Match Preview: Arsenal v AZ Alkmaar Part II (UCL)
Champion's League Action Match Day 4 Group H
A fortnight ago, Arsenal had an early chance to close out Group H and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champion’s League. However, as was typical for some Arsenal teams of the past, the Gunners owned the game throughout only to relax in the last quarter of the game and watch David Mendes da Silva shot equalize in the last minute of the game. Today’s match is an attempt to once again close out the group and right the wrong that was done in Holland.
AZ Alkmaar come to the Emirates still following through on their erratic league form. They’ve lost to Ajax, needed extra time to beat a bottom feeding Eredivisie club and won 1-0 over another opponent. But still as was mentioned two weeks ago a Ronald Koeman managed side have managed to be a thorn in the Gunner’s side in the past.
In fact the Gunner historically haven’t been all that successful at home against Dutch Sides. They are an appalling 2 W 4 D 1 L. In order for them to progress into the knockout stages – they will need to halt that trend and come out with an emphatic win.
This is amatch less about what AZ can do and more about Arsenal comingo ut and dictating the play for a full 90 minutes. Coming off the draw to AZ and a following draw to West Ham – 2 matches they held the lead for most of the match – Arsenal have shown a renewed committment to focus. Arsenal’s young guns won in style 2-1 over Liverpool in the Carling Cup and even in a lackluster peformance against Tottenham, mauled their derby opponents 3-0. All the while in both matches it was evident that Arsenal were committing themselves towards protecting their leads.
A lack of focus isn’t in the only thing Arsenal will need to overcome. Trips to the trainer’s table are becoming a regularity with the team. On Tuesday it was announced that Gael Clichy could be out up to 4 weeks with a stress fracture in his lower spine. Niklas Bendtner is also out, having come up lame with a severe groin injury. Throw in long term injuries, to Denilson and Djourou as well as ankle an knee injuries to Walcott and Vela and some very talented people won’t being seeing the pitch for the next few weeks.
However, Arsenal will be bouyed by the return of Tomas Rosicky who was out the last few matches with a slight knee injury. And while he likely won’t start, he should factor in as a sub. Filling in for the injured Clichy will be budding England starlet Kieran Gibbs. Personally, I am a bigger Gibbs fan than I am a Clichy fan. Clichy is amazingly quick but I sometimes feel is commitment to getting the ball back is limited. Kieran Gibbs is a bigger, quicker and more adept at defense than Clichy. Everyone agrees that Gibbs could be a new version of Ashley Cole – hopefully without the ego. Gibbs sees the play real well and when he does make youthful mistakes always seems to correct them or learn from them. Like Thomas Vermaelen – he continues to improve game over game, month over month, etc. His downside is really his lack of first team experience. He played good chunks last year for an injured Clichy and will now get the chance to do the same. If he is going to be the star everyone is projecting him to be – this is where he needs to stake his claim. Frankly, I like the lad’s chances.
Arsenal sit atop Group H with 7 points out of 9. A win today with two more more games to go puts them into the knock out rounds. One more win after that puts them in first place in the group and gives them the likelyhood of a favorable draw.
How the match should play out:
I expect that Arsenal are going to want to continue to make a point that they have arrived. To a man there seemed to be actual regret and “pissed-off-ness” that they let AZ and West Ham back into those matches. In year’s past I never saw that from this team. Throw that desire into Arsenal’s recent home form and the Emirates is going to be difficult for the Dutch to prosper in. Arsenal are showing a good ability to strking repeatedly in a quick fashion. With the exception of the derby match they are also scoring earlier in matches which opens up a game for them. I expect early goals in succession from the club and coming from the likes of the red hot Robin Van Persie and his up front partner Andrei Arshavin. The match will be put away for good from an Eduardo strike in the second half.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Robin Van Persie is on a tear. He has 7 goals in 6 league matches and seems to be a threat every time he in the box.
AZ Alkmaar: David Mendes da Silva killed Arsenal’s qualifying hopes two weeks ago. Was a threat a few times prior to the equalizer.
Injuries:
Arsenal: Bendtner, Walcott, Fabianski, Denilson, Djourou, Vela, Wilshere
AZ Alkmaar: El Hamdaoui
Possible Starting XI:
Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Vermaelen, Gallas, Gibbs, Song, Fabregas, Diaby, Eduardo, Arshavin, Van Persie
AZ Alkmaar: Romero; Swerts, Moisander, Moreno, Poulsen; Holman , Mendes da Silva, Schaars, Martens, Dembele, Pelle
Final Score:
Arsenal: 3
AZ: 0
The game will be shown on tape delay on FSC at 5PM EST. Game day chat (www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat)
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f Chelsea bid the most against City or United… they get the player.
