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Home›Match Previews›UCL Match Day 2: Arsenal v Partizan Belgrade; Match Preview

UCL Match Day 2: Arsenal v Partizan Belgrade; Match Preview

By Michael Price
September 27, 2010
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Do you care?

 I have a confession to make – I don’t care about this match. And it’s not the reason you all would think. I didn’t care much for the Braga match. Frankly, the inclusion of these small league minnows, while the once in a while offer some fun, really just seem like a waste of time.

Sure let’s all applaud UEFA for spreading the football message. But let’s be real, is it any fun to watch the big boys take apart some smaller club who probably wouldn’t win the Championship? Sorry it’s just what it is.

Also, I have to admit to a certain level of apathy following a lacklustre performance by the entire team. Let’s be real, Wenger is right about one thing – everyone wants to blame Almunia for the WBA loss, but it was a team effort and by that happening, the blame lays squarely on Wenger for not having that team ready to play.

Wenger says he didn’t recognize the team on the pitch. Well, neither did any other Arsenal fan. There wasn’t a player on the pitch who should be proud of the performance they put in wearing the Arsenal strip. And frankly if it were me, I am sitting the entire lot this match and letting the reserves (who have been stellar) show how you play.  But thats me, I am all for making an example out of players.

I do not think Manuel Almunia has injury. Just like I don’t think Wayne Rooney has an injury. I think Manny and Diaby are being made to pay for being the two worst of a pretty bad bunch. I also think if Fabianski starts and let’s in a soft goal in the first half, that Polish compatriot Woijcech Szczesny will get deputized for the second half.

Again, the press are rife with stories that Belgrade will be looking to claim Arsenal’s scalp. It was the same thing they said about Braga. From all of what Partizan says it looks like they will play a “Passing” game. If that’s true I don’t care which Arsenal squad is, ultimately the talent is enough to shred these guys. But after we were supposed to shred West Brom who knows right.

In all honesty as depressing the loss was this weekend, let’s put it all in context. It’s one game in an entire season of 38 games. All the teams around Arsenal dropped points. And probably the biggest problem – we’ve been using the same players throughout all competitions. Even with the youngsters playing against Spurs in the Carling Cup, we still had plenty of senior players playing.  Frankly, I think the biggest culprit has been we’re tired already. But maybe I am wrong.

I’ll be back to my supporter self come the weekend and am still looking forward to the Chelsea match.  Yes, I really don’t care about Partizan. Doesn’t it show in my writing tonight?

How this Should Play Out:
I don’t know, but let’s be honest, if Belgrade come out to play Arsenal at their game it shouldn’t take long for even this squad to get into a rythm. I am spotting Belgrade one goal because frankly, Flapianksi is good for one howler a match. But overall I think that will come after we’re up 2-0. Look for Chamakh to come on as a super sub and put the match away.

Possible Starting XI:
Arsenal: Fabianksi, Eboue, Gibbs, Squillaci, Koscielny, Song, Nasri, Denilson, Rosicky, Vela, Arshavin

Partizan: Stojkovic; Milikovic, Savic, Krstajic, Lazevski; Tomic, Petrovic, Medo, Ilic; Cleo, Iliev

Injuries/Suspensions:
Arsenal:  Diaby (ankle) Vermaelen (achilles) Walcott (ankle) Van Persie (ankle) Ramsey (ankle) Bendtner (groin) Frimpong (knee)

Partizan: Miljković (ankle)

Broadcast:
US: ???? 2:45 EST

UK: Sky Sports 4 1945 BST

Feeds:
www.atdhe.net

www.iraqgoals.net

www.jason.tv

www.myp2p.com

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!! www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3

Partizan Belgrade: 1

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79 comments

  1. joshuad 1 October, 2010 at 18:05 Log in to Reply

    Arsession, I’m not convinced with Fabianski. He made that save at the death but he actually almost conceded that routine shot. A few inches and that’s in the back of the net in typical Fabianski style. He wasn’t challenged against Partizan Belgrade. Chelsea will light him up.

    The big keeper surprise for me was which goal keeper was on the bench for the Belgrade game; Wojciech Szczesny and not Vito Mannone. Maybe Wenger did make some promises and our Polish keeper’s little rant has moved him up the “pecking order. How must Manonne be feeling? We’ll see who’s on the bench come Sunday.

    • ChicagoGooner 1 October, 2010 at 22:00 Log in to Reply

      Mannone shouldn’t be bumped to 4th. He should remain at 3rd, with the Flapper in last. Almunia should be keeping the 1st spot warm for Woolich.

      I’m calling Wojciech “Woolwich” from now on since his real name is too damn hard to type and our club used to be called Woolwich Arsenal.

  2. sachin 1 October, 2010 at 15:03 Log in to Reply

    That RVP double was a real smash & grab job. One team I don’t mind such a job against is Chelsea. I hope that Ferguson media ban is adopted by Wenger and his players until Jan. I rather the team show their worth on the field as opposed to letting everyone know how good they are, over and over while results and display points to otherwise.

