Derby Day Delight: Arsenal v Chelsea, Match Preview
It's On
Let’s cut right to the chase shall we? This Sunday the most potent attack in the league faces off against the stingiest defences in the league. Emirates stadium will be the focal point of the EPL universe this weekend as league leading Chelsea take on 3rd place Arsenal. A win for the Gunners and their title hopes are still alive, a loss and they will be 11 points behind. Not insurmountable, but not easy to make up either.
Chelsea come into the Emirates playing the best and most confident football in the league. Their confidence that is borderline arrogance. But that is what comes from winning and playing as a team. Their defence has only conceded 8 goals in 13 matches and have gone 4 games with out conceding a league goal. On top of that, a few key players who looked to be injured are back in the lineup and the Blues should be coming in at near or full strength.
Carlo Ancelotti has to be given the credit due of getting the best out of the league leaders. He is using formations that suit his talent. The Chelsea attack derives from the diamond in the midfield which looks to passing and distribution to unlock opponents. Though Manchester United showed that they can effectively be clogged up. Flood the center of the pitch and close down on players, Chelsea becomes vulnerable.
Gooners should expect Chelsea to be relaxed and opportunistic, looking for the right moment to attack rather than pressing for it. A loss wouldn’t be catastrophic for them. They would still sit on top of the league but both Arsenal and United would feel that the time for reeling them in is nigh. Throw in that Arsenal still have a game in hand and Chelsea loss makes their lead a little more dicey.
It bears mentioning at this time last year Chelsea were ridding high in the league and like now, leading the league. Arsenal paid a visit to the Bridge and won 2-1, Chelsea were top of the league. That loss began a downward spiral in form that ultimately resulted in Scolari’s sacking.
Even though Chelsea seem as strong as anyone these days they are not without their frailties. Early on in the season, the defense was allowing goals with regularity forcing the team to come from behind in 4 of 5 matches. Additionally, in losses to Wigan and Aston Villa Chelsea have shown an inability to defend against set pieces. Finally, smaller more agile forwards, ala Barca and Arsenal, have had success against Chelsea.
On the surface Chelsea seem the picture of fitness getting most of their first teamers back from injury spells. Drogba is still nursing a cracked rib but did play a full 90 minutes against Porto (a rather quiet 90 minutes). Deco is back from a groin injury and Ashley Cole supposedly is back from a leg injury whether they are fully 100% remains to be seen. Still questionable for the match are Frank Lampard and Bosingwa.
The Gunners on the other hand have a trainer’s table full of impact players. The list is known and was added to this week when Kieran Gibbs suffered a broken metatarsil in the 93rd minute of the Champion’s League match against Standard de Liege.
If Arsenal want to be considered title contenders this is the match where they must stake their claim. While a loss doesn’t rule them out, an 11 point deficit at the start of December is a little bit of a hill to climb. Arsene thinks his side however are quite ready for the challenge:
“Everyone will look at the game to rate our potential, and I have no worries about that,” said Wenger. “We are ready for the game, are well focused, prepared and the confidence is good. We just want to focus on the game like we want to play it.
“It is a big test, yes – but that is what you want, to play these teams,” he added. “I think there is a period for any team to come out and show its strengths. For my team, this moment has come.
“We are not any more a team that has to be considered to be young. I think we have the strengths and we can show that on Sunday that we are strong enough to compete.” – courtesy the Guardian
The loss last week to Sunderland was the first time the Gunners were held scoreless this season and even so, they still lead all teams in goal scoring. 17 different players have scored from their matches and their is suitable enough talent to make up for the loss of Van Persie.
Arsenal will look to maintain their 100% record at home. Their scoring prowess has been especially keen at home where in their last 3 matches they have 12 goals. In their last 10 premier league London derbies, the Gunners have only lost once.
The match however will come down to matchups and two seem to be the most interesting. First will be Thomas Vermaelen/William Gallas versus Didier Drogba/Nicholas Anelka. Putting it simply Drogba is an Arsenal killer. This seems to be one of the matches he is up for every year. In recent memory the middle of the Arsenal defence has either been decimated from injuries or suffering from a lack of form. But whatever the case Drogba has been potent against Arsenal. His french counterpart Nicholas Anelka is playing in the form of his career having finally found the promise he showed early when he featured for Arsenal.
The Gunners duo of Gallas and Vermaelen have gone on to show that they are as solid a tandem as any in the league. Especially nice is the strength and mind of Thomas Vermaelen. His experience is years above his age. He is physical, smart and plays without fear of players. When signed there was concern that he would take time to acclimate to the rough and tumble of the Premier League but he has gone on to show that he is more than ready for it.
With Vermaelen’s form, Arsenal fans have seen a resurgence of William Gallas. It is now clear that there was indeed something to the disharmony between him and Kolo Toure. What it was is anyone’s guess but they just did not seem to click all the time. There has been little of that between Gallas and Vermaelen. Gallas though remains a question mark after taking Andrei’s Arshavin’s head to his eye. And in a display that surely made Gunners proud Gallas went back out and played until the lead was secure.
If the Gunners are going to shut down Chelsea attack Gallas and Vermaelen, with a little help from Alexander Song cloggin the middle, will have to make life miserable for Anelka and Drogba.
The other key matchup is the Arsenal attack against the Chelsea defence. True, Chelsea have gotten 4 clean sheets in the league. Also true they have already dispatched, Liverpool and United. But Liverpool are a shell of their former selves and in fairness the lone goal against United came after a dubious non-call. Arsenal are probably even with an injured Van Persie more potent attacks they have faced this season.
The Gunners will likely use their speed and creativity to try and take advantage of the Chelsea defence. Arshavin will be a key component in that attack pressing the right side of the Chelsea defence where they seem weakest. Both Arhsavin and Cesc Fabregas are the conduit by which all Arsenal attacks should flow from. Fabregas is making the case each week that he is arguably the best Midfielder in the Premier League if not Europe. The new reliance on the 4-3-3 has freed him up to control the game more. Plus the emergence of the Song and Denilson has meant he can roam with a little more freedom and know that their is a strong defensive pairing in the midfield.
Finally, the X factor is the Petr Cech is in my estimation not as solid as he has been. He has to bear some responsibility for the frailty on set pieces. And should Thomas Vermaelen get a hold of a Fabregas cross, I like the odds of the Belgian beating the Chelsea goal keeper. And then there is Manuel Almunia. In 7 league games he has let in 10 goals and made 10 saves. Maybe he isn’t seeing enough action to keep him involved in the game or maybe he just isn’t first team material. Either way he has been the weakest component of the Arsenal back.
Like Chelsea, Arsenal’s attack will need to remain patient and find the right opportunity to unlock Terry and crew. It should not be a game of looking for the most beautiful goal but the right opportunity. If its all broth and no meat then the Gunners will have issues. However, by clogging up the Chelsea midfield and pressing Ivanovic on the right, Arsenal could go a long way to securing a victory at home.
