Match Preview: Arsenal v Sunderland
Welcome back to our regularly scheduled football!
After two excruciating weeks. After having to endure a serious injury to an in form striker and a not so serious injury to an upcoming defender. And finally after having to endure the endless rants on Thierry Henry’s handball, we can finally get back to talking about something a lot more signifcant to us all – Arsenal football is back.
Arsenal are looking to pick up where the left off a fortnight ago when they impresively beat Wolverhampton 1-4. This time however, the Gunners face a slightly harder task in taking a Steve Bruce side that has played pretty well this season. Even though they have lost their last 3 we should all remember that this is a squad that got the best of United on its own turf only to have an OG ruin it for them (something eerily similar in that) and side that beat Liverpool. Even though a beach ball helped them – they outplayed the scousers for most of the afternoon.
Sunderland come in having recently lost to Spurs 0-2. And though they did lose they actually played well and should’ve come out with a point. In tha match the employed a 4-5-1 system with Bent up front. With Kenwynne Jones out of the Arsenal clash, it is expected that will do the same here too.
For Arsenal this is match that really cries for a win. Not just for the need to stay in second place and keep pressure on United and Chelsea. But the real need is to prove people wrong. Prove the November curse and all the pundits who think this is when Arsenal will fade away. And it is a worrisome fixture. We’ve not always been solid coming off of international breaks and when we lose key cogs we don’t always seem to fire on all cylinders.
This season however, the club is going about its business proving Arsene Wenger’s faith in his players and his overall developmental policy. The side are scoring at will with an average of 3.5 goals per game and have scored 36 in 11 Premier League matches, which was last done in 1963/1964. The Gunners are also riding an impressive undefeated streakhaving not lost in their last 7 EPL matches and in 13 matches in all competitions. You should note that only 1 was a draw in the EPL and one was a draw in the Champion’s league.
As is usual the press are making a feast of it on our injury list. And while there are a slew of players on it. There is good news as Fabianski, Vela, Denilson, Walcott Wilshere and Traore are all available for inclusion in the squad. Gibbs should be back by Midweek or at least in time to face Chelsea (but that’s another story). While the loss of Van Perise and Bendtner are significant, they are hardly irreplaceable as our attack has resulted in 17 different scorers. It will be up to a cobbled Black Cat defense to slow them down.
Eduardo looks to be the front runner to fill in for Robin Van Persie. Having signed a new long-term contract and having been booted out of the World Cup, the Crozillian has his entire focus on succeeding at the Emirates. True, he hasn’t been 100% but he is coming on having scored a brace in one of Croatia’s recent friendlies and was all over a woeful Wolverhampton squad. He has something to prove and I think this makes him more dangerous.
The question mark for the match, at least for me is Andrei Arshavin. There are some reports as to his fitness having come off a depressing WC qualifier loss. If he is ready, I think like Eduardo, the Russian is going to go out with something to prove. Andrei is one of the most dynamic players in the EPL and likely will be so in all of Europe in due time.
This is not going to be an easy opponent to match up against and Gunners fans should not be lookin past the Black Cats to our rendezvous with Chelsea. This has le-down written all over it but in my hearts I think this club is going to come and do as they have done all season and prove their doubters wrong. No one is picking Arsenal to stay the course and challenge for the title. I think this is something the Gunners relish and while they are not the invincibles they are a truly dynamic bunch of players who are going out each week doing what they do best.
How the match will play out:
I expect the usual sluggishness we see from Arsenal to start the game off. With the blackcats at home I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of pressure and especially a lot of testing of whomever replaces Clichy/Gibbs on the left back side. However, I still think the fluidity of the 4-3-3, 4-1-2-1-2 or whatever we are calling it these days will allow all of our available attacking options to press the game. Ultimately, the Gunners patience in opening up opponents should will out. The Gunners are ever mindful of where they are on the table and they will be looking to set this game up as pressure on both United and Chelsea.
Players to Watch Out For:
Arsenal: It’s a tie. Cesc Fabregas took his league form to the international stage and did not lose a bit. Fabregas right is clearly the best midfielder in Europe right now. He is scoring, setting up plays and giving defenses fits. Eduardo is filling in for the injured Robin Van Persie and what the side will lose in height, they will gain in tenacity, guile and agility. Eduardo has been coming on as of late and while he did not directly score against Wolverhampton, he forced the two errors that resulted in OGs.
Sunderland: Marton Fulop. First team ‘keeper Craig Gordon is out for 3 months with a broken arm he suffered against Tottenham. Fulop has been deputized to take his place. His last start was in August at home in a 2-1 win against Blackburn. He has not even started in Carling Cup matches at this point. He will be tested frequently by the Arsenal attack.
Injuries:
Arsenal: Van Persie, Bendtner, Diaby, Gibbs, Clichy, Djourou
Sunderland: Catermole, Gordon
Suspended:
Arsenal: None
Sunderland: Jones, Turner
Final Score:
Arsenal: 2
Sunderland: 1
Game Time is 10:00AM EST, 15:00BST
US TV: Fox Soccer (live)
Gameday Chat will be open!!!
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The front 5 didn’t do the business against Sunderland.
Eduardo, Rosicky, Nasri, Ramsey & Fabregas.
