EPL Match Day 8: Arsenal v Birmingham, Match Preview
Which Team Will Show Up This Week?
Is this thing on? Is everyone there? Are you all interested again? It is the return of meaningful football afterall. With two weeks of meaningless Euro qualifications under our belt, we all scattered to the wind. Well, the EPL is back and we will enjoy a nice run of solid football from now until February when the meaningless comes back again.
What’s more important is our team is back. But precisely what team is back is the question. Is it the team that has dropped 8 points out of the last 9? Or is it the team that was on a tear until that run? Is it the team that even though they lost, had more spirit against Chelsea than the team that came on the pitch against West Brom and stank up the place? I know we’re all hoping for a combination of the contending team and the aggressive Chelsea competitors.
Anything is possible though right? Frankly, from afar things are starting to look better. It looks like the injur nightmare is starting to recede with all the pieces are starting to come back. Many of the long-term injured are either coming back this week or are training with the club to make their return. While they will not be starters, regular first teamers Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner will be part of the squad at the Emirates this weekend. Additionally, on the bench should be Kieran Gibbs who is back after a thigh injury.
But with every bit of good news comes some bad and sometimes puzzling news. Arsenal fans via the player’s twitter feed were led to believe that Captain Cesc Fabregas was fit to return for this match. Two days after the Chelsea match Cesc told his twitter followers that “if the match were today I could play.” Puzzling though that Wenger says he is short. There are 3 schools of thought here on his not being included in the squad and they are:
- He really isn’t fully healed
- He is being saved from playing against team that is one of the perceived negative footballing squads and this will preserve him for next week’s match against City
- He is being punished for saying to the press the squad needed a winning mentality
Personally I am of the opinion it is the second one. If injury projections are correct most of our squad should be healthy by next week – including Robin Van Persie. City is going to be a big match. For lots of reasons. None more than that they are likely fighting for a spot at the top. (still don’t think they are title challengers) Why not go into that match with your best player completely healthy and not with knocks from being clobbered by the likes of Brum.
Also not making this match and just as puzzling is Laurent Koscielny. He didn’t play in any international matches and yet managed to pick up a back injury. I am going witht he butterfly wing sonic punch theory on this one. Who knows what happened here but either way it will see Johann Djourou start and and along with Eboue, who is in for the injured Bacary Sagna, our French back four is no more.
More pressing than injuries though is a need for a win and all three points. I don’t remember the last time Arsenal lost 3 in a row. Do you? Maybe we should take an omen from last season that when we had our heartbreaks against Sunderland and Chelsea we went on a 13 game unbeaten streak. We stayed in the hunt until injuries really took over. By all indications we’re coming through our injury hurdle (yes, there will be more – this is Arsenal after all) so a run similar to last year is not unlikely.
Lukasz Fabianski earns the nod again in goal. His performance at Chelsea at the very least offred him that chance. I think he is on a very short leash. I really do believe if he lets in a howler in any match he will get pulled for Szczesny. Regardless of what anyone thinks, I do think Arsene is aware of his predicament in goal and at this point will not hesitate to deputize someone ahead of our dynamic duo of Almunia and Fabianski.
There is enough quality(even with the injuries) in the squad to take on and crush Birmingham. The Blues haven’t been special this season and mirred in medicority. They haven’t won on Arsenal’s ground since 1957 and they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet against the Gunners in 11 of their last 12 meetings. You can see that Alex McLeish is worried about the image of his club as he is already playing the refs hoping his squad get a fair chance against a “better club.” This is less about Wenger’s remarks to the press about “kicking clubs” and more about the dubious call that went against Brum earlier when Villa were awarded a late PK.
The good thing about this match is we will get to see an old friend – Alex Hleb who didn’t play for his national side due to injury should be fit for the squad. Overall, I think he’ll get a warm reception – at least from the fans. I read with interest Wenger’s comments about Hleb when asked if he regretted letting him go – and now I paraphrase – – he wanted to go. So I let him go. No, I don’t regret it. Ouch. Not really the warm and fuzzies eh?