How I think It Will Play Out:
This is a difficult match to see out. Chelsea are in top form. Arsenal are a potent attack. Both in my opinion are weakest at Goal Keeper. Chelsea will play a patient waiting game, looking for the right opportunity to test Manuel Almunia. They will be happy with a 0-0 draw until late in the game. However, the Gunners should look to set the pace early on. Arsenal have not scored a goal in any match before the first 15 minutes. If they can do that an open up the game early, the play will fall into their preferred method. If it is a slow drudging test back and forth the match will favor the opportunistic Chelsea. Either way it’s either going to be a cracker of game or 90 minutes of our lives we will never get back again. I am leaning towards a cracker.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Thomas Vermaelen. Arsenal have suffered at the foot of Didier Drogba and the Belgian defender will likely be tasked with preventing him from getting a clean shot on goal. Look for Vermaelen to try and match strength for strength as Drogba will try and muscle his way over and through the defender. This little battle could decide the match.
Chelsea: Nicholas Anelka. Former Arsenal starlet was tapped for stardom at 17 years old and two seasons with the Gunners. He makes his return in great form and will be looking to give Chelsea the silverware they want.
Probable Starting XI
Probable Starting XI for Chelsea v Arsenal
Injuries:
Arsenal: Van Persie, Bendtner, Gibbs, Clichy, Djourou, Diaby
Chelsea: Hutchinson, Bosingwa
Final Score:
Arsenal: 2
Chelsea: 2
Game Info:
Fox Soccer Channel in US 11AM EST
Sirius Satellite Radio 11AM
Game day chat will be open (though I will be late getting in) www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
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This is the thing about not having a tight defense. Once you stop scoring you will be in serious trouble. Having a good defense is the path of least resistance. Yet for us it is like untying the Gordian Knot pre-Alexander.
After this debacle it is now abit clear that we need. A SPINE.
Keeper, Defence, Central Midfield, Striker.
Keeper. I dont think there is any body who can argue we dont desperately need a new one.
Defence. It is becoming clear that despite their individual strengths they still leak way too many goals. It might be the goalkeeper behind them or the midfield in front of them. But something has got to give.
Midfield. I think it is time we had TWO tough tackling midfielders. That is Song PLUS one more. And NO, Denilson is not close to it.
Striker. A robust guy who can attack the box well.
Personally, I would just go for a Keeper, a DM and a big striker.
The DM should partner with Song and play behind Fabregas. At least then we would have TWO midfielders who can tackle in front of Gallas-Vermalaen. That should hopefully seal the leaking.
Been out of touch while traveling to the SF Bay Area for Thanksgiving. Watched the game yesterday at Maggie McGarry’s in San Francisco with Mark B (from Arsenal America) and his gang at the pub and it was good fun…. except of course for the game.
Our team’s got some serious issues and we’re nowhere near the level of a team like Chelsea who have to be considered favorites for a big, multi-trophy season. Our squad, by comparison, seems lightweight and either too young or too injured. Up and down the team we’ve got players who MIGHT come good, if they can realize their potential, or get a spell of games without getting injured or, in many cases, both.
And we are over the edge in terms of team fitness/injury. I’ve read all the comments above and nobody has mentioned the Carling Cup match at Man City…the day after tomorrow! Who the hell is AW gonna put on the pitch for that one? Wilshere and Bendtner are hurt, Merida got himself suspended, etc. I guess Ramsey will play and we will have a better keeper than in our league matches, but I wonder if we can avoid a humiliation along the lines of what we experienced yesterday. I intend to stay hopeful, but it’s getting tougher….
I said in the other thread, can Arsenal score when it matters? The answer once again, is a big fat NO.
We are a so called free scoring flamboyant spontaneous outfit that plays like a bunch of terrified little girls in the final third whenever we play against a decent defence. Make the wrong decision time after time, pass when we dribble, and run when we should pass. All things that we do to perfection against the Standard Lieges of this world. I think the phrase is called ‘flat track bully’.
We look like one of those non-league teams playing against a big team in the FA Cup. All nervous energy and lack of composure. And in the 2009/10 season, how utterly embarrassing is that?
This bottle of red is not maturing Arsene.
Remember how everyone was saying last season that we can compete against the top sides but need to improve against the Stokes and Hulls.
Guess what, this season, we are thrashing the bottom half teams. Alas, all our four defeats have come against top half opposition. Our only win against a top 10 team was at home against Spurs.
This record needs to change and change fast, if Arsenal are to stay in the hunt for 2nd place.
http://www.studs-up.com/
LMAO read all about the new line of rose tinted glasses
“Watching the match last night”
managing moments to take from this match
– 1st two goals (last five minutes of 1st half) – lack of mental discipline – Cole’s 2 crosses, POOR MARKING; here is a left footed player, no way I’m going to allow him to beat me with his better foot.
– Traore, good match and deserving to start v. Stoke
– Song off at halftime (as I have not read about any injury) this was the managing mistake of the match
– Denilson – has never been nor will ever be an effective DM in the EPL.
– Theo and Vela not enough starts this year to assimilate with teammates; to bring them on and expect an impact is manager’s naiveness.
– Theo is not a technical player, and his quickness has yet to be harnessed to mesh with Arsenal style.
– Eduardo – still not enough starts to regain his touch; too early to write off his ability to contribute
– Rosicky – mystery why he did not start. OUR BEST VIRUS AGAINST ANY TEAM’S DEFENSE!
One thing that did stick in my mind is that in the 2nd half, we saw what Arsenal will look like with Song absent for 3 weeks in January and for me – Denilson will not be the firewall answer.
Sorry to have left these points off my last post:
Great teams score from set plays (corners and free kicks) – totally absent from
our tactics.
All of Sagna’s high crosses were wasted effort. Arsenal have one vertically challenged player v. 3 red wood defenders. This mentality is like needing to dig a new hole but you keep digging in the same spot.
What ever happened to linking play to the by-line then pulling the ball back to the penalty spot or top of 18 for late arriving teammates?
“If football had weight divisions, I don’t doubt we’d be the featherweight champions of the world.”
http://gunnerblog.com/?p=2053
One other thing, I wonder if Almunia called Vermaelen off that cross on the own goal. It looks like he did but Vermaelen touched it anyway.
You guys are being too harsh. Sure, Chelsea have kept their side together. They bought the best talent available at top dollar. There’s no where that those guys can go and still get paid the money they do playing for Russian Roman. Under those circumstances, it’s very easy to keep a team together. The only reason they didn’t win the title last year was because they sacked Avram Grant and hired that clown, Scolari.
Some say we need a player like Drogba. Someone with his pace, presence, and power is worth every dime. Well, we had someone like Drogba but we sold him for about 24 million quid a few months ago. You’ve got to respect the fact that there was no Adebayor, van Persie, or even Bendtner in the side today. In fact, since RvP’s been injured, Arsenal have failed to score for the first two times in the league resulting in back to back defeats.
