EPL Match Day 34, Arsenal v Bolton; Match Preview
Another week – another day on the Premier League title death watch. That is the way it feels. Right? It’s kind of like, the off the season looks to be more interesting than the actual end of the season will. And with that we prepare for the sports equivalent of the Bataan death march.
Arsenal right now are the most infuriating club in the English Premier League. One moment higher than the highest peak only to fall abruptly before the full 90 minutes is up. The possibility of some sort of cardiac event occuring multiple times during one Arsenal match. It has been this way since the team flamed out of the Carling Cup final.
Still each week we tune in – some still have hope. Some don’t. Some want nothing more than failure and some still believe when everything is right there in front of them says otherwise. Such is the duty of being a supporter. You rise and fall with each biut of news, action and play.
For all intesive purposes, Arsenal’s failure to secure a win against Spurs pretty much sealed the deal, and while stranger things have happened in season before this, the teams in front of Arsenal don’t show signs of letting them catch up. Arsenal could change that next week as the face off against United at the Emirates, but right now thre is the little matter of Own Coyle’s Bolton Wanderers.
It used to be that Bolton presented a bit of bogey team to the Arsenal, but in their last nine meetings, Arsenal have had the better of the play and secured the win. Coyle will be looking for his team to rebound after a 5-0 drubbing in the FA semi-finals at the hands of Stoke City. The European dream for Bolton is over, and now an assesment of the talent they have can occur. Still though, Coyle has to be lauded for getting Bolton into a top 10 finish for the first time since 2007.
For Arsenal, its a nother case of stepping up. The infuriating thing with the draw against Spurs is that is was the second match in a row that they should’ve closed it out firmly. They were clearly class above their opponents. Maybe some of us can take some respite in that, that we are still better than Spurs. Many Spurs fans that I have talked to and based on reports from the pitch all felt rather lucky to walk away with the draw. But that is not the point is it – we shoulve’ won but we didn’t. We had chance to close down United, and we didn’t.
Whenever the challenge of catching United has been presented this season, Arsenal have not taken the chance. I can’t think of any of the times this season when United had faltered and we didn’t. We may have gained a point but overall we did nothing substantial. Catching United this weekend isn’t the issue. United scratched out a 1-0 win against Everton and Chelsea have moved into second by 3 points after drilling West Ham for 3. For Arsenal its just about keeping pace.
Wenger in his weekly press conference went on to say he his proud of this squad. It has achieved more than anyone expected. There is a bit of truth to that. At the beginning of the season, many of the pundits had the top 4 listed as Chelsea, United, City and Spurs. Arsenal are firmly in the top four – barring an epic implosion. Some may find Arsene’s support of the club maddening. But I don’t see it that way. I don’t know of any manager in any professional sport that doesn’t publiclly support his players. The only time was in ice hockey, Terry Murray of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1997 Stanely cup finals said his team were choking. It took less than 24 hours from when that comment was made for Bob Clarke to fire Terry Murray. The point is we can only ever guestimate at what Wenger says to his charges publically he will always support them. He is in a way their biggest supporter and rightly so.
There are still five games left to play and Wenger has to do something to keep his players showing up for each match. Criticism of the players achieves nothing. Right now he to do whatever he can to break this team out of its funk. And really that is what;s maddening – its not that team isn’t good. You don’t beat Barcelona or Chelsea in the manner you did if you weren’t any good. I am not going to rehash the “mental toughness” debate that has been raging for better parts of this and last season but that’s what it comes down to.
If Arsenal are going to “make a show of it” for the next 5 games they are going to need to do the job against Bolton. Anything less than and it’s time to get rid of any sort of false pretenses and call a spade a spade.
How the Match Should Play Out:
To be honest I don’t know. Both teams are shattered in the confidence department. Bolton from the FA Cup exit and Arsenal – well we know all about that. Bolton being home should have some pep in their step and should try and take it to Arsenal early making the game oopen up and in the Gunner’s favour. Look for Sturridge and Davies to provide most of the threat for Bolton. For Arsenal Van Persie and Walcott will be the key to outpacing the Bolton defence.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Robin Van Persie. This is going to jinx it I know – but it is his longest run with the squad for some time. He is showing on a daily basis what he can do if fit. Only Cheatarito of United is scoring like the Dutch hitman.
