A Christmas Delight – Arsenal v Aston Villa, Match Preview
Now for the real Christmas Feast
Let’s get right to it shall we? Aston Villa return to the Emirates where in their meeting last season, they stunned Arsenal with a 2-0 win. That came at the height of their push last season that only saw them fade away by season’s end. Arsenal will be looking to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself and that they retain a firm grasp on their league position and title aspirations.
Aston Villa are in a run of form that reminds everyone of their success from last season. The major change from last season is the loss of Gareth Barry to Manchester City and the signing of Richard Dunne to tighten up their defense. And by all indications the Villans got the the better end of the deal. The Aston Villa defense are by far the tightest in the league this season. They haven’t conceded a goal in their last 4 league matches and have only conceded 14 all season long.
Should Villa beat Arsenal they would complete a rather unlikely quadruple having beaten United, Liverpool and Chelsea already. Additionally a win places Villa firmly in the hunt for Champion’s League football. Next to Arsenal they have been the most consistent top squad in the last month. They are grinding out wins. They do not score prolifically but with a defense as tight as they have been – 1 goal leads tend to hold.
Frankly with Liverpool in such a state of decline, City unable to NOT draw matches and Spurs just being Spurs, Aston Villa look to be the more solid contender for a top 4 spot. However, last season when Arsenal looked like they would be on the outside looking in, Villa was in the same spot only to watch their spot fade away and get surpassed by a surging Arsenal. It remains to be seen if Martin O’Neill has done enough to ensure his squad have the ability to last an entire campaign. If there are any faults with the Villa manager it is constant use of the same squad without any rest. He has great talent on his squad but he rides them to the end and unfortunately they get gased. Gabby Abonglahor looked to be lighting up the league only to, like his team, dry up.
Arsenal while not exactly lighting up the league have been the more consistent of the old guard in the last month or so. They’ve only dropped two points and continue to do what is necessary to stay in the league hunt – beat the lesser opposition. With Chelsea and United reluctant or unable to lock down their lead, Arsenal continue to apply pressure. Should they both drop points today and Arsenal either draw or win, the pundits will have to give credit to their title credentials.
The thing about this season and this Arsenal squad is that old “on paper” adage they shouldn’t even be winning. Two top-class left backs out, two “strikers” out and essential role players out – the club is relying on spit, grit and a whole lot of ducttape to get it done. They remain in the hunt in my opinion because of the their manager, their talent and pure determination. Even before the injuries the squad was intent on showing up the pundits and stating a claim to the league title. They will need to continue this way even if Arsene dips into the transfer kitty for a new up front attacking threat.
But back to the task at hand.
The line up I propose today is exactly identical to last week’s and I put it out because I think that is just how Arsene is. But if I were the manager I would have Eduardo in the middle with Arshavin on the wing with Nasri (Walcott) would sit. Also it’s still unknown if Fabregas will play today. On Christmas day he was 50:50 for the match . I agree with everyone and let him at least be on the bench as a sub today and keep Diaby in. His play last week was straight forward and it was why he was so successful. I think that is what will be needed to press Villa. Also likely to be back but not start is Traore.
Again though the up -3 will be the key. Chelsea even thought they lost got lots of shots on goal by attacking the box and getting Friedel moving. Chelsea lost the game on set- pieces. With Eduardo in the middle it frees up Arshavin to be more creative. Not only is the man a solid scorer but his ability to get people the ball is just as uncanny. Eduardo finally got off the goal schnide and hopefully has found the touch he needs to restore his confidence. But again, this is pure conjecture as I think Arsene will start Walcott on the wing to test the defensive speed of Villa’s back four.
We should also focus on Arsenal’s defending on set pieces, a lot has been made of it by us and by the pundits. I think in the last few weeks – since the Chelsea match Vermaelen and Gallas have done an amazing job of locking down the middle of the Arsenal penalty box. The week point still is the goal keeper and his inability to consistently and confidently play the ball correctly. With that in mind will be even more of an imperative for everyone back defending to stay on a man. Arsenal’s clean sheets and set piece defending are going to come more from the defenders than from the goal keeper himself.
