Morning.
It’s an Interlull Monday, so not rather a lot occurring, aside from to spherical up what Arsenal gamers did for his or her nations yesterday. From what I can see, William Saliba performed the total sport as France beat Croatia 2-0. Having misplaced the primary leg of their Nations League play off by the identical rating, the sport then went to extra-time, after which there was a penalty shoot-out.
I’ll admit, I don’t know what precisely they had been taking part in off for, or why – with the schedule the best way it’s as of late – extra-time is deemed wise in any means, however there you go. France gained on penalties, however I don’t know what they gained or if anyone cares come what may. Maybe they’ve obtained a pleasant trinket or a UEFA cheque-book and pen. Saliba will now return to North London but when there’s some small upside to the fixture checklist, it’s that we don’t play once more till subsequent Tuesday, so he’ll have loads of time to get better.
Spain had been additionally concerned in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw with the Netherlands. Mikel Merino got here on as a sub and scored one of many spot-kicks. David Raya didn’t play with Unai Simon most well-liked in objective. I don’t know sufficient about his type this season to say he deserves a begin over Raya, however I simply essentially mistrust anybody known as Unai. Apologies to any Unais who could be studying, I do know it’s not a scientific method to go about issues, it’s only a little bit of psychological scarring.
Like if I wished to get one thing finished round the home (one of many many issues I’m incapable of doing like DIY and such), and I known as an organization who does the factor I have to get a quote, and so they despatched round a man known as Gervinho Murphy. I’d thank them for his or her time and look elsewhere. I do know, I do know, not all Gervinhos, however it’s what it’s. In case your surname is Collins otherwise you’re sporting 5 completely different shades of Maroon, your luck is out too. Jurrien Timber didn’t function for the Dutch, so assuming his reported sickness isn’t too unhealthy, he’s had a much less taxing Interlull than we first thought he would possibly.
Scotland misplaced 3-0 to Greece with Kieran Tierney a second half substitute in that sport; whereas Oleksandr Zinchenko performed the total 90 as Ukraine misplaced 3-0 to Leandro Trossard’s Belgium, who’ve additionally gained a trinket of their play-off sport after overturning a 3-1 deficit from the primary leg. Trossard didn’t rating or make an help, and was changed on 69 minutes by Alexis Saelemaekers. He’s clearly saving up all his juices for us once we get going once more. I believe he was pre-saving in a few our current video games too, however hey-ho.
Right this moment, England are in motion in opposition to Latvia, so we might see extra from Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice, whereas Ethan Nwaneri will most likely hope for a bit extra motion when England U21s face Portugal U21s. Ghana are away to Madagascar so Thomas Partey is prone to function there, whereas Jakub Kiwior’s Poland play Malta, and that’s about it so far as I can see.
So, as soon as once more I’m gonna maintain fingers crossed for a clear invoice of well being – past that, I hope our lads do effectively, however that’s a secondary concern for me as a impartial in all of those video games. One other Lewis-Skelly objective for England? Nice by me, as soon as he comes again with all his bits hooked up in the correct place.
Okay, I’ll depart it there for now. We could have an Arsecast Additional for you right this moment. We’ve already put out the decision for questions on BlueSky @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @arseblog.com with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or in the event you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, depart your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod must be out mid-morning. For now, have one.
