Morning all.
Liverpool prolonged their lead on the prime of the Premier League final night time 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 huge IF, after all, 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 positive. 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 crew was traumatised by the Eduardo damage and the late penalty which value 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 imagine performed a component in that run of video games that adopted. However the level is, attracts at this level of the season will be pricey, so whereas it could clearly be higher if the Mugsmashers misplaced just a few video games, so long as we will 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 might have reduce 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 further stress, however our problem lies past simply successful a recreation. We’re with out key gamers from our ahead line, we would have liked 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 perfect beginning XI which is able to assist us take all three factors towards the Hammers. Proper now although, there’s greater than a glimmer of hope, and that’s a great 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 instead in our dwelling Premier League match towards Southampton in October, Tomi continued to have points together 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 direction of the tip of this 12 months.
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 12 months as a possible comeback date. It’s simply actually unhappy for the participant, and once more I’d stress the necessity to have a look at this from a human angle. Sure, he’s very nicely paid and – within the grand scheme of issues – he’ll be comfy, nicely sorted from a medical perspective, and all the remainder.
Nonetheless, that is clearly an enormous drawback for Tomiyasu. This isn’t an ACL damage, this is a matter that has been ongoing for a while, that they tried to repair as soon as, have tried to take care of with out surgical procedure, solely to finish up again able the place he has to have an operation to attempt to repair it. I’ve seen it described as a sophisticated or advanced damage, and if you take a look at how lengthy he’s been out, and the measures taken to attempt to get it proper, that appears apparent.
Nonetheless, you don’t want a masters diploma in studying between the traces to know that that is an damage that might probably have critical penalties for his profession. By the point his rehab finishes, he’ll have 6 months left on his Arsenal contract, though there’s an choice for one more 12 months. It stays to be seen if that choice will likely be taken up, and it’ll all rely how profitable this surgical procedure is. There aren’t any ensures every part 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 commonly, after which in the summertime his contract is up and Arsenal resolve to not lengthen. To me that’s a scenario than deserves extra empathy for the participant than criticism simply because he’s getting paid whereas out injured (like all contracted worker is entitled to, by the best way). 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 great man, a strong professional, and none of that is his fault.
Don’t fear about his wages. Arsenal have the cash – as the most recent monetary outcomes present – and whereas we will focus on his place within the squad and what we have to do to fill it, don’t solid him apart and discuss him like some form of damaged trinket that’s of no use. I believe we’ve all in all probability been responsible of that sooner or later, and I utterly perceive frustration round gamers who might carry rather a lot to the crew who aren’t match to play, however possibly a slight shift in how we now have these discussions could be welcome.
Proper, I’ll depart it there for now. We’ll have an Arsecast for you a bit later right this moment, so stand by for that. Within the meantime, get pleasure from your Thursday.