EPL Match Day 12: Arsenal v Wolverhampton; Match Preview
A little redemption. . . please!!
I’m going to get right to it. It’s a midweek fixture and for the love of pete Arsenal need to beat Wolves into obliteration – okay they need to win – to gain some sense of redemption following yet another lacklustre loss at home.
The current form at home suggests there are issues with the squad and its make up. But I wonder if that is really the case or is it simply that the injuries and the fact we are “all in for all cups” is taking its toll on this team. I watched the video of the Newcastle match and it is evident that we had spurts of energy but for the most part we looked gassed.
Movement with and without the ball was not crisp. Passes were off. All in all as Jack Wilshere called it – a bad day at the office. Its not something Arsenal fans like to see or hear but the club had another off day. Could it be that playing first teamers in the Carling Cup and the fact that no rotatation could take place because of injuries certain players are just having issues in terms of fitness?
In my opinion Andrei Arshavin looks out of shape, slower and frankly like he can’t be bothered. Sure he is capable of those moments of absolute brilliance that take your breath away but they are few and far between right now. It is said that he is being considered for a new Arsenal deal – frankly, that would be a mistake. I don’t think he has shown enough consistency in terms of being able to play with the same level as is needed. He is special but not that special.
I also think Cesc Fabregas needs more time to either get match fit or healthy. By all accounts he has recovered completely from his thight injury. But the Fabregas on the pitch this past Sunday was not one we are all accustomed to seeing and if it is because of wear and tear or that he simply wasn’t completely match fit then he needs to be a super sub until he is ready. Jack Wilshere has shown enough capability to run the midfield with effect that Cesc can sit a spell.
There is also a lot of talk about Marounae Chamakh and unlike some of my readers I rate this as a highly good signing. Forget for the moment he was free – he is also very skillful in holding up play and allowing the midfield to come into play. Something we lost (to some extent) with Ade. Additionally, why do you think he draws so many penalties (possibility of diving aside) – he is direct in his attack and puts pressure in the box as a big man. I personally think the issues with Chamakh of the last games are too many games in succession without relief. Bendtner is only just back as is Robin Van Persie for almost 1/3 of the season Chamakh has been our lone attack option up front – that’s 1/3 in all competitions – without relief. He is tired and that much is clear.
Finally, comes the case of Laurent Koscielny. Another good signing in my opinion. He wins almost every header he goes up for. For pretty much the entire match against Chelsea he successfully handcuffed and handled Didier Drogba (I don’t care what you say that goal of his was pure luck). The problem is, I never thought Wenger meant for him to be the full time CB partner. Koosh was signed when it still looked like Sol Campbell would stay. My thought is that Campbell and Koosh would rotate as a partnership with Vermaelen, with Koosh gaining excellent insight from both Vermaelen and Campbell. Not a bad internship if you ask me. But Sol didn’t stay – Squilacci gets signed and then Vermaelen goes down. In no way do I think Koosh was ready to be a full time CB in the league but injury have necessitated that and frankly in a few games his mistakes have cost us. I do think when TV5 is back and healthy, a rotation of Squilacci and Koosh will help the youngsters development and in the end he will come right with Vermaelen as a regular pairing in the back.
Oh, I would be remiss if I didn’t single out Wenger for some criticism (see I can do it too). His removal of Jack Wilshere in the Newcastle match perplexes me. I am not sure what he was seeing but from my vantage point (that of armchair manager) Jack seemed to be our most direct threat. He actually got a lot of pressure going up. Frankly if it were me I would’ve pulled Fabregas off for Van Persie, moved Nasri back to the midfield and had an upfront line of of RvP, Chamakh and Walcott being fed by Nasri and Wilshere with Song holding. I thought our whole attack fizzled when Jack went off. Not one of Wenger’s best moves of the day.
All that aside we simply need to win on Wednesday. Wolves have been in good form lately narrowly losing out to United in the last minute. But they have played and played well with some of the bigger clubs of the league so another performance like Sunday and well it could be ugly. Regardless, of what anyone says this is still a talented squad and if we all get healthy (yes that is one big if) we can certainly expect good things from these players.
