Match Preview: Arsenal v QPR; Premier League Match Day 31
In the US the saying is ‘Roll Tide’ in deference to the great Alabama teams from the Bear Bryant era. The same could be said for this current iteration of Arsenal as they look to be first team since Chelsea in 2010 to win 8 straight. Manchester United are the last team to do it in the same season.
It’s good then that they are playing a team in QPR that have only captured 4 points from their last 21. Its also good that they are facing a defence that has more holes then the Titanic and its also good that they are the in form team of the entire Premier League.
But in the end its all for nought if Arsenal don’t come out and play with the focus and determination they’ve shown since this run began. And let’s not kid ourselves shall we? We may be three points ahead of Tottenham and 8 above Chelsea, but this season and our run has shown that the fortunes of teams are on a knife’s edge. One slight slip, and you’re back behind teams you don’t want to be.
Now we shouldn’t expect that Arsenal are going to go undefeated for the remainder of the season. As delightful as that may sound and be, it isn’t really likely given the way teams are. But this team is so good to watch right now. They are playing some dynamic, entertaining football and taking it to their opponents. But more importantly they are playing sound defensively. Should they manage to keep QPR off the score sheet they would gain their 3rd consecutive clean sheet – a first for this season.
All around the team and fans are buzzing. From the looks of it, a team that was devoid of any semblance to its heritage as risen from the ashes. Comparisons to teams of the past are coming up. And while I will not get into such speculation, they do seem unlike any recent Arsenal team, in that they possess heart and desire not seen around this club for some time. That’s why if they should drop points along the way- and they will – that I have no doubt they will just pick up where they left off.
We’ve always talked about how sports is a confidence thing. The more you have it the better you will do. And Arsenal have confidence in abundance. They simply are going out and beating teams. And in some cases – early. They are wearing teams down with high speed, width and an intense pressing game that our opponents don’t seem to be able to keep pace with. It is why I believe that if a match is drawn even in the closing minutes, it is Arsenal who are better poised to walk away with the points. Watch the most recent matches as the game wears on, Arsenal still have their legs about them while the opposition do not.
In the past the longer a match went on, you always wondered when Arsenal were going to succumb to a last second equalizer or winner. Right now with this team, you wonder when will they get the last minute goal. And all of that comes down to confidence and ability – something our lads have in abundance these days.
Pundits are starting to ask if Arsenal could overhaul Manchester City for second. Wenger and the team answered the right way and their only focus is beating the opponent in front of them. Its an attitude I like. It basically is one of – don’t worry about anyone else – all that we can control is what we do. That mentality has served them well and before any one knew it Arsenal were sitting in the driver’s seat for Champion’s League qualification. Forget about Manchester City. Anyone focusing on them and overtaking them, is taking things too lightly and doesn’t understand how this league is this season. Focus on the here and now and just get it done – one. game. at. a. time.
How the Match Should Play Out.
Joey Barton is not one I am prone to agree with on anything, but this one time I could be forgiven my indulgence. The league’s socratic prognosticator called this match important for both teams for two different reasons. Boy is he right. The modus operandi for Arsenal is to come out quick and set the the tempo early. As I said earlier – wearing opponents down as the game goes along serves them well at the end. The QPR defence leaks in goals – regularly. I think the Gunners will put QPR to the sword early. But don’t look for a miraculous come back from the home side like they did against Liverpool, the Arsenal defence is much better than that and will lock down for the 8th straight win.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal. Alex Song. Slowly surely he is become a multi-purpose back. His teammates love him and the fan base that once questioned him now sings his praises. I don’t know what kind of midfielder you classify him as. Right now, though, I don’t care.
QPR. Bobby Zamora. If any one player can give us fits on the QPR its recently signed Zamora who has been a handful for Arsenal at Fulham and West Ham.
Projected Lineups:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Coquelin (hamstring) Frimpong (knee) Mertesacker (ankle) Wilshere (ankle)
QPR: Campbell (hamstring) Hall (hamstring), Dyer (foot), Faurlin (knee) Hill (back) Macheda (ankle).
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Van Persie 26
QPR: Helguson 8
Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 1
QPR: 0
Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 1.8
QPR (home): 1.1
Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 1.8
QPR: (home): 1.6
Last Five:
Arsenal: WWWWW
QPR: LWLDL
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 22
QPR: -22
Match Official:
Referee: Mike Dean (Matches 23, R3 Y83)
Broadcast Information:
US: FoxSoccer.Tv 1000 AM EST
UK: ????? 1500 GMT
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
QPR: 0
The Final Word
Just wanted to say that we’re glad to see pictures of Fabrice Muamba in the hospital recovering. He only had 12 senior team appearances for the Gunners but from all indications he left a mark on those whom he came in contact with. He never made it at Arsenal because of those in front of him in the roster. But his personality and work effort remain the focus of his person when ever he is mentioned. More than anything there is that infectious smile of his and I was glad to see it smiling again on twitter.