  3. arsesession 1 October, 2010 at 13:03 Log in to Reply

    I guess on paper, Arsenal shouldn’t bother showing up. With so many of our starters wrapped in tape, its hard to expect our 2nd team to be competitive.

    Last night I had a chance to see a replay of the Partisan match, for the 1st time. Good performances from Fabianski and Denilson. Aside from the handball, Denilson showed me a new dimension to his game……taking
    the ball forward, ala Rosicky. Anyway, it was only one match for both players but I’m rooting for both to continue their good play and make more contribution to this season.

    • Mazza 1 October, 2010 at 16:11 Log in to Reply

      We have three players out who are pretty much guaranteed to start if fit. I still don’t think that gives the rest of the team a pass and there are enough players fit(most notably Wenger’s babies that he puts so much faith in) who should be starting to repay the faith Wenger has put in them by now and Stamford Bridge would be a good place to start.

      So, there’s no excuse not to be competitive at least as lot of our first teamers – bar Cesc – are not exactly lightyears ahead of our reserves and in some ways our team improves bit with certain players missing. Chamakh for instance might attack a cross that RVP wouldn’t contest etc and that could be especially significant against team like Chelsea who are very rarely troubled aerially against us it seems.

  4. ChicagoGooner 1 October, 2010 at 12:41 Log in to Reply

    No Cesc, No Theo, No RVP? No Problem, Says Wenger

    Even after adding Cesc Fabregas, Manuel Almunia and Kieran Gibbs to the list of players ruled out of the trip to Chelsea on Sunday, Arsene Wenger is still bullish about Arsenal’s chances. “If we turn up with a great performance – and I’m convinced we will – we will beat them,” said Wenger, before having a cheeky pop at the way Chelsea do business, as opposed to the lovely, pure Arsenal…
    ——————————————————————–

    Someone remind me again how we have this many players out already? And it’s only the 7th league game out of 38.

    • stag133 1 October, 2010 at 16:53 Log in to Reply

      you seem to be forgetting that we have great depth in the squad, and nobody else does.
      ;)

  5. HighburyterraceSteve 1 October, 2010 at 10:14 Log in to Reply

    OK, we’re digging up happy memories of Flamini and RVP wonder goals (including one that was miles offside) as means of generating a bit of hope for Sunday….

    Those guys, along with our current, stand-in and future Captains (Cesc, Almunia, Vermaelen) will not be playing. It wouldn’t appear to bode well….Is there anyone among us who wouldn’t take a point if it were on offer?

    And, if we’re going to plumb our memories, does anyone remember Fabianski’s last outing vs Chelsea? It was the strange FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, with new (record) signing Arshavin sitting out in favor of the likes of Denilson and Diaby. (We could’ve used a couple of those four goals he would soon score at Anfield.) We went ahead through Theo (also missing now) but then Flappy went mad and tried to beat Drogba to a ball coming down around the center spot….Passing into an open net and then stripping his shirt off seemed over the top, but Drogba, like he says, “enjoys” playing against us….

    But maybe with his “flawless” performance in Serbia, Flappy has turned the corner and will anchor the French Back four and Chelsea’s equally French attackers will be cursing all match….For some reason I feel that the posts and cross-bar will also need to stand tall….

    We’ve got a few new faces finding their feet (Chamakh, Wilshere) and you never know which Andrey will show up, but I’m pretty sure that AW will start him, at least. IMO he looked much happier playing on the left with Gibbs than with Clichy, but I’m pretty sure the latter will get the call. Likewise, it’s good that Nasri has gotten a couple of goals (and a very nice corner delivery for an assist in Serbia) under his belt, so that his self-centered play is a least executed with a measure of confidence….

    I’m off to rearrange my fantasy team (irrationally dropping my Chelsea players and needing transfers to cover for my injured Arsenal ones). I’d take that point in a heartbeat, but you never know, and the game must still be played….

    • HighburyterraceSteve 1 October, 2010 at 10:26 Log in to Reply

      Also, anybody in the fantasy league who stays with their Chelsea players should be banned…

      And here’s my starting 11…

      Flappy
      FBF (French Back Four–Sagna, Squillaci, LK6, Clichy)
      Wilshere, Denilson, Song (in his new Cesc role, of course….)
      Nasri, Arshavin
      Chamakh

      • stag133 1 October, 2010 at 16:54 Log in to Reply

        I’m actually trying to see if I can add additional Chelsea players to my fantasy squad. :yes:

  6. nipuna 1 October, 2010 at 00:54 Log in to Reply

    Seems to me like every time we expect Arsenal to be thrashed, we actually come out with a result.

    I remember going to Stamford Bridge with Flamini and Cesc as our CM. This was before the 07-08 season when Flamini became a good player. We still managed a draw.

    Sounds like if we know that we are not good enough (i.e., lacking a few players), we will fight and get a result. If we think we are good enough, we get spanked.

    • stag133 1 October, 2010 at 02:08 Log in to Reply

      can’t really remember us playing well against any team worth a damn.