How the Match Should Play Out:
This is really about which Arsenal team shows up and which Arsenal team we really are. If the attacking side of the early season and that sort of showed up against Chelsea (albeit without anything to show for it) Birmingham do not stand a chance. If we show up like we did against West Brom and Sunderland – oh hell, you know what could happen. Anyway, Arsenal are in need of a feel good moment. I personally think we will be slow coming back from the international break and come in at the half either up 1-0 after a mid half score or even 0-0. I think the arrival of Theo Walcott on the pitch as a super sub will change the dynamic of the game, Marouane Chamakh will have someone he can dish the ball to and we shred the 2nd half.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Well, Jack Wilshere is the easy pick here eh. He gets slotted into the Cesc role again. I think he needs to put some more shots together on his uncanny passing ability – if he does that with his desire to move things forward – he will be deadly.
Birmingham: Well, he is back in the EPL and he was good while he was here and frankly he seems like the only Birmingham player to watch so we go for Alex Hleb.
Probable Starting XI
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Sagna (calf) Koscielny (back) Almunia (elbow) Fabregas (thigh) Vermaelen (achilles) Van Persie (ankle) Ramsey (ankle) Frimpong (knee)
Birmingham: Gardner (suspended – 2) Jerome (ankle) Beausejour (knee) & McFadden (knee)
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 3
Birmingham: 1
Last 5:
Arsenal: WWDLL
Birmingham: DDLDL
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Arshavin 5 (2 League)
Birmingham: Gardner 4 (3 League)
Match Officials:
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant Referees: Patrick Keane & David Richardson
Fourth Official: Fred Graham
Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 10:00AM EST
UK: ????? 1500 BST
Feeds:
www.atdhe.net
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Birmingham: 1
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“I don’t know about burgers but we have some very nice balti pies at the Emirates. They’re a bit pricey at £4 each (they may even have gone up, I haven’t had one yet this season) but at least we have the consolation of knowing that Arsene is going to use every penny he coaxes out of us in the transfer market.”
http://www.football365.com/mailbox/story/0,17033,8744_6452558,00.html
Birmingham are complaining about Arsenal. But Arsenal are not that kind of team and are a bunch of nice chaps. So why can’t we move on? Wouldn’t be surprised if this drags on.
Don Vito has gotten his loan wish. That was fast. I suppose loan moves out of Arsenal happen with speed. Maybe Arsenal should also consider loan moves into the team as that will save money & not kill the great talent on hand.
While I was extremely frustrated at Arsh on the weekend, it is easy to see why he gets more slack than Diaby.
Arsh has played 10 (league + CL) games, has scored 4 goals and assisted 5 others. In the league alone, he has created more goal chances than any other players until two weeks ago.
Diaby, on the other hand, has started 6 games, has scored 1 goal and 0 assists. Don’t argue that he plays more defensively, because Jack has already assisted three goals (not counting the Carling Cup where he has 2 more). And defensively, Diaby is no better than Arsh.
Nipuna, fair is fair and that is what Ars’ was alluding too, history is irrelevant.
Adebayor scored 30 goals in one season, did he get any slack?
If one of your favourites play crap he should be criticised as much as those you love to hate, or even better both should be given the same amount of slack.
We all know you cannot judge a performance by stats alone. How many assists and goals by Sagna for instance. By the way how many games has Jack played, how many goals did he score? Did he score or set up any in his best performance this season?
To claim that Diaby is no better Df than Arsh is crazy.
I am not a great fan of Diaby these days but Ars’ makes a valid point.
Everybody get ready for the next endless transfer saga: Wayne Rooney.
Torres won’t be far behind.
Good… Take some of the attention away from Fabs. Wouldn’t mind Torres at Arsenal, he can rotate with RVP and they can keep the injury bed warm for each other.
Though in all honesty, I don’t know where he would go. Barca are stacked, Real won’t touch him being ex-Athletico and have just bought Villa, I don’t see him moving to Italy, which leaves just the premiership. City or Chelsea methinks.
A win’s a win. Next challenge is a clean sheet.
Anyone see this interview with Eduardo?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/17/eduardo-shakhtar-donetsk-arsenal
I thought this comment was interesting about his new team:
“I have to say that Lucescu’s training sessions are harder and more demanding than the ones I had at Arsenal but on the other hand the games are definitely less intense than in England.”
Soft training = more injuries perhaps?
