Raheem Is A Gooner; Getcha new Gooner Fanzine at Arsenal vs Brighton
Raheem Sterling signs for Arsenal - as predicted by yours truly last week; Getcha new Gooner at the Emirates this lunchtime, Mikel Merino injury and Arsenal U21s Player Ratings
Hello!
Happy Saturday morning!
And what a start to the weekend with the news that Raheem Sterling has signed for The Arsenal.
We’re not one to sing our own praises here at Layth’s Take - well, we are a little bit, because, as the saying goes, if you don’t blow your own trumpet the orchestra goes quiet - but, regular readers will know I foretold the arrival of Raheem Sterling last week, the moment I attended Mikel Arteta’s pre-Aston Villa press conference sat London Colney, to hear the Arsenal boss speak effusively about the Chelsea player.
It kind of summed up what we’re about here on Layth’s Take. Some days I’ll be writing as an Arsenal supporter of more than 40 years.
But, other times, I’ll hopefully be giving you an insight into what goes on behind the scenes, as a journalist that reports on the club on a daily basis.
And the moment I sat in the media room at London Colney and watched Arteta speak so glowingly about the then Chelsea player, I knew something was afoot.
You’ll see the footage of Arteta gushing about Sterling ad nauseum over this weekend, but to be sat only yards from the boss, to see his body language, and positivity - something that wasn’t really captured by the cameras - convinced me something was going to happen.
Anyway, Raheem is a Gooner. I’m really excited, are you?
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Getcha Gooner: New issue out today for Arsenal vs Brighton
Arsenal supporters: Getcha Gooner as our Kevin Campbell tribute issue hits the streets
Getcha Gooner: Get our new season tribute issue to the late Kevin Campbell at Arsenal vs Brighton
ORDER YOUR COPY NOW
UK:
https://shop.onlinegooner.com/product_info.php/products_id/544
Rest of the World:
https://shop.onlinegooner.com/product_info.php/products_id/545
Getcha Gooner!
After a summer of uncertainty and no little stress, the first issue of the new season is out today.
Issue number 307 is out for Arsenal vs Brighton at the Emirates - and we're really proud of our humble labour of love.
First and foremost we have decided to dedicate it to the late, much-loved, and much-missed Kevin Campbell, a true Gooner, and friend to so many including us at the Gooner Fanzine.
We are really proud of our entire team for our writing about Big Kev in such a sensitive and loving way - and we hope you will enjoy, if that's the right word, reading about such a genuine Arsenal hero, and wonderful person, taken far too soon.
As editor of our esteemed independent publication I have to say a massive thank you to each and every single one of our team, for getting this edition over the line.
Production genius:
Serge Braga-Mullin
Contributors:
Jack Wilshere, Ian Allinson, Andy Woodman, Charles Watts, Le Grove, Henry Waddon, Annabel Rackham, Steve Ashford aka Highbury Spy, Charlie Ashmore, Chris Foster aka Fozzy, Thomas Dow, Mike Slaughter aka Mickey Cannon, Steve Pye aka That 1980s Blog, Ian Jenkinson, Mike McDonald aka Coach Mike, Peter Le Beau, Freddy Cardy, Stephen Pavelin aka Highbury Librarian, Simon Rose, David Fensome, Richard Howes, Richard Smith, Alistair Coleman, Frank Stubbs
Arsenal creatives:
Ruth Beck Art, Serge Braga Mullin
With thanks to:
Raymond James Hitchin, AISA, She Wore, AST, Dial Square, Sport Options, David Fox
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Mikel Merino injury
It was supposed to be a routine Mikel Arteta press conference, albeit one that would most probably focus on the impending transfer window deadline, but attending Friday’s presser at London Colney, was different.
As all assembled had literally just sat down at the revamped new media room, including Arteta, the Arsenal boss responded to Sky Sports’ very excellent Gary Cottrell’s opening question about Mikel Merino, by revealing that the club’s new signing had injured himself during his very first training session.
