EPL Match Day 30: Arsenal v Blackburn: Match Preview
Ahh, we’re back. After two long weeks of international dullness we come back to the glistening glare of the English Premier League. For Arsenal that means only one thing – a singular focus on making a run on the title.
For Arsenal moreso than any other team, the international break came at a good time. It has allowed Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, and Theo Walcott to get fit. All three influential players should feature in the squad against visting Blackburn. Additionally, Arsenal are bouyed by the fact that none of their players got a serious injury while away playing for their countries. Robin Van Persie got a knee in the thigh but the word immediately after the game was he was fine and should be available for the club.
While their closest opposition have a long haul ahead of them, Arsenal only have one competition left to focus on. Prior to the international break the Gunners went through the worst two weeks of play in recent memory. That seems a pretty big thing to say considering the club are still the only club in the Premier League to have NOT lost a match in the league since the start of the new year. But it was a bad two weeks of that there is no doubt.
After gifting the Carling Cup to Birmingham, the team whimpered out of the Champion’s league to Barcelona and then they could barely muster an answer for hot-shot ageing keeper Van Der Saar as Arsenal lost in the FA Cup to Manchester United. That means there is no more talk of a quadruple, triple or double – it all comes down to one singular focus – the league.
Arsenal do not have the “distractions” (albeit it nice ones) of other competitions to take their eye off the competitions and they can focus in on the task of trying to reel in Manchester United who still have plenty of games to play as they run for three pices of silverware.
This run in should be bouyed by the return of the group of players that make up what fans term as Theo Van NasriGas. When this collective group of players are on the pitch they are one of the most dynamic attacks in the league. To me, the most important player in this group is Robin Van Persie. He has shown on his international stint, that his form is not fleeting as he scored twice – 1 each in of the two matches. He is, to me, at least the best in-form striker in the EPL right now. He is taking every chance and when you do that one goes in. Some are pretty, some are duck ugly and some are just somewhere in between. But when he is in and around the box he gets them on target. It is what we scream all the time with players like Bendtner, Chamakh, even Cesc and sometimes Nasri – shooot the damn ball. Good things happen when you do that. Robin Van Persie is a good example of that.
The team obviously though will be weakened at the back and a good solid attacking effort will be key to keeping a struggling Blackburn off the board. Johann Djourou is likely to be back before the end of the season as his shoulder injury did not require any surgery. That being said he has been our best defencive player and will be missed for this match. That leaves Laurent Koscielny who has shown much improvement from to game and has impressed the likes of Martin Keown and Tony Adams. To me that speaks volumes about his devleopment. It is likely that Sebastien Squillaci will be his partner as I don’t think Wenger is going to gamble on Ignassi Miquel – though Blackburn at home may not be a bad match to get some time in. Still it is likely to be the former French internationl who partners Kosicleny. The key question is – can Seba actually stay focused for the full match and not gift entry into the penalty area.
Speaking of concentrating for a full 90 minutes – it remains to be seen how effective Manuel Almunia can be. Coming in for the injured Woijiech Szczesny (yes I think I did spell his first name wrong), Almunia hasn’t been the answer – gifting West Brom an easy goal. But Almunia is it. I don’t think Lehmann gets any play. I think he was sub-par in his reserve match against Wigan on Tuesday. But where Lehmann makes up against Almunia is heart, desire and attitude – three things I think the Spainaird lacks – not to mention skill. I know it’s pretty harsh criticizing Almunia and I am always the optimist but there are certain facts about him you cannot deny.
So this is it – 9 games remain. The title run is clearly in their hands. They hold a game in hand over United with less difficult matches than the Manchester side. IF they do the business – they will end the drought. If not, expect another summer of discontent.
How the Match Should Play Out:
Gone is Sam Allardyce from Blackburn. They no longer play the get-a-boot-in style. They are struggling to maintain form and I personally think that even with our weakness at the back, the attacking options we have – now all healthy – will be too much for Blackburn. As long as we don’t gift opportunities at the back, Arsenal are going to run away with this at a cantor.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Robin Van Persie. As I mentioned – is there a striker in the EPL who is enjoying better form than he? If Arsenal continue their run for the title and either win it or make it close it will be because of RvP. And if that’s the case I see him nipping everyone to PFA player of the year. When healthy – there are few better.
