Elneny And Iwobi Have World Cup Starts
Jun 16th, 2018 by 'holic
As I type this latest offering I also have one eye on Alex Iwobi’s performance for the Super Eagles against Croatia. He’s the second Arsenal player to have started a match in this tournament.
Mohamed Elneny was the first and he, by all accounts, had a very good game against Uruguay. Sadly I missed it as I was hacking several little balls round some fields in the North Wilts Gooners Golf Day. A thoroughly pleasant day despite my complete and utter failure to master the swing. I digress. The player ratings on the BBC website showed Elneny to be second only to El-Shenawy in the player ratings for Egypt, cruelly beaten by a Gimenez header in the last of the ninety minutes.
I was back in time to see the wonderful match between Spain and Portugal, although disappointed that Nacho Monreal didn’t get a start for the former. Perhaps Spain’s inability to protect a come from behind twice 3-2 lead will see them call for the outstanding Monreal in their next match against Iran on Wednesday?
In the last minute of the first half this evening (Saturday) Iwobi had a controlled drive blocked by Lovren as Nigeria sought to recover the own goal conceded by Stoke City’s new signing, Etebo. Six minutes into the second-half he engineered another shooting opportunity for himself, wriggling in from the left hand side only to see his effort blocked again. His 61st minute substitution was something of a surprise, but look on the bright side, if he isn’t on the pitch he can’t get injured.
In terms of potential transfer news the Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper, Berndt Leno, is strongly linked with the Arsenal. He doesn’t seem to be of the quality to be a replacement for Petr Cech, more David Ospina. Perhaps a signing for the future? Paying more than double what we received for Wojciech Szczesny would raise questions about the value of both deals. Or perhaps I am reading the wrong newspapers? Question the source, always.
That’s enough for today. I intend to update every two or three days during the World Cup and obviously will look to have a comment on England’s opening match against Tunisia on Monday night.
35 Responses to “Elneny And Iwobi Have World Cup Starts”
Arsenal News 24/7
[…] Link: http://goonerholic.com/2018/06/elneny-and-iwobi-have-world-cup-starts/ […]
More interested in the US Open than the World Cup, which says it all really. Particularly as they all look like weekend hackers in this wind š
The Spain/Portugal game is the only game I’ve watched in full so far. Wanted to catch the Uruguay game to see if Torriera might be playing, but I had just been celebrating a birthday and nodded off before he came on as a late sub. The latest rumour (ha-ha), is that our medical team are out there to perform the guy’s medical, with Uruguay’s permission of course.
Thanks Guvnor.
Can’t see Leno as a replacement
for Cech either. But hopefully we
do move Osp on this summer.
Watched the 2nd half of Peru vs
Denmark, entertaining stuff, I
thought Peru were worth a draw
but lacked a composed finisher.
Hopefully, Mexico can give the
Germans a good game tonight.
I think that Leno is intended to be the starting goalkeeper. Mislintat apparently really rates him. Cech would be number two. Having seen the Egypt goalkeeper I wouldnāt mind seeing him,Iām not an Ospina fan so I hope he goes.
The best transfer story Iāve seen is that the Sunderland Echo, no less , have said we are favourites to sign Mario Goetze and this has been enough for us to emerge as the probable destination for someone we definitely donāt need! Those Mackems clearly have the inside track on Gooner developments
Finally the loathsome Stewart Robson has admitted that he wants Arsenal to lose….who knew. He is banned from the stadium and perimeter. Maybe this could be extended to the whole of London ?
Little balls in North Wilts, Guv’nor? Must be the weather.
Lenoās Squawka rating for league games last season (141.65) was far better than both Cechās (12.48) and Ospinaās (87.03). There are reports that Roma will go for him if Alisson goes to Real Madrid.
Gale Force on the Old on Friday. West wind so many shots went tee-beach-beach-bunker-green (3 putt). Definitely not a Chariots of Fire day on St Andrews beach š
Iāve done what Michelson did on the green but I was trying to stop the ball going into the windmill sails on the Crazy Golf course! Disgusting example from a senior pro.