I saw the match again today. Song was a lion. If he had a ‘big name’ everyone would be lauding him, talking him up big time. But he hasn’t, he is still building his game and reputation so huge performances like this from a DM barely rate a mention. He was everywhere, tackling across the back 4, distributing well, surging forward when the front 5 looked impotent, threading passes that Fabregas should have but didn’t. Fabregas was pants. Then again, he’s allowed to be from time to time isn’t he ;-)
I think something has snapped with Arsene. Maybe he knows a pre-christmas flump won’t be tolerated by the fans and media. This team will be crucified. He badly needs the returnees to man the ramparts. I feel a bit for them, cause it normally takes a few weeks to get back into the swing of things. Arsenal hasn’t got a few weeks. If we have a bad wee run of results the title could be gone. The problem is that whilst the leading teams have lost some games they have drawn almost none. That means the points accumulation is high octane, it’s almost 3 pts every game. A bad spell and a young squad like Arsenal will struggle.
So stand up Eduardo, Rosicky, Nasri, Walcott – earn your money. The first 2 owe Arsene big-time (and Arsenal of course). Walcott? I honestly don’t know what to say, I’ve never seen a player so overhyped in all my years following football – all on the back of practically nothing. A couple of flashy games and a load of absolute dross. Obviously Arsene sees much in him, yet on the field where he ‘earns’ the 60,000 pounds per week he has contributed sweet fa for the club outside of 2 or 3 highlight games.
Arsene is 100% right, talk of Walcott and England is insulting. Who gives a rats. He needs to repay Arsenal or as far as I am concerned he can sod off.
I know the tone of this post is a tad cross, yet I’m wondering when exactly is someone at Arsenal going to consider what an absolutely crap return we have got out of Perse, Eduardo, Rosicky, Walcott and probably Diaby over the last 3 and a half seasons? I was (am?) really hopeful that this season may see a turnaround, yet then Perse goes and breaks down in tandem with Bendtner. Eduardo and Rosicky have been too rare and Walcott non-existant. Diaby who was doing well like Perse is now also out. Could any team sustain trophy challenges when relying on that type of regular fragility?
I’ll be interested in the team selection for Standard Liege. Obviously Arsene is a tad cross too!! So he might not be too concerned about sore limbs (sorry to the rotationites).
It’s front-up time. Chelsea are putting the foot down, put up or shut up. This is our chance to spoil their momentum in a head-to-head clash. The media are slagging us. Arsene is cross. The fans are nervous the title challenge could evaporate. Who is up for the fight? Song, Gallas, Verme, Sagna what about the front 5?
The “fight” needs to be against Chelsea, who will rest all their key players tomorrow.
Sore limbs = a loss v. Chelsea.
So Arsene better be concerned.
I think Aw’s reaction this time has a lot to do with his expectations for this team. In years past I honestly do not think Aw expected us to win the title the last few seasons. I know he always said yes we can win the league this year but as a manager thats what he has to do. He always jad hope but he knew it was a long term project. This season however i think AW feels this team should be winning things certainly with the talent we have around and the way we can score goals.
Standard Liege
I believe Arsene will start the heavy duty arsenal line up:
Arshavin – Eduardo – Rosicky
Nasri – Song – Cesc
Gibbs – Vermaelen – Gallas – Eboue
——-Almunia———–
bench: Sagna, Mannone, Ramsey, Vela, Theo, & whomever is healthy.
We must have a dominating performance v. Standard Liege and regain our swagger;
close out the group.
Psychologically, a draw (or less) is not the way to head into our Sunday match with Chelski.
4 days rest and no travel, we should be fine starting the above.
If we start that type of line-up against Standard Liege, we have no chance against Chelsea.
I’d be SHOCKED to see anything like it.
We need a DRAW only to advance.
Chelsea have already advanced, and will be resting MOST of their starters.
3 games in 8 days.
Add on the Internationals.
Starting key players in this match would make ZERO sense. It would be insane.
If Arsene signs Chamakh, won’t he be killing Bendtner, Theo, Vela, etc.?
Song has signed a long-term deal that sees him in the Emirates until 2015
Arsene bitch slaps the team for choking
Arsene bitch slaps Theo for focusing on the World Cup
This is Arsenal right? I didn’t step into the twilight zone? Arsene ripping his team is new right? I can’t remember him doing that.
It’s finally happened. AW joined the ranks of the realists.
;-)
Vibe & DAG –
I was thinking the same thing, this is so not Arsene. Maybe he’s ill and delusional.
What next?
Buying a GK and a back up for Song?
Arsenal – life without RvP
Early, this season, much was made of the fact that many of our forwards had not scored. In fact, RvP was very slow to adapt to his new position.
So where should our expectations be for Eduardo at his new position, after one match? His style of play is different than RvP’s, but it does not mean he can’t link well with his teammates, producing assists and scoring.
As for Rosicky, most have forgotten how good he is, and as fans we need to show more patience.
Repeating myself, if we are to achieve silverware this year, then Arsenal will need greater contribution (development) from: Bendtner, Theo, Vela, Diaby, and some one in Goal.
