After Arsenal’s 5-3 win over Barcelona in Los Angeles, Mikel Arteta was quizzed on a series of absentees from the matchday squad.
For the second game in a row, Folarin Balogun and Oleksandr Zinchenko were absent and they were joined on the sidelines by new boy Declan Rice.
Given Balogun’s recent decision to switch international allegiance to the United States, his absence this week has not gone unnoticed by the locals.
While the striker has been heavily linked with a move away, Arteta made clear in his post-game press conference that he wasn’t selected due to a fitness issue.
“He wasn’t available – he had a little foot injury, and he hasn’t been training with us, and he wasn’t available to us, that was the reason,” he explained.
On Rice and Zinchenko, he added: “Dec had quite a strong kick in training and didn’t want to take the risk, he wasn’t comfortable to train yesterday and today, and we decided not to play him.
“With Alex, he had a muscular injury again, unfortunately. He’s getting back – I think he’ll be back soon, but it’s a shame that he hasn’t been with us the whole tour.”
Arsenal aren’t wasting any time heading back to the UK. The players and staff went straight to the airport from SoFi Stadium and will board a plane to London in the coming hours.
We face Monaco at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday and then head to Wembley for the Community Shield on Sunday.
GWS
Bye bye Flo
So Mik is straight-faced lying to us? Don’t be a clickbait muppet, mate.
If – and it’s a large IF – Milan stump up 50m, he may well leave. But they don’t have that money… and we ain’t desperate enough to take less.
Managers lie sometimes. It’s better than trying to navigate all the questions about an imminent departure. Plus it may impact the deal itself (if there is one). It’s not that serious.
Inter do have the money – they’re sitting on an €80m net transfer income this summer – but they already have three forwards in Martinez, Correa, and Thuram, so I’d be surprised if they go for Balogun.
No idea who would pay £50m for him around Europe – possibly PSG.
Ironically – and what a bizarre story this would be – West Ham obviously have the funds and probably need a new #9.
All that said – I really hope we keep him.
Imagine the bliss of replying to West Ham
~ 50mil or F. off
Have to say Zinchenko injuries are probably the most frustrating of all our current injury problems. Not just because he’s up there with our most important players, but because of the weird ambigious nature of them whenever it happens. When most players get injured we get that deflated feeling as they walk off the pitch during a match (or something like that regular occurance of Ramsey sitting on the floor gesturing to the bench). With Zinchenko on the other hand we’ll see the team sheet for a game come out, and notice he’s randomly absent. Only afterwards it’s revealed he… Read more »
It looks like Mikel Arteta might have given it a thought too. Hence, why he tested 3 different starting options in 4 games. Timber may be my favorite for now, but I certainly won’t be troubled if anyone else gets the nod, even if it’s Tierney as it will likely mean we invert from the right.
My worry is I think players with Zinchenko’s technical ability and comfort in moving into CM are almost impossible to find.Timber could do a solid job but the edge Zinchenko gave us was incredible.
Interesting to see if he plays in the ‘Game for Ukraine’ next week? I know he’d love to and is one of the biggest players playing – hope he doesn’t risk anything although I could understand why he would.
Definitely think Timber should be the first option to cover for Zinchenko as it allows White to stay in the lineup and having White behind him really opens up things for Saka (as well as Odegaard being able to stay forward more) with White’s staying wide and offering more overlaps than an inverted Timber would on the right side.
The boys with injuries will hopefully heal before the start of the season.
Anyone else desperate for Mr Timbers first goal ??? Timbbbbbbbbbeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr !!!!
We should play in check shirts next season in his honour ? Some player
Seems apt he scores on the first day of the Premier League season – against Nottingham FOREST.
Tabloids would have a field day with that one…
Or pirate costumes… Shiver me Timbers!
Argh!…shall we havertz a rice partey to celebrate the goal me hearties?!
Jesus, the jokes just never end…
It doesn’t help that we’ve played against some fucking muppets who want to kick everyone in our preseason friendlies.
Martinez particularly is disgusting with the attack on Saka and Bellingham today. Completely needless foolishness. Araujo on Jesus today too.
We dodged a bullet in not getting Martinez – gimp!!!
Arujo was much worse IMO..
He’s the reason Arsenal started go Physical as well. Then they couldn’t cope
Zinchenko is made of paper
What to do with Havertz…. He’s obviously got something that Chelsea failed to tap into. I’ve run a few experiments on FIFA but they were inconclusive as I got battered by some little shits.
I’m not sure if FIFA is good place to like for that answer. He’ll do good attack wise. I’m more concerned on his defending.
My two cents at the end of the US tour. In general,it *can* be more difficult than last season for us to win the title this time. Depends on(ignoring the obvious ones here) How Arteta manages team rotation which was mismanaged last season.(yes despite the players we had) Its a great and rare skill to increase the level of the existing players which Arteta did very successfully but another (great and rare) skill to keep the team winning and the level up, with lot more team rotations, especially with new players joining. I am sure he can manage and learn,… Read more »
…apologies, small update
instead of
Hope Vierra comes good this season, we need a good alternative to Odegaard.it should be
Hope Vierra/Emile comes good this season, we need a good alternative to Odegaard.
https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/15bu3iq/pressure_washing_a_road_sign_of_an_english_town/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=1
This is a video of gunnerblog’s favourite goalkeeper’s town.