But then Chamakh has said that the training sessions here are more strenous than the ones at Bordeaux so hard to say for sure what the truth is.
we don’t do clean sheets…
I think we have ONE in the league.
teams that can’t play defense well, can’t win titles.
yeah.
City can WIN THE LEAGUE THIS YEAR.
yall can hate all you want and wish…
They BEAT CHELSEA.
They have the leading scorer and possibly BEST PLAYER in the league in Tevez… the players they have coming off the bench would start just about anywhere, like Silva…
there is FIERCE competition week in and week out just to get into the team… that creates a WINNER.
They’re 2 points behind Chelsea, ahead of United…
and they’ll probably beat Arsenal next week… as we are NOT a good road team…
I don’t like it, but its fact baby… its fact.
Carlos Tevez at Arsenal would make all the difference in the world.
Instead, we rely on crocks and finesse midgets, who can’t play half a season…
oh well. we’ll make lots of money, even if City win the league…
and then folks here will just say…
THEY BOUGHT THE TITLE so it doesn’t count the same!
whatev.
can’t wait for the massive CL match on Tuesday!!!!!!
And so If City “WIN THE LEAGUE THIS YEAR” so can we :-D
based on what premise?
we haven’t beaten Chelsea, United, or even City last year…
who’ve we beaten that is a “good team”…
I know you believe we are a contender to win the league… and that’s why Arsenal FC PLC, INC… absolutely LOVE the folks like you.
buy a scarf!
The season before last we had the the 2nd best record against the top four sides in the league, Liverpool had the best but they couldn’t beat us.
Guess who had the worst, or at best 2nd worst? ManUtd, that was the same team who won the title.
We have as good a chance as City to win the league Stag, simple, I need not argue the point.
no, you don’t need to argue…
you have the blinders on, so no point.
just go buy a scarf, a shirt… and some Arsenal gifts for Christmas.
What will you say if they beat us next weekend…
surely, that the season is long, and that they’ll drop points along the way.
its a tired story.
What if, What if? What if?
If we lose, “the season is long, and that they’ll drop points along the way.” CORRECT :-D
Win or lose I will support Arsenal buy shirt, scarf gloves hat, may even buy the Arsene Wenger porcelain cutlery set.
It is nice being a happy Arsenal fan…wanna try? :-)
Classic David v Goliath battle in the late match….I think I heard the announcers say that Blackpool spent 2.9 mil GBP to City’s 198 in the transfer market over the summer. And I would imagine that the weekly salaries of the Toure brothers (neither of whom are even on the bench for the match today) would cover the entire wages of Blackpool, but they play a nice attacking game and it’s all in a good spirit except for Ade trying to con the refs and linesmen to little avail….
Nil-nil in the 63rd….
The bad news is that both teams might trouble Arsenal…
Damn!, City break through, against the run of play…
Wouldn’t mind having that Joe Hart in Goal, I’m not sure Blackpool wouldn’t have scored against our keepers….
Well, it’s pretty easy here on the West Coast for an early riser like myself…In fact, I’m enjoying Everton beating Liverpool 2-nil right now as the sun is coming up. Cahill, Arteta with quality goals, Torres looking sharp but getting absolute crap for service. Complain all you want about our “young” players who we’ve brought through, some of Liverpool’s purchases under Benitez prove the adage, “let the buyer beware.”
And speaking of which, while I’m very happy that we claimed the three points yesterday, it was not easy doing so while our record-purchase (and thus undroppable) little Russian (also, like Fred and Kiwi) slept through the proceedings. With Little Jack now suspended we’ll see if Denilson has us starting matches with only nine….
Luckily, we did enough at the front and back to come away with the win. Makh put Martin Atkinson in his pocket and did a little (perfectly timed) diving when the pool looked inviting and kept his feet and danced the ball in when the defender expected a reprise. Very nice. The combination of artistry and industry (and the improving hairstyle) is very welcome. The onus will be on Bendy and RVP to work their way back into the team. I can’t see Chamakh missing out on the bigger (league) matches at their expense.
