Morning, a really joyful center of the week to you all.
There are a few bits of Arsenal stuff we will kick off with as we speak. First is that Jurrien Timber has been added to our Champions League squad, changing Lino Sousa who has been offered to Aston Villa who then loaned him to Plymouth Argyle. I don’t assume this implies a comeback in opposition to Porto is on the playing cards, it’s extra about the potential for having him accessible ought to we make it to the latter phases of the competitors.
I think he’s nonetheless slightly method from making his comeback, however each constructive growth appears like a step in the proper course. I additionally hope that when he does return, he’s allowed discover his toes once more, so to talk. There may be usually a factor when a participant is out injured the place his high quality is perceived as higher and higher the extra he’s absent. Which isn’t to say I don’t assume he’s an excellent participant, I actually do, and I can’t wait to have him again as an possibility for each full-back positions, nevertheless it may take him some time to get match match and discover type.
Arsenal have allowed simply 62 photographs on track in opposition to them within the Premier League this season – fewer than another staff.
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) February 6, 2024
As it’s, Arsenal aren’t doing too badly defensively this season anyway. Which, I suppose, is a part of why all of us need Timber again, as a result of to have any likelihood of profitable the league, we have now to be higher in each potential space of the pitch. The stat above reveals you may we will enhance, as a result of despite it, it feels the shot to aim ratio for the opposition is a bit excessive, so I’m positive that will likely be a part of the supervisor’s focus.
The defensive energy will likely be boosted by the return of Takehiro Tomiyasu after Japan’s exit from the Asian Cup over the weekend. Right away, Mikel Arteta has one other right-back at his disposal, one other left-back possibility, and a participant who can comfortably function on the proper or left of central defence. I do know his harm report is a priority, however on the identical time to have a participant of that versatility, with little to no drop off in his effectiveness in every place, is so uncommon.
Which, for me no less than, makes it straightforward to grasp why the membership are set to finalise phrases on a brand new contract for him. He’s nonetheless solely 25, his finest years are effectively and actually forward of him, and when one participant can provide you that a lot depth, you maintain on to him. It will actually have been fascinating to see how Arteta would have used his defensive choices this season with Timber totally match. There was a variety of chat about how he’d have usurped Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, however I don’t assume it could have been as clear minimize as that.
The complete-back combos he may have used with Timber, Zinchenko, Tomiyasu and Ben White would have been way more tailor-made to explicit opposition, for my part. I additionally assume a part of Timber’s remit would have been to minimize the burden on Zinchenko specifically whose profession has been affected by calf strains and comparatively minor muscular accidents. He’s not a participant who can cope with a heavy load, sport after sport, like a Granit Xhaka, for instance. Zinchenko must be managed, and his withdrawal on Sunday, coming not lengthy after one other absence as a result of he was wanted week after week, is clearly tied to the minutes he’s needed to play this season.
Anyway, Tomiyasu needs to be again within the fold for the sport in opposition to West Ham on Sunday, in order that’s excellent news. When the brand new contract will likely be introduced, I’m undecided. There have been some tales lately that due to how the Premier League at the moment are actively cracking down on their very own revenue and sustainability guidelines, many golf equipment are pushing out bulletins re: contract extensions, in order that they fall within the subsequent accounting interval. I’m positive the pay will likely be back-dated in some style, however the lack of January spending, the unwillingness of some golf equipment to tug the set off on floundering managers, and these contract tales all appear to be linked to that. These issues all price cash.
Arsenal have two contract extensions just about able to go, with Ben White’s new deal kind of wrapped up additionally, so let’s see what occurs. Proper, let’s go away it there for this morning.
Take pleasure in your Wednesday, extra right here tomorrow.
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