Match Preview: Arsenal v Norwich City; EPL Match Day 12

It feels so bloody good to have something to write about. Yes, it was a normal length international break but it seemed like it dragged on for ages since there weren’t even any international matches that worth noting unless you were the Irish. Thank God we get back to real football and we can watch the Red and White take on Norwich City.

What started off as a season of discontent has seemingly faded into the night as Arsenal have managed to turn things around winning 9 of their last 11 (9-1-1). They currently sit in 7 place drawn with Liverpool and once again look to challenge for their desired top four position. Prior to the interlull the club were clearly the best behind only Manchester City in terms of form.  Even with injuries to key players – Bacary Sagna, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs – the Gunners have put together an impressive run that was only halted by the two week break that is the recent international break.

And that is where there could be a cause for concern. If recent history and recent iterations of Arsenal are any indication, then we could be in for a slow starting match against Norwich. Typically, matches after the interlull are affairs to make you pull your hair out because the form that was prevalent prior to the break is missing. Ah the dreaded International Break Virus. It hits a lot of teams but it makes Arsenal at teams seem downright impotent.

Combine that with a newly promoted side that have done well (for a while) against the bigger teams and there is a cause for concern and we shouldn’t expect this match to be the push over that West Brom was. Especially, because it is on the road and as we all know our road form is atrocious – WLLLD  in our last 5 away matches.

To add further concern to matters was the injury news today that Carl Jenkinson is essentially day to day with a slight fracture of his back. Basically it is rest until he heals. No time table was given on Jenkinson’s return. Additionally, we learned that Kieran Gibbs had a hernia operation this past Monday. So he is out an additional 4-6 weeks on top of the 4 weeks he’s been out with an abdominal injury.  Oh the abdominal injury was essentially hiding the hernia. I think I need someone with a medical degree to explain that to me. Especially since I’ve had a hernia and my abdominal’s didn’t come into play. Anyway that means either Johann Djourou or Laurent Koscielny will deputize in at Right Back.

If it seems I am doom and gloom, please let not your hearts be troubled. I merely want everyone to be suitably grounded going into this match. It isn’t as easy as it looks.

Still, never a problem for Arsenal is its array of attacking power and let’s be frank – in the last four wins the attack has been motoring. Aaron Ramsey has come into his own ever since he came on as a last-minute sub against Marseille in the Velodrome. Gervinho and Walcott are developing an understanding working alongside Robin Van Persie that makes the three of them just about deadly any time they get the ball. And that Dutch guy – well he is just amazing, isn’t he?

Right now, next to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin Van Persie is clearly the best performing player in Europe at this moment. He is clearly the best player in the EPL today even when compared to City. If he has the ball anywhere near the box, it is no longer a question of if – but when he will score. And he is scoring from all over. Easy, difficult, and fair to the middle, he has made a variety of them. The best still for me is the rocket that took off Petr Cech’s hand in the thriller at the Bridge. He is on the best run of his Arsenal career. He clearly is showing us what he is capable of and showing the Arsenal brass that he wants to get paid.

Should the Gunners talismanic Dutchman open the scoring for Arsene’s boys then it is about as close a sure thing Arsenal will win. The Gunners are unbeaten in all 24 premier league matches Van Persie has opened up the scoring. Yes, he is that good and anyone who says otherwise is living with their head in the sand.

Some portion of the information provided here is according to experts who have also analyzed various betting platforms, such as seen here, to help players find the best options. This detailed analysis highlights how vital it is to stay informed about player performances and betting trends.

Of course, you have to ask, when is that injury coming? If it doesn’t come then he will go on to be the Golden Boot this year – no doubt.

How the Match Should Play Out:

Arsenal have allowed more goals (17) away from home this season than any other team. However, they are second behind Manchester City in goals scored away from home (11). All three promoted teams have been league darlings this season and Norwich has impressed consistently when faced with top team opposition. Arsenal need to set the tempo to the match early and control the midfield. They have to – score an early goal and get the Carrow Road crowd out of it early. Norwich have done well against bigger clubs and you don’t want them smelling blood in the water should the score be 0-0 at the half. Expect Arsenal to dicate play and should Robin Van Persie be the focus of their defence look for the wing play fed by Arteta and Ramsey to cause the Norwich defenders problems. It will be closer than the score will indicate. But in the end Arsenal win their fifth on the trot.

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Robin Van Persie. Who else? He needs one goal to be only the 5th player in league history to score 30 goals in a calendar year (Alan Shearer (twice), Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Les Ferdinand are the others). With 5 weeks left in the year, barring any serious injuries who could blow the record out of the water.

