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
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“We cannot buy players for £50 million and, even if we try to strengthen our team and spend money if needed, that is a fact.”
Wenger’s vanity never sleeps (although his proofreader might have napped…nice syntax, dude). He picks a ridiculous figure ($50 million) that no else has suggested just so that if he finally spends ANY significant money on transfers, it’s not an admission he was ever wrong. As long as he doesn’t sign someone for $50 million, the plan is still on track!
OK.
so, Denilson wants out, Bendtner wants out… Arshavin is wanted back in Russia, Cesc wants out and Barcelona want him, Nasri is wanted in Germany, Sagna is wanted by Real Madrid….
we could absolutely CLEAN UP in the off-season… make a freakin’ FORTUNE… what if we sold Denilson for 5, Bendtner for 10, Arshavin for 10, Cesc for 35, Nasri for 25, and Sagna for 15?
That’s 100 MILLION GBP!!!!!!!
woooooooo hoooooooooooo.
That would be an amazing accomplishment.
100 MILLION GBP in selling off players … throw in Almunia for 3 Million… and a few other movable parts, and we could turn over the entire squad!
Seriously.
Let’s get the bus moving. Sell Denilson and Bendtner QUICK.
Let the bargaining begin on Cesc, and get that done fast as well. And MAKE SOME MOVES before July even arrives.
I am just bubbling with confidence that we’ll be very active “this time”…
yawn.
@stag133,
Regarding Cesc, Nasri, Sagna and to a lesser degree Rosicky, Arshavin, Vela, and Bendtner (but not Denilson):
When you have so many players that other teams from all around Europe want, it means your squad must have some decent talent in it… so if the players are talented, why haven’t we achieved? HMMMMMM…..
OK.
so, Denilson wants out, Bendtner wants out… Arshavin is wanted back in Russia, Cesc wants out and Barcelona want him, Nasri is wanted in Germany, Sagna is wanted by Real Madrid….
we could absolutely CLEAN UP in the off-season… make a freakin’ FORTUNE… what if we sold Denilson for 5, Bendtner for 10, Arshavin for 10, Cesc for 35, Nasri for 25, and Sagna for 15?
That’s 100 MILLION GBP!!!!!!!
woooooooo hoooooooooooo.
That would be an amazing accomplishment.
100 MILLION GBP in selling off players … throw in Almunia for 3 Million… and a few other movable parts, and we could turn over the entire squad!
Seriously.
Let’s get the bus moving. Sell Denilson and Bendtner QUICK.
Let the bargaining begin on Cesc, and get that done fast as well. And MAKE SOME MOVES before July even arrives.
I am just bubbling with confidence that we’ll be very active “this time”…
yawn.
Well, on the plus side of this attrocious season, Denilson and Bendtner have both said they want out, and Almunia, Vela and Rosicky are probably leaving too. This means Arsene has to buy some new players this summer, right? Who am I trying to kid, he’s probably going to promote a few youngsters and tell us that Frimpong is like a new signing. I figure in another year we’ll be happy to qualify for the Europa Cup.
Well, on the plus side of this attrocious season, Denilson and Bendtner have both said they want out, and Almunia, Vela and Rosicky are probably leaving too. This means Arsene has to buy some new players this summer, right? Who am I trying to kid, he’s probably going to promote a few youngsters and tell us that Frimpong is like a new signing. I figure in another year we’ll be happy to qualify for the Europa Cup.
And now that it’s all said-and-done, only goal differential has prevented City from taking 2nd. How long till they’re 1st?
Now Stuart Pearce is saying he’s not taking Wilshere to the U-21’s this season, nor Andy Carroll, after he originally said he was taking both.
Hey boys….
Well, I missed the last match of the season (away on a camping/skiing venture) but I’m not sure I’ll even watch the tape. The result says it all, and I hear that we were barely able to get the draw after they went down to ten men.
I’ll hold off on my end-of-season, hopes-for-the-future thoughts until the next thread. Suffice it to say that the team is at a spectacularly low ebb. We are in dire need of Change (with a capital C) which does not appear to be happening at the management nor philosophical/financial level. As such, I hope the accountants do their best to assess each and every asset (player) put them ALL up for sale and see where we can find value to move forward. If we can purge non-productive assets and slot in better options, I say go for it. If there’s anything “collective” about the team at the moment it would be malaise….We (desperately) need to find something better and some shake-up is the place to start….
But maybe it’s all a game of inches and luck. Take for example Theo Walcott’s late goal. It was another (brainless) shot-cross that got touched by Schwarzer but only enough to send it onto the inside of the post where it took just enough carom to send it (barely) across the line rather than out. It saved us a point and cost Fulham two. A few more of those sorts of bounces and who knows, we might’ve won a Carling Cup, gotten past Barca (before getting crushed by Schalke?), turned some of those draws into wins, etc., etc…..
