Arsenal v Swansea; Match Preview – FA Cup Replay
It only seems like last week when we plast played Swansea. Oh yeah. Sorry for the poor humour. With all the woe surrounding Arsenal right now, I think of a statement by Lord Byron – “If I laugh at any mortal thing, tis that I may not weep.” So my poor attempt at wit is an attempt to hide my despair.
We find ourselves just before another game and as usual for the majority of bloggers I know you want to approach the preview with the sense of optimism and hope that each fresh match offers up. We’ve discussed it before, no matter how bad things get, you always support the team and only at the end of the match do you either rejoice or despair.
But in looking at this match, I don’t even know how to assess this team. And while, I am filled with my usual sense of pre-game Arsenal-lade bravado and support, I can’t give you an honest idea of how this match is going to go?
When you disect the team and the available players, its not without talent and its not without issues. So it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that the team takes the pitch and absolutely whipes the floor clean with Swansea. However, it’s also equally as possible that Arsenal take to the pitch and get a right good rollicking at home. You just don’t know.
But something has to give. Somehwere, someone has to give a damn, that they stand up and force this team to be accountable. Managers and coaches can only do so much to get a team prepared to play. We’ve discussed the failings in this department and likely will discuss them yet again. For Arsenal right now some focus has to be on the players and sucking it up and working it out. They need to take some accountability for their actions.
Swansea aren’t going to make it easy. They’ve become a bogey team for Arsenal with the Gunners only taking 1 of the last 4 matches. Throw in Michu taking Didier Drogba’s place as chief tormenter (he has scored 3 in the last two times these clubs have met) and Swansea have shown themselves more than capable to handle Arsenal in the last two years.
I read Nigel Winterburn’s assessment of the match, and I agree, the Gunners look best this season when they are playing at a high tempo. The problem is when Arsenal get thoughtful and patient in their passing. Passess move side to side and back and it slows play down. It allows our opposition to get positionally set and wait and soak up the Arsenal attack. When we press from the get go, starting at their back line and move the ball with purpose (and make runs off the ball) we look like we will score. Why Arsenal haven’t approached each match consistently with this is perplexing.
Realistically, this our only hope for silverware. If the team doesn’t put in a performance today then the cries of pain you’ve been hearing will only get worse. A win today and it will hopefully have a carry over effect for the games hereafter. This is a team that needs confidence. The home crowd will be behind them and will them on. It will of course go south if the team goes south. But from the get go, expect the home support to will the team forward and the team needs to respond to that as well as their own understanding at what is at stake.
Arsenal are the second most succesful team in FA Cup history behind United. This is also a cup that Wenger used to treasure and the Gunners won it four times under the Frenchman. It’s the only shot we have at silverware this season (unless the impossible of all miracles occurs). Time to have a proper go.
Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Swansea: 1
Projected Lineups:
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Theo Signs! Theo Signs! — Stag Finally Happy!
That there is the title of the new post which the DAG should write to bury my comments here. In truth, the notion of Stag actually being happy is a serious laugher—If I could invent the pill that would make him happy…. I think it’d be time for my wife to quit HER job…..
I guess it’s a good thing and now that he’s under contract we can get him back where he belongs–on the wing (or the bench). The signing IS good for stability but it’s a sign of the times that a guy who couldn’t crack the England starting 11 at last Summer’s Euros is now our highest paid player. Oh well. The other guy who did a bunch of standing around for Germany is on about the same money (Poldoski) while our next highest never quite recovered from all the running he did for Russia (Arshavin). Luckily we’ve still got the heart of the French team (Giroud, Sagna, Diaby) as well as a couple of guys who might get called up for Spain (Cazorla, Arteta). Between all these international stars (not to mention our “British Core”) we’re clearly on our way. January signings? Who needs ‘em?…..
Obviously, we might. The next few matches will be a pulse reading. One at a time, of course, starting with the little test on Sunday at the Bridge. Chelsea (I thought) were quite poor when we played them at home earlier this season but still good enough to take all 3 points. That was before the Rafa Revolution, of which, in truth, I haven’t seen a minute. Anybody? All I know is that they beat Stoke (at Stoke) 4-nil but then drew at home vs Southhampton in midweek. Can we take the “momentum” of all that good effort (but only a single goal) from our last couple of hours of play? Frankly, I liked the look of Wilshere tucked in behind Giroud with Santi and Theo nominally playing as wingers but always looking to sneak central. As long as the left footers are willing to go wide and cover the spaces, I don’t really see a problem. Coquelin will likely get dropped and Poldoski will come back in forcing Jack to play deeper. I think that’s fine as long as the covering (aka “teamwork”) continues. Diaby, leggy as he is, looked able to track back a bit better, and for better or worse, is probably the thin ankle by which our season hangs. Hopefully he can help take the game to Chelsea, while also guarding the ball and being an outlet and otherwise filling the bigger socks Arteta wears. Hazard, Oscar and Mata (and Torres) can be deadly on their better days, but also miss plenty of chances. Demba Ba, usually puts them away, however…..