      • jroybower 1 October, 2010 at 09:28 Log in to Reply

        whatever happened to your self-imposed sabatical from the site?!? you know, the one where you said you’d follow the season with passing interest becuase you didn’t want to be bothered because wenger is such a crocked manager and has no idea what he is doing and you just can’t be bothered anymore. i think you said that you’d maybe check in on the site every once in a while. keep up with the fantasy league stuff.

        clearly you are a man of your word….

        • stag133 1 October, 2010 at 12:25

          its called “prerogative”…

          I live in AMERICA, where we can change our mind, or not, if we want to.

          I can chime in. or not.
          sorry you don’t like to hear “bad stuff” about the wonderful wenger and the club.

        • vibe4arsenal 1 October, 2010 at 13:31

          I especially like how the decision to post on a message board becomes a referendum on your character. :rotfl:

        • jroybower 1 October, 2010 at 13:59

          it is a free world and i was not “literally” questioning your character. i too value our rights as Americans.

          i was just looking forward to a few weeks of you not weighing in your $.02 on everything.

          you are entitled to your opinion, epecially on a message board.

          frankly, the tedium and tone of your typical responses is a little over the top and tiresome to scroll (and occasionally read) through.

          i’m not a hippy optimist or a doomer and gloomer. i want to see the team succeed and i don’t like it when they don’t, no matter the fashion. i’m pragmatic and realistic, but at the end of the day i’m a fan and enjoy Arsenal for both its on- and off-field (lack of)performances.

        • stag133 1 October, 2010 at 16:57

          I took 2 weeks off, obviously you weren’t on often enough to notice!

          but I will surely either JACK UP the tedius tiresome tone of REALITY.
          Just for you.
          or not.

          Our off-field performance is INCREDIBLE.
          We are the greatest money making machine the EPL has ever seen.

    • joshuad 1 October, 2010 at 09:23 Log in to Reply

      I, too, remember that game, Nip. I remember talking about how impressed I was with the intelligence of Flamini’s football that game. As far as I was concerned, the headless chicken title was no longer relelvant. I began to see what Wenger saw in this kid. He was excellent on the day. If not for an Essien wonder-goal at the death, Arsenal claim all three points.

      • Mazza 1 October, 2010 at 16:02 Log in to Reply

        Flamini and Hleb dove-tailed well for the goal if I remember correctly :-D

  7. Fred 30 September, 2010 at 15:40 Log in to Reply

    Sagna: “We have to play our football. We know we have the quality to beat them. It will be an open game, but it will be about us, not them.”

    The highlighted part of that statement epitomizes why Wenger FC ALWAYS fails.

    • Mazza 30 September, 2010 at 18:26 Log in to Reply

      When someone like Sagna says “we have to play our football” I just have visions of him crossing aimlessly time and time again.

      Lampard out for Chelsea. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. He’s generally a passenger against us at Stamford Bridge and we play around him, so in his absence they might be even tougher to dominate in terms of possession.

      Either way I see another pathetic white flag job on Sunday, with possibly the only hope being Wilshere and his fearlessness giving us a new identity that Chelsea don’t recognise, thus ruffling their robotic feathers and making this different from our usual match-ups against them. It’s a long shot though.

      • stag133 30 September, 2010 at 23:00 Log in to Reply

        we have to play our football?

        really.

        as if “our football” against Chelsea has had any semblance… any modicum of success?!?!

        well not since Patrick Vieira was in an Arsenal shirt and in his prime.

        hit: replay
        which = footballing lesson

        • joshuad 1 October, 2010 at 09:10

          I remember a van Persie brace seeing off Chelsea a couple seasons ago. But sometimes our memory is selective.

        • jroybower 1 October, 2010 at 09:24

          “like”

  8. ChicagoGooner 30 September, 2010 at 12:34 Log in to Reply

    12 GOALS IN 12 GAMES… HE JUST ‘LOVES’ PLAYING ARSENAL

    “I love playing against Arsenal,” says Didier Drogba ahead of Sunday’s clash. And he claims it’s not just because he has scored 12 goals in 12 games against the Gunners. No, it seems the Chelsea striker is a fan, admitting: “I always say that Arsenal is one of my favourite teams.” How much hay will he make on Sunday against a decidedly dodgy Arsenal defence?

    • joshuad 30 September, 2010 at 14:58 Log in to Reply

      Drogba’s going to be a problem. Koscielny lacks the power or experience to cope with Drogba. Besides, I think he’s the only one of our central defenders that matches up well with Anelka. That leaves Squillaci.

      Squillaci is a descent defender but lacks the pace to cope with Drogba. in fact, he lacks the pace to cope with Drogba, Anelka, Malouda, Kalou, or any other attacking player that Chelsea have. I realized against WBA and Belgrade that he’s fucking slow. We can hope for the best but we simply don’t match up well. We’ll see.