——————–
Once again, you cannot be more WRONG.
Note here – just because clubs bidding a player, doesn’t mean the selling club wanna sell. Unless they are willing to pay way over the odd to get their man.
Sure Chelsea want Aguero, but what make you think At. Madrid are in a hurry to sell him?
If Chelsea are preparing to pay 50 mil, sure they will get their man. But would they (Chelsea) willing to pay that much?
Your logic on football is just unbelievably simple-minded.
No, we just don’t agree, and I don’t even need to call you simple-minded!
If Chelsea bid MORE than United or City, they will get the player.
So if a player is for sale… the highest bidder is going to get the player… whether its Chelsea, United, Real Madrid, or whomever.
I don’t recall a team taking LESS money for a player.
There might be a few examples, but not in recent memory.
VILLA and SILVA are available and they MIGHT be in a hurry to sell them.
I think it won’t be easy for Chelsea to stock up players even if they want to.
Cos now everybody knows they are desperate to buy players before the ban. If I were the chairman of the selling club and got a player they are interested in buying, I would raise the asking price to hold them ransom. Common sense would tell me so.
Roman, after losing 9 billions in the recent economic crisis, it’s unlikely he will spend money the way he did when he first taken over Chelsea.
Added to the fact they had recorded yet another heavy loss season (66 mil in red last term), they are no longer the new “Bank of England”.
keep dreaming Andez… they will probably not get the ban to the full degree, and if you have to sell players, it doesn’t matter who’s buying.
If Chelsea bid the most against City or United… they get the player.
Common sense.
They don’t need to stock up, just implement if they deem necessary. And if the opportunity to bring in a young star happens, they’ll take it.
Dreaming? Hell, that’s BASIC stuff.
I am no economic expert. But as far as I’m concerned, whatever things we wanna buy, the last thing you want the seller to find out is – you are desperate to buy that particular product.
So you really think this theory is “dreaming”?
Well, there you have it: Chelsea are allowed to sign players in January. They managed to convince the Court of Arbitration for Sport that they should be allowed to conduct transfers until the appeal is decided. If they lose the appeal, they will still have to serve the full ban, it will just start and end later. Even if that’s the case, though, I still think the punishment is lessened- b/c now they know it could be coming, so they will stock up, whereas before they had no chance to do it. Fuck Chelsea.
CAS suspend Chelsea’s ban on signing players
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AgI_SLFnRWumXoKJQHizsqMmw7YF?slug=reu-englandchelsea&prov=reuters&type=lgns
oh shit, now i see i’m about the 3rd person to post this… oh well.
I didn’t say we are going to be run like Chelsea, but if the OWNER says, we will be bringing in player(s)… we WILL.
The manager has no choice. With Wenger, that might not be a bad thing at all.
I have already heard on this site that the assistant coaches (in people’s opinion) hold no sway over Wenger.
I don’t believe that is true, but an owner can dictate you take action.
————————————————-
You cannot be more WRONG than that.
True, when a person owns a club, he could dictate whatever action he perfers to take. Yet these soft of owners will be less likely to attract top managers to manage his club.
Yes, you could get rid of Wenger. But don’t hold your breathe an owner like this could attract a Mourinho or someone to manage his team.
Remember WHY Mourinho left Chelsea at the first place?
Or alternatively, the manager would stay, and would listen to his owner’s quest to buy who and who… but he (the manager) just simply won’t play the player whom is bought against his will.
Take Shevchenko, Mourinho never wanted him. But Roman bought him. What Mourinho did next? Just simply not playing him. Jose’s attitude was like “bite me, unless you (Roman) wanna be the one who decides the starting lineup too”.
Anyway, your winning formula seems to be very simple – whoever SPENT MOST are going to be the winner. If you didn’t mean it this way, you sure hell gave me an impression that you were thinking it this way.
Who said anything about “buying against his will”?
If an owner, Kroenke or other, believes his team needs to improve, needs depth, needs something, he can certainly express that to his manager.
Regardless of what Abromavich does, he has not had too much difficulty getting good managers… and having success on the pitch since he came in.
No, we don’t need to spend MOST to be the winner, but spending wisely, and making the correct decisions are imperative.
We are not going to outspend United or Chelsea or City or even Liverpoool.
But we can compete with making shrewd buys of talent and experience when needed.
It just so happens that United have won 3 in a row, and Chelsea before them… they can make a bad buy, and just eat the loss financially…
but if you don’t compete on every level to some degree, you don’t win.
Kroenke might not do anything of the sort, but I would prefer he has some idea and influence on his club.
Wenger is not infallible. Wenger won’t be the last manager the club has…
He has a chance this season, but I firmly believe he needs to do something in January to sure up the squad… depth in case of injury, and depth for key positions.