There’s talk about Drogba but Ashley Cole was the dfference yesterday. I always teach kids that the ball behind the back line is, by far, the toughest ball to defend against. But it’s much worse when it’s at a difficult height. Along the ground is easy. In the air is easy. But the ball that’s whipped in that bounces or is between knee and shoulder height when you’re facing your goal is an absolute nightmare. Defenders must deal with it and their touch has to be perfect or bad things are likely to happen. Surely, Arsenal defenders know that but sometimes you need a reminder. Cole’s crosses for their first two goals served as a reminder to Arsenal.
So, the difference in the game was those two balls that Cole played in and our injuries up front. It has nothing with buying new players or whatever. Fabregas got frustrated and conceded a silly free kick right outside the area which led to their third.
The funny thing is that if Eboue instead of Sagna had let in the cross in Drogba’s first goal, he would have gotten dogged. If Senderos instead of Vermaelen, had put in the own goal, he would have gotten dogged. If Denilson instead of Fabregas had fouled Essien for the free kick third goal, he would have gotten dogged. I haven’t seen a single mention of either player being at fault for Chelsea’s goals. So, when all else fails, revert to Wenger-bashing.
Josh,
Excellent points about:
– Coles crosses – tactical understanding
– fans bias towards players
On the other hand, Sagna is STILL better than Eboue and is usually much more dependable.
On the other hand, maybe if there was someone else in midfield who could actually tackle, the most creative player in the team wont have to be doing it. Maybe???
And own goals happen…if Verm hadnt touched it, it would have reached Drogba. We know how that would have ended.
And yeah, it is Wenger’s team. So who should we bash????
PS: Adebayor is not anywhere like Drogba.
Remember Ade has played for us against Chelsea SEVERAL times. The outcome was still similar to yesterdays.
Being a big oaf doesnt automatically make you like Drogba.
No it doesn’t, because Drogba is not a big oaf.
Another thing about Drogba that he has to go along with his great skill and physical prowess is his work-rate. It’s tremendous. I don’t like him, but the man earns his goals that’s for sure.
“We certainly do not have a God-given right to win the EPL title.”
As DannyT says – “I’m not asking to win the title, just compete for the fucking thing. I say, if you can’t deliver, don’t promise.”
Again I think you have to look at what Chelsea have built over the last five years and how they have kept the core together.
Last season they had a great deal of injuries and maybe that has lead to a lot of people (myself included) underestimating them
Anyway what do you want Arsenal to do? Come out and say we are playing for third? Of course we’re playing for the title EVERY year.
Its not like we come into any season without a decent shot at it
“Again I think you have to look at what Chelsea have built over the last five years and how they have kept the core together.”
Again, the issue is that Arsene could have done this and he did not. Instead he’s built a team using a certain economic/business/management model that he is just dying to see succeed, along with the somewhat unique style of play it has created. He is not interested in winning any other way. To him, there is no point in winning like everyone else does. He wants to win using his method of scouting young players of a particular technical ability and putting them together.
To him any other path to silverware isn’t worth pursuing. The problem is that the fans (myself included) don’t care for Arsene’s personal ambitions more than we care about the club’s ambitions as a whole. This has gone on long enough. Arsene’s pet project is overshadowing what the goal that any sporting organization should have: winning. He is becoming bigger than the club. Unacceptable.
I think as much as AW makes it out to be about winning the league the “right” way its not just simply about that.
Arsenal is making 30 mil or whatever it is a year, it does not mean that the team should spend it.
I am no financial guru but from what I can gather we are in a very precarious situation even if they do not come out and say it (why would they?). For Arsenal FC things could go bad very very quickly when you have such massive debt. We are not Man u or Liverpool, who it seems to me will have that constant support no matter what.
We charge the most for tickets in Europe, we have a great deal of fairweather fans who come to games simply because they can afford it.
If all of a sudden we spend a great deal of money and go nowhere (which is possible) and fan support starts to drop all of a sudden the club could do a Leeds or require someone to buy them out.
Now from what I’ve read most fans do care about the clubs ownership. The AST is supported by many fans and they have always vocalized their demands to keep the club ownership the way it is.
AW and the board are simply doing their best to ensure that it stays that way in my opinion.
“Its not like we come into any season without a decent shot at it”
That is arguable. Last season, we had very little chance (if any). Giving up Hleb, Flamini, Lehmann, Diarra, etc. Signing only Nasri.
I do think that 2nd place is doable, but we need a marked improvement and fast.
The bigger question is – is this project really moving towards a title challenging/winning position? After 4-5 years, we should be able to answer that question unequivocally. I don’t think so, but every one is entitled to their own opinion.
As I said before, it is a catch 22 for the fans. No threat of dropping out of the top four but very little chance of winning the league or the CL.
In defense that season we did not simply give them up. With the exclusion of Lehmann they all left on their own accord and there was little we could do about it.
You could argue we should have replaced them all but as i have said before that would have been a great financial risk for the club
We certainly do not have a God-given right to win the EPL title. That said, I don’t think anyone is thinking we do.
The issue is more-so what is a reasonable expectation for our club.
I think if Chelsea play the way they are with a squad so deep and full of experience how high should our expectations really be?
If Chelsea are to falter at some stage then yes I would expect us to be challenging for the title but right now they just look to good for anyone in Europe to beat in a domestic league like the PL.
Chelsea do have a fantastic squad that our squad can’t compete with. No one is disputing that. The point is that we don’t have to be in this position. Arsene Wenger has had several seasons now to fix known flaws with his side, and he has done either nothing in some cases, or too little too late in others.
Yes Chelsea are too good for us to compete with via our current squad. But the club has the resources and Wenger has the ability to build a better squad. And it wouldn’t be overly-difficult if he would work at it over time. Depending on who you ask, we need a clinical finisher, a DM, a CB or 2, and a GK. That’s a tall order for any team. But these problems have existed for several years now, and had Wenger worked steadily to solve them, by say signing two players in each of those problem spots each window (rather than buying more of the same type of player) we could have had a squad that could win the EPL. Hell Wenger’s unwillingness to respond to reality is the biggest reason we didn’t win it all two seasons ago.
No this squad cannot compete with Chelsea, but it could have had Wenger gotten around his own massive ego and taken a few simple steps in the right direction.
But i just feel its easy to say in hindsight that the team has major flaws if some people here were manager of Arsenal they would have bought a DM like Felipe Melo.
It wouldn’t be hard to argue that Song has been one of our best players all season. Now how many people do you know that would have given Song the opportunity?
Look at Melo he’s not exactly lighting up the league.
My point is it is a lot more complex then simply buying players.
Firstly you do not know if that player will be better then the one we have.
Secondly you do not know the effect it will have on team chemistry.
Thirdly Arsenal play a unique brand of football and I would wager not every good football player would suit that style.
Finally as a manager whether we like it or not you have to look at it from a financial perspective. Is this player going to be worth the money spent? Your spending lets say 10-15 mil on a player with the chance that it may take your team backwards its very risky.