Mostly, however, Theo’s lucky late goal makes ME (unbelievably)) the winner the of the YAMA fantasy league in its inaugural season. Yes, as Queen would say…..(sing it with me, I know you know the tune)…..”I am the champion, my friends”…..
So, like others, I want to thank the DAG for all his hard work: putting up with the incredible ranting and shouting down and other BS of the motley crew he took on from Arsenal America, creating outlets for chatters and would be bloggers (who are too lazy to make their own) and offering little incentives like the fantasy league, which kept me from turning away from the horrible car crash that was the end of our season.
How do I get my prize? Do I get to choose the style and name on the kit? (I’m thinking Sagna, #3, in next year’s home version, in a medium….) Hell, I’ll take any old Arsenal kit (and I’ll buy your old ones, haters, you know, if the price is right, sort of like Arsene would…..)
Thanks again!!
@highburyterracesteve, congrats on winning the Yama Fantasy League! Well done. But I hear Sagna is coveted by a few big name teams, like Real Madrid. So, if the price is right, we’ll likely ca$h him in… I mean, we have Eboue anyway.
So, I’d WAIT on who to put on your shirt name… but your request should be that DAG gets the shirt from some Ebay bootlegger in Malaysia, so the club doesn’t pocket the money!
;)
:yes:
@highburyterracesteve, congrats on winning the Yama Fantasy League! Well done. But I hear Sagna is coveted by a few big name teams, like Real Madrid. So, if the price is right, we’ll likely ca$h him in… I mean, we have Eboue anyway.
So, I’d WAIT on who to put on your shirt name… but your request should be that DAG gets the shirt from some Ebay bootlegger in Malaysia, so the club doesn’t pocket the money!
;)
:yes:
thank god its over… and we stayed Top 4.
another successful season in the world of Wenger and the Board.
another failed season for most fans, and some fans are absolutely ecstatic, as we won the profit league, stayed competitive, and played entertaining football at times.
let the Summer Silly Season begin…
Chelsea viewed the season as FAILURE and their manager is gone. Hell, they got 2nd, isn’t that a special season?
anywhoo… we held true to form in the last one… same as the past 10 or so…
Hoping for a miracle transfer window with lots of activity IN and OUT… but I am sure I will be dissapointed as always, with the propaganda put out by Wenger and the club…
After watching our final game against Fulham I have ultimately come to the inexorable conclusion that we will never win the EPL title without a defensive coach, which means we will never win one as long as Arsene is the head coach.
We tend to blame our FB’s when they get caught up field, but it’s the nature of our game. One CB should slide across and our DM drop into the middle to provide central coverage. Neither Diaby or Wilshire does that, which leaves a huge gap either on our flank or in the middle.
I could go on and on, but in summation, our defensive rotation is non-existent. DJ had a stinker and Vermaelen looked rusty in spells.
We will do better if we get a few world class players, but most importantly, we need coaches who can impart football basics rather than grand concepts.
BTW, Wenger won Ligue 1 in his first full season at Monaco but failed to reproduce that feat in his six successive years on the job. Is that record why he believes that”There are not many coaches who could teach me anything about managing a team”?
One thing notable is that he did keep them in European/CL competition for his first 6 years. HMMMMMM, could it be that was always his measure of success?
Sorry guys, I see more of the same old S***E next season.
Arsene has forced me to change my entire perspective on life. As of today I have now officially moved from PRAGMATIST to PESSIMIST.
Well, that’s that.
I’m pretty sure I predicted 4th at the start of the season. Then got my hopes up when we were on a tear. Then came back down to earth as we reverted to type.
Cesc spent the game watching the Spanish Grand Prix. I can’t blame him, and wouldn’t begrudge him going at all. Wenger needs to expand his definition of what constitutes a winning team — we need grit, players who fight, players who can lead, players who shout at the stragglers… CBs who don’t panic.
The left back’s defending today for the first goal was an absolute shocker.
Ah well, time to put away the broken record till we do some real spending over the summer.
4th it is. Official. The glory days of success are back.
Survival sunday was quite incredible. Feel bad for Blackpool. They tried. Although Birmingham are down as well. Yayyy. Although what does that say about the Carling Cup? Winning it couldn’t save Bham and losing it doomed Arsenal’s season. Yet, Bham have a trophy to show for their relegation season.
FSC showing Spurs v. B’ham, so I don’t have to even have to pretend to be interested in our match.
