I reckon we should have a replay a couple of days later but be forced to pick an entirely different starting XI from the 26 man squad. Then we'd see who had the best squad of players, and we'd have another spin of the money wheel which only makes the suits happy. Last night's match was a draw, so lets have another game to sort it out. Also, the players who didn't see any or much action could feel a bit more involved.

I don't think Italy were the better side. Was even Stevens for me. England owned first half hour. Italy then dominated til around 70mins. England then shaded the remainder.

Italy didn't create that many clear cut chances, lots of long range efforts that didn't really threaten and Pickford only had to make one good save. England had a lot of dangerous moments but didn't get the lucky breaks in the box at times. Plus Italy's cynical cheating stopped several good breaks and ref was far too lenient on the deliberate fouling.

Jorginho was a disgrace to football with his two episodes of feigning injury, first half to break England's momentum and extra time to avoid the red card he deserved. I can never love that kind of cynical cheating, sad that the ref was pretty weak and conned by it.

I agree, pretty even for me and even though Italy had more possession in the 2nd half I couldn’t see them scoring from open play. In the end they were saved by a scrambled goal from a set piece. England really should have thrown the kitchen sink at them before it went to penalties as they were always likely to lose on them.

So untrue. Sad to see the woke, sore at Boris' trouncing of Labour at the ballot box seek to hijack this for their political ends.

Sorry but the stats don't lie. Italy were far superior in the 2nd half. I think England got better when Saka came on or maybe it is my gooner tinted glasses. Over the 120 mins they were the better team.

Pogba no way.

I thought Pogba was very good.

The biggest farce is Ronaldo being awarded the top scorer ahead of Schick on the basis that he also had an assist. Schick scored all 5 of his goals from play whereas Ronaldo had two penalties. It should have been shared.

People have observed that in the new training videos and pictures the club released Emile Smith Rowe has his shirt number obscured in them all and another player was wearing 32. Also in one of the videos in the background you can make out his foot in front of a camera being video suggesting he’s being green-screened for some kind of announcement

Basically a new contract for Emile Smith Rowe and a new shirt number likely 8 or 11

I see that Arsenal are playing this evening. Not much of a close season was it?

Hibernian away. I read that Hibs have the most violent fans in Scotland, even worse than Rangers and Celtic despite there being far fewer of them than either Old Firm club.

If it was done deliberately (I haven’t seen the photos so I can’t give any opinion), then like you I’m confident it’s that rather than a transfer to Aston Villa.

Now seen an article on it

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/ ... r-21037498

Folks, if you're interested and any sort of member of The Arsenal, you should have had an email giving you instructions on how to get a free pass to watch the pre-season games.

BUT YOU MUST SIGN ON AND REDEEM YOUR VOUCHER BEFORE MIDDAY TODAY.


There's 4 games include; Hibs tonight, Rangers Saturday, Inter Sunday 25th, and Everton or Millionarios on Wednesday 28th.

Yeah the email came last Wednesday. Thanks.

Noticeable that the article finished with the following paragraph. Myself, I suspect the point might well be valid.

“However, it should be considered that the numbers worn in training sessions can differ from their actual squad numbers, highlighting that this theory that Hillson is the new proprietor of the No.32 shirt and Smith Rowe will claim No.10 should be taken with a pinch of salt and caution.”

Also, even if he changes his shirt number, does it guarantee Smith Rowe is going to sign a new contract? After all, has anyone changed their squad number before without signing a new contract? Off hand, I can’t name examples because I take little notice of number changes. But it wouldn’t surprise me if number changes have occurred without a new contract being signed.

Hi Bernard, Top Gun isn't saying that all of this means that The Smith is categorically, definitely, absolutely going to sign the contract - just that it's looking better. Which, I think, is a fair comment. We all know that it isn't official until arsenal.com announces it, but if you want us all silenced until then, it'll be a long and cruel summer on the forum. Yes, with hot summer streets and the pavements are burning.

Not true at all. It's pathetic the way the left are weaponising this. Had Boris said nothing the same people would be slaying him for saying nothing.