Cue a flurry of posts, tweets, updates and notifications from all in the room sharing the new with the world. Not least yours truly for my newspaper. See below for my paper copy from Colney…
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The moment Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta broke the news about Mikel Merino injuring his shoulder during his first training session. My view of Arteta actually pointing out where the injury hit. CREDIT:
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Arsenal boss Arteta reveals new signing Mikel Merino injures shoulder.
By Layth Yousif at London Colney
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed new signing Mikel Merino has injured his shoulder during his first training session with the club.
Speaking at the club's training ground London Colney on Friday, the Gunners manager admitted the £31.6m signing from Real Sociedad will be missing for a minimum of "few weeks" after sustaining an injury to his shoulder.
The news is a big blow after the Spaniard only completed his move to Arsenal from the team from San Sebastian on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old midfielder collided with a team-mate, resulting in a "small fracture" that will keep him out for a "few weeks".
"Yes, very unfortunate," said Arteta,adding: "Yesterday [Thursday] he had a collision and he has got a shoulder injury, unfortunately. It looks like he is going to be out for a few weeks," said Arteta.
"He was really excited and everything was looking really good. He landed on the floor and Gabi landed on top of him and it looks like he has a small fracture probably.
"We have to see. He was in so much pain, we have to wait to do some more tests."
The injury is frustrating for Merino, Arsenal's second signing of the summer after the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, only trained with his new club for the first time on Thursday.
Arteta refused to be drawn on the prospect of Raheem Sterling joining the club before the transfer window closes on Friday evening, preferring to focus on Arsenal's Premier League clash with Brighton this weekend.
Arsenal have won both of their opening Premier League fixtures, beating Wolves and Aston Villa.
The Gunners host Brighton - one of the other three teams in the division with a 100% record so far this term - at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime.
The Seagulls have suffered an injury blow of their own with Matt O'Riley, the south coast club's £25m new arrival from Celtic being being injured a matter of minutes into his debut for Brighton.
The 23-year-old was hurt in a tackle by Crawley captain Jay Williams six minutes into his debut in the Carabao Cup second round.
Brighton's 31-year-old boss Fabian Hurzeler said: "It is like we expected, it is a bad injury and he needs surgery on his ankle."
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Player Ratings: Arsenal U21s 4-1 Aston Villa U21
Mehmet Ali’s Young Guns celebrate Khayon Edwards second half penalty under a beautiful Meadow Park sunset. Unfortunately the Arsenal U21 striker blotted his copybook by getting sent off late on. CREDIT:
Player Ratings: Arsenal U21s 4-1 Aston Villa U21
As if I didn’t have enough to do I raced from London Colney to Meadow Park to cover the Arsenal U21s Premier League 2 clash against Aston Villa U21s.
Someone actually tweeted me during the game to ask what channel I was watching it on, which really annoyed me, given the fact I spent ten months a year racing around reporting on The Arsenal at all levels.
FYI: Here’s the thing, I only ever cover games if I’m actually in the press box…
Anyway, here’s my report and ratings from Boreham Wood on Friday evening.
Arsenal U21 4–1 Aston Villa U21: Report and Ratings by Layth Yousif at Meadow Park
Arsenal U21s eased past their Aston Villa U21 counterparts to make it three wins on the bounce in Premier League 2.
A first half strike by impressive attacking right-back Josh Robinson, supplemented by a second half penalty by striker Khayon Edwards, and caped by an excellent individual effort by Nathan Butler-Oyedeji were enough to seal victory for Mehmet Ali’s talented young guns.
Despite a late consolation penalty by Villa’s Rory Wilson, prior to substitute Seb Ferdinand making it 4-1, Ali’s side - who came into Friday evening’s Premier League 2 clash at Meadow Park already in great form - were simply too good for their opponents, who resorted to some agricultural challenges at times.
