Morning all.
Spain are European champions after a 2-1 win over England in Berlin final night time. The primary half is barely price speaking about, so little occurred, however the second started with a flourish. Lamine Yamal obtained away from Luke Shaw, and performed a ball throughout the field to the bubbling Nico Williams (pls Edu, get the BBQmobile on the street to Bilbao), the primary time end along with his left foot left Jordan Pickford stranded and it was 1-0.
The aim got here minutes after Spain emerged for the second half with out Rodri, one thing which must have given England a lift, however as he has been all through this event, Harry Kane’s presence up high was a extra important handicap than the opposition shedding the very best defensive midfielder on this planet. I took a number of stick on Twitter this week after I instructed Ollie Watkins ought to begin the ultimate in Kane’s place, and it’s not that I give a fish’s tit about salty Sp*rs followers in my mentions, however England wanted Gareth Southgate to be courageous along with his staff choice and he wasn’t.
When the Aston Villa man got here on, he made a distinction. Kane was turgid, sluggish, previous, most likely unfit – and the proof of that was apparent to anybody with eyes all through this event. I perceive loyalty, I perceive his stature and status and historical past, however these issues are good to speak about in books after a profession is finished. They don’t provide help to win matches at main tournaments when it’s clear a participant just isn’t on the required stage.
Spain might have scored extra, Pickford made a few good saves, however then Bukayo Saka burst down the suitable, he discovered Jude Bellingham whose layoff to substitute Cole Palmer was pretty, and the end unerring. Swiftly it was 1-1, and recreation on once more. It appeared as if we have been heading for extra-time however Kyle Walker was too sluggish once more (how Trent Alexander-Arnold barely obtained a look-in at right-back is astonishing to me), Marc Cucurella put in a wonderful ball from the left hand facet, and Mikel Oyarzabal (on for Alvaro Morata) utilized the end – protecting himself onside by the tightest of margins.
Declan Rice compelled Unai Simon right into a save which Marc Guehi adopted up with a header that was cleared off the road, however there was no late drama this time. No second of magic or particular person inspiration to rescue England. I feel it’s honest to say that Spain have been the very best staff at Euro 2024, wining all seven matches, and so they have been the very best facet final night time too. They deserved to win it.
As for England, little question there shall be loads of evaluation, however if you take a look at the pool of expertise Gareth Southgate had at his disposal, there must be questions requested concerning the total stage of performances. That 45 minutes towards the Netherlands apart, there wasn’t a lot to write down house about. Bellingham did an excellent factor, Saka did an excellent factor, these issues saved England, and whereas getting to a different last is clearly commendable, Southgate’s security first strategy doesn’t get the very best out of the standard he has, and leans too closely into gamers who’re within the staff due to their title, relatively than on benefit.
From an Arsenal perspective, it was unhappy to see Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice on the last whistle. An extended, gruelling event ends with extra ache and heartache, so as to add to then lengthy, gruelling season that they had with Arsenal which additionally ended with disappointment. Pipped to the title by Man Metropolis, pipped to the Euros by a late Spain aim. They’re going to really feel each minute they performed, all these onerous yards they put in, and I feel Mikel Arteta goes to must assume very rigorously about what they now want.
A break, a vacation, a while off to reset and recuperate: that’s apparent. No person expects them again anytime quickly, however once they do return, how do they go into a brand new season with out feeling the results of 11 months of usually excellent performances with nothing to point out for it when it comes to silverware? It may be a motivating issue, to be honest, however they appeared shattered on the finish final night time, and it’s onerous to not fear a bit. Let’s hope they, and Aaron Ramsdale, get the remainder they want and take a number of weeks away from the general public gaze to unwind correctly.
So, all in all, I feel it’s been a reasonably gratifying event. It feels prefer it all started a long-time in the past, nevertheless it’s finished and dusted now. Let’s hope the Arsenal information picks up over the approaching days, and that the wheels begin turning within the switch window.
Stand by for an Arsecast Further a bit later this morning. Hold a watch out for the decision for questions on Twitter @gunnerblog and @arseblog on Twitter with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or when you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, depart your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod must be out by lunchtime. For now, have a superb one.