It’s been our MO of late to go on long extended runs after particular bad spells. Now would be as good a time as any for Wengers’ squad to do some course correction and set us a path. This league is going to be a wooly one. Like I’ve said in the past I start each match with optimism that my club – Arsenal – will win every match they go in to. If it turns out that way great, if not then I get frustrated and depressed and start all over with each new match. I’ve been doing it that way since ’89 when I started following the team. I think and still believe that the league is there for the taking. I, along with other pundits think Chelsea are due for a dose of reality. I also think United are weak in the back and are actually conceding goals with exceedingly regularity. City are improved but the demands of all that money and succeeding because of it (along with all those egos) are going to be their downfall. Fat’Arry has shown he can win a CL match or two but can’t get the same performance from Lionel Bale and crew in the league and Liverpool – well they are just Liverpool aren’t they. All that means is that at this point in the league none of these clubs are out of (though Spurs and Pool seem to be the harder pressed of the squads) it. I am up for the game and will like to see my boys do there part to take it.
How the Match Should Play Out:
I am not going to even bother today. They need to attack. It’s that bloody simple.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: The whole bloody team needs to step up a notch.
Wolves: Karl Henry. Wolves own version of Ryan “I’m not that kind of guy” Shawcross.
Probable Starting XI:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Koscielny (suspended -2) Almunia (elbow) Vermaelen (achilles) Ramsey (ankle) Frimpong (knee) Gibbs (knee) Diaby (ankle)
Wolves: Craddock (thigh), Guedioura (leg), Kightly (knee), Zubar (ankle)
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 4
Newcastle: 1
Last 5:
Arsenal: LWWWL
Wolves: LDLWL
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Nasri 7 (4 league) Walcott 7 (5 league) Chamakh 6 (3 league) Arshavin 5 (2 League)
Wolves: Ebanks-Blake 3 goals (3 league) Fletcher 3 goals (2 league) Milijas 3 goals (1 league)
Match Officials:
Referee: Mark Halsey
Assistant Referees: Dean Mohareb & Ceri Richards
Fourth Official: Kevin Friend
Broadcast Information:
US:Foxsoccer.tv/ESPN 3 3:00 PM EST
UK: ????? 2000 BST
Feeds:
www.atdhe.net
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Wolves: 1
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OFF TOPIC:
Monster goal by JET against Everton Reserves courtesy of Wrighty7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZixaQA5CGw&feature=player_embedded
That lad needs to get more playing time on the first team.
Just saw the Wolves game. I think the boys were very professional. Rosicky was a livewire throughout. Arshavin was a descent threat as well. Fabianski was a beast with a few top notch stops. Nasty challenge by Fabregas; still a bit off the pace but better than the Newcastle game.
For me the highlight was the first goal. Rosicky came from deep to get the ball, turned the defender and carried the ball up the pitch. Nice to see him doing that again. Lastly, the cross from Song to Chamakh was of the very highest quality. It was a perfect pass between two defenders. Song is continuing to impress further up the pitch. Nicely done, Alex Song.
Just an FYI –
1. Gibbs is in the squad for Sunday. Diaby is not.
2. Holland goes ahead and calls up Van Persie regardless of Wenger concern.
3. Arsenal are bottom of the “fair play league.” Last time we were there we won the league.
Most would agree the EPL is a highly competitive league. The lower placed teams have – through a mix of approach and squad capacity – the ability to compete against the ‘better’ teams and to keep the games tight. Sometimes you hear the words ‘outplay’ used in the context that ‘outplaying’ should equal ‘winning’. As a follower of many sports I think football is a game where there is a particular disconnect between winning and the concept of outplaying your opponent.
Football turns on so few events – often games are won by a single goal. The fact that the goal might be lucky or against the run of play is inherent to the game itself. So you play for say 95 min’s and the game is determined by an event that takes place in a few seconds. This is not the norm in sport. Many sports are (comparatively) high scoring and as a consequence the winner does genuinely outplay the loser. Football is not like that. You can outpass and outpossess and out-trick and outchance a team all match and get caught on the sucker punch. So what exactly is the concept of ‘outplaying’ an opponent? It seems a nonsense to me.
What it means is that ‘outplaying’ is irrelevant in relation to winning. Winning is about winning the events (both defensive and offensive) – and ultimately scoring more goals. If your game doesn’t achieve this then it’s inadequate. Our game for 5 years has been inadequate in both the league and cups. We can’t win the events. That’s why Chelsea come, concede possession, and yet create enough events for the magnificant Drogba to punish us – and he does. That’s why every season we bemoan getting undone by ‘technically inferior’ sides. We outplay them (according to our interpretation) yet we are not good enough to score more/stop them on the money plays.