Gosh, it would be nice if we could pull an upset there, though winning our game in hand (West Ham, next Wednesday, at the Grove) is probably more important. Gotta stay focused and not let the Theo Signs Feel-Good-Factor distract us from the task at hand.
Go on….
I think we now know Arsenal’s best 11…
The defence & GK pick themselves. Koscielny’s penchant to calamity mean he’s either the backup or an option to Vermaelen.
Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna
Szczęsny
The midfield three are Wilshere, Arteta and Diaby. Diaby has impressed me this season like never before. His ability to retain the ball and work his way through the congested midfield spaces with skill and power is exactly what Wenger’s style requires. So having both Wilshere and Diaby with this ability is gold. Of course… I’m not silly, Diaby’s legs are toothpicks stuck together with a bit of glue. Therein lies the dilemma.
Wislere, Arteta, Diaby
In attack we’ve seen Walcott is a flat track bully. Of the strikers tried Giroud has shown enough to suggest he’s the pick. There’s more to his game than you see at first glance. Flanking him you have to have Cazorla and at this stage probably Walcott.
Cazorla, Giroud, Walcott
In terms of building a playing style and momentum I think the whole team has suffered with the absence of Wilshere and Diaby. Without those two we simply don’t have the skills in midfield to play the way Wenger insists. It requires huge skill and power. Holding off opponents, retaining possession, excelerating into windows of space, maintaining awareness. The return of Wilshere gives some hope but I fear Diaby is a lost cause being unable to sustain his fitness. If Diaby could stay fit we’d be a different team.
In attack, we’re light to be honest. This is where Wenger should put his money where his mouth is and buy a superstar now – Guardiola would, Ferguson did, Mourinho does. Any serious manager of a serious club does. It’s the sharp end. It’s the difference between nicking wins and draws you don’t deserve or not. It inspires the team and the fans. We did it with Dennis Bergkamp – we made a statement of intent…and how did that turn out?
No point discussing defence. Wait for the next manager on that point.
Not sure the reply function is working as I tried it below (to my own post) and it posted above….Anyhow, trying to reply to Kiwi’s comment here….
Indeed, shame about Abou. He needs a run of games and then seasons. It’s all too likely his career has passed him by. In truth Wenger got amazingly lucky with the run of health from Arteta last season. Here’s hoping for a speedy return for Mikel….
Complete agreement about the attacking end of things and I’d be quite intrigued if there was any fire to the Adrian (Lopez) smoke. By opting to be a relentlessly selling team (WE hold other clubs to ransom, never visa versa….) we’re in the ridiculous position of being held hostage by Theo Walcott and his silly demands. Flat track bully, I’m afraid, actually flatters him. With a run of health he has improved but the footballing brain along with the basic skills are still suspect. Given that our highest paid guy (besides the manager, of course….), Poldoski, didn’t make your first 11, I wonder if making Theo #2 makes sense. For me, he’d be my super-sub, plan B, sort of guy or a starter against teams we know play the high back line. With #3 being Arshavin, it all sort of makes sense….in a universe gone mad…..
Thank goodness we won the match, and hopefully it will serve as a bit of bonding for the 11 guys who played all but 10 minutes together (one sub, Ramsey, again!?!). I actually thought they came up with a bit of fluidity covering for one another that made it awfully difficult for Swansea to pass their way out of their own half. Santi especially looked happier haring down spaces rather than pointlessly trailing the ball. Hopefully this group (or does Poldi come back in?….) can have a pleasant scrimmage with Chelsea at the Bridge on Sunday and keep the scoreline respectable. Whatever happens, we need to regroup quickly as the following several are of the must-win variety. Personally, I like the 2 matches/week and the result today (and avoiding an extra 30 mins) could (maybe, perhaps, kinda….) be seen as a step in the right direction. Of course, lets see who took a knock, etc., etc., while hearing that there’s nobody out there who could improve the squad…. (Ah crap, channeling Stag again….)
Hi Steve. A breath of fresh air as always. I replied to you post ‘for arthur’ on the previous thread or 2. Unfortunately I missed the best bits of the Swansea game, almost the entire second half, so I will have to catch up on Arsenal Player sometime soon, so I cannot really comment on it. But I can say from what I saw Jack was the man out there yesterday, great attitude and desire, he doesn’rt shirk responsibility always trying to make something happen.
Back to Uni’ so I may not be too active on YAMA for sometime but we will keep in touch, even if it is only be Gmail. Ooh how I do miss GDC too, we will have to find a solution/alternative someday.
Kiwi I would have Kosch over Vermaelen. Verm is prone to more errors of lapse or whatever it may be than Kosch is to rash challenges. Kosch needs a run of games to get back in the swing of things and is more effective and dependable than Verm. Simply put , Kosch is just a better defender. Mert is the most dependable right now, despite his lack of pace, now that he has acclimatised he has been fantastic.
DF: Gibbs, Mert, Kosch and Sagna
MF, I am not convinced Diaby is in the kind of form (ala Coca cola cup final against Chelsea) that warrants him a starting berth over our best paid player, the OX, Gervinho… and anyone else that I can think of that can occupy the spot where Cazorla doesn’t belong. Diaby has no business in a starting MF slot, for now… that’s where Cazorla belongs. Carzola needs to be central to full display his excesses of talent, he gets more freedom to do that there.