How it Should Play Out:
To me this is the match of the weekend. Two good teams, in form and fighting to push United and Chelsea. As Aston Villa don’t score alot I see them playing similarly to Chelsea and trying to absorb the Arsenal attack and only trying to attack on the counter. The thing is – this will be speed on speed. With the exception Mikhail Silvestre and Diaby Arsenal are as quick as Aston Villa. So they will need to defend tightly against the counter. If the game unfolds this way, unlike the Chelsea match Arsenal must take the chances they are presented. Friedel isn’t Given or Howard but he is a good goalie but can be had if he is tested. That is what Arsenal will and must do to win.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin. Third week in a row and third week we need him to come up big. Which so far has been par for the course for the diminutive Russian. He did not feature in either match against Villa and his guile will be needed to press such a stingy defense.
Villa: Gabriel Abonglahor. He is the little engine that could for Martin O’Neill. He is quick and cagey. He is what Theo Walcott could be if Theo could combine scoring with his speed. The one knock on Gabbie – he can’t sustain his prowesss for the length of a season.
Possible Starting XI:
Fabregas for Diaby?
Injuries:
Arsenal: Bendtner (groin), Clichy (back), Djourou (knee), Gibbs & van Persie (both ankle), Rosicky (hamstring), Fabregas (hamstring)
Villa: Bouma (toe), Davies (shoulder), Heskey (groin)
Recent League Form:
Arsenal: WDWWL
Villa: WWWWD
Match Officials:
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey & Mike Bull
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
TV Listing:
US: Setanta Sports 8:25 AM EST
UK: Sky Sports 1330 BST
Possible Feed Sites:
www.atdhe.net
www.justin.tv
www.iraqgoals.net
GAMEDAY Chat will be open. www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
108 comments
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Congress does not want it for themselves then why force it on the people of this Nation. If you are not a productive citizen you might as well kiss yourself goodbye. You are born with a medical problem you will not make it far. If you get MD or something later, sorry about your luck. And if the government thinks you are living to long time for counseling to see if you are fit to keep on living. This Health Care Reform is another way for big government to control. Do not be fooled, people with socialized healthcare come to America for treatment because they can not get it at home.
Adding Embedded Code to a Report
You’ve been kicked (a good thing) – Trackback from DotNetKicks.com
Is Song available for the Pompey game? Which African players are available for Pompey – Kanu, Dindane, Boateng, Piquoone (sp)?
Thought I’d share this website I’ve been using the past few weeks:
http://www.eplmatches.com/
They have highlights of all EPL matches every week.
… and this one.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/
and this one.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/
and http://www.101greatgoals.com/
Funny stuff up above between Arthur and Fred (and the smiley faces, etc)….and Mazza going so far as to suggest that the likes of Denilson, Diaby, Song and Nasri are at least serviceable on the home pitch…. It’s just so…heartening. Perhaps we’re all finding a bit of common ground after today’s nice result and at least somewhat adequate performance.
Personally I’d like to suggest that the back line played really really well and that Sagna and Gallas looked particularly impressive on the right side. Clean sheets are a frightened goalkeepers best friend….
Mazza is right that Portsmouth will be an important game to validate today’s result and they’ll fancy their chances after beating Liverpool on their home pitch. To me, we’re a step above ‘Pool at the moment, but we’ll need 3 points at Fratton Park to prove it.
And I know I shouldn’t look beyond that match, but two days later the TRANSFER WINDOW OPENS!!!! How will we respond to Chelsea finalizing their purchase of Ribery (and who knows whom else)????? Certainly it seems a mercurial period for our little club, but as always….I’m optimistic…..
As a fan, I don’t see a need to spend 1 second of thought for any other club – nor should Arsene.
Arsene is only one to evaluate our depth and needs to finish this season to challenge for title race and CL.
Gotta say – Mazza understands the game pretty well. But sometimes he’s just as stubborn as Wenger! (maybe we all are!)
If Mazza could cast aside his prejudice that who or who is not good enough, and focus on commenting the “actual” performance by the players, his posts are a good read IMO. As he does have his own insight.
Villa’s speed?
Our slow midfield and team, led by the tortoises : Song, Diaby, Denilson, Nasri, Eduardo,
All this commentary for how we suck and our defense is short and lack physical presence. How we need a big aggressive striker – no a big ass striker.