That is why the truly great teams get special kudos – they not only outplay (pleasing on the eye) but they also have the ability to execute scoring chances and to stop the opposition on scoring chances. So… Wengers early teams, some of Fergie’s United’s teams, the AC Milan of Gullit et al, the current Barca side – they all had that rare ability to both be pleasing to watch (combining accuracy and verve) and yet they won the money plays in offense and defence often enough. ‘Outplaying’ is an irrelevant concept in football.
First of all, Kiwi, I’m not saying you are wrong – I’m just offering an alternate view.
I think out-playing your opponent matters b/c if you truly outplay your opponents you increase the odds of winning the ‘events’ you talk about. Actually, possession is just one facet of ‘outplaying’ your opponent. Creating and winning the ‘events’ that you talked about is another part of outplaying your opponent. It’s easier to create these ‘events’ when you have more of the ball than your opponent – and hence ‘outplay’ your opponent.
In that sense, we’ve not totally outplayed the top teams when it really mattered in the last few seasons. We’ve just had the bulk of the possession.
Let me also add now that I’m not one of those that think parking the bus is such a terrible strategy (I think as you get older and keep playing pick-up games you’ll generally come to this conclusion too). In fact, it can be a strategy to out-play your opponent. I agree that it stinks when you are on the receiving end of it but it also stinks when you get absolutely shellacked (thank you Obama for the word) for trying to play Wengerball.
I realize now that ‘outplay’ as I’ve used it in this context might be better referred as ‘out-smarting’ your opponents. I also realize that it’s somewhat all about semantics :(
Awesome post mate. Same with Mishel. I think you’re both getting at the same thing.
I’ll just say that it’s because of the rarity of these events, and the fact that they can fall either teams way (although the “outplaying” team obviously has better odds), that sets football apart from other sports. The fact that either team can win becomes much more feasible, hence the high amount of tension for almost all the 90 minutes (unless you’re 2+ goals up).
In the GDC the other day, I felt oddly confident with just the one goal lead (especially relative to some, who were predicting “another Sunderland”….) Upon reflection, I think, it was just my optimistic nature and my longing for Arsenal to have that (very elusive) ability to absorb pressure at the defensive end. In the end, without a fairly spectacular performance from Fabianski, we would’ve been screwed…..
Regarding outplaying and winning the events of the match….Given our young keeper(s) and young or new-to-the-league central defenders, not to mention the (insane) strategy of blooding youngsters in the DM role, we have to accept that mistakes will be made. The nervousness of our home support about that element of the team makes it even worse for the home matches. As such, as Kiwi has noted many times, we really NEED to outscore opponents and create sizable leads early on, winning the events at the offensive end (and not “losing” the events down at the end we’re defending) or the anxiety just builds and builds. It is truly what makes the game so exciting and so excruciating…. Hopefully, over time, with some positive results, we (the team AND the fans) can get more comfortable with closer scorelines.
Big match on Sunday….
High scoring American sports:
football / occasionally a team will run up big offensive totals (passing and running yards) but fail to score in red zone (last 20 yds)…..end up kicking field goal or turn ball over…….the other team is struggling to find its offense but sometimes does in the last quarter to pull off the win.
and baseball: again a team can leave men stranded every inning, while the opponent is unable to create a base runner……..last inning an error and hit & the result is unexpected.
Not the norms, but certainly similar to football (soccer).
In match play golf, sometimes the golfer with higher the score (even though that is not how holes are won) can win the match.
Score line is no true indicator to overall performance.
There is a guiding principle in this sport. The more possession by your team, the likelihood you will “create” more chances to score.
I can think of two specific examples this NFL season, both involving the Tennessee Titans, who were dominated in every statistical category imaginable by both the Giants and the Cowboys…except the final score.
Afterwards, as a Giants fan, I read people using that old saw ‘We beat ourselves.’ The Cowboys said much the same thing. And, for sure, sloppy mistakes on both sides contributed to the outcome.
On the other hand, it would be a remarkable coincidence that two teams with nothing else in common, both lost to the Titans in the same fashion. The Titans were opportunistic, in both games. And have a running back in Chris Johnson who can wears a defense out doing not much for three quarters, then run all over the place in the fourth. And now halfway through the season, the Giants are 6-2, the Titans 5-3, and the Cowboys 1-7. The only stats that matter.
