Category Archives: Arsenal

Arsenal forever – Declan Rice and the ironic dream

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As a die-hard Arsenal fan, the thought of my beloved team winning the Premier League
sends shivers down my spine, I still hold the memories of past years winning the league.

The passion, the emotions, the sheer excitement of watching the Gunners lift the trophy is a dream that every Arsenal supporter cherishes at this moment in time. But is this dream really possible? Can Arsenal overcome the odds and emerge victorious in
the highly competitive world of English football?

The Irony of Fate could possibly come true?

Picture this: it’s the last day of the season, and Arsenal find themselves still in a
neck-to-neck race with Manchester City for the title.

The Gunners need to win their last game and hope Man City come un stuck, that’s if both teams keep winning till the last day, hoping, praying they do and our Arsenal clinch the premiership on the last day, and that’s where fate steps in….

West Ham, a team often overshadowed by the big guns of English football, is set to face off against City at their home ground. The irony lies in the fact that West Ham, a team with a loyal following but not known for its consistent performance, could be the unlikely heroes in Arsenal’s quest for glory.

A Gift to Remember

If West Ham manages to pull off a stunning victory or draw against City, it would be
nothing short of a gift to Arsenal. The scenes of jubilation at the Emirates Stadium would be unparalleled as fans celebrate the long-awaited triumph. But the irony doesn’t end there.

Declan Rice, a former West Ham player turned Arsenal star, and his former club would be the one delivering the final blow to City.

A gift from West ham or fate that it would end like this?

West Ham getting the result for our Arsenal and Declan Rice scoring the winner against
Everton?

The same team that had once sold Declan Rice to Arsenal and helped no end in performances week in week out had now unintentionally propelled them towards
Premiership glory.

Could it be a beautiful display of irony in the world of football, where allegiances and
outcomes can change in the blink of an eye.

Where a team’s victory against all odds turned out to be a blessing in disguise for their
former player’s current club. And amidst the chaos of the final day of the season to unfold, the true magic of the beautiful game may just shine through in all its ironic glory.

It would be a poetic end to a season filled with drama and suspense.

It’s also ironic that after the game with Spurs and The failed attempt in derailing our season their fans are hoping for their own team to lose against Man City, oblivious to the fact that our Arsenal will also have to play Man Utd.

And with Man U out of the Champions League spots, do their fans really want Man City to win the league? Can you see them doing a favour for their rivals, I highly doubt it! So that’s ironic within itself.

Typical Spurs fans, living in their own bubble of delusion and pity.

The Power of Belief

For Arsenal to win the Premier League, belief is essential. The players, the manager, the
fans – everyone must believe that the impossible is possible. It requires sheer determination, unwavering commitment, and a never-say-die attitude. The journey to the top is never easy, but with the right mindset and a bit of luck, Arsenal can rewrite history and claim their rightful place as champions.


In the world of football, anything can happen. The underdogs can emerge victorious, dreams can turn into reality, and heroes can be born. As an Arsenal fan, the thought of my team winning the Premier League again fills me with hope and excitement.

The irony of fate, the gift of victory, and the power of belief – these are the ingredients
needed for Arsenal to lift the trophy and etch their name in footballing folklore. So, is Arsenal winning the Premier League a dream to come true?

Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure – as long as there’s hope, there’s a chance for
glory.

No matter the result – whether we win the premiership or come in second place – one thing remains true: our team has instilled in us belief, passion, love, and a sense of winning and loyalty that we truly cherish. So, from the depths of my heart, I want to express my gratitude to Arsenal for the incredible journey you have taken us on this season. Thank you for everything.

North London forever, forever RED

Oh yeah .what do you think of Tottenham!

PcB

Arsenal’s 28 goal starlet nowhere near ready for the first team

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When a player scores 7 goals in a game, it is hard not to take notice.

Chido Obi Martin took his U18 tally to 28 goals in his last 16 games over the weekend. What is even more incredible he is just 16-years-old, and playing up 2-levels. Obi Martin does not turn 17 until November.

The Danish youth international joined us at 14 and quickly progressed through the ranks. At 15-years-old he scored 10 (ten) for the U16s against Liverpool. He is equally as prolific for his country, with 10 goals in 14 Denmark U17 games.

With what he has done at an U18 level, it is no surprise that some have called for him to be fast tracked into the first team squad. But we all need to temper our expectations.

The step up from youth level to senior pro is a huge one; and that step is even bigger if you are a title chasing team.