For me with my rose tinted fashionable glasses on today, I marveled on Arsenal’s display of slow midget talent totally outplaying the faster Villa, whose stellar defense anchored by the all world 6’13” Richard Dunn, whose defense had only given up 14 goals (all season) prior to our match; embarrassed.
What would have happened if Arshavin had showed up?
All the pre-match spin how this Villa team recently defeated ManU, Pool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barca, Inter, AC, Bayern Munich, Lyon, Bordeaux and so many other great teams; opps don’t want to leave off the LA Galaxy – what chance did we have – our collection of mamby-pambys.
Gee, whose defense seemed nervous and unsure on corners and free kicks? VILLA
Yes, its only match #18 of 38.
However, we are Arsenal and unlike any other club on the planet, we have something special brewing.
LOL and, of course I would tend to agree with you….
HOWEVER….If you want to get niggly and not buy into the Cesc will save the world narratives, and Diaby (with hair) is like PV or Samson, etc….had Villa put away one of their early chances it might have been a different match, etc., etc…..
That being said, from my couch, on my television, it did seem like a good match, played in a good spirit with fairly boistrous support (the actual Highbury Library, in fact being much closer to the new stadium on the Holloway Road….) and I would agree that we’ve got a nice thing fermenting….
And finally, I like Villa…They’ve got an HUGE game Tuesday at their stadium to define the battle for 4th against Liverpool, I wish them and their contingent of younger Englishman good fortune against the older (and more cheatingerly) ones and their disaffected Spanish teammates….
I prefer not to see our team dependent on one or two players. To contend for anything, we need a smorgasbord of good performances from everyone.
That’s why I root for the Diaby’s, Song’s, Djourou’s, Denilson’s, Traore’s, Gibbs, Eboue’s, Almunia’s successes;
– they rarely are appreciated; and in many cases when they do play well, still are belittled. That’s just me, and not the mainstream fan.
Agree, if Villa had scored at the 13 minute mark! or the 18th !
or
If Eduardo had scored at the 3 minute mark!
or
hell, its football, and the ball bounces differently every play.
The match is over and everyone must deal with what did happen. Almunia, and defense played superb – a clean sheet. Good performances from everyone involved in midfield play. We scored 3 goals. Fantastic result.
Now Denilson and Cesc appear to be out for a spell and Song off to the ACN. So now the real managing begins for Arsene.
Actually, I also follow Villa. Enjoy watching any ‘American’ player in the EPL, who can earn playing time. Friedal, McBride (earlier), Dempsey, Keller (earlier), Hannaman, Altidore. Claudia Reina (earlier).
I respect Martin O’Neil as a motivator and tactician. Remember seeing him Captain N. Ireland in the WC. I believe they will rebound against Pool.
Great result and the players worked very hard and showed the desire and intelligence to play a smart game and not give away cheap concessions. Teams like Villa feed off the other team losing concentration and we did well to keep our cool and shape.
Agree with Fred on Traore. Really looks a decent option at left back. He just needs to get forward a bit more.
Hope now we can win at Portsmouth. I still don’t think Denilson, Diaby, song, Nasri, are sufficient away from home to impose pressure on the opposition for the needed periods, and to get a result at Portsmouth that’s what needs to happen. Picqionne and Dindane are a handful at Fratton Park. We have to shut them out.
One thing I am please with Traore or Gibbs is – when they are playing, I forgot they are not the first choice left back.
Someone remarked that Diaby became invisible once Cesc entered the game; but that was because his
role changed.
Diaby assumed the more defensive MF role of the departing Denilson……Cesc became the AM, which was Diaby’s.
Our effectiveness against Villa was our ability to control midfield. Song and Denilson allowed Diaby the freedom to exploit space in midfield, and for the 1st 57 minutes Denilson and Song disrupted the Villa attack.
Song and Denilson allowed Diaby the freedom to exploit space in midfield,
—————–
Exactly!