Obviously, not every team has the same formula for winning. But ‘the better team lost’ is something, most often, losers say. Don’t tell me you ‘dominated’ and still lost. Who cares?
As the saying goes, ‘Lies, damned lies, and statistics.’
As the other saying goes, ‘Just win, baby.’
Considering we are using 3 new CB’s this season (with little or no PL experience) – Vermaelen out most of fall – a new keeper – Wilshere at DM; I don’t view our defense as the major issue it had been.
in the 07/08; 08/09; 09/10 seasons the EFFECTIVE strategy when playing Arsenal were to challenge the keeper and defense on set pieces into our goal box. We could not clear anything. Majority of our draws and losses boiled down to late minute goals conceded from long aerial balls into the goal area – especially against the physical mid-table teams.
This season:
West Brom and Newcastle out played us. Chelsea scored one lucky goal from Drogba and sensational free kick from Alex. Sunderland – deja vu from past 3 season; Pool’s goal from Ngog – either poor decision on Arshavin’s pass or Wilshere not expecting the ball;
If we had some fluency in our attack, as we started last season, I think we could have changed the outcomes v. Sunderland, Newcastle, and Pool.
Its my impression that we are not playing relaxed at home.
You guys hear anything about Ray Wilkins getting sacked by Chelsea?
His contract was not renewed.
A bit frustrating trying to watch on a tiny, somewhat halting stream, but it makes me grateful for the usual HDTV for most of the matches….And it was 1-nil before I even got myself tuned in….I can live with that….
Watching the match and extended highlights on 101goals (interspersed with lingerie ads….) you have to say that Flappy was pretty in pink–Pretty Awesome. He truly does have some remarkable reactions to shots AND (tonight) his decision making was near perfect. (Maybe he could’ve caught a ball he chose to punch.) Wow. I’m fine with the Bi-Pole-R(senal) GK situation, until the next goal gets conceded, of course….
Something is seriously amiss on our set-piece defense, however. Too many balls are finding attackers or bouncing dangerously. Maybe Djourou and Squillaci are playing the players rather than the ball. It’s been too long since I’ve even seen TV5, but Koosh seems to be able to get his head to the ball more regularly, so I feel we missed him today. And what was that sequence from our CBs at the other end from the late Corner. Squill missed his shot so badly that he actually blocked it, or something….
And that was only one missed opportunity. The game should’ve been put to bed waaay before it was. Arshavin worked hard but seems a step behind where he expects to be. Maybe defenders have adjusted, maybe he’s writing checks his body can no longer cash, personal fitness efforts or not. Sicky I thought, was bright and industrious but still didn’t do enough to justify a regular 1st team spot.
Cesc seems deeply frustrated and his tackle was at least as bad as the sideline swipes that saw red for Joe Cole and Gary Cahill against us…Maybe he got away with it because he’s not English (Winky Face). He needs some goals, some more sumptuous assists and he needs to stay above the general fray, which would be easier if we could have a less stressful match or two.
Our MF seemed inadequate as a tool for protecting the backline and I think it was a very tough match for Jack. I don’t quite get the idea of making him do his time in the trenches at DM when Song (though a useful player in lots of ways) has the experience and the size to do the job. There’s some debate if Song’s gone AWOL or if AW is green-lighting the change. Hard to say….but assist or not, it seems weird…More of the “interchangeable parts” ideal that the manager seems hell-bent to achieve.
Plenty more to discuss, but there’s a start….
“Something is seriously amiss on our set-piece defense, however. Too many balls are finding attackers or bouncing dangerously.”
I think this has been a problem for the last 5 years or so.
Yeah it has. And it ain’t going away as long as Arsene Wenger is the manager of Arsenal FC. It is simply not an aspect of the game that he chooses to emphasize. That goes for defense in general and set-piece defense in particular.
I was going to say the same thing. Another consistent issue coming up on 6 years old, with no evident change in sight.
Chamakh’s goals were the ultimate book ends in this match. For me this guy is a lot like Arshavin (albeit with different characteristics as a player) – he’s a good pro who contributes NOW, and don’t we need a few of those types!
