smart strategy. Did he really want to go all that method for them to come back to this conclusion? It’s onerous to know how this resolution 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 danger atmosphere, however it’s a lot much less dangerous than taking part in 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 remainder, we hold all the things crossed they arrive by way of their worldwide duties with none points. The gamers to regulate 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 fascinating to see how a lot of the discourse in his absence revolved round Ethan Nwaneri. I feel we are able to 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 favored to see extra of him? For certain, however I do suppose the deal with him obscures the truth that there are inquiries to be requested about your squad constructing when a 17 12 months previous is the one actual choice you may have within the absence of the captain.

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

I feel it’s clear Mikel Arteta and the recruitment crew 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 affected by accidents. It’s additional ahead the place I feel we have to see the following constructive wave of arrivals. Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard have been good signings, and I feel the previous might 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 best way we’d have favored, 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 missed in our present funk simply what number of targets we scored final season. However is there room for enchancment, each when it comes to creativity and effectivity in entrance of aim? 100%, and that’s what I’m in search of as we head in the direction of the following switch window.

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