I highly doubt we’re gonna try to sign Chamakh as AW has already alluded to Vela as an “internal solution” (not to mention Bendtner & RVP who hopefully will both be playing by January). And all I know about him is that very nice 2nd goal he scored against Bayern in the CL match, which, I believe, puts them through in their group at the likely expense of Bayern. On that play Chamakh controlled a long ball with his feet between a defender and on-rushing keeper better than anything I ever saw Ade do, which is absolutely not to say that Ade is not the better overall player (right, Arthur?) Chamakh (and his agent) have got everybody where they want them (barring injury) and with Bordeaux near the top in a very tight Ligue 1, I’d expect him to sign a good extension with his current team (most likely) after a minor bidding war between some of the lesser teams that fancy a somewhat known continental name (Spurs, Villa, Sunderland, or maybe even Liverpool for example). The very idea that we were bidding on him makes him a better, or at least more expensive, player in the eyes of many.
Speaking for myself (and others I might imagine) I watch a decent amount of other English football and a tiny bit of the other CL or Euro league games and even less of the North American (Mexico & US) leagues. Now and again I click on a you tube video. When we hear about AW being interested in a player we figure they must be pretty good relative to the prices associated with them and it piques our interest. So, if we believe what we read in the summer AW passed on Chamakh at any price beyond the 5-6 million pounds (I think it was) we supposedly offered for him. It seems like he pretty much sticks to his original valuations….
Also, speaking for myself again, if others on this board have seriously watched a player Arsenal is said to be after and have definite opinions, I’m all ears, so tell it like you see it…..
HTS – Chamakh’s goal v. Bayern
similar to Ade’s goal vs. Everton / Tim Howard (last season of year b4)
Does anyone really think Arsene is going to sign any striker? Eduardo is playing regularly; RvP, Arshavin, Vela will be given a run of games for the balance of this year; Theo, ditto; and Bendtner None of these players play is trending poorly.
Chamakh – media gossip.
Not fascination. I know NOHTHING about Chamakh (never even bother to check him up on Youtube). I merely predict this is a deal which is going to happen. Whether we really sign him or not I don’t really give a damn.
Fred is correct with his points & you’re right most of us could give a damn about another striker. GK, yes.
What catches my curiosity is why would a starting striker want to leave his club when they are sitting top of the league? doing well in CL play?
Arsenal have a big investment in RvP, Arshavin, and Eduardo and Arsene does not intend for them to be sitting on the bench. Then there are the youngsters, Bendtner, Vela, and Theo.
So until RvP returns in mid-whenever, and Bendtner in two weeks, finally, Vela and Theo will be seeing regular playing time.
I dont understand the fascination with Chamakh. He is not “great” or a potentially great player. He is Adebayor’s age, he is SLOWER than Adebayor, he gets caught offside all the time, he is a static OAF and misses a boatload of chances. Word from Bordeaux has it that he is an arrogant SOB.
So why the HECK are we interested in him. He has ALL of Adebayors faults but he is SLOWER!
First I dont think we need another oaf in our team. And even if we did we can do much better than Chamakh.
Even if we got him, would he play centrally??? Afterall if RvP is fit, he would surely play in the center, so we would have to watch a SLOW African oaf working on the wings. Another Bendtner, but with limited passing ability <<< shudder >>>
I really hope the whole Chamakh thing is a tabloid joke. Or a smokescreen by Wenger.
i agree. No team with a right mind will wanna sell their number 1 keeper in January. So let’s just hope someone steps up for us for the rest of the season.
The most likely deal in January is Chamahk. An “Arshavin” deal II. The player’s contract is running down. Either Bordeaux sells him cheap in January, or for nothing in summer. Unless the player decides to sign a new deal. But I haven’t heard him signed yet.
Looking forward to the match tomorrow and praying for no injuries while hoping for a confidence inspiring performance (and result) ahead of the Chelsea match. We are on (or over?) the razor’s edge in terms of the fitness of our squad. As many have pointed out, we simply do not have quality, mature, match-fit players to slot in and out of the squad (and our taxing formation) from whom we can expect top-notch performances and results. In many ways the team is becoming imbalanced, with older, (injury prone or at least never truly fit) players on the one end and very young(also injury prone) ones at the other. Chamahk would have been a good fill in for RVP, but we that would’ve “killed” Bendtner. I really hope Dudu can make/poach a goal or two (and agree with Nip that he’s way off the form we need/expect of him) or that Vela can stay fit, take his chance and show what I believe he’s got. Most certainly, at this moment we can simply not afford another injury to the stalwarts of line-up, and I won’t mention their names for fear of jinxing them, but their initials are AA, CF, AS, TV, WG and BS…..
Talk now is moving towards the January window and it’s very interesting as some big teams look to fail to get out of their CL groups. In some ways the most intriguing discussion (for us) is Chelsea (what transfer ban?) supposedly bidding 65 million pounds (plus injured Boswinga) for Ribery. Bayern looks to be chucking the current season (and look likely to come third in their CL group) so Ribery would be Abramovich’s way of locking down the league title. If we could take the six points on Sunday such a move would be all the more likely and I think it might work to our advantage, if not in the league (frankly I doubt we’re strong enough to win it) then in the Cups (CL esp., of course) where our home form against the biggest of the big teams, including the English ones, will be essential, all dependent on how the draws go, naturally.
