Blog

Thanks for coming back to this weeks blog, which has not been an easy one to assess and write. I will get to Arsenal eventually but first after the tragic news on Thursday of the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, there’s not much more to be said than has already by figures across the footballing world, but my thoughts and condolences to their family and friends at this time.

You do really see that football is in times like this one large family and essentially the game is really at the end of the day, just a game. The thing with it though is that it touches people worldwide, you feel such emotions for these figures because of the scale and the moments they give you as a fan.

The news did hit me quite hard when reflecting Thursday evening, at 26 and 28 the brothers had so many years ahead of them and then you do reflect on your life, your friends, your family, those moments, just awfully sad news.

Jota, was one of those players who I absolutely feared when we played Liverpool or Wolves, he’d always score, he would do something in the game, the highest compliment I can pay the man is the fear he put into me as an opposition fan and he will be missed by everyone in the footballing world.

Now, onto Arsenal.

Kepa confirmed

So this week, the confirmed signing of Kepa from Chelsea was done and for the price and level of keeper, an absolute steal in my opinion. I have been pleasantly surprised that he did want to make the switch across the London, his performances for Bournemouth were great last season and definitely put him in the shop window for a starting role at a host of clubs.

But, to choose the Arsenal and the competition with Raya is really a great thing and something I think we needed in the goalkeeping department, healthy competition and really pushing each other for the number one spot. Pre season will be interesting when the two do play different parts, right now its Raya’s shirt but Kepa waiting in the wings will hopefully drive performances even more, for the golden glove winner.

Tomiyasu contract termination

Now onto Takehiro Tomiyasu, with the club and the player coming to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract and all I can say, what a shame it has been for the player. A great right back in his first season for the club in 2021/22 and then becoming such a great versatile defender, he had great performances against Liverpool from left back at times.

But the injuries stacked up and he couldn’t quite get going and as we’ve seen in the past, one big injury seems to compound more and more down the line. A story Arsenal fans have seen so many times, with Diaby and Wilshere coming to mind. You can definitely add Tomiyasu to the what might have been category of players. On his day such a reliable player, one of those at least a 7 out of 10 players, consistent, not flashy but gets the job done, sadly there wasn’t enough of those days. I wish him well with his next move and hopefully he can kick start his career again wherever he ends up.

Noni Madueke

Some transfer news on Saturday broke, Arsenal agreeing terms with Noni Madueke from Chelsea on the personal terms with the player. I’ve seen very divided opinions on this one. To me, if this purely another attacking player, someone who can come in and rotate say with a Saka to have a breather here or there, or a player coming in with the news possibly Trossard not agreeing terms, then it seems a good deal for both club and player.

At 23, he can still grow and as I’ve said in previous blogs the squad needs a bolster to be able to play across multiple competitions. Madueke should he sign to me needs to supplement the other business the club is looking at currently, he can’t be the only attacking signing and by all reports this isn’t the case. So let’s hope so and we see maybe one or two more alongside the player.

Consequently, there a few murmurings that Nwaneri could look for a move with talks with the club currently ongoing on at the moment, an understudy to Odegaard in the 10 role, so as reports have suggested he is happy and wants to stay at Arsenal, lets hope he follows Skelly and signs a new long term deal. It would be a shame to see him leave to a rival, with thoughts of Omari Hutchinson a few years back.

A tough issue and questions for it’s handling

Now, onto an issue I wished I wouldn’t have to discuss or ever have to discuss. But, as we have all seen, the CPS have charged Thomas Partey on counts of rape and sexual assault. I’m not going to comment on the trial or any outcome. There are victims who need supporting and as the weeks ahead will mean the case heard in a court of law, I think some fans online both of Arsenal and different teams need to remember these are real and serious crimes, real victims, not something to point score or banter over across various platforms.

The club down the line will need to answer for some of the actions it’s chosen in handling such a case.

The thing I have thought and have been thinking since the news broke Friday is that, as a fan, you support the club, you support the players, you cheer the goals, the tackles and even when their name is read out before the game. The process is being followed now, so as I’ve said I will not comment any further on the case but the only thing that will need to be asked at the end of all this, should I as a fan have been in a position to cheer this player for so long at all?

Perhaps, football in general, the FA, the clubs, the Premier League really need to have a think how such situations are handled in the future and what measures need to be in place for everybody involved. Let’s hope that there is never a case like this again, but in the eventuality there is, surely there must be a proper coordinated way to manage such situations, with protocol in place?

Anyway, not an easy one to write this week, I really do appreciate if you’ve read all the way through, until the next one, hopefully I can cover more positive Arsenal related news. Have a great week.