Get better soon Fabrice.
It is incidents like Fabrice’s and Eric Abidal’s liver transplant that let us know that in the end this is just a sport played by some very talented individuals. And is sad today to once again be reminded of that as word came out that Aston Villa’s Stylian Petrov was diagnosed with Leukemia. Leukemia is treatable if gotten to early enough and I hope that is case here. But out thoughts and prayers are with Petrov as he goes through his treatment for his illness.
But is just that brings me to my close today. When Arsenal take the field on 31 March, all Gooners should say a silent prayer in remembrance for one of our own. 11 years ago, on 31 March just a month after he told everyone he had non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle passed away
Oddly enough it was a Saturday morning that one of our own beloved sons left us. He is now remembered as his name adorns the Arsenal indoor youth facility and is one of 32 Arsenal legends that surround the club.
Rocky is a legend there are no doubts about but like Fabrice, Abidal and Petrov a stark reminder that this is just a game. We should take joy in it. All the time. Bitterness based on differing opinions or clubs allegiances mean nothing when you look at the heroic efforts of these individuals as they fight to overcome very human hardships. Some times I look at these players and wonder how I could ever get pissed off at a player when they miss a sitter or let in a bad goal. David Carlyle Roscastle, Fabrice Muamba , Eric Abidal, and now Stylian Petrov remind me how petty that really is.
Rocky here’s to you mate. We love you and miss you.
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Y’all are a funny bunch.
Somehow Ramsey is to blame because the team barely showed up for the first half…
yes… its Ramsey’s fault that we lost, not the guy who picked the team, or could direct the kid to play on the pitch… if you are inside his head, and know what he was thinking about playing centrally… maybe get inside Vermaelen’s head and figure out what his deal is too.
When some of us blast Wenger, the refrain is often… “Arsene Knows”… and he’s the manager, sees them in training, look what he’s done for the club…
but you’re right… Wenger putting Ramsey on instead of Ox or Gervinho or whomever… big mistake. Cost us the match. Or Ramsey did!
Hilarious stuff.
You can’t win every match. We played a desperate team who’s fighting for their lives, and they wanted it more…
and yes, I forgot, because I watch other teams play, and want other teams to do well for various reasons… that makes you an Arsenal fan, or a better one, and me, not so much!!
Pretty good stuff for you Johnny Come Lately folks…
been to more matches, supported for longer than most of you… probably will after you’ve moved on as well!
;)
You’re happiness with the club… and gleeful joy of us playing pretty and getting into the CL, doesn’t make you a better supporter… I’d even call it short-sighted.
Chew on that.
@stag133, Listen (my friend)….We all bow to
your seniority….and I at least appreciate your philosophical view of
yesterday’s defeat. I feel like a fairly committed supporter and (maybe)
unlike you, it pains me when people get happy when the team loses, which
(I hate to say it….) seems like your m.o.
I’m not blaming Ramsey. Instead, I think the manager handcuffed the team
(and Rosicky in particular) by playing 4 central midfielders. Some
players stick to their assigned positions almost too well (Gervinho, Theo)
while others revert to type and collapse space. Personally, I think that
we (they, Arsenal….) shouldn’t play two extremely right footed players
like Rosicky and Ramsey at the same time, and certainly not if we’re
putting one of them at left wing. They both tend to take lots of
touches and sometimes do those slow, multi-touch (all with the right foot)
turns that take both time and space. Having both in there together,
trying to do this sort of thing while (maybe) keeping an eye out for
giving the other(s) space, seems to inhibit the whole team.
So, in this instance, I cannot understand the manager’s selection.
“Feck Wenger,” I guess, should be my post, but I like to be a hair more subtle
than that. Likewise, while I think Vermaelen is a strong defender and an
able playmaker (and I love his goals….), I really like Koscielny, who I
believe is even better at reading the game, making plays and not being
duped into trying for balls he cannot reach. Overall, I think we’ve got
our most solid defense in years. Mertesacker is a fine 3rd half back
compared to some we’ve had to rely on and Djourou isn’t the worst as a
4th choice. (Now, why we’ve got Squillaci on 50k/week as our #5, is another
matter….)
But I know you disagree…..In order to have civil discussions we need to
have the ability to rationally discuss players and clubs and the game. It
helps when there is not an extreme bias AGAINST Arsenal players or the
manager or the club, or when EXTREME statements are not bandied about
(willy nilly). Most posters don’t come on here and say Wenger is always
right or that our players are the best in their positions in world
football (with their back-ups being 2nd best). On the other hand, it’s a
bit much when players are called Shit (or Shite….) w/o explanation or
simply because they made a mistake.
