January 20 – February 17, 2024

Billows and soft extensions, the cream lapping through there, between solid graymass and float down to sea, and above that gray, more light, and off to the left, white light, then ruffles, and above, more and more gray. In another direction, blue with acrobatic twists, spreadings. Is that the aither high above that the Greeks thought divine?

Mountains uplift, spray down to water, cream’s reddening, blocks it off to the right.

Bastions, mirth, huge extensions, structures of no hand, silver too is penetrant.

[Maricao, Puerto Rico, September 4, 2004]

Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged that a lot of people believe his Liverpool side could lose to Arsenal.

The Reds will visit the Emirates for the crucial fixture tomorrow, and it is a match that Arsenal cannot afford to lose.

While the Gunners historically struggled in matches against Liverpool, there has been a notable shift in recent times, evident in their draw against the Reds at Anfield in the reverse fixture. Additionally, Arsenal did not lose to Liverpool in the league last season and emerged victorious at home. The question now arises: can they repeat this feat?

The confidence in Arsenal’s potential is bolstered by their recent victory against Manchester City at the Emirates. Klopp is actively preparing his team to secure a win, aiming to maintain their comfortable position at the top of the league standings.

However, even the German knows winning will be tough and says, as quoted by The Sun:

Norton Batkin, the founding director of the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College’s influential program that has fostered multiple generations of curators, died earlier this week, the institution announced Friday.

Batkin was brought on to lead CCS Bard in 1991 and served in that role until 2008. He also served as the dean of graduate studies from 2005 until 2021, and as a vice president beginning in 2009.

During his entire tenure at Bard, a small liberal arts college in upstate New York, he was a professor of philosophy and art history.

“Norton always put the students and the value of a solid education above all else, believing always in the value of their scholarship,” Tom Eccles, the current leader of CCS Bard, wrote in a statement on Instagram.

Bard College President Leon Botstein, meanwhile, wrote, “Norton established CCS’s reputation for exacting intellectual standards and innovation in its Master’s Degree curriculum and in its exhibitions. He recruited a mix of outstanding teachers and renowned practitioners, and forged an international network of artists. Norton initiated the Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence, which is awarded annually to leading curators from around the globe.”

Bukayo Saka is widely regarded as one of England’s beloved footballers, resonating with many for his commendable character and amiable demeanour. His significant contributions to both Arsenal and the England national team, coupled with consistently impressive performances on the pitch, have established him as a key player.

As Arsenal’s primary attacking force, Saka holds a pivotal role and is routinely among the first names on the team sheet for any game. Despite his positive attributes, Saka has encountered a disheartening trend of being subjected to boos from opposition fans, particularly in away matches.

This behaviour has elicited frustration from Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who finds it perplexing and unwarranted. Wright contends that the goodwill and exemplary character displayed by Saka merit admiration rather than derision.

Speaking on Wrighty’s House, he said: “Everywhere he goes. Everywhere he goes, it’s just horrible.

“He’s like one of the nicest people. I get upset about it.”

Arsenal legend David Seaman expresses confidence that the Gunners have the potential to make a significant statement with a noteworthy result when they face Liverpool this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s team currently trails behind Liverpool in the league table, and a victory for the Reds at the Emirates tomorrow could potentially diminish Arsenal’s aspirations for the title.

Despite a subpar conclusion to the year 2023, Arsenal has commenced the current year with two consecutive league victories, fostering optimism as they prepare to confront Liverpool.

Seaman backs Arsenal to produce a positive result in the forthcoming game, potentially reshaping the narrative surrounding their title aspirations.

He said, as quoted by Metro Sport:

Arsenal Women have confirmed that defender Jen Beattie has left the Gunners, and transferred to Bay FC in the San Francisco Bay area, California. Bay FC issued a press release on 2nd February 2024, confirming that Jen has signed. See full press release. Bay FC in the San Francisco Bay area’s new women’s professional soccer franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Beattie has signed a contract through to the 2025 season, with an option for the 2026 campaign.

Having spent over 8 years, across 2 different periods, with Arsenal Women, Jen will be sorely missed. 32-year-old centre-back, Beattie, first joined our Gunners in 2009, winning one league title, two FA Cups and two League Cups. She then had spells at Montpellier, Manchester City and Melbourne City. Jen returned to Arsenal Women in 2019 and has been an integral part of the club since then.

Jen successfully beat breast cancer in 2020 and was given the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award, for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity. Jen was also awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List 2023, for services to football and charity.

Jen herself, issued an open letter to fans on Arsenal.com:

Gooners, I want to start by saying thank you. 

Tottenham defender Micky Van de Ven is one of the fastest defenders in the Premier League but believes that William Saliba is faster than him.

The Frenchman has been a rock in the Arsenal defence since last season and is considered a “Roll-Royce” with the way he plays.

Saliba has been so good that he has earned comparisons with Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman is one of the best defenders in the world and has won all the club trophies at Liverpool apart from the Europa League.

Van de Ven has just moved to the Premier League and has been a superb signing for Tottenham this term.

On Saturday, a far-right convoy calling itself “God’s army” is set to host rallies at different border towns along the US-Mexico border to decry what they call a migrant “invasion.” Throughout the week, the group’s organizers made their way from Virginia Beach to Jacksonville, Florida, before splitting into three groups heading to rallies in Yuma, Arizona, San Ysidro, California, and near Eagle Pass, Texas. On a “Take Our Border Back” website, they called on “all active & retired law enforcement and military, veterans, mama bears, elected officials, business owners, ranchers, truckers, bikers, media and LAW ABIDING, freedom-loving Americans.” 

HAPPENING NOW: In San Ysidro, California, the stage is set and dozens of people have started gathering for the third leg of the Take Our Border Back Convoy. The group will have a rally and then caravan to Yuma, Arizona. Follow our live blog for updates: https://t.co/KmiUpgdBNt pic.twitter.com/37G3NzAe9q

— Border Report (@BorderReportcom) February 3, 2024

The convoy, whose organizers have been known to disseminate anti-vaccine and election denial messages, as well as QAnon conspiracy theories, emerged in reaction to growing tensions around an ongoing border standoff between Gov. Greg Abbott and the federal government in Eagle Pass, Texas. The Lone Star State’s National Guard has taken control of a park there, sealing it off with concertina wire and denying US Border Patrol access to the migrant crossing area where a woman and two children recently drowned in the Rio Grande. 

Abbott’s defiance has earned support from Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and 25 Republican governors. “My thoughts are that the feds are staging a civil war, and Texas should stand their ground,” Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) posted on X.

Cesc Fabregas has issued a warning to Arsenal ahead of their match against Liverpool.

The Gunners host Liverpool tomorrow in a must-win game if they are serious about clinching the Premier League title.

Mikel Arteta’s men have been outside the top two since the end of last year after losing back-to-back matches.

The Gunners are facing Liverpool at a time when the Reds are in form and hold a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

It is a critical game for both clubs, and Fabregas believes Arsenal cannot afford to keep dropping points at this stage of the season.