Its a war of attrition in the EPL season.
I am hoping Kroenke will want to win, and will want to improve the team.
He might just let Wenger do his thing… and making millions for the club. If so, nothing changes. If he exerts influence, then something does change.
Win – Win… especially with the possibility of Arsenal coming to America/Colorado, where ARSENAL is evident all over the Colorado Rapids stadium.
Again, we’ll all try to drill it into your head, Kroenke is a PROFITS man.
He most likely jerks off to videos of Arsene Wenger talking about making transfer profits.
He is American! Thats what we do.
If you are looking for a sugar daddy type, then the fat Russian is your man.
That’s bullshit.
He’s spent on the Avs and the Nuggets.
Learn the facts.
Would an early exit from the Champion’s League be the
BEST thing for a struggling, injured Liverpool?
I think perhaps it would.
They could solely concentrate on the league, and even FA Cup
if they wanted to… and try and get 4th place.
An interesting concept, but the way things are going for them,
it would make sense to ditch the CL.
Chelsea ban suspended, and they WILL be able to buy in January…
as I stated.
They will buy and improve.
United will follow suit.
The ball is in your court STAN!
;)
Unless there is a really special Arshavin type opportunity available AFC do not need to spend over the break.
I don’t really see where Chelsea would need to strengthen right now. The only thing I could see them spending on is youth for the future.
ManU will probably be in the market to buy a striker. Berbatov is capable of the spectacular, but he is not consistent enough. Furthermore, Owen is a nice option off the bench, but I just don’t see him being reliable and durable enough to lead a title charge.
US, it all depends on who is available, where teams are in January, what injuries are suffered… and International commitments.
If a David Villa or David Silva or both become available, teams will be interested. And the same goes for players like Ribery. United want and need scoring power, and a #1 keeper.
You also have the Aston Villas, Tottenhams, Manchester Cities… of the world, who have visions of a Top 4 spot in sight… with Liverpool looking very vulnerable. City have plenty of cash… and they will go after 4th place with reckless abandon.
If United or Chelsea get 1 player who makes a difference in 1 or 2 matches that give them 3 points, it can mean winning the league.
Wolves on Saturday:
We all know how difficult it is to win on the road in the EPL. Based on Arsenal’s road performance of the past two years, any score margin that gives us the 3 points, we’d take.
However, we all have thoughts of this team grabbing silverware this year. To accomplish this, Arsenal have to develop a mental toughness as in the Standard Liege match. Against the Wolves we should see Arsenal win
this match by 5+ goals. Wolves are a strong championship team that is all.
Despite injuries, our available squad are OUR MOST EXPERIENCED PLAYERS; so there is no excuse
for a loss, draw, or 1 goal margins.
We need to field a strong line up.
———Almunia————
——Gallas – Vermaelen——
Sagna—————–Gibbs
———–Song————
—-Cesc———Diaby——
Rosicky———–Arshavin/Nasri
——–RvP/Eduardo——–
Anyway, all of the options are good!
Go Gunners…..
Chelsea transfer ban is suspended.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-we-must-grab-our-opportunities
Not much of a surprise really. The big clubs wield way too much power these days.
For those interested here is a great article on Stan’s intentions with his stock purchase. Probably the best article written on the subject.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article6901658.ece
Just so you know even if he reacheds the threshhold there all Silent Stan has to do is announce his intentions. He does not have to launch a formal takeover.
Secondly, with all of Stan’s other sports holdings – Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, and the St Louis Rams, he has proven NOT to be any kind of savior. They are pure investment properties to him. If he were to vest control from the board, I do not think this would bring in some era of new found transfer prosperity.
On the contrary, I think it would tighten things even further. He does not have cash on hand. He is already being asked to pay for the shares he has bought but has yet to fund.
In order for Stan to open a transfer kitty, the club would have to enter into a greater debt burden to do so. Something as a fan I don’t want to do.
Finally, as if Stan’s ownership would lead to a change in Arsene’s philosophy. I doubt it. Stan is uninvolved in the day to day operations of his teams, leaving that the professionals.
I would get over any dream of Stan’s takeover making us the next Chelsea or Man U in terms of spending. It ain’t going to happen.
As for what Chelsea and Man U do in the transfer window. WHo cares? I am concerned about what my team does. Chelsea and Man U have their own supporters to dream about what they do in the transfer window.
We don’t need or want him to have a major shift in philosophy, but if he owns the team, it goes in the direction HE wants.
That could mean Arsenal come to Colorado for a visit in pre-season, and he is an American, owning Arsenal. Both, very cool.