Just like their first team counterparts, the U21 side had won their opening two games, Ali’s side triumphing 4-2 against Manchester United in the opening game at Boreham Wood, prior to easing past Wolves 3-1 last week.
In the opening stages, free-kick specialist Michal Rosiak struck the Villa post, as the home side attempted to break the deadlock.
Arsenal’s dominance was rewarded when right-back Robinson powered forward into the box to fire past Vilians’ keeper Sam Lewis, and put Ali’s side 1-0 up just after the half hour mark.
The Gunners could have doubled their lead moments before the interval, but Jimi Gower narrowly hooked his effort wide, following good work by goalscorer Robinson, at the end of an absorbing opening 45 minutes.
The visitors attempted to gain parity after the break, but their attempts were thwarted by a resolute backline.
Gunners No9 Edwards doubled the home side’s lead just before the hour mark when he sent keeper Lewis the wrong way with his spot kick, earned after the lively Ismeal Kabia was hauled down in the box.
There was still time for captain Butler-Oyedeji to drive at the Villa backline, before rounding onrushing keeper Lewis and emphatically fire home to make it 3-0 to a lively young Arsenal side.
And despite Wilson’s late spot-kick to make it 3-1, Meadow Park Gooners went home happy, after such an absorbing performance by Ali’s young charges, when late replacement Ferdinand made it four by firing low across Lewis.
There was still time for an injury time spat between the sides, that saw Jamal Jimoh-Aloba for Villa, and Gunners striker No9 Khayon Edwards, receive red cards
Find out who impressed with our Player Ratings from Meadow Park
Arsenal U21 4–1 Aston Villa U21
1 - Brian Okonkwo: 6.5/10 - Awkward handling on aerial balls, and was lucky not to be punished. Efficient distribution on the deck at times, but has to ensure his calm style isn’t mistaken for a lackadaisical nature when playing out from the back – otherwise opposing forwards will target him
2 - Josh Robinson: 8/10 - Showed excellent anticipation at times with timely blocks in defence, while showing a good engine to supplement attacking colleagues’ forays further upfield – as showcased when the young-right powered into the box to fire past Villa keeper Sam Lewis to make it 1-0 just after the half hour mark. A good spin off the Villa backline moments before the break nearly saw the impressive attack-minded defender grab a second strike
3 - Elian Quesada-Thorn: 7/10 - Solid and reliable
4 - Maldini Kacurri: 7/10 - Partnered Heaven in the heart of the backline
5 - Ayden Heaven: 7/10 - Good to see the talented young defender in the middle of the backline. A big season ahead for the talented prospect who already made his mark during the first team’s America tour. Showed excellent awareness and anticipation with blocks while being comfortable playing the ball out from the back.
6 -Michal Rosiak: 7/10 - The dead ball specialist was unlucky when he lifted his free-kick over the Villa’ wall, only for the ball to thud Villains’ keeper Sam Lewis’ near post and away to safety. Has to be more careful when in possession, rather than ceding control when playing the ball forward into space
7 - Ismeal Kabia: 7.5/10 - A lively presence along the right flank to provide intelligent balls into the box. Switched wings in a bid to receive more of the ball. Effective when holding the ball up with his back to play. Hauled down in the box just before hour mark to earn the Gunners penalty
8- Jimi Gower: 7.5/10 - Hooked a first half chance narrowly wide after good work from goalscorer Josh Robinson. Does the simple things well in the heart of battle. Always a threat when driving forward and spraying the ball long, or playing it short. So effective at times, his opponents resorted to basic dark arts such as shirt pulls in a bid to quell his effervescence, even if he could perhaps release the ball a fraction earlier.