Want to hear an irony. As was mentioned before the game last week, Arsenal haven’t scored from a set play for about one and a half years. Now, in consecutive games, we score two very similar set plays from two different players. What’s even more ironic is that I don’t recall ever seeing either Fabregas or Denilson score from a direct free kick. Ever.
josh have u noticed, the two freekicks Cesc and Denilson scored actually went in in a similar fashion? Especially if u watch it from the behind the goal cam.
Both from the left side curling in into the near post.
The interesting part is – on both occassions, I already heard the cheer from the crowd (probably those who sat behind the goal) BEFORE the ball even hit the net.
Yeah it was amazing both freekicks were carbon copies of each other. Quite amazing. I think if one took snapshots of the ball as it entered the net, it might be almost identical in terms of distance from the post.
Like the London buses?
in terms of carbon copies?
Arsenal’s next 5 games
Pompey (A)
West Ham (A) -> FA Cup
Bolton (H)
Everton (H)
Bolton (A)
Yes, time to solidify today’s results while enhancing confidence throughout the depth of the squad….Eduardo and Vela need some goals and Theo, his inch perfect assist notwithstanding, could use some as well. Luckily Arshavin and Cesc are of a class apart where confidence never wavers….
I especially like the looks of the two Bolton matches as we need to dominate some home and away matches when the CL elims come around.
ManU have taken care of Hull (7 min left but two goals up).
Let us just take care of our own business. Win the next two (which includes the game in hand) and we have not only overtaken ManU but we are only 1 point behind Chelsea, if not better.
NOW is the time to go on a long winning run.
Yes it is, ESPECIALLY when you consider what we have to go thru during late Jan/early Feb.
Just finished watching. What a thrilling second half. Can’t say anything about Fab4 that hasn’t already been said. Just rest that hammy, please. That’s an injury that has a nasty way of lingering, and we clearly need him at full stretch.
Really, really nice result. Just gotta stay focused and avoid the complacency that sometimes plagues us after a big win, and we could be ready to make some real noise.
This is the second time in quick succession that Arsenal have won a game under pressure playing on Sunday after the big teams dropped points on Saturday – the first being Liverpool.
That is a very good sign. We still need to get into the habit of winning right after the pressure game as we failed to beat Burnley, but let us set that right by beating Pompey mid week.
Missed all the action yesterday … but looking thru the team lists I noticed that AdeBarnDoor wasnt even on the bench for City.
He wasnt on any injury list either. I dont think I will ever be happier about a player’s misfortune than with that ass-clown. Not even Ashley Cole comes close.
I bet he misses Fabregas spoon-feeding him chances by the dozen. The donkey.
He is on the injury list Fred.
I doubt £160,000 a week will be a misfortune even if he was injured for 2 seasons.
You guys can can hate all you like. Ade has made it :-D
His salary is of importance to him and his lover, Arthur ;-)
I dont think Nancy or Lille would come close to a quarter of that salary though.
You are so childish it’s funny :lol:
Even at Nancy or Lille he proabably earn more than you do in a year, you insignificant hater ;-)
Youth players at Burnley make more than most a year too.
Why dont you fellate them as well? :-)
And you have no idea how much I make ;-)
Fred, whatever you make, unless you spend most of the day sleeping at your desk, I’d wager your bosses are happier with the value than Ade’s are.
arthur, speaking of Vermaelen, I saw an article ran by Andy Townsend a while ago, picking his choice of “The Best Signing So Far”. Townsend’s choices – Richard Dunne, and… Glen Johnson!!
I had to re-read the title of the article to see if he’s choosing the “Best” signing, or the “Worst”!
Now Richard Dunne, alright, I think he’s a great buy. Especially when u consider City virtually gave him away to pave way for their two “world class” 40-million-worth central half signings. But Glen Johnson?! An 18 mil right back who can’t defend?
Personally, and I don’t think I am being biased, Vermaelen gotta be the buy of the season by a mile. 10 million pounds for a top class central half. Not only solid at defending, but offers us some real leadership.
TV5 is a rock. There was a moment in the game when he was on the ground, but boy, did he ever lose control of the ball? No way. His mantra is quite simple – thou shall not have the ball. :)
yup nip, that’s something i love to see – as the TV commentators were saying – it just showed who had the stronger “desire” to get to the ball.
Commitment. That everyone else needs to copy and follow.