Bolton. Kevin Davies. I think it was Steve who called Davies as strong as Crouch is tall – that is an absolute fact. It will be a stern test for Djourou and Koscielny to take him on.
Projected Starting Lineups:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Fabianksi (shoulder) Vermaelen (achilles) Diaby (calf) Almunia (D- knee)
Bolton: Davis (knee) Holden (knee) Ricketts (achilles)
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 4
Bolton: 1
Current Form:
Arsenal: DDWDD
Bolton: WLLWD
Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 2.2
Bolton (home): 1.9
Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 1.3
Bolton (home): 1.2
Goal Differential:
Arsenal: 32
Bolton 3
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Van Persie 18 (14 league) Nasri 15 (10 league)
Bolton: Elmander 12 (10 league) K Davies: 9 (7 league)
Match Officials:
Referee: Mike Jones
Assistant Referees: Dave Bryan & Patrick Keane
Fourth Official: Chris Foy
Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 1100AM EST
UK: Sky Sports 1 1600 BST
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!! www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Bolton: 0
Some Final Thoughts.
This week the theme relating to Arsenal is – misinterpreting what is said. We saw it with the Cesc interview. For whatever reason the press focused on nuggets of the Cesc interview with Don Ballon to begin its yearly push towards getting Cesc to go to Barcelona. Shocking? I know right. The press actually falsely representing something. Who knew. The point is that the full translation shows that it was true that Cesc made comments that were attributed to him but when the full transcript comes out the sting is severely dulled.
For whatever reason I believe the English press needs this story and yearly saga. Whether its an attack on Arsenal’s “euro-ness” or whether its because they truly have nothing better to write about until John Terry cheats on his wife again – they are going for an all out assault on Wenger. I don’t buy into the press conspiracy theories. So I think its more about just running with a story to sell papers regardless of whether its right or wrong.
The same could be said about the recent comments attributed to Arsene Wenger about his transfer wishes for this upcoming summer. When the press conference was publicized and comments printed, it clearly seemed as if Wenger was saying he had no intent to buy in the summer. When you look at the full press conference a different picture emerges.
“Our target was to build a new stadium without dropping from the top and we knew it would be a difficult period for four or five years. So we had to make a decision on how to stay at the top with less money available.
‘We did well. But now, of course, people become impatient. I can understand that completely because I am impatient as well. If you look at our season you cannot come to the conclusion we need a massive change. That would be completely stupid.
‘If you are the second-best selling newspaper in the country you do not shut your office. But we live in a world where if you are the second best by a little, everybody says you are rubbish. It is not true.
‘Do I think it will be a busy summer? I feel there is always a need to improve the team.’
The part the press focused on to insinuate there would be no buying this summer is the “massive” change part. Well, no one is saying massive changes are needed. No one is saying big purchases are needed, I think where everyone agrees on what needs to be done is three steps.
- Jettison as many underperforming players as possible (as can be sold)
- Promote key reserve performers who may be ready to push on to the first team
- Buy 1 or 2 key additions that can be impact contributers, preferably with some experience and leadership qualities.
If that is achieved then the summer will be a success – at least in my opinion. Do it not, and well, the club from the board room to the manager’s office is going to hear the din of discontent continue to grow.
Finally, I had to write a brief comment about the criticism Wenger gets for his touchline performances. Let’s start with his own words shall we?
‘I cannot sit there and be placid like I am on dope!
‘I care about the game and I’m motivated to win the game and agitated, yes. But it is one thing to be agitated and in control of your decisions and be lucid, or be completely out of control.’
I love it. The I’m on Dope comment is classic Wenger. But I digress. What disappoints me is how Wenger has grown to treat his rival managers. In the days of his successes, there was a classiness on how he approached other managers. Now its a childlike penchant for petulance. Especially when things don’t go his way.