I too liked Rosicky today, he hummed along, he’ll never score you the money goals (ok very rarely), but he chimes in nicely with his intelligent linking play. I like Arshavin/Chamakh/Rosicky as a combo – it has a balance and is about NOW not some future indeterminable time. The to note about Rosicky is that Wenger is mothering him, he doesn’t play more than once a week. If Arshavin did that he’d be a lot fresher too. Arshavin was at them today, driving on goal – I can’t believe he’s attracting criticism for this. Just shows that making a point can be more important than a rational analysis.
This was a better professional performance, the type champions put together. If we’d done this to WBA and Newcastle no one would be moaning. It is interesting though and perhaps a bit sobering to see the lack of compelling performances we’ve put together in the league over this season and last. A bit strange really, where are the purple patches, those times when the team is really on fire for a period of time – like a really great 4-6 week period? We seem to be forever trying to ‘recover’ or ‘find our form’. Why is this? Our most fluid performances often seem to happen in the cup competitions. Is this related to our enormous vulnerability to injury?
The injury element is huge….Today we saw Djourou and Rosicky play 90 mins after sitting out the Newcastle match. And Walcott, Nasri & RVP (and Koscielny, of course) all sat out, after playing large roles on Sunday.
We’re getting bodies back but roles are unclear and the style of our play changes from match to match. As such, I’ll take 3 points happily, and hope things settle enough for that purple thing you’re talking about….
Arshavin seemed much livelier today (see my comments below) and, to his credit, he knows how to keep himself healthy enough to play. Still, I feel like he’s just a little slower than he wants to be. Karl Henry almost got him with another studs up crippler, mostly because (I think) Andrey thought he’d be long gone before the tackle arrived….
“I like Arshavin/Chamakh/Rosicky as a combo” / experience
We have a young squad: starting Theo and Wilshere (as we did for Newcastle) only dilutes the experience needed in tightly contested matches.
Jack needs a long break. He’s played many minutes, HARD minutes on his body.
I had the same thoughts last week, where was the mad Russian we remember from his first spring.
If Arshavin can consistently reproduce the type of effort against Wolves, and its due to only playing every 6 days, then I see Arsenal better off.
Yes, I worked… so didn’t watch until after work ends at 5pm EST!
But a good win. I’d love to get an early goal regularly!
It puts pressure on the opponent to not just defend all game.
DAG. I find it kinda strange that you would say Arshavin is out of shape. Personally, I don’t see that at all… and the fact that he started every EPL game except one, … or something like that… makes it really unlikely that he isn’t fit. Wenger is known for hard practices and training, and he Arsh plays every match. He is NOT out of shape at all.
Good game by Fabianski as well, nice to see him playing well, and actually being a REASON we won the match, as opposed to a reason we dropped points.
Could not care less which keeper we sell or keep… we signed Sneezy? OK, Mannone and Almunia can go then…
I had hoped Arshavin would break out of his scoring drought; for the team’s sake. I believe part of our offensive struggles is from Arshavin’s run of form. He is being so predictable when receiving the ball. He puts his head down and barrels forward. As the opponent are scrambling to defend and cover, there are Arsenal teammates open – yet he’s a steel pin ball bouncing off the bumpers.
Up until Cesc’s assist on the 2nd goal ( I thought it was Cesc); our captain was having another off day. Got knocked off the ball, I stopped counting, un-Cesc passes and dribbles. He’s not playing relaxed, and you can
see he’s pressing.
Rosicky had another solid 90 minutes. Cool on the ball and again the assist to the assist player for both goals.
Although AA did not score, I thought he was very lively and presented numerous problems to the defense. As in recent games, his shooting let him down, but he was the only forward who constantly was dangerous.
What I saw about Arshavin yesterday v. recent games is that his energy created team opportunities. (and for himself)
We did not see another string of misplaced passes, and consequently his involvement built on every surge.
Looked his old dangerous self again.
re: Twat sitting back
So Dag what did you think about about Twat’s assist to open the match?
Well that was fine but our Twat needs to understand his role.
He was lucky that Fabianski was trying to be the best keeper in the world tonight – because his continual desire to wander forward leaves our middle exposed.
Also, Song should never attempt back heels in the box. There is nothing cute about his style.
That was not a back heel…..it was the same move he used to score the goal on the goal line a couple of matches earlier.
Wilshere and Denilson were the designated DM’s today.
