Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Morning all.
I watched Arsenal Ladies’s quarter-final first leg towards Actual Madrid final night time, and two errors value us dearly. A aim in every half for the house aspect provides us heaps to do within the second leg, however at the least that sport might be performed on a pitch that’s worthy of a event like this.
Actual Madrid can’t management the climate, and it rained a good bit by all accounts, however that enjoying floor was genuinely horrible. Sure, it was the identical for either side, however that doesn’t imply it was acceptable. A Actual Madrid participant truly received injured due to how poor it was. I feel it performed an element within the first aim, the best way the ball skidded caught out Leah Williamson, however for the second the goalkeeper ought to have performed higher and Arsenal’s defenders can’t again off and let somebody simply shoot like that both.
So, heaps to do within the second leg which takes place subsequent week – after a weekend sport towards Liverpool too. Afterwards, Renee Slegers mentioned:
It’s two nil however it’s half-time. The gamers tried so all credit score to them for attempting and their work price. However once more, I feel we’re all assured that we are able to do one thing towards them on the Emirates at residence as a result of it’s solely half time.
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In the meantime, the BBC reported yesterday that Arsenal are set to open talks with Bukayo Saka over a brand new contract. Whether or not that is associated to the upcoming appointment of Andrea Berta or not, it’s onerous to say, however you would need to think about this can be a state of affairs that’s distinct from him. He is likely to be concerned, he may play an element, however this isn’t a call that wants his enter.
It’s, by a long way, the obvious factor Arsenal have to do – together with guaranteeing William Saliba extends his deal too. The latter has made optimistic noises about his future, saying he needs to remain and win trophies with the membership, in order that at the least provides you a pleasant platform to start negotiations.
Equally, it shouldn’t be massively tough with Saka, even when his agent is somebody who could be tough to cope with. In the end although, he has a superb observe file of getting superb phrases for his shoppers, so possibly it must be considered by way of that prism at the beginning. And in the event you’re representing Bukayo Saka, you realize you will have a really sturdy hand to play with.
That mentioned, Saka’s connection to the membership, to the followers, to the neighborhood and so on due to his historical past by way of Hale Finish and as an Arsenal fan, is an enormous assist. It doesn’t imply it’s one thing we should always take with no consideration, however he too is somebody who will need to keep and to win issues in crimson and white. If it turns into abundantly clear that gained’t occur, we shouldn’t be below any illusions a few participant of his high quality selecting a distinct path to satisfy these ambitions, however I don’t assume we’re at that time – even when this season has been disappointing.
Circling again round to the Sporting Director, for me the contractual conditions are immediately linked to summer season recruitment. We’ve been requested for the Arsecast Additional which is extra vital, bringing gamers in or renewals? My reply is each. You’ll be able to persuade gamers to remain extra simply in the event you present actual ambition and add severe high quality out there. Equally, in the event you’re attempting to persuade somebody Arsenal is the membership to which you’re going to commit the following 5 years of your profession, telling them you’re gonna be enjoying with Saka, Saliba et al is clearly a pretty proposition.
There was additionally a line about Gabriel within the BBC article, which mentioned the Brazil worldwide ‘has additionally held talks over an extension’, however he’s believed to have garnered curiosity from golf equipment in Saudi Arabia. This bit shouldn’t be new, that was the problem when he was left on the bench for a few video games firstly of final season, and till that was performed and dusted, it value him his place within the group.
That is actually an fascinating one, as a result of you possibly can perceive why some gamers may discover the phrases on provide from Saudi Arabia engaging. It permits them to justify a transfer which, if considered solely by way of the phrases of the standard/status of the league, is certainly a step down from the Premier League and Champions League. Gabriel is now 27, and he was one of many first to decide to a brand new deal once we began the final spherical of renewals – and maybe didn’t get the identical monetary phrases as a few of those that re-signed later, and even signed for the membership after that.
I don’t know if that’s one thing that bothers him, however what I’d say is that if a brand new provide is made to him now – and I completely assume it ought to be, it’s as vital as Saka/Saliba for me – then it has to replicate his stature as one of the vital vital and now one of the vital skilled gamers within the squad. He has produced excessive stage performances with a consistency that few centre-halves can handle within the Premier League, and his partnership with Saliba is essential for our hopes of future success.
Take a look at what Virgil van Dijk is doing at 33. Gabriel has good years left, and we have to guarantee the most effective of these are in an Arsenal shirt. He has greater than earned the sort of contract that places him on a par with our prime earners, so let’s hope that’s one we are able to kind out with out an excessive amount of fuss.
Okay, I’ll go away it there for now. Have a superb one of us.
