Match Preview: Arsenal v Standard de Liege Part II (UCL Matchday 5)

Group H Match Day 5

Nothing like crushing an opponent to make up for a gut wrenching loss. And nothing sets up nicely than a win over a team like Standard de Liege.  The Belgian side come into the Emirates for their second Champion’s League Group Stage match against the Gunners.  The last time these two met, Arsene Wenger’s boys went on their impressive 13 game streak without a loss that only ended against Sunderland this week. So maybe its apres peu that we try to right the ship against them again.

The last time these sides met in Belgium, Arsenal were coming off crushing defeats to City and United. Additionally, it was unclear whether Eduardo would be available pending a possibly suspension for his “dive” against Celtic and a virtually unknown ‘keeper, Vito Mannone began a decent run in place of Manuel Almunia who was out with a “chest infection.”

I’ve heard it mentioned that the Gunners should rest some talent this week in preparation for the Sunday match against Chelsea. And I’ve also heard the match against Standard being dismissed as “insignificant.”  Well, I disagree for two reasons. First, a win today secures first place in the Group and “easier” draw for the knockout stage.  Second there is no tonic for a loss than an emphatic win. I’ll throw in a third, Standard gaffer Laszlo Boloni has been doing his best Robbie Keane impression and yapping away and needs to be shown the “error of his ways” in the same way the Tottenham dud was.

We all remember the start of the last match was a little nightmarish as the Belgians scored  2 goals in the first 4 minutes only to sit back for the remaining 86 and watch Arsenal dismantle them for the 3-2 win. Now with a visit to the Emirates things are setting up nicely for the Gunners.

However, not all is well at the Emirates. Not so much from an ability stand point but from a very unhappy boss. Arsene Wenger is the epitomy of the manager who stands by his players, doesn’t criticize them in public and is usually unflabbable in his pre- and post-match pressers. Well, this week was exception in that he criticized his team for overlooking Sunderland and basically “choking” and then when asked about Theo Walcott’s form in order to make the WC team, Arsene abruptly stated in no uncertain terms, Theo’s focus had better be on Arsenal as they pay him and he should forget about the WC for now. Arsene clearly saying we need a club first mentality

This was not something Gunners fans are used to seeing and it is evident that the boss wants his team to deliver on their promise this year. He realizes that the normal November, December stumble is unacceptable this year  and that the talent on the team exists to do good things. And from all looks of it he is going to do whatever he can, even break convention and get the best out of the squad.

The team obviously will be missing the services of Van Persie and Bendtner in the striker department, but Walcott, Gibbs, Wilshere, Vela, and Denilson all will be back in the squad in some way. Arsene is busy trying to  lock up Vela to a new contract and was recently quoted as saying that the young mexican is why he did not feel compelled to keep Emmanuel Adebayor. At 20 years old the young striker has tremendous ability and has shown that every time he comes on to the field  he is a game changer. Against Sunderland in the 19 minutes he was featured, he set up multiple opportunities and should have been the recipient a favored call as he was tackled in the box.

Kieran Gibbs is available but I expect Wenger to rest him ahead of next Sunday’s clash. That manse Armond Traore should get deputized again. Frankly though, Traore  earned the spot having put in a rather impressive performance in his first real start against Sunderland. He showed pace and and presence and he combines it with size and strength which makes him quite  an effective back and he should play today. Overall I think the squad make up could be a mix and match of key starters and players who need time. Either way, Arsenal should come out to capture all three points emphatically and not rely on just a draw.

How it should play out:

I doubt we will see a penalty in minute 2 to get the Belgians started off today. Arsenal have a 100% record at home and they are doing a good job of making the Emirates their fortress this season. They will use their fluid attack to pressure the Belgians  who are on a woeful run having only won once in their last five matches. Standard do not have the talent to really pressure the Gunners on an equal footing and if they try and open up the game, the Gunners will make this a laugher.  I look for the Gunners to “demolish the Belgians with Finesse”. Of course it won’t be a clean sheet because Manuel Almunia doesn’t know what that looks like.

Players to watch:

Arsenal: Carlos Vela. I think the mexican gets the call to start today and begins to show the boss and the fans what he is capable of.

Standard: Dieudonne Mbokani Bezua. With star player Milan Jovanovic out with his injued foot, the Congolese striker will be called on to test the Gunner’s defence.

Injuries:

Arsenal: Van Persie, Bendtner, Clichy, Djourou, Fabianski

Standard: DeFour, Collet, Sarr, Jovanvic, De Camargo

Possible Starting XI:

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Song, Fabregas, Nasri, Vela, Eduardo, Walcott

Standard:Bolat, Marcos, Felipe, Victor Ramos, Mulemo, Dalmat , Witsel, Mangala, Dacourt,  Cyriac , Mbokani

Final Score:

Arsenal: 4

Standard 1