TV has the Keown aggressive monster mentality, that almost every other player in our team bar Alex Song lacks.
But even Song will pull out of 50/50s I cannot envision Vermaelen doing that, he is simply a beast who is fantastic in the air as well! He still hasn’t got enough to contain Drogba though I am sad to say. I would like to see another monster alongside him to keep the Drog quiet.
Andez, not just a leader and a defender, but an aerial threat in attack!
yup CG, I almost forgot his goals!
LOL ‘Dez I might have had to re-read that one too.
Dunne has been good for Villa though, worth every penny but Vermaelen has been fantastic.
He has out done my expectations by a long streak, I am still puzzled as to why we still let in so many goals despite the improvement in personnel. Any ideas?
Something to do with Mooney, perhaps. Just a thought. :)
To me, obviously is the keeper. But Almunia did well today, fair play to him.
Yeah true Manny has been woeful this season compared to last but I am not sure if it is the goal keeping is the only issue.
How many of the goals we have let in so far this season been down to GK errors entirely?
Richard Dunne would have to be considered for BEST BUY.. seriously.
Vermaelen has solidified our back 4 to a large degree. He has been excellent.
Glen Johnson? Must have been a joke!
We have let in goals because the back 4 isn’t about adding a player or 2… (see City)… its a UNIT, and the unit has to gel and work together.
The KEEPER(s) also bears a lot of the blame.
Fabregas is obviously on a whole different level from the likes of *cough* Nasri and Diaby, although those two didnt play that bad. When Fabregas steps on, Arshavin turns on and Diaby turns off. At least Diaby seemed to be doing some defensive work today.
For me one of the main reasons (other than Fabregas ofcourse) we got the 3 points was Traore! He was excellent today and was never overrun by any of their pacy wingers or forwards. Silvestre would have been victimized and posterized out there. The key to beating Villa was to ensure their fast guys dont beat the fullbacks and cut into the middle. Sagna and Traore did their jobs very well.
The EXACT performance we needed from this game. The scoreline absolutely perfect.
With this type of performance and scoreline we can now say we are definitely title contenders. It was a quality and tough team and we passed the test performance and results wise.
The other good thing is that it not only boosts confidence but it deflates the confidence of the top 4 pretender teams like City, Villa, Spurs. With this result they know there is only Liverpool’s spot open.
Cesc looked like he was in a little pain after that 2nd goal. He better be okay.
We made Aston Villa look kinda average.
I just hope Cesc’s injury is not serious.
That is what potential champions do. Make other good teams look average. Kind of like Chelesa did to us. Let us keep the momentum going!
We sure did. I was worried about this one though I certainly didn’t predict a 3-0.
I was a little concerned about the injury too ‘Dez, but I don’t think it is too serious though.
arthur, apparently he did his hamstring. That can be tricky.
I surely hope he’s alright though.
Oh dear a hamstring aye.
I still doubt it will be too serious though i.e more than two weeks.
Keep our fingers crossed though shall we.
I don’t know how but I knew that we would win and the score would be 3-0. Dynamite performance. We are a better team than them and we beat the shit out of Aston Villa. I simply couldn’t see them coming close to us today, let alone beating us. Well done, lads.
That was so satisfying :-D
Great performance from the team. Vermaelen was outstanding again today and Fabregas out of this world.
Diaby was excellent first half died a little in the second but is looking promising again. Must say we were unfortnate not to have been a goal or two up at half time. So mush for Denilson, Song and Diaby not been able to play together we dominated a good Villa side all game, when Fab came on it was “lift off”. I think that mini-rest has done him a world of good.
Again I was impressed with Song, he continues to be outstanding despite his apparent lack of acceleration he is just so self assured these days and unlike some of his MF counterparts he is not afraid to take risks.
I thought we played some nice football at times and you always knew we were going to score at some stage, I just did not envision us getting a clean sheet to go with it.
A result to top off a merry Christmas and here’s to a prosperous new year to follow.
Fred’s hammering wishes (and ours) answered. Mainly thanks to fab but I think we played pretty well all up. Ripped Villa a new one. After our first goal, the amount of fouls they were making.. they clearly had nooo idea how to handle us.
