EPL Match Day 28: Arsenal v Sunderland: Match Preview
You’d have to forgive some Arsenal fans as well as members of the media if they were overlooking this match up and looking to Tuesday’s Champion’s League tie at the Nou Camp. Hopefully that long range vision isn’t affecting the players and manager, as Arsenal get set to take on Steve Bruce’s Sunderland, in a match up that has title implications.
Let’s simply lay this out for you – all the permeatations that could take place. First if Arsenal win and United lose to Liverpool on Sunday the race is a one point race with United having played on game more. Race on – oh yeah. If Arsenal draw and United lose or draw. All is pretty much the same as it is going into the Sunderland match, except again Arsenal have a match in hand. If Arsenal lose and United lose, there are other things to worry about like a surging Chelsea. If Arsenal lose and United win, while it mathmatically wouldn’t mean the end to the Gunner’s title run it – but it would make it harder.
What else is going to make this harder is the absence of 4 key players. Theo Walcott is still recovering from his sprained ankle. Both Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas while out of this match should be back in time for the match against Barcelona. And Robin Van Persie begins his second stint in the trainer’s room, with a hyper-extended knee. All-in-all that’s some fire power to be missing. Especially Van Persie who has absolutely torn up the league since his return.
There is a “however” to all of this though. First, the Gunners are still strong enough to play in this match and win. With the likes of Wilshere, Arshavin, and Nasri in the squad as well as their defencive stalwarts, this is hardly the “B” team that has a hard time getting its engine going. Additionally, they are facing a squad that is actually more depleted than themselves and is on a run of 4 matches lost. Also a major bonus to the Gunners is the return of Aaron Ramsey who is already slotted in to be a sub in this match. Should he take the pitch it will be his first time since the horrific injury last season against Stoke.
The match is worrying in that Sunderland are a well coached team and are in the hunt for Europe themselves. Steve Bruce always has his team prepared and the matches against any of the big clubs are always well played contests. There is a lot to play for the Blackcats. If they were to lose to Arsenal, their next fixtures are against Liverpool and Man City. They could conceivably lose them all and have their worst run since they were relegated at the end of the 2006 season.
All this really means is that it still stands that this will be match similar to all the recent ties against them. In the last 5 meetings the Gunners have managed 1 W 3 D and 1L. Hardly a record that inspires confidence but does go to show how good the side from Sunderland are managed. But the Gunners are on an impressive run having not lost in their last 10 matches and being the best team in the league in the 4 matches played in February.
All in all it sets up nicely for the Gunners. It just depends on how badly they want, and whether or not they can stop thinking about Tuesday or not.
How the Match Should Play Out:
I suspect Steve Bruce will not set up shop and park the bus at the Emirates. He has a good side even thought they are struggling at the moment. Their success in London this season is very good having beat Chelsea, and drawing against Spurs and Fulham. Look for them to play their game which will favor the Gunners. Again the early goal is key, the longer the Gunners let their opponents hang around the more likely of a snatched result comes to mind. The Gunners will attack early and often. Snatch two goals in the first half and allow a Sunderland consellation in the 2nd.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Nicklas Bendtner. With Van Persie out, it is time for the Dane to put his boot where his mouth his. He certainly talks a good game but he now needs to play a good game. If he wants to be taken seriously but the pundits and by a large majority of the fans he now is going to get a chance to silence his critics. Carry the team Nicklas and the fans will love you.
Sunderland: Asamoah Gyan. Probably the best buy of the season. Sunderland broke their bank for them and it has returned dividends in the result o f goals. So comfortbale did they feel with Gyan that they let Darren Bent (- he of Giant killer fame), leave. Djourou and Koosh will have their hands on with this beast.
Probable Starting XI:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Fabregas (hamstring) Song (knee) Van Persie (knee) Walcott (ankle) Fabianski (shoulder) Frimpong (knee), Vermaelen (Achilles)
Sunderland: Onouha (calf) Campbell (knee) Gordon (knee) Meyler (knee) Turner (knee) Cattermole (back) Wellbeck (hamstring) Zenden (calf)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Van Persie 14 (10 league) Nasri 14 (9 league) Chamakh 11 (7 league) Walcott 9 (6 league)
Sunderland: Gyan 10 (9 league) Wellbeck 6 (6 league)
Last Meeting: (EPL)
Arsenal: 1
Sunderland: 1
Goals For:
Arsenal: 2.1(home)
Sunderland: 1.1 (away)
Goals Against:
Arsenal: 0.9 (home)
Sunderland: 1.5 (away)
Last Five:
Arsenal: WWDWW
Sunderland: WLLLL
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 30
Sunderland: -2
Match Officials:
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistant referees: Dave Bryan & Andy Garratt
Fourth official: Peter Walton
Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 10:00AM EST
UK: Unknown
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Sunderland: 1
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According to this article, the FA would be very likely to throw their support behind a potential challenger to Blatter, should there be one, this summer. The most likely would be the Qatari guy, bin Hammam. All I can say is thank god. Blatter is the single biggest problem in football today. No one harms the global game more than he does- not racist fans, not bad owners, not greedy agents. He has the most power and thus has the most potential to harm the game- a potential which he fulfills every year. Most of football’s biggest problems can be traced back to this man.