Also, he wants to WIN. He has spent on STAR players for the Avs… and they have won the Cup.
Actually no – Stan HASN”T spent on Stars for the ‘Lanche.
His first season as owner was 2000-01 when he bought the team from AT&T’s Liberty Media Group.
The team went on to win the cup that year were mainly holdovers from the previous ownership group.
Since then the Avalanche haven’t won the cup and frankly have steadily declined from the force they were in the late 90’s and early 2000.
As a matter of fact in the last 4 years the Avalanche either did not qualify for the playoffs or were ousted 4-0 by Anaheim or Detroit in the Semis.
The Nuggets haven’t done anything and the Rams are bottom feeders.
So if we want to assume ANYTHING from Stan’s possible ownership of the club it could be that we might be in turn for a DECLINE in the team.
But again, I don’t think Stan buys the club. I think what this is basically a backdoor deal to keep Alisher Usmanov at bay. I think if he gets to 30% he will have to state his intentions. If he does not buy, he will be forced to sell 1% of his stocks back to the club.
I do know that the club have increased their focus on being a global brand and it is likely that after WC 2010 you could see Arsenal come to the US, I have heard that in interviews and some other digging I have done. Ivan Gazidis will be the driving force behind that – not Silent Stan.
This is NOT correct.
Until the NHL salary cap was in place, The Avs were always among the HIGHEST spending teams in the league.
They went out and got Selanne and Kariya in 2003-’04.
They are going youth right now, but they were big spenders before the cap went into effect.
The Nuggets have a very good team, and are OVER the NBA Salary Cap… they pay luxury tax for doing so… and have star players in Melo, Nene, KMart and Billups ALL making between $10 – $15 million per year.
They are 16 MILLION over the cap!
So, Stan not spending is non-sense.
LOL!
They went out and bought some the not so great Selanne and Kariya SIX years ago …. and you use that as proof that Stan is the sugar daddy of YOUR dreams?? Keep the dream alive.
PS: Dont try to pretend the Nuggets are the only team above the salary cap. Thats just ridiculous.
Not correct? You
can go to ESPN.com and get the records for the Avalanche. Stan’s first year as owner is the last year the Lanche won the cup.
Selanne and Karyia in 2003 and 2004 were past their prime (still okay players but not like their earlier years) and they did nothing to help them win a thing.
The Nuggets only bankable player is Melo. Billups is a washout. Nene and KMart? Please.
Nice how you don’t mention the bottom feeding St Louis Rams.
But they wouldn’t fit into Stan being a winner willing to spend whatever it takes.
Get used to it – it ain’t happening.
The AVS SPENT before the Salary Cap.
You can look up anything you want!
Its 100% fact.
Selanne and Kariya were brought in to help WIN THE CUP!
In hindsight, they should have addressed the defense, but he SPENT on them.
Its not debatable!
The Nuggets have SPENT on players, and have 4 players over $10 Million.
They are 16 Million over the cap.
Again, it is NOT debabatble, its fact.
Woah, woah, hold on there DAG! Thats way too much facts you are slapping on Stag’s forehead.
Step back a notch! ;-)
Fred, I forgot more about hockey than you know, and his facts are fiction.
Kroenke’s Avalanche were among the 3 or 4 HIGHEST PAID teams in the NHL “before” the salary cap was implemented…
and Kroenke’s Nuggets are 16 MILLION over the salary cap… right now.
He spends money.
Feck the Rams.
Off Topic:
YOu guys will love this Sports Center Clip from BYU Women v New MExico Women:
http://deadspin.com/5398475/okay-ill-be-the-one-to-say-itthis-is-hot
SIgn up the feisty one. She’ll beat the crap aoutta Adebayor.
We must win this weekend to take advantage of the Chelsea – ManU clash.
Arsene is already calling it out, subtly hinting to his players that there should be no repeat of the West Ham game.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-we-must-grab-our-opportunities
Interesting article on the tax laws for foreigners in European leagues.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=694261&sec=europe&root=europe&cc=4716
A couple of quick thoughts on the season so far:
1) I’m incredibly impressed by this Gunners team. I think Arsene’s “project” is finally set to bear fruit. We have so many weapons, and while not quite perfect, we are much more composed at the back – Vermaelen is looking like the buy of the season. I believe we will make a legitimate challenge for both the EPL and the CL (yes, I said it). The only team that looks as complete as AFC right now is Chelsea, which leads me to my second thought . . .
2) I have to say that Chelsea are also impressing me at the moment. I think Carlo has harmonized the dressing room and organized the team. Additionally, I would note there has not been much player turnover there for the last couple years. It is the same core group that has been together for three or four years now. I don’t know if Roman ran out of money or what, but I think that stability is paying dividends.
