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Home›Match Previews›Back to Winning Ways: Arsenal V Wolves; Match Preview

Back to Winning Ways: Arsenal V Wolves; Match Preview

By Michael Price
April 3, 2010
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Safe at Home?

Arsenal look to extend unbeaten streak against Wolves

It was a rough week for Arsenal, surrendering a painful equqalizer to Birmingham and getting a masterclass on passing and attacking by Barcelona. Throw in the injuries to Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin and William Gallas and well it wasn’t all roses for the Gunners. With that week out of the way, Arsene’ Wenger’s side stay at home and face off against this year’s league darlings – Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton have been on a good run as of late winning against both Spurs and West Ham. You couldn’t blame them for brimming with confidence at the prospect of facing an Arsenal side that do not have Fabregas or Arshavin in the line up.  Their current run of form equals their longest unbeaten run in the EPL and the have as many points away from home as Liverpool. Next to Portmsmouth they have the worst attack in the league  having scord only 28 goals in 32 games. In facing Arsenal, they are meeting for the 108th time and haven’t won against them in 31 years.

However they are a tenacious club and should not be underestimated. They’ve been impressive lately and did a fantastic job of fighting Everton to a scoreless draw. Unlike their opponents they do not have the injury concerns that would rattle a smaller cluib like Wolves.

For Arsenal the task is simple, win today and keep the faint hopes for EPL glory alive. Draw or Lose and surely the season prospects will have dried up. Arsenal have a shot to still win the league but they will be required to win their last 6 matches. A feat not impossible. Prior to drawing to Brum last week they ran a season best 6 wins in a row. But they had access to Cesc Fabregas in some of those matches.

Arsenal will be without their talismanic captain as he figures tomiss the rest of the season with a fractured tibia. The team captain has been on his own impressive run building up his Arsenal legend status at only the tender age of 22. He was scored many of the last minute winners the team has had this season, even scoring the equalizer against Barca. A move that would result in not only keeping Arsenal alive in the CL, but possibly breaking his leg at the time.

In his place will be Samir Nasri who since coming back from early season injury is showing why Arsene went out two seasons ago and signed him. He has deputized for Cesc when Fabregas was out for a short stint with a hamstring injury. In those games he was authoratative and skillful with the ball. He not only made the absecence of Fabregas seem okay, he made some plays of his that were classic, especially his wonder goal it in the 5-0 thrashing of Porto. Nasri is now likely the most important cog in Arsenal’s continued fight in both the EPL and CL. How he responds to this new responsibility will be essential for Arsenal’s continued success.

The signing of Sol Campbell now looks to be a masterstroke. WIth the injury to William Gallas looking like it will keep him out for the rest of the season as well, the Gunners needed size, strenght and experience in back four and they’ve gotten it in spades with Campbell. His resurrgence to Premier LEague form has amazed pretty much everyone. As Arsenal will need a bedrock in terms of defence and as a leader Campbell can add to his Arsenal status by being the leader the club need to get through this patch.

All in all this looked like an easy match two weeks ago. They will want to avoid a repeat of last season where they only won 3 of their last 6 matches (drew the other 3) and they will want to continue their run that sees them unbeaten in their last 7. In favor of the Gunners – the comforts of home where with the exception of losses to United and Chelsea they have been nearly unbeatable. If they are to remain in the title hunt, they will need to channel that.

How the Match Should Play Out:
While Arsenal were made to look silly for 68 minutes on Wednesday, they should have no trouble exerting their style of play on this match. Wolves do not posssess the same class or abililty as Barcelona. But they still represent a tenacious challenge and will be looking to press on against the Gunners. Still though, when they last met in Novemeber, Wolves had no Answer for Arsenal pressure and they allowed two own goals (set up by Eduardo)  because they couldn’t handle the reds around the box.  While Arsenal will have to get used to the new realities of their squad, it will still be too strong in the end for Wolves.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Samir Nasri. Its not often you are called on to replace a player like Fabregas. But Nasri has shown two things this season – 1. He can fill in just fine for the Spaniard and 2. He plays better without the captain in the squad. They need him to be magical for at least 7 more games (6 EPL and 1 CL).

Wolves: Kevin Doyle. He leads the Wolve attack and while he does not possess the greatest of skills he still gets the Wolverhampton pack running.

Possible Starting XI:

Back to winning?

Back to winning?

Injuries:
Arsenal: Van Persie (ankle) Djourou (knee) Arshavin (groin) Gallas (leg) Fabregas (leg) Ramsey (leg) Gibbs (foot)

Wolves: Ebanks-Blake (virus) Knightly (ankle)

Most Recent League Form:
Arsenal: DWWWW

Wolves: WDWDL

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Fabregas 19 (15 League) Arshavin 11 (9 league)

Wolves: Doyle 7 (7 league) Craddock 5 (5 league)

Last Meeting: (EPL)
Arsenal: 4

Wolves: 1

Match Officials:
Referee: Andre Marriner

Assistant Refs: Adam Watts & Phil Sharp

Fourth Official: Jarnail Singh

Broadcast TV:
US: Foxsoccer.TV 1000AM EST

UK; ATVO 1500 EST

TagsArsenalMatch PreviewWolves
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132 comments

  1. Andez 5 April, 2010 at 21:20 Log in to Reply

    There is also one area of game I think AW should really take it more seriously – set pieces.

    We did score some goals from setpieces this season, but given how many corners, freekicks we earned every game, it has been such a poor ratio (scoring Vs number of setpieces in a match).

    Set pieces often are the decider in big games between two strong sides. And it’s also an useful weapon when things don’t go your way in a match.

    Take the CL final we lost to Barca. When you are down to 10 men, you know you can’t play your usual passing game as effectively as with 11 men, at least not against a strong side like Barca. If you are good at attacking from setpieces, at least that gives you an extra weapon.

    Anyway, not like we were good at setpieces those days neither, still, Sol Campbell did score from a setpieces cross.

    The biggest problem of Arsenal’s setpieces handling is – not that we do not have tall players. Bendtner, Diaby, Vermaelen and Sol will all be more than useful… IF the cross find them.

    The problem is our delivery from setpieces. It has been so poor for a long long time.

  2. Kiwi 5 April, 2010 at 20:41 Log in to Reply

    I’ve read the earlier comments around Fabregas. I’m guessing we are arguing around the margins – rather than the substantive. It’s funny how we all can watch the same players and games intently and come away with different feelings.

    For me this year has been enormous for Fabregas as a player and captain. I wouldn’t have picked him as captain and typically we’ve had to wait for him to develop into the role, yet this season I’m happier with his leadership. He looks more comfortable and is more able to step up and influence games and key events.

    As for his general play, overall I’m impressed. Yes his game certainly does ebb and flow, sometimes he seems not quite ‘on’, his passing can be off, but frankly who isn’t on and off? And to be fair given the ever-changing nature of this team due to injuries and nursing frail players is it fair to expect Cesc’s game to remain forever high-octane in such a changing environment? Even Messi who has acquired footballing god-like status has quiet games. The thing I’ve liked about Cesc is that different aspects of his game keep emerging and maturing like his goal tally this season, like his mega-bottle penalties, like his calmness. It just makes him a great package.

    The lad has done well. And the lad looks more a man.

  3. Kiwi 5 April, 2010 at 20:29 Log in to Reply

    Games swing on goals and so having goal scoring options is critical.

    When you look at the Barcelona return leg and the remaining EPL fixtures the question becomes who will score your goals. The loss of Arshavin and Fabregas robs us of our two most likely mature goal scoring options when it really matters. Of course in any particular game goals will come from a variety of places and Arsenal has a plethora of ‘other scorers’ the likes of Vermaelen, Diaby, Denilson, Walcott, Campbell, Eduardo…. however you don’t want to be relying overly on these ‘other’ grade 2 options. You want a few grade 1 options – with Fab and Arsh out we only have Bendtner in that category.