Probable Starting XI:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Denilson (toe) Ramsey (groin) Djourou (shoulder) Fabianksi (shoulder) Szczesny (finger) Vermaelen (achilles) Frimpong (knee)
Blackburn: Givet (Suspension -1) Andrews (groin) Dunn (hip) Grella (Achilles)
Last Meeting (Carling Cup):
Arsenal: 2
Blackburn: 1
Current Form:
Arsenal: DDWWD
Blackburn: DLLDL
Goals For:
Arsenal (home): 2.0
Blackburn (away):1.3
Goals Against:
Arsenal (home): .8
Blackburn (away): 2.5
Goal Differential:
Arsenal: 30
Blackburn: -12
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Van Persie 15 (11 league) Nasri 14 (9 league)
Blackburn: Kalinic 6 (5 league) Mame Diouf 6 (3 league)
Match Officials:
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant Referees: Dean Mohareb & Ceri Richards
Fourth Official: Anthony Taylor
Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 12:30 PM EST
UK: ESPN UK 1730 GMT
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!! www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Blackburn: 1
Kalinic: 6 goals (5 league); Mame Diouf: 6 goals (3 league)
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Well, silly season is two months aways or so but it is upon us early and frantically. Arsenal are being linked to every Tomas, Richard or Henry who can play goal kepper or central back. The most interesting rumours are around whether or not one of these three top class keepers will join us – Maarten Steklenberg, Gigi Buffon, or Wolfsburg’s Diego Benaglio. Let’s get used to it – between now and August 31 we will linked to all the goalkeepers and central backs in Europe. Why Maarten and Gigi is interesting because in each case they are their direct representative has said theyt want to or would come to Arsenal.
I am discounting Benaglio, at 27 he is too long-term a prospect and Wenger would not anyone to impede young Szczesny. That is why Gigi and Maarten are the choices I’d want the club to go after. In both cases the young pole could do well to learn from these two world class keepers who still have some gas in the tank. Gigi’s case is very interesting – when Juve went to Serie B he had a clause inserted in his contract that lets him basically move from the team without a fee for his sale. So even though his weekly salary is enormous it would cost £0 to get him. Steklenberg of Ajax wants to come and has said if he moves to the EPL it would be to Arsenal.
In both cases this is interesting. What remains to be seen is does Wenger cut loose Fabianksi and Almunia. Manny seems certain to go but if you are grooming Szczesny with Gigi and Steklenberg than Fabianksi is excess baggage and you could use Mannone and Shea as your longer term back ups. Also there is just no indication that Wenger would buy a player like either of these. So basically while I’d love a move for any of them, I think there is some unknown elder statesman keeper out there that we sign – oh wait we already have. Welcome back Jens.
Finally, I’d like to comment on the FA’s campaign to eradicate what I’d like to term “ref rage.” Which is essentially when players crowd around a ref calling for a penalty or pissed off at a call and basically gang up on him. On the surface this plan to get rid of it seems like a good idea except for one glaring problem – who’s going to get rid of the refs who day in and day out get the big calls wrong. More times this season than any I can remember big games have been affected by atrocious calls by the referee. If you want to stamp our ref rage, you equally as must do something about the state of the refs themselves. The two combined might actually go along way towards actually making the RESPECT campaign something worhwhile.
Anyway that’s it for now. See you on the flip side.
Stay Goonerish!!!
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Wow, Sachin. Can’t believe you remember that thread. Kudos, as they say….
Yep, that game still lingers long in the memory, and it was then that I saw something I didn’t like. The way the team ridiculously dropped back into their own area after only some fairly benign Villa pressure, raised massive alarm bells in my head in regards to the psychological profile of the squad. The utter panic they showed when not being able to completely control a game or be on the attack, was startling. Top sides can cope when they have to soak up a bit of pressure – whereas we just fold. Of course we won the game so it was a case of see no evil hear no evil, speak no evil.
Yep Vibe, I think I was the doomer pioneer ;)
@Mazza, Thanks. Although it still seems that in some quarters, the speak no evil policy applies even though there is more than enough evidence for the rot.
The decision not to reinforce the team in January, when the team was in four competitions and had a chance has come back not just to bite Wenger square in the ass … for the umpteenth time.
But there are still some AKB sheep who would swear that there are NO quality players available out there … nothing, nada, no way …. “their clubs wont sell”, “the players won’t come”, “even if they want to come, they are not quality for wanting to come to fight for a place”, etc, etc.
All sorts of irrational excuses incepted from Dictator Wenger into the minds of his sheep minions.
Do not judge me in 2011. Judge me in 2014 when my team will win four trophies. I fully expect that in 2014 Almunia will mature and be at the peak of his powers, RVP and Theo will finally be over their injury nightmare and Denilson will repay my faith. What I have seen this season has proved to me that the future is very bright for Arsenal football club. Also, we will be boosted in 2014 by the return of Vermaelen.”
@sachin,
LOL ….
Sad part is that Denilson and Almunia will both still be at the club come September.
