Getting Back On Track: Arsenal v Stoke, Match Preview

Will The Right Arsenal Please Stand Up?

On a weekend where we should be discussing and applauding Arsene Wenger for his 500th game at the helm of Arsenal we are all engaged in a discussion as to whether or not Le Professor has lost his plot. And unfortunately the opponents that his Arsenal side meet this weekend are one of the clubs that in recent memory have given them fits. This Saturday Arsene Wenger and Arsenal look to set the ship aright when Stoke City roll into the Emirates.

As you all know normally I would give a little background on Stoke. Given everything that’s going on, I am going to focus on our squad. We know what Stoke is about. They will try and play physical ball and try and knock the Gunners off their game plan. You know just like Blackburn did and Fulham did. Anyway, let’s take a look at our boys shall we?

It has not been a pleasant two weeks at Ashbourton Grove. Coming off the international break Arsenal saw their 13 game unbeaten streak halted by an opportunistic Sunderland side. In retrospect it was game we should’ve won but didn’t. Ah well.

Last Sunday in a London Derby with lots of meaning Cesc Fabregas and company hung around just long enough to make us think they were going to make a game of it. However, in the glint of 4 minutes and off the toe of Didier Drogba and leg of Thomas Vermaelen we were down 2-nil and down for the count. True, the disallowed Arshavin goal was an absolute blown call and could’ve changed the complexion of the game and true the game was horrendously officiated.

Finally if you follow the Carling Cup and thought it was the only chance for Arsenal to win silverware you came away bitterly disappointed as the reserve squad lost to Manchester City 3-0. To be honest I didn’t expect much if we had won, it would’ve been a bonus but with a squad that was 65% youngsters who have rarely participated in matches with similar opposition , the writing was always on the wall – wasn’t it? The only negative of that match is the Alexander Song picked up his 5th yellow of the season and will be unavailable for this match.

The lead in to this match could start of on a worse foot. We know that we are short not just in height but in terms of strikers we do not seem to have anyone with the ability to step in and fill the gap being left by Robin Van Persie’s injury. And it is still another week or so before Nicky B returns to training. So if Arsenal are going to win this match Captain Fabtastic is going to need to muster the troops and run the game from the midfield as he was able to do prior to the two previous nightmares.

Arsenal will also need to have Andrei Arshavin put his foot where his mouth is and become an effective player for them. Andrei in case you haven’t heard has spent a better part of the week, speaking his mind. While I find it refreshing that an athlete would do so – I think saying your team isn’t strong enough or tall enough or able to compelete in the league does very little to ingratiate yourself to teammates who for what its worth are doing everything they can short of shooting the damn ball.  Andrei has been an enigma all season so far. Yes he has scored some corkers but he has been absent in most of the games and when he doesn’t get his way on the pitch tends to give up a little.

And in terms of the Arsenal scoring drought therein lies the main problem. I personally think it has less to do with the striker per se than it has to do with whatever player who has the ball in or around the box shooting the damn ball and pressuring the keeper. In the Chelsea match, Arsenal had a ton of opportunities to test Petr Cech and they didn’t. They were looking for the right time, open pass or I guess a sure thing before they would pull the trigger. If Arsenal are to find the net again, the need to be shooting from the edge of the box to get the keeper moving. They need to forget about always finding the right channel for the pass and shooting the damn ball.  The reason Denilson seems to make those wonder shots from 30 yards out is – no one is expecting it. The goalie is dumbfounded. Look at Denilson’s two long shot goals this season and the keeper is frozen because he can’t get an effective read on what Denilson is going to do.

Now I am not advocating not passing in the box ever, I am just advocating taking a little more chances around the box that tests the keeper. Arshavin and Cesc have been deadly from that area. Give it a shot.

Unfortunately there is not alot I can say about our own keeper situation. Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski are at best solid number twos but they are not number ones. There are too many errors in their game – as senior players – for there to be any confidence in their long term viability. Mannone and Cszensy are too unproven to even qualify. I know Arsene is going to be shopping for a striker but if he wants his defence to improve the first start is getting a solid keeper who can be their number one.

Ah well – just a couple notes on all the news this week and then my final overview of the match:

1. I am absolutely sick and tired of the press constantly crucifying Arsene Wenger. Look he has his faults but not shaking mark Hughes’ hand is not the end of the world as the Brit press is making it out to be. Why none of them seem to be questioning Hughes’ on field antics only goes to heighten the feeling that there is a wide spread bias around Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.

2. I love Andreir Arshavin. When he is on he one of the top 15 players in Europe. He is that good. The problem is – he hasn’t been that good all season and frankly I am thinking that since he hasn’t been that good – going around telling anyone who will listen that he thinks the team isn’t good enough to compete or that Liverpool’s KOP is a great place does not make for long term endearment to the Arsenal faithful or his teammates. It is all well and good to criticize, I welcome the frankness – but shouldn’t Andrei take a good hard look at himself first?

3. Finally, I have no problem with the youngsters getting rolled out at the Carling Cup. Some of them are going to be in the first team soon anyway and its better they get competition from other club’s first teams now and get the experience rather than get promoted to the first team and wind up shell  shocked because of the transition from reserve team to first team.

So How Will It Play Out:
Okay maybe I am the eternal optimist. Yes it is Stoke and yes they will be physical. But I think this squad is going to come out and try and prove to everyone that they still have it and that with or without Robin Van Persie they are a contender. I don’t even want to discuss what happens if they lose. I just don’t see it happening. And no it won’t be a clean sheet because Manuel Almunia will let one in at the 88th minute.

Probable Starting XI:  

Your Guess Is As Good As Mine

  

Injuries:

Arsenal: Walcott (hamstring, 13 Dec), Bendtner (groin, 19 Dec), Diaby (calf, 19 Dec), Clichy (back, 26 Dec), Gibbs (ankle, Feb), Djourou (knee, Apr), Van Persie (ankle, Apr) Song (1 game suspension)

Stoke: Shawcross (groin), Whitehead (1 game suspension)

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin. The little russian has been talking alot lately. Its one thing to say those and be a leader for people to follow. Its another to say them and not back it up with your own actions. Here’s to hoping that he intends to show up this week – because he needs to.

Stoke: Beattie. Why? I dunno. I really don’t know anyone else on Stoke – that’s why.

Referee:

Mark Clattenburg

FINAL SCORE:

Arsenal: 3

Stoke: 1

Where to Catch the Match:

Fox Soccer: 10AM EST

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As always Gameday chat will be open: www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat