In this latest podcast, Shotta, yours truly, and the Arseblagger analyze the dramatic news of the Kroenkes firing The Don, Raul Sanllehi, and ponder what has really changed at Arsenal Football Club. The Don Is Dead, Long Live The Don?
Give it a listen and show your support by subscribing to this podcast wherever you download.
As always comments are welcome!
Ed at 639
If reports of transfer/sale of 6 to 8 first team players is true. I think we are doomed. It will be calamitous to start the season with half of the team with new faces. We know Wenger never did the mistake of shaking up the team in so many positions.
The idiot lot at the social media and blogosphere who promote big money spending and complete shake up luve in fools paradise. We ought to stay away from their wishes.
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rumor has it that the PSG head physio will be joining up with Arsenal after today’s final. Replacing Morgan who has gone back to Liverpool
Arteta said a week or so ago, pre Ljunberg leaving, that he would certainly be adding a couple of coaches to his back room team, now maybe he had accounted for Freddie going, and that it will still be only two more coaches coming in. The Brentford set piece coach is being mentioned today as one of those who will come in, some Brentford sites are reporting that he has already joined up with AFC, with only minor details of deal to be confirmed
I see some suggesting that Arsenal men should be added to the coaching staff, but not sure who they have in mind, surely not Keown or Adams. Maybe bring back Ampadu, or maybe there is some truth in the rumors that Dennis Bergkamp is set to come in
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well Rosicky I would suggest we are likely to bring in four or five, with six or seven leaving, we if we sign Gabriel will have signed two, so that would only mean another two or three to come in, that is not hard to believe could happen, Partey been the big talk, but Ceballos in again, maybe on loan again, that would be four, and I think we could see another attacker of some sort signed, be it a striker, winger or attacking midfielder.
If we look at Arteta’s team selections after lockdown, it was very much static, the likes of Sokratis and Holding only got picked as a last resort, Ozil was frozen out totally, Torreira barely played under Arteta pre lockdown and post lockdown, so that leaves us with a limited squad number wise, and most of us would suggest our midfield needs improvement,
,
for me the Leno/Martinez spot has to be sorted out too, that could easily mean a back up keeper having to be signed too.
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David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein·2h
Set-piece specialist Andreas Georgson (see @sr_collings) started at Arsenal yesterday
#AFC also appointing new analyst
Assistant GK coach Sal Bibbo exits
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Set piece coach…..the world really is changing too fast for my simple view of things. What next?
Good luck to him though , if Arteta wants him, good enough for me
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Why has Sal Bibbo done wrong? I thought our keepers have been excellent, presumably SB played a part?
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well Mandy it seems Sal Bibbo was demoted to assistant goalkeeper coach when Arteta took over, Mikel brought in the Brentford goalie coach as our main keeper coach
as for set piece coach, Brentford did a lot of stoke like long throws this season. Yes the did some well worked out freekicks and corner kicks too,
we will have to see if he makes a major improvement to how we defend corners and freekicks as that part of our game went downhill under Arteta, and it wasnt great before him
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Oh well, hope he improves anything that needs improving. Seems a Brentford thing going on
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David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
·
17m
Another departure from Arsenal – Ameesh Manek leaves after 5 years at the club. Had been 1st team football operations manager since 2018 & was previously head of academy operations. #AFC restructure continues @TheAthleticUK
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rumor that Dennis Bergkamp is to be Ljunberg’s replacement on the coaching staff at Arsenal
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I have been hearing Denis will be on the coaching staff since he was still a player. I can’t see it although it would be nice.
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Jonathan Dinzeyi has joined Arsenal on a professional contract.
The 20-year-old joins us as a free agent and will join up with our under-23s and academy players ahead of the new season.
The London-born defender who predominantly operates in central defence, developed through Tottenham Hotspur’s Academy, where he played until recently.
We all welcome Jonathan to Arsenal and look forward to supporting him with his continued development.
The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
Copyright 2020 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
Interview
‘If I don’t keep a clean sheet, it hurts me’
Aidan Small 24 Aug 2020
Dinzeyi
Jonathan Dinzeyi became the third player to sign for our under-23s this summer when he joined us from Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
The young defender is suited to the modern game with his ability to play out from the back, but above all else, he loves keeping clean sheets.