Probably not a huge revelation, but I think it will be CFC and AFC battling it out at the end.
I think it’s too early to rule out United. Their defence is in shambles right now and I expect that to tighten up which should see their performance all over the pitch improve. Valencia, unfortunately, is starting to settle in judging by their last 2-3 games.
You’re right on Chelsea. Interesting to note that they made 0 substitutions in their demolition of Bolton. Not sure why, I would have expected some players to be rested once they had it sealed.
But I think we will be right up there if we can keep the focus up. Put in a wager on us for the title as well (I think the bookies have underestimated us a bit too much). And Van Persie for that matter too…
United are going nowhere in the race for the title. They are Champions.
Vermaelen has been nothing short of fantastic, but one injury at the back, or to Cesc, and what happens?
That is scary, because BOTH play virtually every match.
Chelsea are deep, talented, and solid defensively. That wins titles.
I hope United BEAT them this weekend. It will open up the race even more. Even a draw would be great.
Viera out, Diaby in:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=694411&sec=worldcup2010&cc=5901
“If he is in charge, and says WENGER, buying players… you have no choice, then Arsene has no choice.”
WRONG man.
If this happens, Wenger will walk. I have no doubt about it.
Because Wenger does have CHOICE. He doesn’t have to manage Arsenal. If he walks away from Arsenal today, lot of clubs would love to have him as manager.
Bottom line – Wenger will never allow ANYONE to interference his decision-making.
You cannot possibly not knowing that after following his entire career at Arsenal.
Anyway, I doubt Stan would be that kind of owner. Chance is he will just allow Wenger to do what he does best – managing the team without telling him what to do.
I don’t know Stan. But i got an impression he’s far more a SENSIBLE man than sticking out his nose on things he doesn’t know. There are owners who wanna play manager when taking over a club. But I don’t believe Stan is one of them.
He wants to make money by investing in a club. So if a manger could save him the operation expense, he can only be more than happy. Fat chance he will go the other way around.
So if you are expecting a Stan take over to INJECT transfer fund to the club and get the manager to sign players he doesn’t want. You will be disappointed. I am afraid.
No, I won’t be dissapointed if Kroenke doesn’t force Wenger’s hand.
He is an American owner at the Arsenal. I like it.
But I would imagine an owner, spending millions, will want to put his stamp on, and have input in his business.
If Wenger walks, because he doesn’t want to listen to the owner, so be it. That’s life, the club will go on.
“Live Better, Pay Less”
Wal-Mart greeter at every entrance!
No idea if this is rumor, fact, or somewhere in between, but I hope it’s fact:
WENGER: MERIDA DEAL AGREED
Posted 05/11/09 14:46
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed Fran Merida has agreed a new deal, but has yet to sign it.
Merida’s future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks with Atletico Madrid keen to take him back to Spain.
The 19-year-old’s current contract expires next summer and Arsenal are keen to tie him down to a new long-term deal.
However Wenger admits other clubs have been undermining their attempts to agree a new contract with Merida – and the Frenchman is not happy with the way Atletico Madrid have made their interest known.
“He has an offer which he has agreed, but has not signed yet,” said Wenger.
“Some clubs are doing their work behind our back to destabilise him.
“We cannot stop that, but it is a fact.”
–even if we aren’t able to keep him, signing him to a new deal would ensure a fee if he leaves.
Andez, the reason the ban may be repealed is that it was a bit unprecedented. I forget who, but some French team was involved in basically the same thing as Chelsea, if anything it was a little worse. They got a much more lenient ban. I hope the ban stands: I’d be surprised if it’s completely overturned, but not surprised if they get it reduced.
As I said, we won, therefore you feel it’s MEANINGLESS. Had we lost, would you still feel it’s MEANINGLESS?
Let’s dont take anything for granted though. Qualified for playoff stage is not something by default.
Remember back the 2002-04 days, we were always struggled to qualify. I remember many times we had to win the last 3 group matches in order to qualify because of a slow start. Or starting well in group stage then faded away and needing other team’s result to get us through. Nowadays we made it seem so easy. That’s an IMPROVEMENT. Not something to take for granted.
Anyone actually heard of the team Rubin Kazan? NO? Yet they are giving Barca and Inter a hard time in their group. So dont tell me our group are weak or easy.
Not sure why u are looking forward so much of Stan Kroenke’s take over? You really believe he’s going to be a Roman-type sugar daddy?
“Not sure why u are looking forward so much of Stan Kroenke’s take over? You really believe he’s going to be a Roman-type sugar daddy?”
Yup, thats what he is hoping! :-D
I have said the CL matches are meaningless from the beginning.
Haven’t changed yet. I said it before last match, if we lost WHO CARES.