    Perhaps this will be the making of Bendtner. I’ve noticed, with the benefit of more hindsight, that Nick has a habit of scoring late clincher goals. That’s a tasty habit. You don’t learn that, you have it. He has it. It’s almost like some players are infused when the clock ticks down and the match intensity ramps up they can respond – many can’t. Maybe Bendtner will step up even further and score the goals we need over the next 6(+?) games – my goodness we need him to.

    • ChicagoGooner 5 April, 2010 at 21:21 Log in to Reply

      I’m thinking (read: hoping) that it will also be the making of Nasri.

  4. Kiwi 5 April, 2010 at 20:18 Log in to Reply

    There’s a discussion that needs to happen, but now is not the time. It revolves around the state we are in (again) with injuries and who’s available with 6+ games to go. Like I say, now is not the time to berate Arsene but….. we need to take a snapshot of this in our minds so we can dissect things with a semblance of intelligence at the seasons close. Effectively the season hangs on Bendtner.

    • ChicagoGooner 5 April, 2010 at 21:20 Log in to Reply

      Yes, we are down to our last CF who can play alone in a 433. But more importantly, I think, we have also used up ALL of our CB’s. We can’t let Arsene count Sylvestre, cause that’s just a bunch of BS that he tries to pass him off as a viable player. And we shouldn’t have to move players out of position to cover one of the most critical positions on the pitch.

      Also, speaking of 433, does anyone feel that with the type of players we have left for the front 6 it’s sort of becoming more like a 4-5-1. The difference b/w those 2 formations is somewhat sketchy at best anyways.

  5. Andez 5 April, 2010 at 19:19 Log in to Reply

    I just hope Bendtner will get into their box more, don’t drift around, don’t drop deep.

    U look at his goal Vs Wolves, when he got into that position, there’s simply no way for the defender to stop him. First, the space he ate up and his physical presence allowing defenders no chance to knock him off the position.

    Second, his height, he didn’t even need to jump.

    I understand Bendtner wanna be a ball-player, playing with ball on his feet. But now we are at the most crucial stage of the season, forget about anything else, just make the most out of your physical gift.

    Plus the fact the Spanish defenders aren’t that comfortable dealing with high ball.

  6. ChicagoGooner 5 April, 2010 at 19:14 Log in to Reply

    Not sure what Vela did to piss off Arsene, but clearly he’s the lowest man in the entire pecking order.

    Also, if Silvestre plays our chances of winning are reduced from maybe 35-40% (in my random opinion) to less than 1%. I’d rather Sagna played CB and Eboue slotted in at RB. I despise Silvestre, and he shouldn’t be allowed near the pitch. If he weren’t on Arsenal’s roster there’s no way he’d be in the EPL.

    • Andez 5 April, 2010 at 19:29 Log in to Reply

      i read a blogger somewhere writing about Vela a while ago.

      The author made a point which I believe it’s pretty valid –

      Vela’s Arsenal career is not helped by his Mexico national team duty.

      Mexico called him up time and time again in the middle of a season. And it did not help that he picked up a few knocks while playing for his country.

      That means, he rarely had the chance to be “available” for a uninterrupted period of time. That did not help his development. And he probably missed a few chances to play for the club because of it.

      AW clearly rates Vela, or else he would not have bought him 3 years ago (before he officially became an Arsenal player) and waited him for 3 years just to get the work permit.

      As for my personal opinion, I believe change to 433 does not help his cause. Vela and Eduardo are the one who suffer most under this formation.

      These 2 guys are strikers. They can play on the wing, but not as effective as playing as striker. but then both of them are at their best playing with a partner up front in a 442, running off the main targetman. As lone striker, they are too small to make it, at least at the Premiership.

      • HighburyterraceSteve 5 April, 2010 at 20:45 Log in to Reply

        You’re complete correct about this Andez….Vela was shot up with cortisone so he could make (very impressive) appearances in last Summer’s Gold Cup.

        I have no idea why he is not in the squad for tomorrow. If it’s an injury you would think it would be mentioned….

  7. stag133 5 April, 2010 at 17:59 Log in to Reply

    Sol is not 100% to play, I read he is a doubt…
    so it might leave us with Vermaelen and Silvestre at the back.

  8. macmac123 5 April, 2010 at 16:23 Log in to Reply

    With Song out, it’s probably going to be Sol and Verm in the middle… Anything, but SIlvestre.

    Let’s hope Diaby and Denilson play their socks off, snuffing out the midfield. They just have to score one goal and we will have a mountain to climb.

    On reflection, it makes the most sense to save Theo for the last 30mins. I forget about Eboue, who’s marginally more defensive minded. I’m not a complete Bendtner convert yet, but he’s definitely pulling his weight now. I don’t think Eduardo is back to any kind of meaningful level of form yet — all those scuffed shots on Sat.

    This teams does have tenacity and character now. But it’s going to take a mini-miracle to pull off a win tomorrow. I just hope Wenger puts Nasri in the middle to spring some through balls.

    • stag133 5 April, 2010 at 17:53 Log in to Reply

      so we are hoping for Denilson and Diaby to “snuff out” Barcelona’s midfield?!!
      Good Luck with that.

      on paper, this has “ass-whooping” written all over it.
      luckily, they don’t play it on paper, and crazy shit sometimes happens in football.
      We have to withstand the early blitz that will come our way, like we did at the Emirates… (in the 1sth half)

  9. Fred 5 April, 2010 at 13:32 Log in to Reply

    Personally, I would rather go for Eduardo than start Eboue as a forward.

    Keeper
    Sagna – Sol – Vermaelen – Clichy
    Nasri – Denilson – Diaby
    Rosicky – Bendtner – Eduardo

    If chasing the game later on, we can then bring in Eboue for Sagna and Walcott for Denilson or Diaby, while moving to a 4-4-2.

    ——————————–
    Its very interesting that Merida is named in the squad – a former Barca kid too … maybe he is a “secret weapon” LOL

    • arsesession 5 April, 2010 at 13:47 Log in to Reply

      “Its very interesting that Merida is named in the squad – a former Barca kid too … maybe he is a “secret weapon” LOL”

      Look at every roster – usually a back up player for every position. I see Merida as a back up for Nasri and/or Rosicky.

      • Fred 5 April, 2010 at 14:30 Log in to Reply

        Vela, who has actually had more minutes this season could easily have played that role.

        My point was that he was preferred on the bench because he is an ex-Barca boy.

        • arsesession 5 April, 2010 at 15:06

          Agree about the barca connection.

  10. nipuna 5 April, 2010 at 13:21 Log in to Reply

    “To go into such a game you must be completely fit or not play at all.”

    Guess who said this?

  11. live_dont_exist 5 April, 2010 at 13:12 Log in to Reply

    If Messi plays central..which he will and we don’t cut Xavi out.. we’re dead. Sol cant handle him. He might be able to do so.. 9 out of 10.. but that 1 time Messi will get through. Keep Xavi quiet.. we have a chance.

    Denilson tends to start slow ..and improve somewhere midway through the first half and then have a good game..generally. Cant afford that tomorrow.

    No Song.. means no breakaway from the back. Means Diaby stays back more so Sol is not exposed. Which is a problem because our game will become more defensive. Which means a problem. Which all points to Theo starting.

    IMO anyway..

  12. Mazza 5 April, 2010 at 10:54 Log in to Reply

    Alex Song is a loss but I’m not sure really how big it really is. He’s been ordinary for a while now and he wasn’t as good as everyone hyped him to be to begin with so I’m not bothered really.

    I guess it will force Wenger to play Sol and I’m okay with that. I think we will need Campbell’s personality and cajones to get through anyway. Just play Denilson and Diaby in central midfield.

    i think we will line up:

    Sagna—-Campbell–Vermaelen—Clichy

    ——–Denilson—Diaby———

    Eboue——–Nasri———–Rosicky

    ————Bendtner———–

    • nipuna 5 April, 2010 at 11:49 Log in to Reply

      I prefer this lineup but I think Arsene will start Theo.