I’m just trying to bring some perspective to the situation, obviously in spots like GK even I am surprised and AWs unwillingness to go into the market and grab a top class number 1
But Arsene has spent money. He spent a decent amount on Vermaelen, Arshavin, Nasri, and Ramsey. How well was it spent? These are all excellent players for sure, but how much did we really need them. We already had a lot of players like Nasri and Ramsey. Arshavin can make things happen, so you can argue he’s different. But now he’s worrying me with his attitude and at times it seems like he’d rather play for one of the big Spanish/Italian clubs than us. It could backfire just like you mention. Vermaelen was a good buy, but again- too little, too late. Our defensive problems have been obvious for so long and Wenger did nothing. So AW is willing to take riskis buying, but it takes him so long to address problems, and sometimes he would rather buy a player to fix a problem that isn’t there.
And he does not simply need to buy big names to solve these problems. Look at all the finesse/attacking players we bought on the cheap when they were young. Arsene could address defensive needs in a similar way, but he shows no interest in that.
I would’ve liked to see Walcott central. He does not have the capability (despite all his pace) to take on his man. And even if he did, there’s not anyone in the box to feed it to. At least this way we had a chance at putting in through balls for him to use his pace to get a one on one. I think Vela would have been more effective wider as well, being a bit craftier than Theo. But than again, there’s every likelihood Terry would’ve just swatted him away. We were tossed around like ragdolls today. And credit to Chelsea for that, they have the ability to make teams look like boys.
As for how we could use Drogba, anyone could. If we absolutely had to bring in a striker in Jan, I would like to see Carlton Cole. Been very impressed with him these past few seasons and he is strong and powerful. Does not shirk responsibility either. And although he suffered a minor knock recently, he is pretty durable as well. And he is English (a bit of media love??).. He is not tied up in Champions league, he is not so old that Arsene would flat out refuse. From West Ham, he shouldn’t be too hard to tempt and I think would be good value overall.
And, I think he would fit in as the focal point of this team beautifully!
Yeah, I would take Cole as well, a far better option than Chamakh, because you can know for certain how he would perform in the EPL.
He is 26, so he is not that old.
The ONLY problem … and the one that eventually matters, is that he would be too expensive. I figure West Ham would ask for 10-15 million or more for him.
And we all know Wenger would never pay that.
its not an easy decision to make really.
Buying Cole would complicate things a lot. For example do we then change formations and revert back to 442? Or do we stay the course with Cole at the tip? but then what do we do when RVP comes back?
Does Cole get an auto starting spot is he better then Bendtner or Eduardo? If not is it really worth 10-15 mil pounds?
Not exactly the kind of questions you want to be asking mid-season when emotions are running
I would like to see Eduardo get a decent run of games before even considering who to buy in Jan
On the flip side I wouldn’t be surprised to see a keeper come during one of the next two windows though
Yup, you both have good points. It is complicated with the players we have coming through.
My main point was, IF we are to bring in a striker, I would want it to be Carlton Cole.
On RVP: His talents are undeniable. I have wagered on him finishing top scorer the last 3 seasons. Not that I think he is favourite, but at the offered odds (always over 20-1), I think its good value. His injuries have always undermined his season and like Kiwi said, we shouldn’t build a team around someone like that. But do we just let a talent like RVP go? Like you say, it is confusing and these are the decisions Wenger has to make that I don’t envy.
I mean you look at this injury and you just can’t help but feel its simply unlucky. That injury could have happen to anyway.
Now i’m not saying that it is right to build a team around RVP but I think it was not wrong to give it a shot. Also I feel Eduardo will be able to play the position he just needs to get game time and his sharpness back. He got lost in the game yesterday giving the ball away in key moments but when on form I think he can play the role not in the same way as RVP but nonetheless just as effectively.
RVP did well last season and played most games so I don’t think its was too much of risk for AW to take.
Like OZi has mentioned what else do you do with a talent like RVP?
It could be argued that we should have played 442 yesterday but hindsight is 20/20
Eduardo is just too small and slow. Even at his best, he is not an ideal play for the middle.
RvP is just not someone ANY of us can trust to hold the middle robustly for a whole season. So lets stop fooling ourselves.
If we get in a robust central striker that attacks the box, then RvP can go back to playing on the wings when he comes back.
Anybody saw El Classico? I couldn’t as I don’t get La Liga on TV this year.
But reading the match report, Barca take the lead, lose a man and still win. Now that is mixing beautiful football with grit and determination.
Remember the days Arsenal used to win easily with 10 men. Will they ever return under Arsene? :(
I did watch, but wasn’t paying attention that much …
first of all i’d just like to say i don’t think there is a manager in the world that could take over this arsenal team and somehow transform it into a team much better then we have now.
Yes we lost to chelsea but if you look at chelsea as some have pointed out they have an incredible squad at the moment. Many players are hitting the best form of their career, they are destroying teams left right and center.
Other teams like villa tottenham and man city have improved greatly and i would seriously fear for our top four spot if we change managers in the next few years.
Winning the league is not Arsenal’s god given right. I think for all of AWs apparent mistakes he has still done an excellent job.
In past seasons we suffered against poor opposition and now we are doing a much better job and handling those teams. It seems taking on the other big teams will be the challenge this season but overall i’m quite happy with Arsenal this year. Exciting to watch and we will always be a threat to win a cup or two, whether or not we can compete for the PL depends on Chelsea but they seem absolutely unstoppable at the moment.
It’s true Maz, for 40mins we looked far superior. And if you didn’t know our characteristics and Chelsea’s, you would have thought Chelsea were in big trouble.
Yet once we punch ourselves out and get punished there is often no response.
We do look better at the back and in midfield. There is better balance. Yet we’ve built this house on sand – ala Perse. No one that has watched Arsenal these last 4 years would be surprised to see Robin sustain a season ending injury. So why then take the risk again? Why bank on his fitness? Indeed, why bl**dy well build a team around him? With Adebayor gone we took an even bigger risk this season.
If he said at the press conference that Chelsea were too professional and we needed to attend to aspects of our play and squad in January as frustrated as we are everyone would have respected the truth. He didn’t.
Arsene will likely spend the rest of this season defying both reality and the critics. We’ll be told we still have a title chance when everyone will know in their hearts we’re playing for CL football next season. So the rest of the season becomes another premature preamble to the next season.
yeah, Arsene’s comments feel like they did last season.
‘The turning point was the referee’s decision (to disallow the goal),” Wenger said. ‘
Nope. If it was 2-1, then would we have had to see another 4-1 final score line loss? Possibly.
Arsene would like fans to judge the team on a single game but most fans cannot forget the last few years when assessing situations.
Even back in that 2005 Charity Shield when Drogba scared Senderos, Arsenal had more possession than Chelsea but could not do anything with it. Back then, every time, they got the ball near the penalty box ,Makelele was around to clean things up. Now over the years, same pattern has repeated.