Obi Martin is ripping it up at an U18 level, but he has not yet made an impact at a Premier League 2 level where he has played just two games and is yet to score.

Now I get that if you are young enough you are old enough. I think back to the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere who played very little at an U23/21 level and at 16/17 were straight into Arsenal’s first team squad.

You also have the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen who as 17 year olds were Premier League regulars. But for every Rooney there are hundreds of Danny Cadamarteri’s, Nick Chadwick’s and James Vaughan’s.

We have not developed “one of our own” centre forwards since Kevin Campbell (I don’t count Nicolas Bendtner). Campbell made his debut in 1988. 36 years is a long time to have not developed a regular starting striker for a team like The Arsenal. But it is not without trying.

Obi Martin is certainly not the first Arsenal academy striker that we have all got a little excited about.

Arturo Lupoli

The Italian striker was poached from Parma in 2004.

In 2004/05 Lupoli would score 27 goals in 32 games across youth and reserve levels for Arsenal. He would make just 1 Premier League appearance for Arsenal before joining Fiorentina on a free transfer.

Benik Afobe

There were expectations that Afobe would become the “next big thing” for Arsenal and England.

So good was he and midfielder Chuks Aneke that Barcelona tried to sign the pair from us.

In 2008, Arsene Wenger said “We have two Under-14s players I watched play and technically they have nothing to learn”. It was speculated at the time that Afobe was one of those players.

Afobe was in the Arsenal youth set up at the same time as Harry Kane. Everything that Kanes has achieved in the game, Afobe was expected to achieve.

Now 31, Afobe is playing in the UAE. He never played a senior game for Arsenal.

Chuba Akpom

It felt like we had a conveyor belt of talented young forwards in the wary 2010’s, and hot on the tail of Afobe was Chuba Akpom.

Like Afobe (and Obi Martin), Akpom was powerful, pacey and had an eye for goal.

Akpom had a few good pre-seasons for the club and looked ready to make the step up a couple of times, but ultimately he never really sparkled when out on loan.

It was not until the 2022/23 season that Akpom began to make a name for himself at senior level, scoring 28 goals in the Championship for Middlesbrough. That form saw him secure a move to Ajax at 27.

Akpom would play 12 times for Arsenal.

Eddie Nketiah

Of all the youth products, Eddie Nketiah has come closest to making the grade.

Eddie joined us after he was let go by Chelsea in 2015 aged 16.

In 2016/17, he would score 15 goals in 16 appearances for the under-18 team whilst also scoring 12 goals in 26 appearances for the under-23s. He would spend the next few years on the fringes of the first team before joining Leeds United on loan in 2019.

Mikel Arteta would cut that loan spell short and integrate Eddie into the first team.

He has since made 168 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 38 goals. He has also been capped for England.

Despite playing a lot of games, he has never really cemented himself as a first team regular and there has long been a feeling that we need better than Eddie if we want to continue challenging.

I would expect Nketiah to leave in the summer, but I do not expect Obi Martin to replace him. We need to go out and buy a top striker, with Gabriel Jesus then replacing Nketiah as the 2nd choice.

Folarin Balogun

The most recent in a long line of forwards that were expected to kick on and become a great for Arsenal.

Flo would score 9 goals in 14 U18 games at just 16. A year later he would score 25 goals in 19 games.

In 2019/20 he would graduate to our PL2 side and score 10 in 15, and over the next two years would continue to be prolific at the level.

Despite his achievements in the PL2, Balogun would see very little senior time for Arsenal, playing just 6 times.

A fruitful spell on loan with Reims would lead to a big money transfer away rather than an opportunity to play for our first team.

Balogun shows that ripping it up at a youth level does not mean you will get a clear path into the first team.

Chido Obi Martin

Finally we come to Obi Martin.

What he is doing at an U18 level right now is crazy. But he needs to learn to walk before he can run.

To lead the line for Arsenal you need to be more than a finisher. You need a defensive work rate and be comfortable getting involved in the play. Obi Martin still has plenty to learn.

Playing week in week out against the likes of James Tarkowski or Lewis Dunk is very different to playing at an U18 level. Obi Martin will not be able to bully men like he does boys.

Next season Obi Martin should set up to the PL2. He will then be playing against lads who are 5-years his senior.

If he continues to develop at the pace expected, a loan love to a Championship side will be on the horizon in 2025/26. He will still only be 17. If that goes well, then we might see Obi Martin integrated into the first team squad for 2026/27. Even if it takes him until 2027/28, he would still be just 19!