Whoever runs against him should twist FIFA’s “good of the game” slogan against him: “Blatter Out, [Insert Name Here] In: For the Good of the Game.”
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6189833/england-fa-support-credible-challenger-sepp-blatter-fifa-presidency
http://bbc.in/e45HHO
You have to watch this video – you will piss yourself laughing.
@DaAdminGooner,
“I don’t know. I didn’t see it.”
That really is pretty damn funny. (Give or take a ‘pee pee’ joke.)
Hilarious, absolutely funny.
Also, a little sad but true.
I particularly liked Eboue.
@DaAdminGooner, Brilliant. Thanks DAG :) I think this should double as your game preview for tuesday.
fred, i have no doubt that you are an arsenal fan. the problem is a few posters, including yourself, seem to rant exclusively only negative things about the club. while many of your points may be valid, most fans are already aware and simply don’t want to hear that shit every single day, hence the member attrition and, in my opinion, the primary reason we were excommunicated from the old site. really, how does it look when there is so much negativity on an official club site for crying out loud?
in fairness, coming on this site is no longer a part of my daily routine. the constant bitching has lost it’s allure. i don’t put up with that shit from my kids so pardon me if i’m far from interested in hearing grown ass men snivel and whine every day.
@joshuad,
And you respond to whining by …. whining? Ironic.
Am pretty sure if your kids go rascally on you for a sustained period you will go consistently “whiny” on them too – till they change.
There is a very “easy” way for Wenger Babes to show proof of any sort of advance …. get past Man U at OT. (talking about Barca would be unfair).
@Fred,
So does this mean Fred that if Arsenal get past United at OT we’re going to here a new tune out of you?
I highly doubt it.
@DaAdminGooner,
I will accept that the team has “some bottle” in them.
You on the hand, should start preparing some borderline logical excuses in case they fail.
@Fred,
Fred when the team fails – I call them out on that failure.
I didn’t put out a post mortem on the Sunderland match because of other real life things I was attending to. . .
But if I did the biggest issues I saw were:
1. Wenger picked the wrong side. Diaby and Denilson should never play on the pitch together. The absolutely slow this team down on the counter.
2. Denilson needs two touches to get the ball forward. Problem is the second one is usually to the opposing team.
3. I like Chamakh but he needs to play with a little more selfishness. There was one opportunity where was in clear and passed it back to Nasri who really had two defenders on him.
But I also recognize that we also were victims of two bad calls – Arshavin was clearly onside and just before not only was his arm pulled out of the socket in the box but he was pushed to the ground. Should’ve been a PK. And Chamakhs rifle header off the post too. The brilliant save on Bendy’s shot and the brilliant save on Nasri’s FK.
But we should’ve also buried the chances we had.
@Fred,
I’m not quite sure why reading the same old excuses year after year is supposed to be anymore interesting than reading the same old criticisms.
The fact is, neither ‘side’ has much new to say, because nothing has really changed. That, in itself, should be damning enough.
@vibe4arsenal,
Vibe good way of putting it.
it seems that when arsenal are given a chance to make a major move, they jam it up. two straight weeks we’ve had chances to move that much closer to greatness. our players have tremendous talent but lack a warrior’s approach; that is a siege mentality to attack opponents with maximum violence. you destroy your opponent’s will to even be on the pitch from the very first minute. some of the young players are afraid to assume this dark nature. that has been arsenal’s biggest obstacle when it has comes to winning trophies over the past few years. it’s not been their opponents but their own fear.
@joshuad,
Josh you hit on the single biggest flaw I think this squad has outside of the talent of the dead weight we all know and love –
it is the mentality.
Sports are as much mental as they are physical. Simple belief in oneself and in one’s team can carry you that added distance that sheer talent alone may not carry you.
I mentioned my love of the Philadelphia Phillies – the 1993 version are just that kind of team – they were talented but not the most talented. What they had was the sheer desire to excel and win. Once they got to the top – they immediately crashed down. They sucked until 2007.
Good news on the injury front –
Robin van Persie is training. No word if he is travelling to Barca but I can confirm he is already back and training.
@DaAdminGooner,
He was practicing with the team as they prepared for Barca.
Team pictures of yesterday’s training session:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/37362/arsenal-train-ahead-of-barcelona-pictures
@DaAdminGooner,
HE TRAVELLED!!! Robin Van Persie is in the squad for Barcelona:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/van-persie-in-squad-to-face-barcelona
@DaAdminGooner,
I shall now temper my excitement but saying the Song DID NOT travel to Barcelona.
@DaAdminGooner,
In an attempt to make RvP’s inclusion in the squad secret – Arsenal flew to Barcelona on a private jet. This way they could control the story.
So either RvP’s injury was not as bad as previously thought or the placenta stuff really works.
@DaAdminGooner, i wonder if this is “mind game” tactics for the game, to make Barca perpare for RVP or if he really is fit. i’ll hope for the best!
@jroybower,
Given Wenger’s penchant for not tacking crocks along on trips – if he is in the squad it is likely he is fit.
Also given the pictures of the training session he seems fine.