I don’t blame Wenger for the craziness on the sideline. With the team continually underperforming, I’d be flipping out on the sideline too. But when the match is done and you’ve got to clasp hands with the opposing manager the dignity of sport requires good sportsmanship. Next to the hand shake in hockey at the end of a playoff series, the exchaning of kits, manager handshakes and wine sharing are part of what make football stand out from other sports. Wenger shouldn’t sully that tradition even if he is only reacting to the moment. He was always looked at as a class act. To act the way he has – well it only adds fuel to the fire that he has lost the plot.
Anyway thats it for my pre-game ramble. I hope to write on Monday from a position of hopefulness (yet again) until then. . .
Stay Goonerish.
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@ HTS:
“The plausibility of Wenger leaving is at its highest, but I still would bet against it, mostly because of the vacuum that it would leave. Surely players like Cesc, RVP, Arshavin, Clichy and Nasri (who else?) would also follow and Arsenal would be a strong pick for finishing seventh over the next several seasons. ”
Please stop this whole narrative that nobody can plausibly replace Wenger. And no, the replacement for Wenger does not have to be a well-known manager (even the non-AKBs) keep naming guys like Hiddink, etc.
Most managers at top clubs were unknowns before they were plucked from obscurity. In Italy especially, the big clubs specialize in recently retired midfielders/defenders or complete unknowns. Barca have frequently done the same. Same situation in most of Germany and Europe.
Mourinho was a complete journeyman before Porto plucked him in 2002. Allegri was a random Calgiari coach before Milan plucked him. Leonardo had NO experience … he coaches Inter now. Guardiola had ONE year of experience. Capello, Arrigo Sacchi, Ancelloti, Van Gaal, Gus Hiddink, Rijkaard, De Boer and Cruyff all had minimal to NO experience whatsoever before they got plucked from obscurity or playing retirement.
Even the Wanker, was a relative nobody when he came to the SECOND MOST TITLED club in England. He was known only by some French as a lovable loser. Arsenal MADE Wenger.
So we need to stop this nonsense that we must go for some well-known (by every fan) manager. There are lots of good, understated managers in Europe. What is needed is a saavy technical director (like David Dein) who can go pluck them.
We need a young, ambitious, dynamic manager who plays ground based, attacking football and who is a “technocrat” (deeply immersed in the technical side of things including tactics).
I personally like the look of Mirko Slomka, Ralf Rangnick, Jurgen Klopp, Michel Preud-honne, Rudi Garcia, Claude Puel and even Didier Deschamps (why not?!).
They are all young, hungry and play ground-based attacking football. And I am sure there are others like that around Europe that a really good football director can suss out.
And a LOT of them have achieved MORE than Wenger did before he came to Arsenal.
Also, we could decide to just look inwards and go for a former Arsenal player or one of those in our setup already.
Steve Bould or Dennis Bergkamp, can be paired with a experienced, technical assistant manager.
Those two have FAR more experience than Pep Guardiola did when he took over Barca. Or than De Boer at Ajax or Leonardo at Milan and Inter, etc.
Infact a lot of attacking teams are hiring from within.
The talk is that when Guardiola moves on, Barca are looking at Luis Enrique, their old right-winger – and current youth manager (their Steve Bould).
So lets please disabuse ourselves of the “there is nobody else out there”. And the ridiculous talk of Rafa or Alladyce.
@Fred,
Made that same point about Wenger a few times myself. He had washed out of France and was a J League stud (ahem) before he came to AFC. His resume only looks special POST-Arsenal.
First off–the padded room photoshop work is brilliant (Mazza’s post). I could really use that software in all sorts of ways….
2nd, credit to the “I told you so” brigade. Good times, I guess, in being correct all these years. (In truth, why not? You gotta find something amid all the misery….)
And 3rd, I almost think (for once) that Stag’s post deserves being up there twice. There IS an obvious element about how the leadership has LOST the team. And the all cap lament about wanting the old Arsenal back, though a dream, also underscores how far the club has fallen….
Unfortunately THAT Arsenal is long gone and we have to face up to the one that is. Everything I hear about the new ownership is that it is NOT about throwing money at the problem. We have a young team (with more youth in the pipeline). I really think that if there’s a clear-out over the summer the team is only going to get younger. (And even more callow?….)
