Morning all.
England defeated Switzerland last night but needed extra time and penalties to do so. Having gone 1-0 down, Bukayo Saka, who'd been excellent throughout, equalised with the kind of strike Arsenal fans are used to seeing. England's penalty kicks were perfect, Ivan Toney's incredible. The Netherlands scraped past Turkey in the later game so on Wednesday night it's they who stand between Gareth Southgate's team and a Euros Final.
I shouldn't laugh as Harry Kane could have suffered a serious injury but when he fell into Southgate and took a bit tumble, I did chuckle. A lot. On a serious note though, Kane is having a pretty poor tournament. Yes, he's got himself on the scoresheet but he could so easily have scored more if his movement in the box was sharper. Actually, moving would be a start. Southgate seems too frightened to drop him, pundits like Lineaker suggest he's just waiting for an opportunity to score but the harsh reality is, unless a scoring opportunity is put on a plate for him, he's not scoring goals. I know he's the England captain but I'm pretty sure either Watkins or Toney would give England something more up front.
Much is being made about Bukayo Saka's penalty and it being a 'special redemption' for missing his spot kick at Euros 2020 but that was then, when three players didn't convert their penalties, this is now, a different tournament and a different game. A game England wouldn't have won had it not been for his equalising goal. But that's the media for you, alway dragging up the past when it's more positive to look forward.
Over in the USA, Uruguay and Brazil played out what's reported to be an "ugly" match. 41 fouls shared between the two side, four bookings each and a red card for Uruguay. Penalties were again needed to settle the score. Brazil lost. Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli will now be off for a well earned rest.
David Raya, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale are the only players still involved in football this summer and with the Euros final this weekend, all four will soon be off on their holidays. One of David Raya or William Saliba will be off on their break sooner depending who wins on Tuesday night.
Back at Arsenal, Brian Okonkwo, Arthur's younger brother has signed a professional contract with the club. How often do two brothers become goalkeepers I wonder?
Josh Nichols has also signed a professional contract with the club and I love this from him:
When they confirmed my scholarship I ran down the road with excitement!
In an interview with Arsenal.com earlier in the year, he spoke about his journey to Arsenal.
The first academy I got a trial for was West Ham when I was around six or seven years old, but I didn't get signed. Then I went to Chelsea, and I was close to signing for them as they invited me back after my trial, but the journey was just too far from where I lived, so I never ended up joining. After that, I went to Tottenham, and I was there for a while. Just as I was about to sign, I got a trial at Arsenal, so I went and did it but I didn't get in, so I went back to Tottenham. Believe it or not, two weeks later Arsenal had a change of heart and decided to sign me. I was so happy because I've always been an Arsenal fan, and my whole family was so happy. It was a great moment! I joined young at under-9s level, so the only players I remember that were there when I got there were Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
The striker, turned winger, turned right back is already playing for the under 21's despite being just 17 years old.
I know these youngsters are probably a few years away from Mikel Arteta's mind let alone the first team squad but it's good to see the talented players sign up to professional contracts because like it or not, they will either play or be sold for pretty much 100% profit.
With the pre-season tour of the USA not far off, perhaps we'll get to see a few of the younger players in action.
Catch up in the comments.