Carsley's choice sees Saka and Rice run on empty; Kai Havertz scores again; Arsenal Women beat Rosenborg

Declan Rice scores for England but Arsenal pair forced to play whole game; Kai Havertz scores again/£60m down the drain; Arsenal Women continue Champions League progress

Hello,

Happy Sunday!

It is for the England team after they eased past Championship level Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Declan Rice and Jack Grealish grabbed the goals - of course they did - given the fact both had opted for Ireland earlier in their careers, only to then choose to play for England.

No wonder both got understandable stick from the home crowd. Although it instructive to note that Rice refused to celebrate, while the relentlessly ebullient Grealish revelled in jubilation at the site of the former Lansdowne Road.

The jeers were to be expected.

But what was far more concerning, from an Arsenal point of view at the very least, was the fact that interim England boss Lee Carsley - despite making five substitutions with the game won long before the final whistle - ensured Rice, and Gunners teammate Bukayo Saka were forced to play the entire 95 minutes. On the back of gruelling service across the summer at Euro 2024.

And you can bet they’ll both be back in the starting line-up against Finland at Wembley 48 hours from now.

And will invariably be compelled to feature across the majority of that game too, no doubt.

As ever, Arsene Wenger, had a line for such reckless treatment.

Wenger, commenting archly on international coaches picking Arsenal players then running them into the ground said: “It is like taking the car from my garage without even asking permission.

“They will then use the car for 10 days and abandon it in a field without any petrol left in the tank…”

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice refuses to celebrate after scoring England’s opener.

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Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall slams Women’s Champions League scheduling

Speaking of managers who are concerned by players’ workloads, Arsenal Women boss Jonas Eidevall pulled no punches after the Gunners beat Rosenborg 1-0.

Frida Maanum scored the only goal in a game Arsenal dominated, to progress into the second (and final) round of qualifying for the group stage, a two-legged game that will involve home and away games.

Freddie Cardy covered the match at Meadow Park for the Gooner - along with Suzy Lycett taking photographs - and he spoke to Eidevall after the match.

“This is just done from a budget perspective, and that’s why they don’t even extend it to be played on Sundays.

“That’s why they cram it in on Saturdays, just to save another hotel night,” Eidevall said.

“But all research around the world shows there’s a massive difference between 72 hours and 96 hours recovery after a game. And that part I just can’t get my head around. 

“But that’s why we had to bring in Olympic players early, that’s why we went to Washington, to get a fast start to the season and be prepped to play in these games here. 

“The reality is, I think Paris [FC] went through, but apart from that, if you see the top leagues in Europe, if we say that is the German league, the Spanish league, the French league and the English league, both the German team and Spanish team are out.

“So it shows again what a tricky stage this is, being that second or third in a top division go out at this stage. So we’re really happy to be on the correct side of it this time.”

See Freddie’s outstanding coverage of Arsenal Women in every print issue, as well as here

Jonas Eidevall speaking to the media after Arsenal Women beat Rosengard 1-0. Credit- Suzy Lycett @boodlepim

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Briliant Boodlepim

Talking of the brilliant Suzy Lycett, here’s a couple of images @boodlepim shot last night.

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Kai Havertz scores again

Kai Havertz hit another goal for Germany, during their 5-0 rout of Hungary in Dusseldforf on Saturday.

Which makes it 12 goals and six assists in his last 20 matches for club and country.

Kai Havertz scores again> CREDIT: StatMuseFC

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Weekend List:

What I’ve been watching this week:

Field of Dreams. BBC

True cricketing hero Freddie Flintoff takes his teen team of unlikely lads from Lancashire to India to face sporting challenges and learn about life.

Heartwarming and honest, empathetic and emotionally intelligent, this is must-watch television for anyone who cares about catharsis and redemption through the power of sport and mentorship.

This wonderful series - and all the people featured in it - make you feel emotional about the beauty of friendship through sport, which also teaches you about life, and all the challenges we all face on a daily basis.

So moving it makes your throat catch, and so powerful it makes you feel joyously tearful.

5/5

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What I’ve been listening to:

English Teacher: This Could Be Texas

I wrote about this brilliant band after they played Glastonbury back in June. In fact I listened to their album on one of my trips to Germany during Euro 2024.

Fresh and original packed with lyrics on social observation and social depravation, love, loss and identity, their album This Could Be Texas will be a future classic. It almost is already.

Mellifluous and quirky, surreal at times, yet the wall of sound crescendo on Best Tears of Your Life is stunning.

No wonder they’re in the news after winning the Mercury Prize.

5/5

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What I’ve been reading:

The Tao of Travel. Paul Theroux

I love Theroux’s travel writing.

His gripping narration, incredible prose, and detailed description take you with him along his peripatetic wanderings.

You can almost taste the grit in your mouth from his dusty destinations and vivid voyages.

His work is always on my bedside table. For inspiration, fuel for future trips, or simply to boost ways of escape.

5/5