Yesterday’s match showed all that is wrong with the team. In addition to the two set piece goals (which allow any team to ALWAYS believe they have a chance….) Bolton were clean through on goal on several occasions. Luckily they failed to finish any of them (even the Pen), much as Nasri failed to finish our single similar chance.
That chance (from RVP) might have given us the needed result. It is interesting (to me, at least) that Nasri was kept in the team at the expense of Gallas, who himself was kept in the team at the expense of Kolo Toure the year before. Perhaps the club does have a problem with too much catering to French primadonnas….. Also interesting that his contract (along with Clichy’s) seems to have lingered without renewal and upgrade. Nasri does show some of the petulance (and lack of effort and lack of ability to get off his own shot) that Gallas did, but the latter was a “proven winner” and some tougher nuts (Sagna, TV5, Sneezy, etc.) may have formed a more solid unit alongside him. The extreme frailty of the defense yesterday (Djourou’s worst game of the year? And Song–as good as useless) may trace to the lack of experience in that bunch….
So, with the implosion we must question the leadership. The club’s big “move” last summer was keeping Cesc (in his cage?). His professionalism, talent and burning desire is evident, but his frustration is more so. This summer the issue will be whether or not the club sticks with the leaders (including the manager and other players of proven ability) or blows them out and replaces them with a new bunch.
The plausibility of Wenger leaving is at its highest, but I still would bet against it, mostly because of the vacuum that it would leave. Surely players like Cesc, RVP, Arshavin, Clichy and Nasri (who else?) would also follow and Arsenal would be a strong pick for finishing seventh over the next several seasons. Who knows, maybe Rafa Benitez could use the money from their sale to bring in a few Rieras or Acquilanis or maybe Sam Allardyce could bring David Dunne, Chris Samba and El Hadj Diouf to instill a little manliness to the (girls) dressing room. The lack of worthwhile assistants who might succeed (both meanings….) means we’re that much more “all in” with AW…..
But maybe the big clearout (Rafa/Fat Sam/Who else? And don’t say Jose because that’s another dream….) scenario is what people would prefer….The situation is very, very bad and I expect a media lockdown over the coming week and some real feistiness from the home support for next weekend’s match. Who knows, maybe the lads will rally for a (pyrrhic) victory against United (a team that realizes CL elims are played over TWO legs, and that league trophies are hoisted in May….) and a little pressure will be relieved. I would bet on another (miserable) nil-nil or 1-1 draw, but I also thought we would draw at Bolton…..
What else?….Sorry, even I can’t come up with anything more except maybe….
Happy Summer!
(As always, sorry for the long post and thanks for reading)….
@highburyterracesteve, HTS… you know what, if the club just TOLD THE TRUTH, said … hey, we are cleaning out the dead wood, going with our talented youngsters next season, and see where they take us…
sell Cesc… get rid of Denilson, Rosicky, Bendtner, Chamakh, etc… The fans would say, OK… I can deal with it… just don’t raise the ticket prices …
But its going to be spun and sold into some bull-shit… the Cesc saga will drag on all Summer, Nasri, RVP ,etc… will all be linked elsewhere, because we ALL watch year after year after year… saying, Arsenal simply can NOT sit on their arses and NOT do something about the teams OBVIOUS areas of need.
I don’t care if we finish 3rd or 4th.
It matters not.
ACT FAST in the Summer. Go get some fresh legs and fresh faces… and bring in some gritty experience… (Scott Parker would be nice)… sell or release whomever needs to go, and get on with the business of turning this storied franchise around QUICKLY.
How many people believe the Summer won’t play out just like it always does?
The wash, rinse, repeat bullshit that happens every year HAS TO STOP.
We all know HOW it can, and WHO needs to stop it (or stop him, PLEASE!)
@highburyterracesteve,
“Surely players like Cesc, RVP, Arshavin, Clichy and Nasri (who else?) would also follow and Arsenal would be a strong pick for finishing seventh over the next several seasons. ”
Cesc, Clichy and Nasri are already looking to leave with Wenger here, so what is this oft-repeated talk of “without Wenger all our players will leave”???
They are leaving now as it is.