@DaAdminGooner,
That makes the most sense. I can’t see much of a ‘mind game’ advantage 24 hours out. Nor am I sure what Barca would do differently to prepare for RVP. Even if it was Chamakh, they’d likely still start with a GK in there. Just to be safe.
Stag and Fred,
You both have mentioned my criticizing for you “not” being supporters.
I call it how I see it.
When you support a team, you support it even during its bad moments. I’m not saying don’t criticize but a supporter supports their team (not the players nor the manager – the team) when all is bad.
I’ve been a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies since I can remember. Let’s face it until 2-3 years ago we sucked. We were the first team to record 10,000 losses. 10,000. But you know what, I hated mangers and players but I always would support the team regardless of who was managing it or who was playing it. I criticized when it was due and praised when it was warranted.
Better still I am an Oakland Raiders fan – if that ain’t a shitty organization right now I don’t know what is. But I still support.
You don’t support. You bitch – all the time. Really and you bring nothing new. To you even positive results on the pitch are presented with a negative skew. Or you don’t post at all. Because well, you can’t find anything positive to say. Its all negative.
Look, I’ve said it before, you are always welcome here and I won’t prohibit even abject negativity. But I am going to call you on it each time I feel it warrants getting called on.
@DaAdminGooner,
Okay now I am experiencing the “edit” issues.
Look you guys call me on my praise of the team, it’s only fair you get called for your ciriticism. Its partily jest and its partily real.
@DaAdminGooner,
Unfortunately, you are not the judge of who a supporter is. Most of us have been posting here (AA and YAMA) daily for almost a decade now. And a lot of us have been Arsenal fans for well over a decade.
CK told of season ticket fans who got violently upset after the CC final. Am sure to you, they arent “real” fans.
Sorry, we all love Arsenal. However Wenger is NOT Arsenal.
Soon you will understand that.
@Fred,
As grateful as I am you post here – it has very little to do with your support or lack thereof of the team. I’ve been following Arsenal since ’89 it doesn’t make me any more or less of a supporter who has been following since the 70s or even someone who only found the club in 2004. We’re all supporters.
The fact is you say you love the club. But you don’t have anything to say positively about the club. You tie everything to Wenger but I thought he wasn’t the club. If he isn’t the club then there should be something outside of Wenger to comment on – positively or negatively.
@DaAdminGooner,
Oh no, he isnt the club, but without a strong board and without Dein, he is the de-facto dictator of the club.
Egyptians and Libyans LOVE their country. They just detest their dictator and want him gone.
Have nothing positive to say? I remember being rather positive before the League Cup … we win that and I figured we could push on … and even if we collapsed this season, we could be stronger this season. Ended up being a disaster. And what has changed since last week? A beating of League One team in an unnecessary replay?
Remember nobody is complaining about new problems? These are all recurring problems from the last six years.
The team is SOLELY Wenger. So what else should we comment about? The stadium? Finances? London pubs? New players? Oh wait thats also not kosher!
Again:
Wenger is NOT Arsenal. And not supporting Wenger’s madness does not equal not supporting Arsenal.
@Fred,
Fred good analogy on Egypt and Libya but even they that rebel still have something positive to say about their country.
Look I don’t disagree that Wenger has his shortcoming and his unfailing blind dedication to certain players is one that irritates me still I have to give him plaudits for a few things –
1. Last season when we were absolutely decimated by injuries it was managerial skill and the players he put on the pitch that made sure we didn’t become a Liverpool last season.
2. Finding players like Koscielny – who while he still makes the odd mistake gets better every game. He also found Vermaelen. (true he finds some that don’t work – Squillaci)
3. I don’t begrudge his fiscal polcies. in the current environment of inflated prices (see Torres, Carroll, Milner, Barry and others for example) I would rather we be austere and prudent than bankroll a quick hit solution that may or may not work.
4. His ability to bring the right talent in – true there are tose of the Denilson ilk that are not and he missed – but he covers himself moreover by identifying and nurturing the right talent – the current reserve squad is proof positive of that – there is not one of them that isn’t making a huge impact for the clubs they are on loan for.
Look Fred we are going to disagree and we will keep each other honest on it I am sure.
As for David dDein by the way – I don’t buy he was the be all end all to aid Wenger in our success. if anyone should share the blame for our dead weight talent it is he – they were brought in under his watch.
@ DAG:
@DaAdminGooner,
Hilarious that you are basing your “proof” that the team is magically “better” by comparing to last year’s abysmal season. (But ofcourse to AKBs, last year might not have been abysmal at all).
Why dont you compare with a season where there is SOLID proof we were competing for the title … eg. 2007/2008 season!
We conceded 31 goals that season – despite our March collapse!
That blows a gigantic hole into your “better defense” argument.
——————————
That aside, the big question is when and where are those goals conceded. Will our defense hold tight in the really crunch moments at the end of games???
The Carling cup final against a garbage team is the good answer.
@Fred,
Well, I would say that you compare your growth like any normal organization over the previous year.
And this squad has improved year over year for the last two years. (using the 07/08 season as the last of our deconstructing seasons)
@DaAdminGooner,
OK, but I would say we wait till the end of the March first.
The last two seasons saw us with approximately the same points as we have now. We also got to the CL semis and quarterfinals too.