Manny watch: That’s 2 good games on the trot. First time this season I think? We will see more of him because of this now, though if he keeps up an adequate enough level of performance, we can carry the handicap.
2 solid games on the trot for the infamous 3 of Denilson, Diaby, Almunia.
Denilson was anonymous.
When Fabregas came on for him, we went from playing with 10 men to playing with 12!
Well no shit, anyone of our players would look terrible compared to Cesc today. Forget Stevie G, Cesc’s the real Captain Fantastic. Densilson wasn’t great, but no one really was before Cesc came on. He played competently though.
Typical reply, Fred. Agreed, Fabregas was sensational in his cameo. Denilson can’t do that and never will be able to. But, how many players can? No one has ever suggested that Denilson could.
Funny thing is before and after Cesc’ cameo was when Diaby was at his best.
I agree with you Chicago Denilson was solid today.
He was efficient and dependable. He was sacrificed for Fab as we needed that creative impetus that only Fabregas gives us. I would have most likely taken off Diaby as he was looking more quiet at the start of the second half. But I can see why Wenger took Deni of instead. He wanted to win the game ands was prpared to take a small risk by keeping the more attacking man, Diaby, on especially as he had a particularly bright 1st half.
But Denilson does not desrve to be singled out for a poor performance at all.
Nobody’s singling out Denilson. He didnt play bad. Infact he doesnt play woefully often.
He is just … anonymous. And replicates what Nasri, Ramsey and Song can already do. Waffling around.
Cue the one-man-down effect.
I hear you Fred, he is not a stand out type of player these days, true.
But he probably doing what he is told to do, “keep it simple”, Wenger sees that as an attribute.
I would say that Song in particular, Ramsey and Nasri whenhe is up for does far more than waffling around.
Song is a great DF asset and is adventerous. Ramsy and Nasri even when they are having a quiet game are always gonna be goal scoring threats, I don’t see how any of them can be accused of waffling around.
Wenger appears to be serious about buying now that he sees we have a chance this year. My question is why didn’t he do that 2 years ago when we also had an excellent chance at the title? Maybe he thought he could swing it 2 years ago, and his difference in perspective now is a result of that mistake.
Well said, keep those fingers crossed.
I wouldnt count on heavy transfer business. He may buy one player, 2 at the absolute maximum. He is a big believer in continuity of squads. He is also very loyal and will show this I think, by keeping the faith in the squad that has got us into this position.
Still, a solid ready to play now player or two would be excellent business.
1 or 2 is all we need.
Agreed. A goalie and a CF and maybe a DCM as a luxury.
We didn’t appear to need anybody two years ago. We were top of the table, playing the best football in the world. Adebayor was on fire. So was Cesc, Hleb, Rosicky, and Flamini. Clichy and Sagna were also having career seasons and we had players like Eduardo and Walcott coming off the bench and playing exceptionally well. We even had Jens Lehmann as a back-up keeper. We didn’t need to buy anybody.
We should have bought a striker after the Eddy’ injury but that is easy to say in retrospect.
Whether that would have made any difference is debateable but we would have had one player that wouldn’t have been shell shocked.
Cesc is THE MAN.
It’s true, Diaby does play better without Fabregas in the side. During Cesc’s brilliant cameo, Diaby is invisible, but as soon as he is off, he scores!
WOOOOHOOOOO!!!
That was a belter of a result. Will take this performance every single game. Not flamboyant, not the great passing and beautiful game, but what a wonderful result.
WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!
I am in GDC
Starting XI: A;munia, Gallas, Vermaelen, Sagna, Traore, Song, Diaby, Denilson, Arshavin, Eduardo, Nasri
Subs: Fabianksi, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey Silvestre, Fabregas, Eboue
So I got Wlacott and Eduardo wrong too.
And I was wrong on Villa – Heskey is starting over Carew. Interesting. I tend to agree and think that Carew gives us more problems.
Arsenal.com is saying that the only changes to the lineup from the Hull match are that Traore and Sagna start in place of Eboue and Silvestre.
Also Fabregas is on the bench.
So if that is correct our starting XI should be:
Almunia, Gallas, Vermaelen, Sagna, Trarore, Song, Diaby, Denilson, Walcott, Arshavin, Nasri – will confirm once it is announced.
