Good morning from Singapore the place I imagine it’s Wednesday.
I obtained right here yesterday morning having not slept in any respect on the flights over. Regardless of how I attempt, I’m not a aircraft sleeper. I did get a few hours within the lodge earlier than I met Elliot and we went to the stadium to select up our accreditation for the video games right here. I believe tiredness/journey fatigue was a difficulty as we failed to identify the door which mentioned ‘Media Room’, and ended up down close to the participant’s tunnel, and finally in some bizarre hall from which there appeared no apparent exit.
Finally we discovered our manner again, obtained our passes, after which headed to an occasion at Molly Malone’s pub, involving the Singapore Supporters Membership. There have been native followers, and followers who had come from throughout – like Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Australia, New Zealand – they usually obtained some Arsenal legends motion when Gilberto and Bacary Sagna took to the small stage with Frimmy. After that, me, James and Elliot did a bit on stage too earlier than a few very welcome beers have been had.
We had some native information too with Hatta (who does some stuff for Arseblog Information), taking us to a meals marketplace for an assortment of scrumptious and fairly messy issues. Thanks man. After which, I slept and wakened now and as I mentioned, I imagine it’s Wednesday. I’m nonetheless not 100% satisfied although. Due to everybody for the type welcome to Singapore yesterday!
Anyway, as we have been doing stuff final evening, information emerged that issues with Viktor Gyokeres had taken a constructive flip, with David Ornstein reporting (£) a conclusion is imminent. Regardless of the stumbling block was, we seem to have sorted that out with Sporting, and all going nicely now we are able to get this deal nicely and actually over the road. Maybe it can all come out within the wash sooner or later, nevertheless it does really feel as if the promoting membership have been troublesome fairly than this being a difficulty the place Arsenal have dilly-dallied, for instance, however in the long run what issues is getting the deal accomplished.
I believe it’s in all probability a bit too late for Gyokeres to affix up with the tour, however who is aware of how shortly issues may progress. We’ve seen Cristhian Mosquera make his strategy to Singapore within the final 24 hours even though the deal hasn’t formally been introduced but, so maybe there’s some probability the identical might apply to the Swedish worldwide. It’s a protracted strategy to go to interrupt the ice and doubtless not play any soccer, however you wouldn’t put it previous Mikel Arteta to insist he turns into a part of the group as quickly as attainable. Let’s see the way it goes.
Replace: Simply noticed a headline on the Unbiased which mentioned Gyokeres could be flying to Singapore to have medicals, however discovered nothing within the subsequent article about that.
I did suppose it fairly attention-grabbing that the supervisor spoke at a press convention this week about extra transfers earlier than the window closed, as a result of, ‘When it comes to numbers, we’re quick, and now we have to enhance the depth and high quality of the squad.’
If we make the idea that Gyokeres and Mosquera are finished offers, that’s six additions this summer season, and though there have been some departures, we nonetheless have a reasonably large squad at this level. At some stage, we have to trim one other couple of gamers earlier than we add any extra, however having taken 30 gamers on tour (albeit with some very younger gamers within the combine), we’re hardly struggling for numbers proper now. Might we add a bit extra high quality? For positive, and I believe if there’s one other signing it’ll be within the ahead line, however I battle to see how we do it with out letting somebody go – whether or not that occurs first or as a consequence of the brand new arrival, we’ll have to attend and see.
Anyway, for many who love transfers (and who doesn’t actually?), the concept that six is just not sufficient for Arteta this summer season must be pleasing. Now it’s about what else occurs and when. Within the meantime although, the soccer is beginning once more, and pre-season begins in earnest tonight in Singapore after we face AC Milan. I’ll be on the recreation, and we are able to cowl any attention-grabbing/stand-out bits from that, and the post-game stuff, in tomorrow’s weblog.
I feel James and I’ll have a podcast for you sooner or later tomorrow too, so hopefully there’s an honest recreation to speak about afterward. For now, I’ll go away it there, and I’m gonna attempt discover some espresso and breakfast.
Have one!
