Amidst all the talk of Nwaneri potentially moving on, we're getting a reminder of his direct end product. He's quite the talent and we shouldn't forget that.

What's the opposite of watertight defending? This is.

*whispers to self* Don't get annoyed at refs in pre-season. Don't get annoyed at refs in pre-season. Don't get annoyed at refs in pre-season. *sigh*

Dowman is going to get a reputation for going down easily and it's going to work against him. It's already the narrative that he's a diver, don't give any ammunition to that please.

Good to see we're getting our lazy defending out of the way in pre-season. Gabriel standing off like he's van Dijk... A fit Odegaard could be so good this season. Ready to show us what we've missed.

Don't really understand why a friendly stops that being a red card. Otherwise you can be super cynical all game and it won't matter, which is a bit ridiculous.

This, from Swedish artist Herr Nilsson, is perfect. ‘My Precious’.

This is perfect perspective to start the day with. We're not yet in the ideal position, but as listed here, others have bigger problems to deal with. We don't have a juggernaut on our tail. Chelsea are probably the club I'm wariest about this season, but we're still very very strong.

arseblog@arseblog.com · 3d ago

Not surprised about the Vini Jr news - the fact he was even talking to them after Mourinho was long known to arrive was the biggest sign they were always his priority. Good to be a viable option, even if most likely just used to get what he wanted - was always a possibility. As for Romero, hell no.

We really do have the players to give Saka a nice extended rest, don't we?

I feel like I'm on an island in my views that we're a backup option for Vinicius Junior. If we weren't, I don't think he'd be in contract talks with them anymore. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm expecting a 'signs long term extension' story to come out in the next week.

So Infantino backs down, but like all wannabe dictators, offers absolutely no contrition. He might need some privately to win any support back, and I'm not sure the man is capable of it.

Chelsea get an extremely light punishment (nigh on negligible) and their positive-drug-tested player's ban lifted with immediate effect on the same day. Find me another club treated the same.

That is quite the statement from UEFA, and the appropriate response. My question would now be - what is the diluted position that UEFA will accept, because FIFA won't 100% back off and Infantino will probably have a backup (profitable) option.

Infantino is banking on the idea that at least half of the 211 nations can be bought with $20m. He's right that they can be, it's a lot of money to the lower half of nations. Which is why UEFA and others have to act. Criticism goes nowhere.

I mean, it's ambitious. I have my doubts on whether Arsenal can get the deal done, but to be in the conversation is pretty cool.

Was Parades actually sent off at full time? BBC have removed that from their summary.

Infantino and Trump walking out together does technically mean you can't tell which was being booed.

Cynical, scheming, boring and then - finally, inevitably - violent. Properly shameful operation which shouldn't be whitewashed by being called 'streetwise'.

Paredes needs a long long ban for that.

And Paredes apparently throwing punches at full time. Throw the book.

Apparently Mac Allister just got booked. We have no idea because that entire passage of play wasn't shown in favour of replays and slow mos of the crowd.

Thank everything for that. I kinda want to see Argentina completely lose the plot now (just not on our players).

How has VAR not got involved there? Cannot see any foul.

There is absolutely no foul in there.

This has been dreadful. Argentina have one aim, and it's what Paraguay did earlier in the tournament. Defend, foul, defend, foul, hope for penalties. Save us please Spain. The thought of Argentina winning on penalties is unbearable.

Yes, Argentina the first ever World Cup finalist to not have a shot in the 90 minutes.

Really not sure how Paredes wasn't booked for that hack. Happens quite often that after a red card, the side reduced to ten are allowed to get away with a few.

Enzo could've gone for sarcastically clapping the ref after his first yellow card. There are brainless players, but he's shown time and time he's another level.

Chelsea heritage right there.