      • Fred 30 September, 2010 at 15:49 Log in to Reply

        So in other words, 3 of our 4 defenders are not really good enough …

        I was shouting it all summer. Why dont we buy CBs that can help us in the fast and physical battles that we will surely face during the season … everyone was telling me a 2nd div. French player was A-OK … because you know Wenger knows what he is doing …

        I hope Squillaci gets the nod. He might be slow, but he is experienced and physically stronger than Koz.

        He will probably be beaten like a drum … but at least he wont be spotting a new arsehole like say a Kos or Djorou.

        • nipuna 30 September, 2010 at 15:58

          They are both playing because Verma is out.

        • ChicagoGooner 30 September, 2010 at 23:57

          While I agree we lack certain important qualities at the back (e.g. depth, size, strength, organization, physicality, discipline, MF cover) I am not going to blame our defenders for not being able to deal with a player that no team in the league has been able to deal with for the past 4-5 years.

  9. joshuad 30 September, 2010 at 02:47 Log in to Reply

    I’ve just watched Saturday’s game again. I find it difficult to lay a lot of blame at Almunia’s feet for the goals.

    If you ask any keeper, they will tell you that the hardest shot to block, ironically, is the one that comes really close to you. A shot that’s a foot to the left of right and your keeper’s struggling. It’s hard to explain why. I teach kids that if they’re 1v1 with a keeper to look the keeper off to the back post and finish with the nutmeg. It’s virtually impossible to save. That’s what happened to Almunia for the second West Brom goal. It’s especially difficult when the ball comes so quickly from such a short distance. There’s no time to make a save. You can only react and hope your reaction will deflect the ball to safety. For Almunia, the ball deflected into the goal.

    As for the third goal, Almunia had to do something or that kid would have picked his side and put it away. When your keeper comes off his line, everyone needs to bust a gut to get goalside while recognizing any immediate goal threats. The only person that got goalside was Squilacci. The rest of the team, especially Sagna, was ball watching when Jerome Thomas ghosted past him for the winner. I don’t really blame Almunia for that one either.

    The reason I mentioned Saturday’s goals is because I believe Almunia is a dead man walking. Wenger’s already made up his mind that regardless of how well Manny plays, he wants to drop the Spaniard. As soon as Almunia was held accountable for a goal, he ended up with some type of injury. We experienced this deja vu with Lehmann three years ago.

    The problem is while I’ve never been an advocate for Almunia, I have absolutely no confidence in Fabianski. Sure, Mooney will screw up but he won’t lose his mind. But after Fab screws up, he’s very likely to have a meltdown in the middle of a game. It’s not about his ability as he’s clearly convinced the boss of his skills. With Fabianski, it’a all psychological. The boss is hoping the kid can push on but I don’t believe he can. We’ll let time tell.

    • nipuna 30 September, 2010 at 10:07 Log in to Reply

      No sympathies for Mooney. What goes around comes around.

      I don’t remember him complaining when he replaced Jens back then.

      But at the end of the day, Arsene has just screwed up the keeper situation. Totally.

    • stag133 30 September, 2010 at 10:51 Log in to Reply

      how do you not blame Almunia for goals a good keeper would have stopped?

      he’s done it over and over and over again.

      he is NOT a good keeper.
      there are NO MORE EXCUSES to be used.

      Schwarzer would have made the save, and eaten a ham sandwich while doing so… as would about 10 other keepers we could have had.

      • joshuad 30 September, 2010 at 14:51 Log in to Reply

        Stag, when a ball approaches a keeper at 80 MPH from 8 meters away, they don’t make saves. They posture themselves between the goal and the ball and hope that intuitive reflexes movements will prove adequate in deflecting the ball away from the goal. Some people would call that a save and it counts as a save statistically but the reality is most keepers know little to nothing about it.

        The only way I consider that a save is if the keeper anticipates the striker’s placement or reacts first to a rebound. But when a striker is that close with no one defending him and he swings with all his might and his shot’s on goal, I don’t care if the keeper is Mooney or Moses. They’re all hoping that ball deflects off of them, a defender, an attacker, a post, a bar, a beach ball, a beer can, a low-flying sparrow, or anything else (minus their face or genitalia) and deflects away from the goal. Likewise, the striker is hitting the ball and hoping for any lucky deflection to keep their shot on target. Even Eboue’s scored a few goals hitting the ball like that.

        All keepers have saved these shots and all keepers have been beaten by these shots. At the end of the day, I’m neither condoning nor condemning Almunia’s work in goal. I’m just saying that when a ball is struck like that from that range, I understand. :-|

        • stag133 30 September, 2010 at 15:30

          seems to me Josh… that some keepers are much much better at “posturing themselves” between the goal and ball.

          you can sugarcoat it any way you like, Almunia is PISS POOR, especially on anything near the short side… has always been, and will always be.