Heck, Drogba still got his customary post 80 min goal. Watching Arsenal vs Chelsea, we need a stronger word than Deja Vu. We need a word that describes Deja vu * 100 while taking the futility of the Sisyphus story in consideration. Arsenal works hard, passes the ball around but then the Chelsea rock comes crashing down. Arsenal are left to go back and try the whole thing over. Yeah Arsenal did have that win over Chelsea last season but in the last 12 games between the two, it is 8 wins for Chelsea, 2 wins for Arsenal and 2 draws. But 3 straight losses to them now, being outscored 2-9
Although I’ve wanted Wenger to leave for the last three years now, and repeated that once again in the summer, I did think, and in some ways, still think, we have improved this year.
Even in today’s match I was impressed by alot of aspects in our play, however for me it’s clear Wenger’s negligence and pussy-footing around in regards to squad depth and his cautious tactical decisions have left irreparable mental scars on the squad, and those scars show no signs of healing. We still look like a boxer that’s been knocked out one too many times and has lost confidence in our ability ‘to take a punch’, hence the almost manic search for early goals in big games, which leaves us periliously open to almost any semi-coherant counter attack.
This could possibly be solved if Wenger made radical changes and tried to address glaring weaknesses in one fell swoop, but instead it takes him literally years to get around to sorting out problem areas, so long that by the time he gets around to doing more repairs, the previous new signings have taken on the mental baggage of the past, even if they themselves were not at the club at the time of the ‘atrocity’. Arshavin already looks like a weary, self-doubting teen-bopper pulled straight from our youth, when he should be showing fearlessness and providing clarity.
It’s unfortunate. Arsene is reverting to his slightly delusional interpretations of games.
I agree our ‘goal’ looked good. Yet by then we were 2-0 down and not looking lethal, impotent is a better descriptor. And possession does not equal chances. Arsene seems to think that ‘outplaying’ a team is akin to ‘should win’ or ‘should beat them’. That’s not true. Possession and outplaying can actually work against a side. And we are proof. How often do we punch ourselves out in the first 35-40mins and fail to convert? After that teams seem to know we’re very vulnerable.
We so need the right combination of players to play our game effectively. We haven’t got the right choices currently. There is no-one to play a lone striker role.
This could turn very nasty very quickly. I saw the masses of gaps in the stands nearing the end. I know the day was really poor, yet you can expect the backlash to be even quicker and more vocal than last season. Once the masses think the EPL season is ‘gone’ they’ll ride this team. And Arsene looks fragile. He didn’t handle the criticism last season well.
The vast majority of Chelsea players have been around for a LOOONG time. As long as most of Arsenals players have been at ours.
______________________________
Interesting Fred, I was thinking the same thing. As much as I hated the manner in which Chelsea bought a squad credit must go where it is due. The team hasn’t disbanded – the unity that Arsene rants on about is present in this Chelsea side and on the back of:
– a top captain who loves his club
– winning or at least challenging for honours
– a core of hardened pro’s who have been together for 5 or 6 years
– a mentality of winning is what counts
When you think of ‘mental strenght’ who do you think of? Arsenal or Chelsea?
The core of this Chelsea side have been at the club for 5 or 6 seasons, some more. It’s hard not to like Drogba, Lampard, Essien, Terry, Carvalho, Cech. That’s a spine. That’s a group of players that have provided Chelsea a massive return.
This isn’t a slur on our club. Yet the moment truly did arrive today.
“Yet the moment truly did arrive today.”
_______________________________________
Yes it did. Three years ago Arsene said to “wait, and judge us in three years time.”
Well guess what, buddy, time’s up!
CG, I’m not sure what your point is, strikers aren’t a one size fits all proposition. Yes everyone would likely covet Drogba , but that doesn’t mean he is the right fit for every team.
He is however the right for us with our current style and characteristics.
We don’t have a player who likes attacking the box.
We don’t have a focal point.
We don’t have ‘fear factor’ and aggression up front.
We enjoy such massive possession in most games yet we often look toothless. I don’t see the midfield as the problem, it has evolved. The issue is up front. And Drogba has the nous to play at the sharp end of our game.
My point is that every successful team has a player like Drogba. We used to have Henry, Liverpool now have Torres, United has Rooney and formerly RVN. Ibrahimovich, Eto’o, and others who are players that can function as the pivot around which the rest of the attack is built. They attack the box and they put fear into the defense.
Players that do that can fit in on any team because every successful team needs one.
The most hilarious moment in the game was watching Traore literally BOUNCE off Drogba after attempting to tackle him.
Have never seen that before.
Yeah, that about summed it up. The differences between the teams in tenacity, physicality, and ability to just get the job done. They have it, we do not.
Drogba is exactly what we need. A serious commanding striker who likes playing the lone role in an intimidating manner. If we had a Drogba at the sharp end of this team we would look quite different.
Whilst I was really pleased in the way Perse was adapting to the front role you gotta ask yourself can we honestly build a team around him? Winning teams are built around a core of players who are regularly available. Perse isn’t and never has been. Even last year, his best fitness-wise, he was out in the clutch – go and check.
A little aside, let’s not forgot that the much maligned Senderos was toasted on a bi-annual basis for failing to deal with Drogba. Our first choice didn’t exactly deal with the danger today did they?
I read pre-game quotes from Gazidis, an ill-timed rant about doing things our way and that “We have extraordinary depth in a squad full and talented players.”
Of course Drogba is exactly what WE need, he’s exactly what any successful team needs.
Idiot comment from Gazidis.
Why does the Arsenal hierarchy like rubbing it in the fans faces???
How the fuck is spending money that you have earned from the FANS an immoral act?
What exactly does growing players mean???? What players have WE grown???? Gibbs, Wilshere, thats it!!! The others were all acquired. The vast majority of Chelsea players have been around for a LOOONG time. As long as most of Arsenals players have been at ours.
Cant they also claim to have “grown” their team?
We bought a CB TWO seasons too late, now we are waiting stupidly before fixing the other glaring holes.
The clowns charge Arsenal fans the highest ticket prices in Europe (and by extension the world) but are implying that it is somewhat “immoral” to spend some of this.
Instead they HAPPILY advertise all the profit the club is making.
watching arsenal vs chelsea is more stomach turning than the Hostel films. Ofcourse, it is painful if one has expectations. Not like it is easier when one expects Arsenal to give up own goals when they play either Man Utd/Chelsea and lose or expect Arsenal to have the ball but do nothing in the final third.
Jose is long gone but still his presence over Chelsea when they take on Arsenal is apparent. Ofcourse, why should a new manager change the formula against Arsenal? Any new manager that comes in knows that Chelsea can beat Arsenal by sitting back, being organized and then taking the lead. After that, curtains. Although, Big Phil tried to change this formula and Arsenal were lucky to do a smash and grab job.
3rd place is easier to aim for with this team than hope for something higher.