We are going thru in a horrible group of shit teams.
Do you really think Barcelona is going to get knocked out?
I hope so, but… its more likely the EPL will fold.
And YES.
I am hoping Kroenke takes over the Arsenal.
Doesn’t matter if he is a sugar-daddy.
If he is in charge, and says WENGER, buying players… you have no choice, then Arsene has no choice.
And he’s American. An American owning Arsenal. FANTASTIC!
After all, most of us came from Arsenal America, and I am American.
Not to mention that with Stan the Man in charge, there is a REAL possibility that the Arsenal will be coming to America… for training or a pre-season match.
wooooo hooooooooo!
Stag, I wish I had your enthusiasm.
However, don’t see him telling Arsene to buy players.
We won’t be run like Chelski.
When you spend Millions of dollars on your business, then you are usually going to have some input.
I didn’t say we are going to be run like Chelsea, but if the OWNER says, we will be bringing in player(s)… we WILL.
The manager has no choice. With Wenger, that might not be a bad thing at all.
I have already heard on this site that the assistant coaches (in people’s opinion) hold no sway over Wenger.
I don’t believe that is true, but an owner can dictate you take action.
Hmmm… considering Kroenke actually has a history of owning sports teams and we ALL know that he is not the “sugar daddy” type, why do you continue to make idiotic statements??
The guy is barely a billionaire in pounds and the vast majority of his money is tied up in assets, yet you stupidly think he would spend up to a billion pounds buying the club and then on top of that be a sugar daddy.
GET REAL.
As long as it bothers you … I’ll keep saying it.
If he owns the club, he can dictate what direction the club goes.
Get over it.
Yesterday was an absolute stroll in the park for us. That is
just what we needed. Not too taxing physically, and Wenger got Cesc and RVP out at the right time. GREAT to see those subs coming on at that point.
The flow and ease that we dispatched AZ Alkmaar was a good sign.
The bad sign… was that the goal Almunia allowed was terrible. In a big game, not sure he can be counted on. In this meaningless match, it didn’t mattered with us up 4.
On that note, the AZ keeper was also terrible.
Cesc’s first goal was RIDICULOUS. Sorry, but I think even he was embarrassed it went in. He hardly celebrated. The 2nd goal was well taken, but the first one was a joke.
Andez, the match was virtually MEANINGLESS. Again, there is zero chance of us not progressing in this group. To repeat, if we did not progress, we would not deserve to be in the CL. (see Liverpool)
Bad group, with mediocre teams, not “Champions” caliber.
So there was little to no pressure, and that’s just fine by me.
With United playing v. Chelsea… it is essential for us to place
full attention towards Wolverhampton, and do whatever is necessary to get all the points. Need grit and determination. But a stylish early goal would be just what the doctor ordered.
STAN KROENKE, buys 200 shares off Hill-Wood, and is at 29.9%
He will be “taking over”… real soon.
I don’t know why Aguero is linked to Chelsea. Aren’t Chelsea supposed to be banned from making any tranfer?
it is highly debatable if that “ban” will be implemented, and if it isn’t, they will RELOAD in January, going for the league title…
and ManU will do just the same with all that Ronaldo money.
I don’t know why it’s debatable.
They broke the rule. They should be punished by it. Sound quite straightforward to me.
Anyway, even if both Chelsea and Man U are going to RELOAD in January, I am not suprised. BUYING title is always the things they are good at.
Andez, with that theory, buying titles, virtually no team has won a title “the right way” in your world.
Barcelona? Nope…
Its the 21st Century, this is how it works… you can either improve the team, or you finish 4th.
Why not forget the top divisions and watch MLS.
They deserve a little more credit than for just ‘buying titles’.
It’s not enough to spend money. (Arsenal spends money, too.) It must be spent the right way. The right mix of talent needs to be brought in. Then all those big money egos need to be managed properly.
I don’t like baseball, but look into this seasons New York Yankees and New York Mets, for instance. Both spent a ton of money. The Yankees won the Championship, and the Mets were absolute shit.
Or back in the Prem, you can write a big check to likes of Drogba. Or you can write one to Adebayor. Quality of investment matters.
Money helps a great deal, of course. But a team the size of Arsenal should be above whining about other wealthy teams buying Championships. It’s the kind of thing that losers say.
There is nothing debatable about the ban. The ban is already IN EFFECT.
You can say they might have it repealed, but that is another matter altogether.
PS: Stop talking about “Man U will spend all that Ronaldo money”. You said it ALL summer. Yet they got in Owen for free. LOL.
ManU will spend the Ronaldo money in January.
Tough shit.
Deal with it.
I’ll say whatever I wish.