9- Khayon Edwards: 6/10 - Slotted home his second half spot kick with aplomb to double the young guns lead when sending Villa keeper Sam Lewis the wrong way just before the hour mark. Blotted his copybook by after receiving red late on during a full-blooded spat
10 - Ismail Oulad M’Hand: 6/10 - Silky skills and fancy footwork as ever, yet invariably flattered to deceive when the attacker should be influencing matches far more, given his innate talent
11 - Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (c): 7.5/10 - The Young Guns’ captain was on the end of a number of robust challenges but showed an excellent temperament not to react. Excellent individual strike to make it three late on to seal victory
Substitutes
12 – Cam’ron Ismail:
13 – Alexei Rojas Fedorushchenko:
14 – Zane Monlouis: Came on with 15 minutes remaining
15 – Harrison Dudziak: Came on with 15 minutes remaining
16 – Seb Ferdinand: 7.5/10 - Excellent late goal to make it four
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DAILY LIST:
I - To get to the Emirates to flog the new Gooner Fanzine out today
II - To race into the Emirates press box 15 minutes before kick-off and cover the game for my newspaper
III - Crawl into bed absolutely shattered after such a busy August
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FROM THE ARCHIVE
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Ajax. Europa League report by Layth Yousif at the Amex (October 26, 2023).
BRIGHTON showed they are fast finding their way in continental competition by easing past Ajax in front of 30,540 fans yesterday evening.
Goals from Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati helped the Seagulls to a first ever victory in a competitive European tournament. It was a comfortable triumph too.
Albion underlined they are quick learners by dispatching Ajax to third place in Europa League Group B, level on points with AEK Athens — and with a real chance of qualifying from this group should they continue their improved form.
Since their 3-2 home defeat to the Greek side in September, Roberto De Zerbi’s side rallied to earn a hard-fought point with their 2-2 draw in the bearpit that is the Stade Velodrome against Marseille in early October.
De Zebri said after the match: “It’s our first victory in Europe for Brighton. It’s a great day for our fans, for our club, for our owner, and we’re very proud to give them this experience.”
While the travelling support from the Netherlands, mostly clad in black but as quiet as dormice for the most part, may not be aware of Brighton’s rivalry with Crystal Palace that the home fans sang lustily about — along with that old rousing classic Sussex By The Sea — they were certainly aware of the quality the Seagulls possess in abundance.
This was showcased by Fati’s intelligent strike eight minutes into the second half to make the score 2-0, when, played in by Simon Adingra, the lively former Barcelona forward showed quick feet and a predator’s finish to slot past Ajax keeper Diant Ramaj.
The goal followed Pedro’s opener three minutes before the interval, when the 22-year-old Brazil-born former Watford forward fired a left-footed drive high into the net to make it 1-0.
While Ajax may have invented total football, De Zerbi’s team certainly paid homage to the ideal.
Their relentless commitment to a short, incisive, slide-rule passes, letting the ball do the work, even when under pressure, saw the Seagulls move the ball round their more illustrious visitors, which — allied with their excellent movement on and off the ball, and a spot of football courage in doing so — was an utter delight to watch.
Don’t forget this grand old club has lifted the Champions League four times across both its iterations and can boost Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp among its illustrious former players.
Alas, Hedwiges Maduro’s Ajax are not a patch on their vintage sides of the past. It showed.
Maduro has taken over an ailing club who parted company with former boss Maurice Steijn earlier this week, after the fading European powerhouse won just two of their 12 games in all competitions this season and sit second-bottom in the Eredivisie.
On a memorable evening for all in Brighton colours on the rainy south coast — and for those who value progressive football — Ajax were swept imperiously aside.
The delighted home support vigorously waved their blue and white scarves at the final whistle in solidarity with their playing heroes who appreciated the warm applause given in recognition of their efforts.
No wonder the PA said after the game: “We can say we were there when Albion got the first of many European wins.”
The statement was said more in wonderment rather than in any bombastic hubris — bolstered by the knowledge that this worthy club were playing fourth tier football with a 150-mile round trip from their home city a mere decade ago.
European nights in Sussex? It could catch on, you know.