Finally, the keeper discussion is interesting, and I agree with Andes/z about bravery and Manny’s lack thereof (at the highest level). I fault him for his read on the ball/decision to not come out and get a fist to the original corner kick that led to the goal. He was just inside the six yard line when the kick was taken and retreated into goal. It was a good corner, but he was the closest Arsenal player to where it actually came down and his decision to retreat made it very difficult for any of our defenders to harry the space he abandoned. I’m completely sure young Fabianski would have gone for that corner, for better or for worse. I’m also pretty sure that had he not been injured he would be our #1 at this point. Finally, I’m even more sure that we will not be buying a keeper in January as the established ones are cup-tied and we do not need any more young prospects (interesting that Szezcney is on a one-month loan….) As such Almunia will get a few more chances to show what he can do, as will Fabianski (Carling Cup).
I finally saw the game highlights. To be honest, I was quite shocked by Eduardo’s miss. Our hit man seems to be going through a bit of a slump in terms of finishing. Two glaring misses against Spurs, followed by another one against Wolves (which fortunately ended up in the back of the net) and now this one. Pretty poor by the high standards the striker is known for. Let us hope that he gets back to form soon. We are going to need it.
Nice ones on the currently hot topic.
http://www.football365.com/mailbox/story/0,17033,8744_5713549,00.html
“After Paul Scharner handled the ball before scoring Wigan’s goal yesterday, how long until Dave Whelan offers to repay the match?”
“…Where are the articles and the fans blaming Scharner for the shame he has brought our sport? Anyone knows that any player with any kind of pride and morals would have gone to see the referee to tell him he handled ball.”
“…I bet my house AND car that Tottenham don’t go crying to the FA asking for a replay after Paul Sharner’s handball.
C’mon Ireland, take a leaf out of Spurs book.”
:)
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-sunderland-more-difficult-than-we-realised-
Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal may have underestimated Sunderland.
WOW!!!
I was very surprised by Arsene’s candor about losing this match.
Seems to me that Arsene is using his press statements to urge the team forward rather than protect them from irate supporters (last season).
This is a good thing as it indicates that he believes that the team is much, much stronger than a year ago, and needs to be challenged to realize its potential–a view I concur with. We have a good squad, and many of our mistakes seem mental. We are improving, but to get over the hump and win things we must avoid these lapses.
From http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8742_5713479,00.html
Manuel Almunia
‘Yet a crash is just a matter of time if they continue to only field outfield players’ – Winners and Losers.
Manuel Almunia was not culpable for Darren Bent’s winner, though he was slow to react, but the fact remains that he conceded to the one and only shot on target Sunderland produced during the 90 minutes and that the number of games in which the Gunners have conceded to either their opposition’s only shot on target or first shot on target this season is already in double figures . In only one game this season, at Fulham when Vito Mannone was between the sticks, has Arsenal’s goalkeeper been a participant. In all the rest, he has been a passenger.
We’ll keeping repeating it because it gains in truth every time there’s a reason to repeat it: No side has ever been successful without a goalkeeper and Arsenal’s season will end prematurely unless Almunia, or whoever is between the sticks, starts to make a regular contribution.
Almunia IMO is a chicken goalie. The number 1 requirement for a goalkeeper is – you gotta be BRAVE.
When I played football in school that long long time ago, I hated to play goalie. Cos I am not brave. I hate it when seeing an opposition striker charging down one on one against me. When that happened, I prayed that he could PLACE it, or CURVE it, or LOB it… needless to say, those kids didn’t have that skill, so more often than not they just smashed it, right onto my face. Damn it hurt.
Yes, it HURT. If you wanna be a keeper, you gotta be prepared to GET HURT.
Look at that goal we conceded against Sunderland, Almunia wasn’t diving towards where the BALL was, in fact, he dived AWAY from it. That’s not the way to try stop an one on one shot.
But again I wasn’t surprised, cos it wasn’t the first time he tried avoiding physical contact.
I know what you mean. I play every weekend and rarely do I see a GK who is brave.
I think people have realized by now that despite his eccentricities Lehmann was a top class GK and Almunia is nowhere near him.
I remember writing right after Seaman retired that – goalkeeper is the most difficult position to replace.
We were lucky though AW pulled another rabbit out of his magic hat by landing us Lehmann for 2.5 mil completely out of the blue.
I wasn’t confident at first. In Jens’ case, he WON over the fans. I grew to love Lehmann, especially his attitude. This guy got a strong character.
Jens annoyed people by his tendency to get into troubles with opposition strikers when defending corners.
But I love him for that. Cos if a keeper didn’t like opposition to put a player blocking his path (when defending corner), it means he wants to come out and attack the cross.
Likewise, when oppositions tend to put a player to block the keeper (when attacking corner), it means – they know he’s GOOD at coming out and collect the cross.
With the case of Almunia, he never got in troubles like that. Cos nobody even bothers to put a player in front of him I suppose.
GKs need to be super confident about themselves. One mistake can cost the team dearly. Unless you are confident and believe in yourself, there is no way you will survive the barrage of criticism directed at you. Sometimes, this self confidence can border on arrogance or eccentricity, but as long as you do a good job, who really cares!