And by the way, the entire notion that players play for a manager (not just at Arsenal) is ridiculous. The idea that players at big, London club (or any other European club) who are sitting on MASSIVE weekly wages will start crying and refuse to play without their favorite managers is complete hogwash.
Maybe at small fry clubs in League One or something. But in the real world that is bullocks.
PS: Of those five players, only Cesc is useful. The rest can go **** themselves without Arsenal losing a beat.
edited by DAG. Clamping down on the language.
Hahaha… there’s a very funny quote in the F365 mailbox by an Arsenal fan (I guess it’s originally from John Cleese in some movie):
“I can take the despair, it’s the hope I can’t stand!”
Too true, too true. But luckily we won’t have to stand the hope anymore, as there is none.
City are only 8 pts behind us and they have 2 games in hand… who’s up for 4th?
“On paper it was one of the easiest run-ins we have had for a long, long time….” AW
Wait, so now he likes the schedule-makers??
“I’m convinced we are a good footballing side. We have not been stable enough defensively.” AW
No, not for four years. Wonder how that happened??
“If anybody is to blame it is me. I pick the team, I choose the players …” AW
Oh, way ahead of you there, boss.
Is there even a debate any longer as to whether Wenger has LOST THIS TEAM?
Week after week after week… they turn up and play like its a kick-about in the park.
We are watching teams we should in theory, play off the pitch… teams in the past Wenger would claim “don’t come to play football” against us… go at it with Arsenal ALL MATCH, and either win or draw… there is ZERO fear of Arsenal, they can be taken at home or on the road… Arsenal are ripe for the picking by ANY team in the league.
I WANT MY ARSENAL BACK.
and the only way that happens is that Arsene Wenger is fired or steps down, we clear out some of the dead wood, and we actually spend some of the MEGA-MILLIONS we have made in the past 6 years in profits on REAL PLAYERS who aren’t the TIN MAN in the Wizard of Oz.
I am so tired of watching this shit every week.
I’d be excited about the prospect of the off-season… but I expect nothing major to happen, except ticket prices being raised.
Is there even a debate any longer as to whether Wenger has LOST THIS TEAM?
Week after week after week… they turn up and play like its a kick-about in the park.
We are watching teams we should in theory, play off the pitch… teams in the past Wenger would claim “don’t come to play football” against us… go at it with Arsenal ALL MATCH, and either win or draw… there is ZERO fear of Arsenal, they can be taken at home or on the road… Arsenal are ripe for the picking by ANY team in the league.
I WANT MY ARSENAL BACK.
and the only way that happens is that Arsene Wenger is fired or steps down, we clear out some of the dead wood, and we actually spend some of the MEGA-MILLIONS we have made in the past 6 years in profits on REAL PLAYERS who aren’t the TIN MAN in the Wizard of Oz.
I am so tired of watching this shit every week.
I’d be excited about the prospect of the off-season… but I expect nothing major to happen, except ticket prices being raised.
I think the title race has been truly and completely blown wide open today. Any one of 1 team can win it now. It will be nail biting to determine when this one team can lift the trophy. However, the true winner at the end of the season will be the only team out of the current top 4 who does not have a foreign owner.
Wait a minute…all the current top 4 are foreign owned!!
Morals, meet window.
High ground no more.
Three highlights from the game:
1) The ONE time (on 84th minute) Clichy got to the byline in his entire LIFE, and for the first time EVER we had as many as four players in the box (very promising play) … Calamity then proceeds to blast the ball completely over the box and to the throwing on the other side of the pitch!!!
I rolled on the floor laughing!
There are zebras in game reserves with more brain power than the Great Cliche. I would compare him to a deer who freezes in the headlight, but that would be harsh on deers. The deers in Upstate NY have enough balls (and mental strength???) to cross a busy interstate! Ha!
And the incredible part of all this is even at that he is not in the top 5 of our problems. Thats is how profoundly awesome the Wenger Girls setup is.
2) They had 3 corners and scored from 2 of them. We had well over 10 and did nothing with ’em. That should not raise an highbrow from anybody. But what was a bit amusing was hearing the Sky commentators (who generally dont have a clue) say:
“what is the point of Arsenal having four players at the edge of the box and only one or two in it at corners … what exactly is the purpose of that?”
