Morning and Happy Friday!
Not really much happening in the world of Arsenal today. Not weekend game due to being out of the FA Cup, and the transfer market is dead.
The only really news kicking about was that Thomas Partey has returned to full training.
It is interesting that this news has broken just a couple of days after it was announced the birth of his child, and also after Ghana were knocked out of the African Cup of Nations.
Partey has certainly been missed by us this season.
Whilst Declan Rice is comfortably the best defensive midfielder in the league, Thomas Partey is not far behind (when fit). His injury has meant we have not been able to go with the double destroyer option in central midfield.
Take the game against Liverpool in Anfield. The option would have been to play Partey central, and then Rice in that more advanced left handed position. Rice would have solidified that side of the pitch and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah would not have had the freedom they did.
I am not going to start moaning about injuries, though.
Manchester City have had their problems, as have Liverpool. Like us, they have just got on with thin things.
It is only Spurs and Newcastle fans you hear bleating on about their injuries and, backed by the media, use them as an excuse for poor performances. A top Premier League side has the squad to maintain performances. They don’t moan.
Partey adds another dimension to our midfield with his ability to take the ball on the half turn. He is quicker at turning defence into attack than Rice, and this has certainly been missed. If he stays fit for the rest of the season, it provides Mikel Arteta with another world class option in midfield.
Less than a week left in the transfer window. I do not expect Arsenal to sign anyone. Nor Manchester City (bar some random fella they are loaning back) or Liverpool.
Are we seeing a shift in transfer policy by clubs this season? They maximise their spending in the summer, leaving them nothing to spend in January.
This philosophy does make sense. If you get the summer right, there is no need to make signings in January. And likewise, why hold money back and sacrifice having a player for 6 months of the season just to make a January signing.
Arsene Wenger was one of those against the January window. He took the stance that you should have your squad for the season set in the summer. If this season is anything to go by, we could be entering that era!
Enjoy your Friday.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 