We spoke to Dinzeyi after signing – and this is what he said:
on how it feels to join the club…
It’s a great feeling. Arsenal is a massive club and they were actually the first club I supported as a child. They have a great history and with the new manager coming in who likes to play a lot of young players, I think it’s a great opportunity for me to show the fans and the coaching staff what I’m about. I’m really excited to get started now.
on how he would describe his style of play…
I’m a ball-playing centre half. I love to tackle and win headers and keeping clean sheets for me is vital. If I don’t then it really hurts me. I just love doing my job.
on whether he’s excited to link up with any players…
Tyreece John-Jules and Folarin Balogun, I’ve played against them a few times and they’re really good. I’m looking forward to playing with them this time!
on his targets for the season…
Right now I just want to start as many games as possible with the under-23s and in the long run hopefully be involved in some cup fixtures with the first team. Who knows what could happen after that? It’s just about proving myself with the under-23s right now and taking any opportunity that’s given to me.
Copyright 2020 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
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Charles Watts
@charles_watts
·
7m
Gabriel has spent the afternoon at London Colney. Travelled direct from the airport. He has been allowed there, while under strict medical supervision to put the finishing touches on his move having arrived from France this morning.
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David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
·
1h
Agreements still need to be finalised on fee and personal terms but Wolves are closing in on the signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Arsenal and it’s on course to be completed this week. Background for @TheAthleticUK
on a situation that ultimately suited all parties #AFC #WWFC
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Ryan Alebiosu has signed his first professional contract with us.
The 18-year-old first joined our Academy when he was just seven years old. The Islington-born Gunner joined our pre academy before signing as an under-9, developing through the ranks in the same group as fellow Academy graduate, Bukayo Saka.
A versatile and energetic right back who can also play in midfield, Ryan made 21 league appearances for our under-18s last term and made his debut for our under-23s against Liverpool in January.
We congratulate Ryan on his first pro contract and look forward to supporting him with his continued development.
Copyright 2020 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
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Shame we are losing AMN, To I guess who I would call a rival, an academy kid who has been excellent in some games
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Uneasy about prospect of Ainsley going. There’s the one of our own side of it, the versatility, the pretty good technique, when focused, but maybe above all else don’t like thought of losing his speed. Think we need a bit more, not less, especially as with Arteta, moving forward, there’s every chance we’ll deploy the sitting deep sometimes, but also look to dominate possession high up at others, necessitating good recovery speed.
I guess…it’s life with a real budget.
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Also continues that weird pattern stretching back to Fabregas/ Clichy time, of introducing a lot of young players to first team football at top level, them playing 100., 200, 300 games with us, but none making it to veteran stage/ 30 mark.
Long list. Fabregas, Clichy, Szczesny, Gibbs, Djorou, Senderos, Jenkinson, Ox, Wilshere, Iwobi, Coquelin, even Theo and Ramsey didn’t make 30.
Feels a little wasteful somehow, as though you pay the price Wenger used to mention with playing youngsters, but never get the benefits at other end of scale with older players with tons of experience and very strong connection to club.
Not that it isn’t right for all parties for some to move on, just a shame that none have stayed all the way. Also clear trend is for them leaving younger now. Watch out Joe and Eddie perhaps.
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AMN turns 23 on saturday, last season he palyed in 20 EPL games, the most he has played in any season so far, he made his EPL debut 6 years ago.
The problem for AMN has been his versatility, ask four Gooners what his best position is and you are as likely as not to get four different answers, – Right Back/wingback, Left Back/wingback, CM, wide midfield, and in reality I don’t think any one knows, and by his age we should know.
He has had some fine games for Arsenal, but then again what player hasn’t had some fines games out of 100 games. With AFC signing Cedric that means, unless Bellerin was to be sold, AMN would be 3rd choice there, Tierney is clear first choice left back/wingback, and is a lot less likely to be playing left CB, now that both Mari and Gabriel has been signed, so that puts AMN back up there at best, and even if Kolasinac is moved out, Saka is still a candidate for that spot so AMN could be 3rd choice there too. Arteta did not use AMN in midfield at all, Emery barely played him there either, so when you look at it, can AFC afford to turn down a £20M bid for him.
