Morning.
Let’s start at the moment with a report from John Cross that Thomas Partey has undergone a ‘specialist process’ for a thigh damage, and is more likely to be sidelined for the remainder of 2023. I’ve to confess I used to be fearful when Mikel Arteta stated ‘weeks’ about his damage when it first occurred, as a result of he’s, as everyone knows, essentially the most circumspect man on the planet with regards to releasing that type of data.
It’s clearly a blow for the participant, and for the group, not least as a result of this damage got here throughout a coaching session when Arsenal had tried to be cautious with him. They resisted the temptation to convey him in after the Interlull the place he’d performed in two video games for Ghana (which is ok by me, btw – he wanted minutes having been out of motion because the finish of August). The plan was to begin him in Sevilla however a coaching floor knock put paid to that. We frequently fear concerning the load carried by sure gamers, however this demonstrates these items can occur at any time.
I’ve written earlier than about Partey, and whereas he isn’t the one damage susceptible participant we’ve had, he’s actually had his justifiable share of issues since his arrival from Atletico Madrid. Some may argue that the reemergence of Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has health points himself, exhibits you shouldn’t write gamers off. The distinction for me is that Partey might be 31 in the summertime, with only a yr left on his contract. Tomi is mid-20s, and has his greatest years forward of him, and his accidents weren’t repetitive muscular strains in roughly the identical space.
I strongly suspect, after all of the discuss of him going final summer season, Arsenal have plans in place to exchange Partey subsequent summer season. How concrete they’re I don’t know, however there have to be names on the shortlist, and an understanding that between his age, contractual scenario and damage report, it’s time to maneuver on. Sadly, we would want to do this in January. He may return faster, he could be out for longer. He could be slot in January, however then referred to as up for AFCON which begins halfway by that month.
A lot will depend upon availability, after all. I’ve seen the identify of Douglas Luiz bandied round already, however think about what it will take to purchase him from Aston Villa in January after they’re having fun with such an excellent season. Particularly whenever you recall how vigorously they rebuffed gives final time round. I feel that’s one you’ll be able to mainly rule out. After that, who is aware of? Perhaps somebody from South America, the place Edu ought to have loads of contacts, however we’ll have to attend and see.
Because it stands, our central midfield roster of Declan Rice, Jorginho, and Mohamed Elneny feels very mild, and if we’re going to compete throughout three fronts from January onwards, with Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, we have to add one thing there. And the plain reply ‘Nicely, Partey might be again in January’ isn’t one which fills me with an excessive amount of confidence, as a result of his health isn’t one thing I’d stick a fiver on, not to mention a title problem or a European push.
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In the meantime, the Unbiased Key Match Incidents Panel which evaluation Premier League video games have reported their findings on our sport in opposition to Newcastle final weekend. On the purpose, they said:
… though Joelinton does have his arms on Gabriel, there isn’t sufficient to award a foul as Gabriel had made an motion to play the ball earlier than any contact,” whereas additionally upholding the view there wasn’t sufficient proof to cancel the purpose on the 2 factual offences.
Fairly what the relevance of the motion to play the ball factor is, I simply don’t know, and the ‘though Joelinton does have his arms on Gabriel’ bit is performing some very heavy lifting there. They didn’t say there was no foul, simply that they didn’t deem the contact adequate to rule the purpose out. Which appears mad to me, as two arms within the again is a free kick each time. I’m satisfied it is a choice made primarily based on the post-game narrative round this incident – not least the broadly unfold opinions of pundits who’re very clearly backing the PGMOL – and never the legal guidelines of the sport. I anticipate this choice additionally opens the door for a positive, on the very least, for Mikel Arteta.
As dangerous as that’s although, it will get worse. Right here’s what they stated concerning the Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes incidents:
Nevertheless, the panel was unanimous that Kai Havertz ought to have been despatched off for Arsenal within the thirty sixth minute for his problem on Sean Longstaff because it was “a really harmful problem and the kind of deal with that must be eradicated” — a call which might have altered the course of the sport.
Bruno Guimaraes’ arm to the pinnacle of Arsenal’s Jorginho within the forty fifth minute was additionally a missed crimson card, however on a break up 3-2 choice for the VAR to become involved.
On reflection, if Havertz is issued a crimson card, I feel it’s one it’s important to settle for, however given the contact was so minimal, I do assume there’s a real gray space there. There isn’t a such gray space with the Bruno forearm on Jorginho although. As others have identified, in rugby that’s a crimson card. It’s a transfer that’s prohibited in boxing, the place hitting folks within the head is the whole level of the game. It’s, as I’ve talked about earlier than, the very definition of violent conduct.
So, how on earth are we presupposed to have any religion within the choices that this panel come to after they unanimously assume Havertz is a crimson card, however two them in some way don’t see the Bruno one for what it’s? The identical panel, by the best way, felt that the yellow card for Udogie within the sport the opposite night time wasn’t a transparent and apparent error regardless of the very fact he jumped in dangerously with two ft – one other stonewall crimson card.
How are they making these choices? Actually not by making use of the legal guidelines of the sport as we all know and perceive them, so what’s the considering? It’s absurd. As Arteta stated the opposite day about respecting referees:
I absolutely agree that we now have to respect and that is what we attempt to do. We’ve to have respect, it’s important to have good belief and the capability to have a dialog and opinions. That’s when respect is constructed.
How can anybody, Arsenal fan or in any other case, belief the choices of this panel primarily based on this abject nonsense? Rival followers will say ‘Haha, suck it up’, which is totally their proper, however it’ll come for them too sooner or later, and it received’t be so humorous. I assure you the response might be totally different. Let’s see how matey some managers are in the event that they’re denied factors by officers moderately than the thuggery of their very own gamers.
The ultimate factor I’ll say on this (for now anyway!), is that Declan Rice was requested what the gamers considered Arteta’s feedback after the Newcastle sport, and stated:
Yeah, we like it. I feel you see how passionate he’s. I feel he generally will get criticised for the way he’s on the sidelines, however, you already know, he’s residing the sport by us. He’s so energetic and the best way he speaks, he’s like a instructor within the altering room and that actually fires us up for the sport and I feel that’s what he’s actually actually good at.
That’s the silver-lining in all this from our perspective. A way of injustice may be highly effective gas, so let’s hope we will present that this weekend after we face Burnley.
Okay, that’s it for now. We’ll cowl Arteta’s presser on Arseblog News later, and we’ll have our Premier League preview podcast on Patreon for you later this afternoon.
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