Happy Monday all. Not sure if you’re aware, but apparently there’s a World Cup tournament on at the moment. Must be something new they’re trying.
I joke, obviously.
When I rebooted this blog a month or so ago, I labelled the Monday posts as “football” as opposed to “Arsenal” because my intention was to talk about the World Cup too. I was supposed to do a big World Cup predictions piece. In all honesty though, I don’t really care for it. I’m not completely sure why.
Perhaps it’s the Trump angle? Or the fact it’s an expanded format which means more meaningless games at this stage. Or Trump. Or that the US as one of the host countries has stopped completely innocent individuals from entering the country for the World Cup. Or Trump. Or that the games are at silly-o’clock in the early hours of the morning. Or Trump. Or general football fatigue after a long season. But probably just Trump.
To be fair, I think the football fatigue is a real one. After what felt like a very long, and often arduous Arsenal season, I just feel like I need more of a break before the World Cup. Don’t get me wrong, Arsenal winning the league was fantastic – but our journey to get there this season, and probably the seasons gone past – had made football a bit tedious up until the moment we won the league. There were more than a few instances where it felt like we’d thrown it away – those were sleepless nights for sure.
My main interest in the World Cup is for the wellbeing of Arsenal players. I would say I’d rather all the teams that feature Arsenal players have an early exit so the Arsenal contingent are properly rested for the next football season. But then when I check on results I always want the Arsenal boys to do well. For example, hearing Kai Havertz and Gyokeres score makes me smile. It also makes me feel somewhat conflicted.
Havertz can do with a good World Cup to get fully match fit again. I wasn’t writing blog posts last summer but one thing I believed was Havertz would be Arsenal’s big game and primary striker – with Gyokeres playing back up and featuring against the smaller teams. That didn’t transpire due to Havertz being injured through most of the season.
Havertz is definitely one of my favourite Arsenal players, he really suits our playing style and the best version of this Arsenal team has him in it. The finish for his goal in the Champions League final was spectacular – but probably one that will get lost in time due to how that game turned out.
Anyway, here we are – the World Cup is here, and I’m still trying to get excited about it. Maybe it’ll be different in the knock out stages. Or when England kick off. I don’t really care for England in the same way I care for Arsenal. Give me the choice of Arsenal winning the Champions League, or England winning the World Cup and I will always choose Arsenal and the Champions League. It’s not that I’m anti-England. I get behind them where I can, but I don’t lose sleep over final losses in the same way I do with Arsenal. In fact, when England missed out on the Euros the last two times I was able to switch off quite quickly and focus on the upcoming Arsenal season instead.
As you’ve no doubt gathered, I’m writing this a few games into the World Cup, and already one of my predictions is starting to look silly. The prediction? Brazil will be finalists in this World Cup.
Egg. On. My. Face.
It’s still early days and they can still easily turn things around. But from what I hear, the 1-1 result wasn’t a good look for them. The obvious favourites would be France. As a team of talented individuals I reckon they would look the most likely to win it on paper. But are they a team? Can they get past the ego that comes with such talent? I’m looking at you Mbappe.
For England, if I had to guess, I would say they get to the quarter finals. I got Australia in the work sweepstake, but despite their 2-0 win against Turkey, I can’t see them doing much else. I guess it means I can get behind Mrs OddFather’s team given she’s an Aussie. She’s so caught up in the World Cup she can’t bring herself to watch, follow, or take interest in any of it.