Merry Christmas to ye all! Glad to finally escape family and endless NCAA bowl games for REAL action … Arsenal! lol.
Anyways, beating Villa at home is a big necessity due to the gifts we’ve been handed recently. And I completely agree with the sentiments that Wenger should face the guillotine if he disappoints again this season while sitting on a pot of money. If we have the money and dont spend it … and Almunia or some other fucker blows up our season, it would all be on his head, its 100% his team. So its about time he delivers. Even an FA cup would suffice for now.
He should have been fired immediately after that Chelsea FA cup semi-finals … but hey, new season, new hope for better … and things seem to be lining up for us with regards to Chelsea’s woes and Man U’s struggles.
Its time to deliver. No excuses!
Lets slaughter Villa. I’m talking 3-0 spanking.
Ok, ok, I’ll take any sort of 3 points available.
http://www.onlinegooner.com/exclusive/index.php?id=1447
Who is the best pound for pound? One perspective, more debate needed.
This is the first bit of news I am seeing in regards to the transfer kitty for this January:
The Mail is saying Arsene has £30M from the sales of Toure and Adebayor. According to the Mail Arsene will be in for both a striker and a defender. Now take it for what it is – the Mail. But it is the first time I am hearing anything beyond just a striker as his target.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1238600/Wengers-20m-transfer-gamble-Arsenal-boss-targets-striker-defender.html
I am quite concerned of Villa’s pace – Young, Gabby, Downing, Milner. Carew is another person to be wary of – he has been our nemesis since his Valencia days. Our team is quite slow. Almunia is a “slow of the line” keeper, Gallas was killed for pace last year, the midfield (Song, Cesc, Diaby, Denilson) are all slow. Pace is something that can really trouble us. I hope Traore starts and not Silvestre.
Midfield is where Villa are weak and we should overpower them. Petrov, Milner (playing out of position) and possibly Reo-Coker. We need to slice them apart right through the middle. I wish we were slightly stronger in attack. Dudu is unconvincing and Nasri hasn’t set the hit the heights. Can’t depend on Arsh all the time.
The league is poorer or more evenly contested, depending on how you view it. This has simply got to be our best chance. Whether Arsene signs someone or not, we must win the title. I doubt we will get a better chance anytime soon. If we can’t win when others are faltering, that doesn’t really say much for ourselves, does it?
our match with Villa last year…..the game was tied until midway thru the 2nd half then Clichy suffered an own goal…..followed by Agbonlehor’s excellent breakaway finish.
Our CB’s were Gallas & Silvestre; Song did not play, nor did Arshavin and Vermaelen! These three players alone will have enough influence to give us our 3 points.
As far as the line-up; Cesc’s recovering is probably a game day decision by Arsene.
If Eduardo is healthy, can’t see Theo starting. Also, I believe Traore is 1st choice at LB.
IMO, Friedal is as good as any keeper in the league, so Arsenal will need to be very clever in the final 1/3.
Within 2 weeks we should have Clichy, Bendtner, and Rosicky returning, giving us a quality depth when we need it the most.
Anxious for the game day!
Interesting to see Peter Hill-Wood so vocal this weekend – he actually said he was “Pissed Off” at Barca’s repeated attempts to unsettle Fabregas.
Also emphatically came out and said that money was not an issue with the transfer window – that there has always been a large enough sum to do what the team wants – he just came out and said Arsene is not going to spend if he doesn’t see the sense in it.
basically, he is saying Wenger is responsible for not improving the team, even if necessary!
if Wenger watches this January, he should be FIRED.
I said it… the Wenger suck-ups will yelp and whine, but if he doesn’t bring in at least a player or two, he should be let go.
I agree that if Wenger doesn’t buy AND we don’t win the leauge he should maybe be let go. But if he doesn’t buy and we do win the league, then why let him go?
Of course!
Yes, if he watches the window open and shut, and we don’t win anything… it will be time to move on… for all parties.
I just don’t see it possible we win without some incoming player(s)… the long harsh Winter will take its toll injury-wise on every team.
It’s not that simple.