Nothing really changed today. It just became official.
Nip, I agree with your catch 22 scenario.
Deep down Arsene believes as long as we stay in the top 4 he can have as much time as he likes to nuture this crop.
Gazidis should just go out and buy a couple of big names – buy a top striker and a goal keeper. Then tell Arsene if the highly paid crocks don’t provide a return this season half of them go at seasons end – his choice on who goes. If Arsene feels undermined he has the choice to leave. I want him to succeed, yet how many seasons can you allow a manager to get the squad composition wrong? To persist with a squad that is too physically fragile and young?
Perhaps Arsene was right. This was indeed this teams moment. The moment they confirmed that the mix isn’t suitable for success.
Obituaries already being written …
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8742_5732519,00.html
Walcott on 60K when Arshavin is supposedly on 70-75K, can this really be true?
Walcott is literally the most brainless player (football wise) at the club. He never makes an intelligent decision. To think he is a 60k per week player is incredible.
I agree with the sentiment that Fabregas would be sensible to bail out. There is just no evidence that if he stayed any longer, something will change. We just dont have “it”.
Our defense is useless. Our midfield is small. Our attack is fancy but EVERY top team can apparently stop it. And we havent even mentioned the goalkeeper. And worst of all, we have a poor, pussy mentality. We lose 100% of our “grudge” matches.
When Fabregas leaves, Wenger should head out too. All good things must come to an end. We need new ideas and I just cant see how Wenger will take us out of this elongated funk.
Feeling a little gutted right now. 3-0 at home is hard to take. We are unable to contain Drogba (who is?). Chelsea is the best team in the league right now.
We definitely missed RvP today. I am also a bit confused as to why Rosicky, one of our most experienced and skillful players, is on the bench to start. I felt like our best run of games this season were when Arshavin, Rosicky, Cesc and RvP were controlling the game.
Not sure who would be available to acquire in January. I feel like we can match up against any of the continental teams in the CL, but I think we should bring in some muscle to match up with the Rooney’s, Drogba’s and even Adebayor’s that cause us so much trouble in the EPL. I think we will be at or near the top of the table at the end of the season as we can handle the lower table teams, but we need something different to nullify/overcome ManU and Chelsea.
Who cares who’s available? You really think Arsene will buy?
He bought Arshavin last January. Plus, I think Gazidis now has some influence.
That was horrid.
All this possession, we had 43% in the Chelsea third in the first half.
Yet the attack is too short too slow and too indirect.
Walcott is pathetic, every single time he gets the ball we lose possession. If that’s 60,000 pounds pw of value, what can you say.
On 41 mins I thought to myself, Chelsea will probably spank us and score now. One minute later they did. In 3 mins we panicked and it was 2-0, game over.
It’s true, we do play too much. If we had a clinical edge a sharpness to capitalise on our possession that would be ok. But we don’t, so we blow ourselves out and get hit. Happens again and again.
Eduardo looked lightweight, like an fly easily swatted away. Vela ditto.
Frankly I’d have Drogba anyday – he’s a professional point man a focus for the team. He’s central to the big events.
Where are all those who said losing Perse was no major? That’s almost it. One more loss, which is very seeable, and we’ll pack up another EPL season pre-Christmas for the exact same reasons as the last 3.
I thought this was the teams moment?
It is a classic catch 22 for the fans.
No threat of dropping out of the top four but very little chance of winning the league or the CL.
Lets face facts, we will never stop Drogba. At least not under a defense run by Wenger anyway. Yeah, he OWNS us.
Am not surprised at the result or scoreline. Infact, when we were speculating about the Chelsea game BEFORE the Sundeland game I just sensed the team would fuck it all up.
Losing to this Chelsea team is no shame, BUT we should have beaten Sunderland, so that a loss here would not matter that much.
But now, we are back to the very, very familiar fourth place battle – with Spurs, Liverpool, Villa and City. Five of us fighting for two spots.
Anyway, I hereby declare support for Man U (to win this years league). I would rather they extended their dynasty, than for these Chelsea punks to win anything.
Thank God November is over!
I respectfully disagree. I loathe Man U. Ancelotti I can respect at least.
Who cares about the managers? Managers come and go??
Man U have won 3 consecutively already and a boatfull, it makes no difference if they add another one.
Chelsea winning however will cement their status as London’s biggest.
Plus I would puke if I saw Ashley Cole, Lampard and Terry lifting silverware.
Drogba own’s Arsenal.
3-0. Game over. And title challenge over, too. Once again fourth place is the best to hope for with our current squad.
3-0 is worse than last year’s 4-1 collapse. Why? Because we played well – as well as we can. We didn’t choke. We were fluid, positive, hard-tackling – and it was still nowhere near good enough.
This from the Guardian:
“Earlier this season, when asked in what way this season’s Arsenal were superior to last season’s model, Wenger said his charges have grown more mature and “are better able to handle the big moments in key matches”. The evidence of this match, and the other big ones this season (Diaby heading into his own goal at Old Trafford?) suggest the contrary.”
Chelse show how it should be done – clinical finishing and strong defending.
The former is something we don’t have but at least we created and scored a lot till last week.
The latter will possibly never happen in Arsene’s lifetime again.
Cesc will leave Arsenal at the first possible opportunity if he’s smart.
Won’t blame him if he leave
Arsha’s had his chances. Just held the ball that vital fraction of a second too long. Twice now.
Looks like the old ‘walk it into the back of the net’ rearing its ugly head again.
Urgh. As I foretold.. We did lots of running, lots of bright play – and didn’t get the killer ball in the final third. Chelsea contain us, then pounce when we’re not looking in the last few minutes. They are like a boa constrictor.
The second goal was a little rough, but then again they are the team putting the ball into the danger areas. Nasri has yet to get by Cole. Eduardo is still missing the vital 10% of sharpness, which would otherwise unlock a defence.
Our midfield was otherwise pretty solid for, winning plenty of tackles, moving it forward quickly. But we just don’t have enough strength or speed when pitted against a truly (and unpleasantly) formidable side.
But I do have a Baldrick-style cunning plan. Chelsea will now be lulled into a false sense of security, ho, ho, and we can do our own pouncing in the last 15 minutes to snatch a draw. (I also have a wand and a pumpkin that turns into a horsedrawn carriage.)
Come on, Gunners, give us the most amazing 3 goal fightback of all time!
Kanu, please come back … All is forgiven ;)
Disaster so far.
Lots of possession, no penetration.
Then bang bang from Chelsea. :(
It is now or never !!!
All seems so familiar.
because it is
Still 45mins to go …
Anyone fancy Arsene’s postmatch comment (if the scoreline stays)?
West Ham away in the FA Cup.
Traore is going to get a red card today. I just have that feeling.
Gameday chat is open – http://www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
Great line up for us…….and I think we’ll see Traore step up; we need his speed and technical contribution.
For me the key to the match is the play of Denilson and Song.