  13. stag133 5 April, 2010 at 10:49 Log in to Reply

    Song is OUT.
    Guess we’ll have to rely on Denilson to take us
    to the Mountain Top!

  14. DaAdminGooner 5 April, 2010 at 10:15 Log in to Reply

    The debate on Vela is closed. He did NOT make the squad for the trip to Barcelona:

    The 18 man roster is:

    Manuel Almunia
    Lukasz Fabianski
    Nicklas Bendtner
    Eduardo
    Abou Diaby
    Samir Nasri
    Denilson
    Fran Merida
    Theo Walcott
    Craig Eastmond
    Tomas Rosicky
    Armand Traore
    Emmanuel Eboue
    Gael Clichy
    Bacary Sagna
    Thomas Vermaelen
    Sol Campbell
    Mikael Silvestre

    • DaAdminGooner 5 April, 2010 at 10:16 Log in to Reply

      Interesting fat Fran made it on the squad.

    • DaAdminGooner 5 April, 2010 at 10:17 Log in to Reply

      Ooo I just noticed – Song is NOT on the roster either.

      • OziKenyan 5 April, 2010 at 10:40 Log in to Reply

        Nice…

      • live_dont_exist 5 April, 2010 at 10:41 Log in to Reply

        That means Sol starts and the only doubt is Rosicky or Eboue. Mostly Eboue.. he came off as well on Saturday.

        • stag133 5 April, 2010 at 17:59

          Sol is “doubtful”… you might see Silvestre in there at CB.

  15. Mazza 5 April, 2010 at 09:18 Log in to Reply

    I don’t know how many times Walcott has to play like a spaz over a ninety minute period before people realise that he has to be a sub in this match. This is the ONLY way he’s going to be remotely useful in this match.

    People keep bringing up the argument that his presence makes opposing defenders stay deep and keeps them ‘honest’, but where is the evidence for that against top sides? Did Walcott’s presence stop United from totally blitzing us at Old Trafford last season in the champions league? How many times does this mythical ball over the top into space actually happen? How often does Theo actually make these runs over ninety minute period? Because I watch Theo very closely and one thing that people overlook about him is how lazy he is when he starts a match. He does make runs for the first fifteen minutes but after that? Forget it. He starts gassing and he starts rationing himself. What happens alot at that point is that someone will make a long pass towards him, Theo will be glued to the spot, and the ball goes out for a throw in. Theo will then give a thumbs up as if to say “good ball, maybe next time”.

    What we will have to do is press high up the pitch as much as possible, play the game in their half. It’s the only way. Use Diaby as the guy to transition up the pitch. Will Diaby turn up? Who knows, but we just have to hope he has a good day and the positives he bring manage to outweight the negatives, because even on a good day he’s a clown in many respects.

    Stick Eboue/Rosicky on the right and let them put in a shift for an hour or so and then bring on Theo. Then he can come on and do his thing without having to pace himself. That way we know he’s actually going to make a run everytime an opportunity arises. We don’t want to spunk our load while Barca are jizzing like Ron jeremy. Wait till later.

    • OziKenyan 5 April, 2010 at 10:45 Log in to Reply

      I think he’s improved a fair bit in regards to pacing himself. He isn’t the most intelligent footballer around (football wise that is) but he is definitely improving. I do hope to see him start. He’s confidence is high and like you say of Diaby, I’m just going to hope that he has a good day. He’s alright at tracking back as well I think… Not great but passable.

      “We don’t want to spunk our load while Barca are jizzing like Ron jeremy. Wait till later.”- Right I dunno how you thought up that analogy but YAMAers are gonna have to work real hard to top it…

      • Mazza 5 April, 2010 at 10:56 Log in to Reply

        I hope they don’t. Steve reads this stuff to his wife! ;)

        • HighburyterraceSteve 5 April, 2010 at 11:26

          “Work hard”….that’s a good one….

          Yeah, I might have to censor some of this stuff….

  16. arsesession 5 April, 2010 at 08:50 Log in to Reply

    This has been a frustrating season for Vela.

    Eboue is not effective on the left side – at least to date. If we are to take the 2nd tie, we will need to
    hold possession ‘much better’ and find a left flank threat. Maybe Rosicky will fill this spot.

    Final line up will obviously be determined by who’s fit.

    If Barca’s two best CB’s are out, how can we exploit and utilize the strength of B52?

    We obviously have options down the right flank.

    Can we develop some combination of players to apply the same pressure down the left?

    • joshuad 5 April, 2010 at 09:13 Log in to Reply

      I’m surprised so many expect Rosicky to start tomorrow. He’s only just played his first full match in years on Saturday. I think it highly unlikely Wenger will start him again three days after that.

      I think Wenger’s looking for Samir to carry us in Europe and Tomas to carry us in the league. I’ve always known Tomas’ credentials and Samir is just beginning to show his. No doubt, these two are relishing being the Arsenal puppet masters. Personally, I think Tomas has as little a chance at starting as Sol. We’ll see.

      • arsesession 5 April, 2010 at 09:34 Log in to Reply

        “I think Wenger’s looking for Samir to carry us in Europe and Tomas to carry us in the league.”
        Agree.

        The point I’m making is we need someone in attack, on the left, that can hold possession, disrupt the defense, and create scoring chances.

        From past form, it’s not going to come from Eboue, and Vela has shown ‘zero’ this year.

        For this season, especially the last month, Tomas has been used sparingly, not like Vermaelen, Song, Sagna, and Clichy.

        Secondly, after Barca we have 7-8 days off before playing Spurs; so ALL our players should be fit enough to handle the Saturday to Tuesday turnaround.

        More importantly, Josh, Rosicky can handle the big game pressure, maybe show up better than Cesc OR Arshavin (imo).

  17. OziKenyan 5 April, 2010 at 04:36 Log in to Reply

    Wenger looking to exploit Barca: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=766419&sec=england&cc=3436

    Mr Tactical himself. Heh.

    More worryingly from the same article is that Song might not be fully fit?! Let’s hope some African toughness kicks in and he plays. On a similar note, Rooney might start against Bayern. Wtf? Imagine RVP had the same anti-injury tablets as Rooney and Lampard. I really hope Chamack and whoever else comes in during the transfer window brings their own stash with them…

    • joshuad 5 April, 2010 at 09:08 Log in to Reply

      No surprise. I’ve had a gang of ankle injuries and I said, when it happened, that it looked like an injury only requiring three days rest and then he could start running on it again.

      Based on my personal experience, ankle rolls require either three days rest, three weeks rest, or indefinite rest. His always looked like a three day injury. Strange, I know with those ghetto-assed numbers but they’ve always worked for me.

      They should brace or tape his ankle and make him run in straight lines, either on the grass or on the street. If they’re going to risk him in the Bayern game, he probably shouldn’t do any change of direction stuff until the day prior. He could re-roll it and run the risk of his ankle injury becoming chronic.

      It’s not that I care anything about Rooney but injuries and their recoveries are as near and dear to my heart as football, itself. That’s the reason for my constant rants about poor management of injured players.

  18. OziKenyan 4 April, 2010 at 23:03 Log in to Reply

    I’m surprised at how much people want Vela to start. I love the kid and expect a lot from him (here or elsewhere). But this would be his what? Third start this season? I don’t think he has the match sharpness to play in a big game like this. I don’t know how comfortable his teammates would be either. I would much rather a match-fit player in there. I don’t think Vela is too likely to start, Wenger won’t put in a fringe player straight into the starting line up (against the pecking order). His pace would be useful against Alves though no doubt. Esp if Alves bombs forward, leaving the mexican or whoever is playing, up agianst theire reserve CBs. Let’s see…

    • stag133 5 April, 2010 at 00:07 Log in to Reply

      Vela is not starting, and its the SAME type of wish that was occuring when we wanted Fabianski to start… and how’d that work out?
      He gave away two goals and might never play again for the club.

      Vela is not starting against Barcelona.