And Flappy….did enough. He still couldn’t keep the clean sheet, but his Hollywood dives on goals are very impressive. And there were no gifts. What more can we ask from an Arsenal keeper these days? To be fair, B-ham were unfathomably negative or disciplined (depending on your view) even when chasing the game. I have to say that I feel pretty bad for both Hleb and Seb Larrson who both would slot in just fine in our iffy/injury riddled squad.
So, with Birmingham ceding possession but keeping the two lines of 4 (or more) going all day, and the one guy (for us) who can create his own shot (Arshavin) taking a siesta, we looked pretty poor. Jack moves nicely, Song not so much and neither is Cesc, despite their efforts to mimic him and show the Captain what they’ve learned from him. Diaby looks good turning and moving the ball forward but got rather shy after having his first several shots blocked on the line. Nasri, but for his well taken penalty, looked like a visual manifestation of his verbal complaint about having to play on the wings. Those two suffered the most trying to work with Arshavin, who had his open-mouth/retard face (my wife would scold me for my lack of political correctness here….) going full force.
So yeah, we’re gonna beat up on Shaktar (I would hope), but we need some bodies either back or re-motivated before heading to City, who we will not beat if we play a man or two down….
Nice read Steve, I repeat you should write an article or two.
We won. It may not have been pretty, so what. From my chair I saw positive performances from players who usually (recently) get chastised (Song, Diaby, Clichy, Fabianski, Squillaci).
Missing in action: Cesc, RvP, Theo, Sagna, Vermaelen
Yet the glaring poor performance from Arshavin, who used the match yesterday to work on his back heeling skills to anyone on the pitch, again is on the receiving end of a ‘get out of jail card’ by those doing the most criticizing.
I’m not sure that the team can afford the luxury of his poor play – nor any team can play a man down and look good.
His work effort recently has picked up- its more his poor linking skills that are LIMITING OUR ATTACKING OPTIONS. So many of you want to point out the deficiencies of other Arsenal players in failing to score and yet you conveniently omit this OBVIOUS major flaw in our attack.
Frankly, no winning margin yesterday would change the comments of the “undertakers” who post here: keypad (shovel) in hand eager to bury manager and players.
Ouch…
I guess I was posting simultaneously (Everton just about done winning the derby)….
As you’ll see, I think you’re letting Andrey off a little easy…I didn’t see the “work effort” you did. (Though I did see the effort he had to make anytime he wanted to “show” that he was “working,” if that’s what you mean.
Squill was good (maybe helping organize the makeshift D?) and his goal was as on-side as much as Nasri’s was a legitimate penalty.
Clichy might’ve done better with his snap shot, I thought….
Still like you say…So What!!
Lets get it straight, you, an AKB, are criticizing us for not criticizing a player enough??? :-D
No Fred, Ars is holding up a mirror to your face and showing you a hypocrite ;-)
Another view is that Arshavin is being appointed the role of optimists ‘fall-guy’. I’ve noted on many sites that erstwhile self-proclaimed optimists are jumping with an ungainly eagerness upon the slag Arshavin bandwagon. This is not a new pheonom it has happened in the past. It’s almost as though even the believers need an object upon which to vent their frustrations – so Arshavin it is.
Meanwhile the great untouchable Robin sits on his *&%$# and contemplates his next international. During which, no doubt, he’ll pick up another little knock or pull or strain and be crocked for another period.
Because Arshavin represents ‘evil’.
Experienced, game-changer, not a nice humble Wenger bot…….
Obviously I failed to make my point clear.
There is nothing wrong with criticism for manager, players……everything is fair game. If you want to be credible in your commentary (here), then show some objectivity. If you use the excuse that this is a blog sight and objectivity is not necessary, then there is no need for debate on club, manager, and players. Everyone posting here is intelligent and has a grasp of the game.
As for the Birmingham match, I can only say for myself that I was not impressed with the score line. It is what it is and every week no team will play on all 8 cylinders. Its when you play on 4-6 cylinders and take the points…..you accept it and work on improvement.
To fault Diaby as a source for our ineptness is missing the elephant on the pitch.
The commentary following this match started out with the usual frustration of our inability in the final third (on going for 3 seasons). Agree. Diaby is openly criticized (above) for his contribution………not Chamakh, not Nasri, not Wilshere, and not Arshavin.