          I’ll agree with George Graham.
          Arsenal can’t contend, let alone win a damned thing, with Almunia in net.

          that would be 1000% Arsene Wenger’s fault…

          so, why don’t both of them go!
          ;)

  10. sachin 29 September, 2010 at 19:25 Log in to Reply

    Fabianski has now talked up his strengths. Great. Is Fred’s jinxed trio about to get a new member addition? :)

    The commentators in the game mentioned how yesterday was a confidence building exercise for Fab ahead of the Chelsea game. While I get what they are saying, but that still feels all wrong though. He plays for Arsenal football club, one of the top teams in Europe, regardless of the little club mentality that Wenger & the board have. Playing for such a team means you have to be at your best all the time, not that the club serves as a learning spot to improve. If he wants to learn and improve his confidence, he should have been loaned out to another team. He should not have been at Arsenal this season. I know responsibility for that decision rests on Wenger but this is how things are in Wenger’s era. Most of his new generation of players taking to the field are either learning their trade, re-learning basics because they are always returning from injury or learning the new position that Wenger decides to place them in. Each game/season is meant to improve this crop of players while everyone is supposed to sit back and clap on the players, encouraging them as if everyone is watching 6 year olds playing.

    In the modern game, kids are supposed to be proving their talent at a younger age than before so as to attract future propects. But at Arsenal, it seems one can keep learning well into their 20’s or even 30’s (Almunia) because there is no end date to the players reaching maturity.

    Yes, this is Wenger’s World. And we all have to endure it.

    • vibe4arsenal 29 September, 2010 at 22:29 Log in to Reply

      So you’re saying, one in a row doesn’t impress you?

      • sachin 30 September, 2010 at 02:17 Log in to Reply

        After a string of 00000’s, a 1 does not make a pattern for me :)

  11. stag133 29 September, 2010 at 17:18 Log in to Reply

    did anyone see the Barcelona match today?

    can we learn something from this match?

    Rubin Kazan.
    in their league, 22 games and 8 goals against?!!

    they KNOW HOW to shut up shop…
    they have little chance of beating Barcelona in a conventional way…
    they completely emphasize defense…
    and have a win and 2 draws against Barcelona in the past 2 seasons…

    if that is “anti-football”… with 9 men behind the ball for most of
    the match, then Arsenal need to RE-LEARN it… a defensive style
    when necessary … like GG’s Arsenal. There is NOTHING wrong with a
    1-0 win or 0-0 draw, against a team with more offensive talent and style than you.

    I’d love to see us play rope-a-dope with Chelsea, and come out and
    play extremely defensive (if we had proper defenders and a keeper)…
    and see what they would do.

    as it stands, we’ll come out and play the same way we always do against them, and its about 90% certain we’ll watch the same result unfold.

    maybe some folks are happy with that… playing pretty… and getting our ass HANDED to us every time against better teams, but personally, I think it SUCKS… lacks creativity, intelligence, and is arrogant.
    ADAPT.
    or
    DIE.

    • jroybower 29 September, 2010 at 21:08 Log in to Reply

      did barca adapt their playing style against RK, or did they pass pass pass?!?

      • stag133 29 September, 2010 at 23:05 Log in to Reply

        jroy.

        Barcelona, are BARCELONA!

        we, are not.

        no. they simply kept possession 75% of the match, 80% in the 2nd half…

        they don’t mind drawing 1-1 in the CL, because they KNOW they will progress to the knockout stages.

        when Barcelona come up against a SUPERIOR team… then they should think about ADAPTING.

        Since Chelsea (and United) have beaten Arsenal like a DRUM repeatedly…
        its up to ARSENAL to ADAPT, or keep getting their asses kicked over and over again.

        do you want to see the same exact style, same exact plan, and same exact result on Sunday?

        why do you think anything will change if we play the same way?

        When you are PROVEN to be the better team, like Barca, you don’t need to adapt.

        • jroybower 30 September, 2010 at 13:29

          oh that’s right i forgot. barca are the best team ever assembled bar none, they win every single game. they win tournament they enter. they will probably go another hundred years without losing another game. they are INCREDIBLE.

          study the list…
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases

        • stag133 30 September, 2010 at 14:10

          you watched the matches vs. Barcelona last season? right?

          did they play us off the pitch, twice?

          you’ve seen the matches over the last few years against Chelsea… I presume?

          how’d we do in those?

          You have this misguided notion that we are competing with the Chelsea/United/Barcelona’s of the soccer world??

          When we win a few matches against the better teams in Europe, then perhaps we can just play OUR GAME, and let others “ADAPT”.

  12. nipuna 29 September, 2010 at 15:49 Log in to Reply

    Arsh makes things happen. Yes, he is one lazy bugger, but so was Henry.

    Arsh has conributed to 9 of Arsenal’s 25 goals this season (not counting the Carling Cup). That is quite something.

    We all revel at Sicky because he runs around and contributes defensively, but attacking wise, Sicky fares so poorly compared to Arsh. Only Cesc beats Arsh.

    No wonder Arsh is the only player to start every single league and CL game so far.

  13. DaAdminGooner 29 September, 2010 at 15:07 Log in to Reply

    For you statophiles and for us Arshavin bashers ( yes I am one)

    Arshavin stats: 63 starts, 23 goals, 23 assists – actually not a bad rate of return.