Oddly, I started off as a goalie in school long long time ago. It was a painful introduction to the game and it took me a while to get the hang of it but I was more than happy to finally leave that position.
Almunia never inspired confidence in me and watching him makes me nervous. Last season, he was decent on some occasions but he is still someone I can’t be completely comfortable with. And he continues to show the same indecision that can cause Arsenal to drop key points. Remember the away Stoke game last season with the two throw ins?
No matter what Jens did, he was tough and could even give his opponents a hard time. Didn’t he once push Rooney into the boards?
Could Arsenal have signed Brad Friedel or Shay Given a few seasons ago? I thought they could have but I don’t remember reading anything about Arsenal going for them.
We are stuck with Almunia for the next few years so I just keep hoping that the offense keeps scoring goals, because no matter how good the defense is they can’t always bail out the goalie.
another striker? you are kidding me lol you sound like a tottenham fan from years past:P. Personally, I don’t think we need a striker because we will score boat loads of goals. You have to keep in mind players like Nasri, Ramsey, Rosicky, Eduardo, Traore have not been playing all season and Sunderland was always going to be a tough game they are a decent side and have done some damage to other top teams.
I think it’s disappointing we have not improved our defending in set play situations and it seems to me like it is a very difficult problem for AW to solve with this squad. It’s hard to just stick a couple of tall strong good in the air type players into this squad. Who do you take out?
Personally I underestimated the Chelsea squad at the start of the season they look unstoppable right now but outside of them I think we can very much challenge Man United (although you may disagree if you look at how bad their defensive injury list has been and still they keep winning!). Hopefully the ACoN slows Chelsea down but the depth they have is just ridiculous.
I miss hleb lol!
i agree rvp.
While I wasn’t really surprised that Eduardo struggled in his main striker role. I reminded myself this was his first game playing there.
It’s not fair to the player that after ONE game when he failed to impress in his new position, we should just give up on him and go and buy a new player.
I pointed out previously van Persie had taken on an extremely difficult task to play as the lone striker.
He not only held the ball up up front to gain us a foothold, but also such the markers to him thus free up more space for his teammates.
Eduardo played a smart game. He knew he didn’t have the strength to hold off the markers if he tried to hold the ball up, so he played a quick one touch passing game.
yet the downside though is – we did not have any target up front for the midfielders to pass the ball to. We did not have a FOCUS point to launch our attack.
And because none of Sunderland’s defenders got caught out of position because of Eduardo’s presence (or lack of) up front, so they all be able to hold their own position comfortably. As a result, there’s not much free space for our players to exploit.
Nevertheless, I have a feeling Eduardo will fare better playing a stronger side like Chelsea. As Chelsea won’t pack their own half like Sunderland did. So if we are able to pass the ball quicker, there will still be space for our attackers to exploit.
And the target man’s role is less important than against a weaker side who tend to drop deep.
INteresting article in the Mail:
Arsene has said that should Vela impress between now and Jan transfer window he will NOT go after Marouane Chamakh.
I guess that means we will be a lot more of Vela. Which is a good thing.
I wish the kid luck, and if it means Wenger will go after someone else in January, like a keeper or experienced midfielder to play with & for Song… all for it.
Not sure Vela is the finished article, but can’t hurt to see him now.
Let him start against Standard Liege!
Additionally Arsene went on to say that the reason they did not try and keep Adebayor was because of Vela and they were working on a new contract for the Mexican.
Hey Carlos – show time for the boss
That is typical Arsene PR. :)
As ironic as it sounds given the volume of goals we have scored this season thus far, I do believe the missing ingredient is clinical goal scoring. This is particularly the case for us playing 4-3-3 with only one recognised striker. The likes of Arshavin, Rosicky, Nasri and whoever else plays in the wide front roles are at best support scorers.
In the EPL, you often get only a series of half chances. The ManU’s and Chelsea’s are defensively competent, the Sunderlands set out to defend and frustrate you and a team with Arsenal’s attacking ethos needs to undo this as quickly as possible.
Perse was starting to look the part, an intelligent striker learning to link with his team like Fabregas and Sagna, strong enough to play the lone front role, and clinical enough to unnerve opposition teams and bury a sufficient number of chances. Bendtner is no Perse at this stage yet with his size he could have been a useful foil over the next 2 months and I think his scoring eye will likely improve. Sadly both are gone.
Without any hint of size and critically without the clinical finishing I do fear we may struggle. I would love someone to step up – perhaps Arshavin can strike a purple patch and score 7 or 8 key goals over the next month. We need someone to.
I agree on the clinical finisher part. I think RVP definitely was that scorer this season. It’s a shame he went down … when he did. Eduardo is NOT that player.
Chelsea’s and United’s first goals this weekend were both GREAT SHOTS… you sometimes need a sublime strike to unlock the door.
I would agree that Arshavin is the likely man who could score the big goal(s).
Well, it was not a fun game to watch.
We didn’t play particularly well in any sense, but we didn’t play poorly. They were much more rested, more active, and wanted the win more… they had more gas.
A draw would have been a good result… one that we might have deserved, but Sunderland are a decent team, good at home.
