GOOD LUCK BUKAYO (AND ENGLAND)

by .

It’s 745 in New York, I’m at the airport thinking about my UK brethren that woke up at 730am this morning and immediately started sinking pints. What a beautiful mess my home country is going to be today, I am gutted I won’t be there for the shame. I’ve never seen England in a final of a competition and I’m nearly 30. Quite wild.

The mural image in the picture was sent to me by Paul (check out his awesome Instagram), what a moment it’s going to be for a player that has truly blown-up onto the world stage in this tournament. He’s one of ours, there’s a small chance he starts tonight, what an unbelievable experience for him. He has everything, he’s a straight-A student, god-fearing, extremely humble, and everyone who works with him seems to love him. It is such a treat that Arsenal has a player with his technical gifts. Someone is going to need to give Jack Grealish break-up counselling when this is all over… the bromance is strong.

The game tonight is the one everyone wanted to see. The Italian’s have been sensational for the most part of it. Direct, fast, aggressive and spectacular at times. Roberto Mancini has put himself back on the map, he’s reinvented Italian football, but this is where the journey has to end.

Gareth Southgate has been on a similar journey. No one believed in him, but he reinvented the way English people look at football. He didn’t answer the question: How can I put all the shiny pieces in the same side. He built a team that could do the job. We control games, we’re patient, we knock the ball around like Spain when we want to, and we have the class to finish games at any point. We’ve conceded one goal all tournament with Jordan Pickford in goal. That is so impressive.

I really hope we can win it at Wembley. My first big football memory was that Germany semi-final way back when. My first non-Arsenal game was Turkey vs Wembley with my uncle in the early 90s. To go back to there with the man that missed the important spot-kick and win would really be a story for the ages.

It’ll be a tough game though, Italy are deadly all over the pitch. This game though is the one we all wanted. I have no idea what is going to happen, let’s just hope it’s a cracker and we’re lifting the trophy come the end of the game.

Also… those people that put on Twitter, ‘I’m English, but I really struggle to support our country’ need to get in the bin. I don’t mean to be childish, but you don’t have friends if you are writing things like that on the internet.

Onto a bit of Arsenal.

The James Maddison rumours are revving up to white-hot. The ITK rumour mill has Arsenal offering him a shit ton of money. The whispers I’m hearing are that the player wants the move, Leicester absolutely do not want to sell, and the fee will have to hit £70m.

YIKES.

Will this be like buying property in London? Extremely hard to swallow, but long-term, the right move. Or will it be like buying a timeshare to Monte Carlo from Gary down the Masons? Painful and more painful.

It’s an interesting move. Leicester were a top 4 side pushing for the title until Maddison picked up an injury. He’s created the 2nd most chances in the league behind KDB since he made his debut in 2018. He immediately addresses our creativity problem. There’s a lot of chat that his open play creativity doesn’t really match up to the big dogs, which is a fair call… but one of our biggest challenges last season was creating from setpieces. If you have someone that can provide like Beckham, you are in a great place. I don’t think there’s any way around it, he’s a very good player we lack, he’s in the top percentile categories you want him to be in, and he’s been very specifically working on the goals side of his game.

£70m is well expensive though.

Still, you have to thumb through what Arsenal are trying to do here… they’re trying to shortcut top 4 again, but this time with a younger profile of player. Maddison is 24-years-old, he’s on the verge of elite, and he’ll 100% hit the ground running. If you are calling Arteta a bum, that means you have no time for him to blood players, this is what you should be smiling about.

There’s the other side of the coin if you want to take more of a risk. Houssem Auouar for £25m seems like an absolute steal. He’s bossed Champions League knockout stages at 20 years old, he is technically outrageous, and he could be world class within a couple of seasons. But… there’s no guarantee he hits the ground running, there are worries about his attitude, and he wasn’t great last season. He feels very Samir Nasri to me, gifted, but a little unpredictable knowing what you’re going to get.