If the team had had the bottle to walk home with the CC, you’ll be able to convince more people about our “betterness”. As it is there is absolutely no proof of anything.
@ DAG:
“And the year stats for our work against the big teams is improved over last year – so far.”
Sure in comparison to last year’s abysmal showing our 2 wins out of 7 looks great, but in 2008 we actually won the top four mini-league.
Sure, we have “improved”.
—————————————————–
“… that United, yes you know the team you seem to be supporting (or is it City, or is Spurs or maybe Chelsea because it surely isn’t Arsenal),…”
Absolutely moronic comment. Because some of us refuse to french kiss Wenger’s ass doesnt make us less of a supporter than than the standard fare, idolatry, non-thinking sheep. Sorry, I’m not drinking the poisoned kool-aid and joining in the idiot cult.
Wenger is NOT Arsenal. You AKBs need to get that in your heads.
—————————————————————————–
“United are going to drop more points. The key will be what we do when they do.”
BULLS-FUCKING-EYE. Until I see a REAL change in this team, and the team has done absolutely NOTHING to convince any rational person there has been a fundamental advance, the smart money will have to be on Man U EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Its just LAST sunday the team humiliated itself and the fans and CHOKED against mother-freaking Birmingham, yet you come out with this!
I was more than ready to be far more convinced about the team if we had won the League cup …. but the performance and result proved beyond doubt this team is not close – mentally, tactically, quality or depth wise.
We are “better” than last season, yet we failed to top a gimme group and the end result is the execution we are about to face on Tuesday.
We are “better” than last season, yet we turned a two goal lead into a loss to Spurs.
We are “better” than last season, yet we gave up a 4 goal lead. The first team to do it in Premiership history!!
That combined with ALL those games where we need to piss ourselves when getting into the last 10 minutes of games with just a one or two goal lead against mediocre opposition.
Yup, improvement alright.
———————————————————————-
Its just hilarious this comes out right before the biggest week of our season.
EVERY time, AKBs yap on here like this, the team ALWAYS humiliate us as if to shove it down your faces.
@ Vibe
yes, thank you Liverpool for your contribution today…….yes the “invincible want to be’s” struggled for 90 minutes.
besides the Beatles and Echo and the Bunnymen, there was a group:
Gerry and the Pacemakers – releasing songs abt the same time as the Beatles. Two of their biggest hits were Don’t let the Sun Catch You Crying and Ferry Cross the Mersey. Yet this group had another significant song that is more revered than any of the Beatles in Liverpool.
It was this band’s version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” – that the Liverpool FC adopted as their main theme.
@Arsession,
Indeed, I’m familiar with G and the Pacemakers. Didn’t mean anything to me personally, the way some other Liverpool bands have, but that’s a good piece of footy/music trivia.
I still disagree that this year has anything to do with ‘parity’. It’s a poor form year for the teams at the top, but it’s still the same teams there.
Parity is the NFL model, in which teams can go from worst to first, and the league Championship is genuinely up for grabs. An Arizona Cardinals (the Bolton of the NFL), for instance, can make it to the Super Bowl and come close to winning.
The Premier League remains more like the NBA. No matter what’s happening beneath the top clubs, the Championship is still going to one of a two or three teams.
Where as in the past years we’ve started our drop in form (due to injuries) in january……
this year, the defense is ‘less’ vulnerable, and others like Wilshere, Djourou, Szczesny, Kos, Chamakh, have made SUBSTANTIAL contributions to our consistency of play.
We have already seen that this PL year is not running to form with past seasons. I used the term ‘parity’ months ago and some disagreed, but I can’t think of a better word that best describes the weekly results in PL play.
No one is going to give us any silverware, nor are we going to win anything by default. This is a young team that this year is showing signs that they can physically compete in matches. Being winners is a process. We are making progress in the process – one cup final; win over Chelsea, win over Barca; 3rd fewest goals allowed in the league (to date)……
Personally, I prefer the team go full out for every match. From experience, trying to save stronger players for a priority match ‘rarely’ works. As we’ve watched our manager prioritize past competitions – (saving players) every attempt failed.
There is no disgrace to losing to any team (at this stage ) of CL play. In the return tie with Barca……I will be watching to see
– which of our players ‘competes’
– can this year’s defense do a better job than last year at Barca?
– will the team leave the match giving a respectable performance?
– can we over achieve?
– who will provide leadership?
re: Sunderland
Sunderland played well……a good performance, similar to what we faced against West Brom last fall. Our slow start had a lot to do with the fact that Nasri was a bystander for the first 34 minutes. Jack is not ready for the Cesc role.
other things:
I am not sure that even Nasri is a good fit for the Cesc role (at this moment). In PL play this year, he has only 1 assist.
I like Bendtner out on the wing. He does not have a wingers pace, but he offers Arsenal a physical presence for long goal kicks or long-high passes – he’s an over match vs. most defenders. His linking play is excellent and having Chamakh in the middle would give us some added height on set pieces. He can cross the ball…..
I believe Barca will be without both their starting CB’s; something to consider tactically.
Where’s Nipuna when we need him….I miss the stat man….But I guess he got to the point where he just couldn’t support the team (or put up with those who did)….Certainly I hope it’s nothing worse than that….