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reports from Germany are that Schalke 04 have opened talks with Arsenal for the signing of Saed Kolasinac, they want a loan with a purchase option, seems the only major stumbling block to Kolasinac rejoining Schalke is his big wages. The report suggest Kolasinac has asked AFC to allow him to return to Germany due to family/personal reasons.
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it seems Leeds Utd are set to sign Arsenal youth striker Sam Greenwood
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if you look at the Arsenal squad on Arsenal.com it has 30 players listed, and for the purpose of this I have included Gabriel as it seems that deal may be announced today, so that makes 31
GK: Leno, Martinez, Macey
FB: Bellerin, Cedric, Tierney, Kolasinac
CB: David Luiz, Saliba, Gabriel, Mari, Mustafi, Sokratis, Chambers, Holding
M: Xhaka, Torreira, Willock, Maitland-Niles, Guendouzi, Elneny
F: Pepe, Nelson, Saka, Aubameyang, Martinelli, Ozil, Smith-Rowe, Willian
S: Lacazette, Nketiah
so if you look at the squad its
Strong at Goalkeeper
Strong at Fullback
Over stocked at CB
A little light in CM
Strong in the Forwards
Very bare at striker, even if we move Aubameyang there from a forward spot
Now we are told by the media that ten or more of that squad is up for sale, so if we take out the players being mentioned for a move, not including Ozil as he says he is staying, here is what the squad looks like
GK: Leno, Martinez, Macey
FB: Cedric, Tierney,
CB: David Luiz, Saliba, Gabriel, Mari,
M: Xhaka, Willock,
F: Pepe, Nelson, Saka, Martinelli, Ozil, Smith-Rowe, Willian
S: Nketiah Aubameyang
oh boy that decimates the squad, maybe not so much in quality, although it does drop a bit, but number wise it would be total madness. The squad would then be
Strong at Goalkeeper – and that is ignoring Martinez’s comments that he is not prepared to go back to being back up keeper, so either he or Leno may go too
Bare bones at Fullback
Bare bones at CB, but quality
Fucked in CM
Strong in the Forwards but would have to move Aubamyang to striker
Bare bones at striker
Yes I know we have several players in that squad that are versatile and can play a couple of positions, but no player can play more than one position at a time so that really changes little to make the squad good enough.
We can certainly expect several players to leave our 31 man squad, but can we really sell ten, like the media say are up for sale. I would say certainly not, but take CB for example, we might very well be open to selling any of Mustafi, Sokratis, Chambers and Holding, but I would suggest that its any 2 of that 4, not all 4, just the first 2 we can sell, likely Sokratis and Holding.
At fullback I can see Kolasinac going, with Saka seen as good back up to Tierney, but I don’t see Bellerin going, well not unless we sign someone like Max Aarons, or do we really replace Hector with Osei-Tutu, maybe.
I can see us selling all of Torreira, Maitland-Niles, Guendouzi and Elneny from our Midfield, but only if we are bringing in at least 2 new midfielders and getting Ceballos back too. Are we really likely to buy 3 midfielders this window, I’m not sure that is realistic
Forward wise we look strong enough, but media are still saying we want to sign another winger or wide forward. That might be so that Aubameyang can play at striker, and if it is, then we would be strong enough there, although I would like to see a target man type brought in there to give us something we don’t have. But if we sell Lacazette then we for me need to bring in 2 strikers.
So if we sell a batch of the first team squad as is being suggested then we would need to most likely buy
maybe a back up keeper
one if not two fullbacks
3 central midfielders
a winger
one or two strikers
that would mean anything form 6 to 9 more players need to be signed this summer, and that is just not happening, so take all this talk of 10 or more players being up for sale with a pinch of salt. As it would be madness, and nothing I’ve seen yet from Arteta or even Edu suggest they are mad.