      • Andez 5 April, 2010 at 00:56 Log in to Reply

        I agree with both ozi and stag. This is too important a game to start a kid who had only a handful starts this season.

        I hope Vela will work on his strength. Technically he is such a wonderfully gifted player.

        I hate to see him fail to make it at Arsenal.

        But if he doesn’t improve on his upper body strength, it’s extremely tough for him to survive in the physical Premiership. No matter how skillful you are if you are easily to get knock off the ball, it’s not going to do him any good, especially when he is best suited to play as a striker. A waste on the wing.

        • HighburyterraceSteve 5 April, 2010 at 01:24

          It IS wishful thinking that Vela will get the start on Tuesday….But really, what are the good options on the left (to help Clichy with Alves & Messi)?

          I’m mostly saying that given the available options he and Dudu are the only left footers AND that he MIGHT feel a little more comfort than he has in England, having played in Spain and with more “protective” referees….

          That said, I think if we do see Carlos at all, it’ll be for a late cameo only (but still a great opportunity for him, perhaps.)

          He is a real talent, I think, and I hope he can get in a bit for us in our final stretch…And for Mexico in the WC…

          Also for such a young guy he’s already quite strong…he just needs to mute that tendency to go to ground too easily which is very common in the Latin American leagues.

        • OziKenyan 5 April, 2010 at 01:39

          Agree for the most part HT. But I don’t think Vela will offer much defensively. I’ve never seen him tackle although I suppose he would provide some speed in tracking back. That said though I don’t know how willing he is to track back.

          A late cameo I would be happy with. Depending on game conditions at all and you just get the feeling that said conditions would need to be very specific for Wenger to throw him on.

          I’d rather see Eboue play right forward and Walcott play left forward allowing him to cut in. It is his preferred wing, Walcott, from what I can remember about his early days and all his comments.

          Personally I’m hoping Sol starts, that way we have Diaby, Denilson adn Song in MF and can push up Nasri to wide right forward.

    • arthur3sheds 5 April, 2010 at 04:29 Log in to Reply

      I agree with Ozi, Vela is not ready to start yet, not played enough games.

      That being said he is a good crosser of the ball and is left footed as HTS points out. The last few games we have seen him he was in terrible form though, he needed to be left out before he lost more confidence and our fans got on his back.

      I think HTS got it right when he says he goes down too easily. He is strong no doubt about it, he is not easily knocked of the ball like Theo or Denilson rather he just falls over.

    • joshuad 5 April, 2010 at 08:41 Log in to Reply

      I don’t think anyone expects Vela to start. I just mentioned that as a “pie in the sky” possibility. Likewise, I don’t think his lack of upper body strength will be as relevant against Barcelona. They’re more of a technical side than physical so it’s less of a worry. We saw that in Denilson’s performance last week.

    • Mazza 5 April, 2010 at 09:59 Log in to Reply

      Vela looked a little tubby to me on Saturday.

  19. macmac123 4 April, 2010 at 20:33 Log in to Reply

    I predict Barcelona will stream forward from the off looking to finish off the tie.

    We will be under siege just as we were last week. They have the skill, pace and home crowd. I know Wenger says we have to be audacious, but under these circumstances, my definition of that is to shut things down and look to pick off a goal in the second half George Graham-style.

    Our best hope is to flood the midfield 4-5-1 and harry them like fuck. Then start to impose our attack for the last 30min, when our fitness can being to tell.

    I assume Song will be CB with Verm. So the midfield will be… Nasri, Diaby, Denilson, Theo, Rosicky – if he is ready for 90m after Sat. Start with Theo, then bring on Vela if needed.

    I do wonder if Wenger is romantic enough to pair Sol and Verm and keep Song as DM. (I love Sol and his leadership, but just can’t see his legs keeping up with Barca’s front men for 90m.)

    We can only hope Bendtner holds up the ball to give us a breather, then gets on the end of a cross in the second half. I really don’t want us to score a first half goal like the final in 2006. It’ll be like the Alamo (well they are Spanish speakers!)

    One thing I’m not sure about is how nervous this Barca side can get if things are going their way. They definitely wobbled against us after Theo starting running at them. And without their CBs, we could feasibly rattle them. Then again, this could all be pipe-dream stuff and we could be 2-0 and down and out by halftime just like against ManUre.

    It’s a great tie for us fans. If we win, amazing. If we lose, there’s no shame at all.

    • Fred 5 April, 2010 at 01:40 Log in to Reply

      2-0 down at half time is not “down and out” … it just means we have 45 minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw and force extra time! :-D

      Personally, I think this is a game we will need to score 2 goals minimum anyway.

  20. joshuad 4 April, 2010 at 20:06 Log in to Reply

    Fred, it was about snuffing out their fight. We had four players in their box because Wolves, desperate for an equaliser, left themselves exposed to the counter. Our boys recognized that as a chance to kill the game and sought to pounce. If the counter wasn’t legit, we wouldn’t have had four guys in Wolves’ box.

    At 1-0, the game’s far from settled. We saw last week against Birmingham, that strange things can happen when opponents only need one goal to get a result. If they’re down 2-0 with less than a minute remaining, there’s nothing to fight for. We were looking to stop them from fighting.

    • stag133 4 April, 2010 at 20:32 Log in to Reply

      that’s pretty obvious Josh, we had a 4 on 1, because they had everyone forward.

    • OziKenyan 4 April, 2010 at 22:57 Log in to Reply

      With that many bodies forward Josh we can’t allow them to get the ball back because we would have been short of numbers if they did (which happened). And as for killing the game off, I’d agree if it was the 80th, 85th minute even. But it was the 94th min or so and holding onto the ball when you have that big a numerical advantage, is a much much more effective way of killing off the game.

      Even if we do go for the goal, 3 on 1 should really be enough to get a goal, not 5 on 1!! Against Wolves!!

    • Fred 5 April, 2010 at 01:31 Log in to Reply

      Josh, it was actually the 96th minute. You only need TWO players to outnumber their one defender. You dont need FIVE of your players in their box leaving their eight players to take on your other five and your gorilla of a keeper.

      You NEVER do something like that that late in any game. The Birmingham game is a bad comparison. We scored in the 80th minute of that game. It was already well into the 95th minute when they finished the Bendtner celebrations.

      If we were leading 1-0 in the 96th minute of the Barca game on Tuesday, what will your reaction be if we had FIVE of our players in their box on a counter?

  21. Fred 4 April, 2010 at 18:28 Log in to Reply

    What still baffles me from the Wolves game though is the way we never had more than 2 or 3 players in the box to receive a cross when we needed to score a goal … BUT the moment we went 1-0, we managed to have FIVE players in the box (without scoring ofcourse).

    We ALLOWED them to have TWO shots on goal in the few seconds between our goal and the full time whistle. Considering the kind of keeper we have that is the heights of kamikaze logic.

    Why on earth would you have five of your players that far up against one of their defenders on the 96th minute of a game you are leading by just one goal??

    The team really needs to cut that kind of crap out.

    • HighburyterraceSteve 4 April, 2010 at 19:51 Log in to Reply

      LOL (to keep from crying…) They pour forward because if scoring one goal is fun, two will be TWICE as fun….

      Maybe the instruction is to wait until the very, very end to score to avoid the idiocy we showed at Birmingham when we ONLY waited until the 80th minute….

      Young team transitioning from needing a goal to holding a scoreline…It’s gonna happen a few times….

      For the Barca match, I’m sort of hoping that Barca have this sort of difficulty and find it difficult to transition from being fine at nil-nil to pressing too much after we get the opening goal…

      After that, it’s all hands on deck and our THIRD goal becomes the really important one….

      All for now, gotta run…I’m due back on earth….

      • arthur3sheds 5 April, 2010 at 04:11 Log in to Reply

        Great post Steve, I love it :-D

    • arsesession 4 April, 2010 at 21:24 Log in to Reply

      Fred, you’re right about no one in the box (most of the match) except short bodies.