In the end, you’re taking heat for being a hater because you want the team
to lose, want other teams (who some of us consider rivals….) to win,
and, you make fairly regular promises to stop watching (and we assume,
stop posting….) but you never do. We understand that you think you’re
doing us some sort of favor by continuing to tell us the TRUTH (don’t we
already have Danny T’s blog for that purpose?…..) and that if we all
boycotted the team (like you’re doing??) it would send them
the message they need, or something…. It’s not what we’re choosing to do
even if we feel the serious frustrations (similar to your own). Sorry, (and
truly, I shouldn’t say “we” as I should only speak for myself) but your
definition of “supporter” may work for you (and make you feel superior),
but it just seems kinda weird and tortured and not a lot of fun. It’s
almost as if you hate yourself for being unable to quit the Arsenal and
want us to do likewise (but if we do quit, then we’re quitters, or
something….but at least we’re not haters, if you can follow that.)
Anyhow, here’s to happier times…. Smiley face, hugs, etc…. (At least
Spurs won today….)
@stag133, stag, relax. if you read my post, you’ll see that we’ve said the same thing. i haven’t blamed ramsey for getting the nod at lm or for arsenal losing. if anything, it’s a credit to him being selected ahead of chamberlain and gervinho as his form in training must be better than theirs. if anything, i questioned wenger and other senior players for not make adjustments to ramsey’s game. speaing of wenger, you kind of sound like him, implying that the team didn’t show up in the first half. what does that even mean? i thought everyone worked hard and played well.
what i did mention, however, is how ramsey’s play affected the team’s overall performance. it’s very relevant. ramsey’s efforts threw the team off balance. if you’re going to be part of a team, you have to stick with the team script if you want to win a team game and not just be one man army (rambo). did he know better? did he care? was he trying to make a statement? i merely commented on why a professional in his predicament might have done what he did (food for thought). bottom line, i don’t know why he played that way.
as for everyone taking shots at you, your stances have been very liberal and narrow-minded this season. while i don’t participate or condone that behavior, you have to take some responsibility for the bed you’ve made. i’ve blogged with you for quite a few years and it’s not the first time i’ve seen this with you. i respect your right to disagree and have always welcomed it. however, that door has to swing both ways. i don’t agree with much of what wenger’s done either but who’s side are you on?
err. i meant to write that ramsey’s efforts “seemed” to throw the team off balance; meaning we had no width on the left and his presence in the middle seemed to crowd out the midfield.
has gervinho been so bad in training that wenger felt more confident playing ramsey on the wing? perhaps that’s another position we should concern ourselves with over the summer. ramsey seemed to be determined to convince the boss he should play in the center. as a result, the center was crowded out, we had no width on the left side, and the qpr right back was free to defend as narrow as he wanted; like a third central defender.
in the post-match interview, wenger says he doesn’t know why we didn’t win. while i’m not the smartest guy, it seemed pretty clear to me. i’ll chock this up to ramsey being young. but how difficult is it for the boss, or leaders on the pitch, to recognize that and make the adjustment? can’t fault the welshman for effort but his actions were mis-guided. we’ve already got three center mids. why would he think it a good idea to become a fourth?
another problem is when gervinho finally came on, everyone seemed to ignore him. i think rosicky passed to him twice, while song played a chip that everyone saw coming except gervinho. wenger needs to give that kid a week off so he can get his head straight.
you guys see what i’ve been saying about vermaelen’s overly-agressive germanian nature? you can’t be that aggressive. if you look at the best defenders in the world, the one trait they all have in common is they know when to be patient. clever attackers will exploit his aggressive nature.
lastly, happy with the song/arteta connection. their collective movements off the ball, when they weren’t interrupted by ramsey, were brilliant. ramsey’s got to learn that he can’t just go wherever he wants on the pitch whenever he feels like it. he needs to respect the movements of his colleagues. this is a team sport. he’s not ready yet.
stag133 must be over the moon with this result! his favorite team wins and team he loves to hate proves him right once again!
Yeah, good day for the haters….
I knew we had trouble when I saw Ramsey and Rosicky in the starting 11. The former cannot, for the life of him, keep out of the center of the pitch. As such, we were horribly narrow if not lurching to the right for the first 70 minutes, almost as if we were playing with 9 or 10 men. A couple of mistakes from Vermaelen (overplaying for the first, slipping for the 2nd) and, boom, we walk away with nothing.
Go Swansea?….
oh well.
should be really exciting now that we’ve dropped points to a team in the relegation battle!
makes the run in more interesting… with Chelsea winning…
we could still get 5th place yet!
;)
ok, ummm… its actually… ROLL TIDE. (not roll on!)
;)
This is a game we should win… but when a team is as desperate as QPR, they can be dangerous… they have everything to play for…
but if they get down early, they could “roll over Beethoven”…
2-0 to the Arsenal?