We created very little… passed the ball around at times, but nothing in the area that counted. Eduardo had “the chance”… and he missed it. RVP buries that chance… and we’d probably have won… in my opinion.
Eduardo is no RVP…
The internationals hurt us a lot, with many of our players coming back fatigued… but Chelsea won 4-0 and ManU 3-0… so its not an excuse that will cut it. I can understand us playing less than our best, but the CHAMPION teams, find a way to win. We lack that cutting edge and “leader” to lead on those days. As good as Cesc is, he’s not that type of player.
We scored in EVERY game prior to this one, right? So if you told me Sunderland was going to score ONE GOAL, I’d have taken it at the start of the match. Who wouldn’t have, honestly. We rarely have a clean sheet. So we always had to score a goal to get a point or win.
Not our day… and it just makes the Chelsea match … the most important match of the year.
If we lose… back 11 points…ITS OVER.
A win… and we have a shout. There is no two ways about it.
Standard Liege?
Who gives a shit.
I would rather we played all reserves and LOSE that match, than we play the starters who played during the international break… and win.
We are advancing in the CL…
3 games in 8 days for already tired starters… is a recipe for disaster. Chelsea blew out Wolves… we lost.
We need the Chelsea match… Standard Liege is irrelevant.
Cesc – Arshavin – Vermaelen – Gallas – Sagna – Song … all should be rested… come on as a sub for a few? OK… whatever.
Its all on the Chelsea match… a loss and its over.
Sunderland was dissapointing, but not unexpected… that type of game seperates the Champions from the good teams… we’re good, not quite Championship level at the moment… we can rise to it against Chelsea.
As for Arshavin and January’s window.
Obviously, I agree with him wholeheartedly…
we need as few signings… experienced… talented.
A keeper… and someone in the middle with steel to rotate or back-up Song… but I doubt its going to happen.
United and Chelsea will definitely spend, going for the title.
We’ll watch… and watch our chance go by as well.
If we can win Sunday… its ON. If not, we’re playing for CC, FA Cup and CL semi’s.
Agree about Liege. Pointless game. We already know we can score a boatload of goals in games that ‘don’t matter’. How about actually scoring when it matters?
That’s the contradiction in this side for the last couple of years. Score lots of goals but alot of them are cosmetic or when momentum is with us. Our tippy tappy style of play looks powder-puff in such circumstances that really require one, like Sunderland. One gear this team has, and when that doesn’t work, we go into reverse, lose confidence. We also lack personnel driving from deep to accelerate the game and draw fouls and the ability to change it up. Hleb was very good at dispensing with the passing and going for a slalom run and creating havoc, like Bolton away in 2007/08, but players like Nasri and Rosicky just do not have the intensity or intelligence to know when to change the script, especially in tough away games. It’s lateral passing all the way.
I’ll be very surprised if we score more than one goal than Chelsea next week. We are a high scoring side but very rarely score a top four side off the park. You would expect a side like us to have at least one game over the years where we go on the rampage against a top side, but no, they are more likely to go on the rampage against us. The Liverpool game in 2006/07 is the only game we’ve actually beaten a top side by more than one goal in a long time. A stat I found interesting is that we have never scored more than one goal at Old Trafford in the league during Wenger’s entire reign.
And yet as Kiwi said, we supposedly try and outscore the opposition. Therein lies the problem, or one of the main long-standing ones anyway. Others come and go.
Agreed, we will need to score MORE than 1 goal to beat Chelsea. We can… as Wenger says, we have the quality, but WILL WE?
I wouldn’t wager on it.
You can try and outscore Chelsea, but how many goals do they let in? None at home, and rarely on the road.
Its a massive game.
And all that.
Okay. I think I have calmed down slightly.
First off – if fit, I would like to see what we would be doing with Walcott in the middle. Tho- I have to temper that because the lad looks like he has a glass jaw to me.
What’s depressing with the exception of the City loss (to an extent) we haven’t been played off the field by anyone. Yesterday’s match could’ve easily been a 4-1 Arsenal win if we had connected on the good chances we had.
Freakin’ Song’s lob to Arshavin was an absolute thing of beauty. Fabregas’ first rocket shot missed by half a foot and Dudu nearly got the slide in. And honestly we were that far off. inches not feet.
I am not too worried about being up for next week’s match. We will play well and if Didier is not in there I am less concerned. Anelka isn’t a striker who makes me afraid. Its always Drogba that you feel is going to get that goal in the 85th minute and sink us.
I also am not convinced of starting Gibbs instead of Traore against Chelsea. The kid did well against a physical side and has the size to boot. My only complaint – his attempt at cross overs with his lanky legs looks stupid. But his pace was a solid threat.
Sagna, good crosses again.
All in all, bad result not a bad team match.
Oh that is unless you count our second string ‘keeper. The polish kid is off getting first team experience on loan. Good.
I am now convinced that a solid keeper is a mandatory next purchase. Gallas and Verme are becoming a very solid duo in the middle and with a good ‘keeper I would be less concerned about our giving up goals.
Nasri is only going to get more comfortable and in time I believe him, Fabregas, Song will be the best midfield in the EPL. Song and Fab are already doing a lot there.