Mickelson sorry! Should disqualify himself
Youād never catch the Guvna doing that and that is why Phil Mickelson wonāt get invited to the North Wilts Gooners Golf Day. His loss
Sadly Iwobe had that ‘morning after the party’ look to him yesterday, as in fact did the whole Nigeria team who conspired to make a flat Croatian team win 2-0 apparently without breaking sweat.
With half the teams having played so far, it’s fair to say that only Spain and perhaps France look contenders on current form. It’s a real pity that Peru haven’t got a decent finisher because, Spain and the heroic defenders of Iceland apart, they were the only team that lifted the spirits with their style of play.
On the Arsenal front, it sounds like Jack is on his way. Best for him and the club IMHO. Good luck, fella.
Didn’t Iwobi just turn in his usual level of performance yesterday?
I hope Poulter wins the golf. Not usually too keen on his antics sometimes, but he was getting dog’s abuse off the morons in the crowd yesterday, so he needs to shove right up them with both hands.
bath@10: If I were Wilshere and the choice was between a Serie A club and the rumoured West Ham or Palace (or any club come to that) in the Premiership, going to Italy would seem a no-brainer. It would develop his game, and the lower intensity over a full season would help him stay injury-free.
Can Joel save the day?
No, to answer my own question
Ozil with Ozilian defense on Mexicoās goal.
Great stuff from Mexico, a proper
world cup game. They could have
had more on the counter really –
counter at speed with a ball into
the space behind the attacking
right back. Seemed oddly familiar
š
And Ozil lost the ball too.
Mexico played really well and outclassed Germany. Thrilling game, Mexico embodied South American flair and it was beautiful to watch.
Xhaka is incredibly stupid will not learn. Pulling Neymar back right in front of the ref, lucky not to be carded.
For those who like a flutter, Tommy Fleetwood is a generous 50/1 with Skybet for the US Open in play.
Lichsteiner’s experience and organization was obvious and he lasted 85 minutes of a high tension game. Arsenal have a good, quality defender on their hand.
Joel looked way off the pace for Costa Rica who didn’t deserve anything from their game. Lichtsteiner looked like a real leader for Switzerland who must be quite pleased with the point and the performance after falling behind.
Looks like Fleetwood will not be delivering vast wealth my way š
Absolutely agree Ned @12.
Given the choices of clubs allegedly interested in him, an ambitious young man would choose either Juventus or AC Milan.
However rumours suggest that Jack wants to stay in London (why?) and is likely to choose Palace over Wet Spam.
Is LJW worried the Italians will turn his surname into a three syllable monstrosity?
Cynic,
He certainly gave you a run for your Money. His was an incredible round. Only one person looks likely to finish above him
Bath and Ned
Jack had the chance before to go overseas,when he was still a player with an upside,before settling on the easy option of little old Bournemouth.
He and his Missus wouldn’t last 5 mins abroad.
Neither of them are going to be capable of learning a foreign language,so they will be like fish out of water.
Family ties/familiar surroundings/kids schooling/lack of ambition,take the less stressful option,take a step down,still earn a decent wedge.
After his less than exciting performances for us last season,Palace or the Hammers would be about his level now.
Tell me that is true and you backed him each way Cynic? ?
Clive@25: All sadly true. But not a career-revitalising move.
I did back him but couldn’t each way as it was in play and only a bet on outright win. As I was readying the bet he was 66/1 but the price had changed by the time I entered the stake.
At least I don’t think the EW option was still live, I didn’t notice. My eyes were popping at 66s haha…
Still never mind.
The rat faced BASTARD š
Further to a previous blog, I found Ray Parlour’s autobiography in a charity shop the other day. Didn’t even know he’d done one
*out of the loop*
I can report that Sen Larsson still
whips a mean free kick in
I can’t see much in the Sweden vs South
Korea game to worry Germany or Mexico.
The ref who’s been whistle happy all game
just missed a blatant penalty, but it was
caught by our new neon god and justice
has been done.
BBC says a plague of small insects āappearsā to have hit Volgograd.
What happened to old fashioned tell it as it is reporting. There either is a plague of small insects or there isnāt so which one will you have now?
Taking advantage of the occasion to frequent a neighborhood Irish bar I normally walk by but they are screening the big game.
Looks like ‘Dan’ Leno is on his way.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.