Starting XI: Almunia, Gallas, Vermaelen, Trarore, Sagna, Song, Denilson, Fabregas, Arshavin, Nasri, Eduardo
subs: Rosicky, Silvestre, Eboue, Walcott, Vela, Ramsey, Fabianski
Will the match day chat on, DAG?
Team news mostly as expected. Traore starts ahead of Silvestre.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Fabregas, Song Billong, Denilson, Nasri, Eduardo
Subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Joe Cole, Anelka, Drogba
Subs: Hilario, Ballack, Malouda, Zhirkov, Paulo Ferreira, Deco, Kalou
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)
Just finished watching the Mersey side derby. Pepe Reina made a blinding double save when the game was 1-0 and Liverpool then went on to win 2-0. Everton actually dominated most of the game.
While killing time before KO, two questions.
1. What time is KO in your part of the world? 11am here (East Coast, States). Can everyone watch live?
2. What are your viewing conditions? Can other people (non, or even rival fans) be around? Small children? Pets? Or did you need an austere environment, where nobody can see what a crazy person you act like? Drinking? Smoking?
KO is 9:30 pm in India. Live telecast on ESPN (via Sky and their painful commentators).
I’ll be watching alone because nobody else watches football at home. No alcohol. No smoking. Will make sure that dinner is over and the table is wiped clean. :)
Two of my friends (one Bayern Munich supporter and another god knows which club) are getting together to watch and invited me over. But having played two 90 minutes games on Sat and Sun, I am pretty tired to drive all the way to their place.
Go Gunners!!!
9am mountain time. I was planning on skiing with kids today but no new snow, so decided to stay at home and watch the drama unfold ;)
11:00 am Eastern time zone in USA –
match is live on Fox Soccer Channel
11:00 eastern; live on Fox Soccer Channel
I’m taping the match – funeral to attend.
Sorry about your loss, as.
Ditto, sorry to hear that.
After we beat Chelski,
DAG, could we take 1 day and dwell on the Woods v. Woods 10 rounder?
That iceberg is just poking its head out now. Once everything begins to surface, whoo boy.
Where is Optimism on this sight?
Last year, we went to Stamford Bridge and won 2-1. Their 1 goal – unlucky deflection by Djourou.
Our bench then: Ramsey, Vela, Wilshere, Silvestre, Gibbs, Bendtner, and Fabianski; Not much
to write home about!
We lost the return match 1-4 at home; but that match I attribute to
a) Fabianski having a “bad hair day”
b) Gallas was out; Silvestre was at CB with Toure
c) Clichy was also out, so it was an early start for Gibbs
SO HALF OF OUR BACK 4 WERE OUT.
d) Arsene used a formation with RvP and Cesc at forwards (4-4-1-1), a waste of Cesc’s talents
e) Midfield had theo, nasri, song, & diaby; theo & diaby are still question marks for consistency.
f) and most importantly: no Arshavin, Rosicky, Eduardo
Our play this year far exceeds anything we produced last year -improved stability in defense and an offensive attack that has shown up for every match.
If you want to focus on us not slaying every team (lost goal opportunities), well spend more time watching other big clubs, for putting teams away is hampered by parity.
Lets get over RvP’s injury and the why, when, what, how, & who is to blame. In the 07/08 season, b4 february, our attack was electric and yet we were playing a totally different formation.
Arshavin, Cesc, Eduardo, Rosicky, and Nasri are extremely talented attacking players AND all available for today’s match. I concede the Chelski line up has more strength and power vs our line up, but almost every team we play in the epl, are physically stronger than Arsenal – YET WE SUCCEED.
Lets take the 3 points and leave Chelski a reminder that the league cup race has just begun!
Match Ref is Andrew Marriner
There is a very interesting debate happening on the Arsenal blogs. When RvP knew that it was an friendly, why didn’t he withdraw himself? If it was an important match, nothing he or Arsenal could do. But in friendlies, many players conveniently excuse themselves to prevent injury and get an extended rest. Why didn’t RvP do the same knowing very well that he has an injury prone record?
Bullard’s goal celebration was indeed a treat to watch.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=270034&cc=5901
Wonder if he organized it or if someone else would have led this if they had scored. Either way, an open mockery of a manager. Wow.
It’s such a real shame. I was starting to feel a wee bit more confident about Robin’s progress then this. It’s such a major bummer. Some guys are just not robust/strong enough physically to cope with a fulltime professional career. I hope Robin isn’t in this category – yet sooner or later the track record makes a compelling case.
Rosicky is the same, perhaps worse because his condition seems bizzare. Eduardo is a different scenario yet the horrific and traumatic nature of his injury means his rehabilitation is longer term and questionable too.
Yet as bad as each case is individually, it’s the combined and concurrent impact on the first team that makes each season just too hard and success too unlikely. It also makes Arsene’s refusal to purchase additional attacking talent seem self-defeating.
Mixed feelings for today’s game.
If Gallas doesn’t start, I fear for us.
If he does, it will be a tight game and I hope Arsh clicks. He is long overdue a good game.
So far, all top four clashes have gone in favour of the home side. Let us make sure the trend continues.
You guys know I’m big on the amount of the international fixtures and the intrusive part they play mid-season. Yet I think the part the international fixture played in Robin’s injury is not the main story.
The main story is the inherrent fragility of too many Arsenal would-be starters. Sooner or later someone at Arsenal has to look back over the last 3 and a half years and make an assessment. The reality they will find is that we have persisted too long with bad risks. If Arsene wants to be committed to any given player, so be it. He’s the manager. Yet to persist with so many bad risks at the same time is silly and you have to question the logic. What chance have we had to win anything with such a crocky bunch?
The first tranche is Robin, Eduardo and Rosicky. This group is closely followed up with Diaby and Walcott. There ongoing injury issues and blighted seasons just exacerbates the problems we have with a young and callow squad.
It’s just a fact. So Arsene can whinge all he likes about the Dutch camp, yet he has no control over that. The thing he does control is the size and composition of his squad. He wears this 100%
Agree.
Add Djourou and Vela to the second group.
Regarding RVP, I am still annoyed that he started that meaningless friendly game. The Dutch team know about his injury troubles quite well, so they should have had him just train with the Dutch team but not started the Italy game. Yes, that is a selfish point of view but Arsenal lose more with him out than the Dutch do.
I just hope that Van Persie injury does not turn into a Rosicky like injury hell where he is out longer than 5 months. This season, RVP was finally doing what was expected of him and then this happens. Ofcourse, he will miss the world cup as well, although with the Dutch team you never know. If RVP can kick a ball by May, they might still take him and then get him injured and out for Arsenal’s 2010/11 season.
yet another season and more injury grief. Until 2005-06, I thought more about Arsenal’s play but in the last few seasons, Arsenal’s injury issues take up much more of my thoughts.
Anyway, the sunday game couldn’t come soon enough.
I’ve run out of Tiger Woods theories, so here I am- back to the really important stuff.