For long periods in the 2nd stanza Song did get back into his familiar DM role and although we were under pressure we never looked like conceding. Once he started to motor forward was when we were exposed and looked vulnerable.
Once again, I can’t blame Song as he is only following his manager’s instructions. I really wish we would go back to our 4-1-4-1 of last year.
Couple things:
1. The site is alway “dead” after a win. Alway easier to criticize and moan then praise.
2. Szczesny signed his new deal? Someone has to be leaving from the GK stable but who?
3. Fabregas went into the Wolves locker room post match and apologized for his tackle as did Wenger on air.
4. MOTD bitches about Fabregas tackle but ignores Henry tackle
Ofcourse they are going to bitch about Cesc’s tackle because only Arsenal players are meant to be kicked and injured. And Cesc is not a nice chap like Karl Henry. Cesc once apparently wore inappropriate clothes and came onto a soccer field.
I am sure the media were not happy with Mick’s comments.
“It wasn’t a bad tackle. I’ve no problem with it at all. It happens. What I can’t do with is everyone bitching at my players and my team when we tackle.
“Just stop whingeing and accept it. Fabregas has been in and Wardy has accepted it and isn’t it lovely? I said to Arsene I’ve no problem with the tackle and I really appreciate the apology.”
The media are probably going to keep asking everyone up at Wolves until someone blames Cesc.
Response:
1. That’s true, and in a way, it should be that way. If your team played a hypothetical “perfect” game, what would there be to talk about, unless it was a big game. But if your team plays well in a regular league game, there’s less to discuss than if they blow it.
2. I’m going to guess Almunia, but I’d rather it be Manone.
3. Good to hear. Both from a moral perspective, but also b/c the media can’t criticize Wenger/Arsenal for having a double standard on this issue.
4. What else is new.
Well, that isn’t the only reason. FOr those of us on the left coast the game didn’t start until almost 12:00 and it’s in the middle of the day so some of us have to work. Even on the east coast hte game didn’t start until 2:45 so most people here can’t watch it. It’s hard to comment too much about a game I didn’t get to see. A lot of times I check in here to read what others thought of the game without commenting since I don’t have much to add. Sorry to rant a little, but it’s not ALL about criticizing and moaning with this lot.
Actually here in Canada, the game was only shown on tape delay so no chance to see it live. I know a lot of Arsenal fans who take a long lunch to see midweek games but today they had no choice to do so.
As the match was on ESPN3 (on line) you have access to replays for the next few days.
I can’t get ESPN 3 at work (probably for the best) and I generally don’t like watching matches after I already know the score. It tends to take away the excitement of the game and I just van’t resist checking scores before I go home to watch it afterward. Damned willpower.
Same. Didn’t see the match. I know some on here are comfortable commenting without having actually watched, but I’ve never understood that.
Glad we won, of course. But it’s Wolves and a muted reaction, given everything, doesn’t surprise me.
While Chamakh did break Henry’s record at scoring a quick goal, he was still too slow in moving upfield. If he can’t run quick enough and score a goal under 30 seconds, then Wenger should just sell him. And what stunt did Chamakh try at the end? He should have flicked the ball up and headed it towards the goal. But no, he had to go shoot the ball. Tsk tsk. He was not bought to shoot but only to head in goals. It is written in his contract.
Oh who am I kidding.
Glad we won, kept a clean sheet and relieved that Karl Henry didn’t break anyone’s legs.
Talking of records, theMakh now has the record for longest gap between goals in the same PL game- 92 minutes and sth. Anyone else got a useless stat to share?
That is incredible. It also means there is a very good possibility that there could be fans who might have missed both goals :)
I remember some Arsenal fans missed Henry’s wonder goal at Madrid because they were in the bathroom but in today’s case, it is likely that some fans didn’t get to their seats or some decided to rush to the exits near the end.
Wow this place is dead. Not the greatest Arsenal performance, but 3 pts is 3 pts, right?
MOTM: Fabianski
Honorable mentions: Chamakh, Sagna
Fabianski – yes!
I had the back 4 defenders on my list w/Chamakh.
Maraoune Chamkakh, take a bow son. What a player! :rotfl:
Goals in the first and last minute. Nice.
