Joe Biden stepped down as the nominee for President. I don’t normally talk about politics, but I have often said that one of the most aspirational characteristics of people I admire is knowing when to leave.
When to leave a conversation.
When to leave the party.
When to step down from a big job.
When to relinquish power before you tarnish what came before.
The latter is something not many men or women in history have managed to do. Joe Biden did that yesterday, and you have to salute it, whatever your politics
(if you are feeling the need to say something gross in the comments right now, please, don’t).
So what can this tell you about Arsenal? Yah, I’m going full-on LinkedIn influencer baby!
This is the summer that players who have been here too long need to take a page out of Joe’s book. The biggest danger to a young player’s career is settling into footballing middle age and becoming part of the proverbial furniture.
There is power in the Arsenal badge. Easy tables at Dorian (maybe the waiters are nice). Bigger deals via your agent to pump shitcoins. A greater sense of pride when you pull into the car park. I understand all of those things, but if you have been given the gift of being an elite athlete… don’t spend your career taking sub-1000 minutes a season. Be a big fish in a smaller pond.
Eddie, Emile, Reiss, and Ramsdale all need to find pastures new. They need to relinquish the power associated with the Arsenal badge and make their short time in the sun of a young man’s game work. No one is going to have Reiss talk at an Arsenal speaking engagement in 20 years. They might beg for him if he helps Palace win an FA Cup.
Moving on from Arsenal is basically like quitting the Presidency - but it’s time, okay?
The Calafiori deal seems to be nearing a close. I think the biggest sign he’s coming to Arsenal is that his girlfriend posted on Instagram that they broke up. We’ve all been there - saying goodbyes to people before you move country. This is serious… an actual Italian saying goodbye to a country where it’s illegal to leave if you are a footballer. Bonucci is already slamming him, saying he’d have looked good at Juventus. Pack those bags, Riccardo, before he sends the goons around to have a persuasive talk with you.
Arsenal have their first game on Wednesday against Bournemouth in a game I believe you cannot buy tickets to… seems very weird they flew halfway around the world to play to an empty stadium. A clerical mistake of the highest order - or a VERY odd choice.
Look at that saucy new kit they’re rocking this season. Umbro, back with a BANGER there. My kind of collar.
Anyway, the big show is in LA for the United game on Saturday. You can still get tickets here. If you live local or you fancied it… get out there. The SoFi stadium is unreal. I managed to get Super Bowl tickets, and the space blew my mind. The tech, the size, and some of the features of the stadium are the next level Wenger spoke about. The stadium is built in a way that allows three sections to move independently if there’s an earthquake (up to a 10). Reassuring if the thing keeping you from the stadium was fear of earthquakes. That massive screen is 2.2 million pounds as well… it’s pretty awesome.
Oh, and Arsenal are going to be playing, which is better than earthquakes… because they are an earthquake of quality.
Shooooort post from me today. Me, Johnny, and Matt dropped a banger of podcast yesterday. You can get to it here if you sign up as a member. Ok, see you in the comments. xxx