Anyone watching the match objectively will admit that Arshavin had an off match. Maybe it can be attributed to the Interlull – I don’t know.
When you play with 3 attackers and one of them is constantly turningover possession for 70 minutes – why are you pointing fingers at another player who with his play is breaking down the other teams defense.
We have played matches with RvP and Cesc and still seen an Arsenal inability to break down teams that park the bus.
I’m just as frustrated with RvP and his priorities but this is the manager’s issue, AS IS THE SITUATION WITH CESC.
All we need to do is look at ManU and SAF’s problems with Rooney and b4 Ronaldo & Tevez OR next with Pool and Torres (Alonso, Masherano)
re: Arshavin
He is a gifted player that our manager has failed to motivate. For Arsenal to be successful we need his experience, leadership, and skills…..but if he’s out of sync, then give someone else a chance. I felt we played the first 70 minutes a man down.
LOL! Kiwi, that is an interesting theory. I think you will find it is mostly Master Mongers (ones that make Mazza look like a Monger Midget) that criticise Arshavin heavily, it is in their nature you know :-D
It think everyone criticises players when they perform badly especially when they play badly regularly. the problem is some get cricised inordinately more than others. That was a fair point Ars’ made.
I do not get on Arsh’s back much because I know he can score out of nothing so warrants the game time, but he has been playing poorly, our record signing too.
As for the Perse, he is our “saviour” you know ;-) . No, seriously it is more likely that someone is criticised for paying poorly than being injuried, we presume he cannot help the injuries.
Yeah, this is the first year ever that the desire for a good nights sleep surpasses my interest in watching the team. I’m just over it. Wake me up when the team’s serious again.
Ditto.
Kiwi,
you are not alone! Woke up at 10am EST to watch the match, once the Zigic header wne in, turned it off and went to bed. Surprised we actually won, was expecting dropped points.
Am sure we will thrash Shaktar at home in midweek and all the AKBs would come out telling us how great the team is (and players like Denilson and Clichy start giving interviews) then Man City smash us at the weekend.
The predictability of Wenger setup.
I didn’t get up to watch the game – preferred my sleep. Glad we won. Hopefully Wilshere is savvy enough to put the nasty tackles away. I think the young man is a truly rare gem – ala Fabregas.
Bendtner looked as lack lustre as ever on his return, but as he is just back from injury I will cut some slack.
Arshavin can score a goal out of nothing but Rosicky looks in better form deserves to start but I suppose he will replace Wilshere in the middle of the park.
Can’t say I was overly impressed with Diaby, but I could not really pick any poor performers on our side apart from Arshavin.
MOTM, regardless of the red card, Wilshere closely followed by Song.
I told you Wilshere was our saviour this season. Already a million miles ahead of everyone bar Cesc and possibly Ramsey.
LOL! I would have covered him in adulation today but I knew Mazza would come and tell everyone how the boy doesn’t shit only sun comes from his backside, so I didn’t need to say much!
If he can reproduce that performance week in week out he will continue to be a great assest to our club. But he is not our saviour or a million miles ahead everyone else… yet. We will win games whether he plays or not. Cesc and RvP are the only players in our team that can have such a huge impact as to whether we win or lose games IMO.
He’s basically the ONLY hope of this season being remotely different from previous seasons. Someone with that inate ability to make the right decisions in nearly every aspect of midfield play. Cesc is the other one.
Song, Diaby, Denilson are all established clowns in that respect.
Rubbish, Mazza, absolute tosh.
You and you saviour syndrome you always have to have one.
Wilshere makes mistakes just like everyone else, less than Ramsey but still makes mistakes.
I have seen Jack make three really bad tackles since preseason, I have seen him string a few errant long balls in the Chelsea game. If Song had been distributing like that you would have told everyone how is passing was off.
I have noticed you are now acknowleging Cesc to be the genius he is all of a sudden. You were the guy that argued vociferously that Cesc was overrated and that he was nothing without Hleb.
Now you have to concede it is more likely that Hleb is nobody without Cesc.
Mazza, please do not curse our Jack with your saviour label, look what happened to your last two saviours :weep:
Maz, you also declared that if Wilshere didn’t play well against Sunderland, that previous performances wouldn’t mean much. I’m sure that, in retrospect, you didn’t really mean that. The kid is so young and will develop quite a bit as the season progresses.