We’ve got three BIG matches which will tell A LOT. In my opinion we’ll need to play better AND have some luck. The goal scoring has dried up and I think we’ll need at least two in Barca….Everything is cumulative, so if we can’t score there it will be that much tougher at Old Trafford. As much as there may be an “advantage” to going out of the two remaining cups, the team is so EXTREMELY fragile that I really don’t see it. The last thing we want to do is lose to United, anywhere and in any competition. For me, it’s not about stumbling to the finish line ahead of the others. This team needs to actually do SOMETHING and take a step forward. Personally I don’t hold out much confidence, but as always, I hope for the best, and brace for….other things.
In honor of Fred, and because I don’t want to jinx the club, in addition to my low expectations, I’ll direct people to the following (early MTV) video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uejh-bHa4To (And we’re gonna need a guy who once wore the same hair as the lead singer to STEP UP!)
“Hush, hush…Voices carry…..”
—Til Tuesday
@ DAG:
Hold on … we have NOT played ANY major matches this calendar year other than Man City at home which we drew 0-0. So that 6-3-0 record is not meaningful. Of all our rivals, we have had the EASIEST schedule this calendar year, so again, no point mentioning stats from Jan 1.
In light of that, talks about having more cleansheets can be viewed through the lens that we are playing “fodder” team that we should be whipping anyway.
The real question is will the team concede when it REALLY matters????? The Carling Cup final and several others answer that question. Because we hog so much of the ball, we have fewer attempts at our goal than other teams. So in other words we concede more per attempt than others.
—————————————————————————-
All the top teams we played were last year (except one City game) and we lost 3 and won 2. Not exactly stellar.
—————————————————————————-
The fact of the matter is we have not improved squat. We have a garbage team with about 4-5 diamonds sprinkled in. We are NOT better than the last 4-5 years … the other teams have just lowered their standards significantly. Even at that Man U have the next five or so games against “fodder” teams and I fully expect them not to do the business.
Statements like “they still have to play Spurs, Chelsea and us” dont console me. Spurs has been Man U’s bitch for over a decade now, we are not that far behind.
How about instead of all this talk about “having improved this season” why dont we consider the FACT that our season usually ends in March???? How about we wait till the beginning of April first? Or even the next 10 days?!
This sort of talk from fans is usually followed by the Arsenal team embarrassing its fans for the upteempth time.
@Fred,
Well Fred since you were so keen to spout out “Year” stats – I gave our year stats against the big teams thus far.
And the year stats for our work against the big teams is improved over last year – so far.
And Fred, Arsenal don’t make the schedule. And they don’t make the the makeup of the teams they play. They have to play them thats all.
I’ll also remind you that it was at this point last season, that United, yes you know the team you seem to be supporting (or is it City, or is Spurs or maybe Chelsea because it surely isn’t Arsenal), began their slip on the title last year. And that’s a FACT. Did you see the defence on the pitch today? If they have to play Smalling or Brown in the centre much longer they are going to drop more points. Rooney still is not in form of any sorts and was back to his usual pre-contract extension self. I fully expect United to lose at least two to three more matches.
United are going to drop more points. The key will be what we do when they do.
@DaAdminGooner,
And Fred let’s look at one more year stat –
United v Arsenal and their away records this season:
United 4W 8D 3L
Arsenal 7W 4D 2L
Let’s face it Fred
@DaAdminGooner,
What exactly does away records have to do with anything?
Do away points count more?
We are “better” this season because in the middle of the season, we have a better away record than another team?
I sense a bit of a jump in logic here.
@DaAdminGooner,
Oh and hey Fred since you don’t like our defence.
Do you know there are only two defences better than Arsenal’s in goals conceded?
United 27
Arsenal 27
City 25
Chelsea 23
Considering we let in 41 in all of last year – with 10 games left, I don’t see us letting in 14 goals. (It is possible) I don’t see it.
@DaAdminGooner,
Oh and considering the low total last year was 28 goals conceded. I would say it says someting about the league – even the lesser teams – scoring is up.
@DaAdminGooner,
Utterly hilarious that you are basing your “proof” that the team is magically “better” by comparing to last year’s abysmal season. (But ofcourse to AKBs, last year might not have been abysmal at all).
Why dont you compare with a season where there is SOLID proof we were competing for the title … eg. 2007/2008 season!
We conceded 31 goals that season – despite our March collapse!
That blows a gigantic hole into your “better defense” argument.
——————————
That aside, the big question is when and where are those goals conceded. Will our defense hold tight in the really crunch moments at the end of games???
The Carling cup final against a garbage team is the good answer.
@DaAdminGooner, DAG, really… you have to stop this non-sense that regulars on this site for YEARS don’t support Arsenal.
It is a RIDICULOUS premise.
So much fun watching ManUre lose and Spuds throw away a victory.
The EPL since Jan 1:
Arsenal 6W 3D 0L
United: 5W 1D 3L
City: 4W 3D 2L
Chelsea: 4W 2D 2L
Spurs: 3W 4D 2L
@DaAdminGooner,
And for a team with a weak centre and that let Newcastle have 4 back – we have conceded 3 less goals than United.