Norwich. Anthony Pilkington.  Norwich City’s leading scorer. Without a true RB for Arsenal he could be a consistent threat down that side of the field.

Projected Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Wilshere (ankle),  Sagna (ankle) Gibbs (hernia), Jenkinson (back fracture)

Norwich: Ayala (knee) Smith (ankle) Vaughan (knee) Whitbread (hamstring) Ward (knee)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:  Van Persie 14 (11 league)

Norwich: Pilkington 4 (4 league)

Last Meeting (EPL ’04/’05):

Arsenal: 4

Norwich: 1

Goals For:

Arsenal (away): 2.2

Norwich (home): 1.8

Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 3.4

Norwich: (home): 1.4

Last Five:
Arsenal: WWWWL

Norwich: LDDWL

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 2

Norwich: -2

Match Official:
Referee: Phil Dowd (Matches 8, R1 Y36)

Broadcast Information:
US: ESPN 2 ESPN 3 0745 AM EST

UK: Sky Sports 2 1245 BST

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3

Norwich: 1

The Final Word(s)

If you haven’t been to Arsenal.com lately that you may have missed the fact that there are two new players training with Arsenal. First there is Brek Shea of FC Dallas of the MLS and USMNT and then there is a forward from the Red Bulls, you may have heard of him before – Thierry Henry.

While Henry’s MLS season is over, he is very keen to keep his fitness ahead of next season. As is always the case at Arsenal, former players always seem welcome back to train with the squad. Who knows how long Titi will be training with the team? Of course there was a lot of press questioning whether or not Wenger would try and sign him on loan. Wenger for his part said basically you can never say never. But I don’t think that is Henry’s MO here. He made it very clear when he joined MLS he wasn’t in it to create a circus like that lad from Manchester. He was MLS to win an MLS trophy with his team. I don’t think Titi would take a loan spell that might interfere with his training with the Red Bulls.

Still it should be nice to have Titi around to work out with the team and maybe have some of his wisdom rub off on the likes of Theo, Alex, and others. With Robin Van Persie the club’s official elder statesman now, having Titi coming back exposes the current crop of players to their heritage and hopefully lets them know how a winner prepares. They should take this valuable time and learn all they can from a true legend and a true winner.

Also unless you have lived under a rock, racism is all the rage in football these days. First you had accusations levied against Luis Suarez and John Terry. Suarez has found out he has been charged by the FA and it could result in a minimum of a 6 match suspension. Then Sepp Blatter, football’s own Keystone Kop, decided to open his mouth really efffing wide and stick not only both his feet into his mouth but his scrotum too when he basically said racism in football doesn’t exist and heated words like that should be brushed away with just a hand shake.

Given his past comments on women and gays, his reluctance to bring the game into the 21st century by denying the introduction of technology, the rampant corruption within FIFA and this out of touch remark on racism, clearly shows how bad the leader of global football is. This is just a one off and it can’t be dismissed with an apology. It is a clear pattern of disregard for the game and a sign that he is out of touch with the key issues of the day.

Sure leagues have done a lot to battle racism and the FA and the EPL have lead the way. But to basically deny racism exists in the game defies all logic and understanding. It is time for FIFA to change. It is time for those major sponsors who pour money into FIFA’s kitty to come up and say this is the last straw.

Time has run out for Sepp Blatter.

Finally this week I have to draw your attention to John Cross’ piece in the Mirror this week. Crossie did an exceptional piece on Theo Walcott and his recent improvement in form. I am a big fan of John’s and I think he is one of the most fair and balanced reporters covering Arsenal. And I have to say I absolutely agree with John – Theo is improving. He still at 22 has some ways to go especially in the shooting department. But in other areas like crossing and his final ball he has shown improvement.

Is it any wonder than that he was singled out for praise by Robin Van Persie for his contribution in making his 100th goal and a lot of recent goals count.

“After every single goal, people ask me, ‘Who gave the assist?’ I just say, ‘Who do you think?’ We have that connection. I know what he (Walcott) is going to do which is very important,” said Van Persie.

“It’s vital to have a player around me, as a striker, who knows where I move, how I move, do I want the ball into feet, do I want it behind. He knows where to find me. Stuff like that is vital.”

His finishing needs work. That much remains but I think its time we started digging into the boy (unless it is warranted) and actually admit that he is growing and may work out after all. I know I have been critical when its called for but now I think its time to praise as it is warranted. Well done lad. Well done.

That’s it for now. We’ll catch up with you on the flip side of the match. Until then . . . Stay Goonerish!!!

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