I am still glum after last week’s fizzle. Plus the lack of killer instinct in our CL game. If Gallas is out, we’re going to lose 2-0. Eduardo is not yet back to super sharpness. And Van P. had really grown into his role as attack-pivot. Without him, we lack attacking focus.
Obviously, if Arshavin’s energy is back, we always have a chance to open things up. But it means our youngsters buzzing around Chelsea non-stop. We’ve got early or first half goals against them before, but rarely hung onto them.
Chelsea are just too mature and professional. They have the mental stamina and nerve to contain a game and not push until the last 15 minutes.
Obviously, I’m praying for a couple of flashes of jet-heeled brilliance from Theo et al. But the realist in me is braced for a loss, and the rest of the season to trickle away once more. Then again my holiday home is called A Sick Dark Place.
I’m really unconfident
Hmm. I guess Stag is waiting for tomorrow – should we lose he will come on and say he was right we should’ve rested our players midweek. If we win or draw – I wonder what his response will be.
One lovely thing about those big spending clubs is – all a sudden they find themselves having 38 derby games to play in the calender… fans of every club would love to see them fail.
What makes you think we’re not in that group? Arsenal are not particularly well-liked around the league. Big payroll, lots of success, big foreign contingent that is not just foreign but French as well, a dislikable manager… it goes on.
What makes me think we are not in that group? Simple isn’t it?
Because I am an Arsenal fan that’s why.
Yes I am bias. Bite me.
“Yes I am bias. Bite me.”
No small thing saying something that funny in what is not your native language. Well done. :-)
Andez, what is your first language, out of curiosity?
Yep. Arsenal are big spender too …
As for the game 2moro, I am getting more and more pessimistic. Before the intnl break, I was sure we would “do something”.
Now with the whole RvP setback (another Arsenal medical blunder???), the whole talk of Arshavin being “devastated”, Gallas’ injury, Almunia’s existence, the lack of a settled top striker and the dire prospect of Silvestre starting … I am starting to think we would need a miracle.
At this point I would just accept a draw. It wont help us for the title race, but at least it wont humiliate us.
Buying Tevez for 30 million (some say it was actually 45 m) and buying Adebayor for 25 is some of the most HILARIOUSLY ridiculous business ANY club in the world will EVER do.
Both players are brainless planks.
When you add the fact they also shelled out a fortune for Bundesliga failure Santa Cruz, you gotta really laugh out loud.
Guess what: Man City fans have STARTED booing Adebayor. They did when he was subbed. Dont worry City fans, he is just saving it for the Arsenal league cup game!
The biggest egg splattered faces should belong to all the monkey brained “pundits” who were not only predicting City’s “certain” top four placing but a challenge for the title! LOOOL!
I wonder if Man City have broken Premiership’s most-successive draws record? 7 games in a row.
They tied it today
They should get some great new chants out of this. For instance, ‘another draw’ and ‘no goal for Adebayor’ rhymes. Writes itself, really.
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5726674,00.html
Get on with, Arsh. Arsenal pay your wages and you better perform against your Russian pal’s team.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/official-club-statement-robin-van-persie?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arsenal-news+%28News+Feed%29
Fellas, RvP is out for the season!
Can you say Marouane Chamakh
DAG, as all of us agonized through last season – only Arshavin in the January window & Vermaelen in the summer, I can’t see Arsene buying anyone. Arsene believes he has so many players who can play in attack and midfield……..
Song, Denilson, Ramsey, Diaby, and Gibb’s ‘development’ will cement his convictions that there is sufficient talent within the roster.
Maybe we will need to morph the 4-3-3 formation. Regardless, we have talent to play in in attack with Eduardo, Vela, Theo, and Bendtner (soon).
As it took van Persie time to adjust to this new role (this season’s slow start for him), others have the IQ and technique to conform.
If Vela and Theo are to confirm the club’s investment in their talent, van Persie’s injury might turn out to be their good fortune.
I’m certainly not dismissing the importance of RvP, but in my mind I think Vela can be a greater striking threat for Arsenal.
I don’t necessarily disagree but we need height along with that skill and frankly we don’t have it right now.
And until Nicky B shows me he can sink his shots with more frequency, I am not a big believer in him. Not saying I won’t be but right now – I am not sold.
So if Vela and Eduardo only marginally peform – do well enough that we don’t really falter but don’t burn the opposition up – I would suspect that either Edin Dzeko or Chamakh could be targets.
I’ve watched Chamakh & don’t see him (imo) as a step up from Bendtner; certainly rate Chamakh’s passing skills & strength on the ball below B52.
Secondly, even with RvP in the line up – there was no heading threat from crossed balls…….so I don’t see Eduardo, Vela, and Theo as subtracting.
I’ve not watched enough of Dzeko to rate a comparison.
I don’t care how we win as long as we win. I will happily take a 1-0 Fulham style result even though we were bombarded that night as opposed to a play beautiful football & dominate the opposition but end up losing (like the ManU result).
Must beat Chelsea, Must beat chelsea. How? Don’t care. As long as we win. Ofcourse, I would like it if the win is by a beautiful goal but I won’t complain if a scrappy goal takes it either. Winning ugly against a team of thugs is completely appropriate.
Arsenal should be wary of set-pieces especially when Terry runs in and flings himself fearlessly. I think Anelka might get a goal so Arsenal will need 2 to win. Although by the Almunia factor, Arsenal should atleast score 3. If the game is 2-1 for Arsenal heading into the 80th minute, we will see Drogba wake up and try to get his customary post 80 min winner. But….this time we have Vermaelen. If Vermaelen comes out on top, then we may finally have solved the post 80 min hoodoo that Drogba has over Arsenal.
And right after this duel is over, Barca take to the field against Madrid. Should be a nice footballing sunday.
DAG, excellent commentary.
For Arsenal fans, the big question is which Arsenal team will show up. Talented inexperienced youngsters or
a dynasty in the making. Even with our injuries, we have the talent to take anyone.
As a club, you build something special by winning the big games when you’re the underdog and your younger players step up.
I don’t own a crystal ball, so predicting anything is raw speculation. Wishing that when the match is over, we’ve given it our best.
Oops!! LOL.
Thanks for the catch
I figured Song was playing so well he could cover two spots and give Sagna some more rest.
I wish I had seen the original picture, because I would have preferred Song in two spots. Two of him running around the field would be nice :)
By the way, really nice picture. I am sure you are thinking, this is easier than writing the starting line and why you didn’t have it earlier.
Honestly I don’t know what I was thinking beyond offering better content than what was on AA.
I have wanted to do this kind of image all along. Just didn’t have to time to work on it.
You have Song on that fancy picture twice. Otherwise, its very cool picture and a good write up. It’s funny, if you didn’t know any better, you’d think we had the same formation from looking at that. But obviously, Drogba and Anelka don’t play as wide as Arsha and Nasri, and Deco not as far up as Eduardo.
Fixed.