EPL Matchday 38: Arsenal v Fulham; Match Preview

It’s over. Or it will be over 2 hours after kick off Sunday. More than any of the previous trophyless seasons this one hurts the most. Moreso because I don’t think Arsenal will do the job they need to do tomorrow when the visit Fulham.

It is sad that I say but I have absolutely no hope that this team can pull its collective head out it’s arse and actually show some verve. It no longer means anything. Sure, someone might say – automatic Champion’s League is on the line. I would tell you – no it’s not. We’re playing in the qualifier. If anyone can raise their hand to anything positive this team has done during this rock drop to the dregs – I’d like to know what you’re drinking and where can I get it.

The fact is, there isn’t – except maybe for Robin Van Persie. He is the only player who during the fall from grace can actually hold his head up and say – I did my part. Frankly if I were Robin, I’d be kicking everyone in the ding ding. It’d be okay actually as none of the players has shown over the last few weeks, months that they have a set. Well, actually that’s not true a few have but as this is a team sport lets just say this collective unit has shown a distinct lack of stones.

Leaving the dead wood of the team aside – I still firmly believe that there is enough talent in our chosen 11 to win and win big. Yes, I think they are three players short of putting it all together. I have a piece in draft format laying out the three I think would help this club immensely. But I digress. The starting XI are good. You only need to see wins against Barca, Chelsea and United to at least know what it is capable of when it is focused and up for a match. Conversely you only need look at the last two months to see where our main problem lies. Simply put the loss at the Carling Cup combined with Newcastle’s surprise comeback have in my estimation marred the team’s psyche which as we all know was paper thin to begin with.

There are still team problems. Our CBs need another solid option. Koscielny has grown but I still think he is green. And my original optimism on Djourou has been tempered by some lapses in play. He’s still good but again I am not sure he was intended to play the entire season. Thomas Vermaelen is just back so there is no impact there. And don’t ask me about Sebastien Squillaci – the only player in this world who could make me yearn for the return of Mikhail Silvestre.

But even with the problems we all know well, the overriding problem remains – the mental fragility of this team. For me the season cannot end soon enough. Tomorrow is a formality at this point. Failure to secure any points against Stoke and Aston Villa sealed this club’s fate before we got to this match. And frankly Fulham has been on a run of form and always plays us tough at home – so it ain’t getting any easier even in the last match.

How the Match Should Play Out:
I suspect Sparky will have his London outfit play us tight looking to counter and lob the ball up and attack our defenders. Why not it’s worked for Stoke and especially for Villa. Arsenal will control much of the ball but with out a true creative spark we could find ourselves on the outside looking in on this. As it is – I am predicting a draw on this. I will proudly eat my prediction if  it is not the case.

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Robin Van Persie. If one player has acquitted himself well in this disgraceful example of a team it is Van Persie. Since his full time return in November he has proven himself to be the best damn striker in the EPL. If not for him we could very well be looking at Europe with a different cup name.

Fulham: Mark Schwarzer. He wanted to come here. We wanted him here but Sparky wasn’t about to let. Let’s see what he’s got.

Probable Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Fabianski (shoulder) Koscielny (D-thigh) Rosicky (D-thigh) Diaby (D-calf) Fabregas (thigh)

Fulham:  Dembele (knee) Duff (Achilles)  Kamara (back) Baird (1-game)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Van Persie 21  (17 league) Nasri 15 (10 league)

Fulham: Dempsey: 13 goals (12 league); Zamora: 6 goals (4 league)

Last Meeting: (EPL)
Arsenal: 2

Fulham: 2

Goals For:
Arsenal: 2.1 (away)

Fulham: 1.6 (home)

Goals Against:
Arsenal: 1.4 (away)

Fulham: 1.2 (home)

Last Five:
Arsenal: LLWLD

Fulham: WLWWD

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 29

Fulham: 6

Match Officials:
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant referees: Jake Collin & Adam Watts
Fourth official: Michael Oliver

Broadcast Information:
US: Foxsoccer.Tv 1100 EST (FSC replay at 5:00PM EST)

UK: Unknown

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 1

Fulham: 1

The Final Word

You can imagine my surprise and shock and awe to see the news this week that our own Denilson has informed Arsene he intends to leave the club immediately after the Fulham game. To which I quickly replied – do you need help packing? When Denilson showed up on the screen as a promising midfielder he showed flashes of what he might turn out to be. What he actually turned out to be was something all together different.

When ever Denilson started you prayed the opposition didn’t get a lead because nothing would happen in terms of developing play with him on the pitch. His inability to understand the concept of forward passing and movement and the constant giving away of the ball too easily, clearly showed that the EPL was not for him. No harm really it is a hard league to play in. The only problem is why couldn’t Arsene have done something sooner and spare this the ridiculous attempts at salvaging him.

If press reports are true Denilson is being looked at by both Sevilla and Roma. While we are glad to see him go, we wish him luck and thank you for trying. Your consolation prize is on the other side of the door. 1 down 5 to go.

The news on the Cesc coming and going carnival got some steam this week when the Mail reported that should Barca lose the Champion’s League final they will immediately place a bid for Cesc Fabregas. Should they win, they will party for a while – then bid. That was immediately countered by an article in the Daily Star that the club has placed a price-tag of £60 million on Fabregas.  Which based on Barca president Rosell’s comments – would instantly place Cesc out of their price range. They are said to be offering any where from £24 to £35 million.  For £24 million they would also throw in some fringe players.

As a follow-up to all of this I went and trolled around Total Barca to see if I could get a pulse on what the Barca fans think. Well obviously noone wants to pay £60 million for him. Most think the club has other pressing needs and a majority actually don’t want Cesc to come back. So what’s all this mean? We’ll get all the Cesc saga again. The press loves a good non-story. But in the end come August, Cesc Fabregas is a gunner.

Finally a big thank you to all of you. This is the end of our 2nd full season reporting on the Arsenal. It has at times been tiring, expasperating and a whole of a lot of fun. We’re closing in our full 2nd birthday and I couldn’t be more grateful for you our readers and the regulars who just make this so much fun to do. We have a lot of stuff planned for year 3. The planning for the YAMACAST is underway and I am designing new creative elements for next season – no I won’t change the site again.  We’ll go to a reduced scheduled of articles in the Summer. I will try and get some guest writers to offer up stuff like always and we’ll obviously keep everyone apprised of all the goings and comings this summer. For regular long winded conversations, I’d like to remind you that the forums are available for ongoing continued discussion when things get light here in the summer.  I’ve got some house cleaning to do over there but please, use them.

Thank you all for a great second year!!!

Until next time . . . Stay Goonerish