And on my look on the bright side not – Malbranque missed 3 real open nets. Each miss bigger than the previous. And at least we didn’t look as woeful as the crap that was on display at Anfield. Those first 45 were some of the worst 45 minutes of football I have seen displayed all season. Hell Pompey looked better than that shite. I can’t believe I actually woke up to watch that.
open nets?
seriously? Malbranque had half-chances, not good chances. He should have hit the net with one of them, but they were hardly open nets.
Michael, I hear the disappointment mate!
This is why I was less sanguine about the double loss of Perse/Bendtner, the post-interlull fatigue and the Sunderland game. It had banana skin written all over it.
Looking forward, you’re right, our title chase is precarious and could evaporate quickly. It was laways likely that either Chelsea or ManU would keep the accelerator down once the season got going and challenge other contenders to ‘keep up or drop out’.
The loss of Perse and Bendtner at the same time for a big chunk of time looked a big blow to me. It took Perse over two months to look comfortable in the striker role so why would we expect anything different from a guy like Eduardo? Even if Dudu can adapt to the lone role, he still needs to contend with his fitness issues. For me, throwing out names such as Walcott and Vela is like spraying air freshner in a sewer – it won’t have any lasting impact. In the hard yakka of EPL football you need serious options to capitalise on the chances you make. Walcott and Vela may become fine players – yet there is always a difference between up and coming potential and a mature product – youth by nature is inconsistent.
I hope we don’t look back on the Perse injury as a defining moment this season. If we do, Arsene will have erred again. He simply can’t refer to injuries to Perse, Rosicky and Eduardo as valid reasons for failure. He has played that card too often, the risk is known, if he chooses to accept the risk and back the players he takes the blame if they crock out yet again.
Anyway, a bit early to be making hard judgments, we could well beat Chelsea, it is very do-able. These big games are very intense and Arsenal have players that can score in them. They often don’t go to form. Even if we lose we aren’t buried, but yes we would need to regain points on Chelsea quickly.
If we beat Chelsea I will still feel a bit nervous. As much as I love Eduardo, in this formation I need to see to believe. Against Sunderland our football looked good, yet as the game progressed I was left wondering were a goal would come from. And as often occurred in the past if we don’t have offensive bite we fall to a scrappy goal.
I will be interested to see if Arshavin starting helps to give us more attacking focus and drive on goal. Although the sheer midgityness of the attack is a worry.
Holy F*ck… the Spudz beat Wigan 9-1, that is crazy.
I very much agree on the pleasing progress of Song.
His play in concert with Gallas and Verme impressed me from the opening few games. I felt a tad guilty for praising the trio so early (and possibly prematurely) yet it just seemed to work a lot better than the Toure/Gallas.
Back to Song, he has a unique style. Yet it’s almost like each new game shows something else. At first it was the refreshing physical competitiveness that caught the eye, then his efficient interaction with Gallas & Verme and the covering between the three, then his tidy distribution, and now against Sunderland he showed maturity and skill in trying to cause something to happen in an attacking sense.
I think after 14 starts and a sub appearance this season we can say it’s no purple-patch – Song has improved his play to another level. This together with Verme’s seamless integration have given the team a muscularity that we desparately need to compliment our aspiration to beautiful football. Song, Verme, Gallas and Sagna are all physically hardy players who will have the respect of their EPL opponents.
Someone earlier pointed out that despite the widespread fan-happiness with Gallas/Verme that we had conceded a similar amount of goals to last season (under Toure/Gallas). The key is to see the team in a holistic way rather than segmenting the defence or the goals conceded stats and drawing conclusions.
For me I have long dispensed with the notion that Arsenal will be a hard-nosed hard to beat defensive side like Chelsea – it just won’t happen under Wenger. The best we can hope for is a competent defence that compliments a super attacking unit. That, after all, is Arsene’s vision. He talks about collective defence because he sees everyone attacking and defending. He doesn’t envision a defence that focuses purely on defence. His defenders must ‘play’ and I would imagine seeing Song, Gallas and Verme driving forward to add an unexpected attacking dimension would be hugely pleasing. Similarly watching the Sagna-Fabregas-Perse right flank axis develop would be his idea of true team development.
Before assuming I’m against the Chelsea-style hard nosed defence think again. I was weaned on GG’s great defence that was the bedrock of our modern era so I well appreciate how success can be built on defensive strength. Yet Arsene is not building such a side. His team will outscore you not grind you in to submission and nic a goal.
All that said, how refreshing to see Song winning physical duel after duel, whilst still looking fully at home in this team pattern of play. Ditto Gallas and Verme, serious defenders who have an attacking element to their play. We’re on the right track.
I’m still unable to write abot this.
Unlike most of you – I am truly pissed off at the team for letting this one go.
Let’s look at things in perspective: Chelsea are now 8 points clear. Should we lose next weekend they will be 11 points clear. At that point our title credentials are all but over. Additionally, a loss next week means that we are out of the top four again fighting for 5th or 6th with City and Liverpool.
We need to pound St Liege in the ground to get a winning attitude and at the same time rest important players.
If fatigue was the reason we were off we need to get it back prior to next Sunday or we are effectively out of it at November AGAIN.