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Cardiff City are closing in on signing Arsenal youngster Jordi Osei-Tutu on a season-long loan
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Ed, I am surprised you are looking at how things would look if the media are right. We know they actually know nothing and it’s just clickbait or trying to sell their ever decreasing papers.
Untold normally show about 100 players we are linked with so if the media are to be believed we will sell ten and bring in 100 so the squad will be pretty full.
Also AMN is better than Cedric so certainly not third choice there.
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Well said Ianspace.
Our squad is small enough already, without major surgery to remove useful players.
The more we buy, the more players there are that need to settle in.
How many players who join a new club, settle in straight away, so the more there are, the longer they are likely to take to gell in.
We also seem to be signing players with much less experience than the new we have, so getting rid of som many experienced players seems suicidal.
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I think it is a brilliant move for AMN, and it wouldn’t surpise me to see him do really well with the vote in confidence and a new environment to freshen him up. I hope he does. It will have pleased his agent too, and whether fans like it or not, they are hugely important in a young player’s life. As Eduardo points out, in Arteta’s mind he was only ever going to be a bit of a useful stopgap when first choices were unavailable.
I believe Arsenal have to gamble a bit this season (and not just by spending silly money). Arteta brings organisation and an ability to motivate players, but the team we ended the season with is probably only top 6 at best. I expect there will be one or two surpise (and bargain) signings that might add more than we can currently imagine. And I think Willian, Ozil and Luiz will have huge seasons for us.
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well Ian that was sort of the point, and also the conclusion of it, I can’t see Arteta and Edu being stupid enough to move out 10 players, and leave us with the need to sign about 6 more players just to try and bring the numbers back up to a manageable level.
The loaning out of Oseit-tutu to Cardiff today blew a hole in some people’s theory that he would step up to replace Bellerin in the squad, imagine just how stupid some people are to think that a guy whose only first team football was playing in second tier Germany league as a right winger could replace Bellerin, I suppose most of them are AFTV fans and we know of their hate for all things Bellerin.
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guys in case you have not seen the news, our first preseason game is on shortly and you can get it free
MK Dons v Arsenal is live at 6 on Arsenal player, also on youtube
seems it will be a mix of fringe players and U23’s
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Our men’s first-team squad are back for pre-season training this week.
Our medical team have provided the following update on current injuries ahead of our behind closed doors pre-season match at MK Dons.
Calum Chambers
Left knee. Ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee during Chelsea (h) on December 29.
Latest update on Calum:
Continues to work hard with our rehab and medical teams
Programme in forthcoming weeks will continue with running outside and light ball work
Aiming to be back in full training as soon as possible this calendar year
Bernd Leno
Right knee. Sustained moderate ligament sprain during Brighton and Hove Albion (a) on June 20.
Now back in full training available for selection.
Pablo Mari
Left ankle. Sustained significant sprain to ankle ligaments during Manchester City (a) on June 17.
Latest update on Pablo:
Progressing well and has now stepped up rehab work at London Colney
Has started running inside, alongside gym and pool work
Aiming to return to full training in September
Gabriel Martinelli
Left knee. Sustained injury during training on June 21.
Latest update on Gabi:
Successful arthroscopic procedure undertaken to repair a lesion in the cartilage of the left knee
Has been receiving extensive treatment and support from our medical team every day at London Colney in the early stages of recovery
Is currently in Brazil visiting family and following a tailored daily rehab and fitness programme
Is due back in the UK on August 31
On return will step up his rehab with the aim of a return to full training by the end of the calendar year
Shkodran Mustafi
Right hamstring sustained during Emirates FA Cup semi-final on July 18.
Latest update on Mustafi:
Successful small procedure completed soon after injury
Has made positive progress, is now off crutches with good mobility
Has returned from a short family break and is now working hard with our rehab team at London Colney
The current focus for the near future will be on indoor work in the pool, treadmill running and gym work
Aiming to return to full training in October
William Saliba
Integrating well since joining in the close season.
Fully fit and available for selection.