Personally, I’m not for placing all of our title hopes on an 18 year old. But playing deeper is going to teach young Jack quite a bit. It’s a right tought position to play. He’s still so young and has so much to learn. Let’s be patient with him.
A satisfactory victory in the end. We controlled throughout but never looked like we were going to give them the trouncing they deserved.
Arthur the Octopus said that our it was a matter of time our “little thug” would get himself sent off in that semi DM postion. He was outstanding though the Wilshere I was saying we have not seen since the Emirates Cup a couple of seasons ago the one that got him all the accolades in our youth team.
Song was also very good going forward today. I am convinced he he playing as he is instructed to play. And despite a certain poster ;-) believing he has sound tactical knowledge even comparable to our great manager, in this instance we are again reminded that Arsene Knows Best ;-)
It is a strange system we are are playing, were it seems sometimes both our “DMs” are allowed to roam forward at will sometimes even in tandem! But with a team that has allowed our CDFs to join in attack at will over the years I suppose it’s nothing new.
We played virtually the same system against Chelsea, Song was used as some sort of roaming DM. Our MF was not overrun by them so why would anyone assume it would be “gory” for us against the Brums? Hleb is hardly Malouda is he?
Also pleased with the Chelsea result, I did say they are not “all that” and they will drop points, my question was “would we be able to take advantage of it”. This weekend we have, long may it continue.
The role of the DM is not to prevent a midfield being overrun.
Wenger better set up to beat Man City next weekend. Maybe then your arguments for a completely, non-defensive midfield would sound less like the scammy, nigerian email it sounds like now ;-)
It would be interesting to see if Arsene will use the same tactics against City.
I would advise more caution fot that game as City have a lot of pace and with a relatively inexperienced defensive partnership they may need more support against City.
By the way I am not arguing for a non DF midfield, I am just pointing out what is apparent from watching the last game or two. Our DMs play like the box – box CM who used to use in the 442 system. This is not my idea but Arsene’, time will tell whether it works out.
I think it is unfair to blame Song for not doing a Makalele role, when that is not what he has been asked to do.
Scoring is the most difficult and frustrating skill in football. You can teach technique but most great goal scorers have the ‘gift’……just as those players that can dribble or pass under pressure.
From my perspective, the more changes you have to the midfield and forward line, the more you disrupt
the chemistry and Arsenal are all about pass & move. I thought in the first half that Nasri was lost on the wing and not too involved in play and Arshavin, well it was not his day.
If you thought our finishing was exasperating, talk to a Chelsea fan and ask them about the finishing by Malouda (30) , Essien (28), and Anelka (32).
We do have some experience on the team, Squillaci is 30; Arshavin is 29; and Rosicky subbed in at the 71st minute is 30……but then again, Birmingham had a squad filled with experience. There is no set age that determines experience.
From this match, we had consistent performances from almost every one. Diaby looked sharp and too much for the Birmingham midfield to handle.
As far as Cesc is concerned, I don’t care what he says or thinks. If he wants to be our captain, then he should act like the captain and shut his trap about Barcelona.
last I checked, Chelsea were Champions and are in first place.
so, they can have an off day, especially missing Drogba…
as long as they remain in 1st, what’s it matter…
as long as we can’t beat them, what’s it matter?
We played relatively well, until it came time to FINISH it off.
That’s been the Arsenal way for YEARS now.
Diaby is too much for Birmingham’s midfield to handle.
that’s wonderful.
he didn’t score with all his wonderful play, and he didn’t set up a goal either.
When he is too much to handle for a top 5 team, we’ll have something.
UNited let another one go. This time it was Van Der Sar
Chelsea draw !!!
AV is their bogey team, along with Everton and Man City
Wow this place is dead. Just got back from an event that caused me to miss the game. Had planned on recording it and seeing it without knowing the score (yeah right thats gonna happen!!)… Haven’t seen the replay yet. How’d we do? Any interesting talking points (other than the red?)
Only two talking points.
Makh dived to get the penalty.
Jack’s red card had everything we accuse Stoke/Blackburn/Bolton of.
Ozi.
