Odds and ends for a Friday, including Walcott calling it quits

There’s a lot going on in the world of football right now, so here are a few extra odds and ends to add to your Friday…

Arsenal legend Theo Walcott has officially retired from football after a terrific 18 year career. Once Southampton was relegated this past season, the handwriting was on the wall for the 34-year-old winger to hang up his boots and call it a day. Walcott spent 12 years with the Gunners in north London, scoring 108 goals in 397 appearances. Theo also had 47 appearances for the England national team. He wrote on Instagram, “I’d like to say a big thank you to all the managers and coaches that I’ve worked with, especially Harry Redknapp for giving me a start and Arsenal Wenger for showing the belief and supporting me when I joined the club at only 16-years-old. Over 18 fantastic years in the Premier League, there are so many moments I will cherish.” We wish Theo all the best as he writes the next chapters of his life, and congratulations on a great career!

In order to stay match ready, Mikel Arteta held a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday at London Colney v Premier League newcomers Luton Town. Bukayo Saka scored once and Leandro Trossard scored twice to lead the Gunners to a 3-0 win. Recently signed David Raya was in goal and earned the clean sheet.

The PFA Player of the Year nominations have been announced, and the Gunners have strong representation. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard join Manchester City’s Erling Haaland Kevin DeBruyne and John Stones, plus Harry Kane formerly with Tottenham Hotspur to complete the list of nominations.

The nominations for PFA Young Player of the Year have been announced as well. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are joined on the list by Jacob Ramsey of Aston Villa, Evan Ferguson of Brighton and Hove, Moises Caicedo now with Chelsea and Erling Haaland of Man City.

Arsenal’s Frida Maanum is on the list of nominees for the PFA Player of the Year award. She is joined by Rachel Daly of Aston Villas, Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten from Chelsea, Khadja Shaw of Man City and Ona Batle from Man United.

Mikel Arteta has Jurrien Timber’s injury to deal with, now Pep Guardiola has Kevin De Bruyne. Guardiola has hinted that his star midfielder might not be available until sometime in the new year. The City playmaker missed the Super Cup victory over Sevilla with a hamstring injury picked up during the club’s Premier League opener v Burnley.

Following the disappointing United States Women’s Team round of 16 exit from the 2023 Women’s World Cup, head coach Vlatko Andonovski has left the club by mutual agreement. Twila Kilgore will lead the club on an interim basis until a permanent replacement for Andonovski can be named.

And finally, Arsenal and representatives for Martin Odegaard’s camp have started negotiations to extend the star midfielder’s contract beyond the current 2025 expiration date.

COYG!

Gunner1953