Have a productive, non-teeth grinding Sunday everyone!
along with van persie, i would give an honorable mention to szczesny and wilshere. both have been excellent, just young. better days ahead for them both.
i think the team suffered from poor tactics and poor leadership. maybe i feel that way because i’m an army guy. we always say “there’s no such thing as bad soldiers, only bad leaders”. i genuinely believe that. people say arsenal’s collapse had to do with losing the carling cup final. not so sure about that. each game is it’s own game. who thinks about the last game when playing the next?
just read that denilson article. if you’re going to leave, you don’t have to make a speech, just go. if you must say something about the club, say good things. don’t blame the club or make excuses; especially if you didn’t do well. jose reyes had a legitimate beef when he left. merson, platt, wright, winterburn, edu, lehmann, van bronkhorst, merida, eduardo, etc. they just left. no speeches. i really hate to hear cloaked parting shots.
i had big hopes for denilson. at only 20, he displayed a tremendous understanding of how to play the holding role. the tactical understanding is the hard part for young players. also, i can’t think of a player in the past twenty years that’s created as many goals from that deep as he did in the first half of the ’08-’09 season. maybe lothar matthaus when he moved to cb. maybe rijkaard at milan. but not pirlo, deschamps, lucio or anyone else i can think of.
at 20, denilson only needed to bulk up and get more experience and better days were ahead of him, right? wrong! the boss sang his praises and he rested on his laurels. i got that one dead wrong and fred reminds me of that all the time (thanks, fucker). denilson didn’t develop the following season and actually got worse the next. what young player does that? a fresh start in a less physical league with reduced wages might be what he needs. scott parker can assume ownership of his wages. by the way, scotty, here’s your way back into the the champions league and the england team. by the way, we’ve given you a few british proteges named jack wilshere, aaron ramsey, emmanuel frimpong, and henri lansbury.
@joshuad,
Ah, my favorite argument topic:
— “at only 20, he displayed a tremendous understanding of how to play the holding role.”
At no time in his pathetic career at Arsenal did he display anything remotely close to an understanding of how to play the holding role. The only thing “tremendous” about anything he did was his utter incompetence.
— “also, i can’t think of a player in the past twenty years that’s created as many goals from that deep as he did in the first half of the ’08-’09 season. maybe lothar matthaus when he moved to cb. maybe rijkaard at milan. but not pirlo, deschamps, lucio or anyone else i can think of.”
This paragraph is complete BS, and even you know it. He had like 5-6 assists in that period, and more than half of them were from corners (he was taking them at that point).
Dont DARE mention him in the same sentence as Lothar Mathaus or Frank Rijkaard. To imply he was better in that spell than Pirlo, Deschamps, etc is needless to say laughable.
In that golden period for Denilshit, Arsenal COLLAPSED completely! The start of the 2008/2009 season were dark, dark days … even darker than right now!
The only one who had high expectations for him was you Josh (and maybe a few AKBs here and there).
PS: What?? No longer comparing him to Beckenbauer? ;-)
Is it a given that Hangeland will score a headed goal via a corner or a free-kick?
The goal scoring charts in the EPL have been strange this season. Berbatov scored his goals in bunches and spent a good portion of time on the bench. Tevez’s injury meant that things were stagnant at the top for a while although Tevez got two last week. The inactivity by the top means both RVP and Bent were able to draw within 3 of the top. Although neither RVP or Bent can pull off a Ronaldo and score 4 goals in a game to take top. That is assuming Tevez won’t crack 20 on sunday.
Noticed the Arsenal women’s team won the F.A Cup, again. Doesn’t look like the Arsenal women have issues with mental strength :) Maybe they can offer some words of advice to the men. Then again, what’s the point. Wenger and his team really have nothing to learn from anyone. All of them experts in their field.
Anyway, no matter happens, this miserable season will be officially over. Yayyy….
@DAG,
Just wanted to thank you for your tireless work in producing a professional forum for many Arsenal “misfits” who would have no where else to turn.
Much success for the new season.
BTW, great pre-game write up as usual.
@Caribkid,
“Just wanted to thank you for your tireless work in producing a professional forum for many Arsenal “misfits” who would have no where else to turn.”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
(second)
@vibe4arsenal, third that.
DAG, this is indeed a great place to discuss and vent not only about Arsenal but even other happenings in European football. Also, it is nice to share dreams about changes that will suddenly turn Arsenal into a title winning team. Of course, no sooner are those dreams and wish-lists put down, they are completely shattered by cold chilling reality served up by the club.
@sachin, Amen. DAG is the MVP! Thank you for all your efforts.
@sachin, Amen. DAG is the MVP! Thank you for all your efforts.