      I will make this observation.
      Most of the match their attack was minimal. When the went a man down in the 66th minute, they parked the bus and found it difficult to get out of their half.

      Then down a goal, they pressed to tie, Rosicky won the tackle & ball in our defensive third and that is when we had our only counter.
      (whoever had the ball for the final pass – poor decision to play off to the right side)

      • OziKenyan 4 April, 2010 at 22:54 Log in to Reply

        That was Nasri playing off to the right although I gotta say Walcott did get the ball to Denilson who had a guy infront of him. A cushioned sidefoot onto Nasri’s part would have seen Nasri with a wrongfooted keeper to beat from about 6 yards. But he shot instead and we got countered ourselves.

        Unforgivable really! If we don’t win anything this season, then in hindsight I’m going to wish that they had scored from that counter. It’s a stupid basic mistake and is going to cost us big some day. I remember our old side did it once to Tottenham and Spurs equalized with basically the last kick of the game. Henry et al came out then and said something along the lines of it was silly to try go get a second goal when we should have just held on to possession. I think that kind of lesson is needed for this team.

  22. CaribKid 4 April, 2010 at 18:21 Log in to Reply

    With Ibra and Iniesta out I think we have an outstanding chance if we don’t become overawed once again. The key would be to have Song at DM and providing that initial “Messi shield” which he did so effectively in the 1st game until he was moved to CB.

    Unforunately however, I think we will see Song at CB with the Verminator and a Mf of Nasri, Denilson and either Diaby or Eboue. Although Denilson did well in the latter stages at the Emirates I don’t think he provides a creative or defensive difference and this could turn out to be a slaughter if he plays to usual form.

    Up front we will definitely see NB (god forbid) as our main striker surrounded by some combination of Rosicky, Walcott, Vela and Eduardo. Personally, I would love to see Rosicky on the right and Vela on the left, but we all know the pecking order, so that wont happen.

    One of the other keys will be Almunia. Will he resort to kicking the ball aimlessly downfield or feed his backs on the ground which he has been doing for the last 135 minutes. We need an error free game from Almunia to have a chance and the odds against that is somewhere in the region of 1:3.

    Our best bet would be to go with a 4-5-1 with NB as the focal point and a midfield of Song, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky and Denilson so we can boss the MF in the expected frenzied Barca start, keep a clean sheet until the 2nd half and pressure them with our superior fitness in the final third and snatch an amazing NB headed goal in the 93 minute. Final score would be 1-0 in favor of Arsenal. We all know that’s not going to happen, but it’s nice to fantasize.

    Expected team (not desired):

    2 Ton Balls Almunia

    Sagna, Song, Vermaelen, Calamity Clichey

    Eboue, Worthless Brazilian Ankle Denilson, Nasri

    Walcott, NB, Rosicky

    • HighburyterraceSteve 4 April, 2010 at 19:58 Log in to Reply

      Rosicky right, Vela left, and a MF of Song, Nasri and Diaby (putting Sol in Central D…did you catch how pumped up he was after the late goal? He’s our on-field leader these days no matter who wears the arm-band…) That’s my call, but it ain’t never gonna happen….

      As it is, given three subs it’ll be pretty rough on whoever doesn’t get on (how many outfield players that have played in the last month are actually available).

      As for pumping balls up to Big Nick…I don’t know if it’s really such a bad thought given their somewhat makeshift back line, etc., this one time only….

      Also, 1:3?, where do I send in my $$$….

      • Fred 5 April, 2010 at 01:09 Log in to Reply

        corrected.

        • HighburyterraceSteve 5 April, 2010 at 01:14

          Please read CK’s original post and mine below…we’re talking about Manny having an “error free” match, not the odds on the game….

          And I’m saying (because I haven’t seen it) that I doubt Manny can do it…EVER…not to mention against a team such as Barca…

    • stag133 4 April, 2010 at 20:30 Log in to Reply

      outstanding chance?
      really.
      HTS, if its 1 to 3 for Arsenal, there’s a reason.
      I wouldn’t bet with those odds against Barcelona at home against an Cesc-Arshavin-Gallas-less Arsenal team for 1 PENNY to 3.

      If we win it is a MASSIVE upset.
      Barcelona have lost TWICE all season.

      • HighburyterraceSteve 5 April, 2010 at 01:10 Log in to Reply

        CK was saying there was a 1 to 3 chance that Almunia would have an error-free match….

        As I cannot remember him having such a game ALL SEASON, I thought $3 to win $1 was really good odds…

        That said, in some matches Manny’s errors (mostly with poor distribution and scaring the poop out of us by failing to take charge of high balls) have NOT cost us…i.e., he has kept some clean sheets….

        Those sorts of errors or not, we need CSM (Clean Sheet Manny) to show up Tuesday and let them into his net fewer times than we get into theirs…

        So, to be clear, I wasn’t talking about match odds…

      • Fred 5 April, 2010 at 01:16 Log in to Reply

        It wont be that massive of an upset. We arent exactly Rubin Kazan. This is the QF of the CL … and we have been a top 10 in Europe for quite a while now.

        Who gives a rats ass how many times they have lost … the Invincibles hadnt lost all season before they met Chelsea in the second leg of the quarter final at Highbury.

        Past “invincibility” will have f&ck all to do with the match on Tuesday.
        Go figure that out!

        • stag133 5 April, 2010 at 17:58

          past results and form… have quite a bit to do with PROBABILITY of what will happen in the future.

  23. Andez 4 April, 2010 at 18:13 Log in to Reply

    I agree art, I too believe Denilson will be a better choice to start against Barca than Diaby.

    Diaby is more suited to play against the “in your face” type of Premiership lowly sides. ‘Cos those opposition players always committed themselves, with Diaby’s power and dribbling skills, it suited him perfectly as he would just get by them with ease.

    Barce on the other hand are a more culture side. Their players won’t commit themselves as unnecessary as the lowely Premiership sides players do.

    Possession is the key to take on a side like Barca. Or else we would end up just like first half first leg – chasing shadow.

    Denilson is a better passer than Diaby. And with a better tactical awareness.

    as I said when someone suggested Denilson was going to have a nightmare against Barca prior to the first leg, I personally believe chance is Denilson would struggle against the powerful sides like Stoke than Barca.

    • CaribKid 4 April, 2010 at 18:27 Log in to Reply

      “Denilson is a better passer than Diaby. And with a better tactical awareness.”

      Wow, please give me some of that stuff you have been imbibing.

      A better passer? If you consider 5 yards diagonal and backward passes good I could agree to disagree with you. Denilson’s passing is woeful. At 58 years of age i am still a better passer than Denilson.

      Tactical awareness? If forgetting to backtrack and futility in picking up runs is considered good awareness, then you are right. Denilson, God bless his soul and Brazilian ankles, is a defensive nightmare from the perspective of a teammate.

      • Fred 4 April, 2010 at 18:47 Log in to Reply

        Denilson was one of the ass clowns who flooded forward in the 96th minute when we were just one goal up … even though he was the nominal DM on the pitch.

        So much for tactical awareness. Or common sense come to think of it.

        • Andez 4 April, 2010 at 18:52

          got winded up again?! it’s AUTOMATIC! whenever someone mentioned the name Denilson!!!

          gotta love that! so predictable LOL!

        • stag133 4 April, 2010 at 20:28

          exactly Andez, considering he played very well against Barcelona, and not too many players in the entire team did much convincingly against Wolves.

          But doesn’t matter, Wenger makes the decisions.

        • Fred 5 April, 2010 at 00:57

          Andez … you finally figured out when to use “LOL!” … good for ya! ;-)

      • arthur3sheds 5 April, 2010 at 03:46 Log in to Reply

        I agree with Andez Denilson is a better passer than Diaby at this stage in their careers. He may pass them sideways but at least they get to their destination. Diaby on a bad day gives the ball away too often.

        Don’t get me wrong Diaby can play some defence splitting adventurous balls sometimes that is more useful than Denilson’ simple passes, but Denilson is far more consistent in keeping posession which is what we will need against Barca although on the other hand we could do with Diaby’s goals.