Arteta will be keeping an eye on Obi Martin, and with Gabriel Jesus now 27-years-old, the Dane could be the natural replacement in 2-3 years time.

Keep an eye on the young man, but do not pile on and demand he is promoted to the first team before he is ready. Arteta knows.

Keenos

Jorginho, Declan Rice, Arsenal WAGs and More

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Jorginho

I for one am delighted that we are offering Jorginho a new contract.

Jorginho is a leader on and off the pitch in this squad, and it is important we keep these sort of players around.

Where I sit in the Emirates is behind where the subs warm up. Whenever we are chasing the game, Jorginho “warms up” when in truth he is actually coaching close to the opposition box. This is a tactic that has been used by Mikel Arteta a few times, and one which goes relatively unseen.

On the pitch, Jorginho has had accusations that his “legs have gone”, but can your legs go if you never had them to begin with?

He is like a Xabi Alonso or Luka Modric. Never been blessed with pace or physical ability, but blessed with a brilliant footballing brain. The first 5-yards are in your head and all that.

Jorginho offers an alternative option to the hustle and bustle of Thomas Partey and Declan Rice. His calming effect in the ball is a positive from both an attacking and defensive stand point.

I expected one of either Jorginho or Partey to leave this summer, with a new central midfielder to come in. My expectation was that it would be Partey to go, with Jorginho staying on for an another year.

A new 12-month contract with an option for another 12-months. That feels fair for a man who is still only 32. Jorginho could be at Arsenal for some time to come (and I would not be surprised to see him managing or coaching us at some point in his life).

Declan Rice

There is a fabulous interview in The Athletic with Declan Rice. For those without a subscription, just search his name on Twitter and you will get almost every quote.

The interview really highlights how much Rice has grown as a player and man in the short time he has been at Arsenal.

No longer does he look to just play long balls to the wings in the hope a team mate gets on the end of it. He talks about learning that playing a great diagonal ball is pointless if it will leave his team mate isolated. And this is the difference between a good player playing for an average team and a top player in a top team.

A poor player plays the Hollywood ball and then thinks his job is done. A top player realises that the pass might look good on his showreel, but it does not benefit the team.

To highlight further, you often see on Match of the Day a player for a lower team put an aimless cross into the box. Commentators then celebrate the ball in and then criticise the strikers for not getting on the end of it. When you watch a top team, their wingers (such as Bukayo Saka), recognise that an attacker will be unable to get on the end of the cross so look to keep hold of the ball and recycle rather than play it into the box and lose position.

Rice has now realised it is not all about him. That top teams get to the top by recognising what their team mate will be able to do with the ball when they get it.

The interview is a worthwhile read to understand just how much Mikel Arteta’s coaching has influenced his thinking, and just how much he has grown as a player.

Arsenal WAGs

It had not gone unnoticed how Arsenal players wives and girlfriends were socialising together. And not the “falling out of nightclubs” and wanting to be famous themselves socialising of England’s Baden Baden era.

Partners of the players watch games together in eachothers houses, look after eachothers dogs and are often seen dancing in a box at the Emirates together.

Arteta has built a squad of players who are all in and around the same age, which in turn means their partners are. His players are humble and not interested in the celebratory life, and they have wives and girlfriends to match.

A happy wife means a happy life. And if a player’s partner is comfortable in the presence of a teammates partner, then it will naturally lead to less anomoisity on the field and players also getting on better.

Arteta has spoken in the past about how the “Arsenal family” is more than just the players. It is the coaches, the backroom staff, the guys and girls that work in Highbury House, players partners, children and parents.

I have never known an Arsenal squad to be so much as one and with no cliques. Arteta should take credit for that.

Five players to leave Arsenal

Just read a clickbaity article from the Express (sorry, I know I should do better) which talked about 5 players that might never play for Arsenal again.

Four of those 5 players were Mo Elneny, Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavaras and Cedric Soares. Two players with their contracts ending and two players out on loan. It really is not a hard hitting piece of investigative journalism and just highlights that the media now care more for clicks than actual stories.

The fifth player oddly was Fabio Vieira. I would be surprised if the Portuguese midfielder is going anywhere.

The journalist clearly does not realise Vieira has been injured for much of the season (he fails to mention any injury). Vieira is a technically very good player in the same mould as Bernardo Silva. He will grow with more playing time, and if he does not get that playing time it just means other players are performing (Martin Odegaard is an unbreakable force. He never seems to be injured or fatigued. A blog for another day).

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Keenos