Morning all from my sunny Essex garden. Feels like a bit of clam before the storm right now. Sitting and relaxing with a coffee before I have to get on with the days chores.
Mow the lawn, dead head some plants, paint a fence panel, and then relax to watch the F1 qualifying. I was looking forward to the cricket today but I would be surprised if the England v Ireland test goes beyond lunch.
Nice and peaceful here right now. Can just hear the sound of the birds chirping and the distant murmer of cars on the M25. And it is nice and peaceful in the world of Arsenal as well.
With the international fixtures not starting until 16 June, players have been given a leave of absence from the club. A chance to start their holidays early. For some, they will have to come back ahead of representing their country. Others can begin recharging their batteries ahead of next season.
Bukayo Saka has taken the opportunity to return to the home of his parents. The response to him out in Nigeria just shows what a huge global star he has become.
Saka is going to be Arsenal’s next superstar on and off the field. Like Thierry Henry, he will be a reason why people begin to support Arsenal. And similar to Kanu and Didier Drogba (for Chelsea), he will capture the hearts and minds of those across Africa. Expect our profile in Nigeria to rise even further.
And he is a credit to his family, the club and himself. Such a polite, down to earth, well rounded young man. No airs and graces. No arrogance.
I do worry about 2-years time. If Arsenal do not continue with this upward progression and begin to win the trophies he craves, he could be off.
Saka only signed a 4-year deal. That means summer 2025 will be when he either signs a new 5-year deal (taking him to 28), or is sold. Likely to Manchester City.
It does remind me a little bit of Raheem Sterling at Liverpool. In 2015, they could not match his ambition and he jumped ship. Top players will always want to go somewhere where they can win trophies.
There is not much else really happening around Arsenal right now. Just the usual transfer gossip. It is a bit harder to tell what comes from a journalist these days since Twitter took away unpaid verification.
I think todays flavour of the month is Xavi Simons. The only reason that link has come up is because his agent is Darren (son of David) Dein.
Not really sure why that is relevant. Darren was an agent for many an Arsenal player back in the 00s and was key in engineering most of them a move away from Arsenal.
The Declan Rice deal is still making a lot of noise. Ignore it. Nothing will happen until after the England internationals.
Have a great Saturday. The grass won’t cut itself.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
Simons is a danger player. It was he not Gakpo who caused all the damage in EL.
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Saka could stay or leave. Now or later. I don’t think it would be a disaster. Nevertheless, the three most important person in the club right now is Edu, Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard. A director who set a clear ambition and culture for the club, a manager who is creative, passionate and able to deliver and a captain who embodies the club ambition, culture and a leader by example. I rate those three higher than anyone else at the club.
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Yeah I agree with you
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