        Carib look at Denilson in last weeks game can you seriously accuse him of “forgetting to backtrack and futility in picking up runs.”

        In fact I would go as far as to say Denilson has had a relatively good season apart from the period when he returned from injury (including the ManU game.)

  24. live_dont_exist 4 April, 2010 at 11:32 Log in to Reply

    I think its actually a toss up between Diaby and Song on Tuesday. Specially if Sol plays. If Sol doesn’t play then both play. If Sol plays I’d prefer Denilson over Song for this game. Diaby must play though.. he plays well in the big European games.

    Walcott is trickier. Do you start him and sacrifice keepball but with a chance of an early impact? or do you hope for a 0-0 and him coming on late? I think he starts though for 2 reasons:

    — Cesc isn’t there. So Nasri sits central. Which means if you want to play keepball you have to play Rosicky as Arshavin’s injured. And Rosicky played 90 yesterday. Can he take another 65 .. 70 minutes? If yes then maybe AW will go to Eboue instead to defend a little deeper on the right wing. Specially since Messi did zilch against Clichy the other side. If Rosicky doesn’t start for medical reasons.. AW’s hand is kinda forced and he has to play Theo and Eboue either side of Bendtner. Which ..is a problem cause neither keep ball very well. So all in all fingers crossed Rosicky is fit enuf to start.

    — The other reason is to keep Barcelona back and force them to defend ; which they aren’t great at specially with an even more patched up CB pairing than normal. Plus they’d have seen what Theo did against Wolves.

    So Bendtner, Rosicky and Theo will start with Eboue coming on for Rosicky later and maybe Vela for Theo.

    • Fred 4 April, 2010 at 16:46 Log in to Reply

      “Diaby must play though.. he plays well in the big European games.”

      Thats very ironic considering Diaby had a complete nightmare just last Wednesday.

      There is zero chance of Song not starting. He is first choice DM and favored CB.

      • HighburyterraceSteve 4 April, 2010 at 17:34 Log in to Reply

        Agree with this…Song is a definite, and, based on his first leg performance, I think we should expect Denilson in there too. The question is whether it’s Sol or Song who partners TV5….

        The more I think about it the more I like the idea of letting Vela do his thing on the left side. At his best (last seen in the “Gold Cup” with the Mexican Nat’l team last summer) Carlos can work the ball nicely up the flanks and turn inside and get in the box. He’s played in Spain and vs Barca players, and against Dani Alves when he was with Sevilla, and, I think, has the best chance (among current options) of keeping that guy occupied. It’d be a big gamble, but why not?….

        Unlike some of our other guys who might play there, Vela is a left-footed player and has the mobility and physique to come deeper for the ball (compared to Eduardo). I also think that Carlos is a strong “heads up” player vs guys like Diaby, Nasri or (esp.) Eboue (he’s learned from Cesc) and our team needs that quality…

        Entonces, yo digo que Carlitos necesito jugar en Martes….

    • arthur3sheds 4 April, 2010 at 17:37 Log in to Reply

      LDE I think Song would be the best choice at DM, Diaby is not reliable enough defensively. But he can play alongside Song, his physical presence will be welcomed.

      If he is going to play like he did on Wed though I would rather see Denilson but if Diaby is fit I imagine he will play.

      Walcott can be our Messi and have their defence in disarray so he would be good to start, Eboue can replace him if he fades.

      I like Rosicky in the CM I think he is most effective there but I believe Wenger will go for Nasri I would probably give him that spot too judging by his recent form. Nasri looks like he is finally beginning to realise his potential but will never be as effective as Cesc in the centre.

      I expect Messi may take on more responsibility in the next match, he lulled us into a false sense of security for the first leg. He just played a good game then but will come to the fore if Barca are on the ropes.

      I just cannot predict this one. Most will expect us to crumble at the Nou Camp especially with our injuries but you never know, with the right mentality we can do to them what we did to the all conquering Real Madrid (at that time) and cause an upset in Spain.

  25. macmac123 4 April, 2010 at 11:18 Log in to Reply

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1263376/Arsene-Wenger-adds-firepower-Arsenal-squad-Bordeauxs-Marouane-Chamakh.html

    At last, a signing!

    This should keep Bendtner motivated.

    • HighburyterraceSteve 4 April, 2010 at 11:42 Log in to Reply

      And perhaps spells the end of the road for Dudu (at least) and maybe some others?….

      • arsesession 4 April, 2010 at 16:33 Log in to Reply

        Don’t see Eduardo leaving unless it’s HIS choice.

        If we want to ponder about those on the roster who because of age or have been missing in action this season; my list would include Silvestre, Sol and/or Gallas, and Merida,

        When we lost RvP and Bendtner, we had no target player, no aerial threat infront of goal, and functionally productive in linking our possession. I see this influential in losses to Chelsea , ManU, & ManCity. So by adding Chamakh, this gives us solid depth. We will probably see more of RvP on either) wing.

  26. DaAdminGooner 4 April, 2010 at 08:41 Log in to Reply

    I think its likely –

    Almunia
    Vermaelen, Song, Clichy, Sagna,
    Diaby, Nasri, Denilson,
    Rosicky, Bendtner, Walcott

    • nipuna 4 April, 2010 at 09:23 Log in to Reply

      Yes, I too think this is the team.

      Deni to shoot in the 90th min a rasping shot which will sting Valdes and Bendy will put in the rebound. What say?

    • joshuad 4 April, 2010 at 10:52 Log in to Reply

      Wenger’s managed Rosicky’s PT very carefully. It’s been a very long road but Tomas looks back to his best. He has just finished his first 90 minutes in God knows how long. Don’t expect Wenger to start him again three days later. Eboue will get the nod.

      Who knows? Arsene might surprise everyone and start the “vato”. Horray for ‘Los.

      • HighburyterraceSteve 4 April, 2010 at 11:36 Log in to Reply

        The issue, as we all saw yesterday, is that we’ve got no like for like fill-in for Arshavin, (but on his recent form, maybe that’s not such a bad thing….) nor a left-footer who’s been playing regularly who might do a job over there.

        DAG’s lineup looks good and pretty likely, but we might also go with a more defensive set-up in a 4-1-4-1 kinda style…

        Sagna, Sol, TV5, and Clichy, with Song in DM. Then 4 out of Theo/Eboue, Deni, Sicky, Nasri and Diaby, with Super Nick up front.

        Yes we need to score, but first we need to get (and keep) the ball (for more than a couple of seconds). Also, I’m not quite sure that Mooney can replicate his form from last week’s 1st half…

        It’s been a (long) while, but I also like Carlitos and if he can light up (Vela being Spanish for candle….) and swing in a left footed cross or two, it could be inneresting….He’s also played in Spain vs Barca, and knows a thing or two about making things look like penalties, etc….It wouldn’t be nearly as crazy as it sounds given that we’re down to the barest of bones….

  27. Fred 4 April, 2010 at 04:55 Log in to Reply

    Judging from those rested today, its safe to say the following will surely start against Barca, barring injury: Almunia, Vermaelen, Clichy, Sagna, Song, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky, Bendtner. Meaning only two of Denilson, Campbell, Walcott.

    I would go for Campbell and Walcott.

    If nothing else Walcott should help ensure they dont play any high lines, meaning less pressure on our midfield.

    • OziKenyan 4 April, 2010 at 06:18 Log in to Reply

      Agree on Walcott and Campbell. Don’t know if Rosicky will start.

      Almunia
      Sagna- Campbell-Verm- Clichy

      Nasri-Song-Diaby

      Walcott-Bendy-??

      ??- Hopefully Rosicky… But who knows?

      If Campbell doesn’t play then Song will probably play CB, in which case I’d like to see a midfield trio of Diaby, Denilson and Nasri. Either way, that third attacking spot is open.

      I’d say Eboue as he offers a bit more in defence and has decent dribbling and pace but he can’t play on the left and I wouldn’t play him over Sagna or Walcott on the right.