    • jroybower 29 September, 2010 at 21:06 Log in to Reply

      keep the stats coming, i’m a numbers guy too!

  14. ChicagoGooner 29 September, 2010 at 12:43 Log in to Reply

    I can’t believe we have to play Chelsea with Fabianski in goal. What the fuck is that? This is the same shit. Every time Arsenal have a big game numerous critical players are missing, and the team is decimated before kick-off. Almunia is far from a top-class keeper, but due to the dearth of options backing him up, he can be deemed critical. (And Wenger refuses to take a chance on the one decent option.) And we had all summer to buy a keeper. All fucking summer.

  15. CaribKid 29 September, 2010 at 12:22 Log in to Reply

    It’s a lot to ask AA to be a winger and provide consistent defensive coverage when he had never done that over his entire, and might I add long, career. Playing for both club and country he has been utilized either as a second striker or AM, primarily with a view to scoring goals or making mazy runs and doling out assists.

    While it’s a fairly easy to change a youngster’s style, especially if he has a football brain, a la Henry, it’s a whole different ball game to do so with a 28 year old. One of my main critiques of Arsene is rather than buy players who fit into our scheme, he will often obtain technically proficient players and try to convert them to his style. Obviously, this strategy results in long periods of acclimatization, steep learning curves and ultimately, a team which always seems to be in flux.

  16. HighburyterraceSteve 29 September, 2010 at 10:36 Log in to Reply

    Some fine points there from Nipuna–about Denilson acting the DM (effectively but for the brain-fart, handball) and the need to sort out the penalties. Perhaps if we’d made those adjustments for the last two league matches we’d be heading into this Sunday with Chelsea a point ahead rather than 4 points behind….

    Yesterday in the GDC, we had a bit of discussion about WTF Alex Song is up to…He seems to have been given free reign to push forward AND to try (over and over) the game-breaking, killer pass. To be fair, he did slide the ball through to Arshavin which led to the first goal. The flip-side, of course, is that he seems AWOL defensively and teams are able to cruise forward and put our questionable boys in goal and central defense under pressure with alarming regularity. I guess Wilshere was doing more or less the same yesterday, but I haven’t come to expect him as a shielding presence ahead of the back four.

    Missed penalty aside, Arshavin had a much more active match and seems far more inspired playing with Gibbs than Clichy. And while the former makes mistakes (i.e., the pen he conceded wasn’t necessary) so does the latter and he looks far more dangerous going forward and more inclined to cover ground effectively getting back. Was it was telling that Clichy played (in MF) ahead of Gibbs after being subbed on for Andrey? Probably not, and I fully expect the Frenchman to start on Sunday.

    And likewise, in goal, it’s probably Flappy, whose forays as sweeper/keeper are at least as haunting as his killer “reactions,” which at least yesterday proved fruitful. With TV5 out for Chelsea, he’ll be marshaling the new CBs and I have serious doubts about the ability to communicate effectively. A mistake free match at the back is needed and seems about as likely as….let’s see….(trying to think of something very unlikely….) how about Arsene shaving his head Howard Webb style….

    So, not a lot to hang our hats upon….At least, however, we kept pushing and got the result. Fingers crossed we can work out the kinks just a little between now and Sunday and go into the next international break on the back of a decent performance and maybe even a result of some sort. Low expectations, as always, are probably the key to happiness….

    • CaribKid 29 September, 2010 at 12:09 Log in to Reply

      Song straying from his accustomed role as the defensive anchor is quite puzzling. After seeing this develop over the first two games I thought it was an aberration, but as it continues to happen that would suggest otherwise.

      While most fans are blaming Song, I see only 2 possible scenarios:

      1)He is doing so with Arsene’s blessings and/or instructions

      2) He has become a maverick and Arsene is not correcting the situation

      The first option seems most likely and reminds me of the Flamini/Cesc partnership some years back when Flamini started out as the holding DM in the first half of the season and eventually started going forward a lot more and left Cesc to do most of the defensive dirty work. Flamini’s move to a more attacking MF signaled the end for us as we started to leak goals.

      It could well be that Arsene’s philosophy, which I would disagree with, is to have co-DM’s rather than a single anchor, somewhat to the extent how we utilized Petit and Veira. Difference being, our current crop can’t light a candle to those two.

      Only time will tell.

      • HighburyterraceSteve 29 September, 2010 at 12:27 Log in to Reply

        The thing that worries me most about what Song is doing is the types of passes rather than his positioning. The killer ball along the ground, when it works, is a thing of beauty, but when it doesn’t….

        IMO, the higher lofted pass is actually safer because it can only lead to a change of possession (and counter attack) when it comes down. The killer through ball, can be picked off (or deflected) early, and in such a way that other players (who might help defend the ensuing counter) cannot always see.

        Against 10 man Partizan, no big deal….Against a faster, more clinical squad, I’m a bit more concerned…..