Starting XI:
Fabianski, Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Rosicky, Fabregas, Arshavin, Chamakh
Subs: Szczesny, Eboue, Nasri, Denilson, Walcott, Bendtner, van Persie
For today’s match I’m thinking that it’s all about the first goal. If we get it we’ll be OK, if not….
As I recall, in this same fixture last season Wolves started (very) well but then Eduardo forced a goal or a penalty or a defensive mistake (or two). There was also a very fine goal involving Sagna and RVP and scored by Cesc (I think).
This is the last in a brutal run of games for Wolves: Chelsea, ManCity, ManUnited and us. They’ve already gotten 3 points and a moral victory by taking United 1-1 into injury time. As such, (like our opponents in our last few matches) they might be thinking this is a “nothing to lose” match. And buoyed by solid play at Old Trafford, I think they’ll come out and play….So, our MF needs to settle possession (avoid givaways) and our (makeshift) defense needs to be alert to danger. I’d like to see Jack and Song and Cesc keeping it simple. Also, given the talk from Arsene, I think it will be Arshavin and Nasri getting the start, with Chamakh still up top.
Personally, I like it that both Cesc & Wenger are talking strong about the Captain’s injury and how we’ll see a better Cesc tonight. And I like it that we’ve got a ref who seems to like us (see: http://www.7amkickoff.com/). The proof however is in the pudding, or something….
Still can’t believe the match isn’t on TV….Messing me up, big time!
Oh I forgot one point in my rash of criticism above –
Alex Song – if you cannot stay in your role as DM we are going to get burned on the counter each time. Sit in the role and only push forward when we absolutely have the overwhelming advantage. Other than that – SIT TIGHT YOU TWAT.
Name calling the scorer of our last winning goal….Hmmmm….
I think you might be misplacing the vitriol here. AW clearly is allowing Blondie to move forward and letting young Jack handle things at the back….Foolish, maybe so. Both guys seem to be pretty good players with Wilshere oozing potential given his young age. He’s made a couple of mistakes at the back and some rash tackles, but he doesn’t seem to be a magnet for fouls and yellows like Song.
With AW talking about changing styles for home matches, I would hope he’s looking at our vulnerability to turnovers when we’ve got our full-backs and Song pushed too far forward. Given that we’re not absolutely rock-solid defending set-pieces, we can’t afford to give fouls like the ones that led to goals vs Newcastle and Shaktar.
And with all the discussion about Goalkeeping and who to fault for the set-piece goals, again I keep thinking about Sznzarling Snzeezy and his extra wing span and sczelf-confidence….
But as always, that’s just me, and what the F*** do I know?….
Sorry guys for this diversion of today’s thread.
Hey Josh I got your points regarding Fab and Lehmann…….and don’t really disagree.
Hand and body positioning are rote.
Aerial balls into the box (judging them) is the most difficult aspect for most keepers to acquire, BUT EVEN GREAT KEEPERS FIND THEMSELVES IN NO MAN’S LAND.
From my experience with teaching this position, you either have the instincts or don’t.
From the matches that I catch, I have witnessed keepers like Friedal, Howard, Van der Sar, Cassillas, Reina, and Caesar all succumbing to aerial balls being miss judged……and if this level of player can be guilty of a poor choice, then we should accept the Carroll result and with continued starts see this type of mistake minimized.
Actually if scouting the match, Carroll had scored 5 previous goals and is a proven powerful – accurate header of the ball. So it was a crap shoot for any keeper to stay on the line and give him a clear header or come out and hope to distract the players concentration.
Some appropriate points and one of your best write ups.
I did catch the ManU v. Wolves match. Wolves were very deserving of something as they out fought ManU for most of the match. Ji Sung Park’s two goals reflected 2 rare moments of defensive lapses. Wolves are feisty – taking on the combativeness of their manager – certainly an opposite personality from our manager.
If this team had a larger budget, they could be a mid-level club in the PL; but scoring goals from open play has been troublesome – lack of quality upfront. We can expect Wolves to throw the kitchen sink at us on all set pieces into our penalty area.
For Arsenal, this is a character building opportunity.
Who is going to step up and provide the leadership spark?
Will we set out to pressure them all over the pitch – looking to disrupt their game plan?
How will our keeper and back four handle set pieces?
Will this be a nail bitter for Arsenal? or will Arsenal give a commanding performance?
With many fixtures still to play this month….I’m curious to see who gets the starting nod and
who will be rested.
3 points is all that matters.