      Should hopefully be a fun game either way

  28. OziKenyan 4 April, 2010 at 02:55 Log in to Reply

    Oh and a special note on Theo. I was hoping he and Denilson would be benched today. I didn’t think they would have enough impact in this game. Theo because I expected him to get no space and Denilson because I expected him to get outmuscled. Denilson was tidy but didn’t contribute too much to us but Theo surprised me. He seems to be taking a page out of Nasri’s dribbling manual. His body shape when he now dribbles allows him to go either direction rather than always on his right as was so often the case. And he’s also started varying his pace a bit to throw defenders off rather than being stuck on turbo the whole time. This adds so much more value to his all-round play as the defenders have to take that fraction of a second to adjust to what Theo is doing rather than anticipating it and correctly moving to stop it. It also gives him the edge in the psychology of attacker vs defender. Hope he keeps it up and that we can get some bodies in the box to make the most of his balls into it.

  29. OziKenyan 4 April, 2010 at 02:52 Log in to Reply

    Very few comments even after what can be considered a dramatic victory. All in all a bit of rest for some of our players (Diaby, Clichy, Nasri), some confidence for some others (Theo, Bendy in particular), 3 points and no injuries. About as much as we could have wanted (other than maybe a 20-0 annihilation so that we can get our GD back on track).

    The other big game of the day saw what as arsenal fans is the second back result for us. Not the worst by any means other than the way it happened it is very hard to see Chelsea drop 4 points more than us in the remaining 5 games. Especially because on this form we will struggle for maximum ourselves. Lots of character in the side though and we can’t rule anything out.

    Man City play Bham at home next weekend and a win sees them go 5 clear of Spurs. With Spurs losing today and their next 3 games as tough as they come I’m hoping that they go into the game with some mindset of defeat in them. We also happen to be their bogey team. A lot also will also depend on both our non-league fixtures as well. A good performance from us should see us go in with confidence and them? I’m not sure whether it is to our advantage for them to lose and lose heart or win and stop focussing on the league. It’s spurs at the end of the day and I hope Pompey trounce them.

    More on Spurs later in the week I’m sure. Bring on the Catalans!!

  30. ChicagoGooner 3 April, 2010 at 23:00 Log in to Reply

    I was really busy this entire weekend, so I saw none of the game, but from the looks of it, I may have saved myself from enduring a massive amount of stress. I will catch the highlights of this match and the Chelsea-Utd game. Spurs stumbled in the race for 4th, while City threw down the hammer. Very interesting there as well, though I think it’s probably down to two teams.

  31. arsesession 3 April, 2010 at 21:53 Log in to Reply

    Rosicky put in a solid 90 minutes……1st time in probably 2 years.

    I wish Vela had started on the left instead of Eboue. I just don’t see Eboue with the close pressure skills necessary in the final third.

    Too much of our attack came through Theo.

  32. joshuad 3 April, 2010 at 21:28 Log in to Reply

    So you are saying Wenger is LIAR, and that he would go against the medical staff, and risk players CAREERS… to win a CL match?

    I’m saying perhaps. Perhaps Wenger told them to play. Perhaps the medical staff was informed (by management) as to how fit the players were. Perhaps the players were “volun-told” to play. Perhaps the Champions League has consumed a certain manager’s emotions.

    Don’t be naive. Everybody and their mom knew that Cesc and Gallas weren’t fully fit; certainly not fit enough to start a game against Barcelona.

    I remember in the ’02-’03 season when Vieira was out for like 6 weeks with a groin injury. We knew he wasn’t fit but Wenger started Vieira in a CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAME. Vieira lasted about 18 minutes and we lost Vieira for almost the rest of the season. Does anyone remember Henry’s last game for Arsenal? I’ll give you a reminder. It was a CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAME against Eindhoven. Henry hadn’t played in two months, recovering from an injury. Wenger put him on for the last twenty minutes, we still lost the game, and Henry suffered a relapse of his injury and we lost him; forever. We lost Gallas for the rest of the season both last year and this year in a CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAME. Now, it’s Fabregas’ turn. Perhaps it’s a curse that only happens to guys that have been Arsenal captain.

    When the doctor said Rosicky needed a special surgery to repair a muscular defect in September, why in God’s name would you delay this surgery until the following June?

    Dude, I ain’t the smartest guy in the world but I’m smart enough to know that 2+2 don’t equal 5. It’s hard to ignore the trends. Or are we really that unlucky in CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAMES? Like I said earlier, perhaps.

    • stag133 3 April, 2010 at 21:34 Log in to Reply

      Not buying it.
      Nice conspiracy theory, but if medical staff were coerced into saying players were fit, it would come out… too many people would have to be in on this, and risking players careers is not taken too lightly.

      You think a lot less of Wenger than most people on this site.

    • arsesession 3 April, 2010 at 21:45 Log in to Reply

      Wenger’s fault / Medical staff’s fault / Player’s ego ?????
      Who cares?

      Choices were made by any or all of the above.

      Time to move on. We play Barca on Tuesday and we need others to contribute.

      • vibe4arsenal 4 April, 2010 at 00:32 Log in to Reply

        Basically agree. Though I’m surprised this has become such a controversy. In professional sports, sometimes players play hurt when the occasion calls for it. No conspiracy.

        Wenger: Can he go?

        Medical staff: Well, he’s not fully fit, but he probably won’t die.

        Wenger: Cesc, what do you think?

        Cesc: No way I wanna miss this one, Boss. I feel good enough.

        Wenger: Okay, then.

        Does it have to be more complicated than that?

        • stag133 4 April, 2010 at 13:13

          if the medical staff says, he’s not fit… could be a risk to his career…
          and Wenger says… its a big game, he’s got to play…
          then that complicates things, yes.

        • vibe4arsenal 4 April, 2010 at 14:40

          But do you believe either of those things were the case? I don’t.

  33. macmac123 3 April, 2010 at 20:12 Log in to Reply

    For those who were musing on Cesc’s ho-hum form etc.

    THE WONDER OF CESC
    Cesc Fabregashas been involved in almost half the 62 league goals Arsenal have hit in the 27 games he has played this season. He scored 15 times, an Arsenal record for a midfielder in the Premier League, and had 15 assists, the most by any player in the top division this season.

    As for today —

    It was the ninth consecutive game in which Arsenal have scored a goal in the last 10 minutes and extended their unbeaten league run to nine matches, eight of them victories.

    Here’s praying Chelsea slip up at Sp*ds and L’pool. Two draws will do nicely.

  34. DaAdminGooner 3 April, 2010 at 19:41 Log in to Reply

    Ibrahimovic is OUT of the next leg of the CL:

    http://bit.ly/aBxJS9

    • stag133 3 April, 2010 at 21:31 Log in to Reply

      well, thats no big deal according to Fred, he isn’t that great… just 40 goals in 2 years.

      • Fred 4 April, 2010 at 00:28 Log in to Reply

        He’ll get respect when he consistently scores big-game goals ala Eto’o, Torres, Ronaldo, Rooney. Not stuffing his total with hattricks against clown teams the same way Adebayor does.

        His record in Europe is actually worse than our own Nicklas Bendtner! LOL!

        The key now is who replaces him … if he is replaced with Bojan or Jeffren then our defense could be in trouble.

        If he is replaced with Henry … olalala… manna from heaven for our defense. He literally cant beat any of our defenders or midfielders. Maybe Denilson, but thats a fifty-fifty.

        • stag133 4 April, 2010 at 13:11

          I’m pretty sure they’ll have a potent offensive machine no matter who is at the striker position.

        • Fred 4 April, 2010 at 16:39

          Henry is not potent at this point.

  35. Andez 3 April, 2010 at 18:11 Log in to Reply

    we don’t know if the medical staff cleared them to play?
    So you are saying Wenger is LIAR, and that he would go against the medical staff, and risk players CAREERS… to win a CL match?
    ——————————————————
    Completely agree.