  17. nipuna 29 September, 2010 at 03:41 Log in to Reply

    We really need to sort out our penalty takers. We cannot afford to keep missing like this. In some crucial game, we will pay the price like at Sunderland.

  18. nipuna 29 September, 2010 at 03:39 Log in to Reply

    Deni did far more defensive work than Song.

    He actually tracked back midfield runners and made a crucial last ditch tackle early in the game when the score was still 0-0.

    Me thinks this has a lot to do with competition. No longer guaranteed a starting place, Deni is suddenly beginning to put in some effort.

    Of course, he did undo a lot of that work by that stupid handball.

  19. ChicagoGooner 29 September, 2010 at 01:46 Log in to Reply

    A very excellent and not very long article called “Wow, Arsenal have a proper striker.” It’s about what Chamakh has brought to Arsenal this year:

    http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,13320_6406718,00.html

  20. ChicagoGooner 29 September, 2010 at 01:46 Log in to Reply

    We can’t afford to take our foot of the gas in the CL yet, so hopefully Arsene won’t. Shakhtar are level on 6 pts w/ us, and the next two matches are against them. It will be nice to see Eduardo again when we play them.

  21. ChicagoGooner 29 September, 2010 at 01:38 Log in to Reply

    I missed the game but read a detailed match report that had some photos and I will also find highlights. It sounds like most of the team played well, and that Fabianski had his best-ever game for Arsenal, although that’s not a very difficult achievement to make. The one player who played tonight that I have not really seen all year was Djourou. The match report said nothing about him. How did he play?

    • stag133 29 September, 2010 at 02:22 Log in to Reply

      Fabianski had very little to do, other than the penalty, which he obviously saved well.
      (the goal was on a PK, he had no chance)
      Djourou was OK at best, shaky at the back in the first? 10 to 15 minutes.
      Then not much to do.

      • jroybower 29 September, 2010 at 10:05 Log in to Reply

        I think you are forgetting two very decent saves late on in the second half. I don’t love our ‘keeper situation, but give the kid some credit when he does do something right.

        • CaribKid 29 September, 2010 at 12:06

          A tale of two halves, DJ had a nightmare in the first but looked good in the 2nd. However, Partizan surprisingly came out in a defensive posture for the 2nd and offered very little attacking posture, especially after they went down to 10 men.

          He committed serious blunders in both games he played in the Reserves and has had 2 shaky first halves for the first team. This may be attributed to match rust since being injured, but he is not quite ready yet to be on the field for big games.

          On the plus side, he seemed to win just about every aerial contest.

  22. macmac123 28 September, 2010 at 23:22 Log in to Reply

    Nice result today, but we’re going to well beaten again by Chelsea on Sunday, I fear.

    I didn’t think so for the first few games, but without Cesc, Van P, Vermuelen and a new keeper, we have slipped right back.

    That familiar contagious attack of the jitters has seeped across the back four. Moments of madness for everyone! Suicidal panic attacks on the house! Weak back headers, fullbacks getting roasted, non-existent tackles, inexplicable handballs in your own area.

    2-0 to Chelsea. Urgh.

  23. nipuna 28 September, 2010 at 23:19 Log in to Reply

    Sounds like an eventful game. Will be seeing the replay in a couple of hours.

  24. sachin 28 September, 2010 at 21:30 Log in to Reply

    Seems Denilson is trying to follow Cleo’s example in wanting to play for Serbia. His handball today was needless and one of a panicked state, similar to the two panicked penalties given away by Serbia in the world cup. So he is showcasing whatever will get him playing for a national team.

  25. stag133 28 September, 2010 at 17:59 Log in to Reply

    this was classic Arsenal today.
    this team is no different than years past in virtually
    any respect.
    pass pass pass pass pass pass pass pass the ball into the net.
    don’t shoot.
    then again, when we can’t even make penalties, maybe they should pass.
    horrible defending.

    so I would expect a loss @ Chelsea… with players (Cesc) being
    rushed back early for that match.

    • sachin 28 September, 2010 at 18:06 Log in to Reply

      Yeah Henry and Pires did try to pass a penalty all those years ago :) that was taking the passing love to an extreme.

    • vibe4arsenal 28 September, 2010 at 18:49 Log in to Reply

      I thought sicky’s ball on Chamakh’s (two) header was quite pretty.

  26. DaAdminGooner 28 September, 2010 at 15:08 Log in to Reply

    Starting XI: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Squillaci, Gibbs, Rosicky, Denilson, Song, Arshavin, Wilshere, Chamakh.

    • DaAdminGooner 28 September, 2010 at 15:12 Log in to Reply

      Subs: Szczesny, Koscielny, Nasri, Vela, Clichy, Eboue, Lansbury.

  27. DaAdminGooner 28 September, 2010 at 14:56 Log in to Reply

    BREAKING NEWS:

    Arsenal v Partizan is in jeopardy of not being played today. There is an issue with the floodlights at the stadium

  28. nipuna 28 September, 2010 at 13:37 Log in to Reply

    I was actually thinking of watching the game, but it is not showing !!