You see, that is why these Sky commentators are fucking stupid. If they weren’t they would have noticed the Girls pulling this “genius” plan for over four years now!!
Hilarious how they were telling us like it was some new insight.
3) At the end of the game, Kevin Davies whistled at Nasri and RvP, cupped his boobs and said something (probably derogatory about the end of their alleged “title” chase).
PRICELESS!!
@Fred,
That moment just summed up the hellacious retard that is Gael Clichy.
Obviously being near the byline was a tumultous experience in itself, so Gael, racked with fear, just concentrated on a striking the ball further than a ten year old girl this time, which he actually succeeded in. Screw finding an Arsenal player, it was about more than that. It was a mission of self-discovery for Gael. He was even seen putting down probes around this vast undiscovered piece of pitch.
One small step for any half decent full back in world football, one giant leap for Gael Clichy…..
http://i.imgur.com/aHAdF.jpg
@Mazza,
For real lol. Except he should be standing up straight, arms spread out, palms up, as if he can’t understand what just happened on the pitch.
We all know what that looks like, right?
@vibe4arsenal,
Johan Djourou?
;)
@Mazza,
+1
Actually, I loved this game. Why I watched it, I do not know. I guess I had nothing else to do.
The ONLY thing I did not like about this game was the fact that towards the end, they kept on showing Arsenal fans in agony! That is just fucked up, we do not need to see that. They dont deserve to have their agony broadcast on TV. Just watching that made me feel real sad for them.
The part I enjoyed the most was, the constant cameras on Wanker. Those were lovely and hilarious.
He was constantly acting like a spoiled child. He was arguing over everything literally. At one point, a throwing near the midfield line went Bolton’s way and he literally slammed the ball to the ground! PRICELESS!
His discomfort and hopefully pain, is very comforting for me. And literally compensates me for watching the game.
I didn’t flinch when Bolton scored or had their penalty … nor did I celebrate when the Great Perse scored. No point.
(Counting down until Fred vomits all over this board.)
@vibe4arsenal,
:-D
We will now be treated to four games of lavish football where we will crush all our opponents and Le Professor will declare:
“we have played magnificently the last four games and this continues to show our growth and continued mental strength. We have overcome an abundance of bad luck, poor refereeing, injuries, anti-fans, anti-press and opposing managers who play non-football, and yet we have still managed to come third in the strongest league in the world while being the most profitable club.”
How many managers could do this after building a great stadium where we can charge more money to more fans and have them pay the highest prices to watch possession passing with no end result.
@Caribkid,
The quote is awesome. The essence of Wenger’s straight-faced absurdity. I want a wallpaper with those words over a picture of Wenger’s face.
Brilliant, CK.
Thanks Vibe
@Caribkid,
We wont win the next four games. Man U will smash the Wenger Girls to smithereens next weekend.
@Caribkid, Yup, the Ministry of truth should kick into high gear this week. Along with the pleas to the current players to stay with the club and believe in the long term vision.
Lol. 4th place beckons with this form.
The sun has finally set on the Arsene’s Arsenal Empire, and not one day too soon.
Today’s game totally sums up what the naive peasants have known all along for the past 4 years, but, which the royal acolytes seated upon their thrones in the castle failed to recognize. We are just not good enough.
The fancy armor has rusted and the fierce Knights have succumbed to fancy automobilism, peerless rhetoric and male menopause.
Will Sir Wenger realize his foibles and change, or will the Royal Family usher his ass out via the gangplank over a moat filled with sharks and alligators? As Arsenal Turns will be bringing you brand new episodes tjhis summer.
See.
Oh boy! There’s an Arsenal game today!!……. oh wait, who cares?
@ChicagoGooner,
Correction:
“Oh boy! There’s a Wenger Girls game today!!……….. oh wait, who cares?”
I’m gonna enjoy this game. Watching Arsenal after the title has slipped away is about as entertaining as football gets* (unless you’re a neutral who can watch Arsenal before the title has slipped away).
*Zero sarcasm. I truly mean it.
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