After the game, Arteta said: "A few of the boys have only had three training sessions so just to give them minutes and exposure to understand and start connecting with each other again [was positive].

"I’ve seen some really good things, despite the amount of changes we made. That is why the game declined, especially in quality and in control, but we knew that was going to happen.

"The way we played in the first half was really good and I think we could have scored more goals. Even in the second half we had two big, big chances to score and we didn’t. It’s part of football, and mistakes are part of the sport."

Fair assessment

lorddulaarsenal although if we do go for that type of back line Tierney makes sense since he can also carry the ball out and play as a traditional full back

    I love Balogun run. So much intent

    It's one of those where the run makes the chance just as much as the pass does.

    No Pepe, Lokonga, Tavares, Patino and Cedric who have no futures here. Nelson injured, Turner already in USA.

    ESR given more off time due to u21 tournament. Partey in negotiations to leave.

    Cozier-Duberry the only youth player included as now our huge squad has no space for any young players. Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri and Walters dropped back to U21.


      Thought Trusty's contract may have expired in June but he's travelling with us to the US. Good opportunity to promote and shop him if he's still in our ranks.
      Some speculation Partey has't travelled because of 'visa' issues but as you say, it could be because he's going to be transferred too.

      Clrnc Nelson injured 🤦🏻‍♀️ suspect that's the only reason Cozier-Duberry in the squad.

      Shame for the other 3 youngsters not to get to go.

        Nelson just can't catch a break.

        If Partey's absence is because the Saudi deal is on, I hope it's wrapped really quickly, so we can move on his replacement.

        Seems more likely to be a visa issue though.

        Nelson is low key injury prone no?

        Now he's locked into a new contract so we can't even replace him meaning Saka is gonna have to play 60 games again…

          Tbf, Saka will play nearly every game because that's what the very best players do. It's also why we're considering Nelson as his cover imo - it's hard to get a very good and established player to come in and play second fiddle to a guy that good.

          Sicario2 - Tier 1
          Availability is just as important as ability. We can’t enjoy your abundance of natural gifts if you never play. Particularly important because we need to preserve Saka and Martinelli. If Nelson can’t play he will fall behind guys like Vieira. Or we will need to use Havertz/Trossard at 9 and shift Jesus over. But Saka relief should be Nelson’s if he can get fit.

            I would solve the issue by selling Nketiah and Balogun* and bringing in another striker to compete with Jesus (although I still think he has 20+ goals in him this season), so that the Brazilian can move out wide when it's needed.

            *Or giving the Balogun the chance to be 2nd striker if Arteta thinks he can become a top player very soon.

              Ricky1985 I think we are saving a big forward for next season. The striker market doesn’t look particularly strong this summer. So might as well solve our biggest areas of risk - midfield and right pod or defense.

                Osimhen... Spunk it on Mbappé. Bring that boy home!

                • IBL likes this.

                Mbappe is beyond mad Walmart money. You’d need to lump in Waitrose and M&S money on top of not more

                Amazon money even! Worth selling, selling, selling for if there was even a squeak of a chance!

                He’s a special player for sure

                Have a feeling we’ll sell Partey and will replace him with Caicedo

                I do, too, actually!

                My gut feeling is we've been waiting for Partey to agree to the Saudi's offer and then a bid to follow, and have told Caicedo he's our man if/when it happens. Otherwise, I think he'd be at Chelsea already. I reckon he wants to come here bad.

                I wouldn’t bet on Mbappe unless we got him on a free next year. Mbappe and Haaland are players who make £30-40m a year. It’s out of our range. We need to see which strikers develop over next 12 months and strike

                  Disappointed Nwaneri isn't going on the tour. I'd like to see more of him.

                    Qwiss Same. Wouldn't have brought Holding and Elneny personally. What's the point?

                      If they're going to be part of the squad next season, then it would have been incredibly disrespectful of Arteta to take Nwaneri ahead of them.

                      I'm also disappointed not to see more of him though. Looks very special.

                      Don't see why we have to leave Nwaneri and Skelly. We flying commercial or something? Can't afford the extra seats? We couldn't fit them on our team jet? Doubt there is a limit to the number of players we can take for non official pre season games.

                        Apparently Partey has a court hearing tomorrow hence why he couldn’t join the team on the plane.

                          Big Willie

                          I suppose you've got to draw the line somewhere. And there will probably be restrictions on the planes on the internal flights, coaches, hotels, training facilties etc.

                            I think everyone is missing the biggest story.

                            Alex Runarsson makes the squad! 😯

                            Sicario2 - Tier 1

                            Would he be required to attend? Especially when it causes such disruption. Seems unlikely, but I'm no expert kn these things.

                              Jorginho speaks well of the group. Encouraged Havertz to make the switch.

                              Seems like Arteta wants to see more of Balogun before deciding whether to stick or twist.

                              I'd convince him to sign on and then loan him off again if I don't think he's ready. He's worth a shot, if only from the commercial revenue he'll bring in being an American and America's #9.

                              He's not gonna go on loan again, he's made at least a couple of clear public statements refusing to do that. At some point a club has to listen to any player's career aspirations.

                              Just been given a link for a free month of MLS Season Pass (which is accessed via Apple TV+) and they are screening the game against MLS All Stars on Thursday. Not sure if it only works in certain countries but works for me (it's been shared by the NZ Arsenal supporters group). You'll just need an Apple ID (free to create if you don't have one). Just remember to cancel so you don't end up paying for a month.
                              Time of the game couldn't be more ideal personally - 12.30pm kick off on a day I'm working from home.

                              Link