As part of Premier League protocol, all members of our first team squad and support staff continue to be regularly tested for COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
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Ozil not part of the squad for tonights game but Maitland-Niles starts
Arsenal@Arsenal
Tonight’s team news…
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗫𝗜: Leno, Cedric, Saliba, Holding, Tierney, Elneny, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Saka, Nketiah, Aubameyang
𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵: Macey, Ballard, McGuinness, Bola, Azeez, Cottrell, Olayinka, Oyegoke, Willock, Lewis, Nelson, Smith Rowe, John Jules
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Harry Maguire the Man UTd captain has been found guilty of
repeated bodily harm
attempted bribery
violence against public employees
and insult
oddly enough the UK media seem to have circled the wagons and are fully on the England players side in this. Disgraceful
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game about to start, don’t miss it lads
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Elneny gives us the lead with a 30 yarder into an empty goal, he has pounced on a bad clearance by the keeper
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Holding scores an own goal to make it 1-1, a nothing cross in is powerfully headed home by Holding, the diving header beat Leno all ends up.
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Arsenal winning 2-1 at half time
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Elneny and Nketiah with our goals, Holding with an OG for theirs
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McGuinness powers a Nelson corner into the roof of the net, 3-1 to AFC
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4-1, Nelson scores a penalty he had won himself
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George Lewis comes on for Nelson to make his AFC debut
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FT: MK Dons 1-4 Arsenal
a nice little work out for our first preseason game. Nice to see two Irish lads play CB for us tonight in the second half, it been a while since we had an Irish player in the first team
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Cotterill was impressive at left back when he came on, bit on the small side, but seemed very assured and aware of the situation
Azeez looks quality, but a bit languid
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Mildly disappointed tonight as none of young players I hope to see push on this year, either those in first team reckoning or ones I want to see get there, had better than ok games. Felt like some were too focused on trying to impress rather than making right decisions for team.
But it was what it was, chance to see an Arsenal team in action. Agree about Cottrell. Looked good and stood out. No easy feat for a very slight player in unfamiliar position against seasoned pro’s. Good technique, good decisions.
Thumping header also very enjoyable. Imagine there’ll be plenty of loan enquiries form league teams for a couple of old fashioned type defenders who are good in air.
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Xhaka starting 2nd half adds to my impression Arteta just isn’t comfortable without his presence in the side. I’m sure that’s case anyway, and most likely today was nothing to do with it, but still, surely didn’t need any extra minutes and we were in lead…
Generally speaking, pretty sure he worries we’re formless and lack direction without him in mid, and pretty sure he’s correct.
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You mention Azeez, Ed, someone I have such high hopes for, and something felt slightly off for me today with him. Vague hints of it with Smith-Rowe also. Could be nothing, could be my imagination, but they both gave me vibe of unhappiness or frustration.
Maybe that’s reasonable when you’re expressive technical players looking to impress, and the game isn’t conducive to it, but I do wonder, with the increase of youngsters moving abroad these days, if it plays on minds of some, especially at this time of year, whether they’ll be getting the game-time they want, should look for loan, etc.
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well Rich one thing I did not like about Azeez tonight was that when he played a pass to a team mate and they failed to control it he had a go at them.
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Yeah, Bola I think, was soon after coming on so not like frustration built up or anything.
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it seems Sky Sports have sacked Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson from Soccer Saturday
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Osman@OsmanZtheGooner
·2m
Telegraph: Leeds United will announce the signing of Arsenal’s youngster Sam Greenwood tomorrow. Permanent deal.
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some reports that Arsenal are willing to let Emile Smith-Rowe go on a season long loan to Fulham, AFC is said to be demanding he play a certain number of EPL games.
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Disappointed if Emile loaned out. Basically lose control of immediate destiny and, to an extent, beyond that.
Curious thing for me is he seems at least equal in talent to Joe, Eddie and Reiss, with a more intriguing skillset perhaps than any of them.
Guess there are plenty of unknowns, though, especially concerning player’s thoughts. Also the thinking with Joe, Eddie, Reiss may be that they are integrated and this year is important in determining if they can kick on some.
Is there another candidate among homegrown youth to get 1st team chances this year and force way into picture if takes them?
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