Ofcourse you will say whatever you want, but dont pass you recently disproved hypothesis as fact.
Who did they bring in last January?
Which significant big-money player has Ferguson ever brought in January?
Why didnt he spend his “Ronaldo” money in the summer when far more players were available?
As for the game….Quite a stroll wasn’t it? Very nice to have Nasri back, a year more mature (skilled) and looking pretty fit, without the burdens that he carried for us last season (as Hleb’s replacement).
After all the Diaby debate I watched him pretty closely and his movement off the ball seemed very good, but he still seems to sprint only when headed forward…not good if he wants to stand in for Alex Song in February. On the ball he was fine and his goal was very nicely taken.
Their goal was disappointing, but I was glad to see Gibbs unhurt–it didn’t look good the way he landed as they broke forward. We may need to re-think who goes forward and who stays back on corners. As for Almunia, wrong-footed and beaten at the near-post….at least he didn’t do the idiotic thing that he did in the ManCity game–diving when he’s already beaten. To me that’s the sure sign of a keeper who’s lost it (wanting to appear that he’s trying even when he knows he’s beaten) and a good way to ensure the goal if the first ball happens to hit woodwork.
Finally, Wolves will be much a much harder game. I watched the dire game they drew with Villa up there and they’ve narrowed their pitch (think long throw ins). They play a stifling game (and have a decent young keeper in Hennessey) and they’ve got solid finishers up front (Ebanks-Blake and Iwulemo) who can score if the ball breaks kindly to them. It’s the sort of game where an early goal (for us) would be very nice and we can get it if we run out a majority of our “interchangeables”–the group Nip mentions above: Cesc, Arshavin, Rosicky, v Persie, Eduardo and Nasri.
The match with Wolves will say volumes about this teams mental tenacity.
Wolves will apply high pressure, with contact at every opportunity.
We need to find ways to win ugly, like the win v. St. Liege. More importantly we need to score first, then 2nd, then 3rd.
Was Eduardo’s PK the last PK awarded to Arsenal this season?
“but he still seems to sprint only when headed forward…not good if he wants to stand in for Alex Song in February”
Spot on. He needs to approach every facet of the game with equal vigour and verve.
Off subject, from dirtytackle.net
for some strange reason this made me laugh – which says a lot about my sense of humor!
Wayne Rooney
This parenting stuff is already harder than I thought. … Meat. … The kid doesn’t like to play with fireworks nearly as much as I do and he doesn’t even know how to use a toilet. … Meat. … I think he might be broken. Can you fix a broken kid with a screwdriver and a nail gun? … Meat. … Maybe I’m just not doing cool enough stuff to make him act normal. … Meat. … Maybe if I karate kick a pumpkin with a cherry bomb inside it he’ll realize that I’m his awesome dad and he should start telling me funny jokes instead of crying every time we watch one of the Saw movies. … Yeah, that’s the ticket…
That IS funny….The idea of a Rooney baby, however, is a little scary and it makes me think of his puppet from “Special 1-TV,” an image that kind of gives me nightmares….”Bring me the tank!”
Isn’t his kid just a few days old? And the studs-up comic strip linked on this page is pretty cool..
For the record, last night was the first time Arsenal had all the big guns playing – Cesc, Arshavin, Rosicky, v Persie, Eduardo and Nasri.
IMHO, the starting attacking five should always come from the above six players. Bendtner, Diaby, Walcott, Vela, Ramsey, et al should be playing the supporting cast.
Of course, Arsene may have other ideas. :)
PS: Vela injured again?
Too many folks singing from the same hymn sheet?
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-championsarsenalquotes&prov=reuters&type=lgns
Delightful game to watch.
Our season is taking on a familiar pattern
Home P8 W8 D0 L0 GF29 GA6
Away P8 W4 D2 L2 GF18 GA12
We are absolutely brilliant at home. If we can improve our away record (starting this weekend), we should be right up there at the end of the season.
Nasri, Cesc, Arshavin, RvP, Eduardo, Rosicky, Ramsey
the chemistry of these players is scary !
I just watch the highlights of the game, and the more I saw their goal the angrier I get.
The guy has ACRES of space between him and the near post, the ball moves on the ground right BESIDE his leg. And the fucker puts his hand down lazily as if picking up vegetables on a weekend morning.
And this summer instead of working on his SEVERAL flaws, he was busy telling us all how he wanted to play for England.
Wow, my english gets worse and worse. That first line alone is freaking hilarious!
The edit button should be made permanent.
Never have any worries about these games. Even last year, when we were crap, we still managed to beat mediocre/decent sides like Porto and Villarreal with relative ease at the Emirates. They simply cannot cope with Fabregas and they so naive and open it’s funny. Even players like Diaby seem composed.
