Morning all.
Liverpool prolonged their lead on the prime of the Premier League final evening after a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, however having now performed a recreation greater than us, there’s an opportunity for us to chop that deficit on Saturday if we beat West Ham. That’s the massive IF, in fact, nothing is assured, however the door is open just a bit wider if we do.
I noticed some frustration that Villa couldn’t take all three factors, however a draw will do me superb. Again in 2007-08, we had a 5 level lead over Man Utd with 12 video games to go. With out wishing to set off anybody, that 2-2 draw with Birmingham occurred, and we drew our subsequent three video games to see United overtake us and construct a 3 level lead with 8 video games to go.
These circumstances had been clearly very completely different. I believe the staff was traumatised by the Eduardo harm and the late penalty which price us the win that day. It didn’t assist that our captain sat on the pitch, displaying a dearth of character and management which I firmly consider performed an element in that run of video games that adopted. However the level is, attracts at this level of the season might be expensive, so whereas it could clearly be higher if the Mugsmashers misplaced just a few video games, so long as we are able to do what we have to do, attracts are helpful within the context of this title race.
Liverpool are away to Man Metropolis on Sunday, and by that time we may have minimize the hole to five factors with 12 video games to go. A win in our 3pm kick off on Saturday will apply just a bit additional stress, however our problem lies past simply profitable a recreation. We’re with out key gamers from our ahead line, we wanted a little bit of a Hail Mary intervention from Mikel Merino final Saturday towards Leicester, and I’m certain Mikel Arteta is attempting to work out the very best beginning XI which can assist us take all three factors towards the Hammers. Proper now although, there’s greater than a glimmer of hope, and that’s a superb factor.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have confirmed Takehiro Tomiyasu’s surgical procedure and revealed the timeline for his restoration, saying:
Regardless of an preliminary surgical process in August, adopted by a return to full coaching, and that includes in its place in our residence Premier League match towards Southampton in October, Tomi continued to have points along with his knee, leading to an additional corrective surgical process.
Tomi will now start his restoration and rehabilitation programme, which is predicted to be accomplished in the direction of the top of this yr.
I wrote a bit about him in additional depth final week, however we’re in February now they usually’re speaking concerning the finish of this yr as a possible comeback date. It’s simply actually unhappy for the participant, and once more I’d stress the necessity to take a look at this from a human angle. Sure, he’s very properly paid and – within the grand scheme of issues – he’ll be comfy, properly sorted from a medical perspective, and all the remaining.
However, that is clearly a giant downside for Tomiyasu. This isn’t an ACL harm, this is a matter that has been ongoing for a while, that they tried to repair as soon as, have tried to cope with with out surgical procedure, solely to finish up again ready the place he has to have an operation to attempt to repair it. I’ve seen it described as an advanced or advanced harm, and while you take a look at how lengthy he’s been out, and the measures taken to attempt to get it proper, that appears apparent.
Nevertheless, you don’t want a masters diploma in studying between the strains to know that that is an harm that might presumably have critical penalties for his profession. By the point his rehab finishes, he’ll have 6 months left on his Arsenal contract, though there may be an choice for one more yr. It stays to be seen if that choice shall be taken up, and it’ll all rely how profitable this surgical procedure is. There aren’t any ensures all the pieces will go as deliberate, so it’s not past the realms of risk the Arsenal section of his footballing life is over.
Perhaps he comes again on the finish of 2025, possibly he goes on mortgage someplace to play extra often, after which in the summertime his contract is up and Arsenal determine to not prolong. To me that’s a state of affairs than deserves extra empathy for the participant than criticism simply because he’s getting paid whereas out injured (like several contracted worker is entitled to, by the way in which). I do know the worst excesses of on-line discourse aren’t consultant of the bulk (not simply in soccer both), however they nonetheless rankle with me a bit as a result of right here’s a superb man, a strong professional, and none of that is his fault.
Don’t fear about his wages. Arsenal have the cash – as the latest financial results show – and whereas we are able to talk about his place within the squad and what we have to do to fill it, don’t forged him apart and discuss him like some sort of damaged trinket that’s of no use. I believe we’ve all in all probability been responsible of that in some unspecified time in the future, and I utterly perceive frustration round gamers who may convey loads to the staff who aren’t match to play, however possibly a slight shift in how now we have these discussions could be welcome.
Proper, I’ll depart it there for now. We’ll have an Arsecast for you a bit later as we speak, so stand by for that. Within the meantime, get pleasure from your Thursday.