Again, who knows where this is going, but if we’re tapping up Maddison, I refuse to believe someone hasn’t said, ‘Arsenal, he’s going to be fucking expensive.’

I salute the ambition.

Arsenal are going big with the spine, padding out the squad with well-scouted youngsters, with the hope that these additions make the rest of our players infinitely better.

Imagine an attacking line-up with Maddison, ESR, Saka, and Auba. I mean, that is very, very sexy.

Next up should be Lokonga if the media is to be believed. He’s out of isolation and the paperwork is done. Another sharp siging if it works out. I like that Arteta has been getting intel from Vincent Kompany on the player. You know that not only will he get a talent read, he’ll be getting the character download, which I think is just as important based on some of our recent experiences.

Right, enjoy the game, stay safe, don’t put anything on the internet you’ll regret. Do NOT be that meme of the naked guy crowd surfing.

See you in the comments. x

 

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WengerEagle

Habesha

Saka won’t take a pen.

My money would be on Kane, Shaw, Sterling, Grealish, Henderson.

PhD2020

At home as well.

MidwestGun

Starting to look like the Brazil v Argentina final now… bodies flying around. in extra time as game nears the end.

Champagne Charlie

Raptora

Shut the fuck up for a night. Euro final and you want to make Arteta comments, do one.

Elmo

This 10 mins is our chance to win it.

WengerEagle

Italians look the happier with pens and can you blame them?

Goldinho

Don’t fancy us on pens
Pickfords a fucking clown

Useroz

Who kicked who

WengerEagle

Nasty challenge that, studs on Grealish’s knee

Useroz

They can settle the score next season in Chelsea vs Villa

Useroz

Jorginho not that kind of person

raptora

Grealish knew what’s coming. One of those challenges that look worse after 10 replays.

MidwestGun

Man this game makes me want to drink more and I’m basically a neutral… even though I would like to see England bring it home. so to speak.

PhD2020

If England win,fully expect Beckham to run onto the pitch(doing a John Terry),with his England shirt on,lifting the Euro Cup ..With him saying;’Well done lads,we brought the cup home,could not have done it ,without the lads,it’s amazing.Just like to thank Victoria-my lovely wife and the kids,Romeo,Brooklyn,Cruz, my parents,Prince William(Knighthood) wink,wink…….”

Useroz

Once at the final, Southgate has no excuses with this stable of players at his disposal

WengerEagle

Rashford defo on for taking a pen.

Useroz

The Italians could waste 3 min and not let Sancho and Rashford come on….

Samesong

Not happening for Saka today up against a well drilled defence.

S. Asoa

Mancini had said England can win Euros on strenght of bench.
Only problem is………. Southgate

MidwestGun

Yep… Pk … takers coming in now.. another cup decided by pk’s maybe. Seems to be the thing these days.

Habesha Gooner

Wow, I know southgate got England to the final, but he will be the reason they lost if they do on penalties. If he had used his bench properly, they would have won outright.

PhD2020

Predictable substitutions…
With two minutes to go,Southgate wheels on the cannons in Rashford and Sancho..

One last charge boys..Penalties lads,penalties.Keep it tight.Instructions being given.Play for penalties.

Oh well.Whatever the outcome,GS comes out a winner.

WengerEagle

Pens fellas, oh yesh!

PhD2020

Gareth Southgate got his wish..

A 50/50 lottery.

S. Asoa

Cooked
Penalties

Useroz

Southgate pulled out his sauce…. a secret recipe of a blend of penalty takers

raptora

Shiiiiiiiiet. Roulette time!

Champagne Charlie

Oh boy..

Hero or villain time.

Pickford vs Donnarumma doesn’t inspire much

MidwestGun

Ugh,…. round of stress drinks in order.. haha

PhD2020

GS got his crap shoot.