MF: Wishere, Arteta and Cazorla
The front three is more tricky I think, but to base it on form I would give Poldi the LW spot with the option of Ox and Gerv (when he returns) to freshen up either wing when needed. Giroud is worth a starting spot for me and our most consistent crosser of the ball and incidentally highest scorer has his postion (whether he likes it or not :-) sown up RW
FW: Podolski, Giroud and Walcott
GK: Shez, as we have no viable alternative.
Wilshere looks a little superstar – a genuine midfield dynamo. Can Arsenal build a team to keep him over the next 2 years? If not, what’s to stop Manchester United stumping up 45m for him? Would Arsenal take it? He could be for United’s midfield what Rooney has been in attack.
The decision by Guardiola to join Bayern has the same ring as the top players who never join Arsenal. He was there for the getting and we didn’t. The fact he did pick Bayern says a lot to me. I’ve always rated Bayern a serious club, focused on success and well run. I think those qualities appealed to Pep more-so than the new money. Clubs like Barca, Bayern and Mnchester United do things the way I think are sustainable for a big club. They are prepared to give their squad a boost and add that x-factor by paying big for special players – what Wenger claims he’ll do but never does. Bayern don’t spend outlandishly but they do attract and sprinke their team with a few superstars. This has been a longstanding practice in football. Even the greatest teams in memory like Gullits AC Milan had their 3 Dutchmen adding glamour and panache.
Guardiola knows he is going to a club that will compete domestically and can compete in Europe. It has a shape, a form, and Guardiola can build on that.
There is no reason whatsoever why Arsenal couldn’t have got Guardiola if they were motivated to do so.
ok… riddle me this Batman, if Arsene Wenger could give a feck about the FA Cup, then why should the fans care about it?
I actually believe this game is meaningless to Arsene and Arsenal FC.
Wenger doesn’t care if we win the FA Cup… he’s shown he doesn’t in squad selection over the past how many years? basically “throwing” Cup matches, to rest players in the team.
Well, since we play the same players over and over and over, until they get injured (see Arteta, we’ve one once in 1 1/2 years without him on the pitch for us)…
and since the TROPHY is 4th Place in the league, I think Wenger would prefer we lose and get out of this competition, so we can focus on the trophy…
I bet we start a few non-regulars…
How’s the transfer window activity going Arsene? anyone “special” out there?
How about the selling? find anyone to take Squillaci? Bendy? Arshavin?
great job. we can’t go on without this man running the show… how could we ever compete?
3-1 Swansea.
Oops….Remy has chosen QPR over Newcastle, sorry…. (I miss that edit feature almost as much as the GDC….)
Also, Guardiola has signed on with Bayern Munich (at the close of the season) so the pipe dream of him taking over at Arsenal seems up in smoke….. Obviously Bayern is in transition, so maybe we’ve got a chance with them in the CL…. LOL…. Lets see if we can get past Swansea in the other cup first, eh?…..
For me, this is a “must-win” and a “must-win-with-style.” Somehow, in addition to getting to the 4th round, we need to do so with a performance that gives the squad a measure of confidence going forward into crucial league matches.
Like the DAG, I wonder. Even though we’re relatively uninjured, missing only Arteta (who might be back sooner than expected), Rosicky (has he played at all this season?) and Koscielny (one match ban), we seem a skeleton squad. With Newcastle, Everton and QPR buying up our long-mooted French prospects (Remy, Capoue and M’Vila) it all seems rather hard to take. Our attack seems flaccid, Our defense brittle, and our manager in denial about strengthening the squad.
Staying “in the moment,” today we have the chance to test the hypothesis of our prolific new poster, bum (now AWOL): ARE we better than Swansea? One match, I guess, doesn’t answer the question, but they’ve already beaten us on our home pitch once this season. Surely, if they do it again, we would have to at least start worrying….
Many long-timers wonder what the point of Arsenal is these days. I can see that view, especially if you came to the club when they were doing to the Premier league what Barca is doing to La Liga right now. The flip side is that every match is a cup final, a make or break moment. For me, it’s drama of the highest nature, epic tragedy staved off over and over and over. How many times can the hero escape the noose? And, if he can do so, how does he redeem himself in the eyes of the people who once thought he represented good rather than evil, and get the posse called off, once and for all?
Seeing as AW is only a football manager and not a writer of screen-plays, logic would suggest that it’s a mountain too high. Tonight’s match, however, represents a chance to get a toe-hold or a leg up in the correct direction. I’m curious if the stadium will be half empty or has the club done the right thing and grabbed extras off the street who might jump at the chance to lend some genuine enthusiasm? I doubt it. Again, the price we’re being asked to pay seems a little stiff…
But, at least, it’s a match, a new piece of evidence with which to construct one’s case…. No GDC :-) makes the tape delay (here in the States) easier to manage. For whatever reason, I still look forward to matches. Tomorrow, back to the court-room…..