@DaAdminGooner,
I thought it was the results from the whole season that counted? Why just from Jan 1?
How many top teams have we faced in the league this year?
Man U are now set for a spell of games against “fodder” teams … do you expect them to drop points like we would?
@Fred,
Now, Fred. I agree with you more often than not but, man, you are being strict here. It’s reasonable to highlight recent form, as we would hope these trends hold. We certainly remember that in seasons not too distant past, Arsenal came steaming out of the gate, only to have late season collapse(s). Nothing wrong with pointing out the downward graph of our competition, is there?
Of course, Sunderland’s recent form didn’t turn out to mean much to us, but nevertheless…plus 1 AFC for the weekend. Yeah, it kind of feels like, at best, we could be winning a war of attrition. But it could be worse.
@Fred,
Yeah Fred, actually I do expect them to drop more points. They still have to play Spurs, Cheslea and us in the run in.
@Fred,
Oh and how many top teams have we played?
United: 1L
Chelsea 1W 1L
City 1W 1D
Spurs 1L
Do I need to go on?
Fact of the matter is, we all talk about how consistency wins titles. Since January only one of the top 5 teams has been consistent – us.
Our defence has improved – we also have more clean sheets than the other teams mentioned (since Szczesny).
Look Fred you can spend all the time trying to deny that this team has improved but the statistics which are in fact the TRUTH bear out a different story.
Sure, we’ve squandered opportunities. But we’ve also kept up our successes – when they come.
Sunderland have become a harder team to play against over the last few seasons for us. If we win, its by no more than a goal. I thought it would be a harder match than maybe everyone else.
Hell, all the teams are are harder to play against. Did you actually think Wolves would be the team to break United’s unbeaten run?
Anyway, fact is this – if this run of ours continues and we are fortunate enough NOT to lose any more (and win more than we draw) the title is in our own hands. Remember we are 3 points behind United – with a game in hand.
Come on Fred – believe. You know you want to.
By the way – if someone asks me if I will hurt if we get knocked out of the FA Cup – I say nope. Especially if it means we have a better run in for the title.
More good stuff in the Black Country mud….(site of our next league match….vs West Brom)
Wolves-Spurs 2-2 at the half, and Spurs very lucky to still be playing with 11.
I thought Defoe was injured but he’s scored two outstanding goals.
When we clear up all these pesky cup ties we can get the WHL match scheduled….Hopefully we’ll still be close enough to give Spurs a chance to ruin our title chances, or something along those lines….
@highburyterracesteve,
The match is Doyle v Defoe. The rest of the players are shite.
@DaAdminGooner, Pretty entertaining, wide open match in the 85th min…..I think Spurs have become as bad defensively as we are….
Goal! Wolves!!! No, disallowed….Halsey making some iffy decisions in favor of the away team….
Alice the Goon (Gomes) tries to grab when he should’ve punched….And now Defoe hits the post instead of putting the match away for his hat-trick….
Far more fun than watching Arsenal huff and puff and fail to blow down the house of Sunderland….
@highburyterracesteve, Wolves equalize in the 87th….Nothing Alice (a Popeye character….) can do about that one!!!
http://images.darkhorse.com/covers/300/12/12696.jpg
Yeah, why is it that lower teams always raise their game just for us — then go back to being shite the following week?
Ah, grumble, grumble…The hard truth is we just don’t have enough good players outside of our first 11.
Denilson and Diaby in MF is simply underwhelming. Rosicky is not up to full speed anymore. Arshavin is getting back to his best week by week, at least he and Nasri can carve open a chance by sheer will when the tappy-tappy isn’t working.
Great news about ManUre. Just like us, they fall apart when you add in a couple of iffy CBs… And the panic is contagious. Why didn’t Van De Saar just push the freekick round the post?
The bad news is that we have to face the rejuvenated L’pool team too.
Looking at the table, it’s hit me that our defensive stats don’t look half bad. Some focused work on the training pitch (HA!) and we can cut out non-sense like letting in 4 against newcastle. Suddenly, our goals conceded per game stats would look awesome!
Next 3 games for Arsenal are HUGE!
Liverpool do their job against Man Utd nicely, but will it mean much for Arsenal in the long run? It seems everytime Arsenal get a great chance to make a move, they fail to take it. Arsenal’s game in hand is away to beloved Spurs but hard to know who be fit or injured by then.
Now, Man Utd get a nice long break before waiting for Arsenal next weekend. After 2 straight defeats, I am back to thinking Man Utd will be almost at full strength against Arsenal.
Thank you, Liverpoo; For the Beatles, Echo and the Bunnymen and kicking the shit out of United today.
@vibe4arsenal, This morning I was thinking wouldn’t it be nice if Liverpool can match the scoreline from Daglish’s last Liverpool match from 1990 when they trashed Man Utd 4-0. They didn’t do that but still nice to see. After losing to Chelsea and Liverpool, I am sure Man Utd are looking forward to playing Arsenal next. I keep thinking one day Arsenal have to beat Man Utd? How many more years will we have to wait for that day? post 2014?
Up early, hoping that Liverpool can do us a favor against United….These days it’s less stressful hoping for favors than trying to watch Arsenal actually achieve our own results….