Habesha Gooner

Wengereagle
It will be tough for England I think. Italians far more experienced and have a better history. But you never know. Histories are there to be changed.

curse

oh well

Chris

Ah fuuuuuuuck. Come on boys. Heart is racing.

raptora

The luckier keeper becomes the hero. Pickford to win it.

Dissenter

I hope he wont let Saka play a penalty in the first five phase

Tom

Ze mental strength now the difference

Useroz

Kane, Sancho, Rashford, Grealish, Sterling in no particular order

Mr Serge

T hate pens so much their keeper is massive

Ishola70

Gareth looks nervous and subdued in his team talk to the players before the pens

Dissenter

Donarumma is so big…that’s always a plus for penalties

WengerEagle

BOL lads.

Dissenter

Pickford is good at penalties though but we all know it’s a crap shoot

All the best England

Useroz

Donarumma is out of contract too, not just big!…

Useroz

Italy goes first

PhD2020

Who’s Pickford blaming for Italy scoring from the penalty?

Mr Serge

1 all

Useroz

Poor pen

Dissenter

bellotti miss

PhD2020

He looked nervous…

Tom

Looked nervous

Ishola70

Not been impressed at all by Belotti in this tournament

Big ol donkey

PhD2020

Wow,what a penalty by Maguire..

MidwestGun

Pickford nice one….

Useroz

His eyes looked v worried …

Luteo Guenreira

Belotti looked so hesitant before he took that. Huge save from Pickford.

TheLegendaryDB10

What a fucking save by Pickford.

Maguire.. get in!!!!

raptora

Fk Rashford

Useroz

Rashford fucked it up

Ishola70

pussy Rashford

PhD2020

Woops…Can imagine the pelters Rashford is going to get,if England lose this..

WengerEagle

Nerves, he didn’t put his foot through it like he always does for United.

Dissenter

Why did he stall

TheLegendaryDB10

Rashford … with all that time still fucks it up.

Tom

first touch of the ball for Rashford , was it

MidwestGun

Ugh so you sub Rashford in to be shit.

Useroz

School fuxked it too

raptora

Manure in shambles

curse

prick rashford wtf was that

Ishola70

lol Weagle’s boy

Luteo Guenreira

I was thinking how ironic it would be if Rashford fluffed his penalty after being brought on late specifically for that purpose. Horrible miss.

Useroz

Southgate roulette fucked… both penalty subs failed

TheLegendaryDB10

Crap…

Dissenter

United fuck up

Tom

Same for Sancho

MidwestGun

Wow so the 2 pk subs.. were bad.

curse

Sancho with the same pause bullshit

Luteo Guenreira

Sancho too! Southgate blunder!

raptora

Pickford insane

SAGG

Thats why ppl wanted Rashford and Sancho??? Nothing players.

Ishola70

wow

Useroz

This hopping style always irks…

TheLegendaryDB10

Ohhh Yes!!!!!!

Habesha Gooner

There you go. That is what happens when you put on Sancho and Rashford specifically just for penalties. That being said, Jorghinho just fucked it up.

raptora

Fk… Saka for real…

WengerEagle

Oh shit…

PhD2020

Oops Sancho misses..

Good penalty and good save from Donnaruma(sic).

Oh shit..Saka missed..

Dissenter

Why Sska

SWhy
Whjy

raptora

Worst fkin scenario

Useroz

Saka ….why saka taking it ffs

SAGG

Saka. another overrated player

Ishola70

oh dear Saka

MidwestGun

Whoaaaaa… Jorginho thought it was over.

Mr Serge

Poor saka

WengerEagle

That is devastation for us especially fuck man.

Habesha Gooner

Fuck off southgate. That just ruined it for me. Why did it have to be Saka?

Luteo Guenreira

Pickford a hero!

Dissenter

Why did he put a youngster in that place

Just Another Customer

feeling for Saka now

Champagne Charlie

Southgate needs sent abroad for putting Saka 5th penalty taker.

I actually cannot believe that decision.

curse

can’t believe they let saka take it

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