    The producer of the channel which shows the CL games has clearly de-prioritized Arsenal. The Braga game was not shown and neither is tonight’s. Instead it is Real Mad and Chelsea.

    Oh, well.

    • Fred 28 September, 2010 at 14:08 Log in to Reply

      Its hard to blame them isnt it … people want to watch champions or potential champions … not fruit-cake teams.

    • sachin 28 September, 2010 at 16:37 Log in to Reply

      The same reason has made for a very good few years for watching Arsenal games on regular cable tv in Canada. Because of the 5 channels that show CL and EPL games, 3 are the more expensive digital pay-per view sports channels. These channels show the now more in demand games and more than often pick Man Utd, Chelsea, barca, Madrid games meaning Arsenal games are regularly shown on cable tv which allows one to catch them in any bar/pub in the city. So as Arsenal’s on-field play goes down, I can watch them fail more easily :)

  29. ChicagoGooner 28 September, 2010 at 12:55 Log in to Reply

    Best headline ever at F365!

    A CLOWN REPLACES THE JOKER BUT WENGER STILL HAS FAITH

    “He can’t save, kick, or catch, and has committed high-profile errors in the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and the Premiership, but Arsene Wenger says he still believes in the talent of Lukasz Fabianski. The youngster will be in goal tonight against Belgrade with the slightly-less-awful Manuel Almunia ruled out. Does anyone other than Wenger not expect it to be a disaster?”

  30. nipuna 28 September, 2010 at 07:26 Log in to Reply

    “I coach a bunch of 11 year old boys. Good lads. Talented. When I am tired and am happy with them, I give them a session that I know that they will like. Some small-sided-games with limited touches. Make it a lighthearted competition. They love that. All can enjoy. Smiles everywhere, including from me. Easy streets.

    The sessions that turn talent into results, individual defending, keeping a solid line, communication when without the ball, defending set pieces and applying pressure, they hate. Boring, hard work, no showboating. But we do them anyway. One has to, and they know that. But they hate it and its hard work for me.

    A few years ago Wenger said he wanted to grow a squad, a happy, talented squad of friends. Friends that love to come to work every day and enjoy it. We know they play a lot of 4 a-side, one and two touch. It’s well documented. Anyone think they do defending, shadow-play, set pieces ? Of course not. Do they ever alter formation or tactics to adapt to the opposition? Of course not. Boring. Hard work, all of that.

    They are a light-weight, under-prepared, under coached bunch of chancers. They have inflated senses of their talent and most can’t appreciate the work required to win. And its because they never do it in training and few have the natural desire to overcome the inadequacies in Wenger’s approach. Fabregas is the exception that proves the rule.

    Bottom line. Forget the lack of spending and stubborn refusal to cast aside players that underperform. We all know about that. The biggest issue at arsenal is wengers inability/desire to actually coach.

    Arsenal is a defenders graveyard. All defenders that have come to or through arsenal under Wenger have damaged their careers (Cole apart). Kolo, Sol, Senderos, Gallas all left with their reputations damaged and Clichy and Sagna are going that way fast. They live in a coaching vacuum for defenders. They live in a club where defence is optional.

    Look at Song. We waited 4 years for that lump to develop into a decent defensive midfielder, and now he’s a star, he doesn’t wanna do that. He wants to attack. He leaves Wilshere to hold the shape of the team. Jack, a player 6 inches smaller, 2 stone lighter and 5 years younger, is required to hold the team together. And Wenger allows this. Think Fergie or mourinho would ? Me neither.”

    http://www.football365.com/mailbox/story/0,17033,8744_6405364,00.html

    • Fred 28 September, 2010 at 14:01 Log in to Reply

      Hits the nail right on the head!

      Nothing more to add really.

    • seattle gooner 29 September, 2010 at 15:04 Log in to Reply

      You know what builds a happy team filled with esprit de corps? Winning a fucking trophy every once in a while.

  31. nipuna 28 September, 2010 at 07:20 Log in to Reply

    “Andrey Arshavin has created 17 chances in the Premier League this season but has assisted only three goals.”

    http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_6404211,00.html

  32. k_nonymous 28 September, 2010 at 04:15 Log in to Reply

    You can add captain Fab to the injury list.

  33. News Arsenal Soccer - UCL Match Day 2: Arsenal v Partizan Belgrade; Match Preview 28 September, 2010 at 02:02 Log in to Reply

    […] Visit Youaremyarsenal.com for more informations and other articles Share this article with your friends: […]

  34. stag133 28 September, 2010 at 01:00 Log in to Reply

    watch and enjoy the match.
    like the WBA match, in the long-term, grand scheme of things…
    its meaningless fun.

    we will progress from this CL group regardless of the
    outcome in Belgrade… and we will collect the money
    that is associated with getting to the knock out stages.

    that’s all that matters.
    so enjoy the football.
    let’s hope its a good game, entertaining, with some scoring. :soccer:

  35. CaribKid 28 September, 2010 at 00:55 Log in to Reply

    It’s on FSC at 2:45 pm EST

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