And Vermaelen will probably not kick a ball again till April of 2012!!!!
Arsene’s statement at the post match interview:
“It was a frustrating performance because we had no pace in our game. Overall it was a flat performance with a lack of energy level, a lack of sharpness. It was quite a big concern to see what we have seen today,” he said. “It is difficult to identify one special thing.”
Yes Arsene, along with millions of fans, I agree 100% with what you said. Unfortunately, it’e something we have all seen repeated throughout the last 6 years and the excuses are starting to wear very thin.
That statement is a lot like the pot calling the kettle black, after all Arsene, it’s the team which you took 6 years to create in your own image. the only difference between Arsene and God, is that God did this in 7 days and I don’t hear God criticizing his imperfect world.
At the beginning of this season I stated that this squad was not good enough to win the EPL or CL. Guess I was wrong about that since we also proved we are not good enough to win the FA or CC either.
Somewhere between naive tactics, poor team selection, injuries (snooze), fat wallet unmotivated players, and a cadre of potentially great but unfinished stars in the making, we have contrived to lose or draw every meaningful game this season outside of the Chelsea contest.
@Caribkid,
Yeah, you got that right … injuries is not an excuse. And that truth has been exposed.
Also, when you say “cadre of potential great but unfinished stars” it seems like you are referring to a lot of players.
But for me, that subset will include only two players: Fabregas, Nasri. Wilshere, RvP, etc are just not there yet.
But at least Wilshere can only get better. And I guess same for Walcott. But overall in our first team, what we are seeing now is pretty much their peak.
Wait, is Wenger really putting up pictures of himself around the stadium???
If true …. all I can say is WOW!
Classic dictator move. Cult of personality, loyal sheep base, the “correct” first name, complete free rein.
Stalin, Pinochet, Gaddafi, et al would blush.
@Fred,
il douchey?
http://www.arsenal.com/hospitality/events
http://www.arsenal.com/platinum
@Fred,
The evidence is on Arsenal.com. I posted links, but the post was deleted.
@vibe4arsenal,
Although the pictures are more Colonel Sanders than all conquering dictator.
@vibe4arsenal, I have found that posting a link in a comment automatically moves the comment into the trash folder. A spam check or something
Just what I sorta suspected -in fact scrap that – knew, all along.
Injuries have had F-all to do with inability to win things over the years.
As was pretty clear three years ago when we comically flopped about on the final straight like a lame horse, this team are out and out BOTTLERS. Of course this was refuted manically a few years ago, by the usual suspects, but as the saying goes, truth eventually becomes self-evident and inarguable over the passage of time (okay i just made it up). The other truth is Wenger being made to look like a royal tit when the easter eggs make their way onto shelves. Still bothered about the final three games being played at the same time as each other Arsene? Yep, thought not.
For the upteenth time, fu*k off Wenger. Go.And take your lily-livered crop with you.
@Mazza,
Inarguable? Ha. Brother, as we’ve seen for four years, across two separate sites, they will *never* stop arguing.
They just take a little break around April/May, when the Wengerian talking points look especially silly.
@vibe4arsenal,
Yep, but the AKB population is dwindling, and there is only so long people can keep allowing themselves to look like fools year after year *
I agree though, goal post moving type Wenger defence tactics will live on. Along the lines of “I’ve always been critical of Wenger but…..”. Which is irrelevant really, because you either support him or you don’t. Even I can see things he’s done well, despite wanting him gone for four years, yet ultmately I didn’t/don’t deem them important enough to mention, as our trajectory towards perennial also rans was/is set in stone as long his blindspots weren’t/aren’t addressed. It’s also why I feel HighburySteve’s references to the way we do things, and our policy in the face of our competitor’s riches(while understandable, especially for a fan with more a holistic view of football) is also irrelevant because eventually there has to be a point to it all and, as long as Wenger is here, there won’t be. A long winding road to a cul-de-sac.
* “A Cultured Left Foot” bloggers obviously don’t mind however. A seriously disturbing bunch of posters.
@Mazza,
Well, only the first time I’ve seen it, but they seem to have the basics down…
dukeGoonem | April 2, 2011 at 7:28 pm |
pathetic
Harsh | April 2, 2011 at 7:28 pm |
useless
dukeGoonem | April 2, 2011 at 7:29 pm |
we need a jumble sale.
Dexter | April 2, 2011 at 7:29 pm |
Fucking shite
dukeGoonem | April 2, 2011 at 7:30 pm |
need to spend some money now Wenger. its crystal clear that you cant win on the cheap.
Dexter | April 2, 2011 at 7:30 pm |
Yep, the support is fucking shite as per usual.