    Arsene Wenger has always have his players’ interest at heart. that’s from all the materials, football books I have read over the years. Unless all those ex-players, are all liars.

    take the 98 winning season. Adams could play if AW insisted, but was carrying an injury. So instead of insisting captain to carry on cos we certainly needed Tony, AW sent him away to see a specialist in the middle of the season for a few weeks.

    I believe he did the same thing to Henry as well in Titi’s final season with us.

    Let’s also not to forget from Fabregas’ point of view, I believe he really WANTED to play against his boyhood club.

    • stag133 3 April, 2010 at 21:31 Log in to Reply

      I don’t think there is ANY chance Wenger went against the medical staff, lied to the press, and risked the careers or players to win a 1st leg CL match.
      If that happened, we don’t know Arsene Wenger at all… (but then again, we thought we knew Tiger Woods)
      I just don’t believe Wenger would do that.

  36. Andez 3 April, 2010 at 14:47 Log in to Reply

    So we stand 3 points behind Chelsea… but really 4,
    because they are 13 goals ahead on goal differential
    ———————————-
    Interesting the way u put it stag. But it’s very true.

  37. Andez 3 April, 2010 at 14:44 Log in to Reply

    Perhaps we should start tuning into the match 10 minutes before the end from now on!

    Btw if we somehow manage to win the title, we will become the first team who achieve it without our entire spine when the season going down the wire.

    From front to back, arguably all our best players are missing –

    van Persie – Arshavin – Fabregas – Gallas

    • nipuna 3 April, 2010 at 15:12 Log in to Reply

      You could add Gk to it because it seems like our best is that Polish kid with the name I can’t spell.

  38. stag133 3 April, 2010 at 13:10 Log in to Reply

    So we stand 3 points behind Chelsea… but really 4,
    because they are 13 goals ahead on goal differential.
    We will need Chelsea to drop points in two games.

    They look good to win the title now, but that seems
    to change every single week in the EPL…
    their depth might win the league for them, as United and Arsenal
    have lost their best players, and there is no replacement.

    But, it will go down to the wire… fantastic.

    • arthur3sheds 3 April, 2010 at 13:25 Log in to Reply

      On that kind of form Chelsea are firm favourites.

      But A defeat to liverpool and draw against Spurs could leave the back door open.

      But either way it will be a successful season considering we have gained more experience qualified for the CL and knocked out of the CL by the best team in the world.

      And don’t forget profits have risen debts have decreased.

      I am proud to follow the Ars£nal.

      • nipuna 3 April, 2010 at 13:58 Log in to Reply

        True, true.

        We should all write to Arsenal.com asking them to replace “Victory through Harmony” with “The Future is Always Bright!”.

        :)

        • Andez 3 April, 2010 at 14:44

          No nip, I got a better one –

          “Never Say Die”!

        • stag133 3 April, 2010 at 21:28

          I like, “no matter what happens, we’re winners in some respect”!

          Amazing last gasp winner… we didn’t do that much in previous years.

          We can take 2nd or 1st… and knock out Barcelona!
          LOL
          likely, no… but possible.

  39. Mazza 3 April, 2010 at 13:05 Log in to Reply

    Oh look, who scored? Who scored Arthur? My stream started playing up.

    ;)

    • arthur3sheds 3 April, 2010 at 13:18 Log in to Reply

      Anti-Dade 52 himself, the prolific NickyBarndoor! :-D

  40. arsesession 3 April, 2010 at 13:05 Log in to Reply

    Wow!

  41. stag133 3 April, 2010 at 12:58 Log in to Reply

    Un-fecking-believable!!!!!!!
    Looks like the Arsenal are going to
    tease and compete and keep us on the edge of
    our seat ALL SEASON LONG!
    :)

  42. vibe4arsenal 3 April, 2010 at 12:57 Log in to Reply

    Wenger time!!!!

  43. Mazza 3 April, 2010 at 12:56 Log in to Reply

    GET THE FUCK IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  44. vibe4arsenal 3 April, 2010 at 11:29 Log in to Reply

    Whoa, whoa, whoa. SAF not getting the benefit of a poor call by the officials?! Someone missed the memo.

    • stag133 3 April, 2010 at 13:08 Log in to Reply

      oh, it was at Old Trafford too…
      shocking.
      I assumed the FA and Refs would never allow this to happen.
      Aren’t they supposed to play stoppage time until United draw level?

      Yeah, fix is in for United, utter bullshit…

      • vibe4arsenal 3 April, 2010 at 16:45 Log in to Reply

        And look who got 5 extra minutes at home against 10 man Wolves.

        • stag133 3 April, 2010 at 21:26

          Not to mention a QUESTIONABLE call in the sending off with a straight red.
          We got the breaks today… but that is football, sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t… you still have to win.

        • vibe4arsenal 4 April, 2010 at 00:28

          So let it be written, so let it be said.

  45. joshuad 3 April, 2010 at 10:58 Log in to Reply

    Sylvestre starts. Absolutely no surprise there.

  46. nipuna 3 April, 2010 at 09:40 Log in to Reply

    1-0 at half time.

    Apart from the cute goal, the game has been one BIG BORE FEST.

  47. nipuna 3 April, 2010 at 09:05 Log in to Reply

    Chelsea lead at OT. Nobody on GDC for the big game !

    I was wondering what is Joe Cole doing starting in such a big game. There you go!

  48. nipuna 3 April, 2010 at 09:02 Log in to Reply

    Theo to start and score today?

  49. arsesession 3 April, 2010 at 08:40 Log in to Reply

    Nice write up DAG. Great points!

    Would like to see a draw at OT.

    v. Wolves
    score early – take 3 points
    avoid injuries
    play with panache
    role players step up their game!

    Go Gunners……

  50. DaAdminGooner 3 April, 2010 at 06:22 Log in to Reply

    Just a couple things:

    From the news today, seems that Kolo’s bitterness towards Gallas has subsided as he was quoted in the press as saying Gallas is less concerned about his team/teammates and more concerned about himself.

    I didn’t comment on the CL thread about Arsene’s decision to play Gallas and Cesc. But my thoughts on it are this – If a manager gets information from both the player and his medical staff that the player can play – what is he to do? He can only go with the information he has. HE isn’t in the players body and can’t really tell if the player is muscling through it. Every player wants to play. Especially when there is something big at stake. I agree with those who say that had Arsene NOT started those two and we would’ve lost, people would’ve been crying as to why he didn’t start them.

    Really, for Arsene it is a lose – lose situation. HE did what he did based on the information he had from staff and player as well as the enormity of the situation. I can’t find fault with that. If I am the manager I would do the same thing.

    • joshuad 3 April, 2010 at 10:56 Log in to Reply

      We don’t really know if the medical staff cleared them to play.

      Understand, this is not me Monday morning quaterbacking but I was surprised to see either of them start, let alone both. There was no need to start either of them. Wenger could have had them available and maybe gave them 20 minutes each, but when you start a player, you’re expecting him to finish the game. Gallas hadn’t played in almost two months. Why would you start him in THIS game? Fab wasn’t fit the day before and you’ve got other players available. Why would you start him in THIS game? He’s obviously gotten caught up in the CL excitement.

      • stag133 3 April, 2010 at 11:23 Log in to Reply

        we don’t know if the medical staff cleared them to play?
        So you are saying Wenger is LIAR, and that he would go against the medical staff, and risk players CAREERS… to win a CL match?

        this is what you are insuating is possible.

        • DaAdminGooner 3 April, 2010 at 19:44

          What I am saying is this – if the Med staff cleared them to play and the player said they feel fine – that is the information that Arsene has at his disposal – if he gets the okay from those two sources then he only did what he thought was right based off of the information he had.

        • stag133 3 April, 2010 at 21:25

          The medical staff CLEARED them, he wouldn’t risk careers… no chance.

      • nipuna 3 April, 2010 at 15:09 Log in to Reply

        Agree. CL > League.

        Today’s starting lineup confirms that.

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