Tough game on Sat. I’ve seen Wolves a few times and they’re a tough proposition. That game will three times harder than tonight’s game. They will actually close us down.
Had we lost the match, I am not so sure how many people would still think it’s meaningless.
as for Almunia, got a feeling this is going to be his last season as starter.
AW tends to keep faith in his starter. But once he loses faith in them, few could win his faith back.
I remember when Seaman was our number 1. Manninger had a run of great games during the 99 season, yet as soon as Seaman was back from injury, immediately he was picked again.
The fact that Wenger actually hesitated to put Almunia back right away kinda tells me that he no longer has 100% faith in him.
And I agree, it’s hard to have any confidence in Almunia in the big games/important matches.
If we have choice to buy just ONE player in January, I would definitely go for a keeper.
The argument of needing a DM backup, whether it’s valid or not the opinion, we are still talking about a “backup”. Yet in the keeper position, we don’t even have a STARTER that we can TRUST.
And goalkeeper is the most important position in a team. It’s between life or death. Had Man City not having Shay Given, their few draws this season I have no doubt would have turned into defeats.
Having said that, I doubt we would be able to land a good keeper in January window. So let’s cross our fingers Al or Fab or Vito could somehow get the job done.
The team looks good. And offensively we have depth (i.e. Rosicky coming on for Arshavin, Eduardo coming on for RvP!), and we even have a small problem of no back up DM.
But for me, our greatest problem is the goalkeeper. Almunia showed his true colors again. It didnt matter, but in REALLY tight games at the end of the season, we can NOT rely on that clown.
I have never seen a goalie without understanding of basic ANGLES before.
Negatives aside, love that we can go for the away games with Rosicky and Nasri up front. CL group games are meaningless (except you are Liverpool and about to get kicked to the UEFA cup LOL), so no need over-analyzing the match.
Arshavin is a lazy git, but today he stepped out and showed his class AGAIN. He reminds me of Zidane a bit, who always picked and chose which games to “appear” in.
Either way we better stuff Wolves full of goals.
Yeah, I remember watching that Zidane artsy film and he pretty much stands around most of the game.
Almunia I think anticipates what the opposition is going to do and seems to set his mind to that slowing his reflexes down and stuffing up his positioning.
On a more positive note, Diaby (even before the goal), I thought had a solid game.
Fred, are you talking about Mr. Near Post?
Liverpool now must rely on others no matter what they do in their two remaining group games… their destiny is out of their hands.
Barca are in a tight spot now too, in 3rd place on goal differential. Actually that whole group is shaping up nicely, with 1st and last separated by only 2 points.
yup.. and if Inter hadn’t got their winner in the 89th it would’ve been 5,5,5, 4.
I like how they and Barca are not running away from the group. Next 2 gameweeks of CL are going to be fun. The kind where we don’t have to be biting our own nails.
Liverpool almost pull one out the hat but get done in injury time again. heh.. I don’t know whether to laugh or feel sorry for them. Hmmm.. what would they do if it were reversed?…
Anybody still thinks the “feel good” factor this season is merely a “hype”?
In terms of result, and performance, this is by far the best season I have seen since 2004.
Hopefully the boys will keep their focus, keep their belief. We will win something comes the end of the season and shut all the doubters up.
One game at a time. Next up, kill the Wolves.
Cesc 3-0. He is becoming LETHAL in front of goal. What a finish!!
2-0. Nasri making his marker look like a muppet before slotting home. Song has been an absolute beast so far. Good football all round. If the chemistry of this team is given a bit more time, I just get the feeling we are going to see the best football by any of Arsene’s teams yet. Some of the moves have broken down by just the tiniest bit of misunderstanding/mistiming. And I’m not complaining here, just making an observation. And being optimistic about the rest of the season.
Yeah Ozi we have played some really beautiful football this season. Some really special moves, Wengerball is flourishing :-)
Cesc 1-0. Fantastic.. His confidence, and the team’s along with it seems to have taken another uptick. Gibbs has started really well, defending well and getting forward effectively so far. Eboue on for Sagna not for the first time this season, seems to be Wenger’s preferred fullback for when he expects no offensive threat from the opposition.
Gameday Chat is open: http://www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
I won’t be there to start as I have to pick my son up from School.
See you at the 2nd half.
Seems I just missed you in the chatroom steve..
Starting XI:
Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Fabregas, Diaby, Arshavin, van Persie, Nasri
Subs: Mannone, Sagna, Senderos, Rosicky, Eduardo, Ramsey, Sylvestre
Subs are defense heavy.
Wenger has never beaten Koeman. I think that is going to change tonight. We should win by at least two goals.