And, lord, do we need a result…. Each season we enter 4 competitions and with the easy one served up on a platter we failed to grasp it. Yesterday, in the league that nobody wants to win, we had as straightforward a tie as could be given. Nope. Now onto two away matches against better teams that don’t bother with the solipsism and self-doubt that we bring. Funny that yesterday’s scoreline (nil-nil) would work brilliantly in both matches….but what are the odds of that happening?….LOL, as they say….
No, unless luck falls to us in a massive lottery win, we have less than a week remaining before we start crafting (or re-hashing) the meta-narratives of our failures. I’ll go out on a limb with some anti-jinx…..
When I look at the team this is what I see: A few fragile talents (in their ostensible “primes”) who will watch from the sideline (or offer an audition for the team to which their heart truly belongs), some old guys who were hoping to latch onto a good squad but can’t carry it, some lesser talents who (sometimes) manage to run nicely on a flat track, and, as always, some tantalizing young players who, maybe, in a year or three, barring brutal injury, might wear the armband and live out that role (i.e., actually LEAD the team) and hoist some silver….
In other words it’s a mish-mash which, if things rolled our way, might be enough to create something nice. As it is, here at crunch time, I don’t see it….
As for yesterday’s match, the positive scenario was to get a goal or two to the good through Diaby and Denilson with Jack as the new Cesc, then give the crowd and team a boost by bringing on the inspirational story of young Aaron Ramsey…..The reality was something different, with the tentative central MF allowing Sunderland a nice stable footing in the match. It didn’t help that Bendtner (finally given a shot at leading the line) tried to play as RVP would have, coming back to the center circle where he is less than useless. A couple of half chances….
After throwing away the first hour, we got more serious, but refs and wood and an opponent emboldened by holding us for that same hour conspired for a predictable yet devastating result.
In truth, I was worried from the start, having read (before kickoff) about the impending snood ban. Key players Nasri, Denilson and Diaby came out snoodless while Chamakh sat in defiance wearing his on the bench (and when he entered the match) but (mysteriously) took it off before heading onto the bar…. Maybe that little bit of extra focus could have proved the difference…..
But I’m sure we’ll get our neck-gear (and other items) ironed out over the next couple of days and things’ll go our way at the Camp Nou and Old Trafford and in the league run-in…. In the meantime we count on teams like Liverpool (?!?) to do us some (gigantic) favors….I’ll cross my fingers, put in my Bac-braids and wear my YAMA T-shirt (and maybe a lucky scarf–neckwear still being an issue for me, I fear….), but I shan’t hold my breath…..
@highburyterracesteve, Edit feature still wonky…..I guess I need to watch my combos of parentheses and ellipses to avoid unwanted emoticons…..
Watching ‘Pool-United IS more fun than watching Arsenal…. Pool up 2 Dirk Kuyt goals at half time…..The first through Nasri-like brilliance from Luis Suarez, the second with a crazy own-assist header from Nani…..Who is also trying to one up his former teammate C. Ronaldo in the play acting department…..(though he is off in favor of Chicharito, and sparking plenty of the argy-bargy, as they say…..)
Unfortunately we still have to play ‘Pool in front of our tetchy fans…. And you will ALWAYS walk alone, if you play like Denilson, Diaby, Eboue, Bendtner, etc., etc….
Like I say, fun stuff….
@highburyterracesteve,
Please dont mix Bendy with the craven Diaby, Denilshit, Eboue.
He doesnt deserve it.
Via Arseblog:
Bergkamp told The Times:
“Five years, no trophies? It’s worrying for the players who are there. Arsène won a lot of things but if you never tasted success, it’s playing on your mind.
“Everyone loves Arsenal, the game they play, the fans enjoy themselves, but you want to look back on great football and trophies.
“Looking back, every time we won something, every summer before he bought some players. Petit, Grimandi, Overmars in 1998, Campbell, Van Bronckhorst in 2001. A change of a squad, a few big players, can help a squad — there is competition, there is knowledge.
“Three new players will mean 17 others will look at it and they will change. Something happened in those seasons I mentioned which made us stronger. Sometimes you have to get those players in to make something happen.”
——————————————————————-
So true.
If Bergkamp was available right now, we wont get him … and the AKBs would cheer at the money saved … because when people think of Arsenal their fond memories is supposed to be “money saved” rather great player, hard work, club culture and trophies.
The team better get some cushions for their bottoms ‘cos they are going to get absolutely paddled midweek.
The moment I saw Diaby and Denilson in the same roster, I knew it was going to be a bad day, so I muted the TV and went to get some house and garden work done.
Came back to watch a bit of the second half and left again. Ofcourse till the very end, the imbecile tactician we have for a coach continued playing 4-3-3 EVEN after bringing on Chamakh for Denilshit.
Not at all surprised by the result. We have a garbage team (with a few diamonds sprinkled in) and coach who can’t handle any sort of curveball thrown at him.
We can’t get rid of Wenger soon enough.
@Fred,
Funny how the shitty B’ham team that just beat us last week get their asses handed to them this weekend.
And how Sunderland have lost four straight …. but get a break from us. You can bet ALL your money that Sunderland will lose their next game.
Same phenomenon happens with opposing goalies. They are gods when playing against us … but their usual crappy selves otherwise.