Fair point. I do expect Smith Rowe to sign a new contract with Arsenal myself. I’m just not convinced a change in shirt number means much.

The comment about Rashford by the Tory MP for Dover shows that weapons are wielded on both sides?

Yep - agreed.

Absolutely, also why does it have to be a weapon on either side? Why can’t the government simply say they find the booing of anti discrimination causes disappointing. Surely politicians should be encouraging people to the best person they can possibly be. As seen with some of the acts around Wembley on Sunday there seems to be a developing culture of self and lack of personal accountability anymore

The Sun's headline about standing behind Saka, Sancho and Rashford is pathetically hypocritical, while the Martin Samuel article in the Daily Mail might be pretty similar, but hopefully it all suggests that the tide of public opinion is overwhelmingly moving in one particular direction ...?

When you dog-whistle for long enough don't act all innocent when the dogs bark. They knew exactly what they were doing when they refused to condemn the booing of the knee. They have swallowed up the UKIP vote and know they need to retain them.

Oh, and anyone who uses the woke is an idiot.

I hope you're right, but I won't be holding my breath.

Nicely expressed, Darren.

No chance, the dog whistling from the government will continue and therefore they will need the press doing their bidding for them. Public opinion and psyche is effected by the press coverage depressingly.

Just look at the booing of the other national anthems, and after Europe there will need to be a new cause to whip up these people so tick a box from immigration or capital punishment because something else is coming this way.

Judging by the size of support for the far-right in just about every country, I would have to agree.

Why is taking the knee seen as a divisive political gesture? To me it is an act of necessary civility.

Hmmm. I didn’t get any email from Arsenal.

I have to say I found her comments really low.

I read some quote by Kane and didn't know what it was for until later finding out that some English fans have been racially abusing Rashford, Saka and Sancho. Didn't even occur to me linking the 3 in online insults based on melanin composition would happen. I suspected opposing fans may make a song about missing the penalty perhaps, expected in football but not this.

America is like that. America doesn't mind dominating the showcase events at the Olympics like the sprints boxing, basketball, etc and using those medals for 'soft power' and those same Americans backed Tyson Fury over their own heavyweight boxer as well as McGregor over Mayweather. What happened to backing the American? I wonder what would happen if they all decided not to participate such as what almost happened in '68.

Our internal issues in that regard certainly didn't start with Trump. Leaders can add to or speak up against what is already there but it was always there as it is in England and other places. 100 years ago in America it was that as well as Papal and Jewish threat. And both are still spoken of by the extreme, with LBGTQ the new bogeyman.

I agree entirely. Spirt should be just that....sport.

Presumably because the act itself is so closely associated with some people and organisations with radical political agendas which go beyond the fine idea of improving the wrongs of criminal justice systems? The simple humanitarian message that black lives matter has been politicised by BLM and its opponents, and many people find that confusing, concerning or not representative of their beliefs. I have no issue with anybody taking the knee, but I shouldn't have to in order to express my anti-racism or my civility. For me it isn't necessary, and I don't want to be judged wrongly if I exert my free choice not to do so. Neither do I want to make a gesture of it to gain some sort of approval. A lot of people feel this way. The problem we have is too much binary thinking - you know, the Brexiteer = racist type of nonsense.

Yep, sadly I suspect you're probably right.

I’m understand the line of thought but consider for a moment that when United lost their Europa tie Marcus Rashford received over 70 racial slurs directed at him on social media including some from a maths teacher responsible for the education of children with a verified profile! At what point do you start saying enough is enough and the imperfections of a protest are neither here nor there compared to the problem overall.

It’s got to stop right ?

Looks like willock is heading back to Newcastle on loan then.

Wow. The club really are taking the piss. Just looked at the Arsenal app. I can buy a match pass to watch the Hibs game for £7.99. Or a four game pass for £27.99.

For pre season kickabouts. That’s the way to win fans - not.

Okonkwo having a mare

This 'yellow' kit is horrible

Nketiah just missed one of the easiest chances of all time. Honestly my Nan could have scored it

1-0 to Hibs half time