SUGA3 | April 2, 2011 at 7:32 pm |
Wenger is too fucking busy putting up his pictures all over the stadium:
@vibe4arsenal,
Wow, It looks the AKB’s have deserted that site as well, as I recognise very few of those names.
@Mazza,
Yup, the bloggers at Left Foot are utterly ridiculous. Wenger’s loser empire is built on those sheep. As long as there are so many sheep nothing will change.
The guys at Young Guns and at Timmy’s 7AM blog are also hilarious in their Wenger worship.
Personally, all I hope is that by year 10 of utter failure (in three years time), the majority of fans will be able to face the truth about Wenger.
@Mazza, I still remember you saying that Arsenal bottled it when they struggled to a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on the old AA site. That comment led to quite a debate because people questioned how can it be bottling it when Arsenal won. Yet, that game contained hallmarks that have become more regular in the years since. The difference was in the past, Arsenal could manage to get a win despite contriving to lose, but now…
@sachin,
Mazza really nailed most of this before anyone else (that I recall).
Thanks for the tip about the links, as well.
One extra note:
Van Persie has been crowned by so many fans as “The One” and been labeled as “world-class”.
But, in THIS sort of games that is when a world class player really comes to bat for you. You know, take the game on and settles it for his team.
A world class player is one who comes thru in a CRUNCH game in March/April/May.
For example, look at what Rooney did today against West Ham. Something Henry, Ronaldo, etc would have done.
Scoring lots of goals in January against some middling teams just does not cut it.
That said, I don’t mean to pile on him too much, he isn’t as thoroughly useless as some others. But he doesn’t look “world-class” to me.
Hey, shit happens. The officiating, the injuries, the pitch, the weather, no one expected us to win every game this year…
Just wait until next year!
@vibe4arsenal,
According to Wenger, “no one expected us to even make the top four at the beginning of the season”.
LOL!
@Fred,
EXACTLY!!! A 0-0 draw, at home, to Rovers is yet another example of how we are OVER-acheiving this year!!
Such heart.
The Wenger Girls don’t fail to disappoint their fans for the umpteenth time. Lots of fans in the stadium with desperate looks on their faces – just a sad look to see.
Till the bitter end, we played with THREE CMs. Even though we knew from the very beginning they will defend deeply and hit us with long balls. Even against ten men, we still used THREE CMs. Even with Song limping, we still persisted with unnecessarily flooding our midfield.
Wenger, oh you tactical ape.
Man U with a MASSIVE CL quarterfinal against Chelsea, and with an FA cup semi coming up, managed to claw back a 2-0 deficit AWAY.
Wenger Girls with a completely free fixture list completely fuck up a straight game. We do our very best to turn a gimme into an epic 12 hour brain surgery.
In the end it really doesn’t matter whether we are in 4 competitions or just 1. Dropping points has nothing to do with tiredness.
The worst part of this season is that a lot of folks will claim we actually were “in the title race” uptil April and use that as a sign of “progress”.
Sigh.
This team is PATHETIC right now.
I will reiterate what I said after the past few PATHETIC matches.
Arsene Wenger has LOST THIS TEAM.
We have VanPersie, Nasri, Theo, Song and Fabregas ALL back.
And Arsenal come out and play with ZERO passion, very little determination and grit, and can’t beat a SHIT Rovers team at home, with the SEASON ON THE LINE… and even with Blackburn down to 10 men on a piss-poor refs decision.
We SUCKED today.
The players are going along like they don’t care… don’t have a care in the world… ho hum… its all ok… a draw, no sweat.
I am sure virtually NONE of the AKBers will be on here.
But we’re not real fans because we’re not “behind the team” enough.
Arsenal are a bad bad joke. Laughable.
@stag133,
You might be right about him losing the team. But the million-dollar question is has he lost the board?
This team is PATHETIC right now.
I will reiterate what I said after the past few PATHETIC matches.
Arsene Wenger has LOST THIS TEAM.
We have VanPersie, Nasri, Theo, Song and Fabregas ALL back.
And Arsenal come out and play with ZERO passion, very little determination and grit, and can’t beat a SHIT Rovers team at home, with the SEASON ON THE LINE… and even with Blackburn down to 10 men on a piss-poor refs decision.
We SUCKED today.
The players are going along like they don’t care… don’t have a care in the world… ho hum… its all ok… a draw, no sweat.
I am sure virtually NONE of the AKBers will be on here.
But we’re not real fans because we’re not “behind the team” enough.
Arsenal are a bad bad joke. Laughable.
Starting XI:
Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Arshavin, Nasri, Walcott, Van Persie
Fabregas on the bench.
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