But for some its all “bad luck” or as a few would say “shit happens”. LOL.
It was a tight offside call and the linesmen’s flag went up immediately. Sometime ago the offside rule was meant to give benefit to the attacking player and then it was informally reworded to say clear daylight between opponent and defender. Yet, it continues to be applied liberally especially the passive offside rule. Now level can be offside too depending on the blinking rate of the linesman or the angle of attacking player’s hair or arm.
If Arsenal can’t even get even get the benefit of doubt at home so it is hard to expect any valid calls in their favour for the next two away trips. In fact, next week even if Rooney punches an Arsenal player, the ref would give Man Utd a penalty and a red card to an Arsenal player for the audacity to provoke a hostile reaction in the gentile flower that is Rooney.
Maybe Liverpool can do something to lend a helping hand and if they are generous, they can inspire a Rangers like reaction from Man Utd and get 3 cards for Fergie’s men :)
That won’t happen though. So Arsenal, meet mountain. Again! Ofcourse, as usual Arsenal are devoid of enough healthy personnel for the climb up the mountain as few players manage to trip up in the car ride towards the mountain.
The Joys of being an Arsenal supporter.
Games we have everything to play for… HUGE significance in the race for the league… or playing for the CC Final at Wembley, and the team does NOT step up its game… sleepwalks thru large portions of the game… gives the ball away regularly… and the midfield today was PATHETIC.
THe difference with RVP as our striker and without him, are stunning. Two completely different teams.
Great… Bendtner and Chamakh can score against Leyton Orient at home… but ask for a goal that matters, and … ehhhh, not that interested…
Me too. Not that interested.
Could win the league if United are playing in the CL and FA Cup, and we aren’t… but we’ll probably CHOKE in the meaningful matches anyway, because this team doesn’t have WINNERS, and players that step up when it counts.
Without Cesc and RVP… medicore.
@stag133, “Not that interested”
just interested enough to (apparently) watch the game and continually come to YAMA to file your (thrice) daily “blog” about how crappy we are. ever get tired of beating a dead horse?!?
@jroybower, nope. I don’t.
I use to live and die Arsenal, every match was a must… carve out time during work to make sure I never missed a match,… and would be SICK about points thrown away at home to Sunderland.
Yes. If the game is on TV, I watch. But if its not, maybe not.
If the club can’t be bothered to address problems and put a great team on the field, spend money on players to improve… I’ll give a similar half – assed effort as a fan.
Like I said before… I watch QPR when I can find them online… PSG… Barcelona… there’s a lot of good football out there.
Arsenal are my team, and I want them to win… but if the fans want to win more than the club does, there’s a real problem.
Right now, that’s the case.
Difficult to blame the team for this one. They had urgency, pressed, created chances and played their guts out.
Just one of those days when between the officials, woodwork , great goal keeping and non clinical finishing doomed us to a draw.
Ironically, if we had played this way against Birmingham we probably would have been proud holders of the Carling Cup.
CZ was outstanding. Denilson started brightly but reverted to the form which makes him trade fodder. Only problem is that no one will take him at his salary so we are stuck for another few years.
@Caribkid, Carib. didn’t see the game you are talking about!
They had NO urgency at all in the first half.
Nasri was very good, Arshavin pretty good, and many others were just going thru the motions…
The Arsenal didn’t get going until there were about 20 minutes left, and at home, against a Sunderland team with injuries, there is no way in the world we shouldn’t win.
Having said that, Sunderland PLAYED football for the most part, and we still couldn’t beat them.
Without RVP & Cesc, we’re just another team in the league.
“Pure agony” as the commentator said was right.
No penalty. Perfectly good goal ruled offside. (If that was karmic payback for not having our keeper sent off in the CC Final, then I think we paid that debt by, you know, losing.)
Chamakh should be hurling himself into the six-yard box. Bendtner should be slamming home his chances. Where is the killer finisher in the box.
Still, we took so long to get going, we only have ourselves to blame. Too slow, too patient, until it all gets too tense.
Let’s hope L’pool do us a big favor and keep our season alive because this line-up is going to get reamed in Barca.
@macmac007,
“Chamakh should be hurling himself into the six-yard box. Bendtner should be slamming home his chances. Where is the killer finisher in the box.
Still, we took so long to get going, we only have ourselves to blame. Too slow, too patient, until it all gets too tense.”
Sums it all up. Had we not waited so long to start playing, a couple of really bad calls wouldn’t have mattered. And if Bendy hits an open header properly in the ’93 minute, instead into the ground, the day still could have been saved.
But, no. A beat up Sunderland, on a terrible run of form, comes in and steals yet another point.
Funny how these ‘lesser’ sides no longer seem to predictably park the bus as often. Guess they’re not all that intimidated.
Oh so unfortunate once again. We could have won this game three nil or so in the last 10 mins. Had a legit goal offside and a non penalty…. shit happens ;-)
Lets hope Pool can do us a favour.
Regardless of how we’ve played them over the last few seasons, Sunderland comes in today missing a lot of players. Really no reason this shouldn’t be easy. Other than, you know, it’s Arsenal.
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i read a lot of articles about Arsenal and this one has no bullshit in it, nice 1