I don’t really believe there is going to be a lot to truly discuss with this team going forward … until January.
We aren’t seriously going to compete for a league title.
Wenger generally throws the Domestic Cups away, he’s not interested.
and… the CL group stages are a JOKE in terms of being competitive.
What’s there to say about today’s match.
We dominated the first half, tried to walk the ball into the net… and they scored on a header after a throw-in.
We got a penalty that Chamakh “embellished”… we passed the ball all over their half of the pitch to the point where the supporters were once again screaming “SHOOOOOOOOOOOOT”…
glimpses of good from Diaby, until it mattered, and he wouldn’t shoot…
Wilshire played well … and then he committed a horror tackle at the end, that I’ll be interested to hear what Wenger says about it… besides “I didn’t see it”.
We WON.
Not convincingly.
But United and Chelsea drew.
so, we gained points.
I doubt we can beat either of them head to head, but… it doesn’t matter really, we aren’t winning the league.
Enjoy the matches for what they are… a way to fill the stadium, sell gear, and make profit.
OH, Fabianski actually played pretty well, and with some confidence in net.
I blame Hleb!
I disagree Stag, we can beat both of them. If City can beat Chelsea, why can’t we?
Neither Chelsea or Man U are at their peak. I don’t rate Ancelloti as a a great manager for this Chelsea team, he is no Morinho or Hiddink in the EPL as a result Chelsea are weaker IMO and Man U has been on the downward for some time now.
Yes I will agree we have not progressed enough to take advantage of their failings but we are within touching distance and I believe we will beat one or both of them at sometime throughout the season.
“If City can beat Chelsea, why can’t we?”
If Liverpool can beat West Brom, why can’t we?
Duuh! we can beat West Brom, is even that in doubt in Nipuna’s Mongerland? ;-)
The real world, Art!
You know where we lost to West Brom at home.
Of course I know that Nip,.
The real world, we are more than capable of beating West Brom 9/10 times.
some good, some not so good today.
3 points is always good.
Fabianski played well.
Wilshire was excellent UNTIL he decides to try an IDIOTIC challenge, that is exactly what Wenger and Arsenal complain about.
Diaby very good, until it gets to the point of DOING SOMETHING with it… and as usual, he and all the Arsenal players can’t figure out how to actually SHOOT THE BALL, and ATTEMPT TO SCORE.
That much passing is just annoying at this point.
and if Cesc wonders why there is no winning mentality, it should be noted that the lack of experience is where it starts. ZERO players 30 years old in the team… and I think the usual end of season comment applies… “If we could keep this team together”… they’d be something in a few years time.
take the points and run.
a win at home.
as noted below Squill and Rosi are 30.
neither’s won shit, but hey, they are 30, so they’ll have to be off-loaded soon!
to be fair Squill has won quite a few titles.
Under you can’t make this up – Craig Eastmond arrested for a “flashing” incident.
Starting XI: Fabianksi, Squillaci (C) Djourou, Eboue, Clichy, Song, Diaby, Wilshere, Nasri, Arshavin, Chamakh
Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Rosicky, Walcott, Denilson, Vela, Bendtner
This match needs to allow Arsenal to regain their swagger. The keys for me are:
– how much space and time we give them with the ball
– controlling the midfield
– avoiding miscues in defense and by our keeper
I would like to see a chemistry evolve between Bendtner and Chamakh and can we utilize their
heading abilities on set pieces – a reliable plan B.
3 points and no injuries.
Typical players are known to score on their return.
Wouldn’t it be funny if Hleb scores today ?
This might be a lot closer than we think.
With Kos out and Djo in, Fab in goal and Eboue + Clichy on the wings, the defence will be shakier than ever before.
I think we will win by one goal.
OFF TOPIC:
In my attempt to promote the forums – one of the forum guys has put this up in the humor section:
https://youaremyarsenal.mystagingwebsite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=19
Enjoy!!
If Song abandons his post again and gives the Hleb-meister complete freedom in the space in front of the CBs it could turn gory for the Wenger Babes.
That Birmingham team is freaking experienced! And very combative too!
Normally I wouldnt worry too much about a home game … but after that West Brom result anything is possible.
True, Song has to stop venturing forward and play his DM role.