No-one really knows how much Wenger has to spend, so you need to balance his negative points (occasional reluctance in the transfer market, surrounding himself with yes men, etc) with his good points (developing young players, beautiful football, etc).
I don’t think Wenger should be let go no matter what happens in January.
No other manager could build as good a squad as ours with so little money. Compare Arsenal to Liverpool. Both big clubs with limited finances, but Benitez is trying to compete against much bigger players using the checkbook, whereas Wenger is building something much more sustainable, and which has a better chance of winning silverware.
I know it’s not that simple, but I was just using a hypothetical to show that it’s not one way or the other for sure.
I’m actually going to let myself get excited about this game. Two wins on the spin and we’re right back in it.
I’m in DC for Xmas – so will be watching this at Lucky’s Bar, Dupont Circle. It should really be called Unlucky’s Bar. I’ve yet to see us win there. But armed with some new knitwear and electrifying socks, I think we can do take Villa 2-1.
They are going to make us work very hard and test our a defence to the full, but if our inconsistent players continue to deliver like they have, we will be worth the victory.
Eduardo got a confidence boosting tap in. Theo can only get better and more purposeful. And now we have Denilson for freekicks. Come on, Gunners.
gotta give credit to Birmingham and Fulham the likes. Man U, Arsenal are obviously troubled by injury this season. But in Chelsea’s case, they are relatively injury-free. And their team are just as strong as last season. So it seems to me that it’s not a case that the top sides get weaker this season, except for Liverpool, but the smaller sides are getting more competitive.
every team has injuries, including Chelsea…
great to see them continue to struggle and drop points, but it will give Villa just as much incentive as it does us…
see my quote “they (Chelsea) are RELATIVELY injury-free”.
Did chelsea have their first choice, second choice, third choice left back out at the same time.. Their best striker out… Their playmaker out… and at one point virtually half of their first team out like we have to face this season so far?…
Or…
Did Chelsea have their entire defense + the keeper out like Man Utd?
don’t tell me the fact that Man U were forced to play 2 midfielders at their back did not play a part in their poor result of late, and it was merely an “excuse”?
Andez, they have dealt with their share of injuries as well… it hasn’t been a free-ride for Chelsea…
and the ACoN will effect them more than any other team.
United are within reach even with their defensive chaos… its part of the game… and happens every year, usually to us.
Arsenal haven’t won back to back games since 7/Nov. It shows that we can’t take anything for granted. The fact that we are still in the title race has as much to do with others failings as our own success. We desperately need to set that right by beating Villa first and Pompey next.
Nip;
You did sound like the doom-monger ;)
Anybody know what are the odds on Liverpool not winning today?
don’t know but hope you didn’t find out!
2-0 ‘Pool and Wolves down a man.
Done.
I was watching. Pool couldn’t score until Wolves were down to 10 men. They suck!
they don’t suck, they are just average…
they won’t care how it happened, just that they finally won a game.
they aren’t that far out of 4th, and that’s all that they are playing for now.
Chelsea has drawn today, so yet again this season, things have been set up perfectly for us… perfectly. It will be harder to take advantage this time, though. As DAG mentioned, Villa have only allowed 14 goals (1 less than Chelsea) and have already beaten the 3 Big 4 teams they’ve played. Hopefully, our excellent home form will see us through. After Chelsea’s game today, we’re 7 pts. out with 2 games in hand. Let’s cut that to 4 w/ 1. Once the gap becomes that small, maybe we’ll see some role reversal: the media all over Chelsea, licking their chops, hungrily awaiting a mid-season implosion as their form continues to struggle, especially during the ACN. And hopefully we can be the beneficiaries… for once.
BTW, I was hoping someone else would be on MDC today! Boxing Day just isn’t the same w/o our virtual pub!
I am there now, if you want to join.
Sorry nip, we missed each other.
I am still there. Hoping Liverpool will slip against Wolves. ;)
Mancs slip against Hull would be nicer
Was hoping Fulham beat Spurs, but hey, I will take it.
The madness continues!! Birmingham 0-0 Chelsea!
And to make things even better:
Chelsea 0 – Birmingham 0
Spurs 0 – Fulham 0
So far the weekend looks like it is setting up again