It’s a matter of perspective. I had zero expectations that Arsenal would compete for the league this season, so it’s harder to be disappointed.
I’m encouraged that we’ve played better over the last month or so, and Citeh has played worse. Feeling more comfortable we’ll stay Top Four, so that’s nice.
A layer of armor I’ve developed over the last few years.
This.
I could not care less about Standard Liege.
I’d be HAPPY if we played mostly reserves and LOST, than playing mostly our starters and won.
This game means shit, and the Chelsea game means EVERYTHING.
Was reading an article, and at first I was dismayed by AW’s comments, saying that “we have only ourselves to blame” for the loss. Not like him at all! But then he throws in a little of the “same old, same old” at the end. The last sentence is hilarious:
“Defeat left the Gunners eight points adrift of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea, and manager Arsene Wenger admitted they had only themselves to blame.
He said: “We lost a game and we can only fault ourselves because we didn’t score.
“Some players were not at their best and we gave a goal away on the only situation where Sunderland could score one today, a set-piece, and that sums it up well.
“Rather than focusing on any individual, I believe it’s more down to the fact that we made a big mistake on the corner, because the game was there for the taking in the last 20 minutes.
“But of course, 1-0 down makes it more difficult.”
Asked about the late penalty incident, Wenger said: “It’s difficult for us to get penalties, even the most obvious ones.”
Asked further what he meant by that, he replied cryptically: “I mean nothing.” “
The Eduardo penalty v. Celtic has sealed our fate for the balance of this season, and that so many of our players are foreign.
I’m sure Wenger has explained this extensively with Arsenal players, that in league play, “it will be impossible for us to get penalites”.
For the tackle on Vela, you saw no immediate objections to Wiley, from Arsenal players.
Against Wolves, Eduardo, megged the defender (in the PA) and as he pursued the ball the defender took him out, making no ball contact, again, not one Arsenal player objecting to the ‘no call’.
IMO, making an issue of these in the media, will not help Arsenal in the long run, only continue the retribution.
Defeat aside, I’m really amazed by Song’s progress. Remember when he first joined Arsenal, even the most positive mind had cast doubt on whether he would make it. He looked nothing special at all.
I have seen limited players improved at the past, like Ray Parlour, from nothing but a workhorse under GG to become an England international under Wenger.
But Song has proceeded Parlour. A few years back, he looked nothing more than a technically limited workhorse. Now, to go along his impressive workrate and strength, he has actually developed into some soft of classy midfielder.
When he won the possession back, he did not rush things, and actually shows a good composure keeping the ball and passing it. IMO he’s already better than Gilberto.
I was not a Song fan at the past, but with he keeps playing better and better, you just can’t help but start to like this guy. And best of all, he’s so quiet off the pitch. We rarely seen any comment coming from him. I always perfer fooballers who don’t open their mouths, and let their action on the pitch speak for them.
When the season started, all our attention was on Vermaelen. His addition has exceeded our expectations at CB, defensively and offensively.
Andez, if you’re an ardent fan, most would agree with all of your observations & more. Song’s dominating play has been a total surprise. This only reinforces Arsene’s instincts for identifying talent.
Still a “kid”, Alex continues to make the plays: physically, tactically, and technically – AT BIG MOMENTS.
Not only does he have composure, but his sense of when to go forward, to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY and make things happen, is totally instinctive and resembles the same mentality as Vieira, that’s right, Vieira.
Some interesting news on the e-wire.
Apparently negotiations with Gallas and Rosicky are advanced. That would make sense to me. Gallas has been immense – what a turnaround from the guy. He’s looking like the CB I loved at Chelsea – a real pro. Despite his 32 years and our 30+ policy there is no reason not to sign him up. With Perse, Arshavin, Rosicky, Fabregas, Gallas, Verme and Sagna we have a seriously good core. Add on all the other talent and you can understand why Arsene gets excited.
Ditto Rosicky, to be sure there are ? around his fitness yet it would seem rather odd to back him patiently and expensively for the last 3 years then let him walk to another club and actually perform!
Lastly Arshavin our outspoken Russian. Apparently he is telling folk that we must spend in January. He says we have the less expensive talent now we need the expensive talent. January is still 2 months away, yet he may be right. Unless of course Dudu, Vela, Rosicky, and Nasri all step up to the mark with form, fitness and robustness.
re: Arshavin’s comment ‘we must spend in January’
Bendtner and RvP will have returned by then and Arsene will rationalize their returns as 2 new signings.
If anything, I see him allowing Eduardo to develop chemistry with teammates and sharpen his play. At some point, Arsene must make a decision about Theo and Vela. There is no
point in keeping them with Arsenal just to collect dust.
I still believe Arsenal need an experienced back up for Song and replacement for Almunia.
A worrying pattern is developing
Record against the bottom half teams P8 W7 D1 L0
Record against the top half teams P4 W1 D0 L3
All three losses were away from home, two coming right after the international break.
Well taking that last sentence into consideration, I’m not too worried about it.
It’s funny, I was scrolling through here reading comments, and right before I got to this one I was thinking to myself, “If only all our return games after int’l breaks were at home, things would be a lot easier.”
If you look at our goalscoring record home vs. away, the difference is quite staggering. It’s hard to say in retrospect, but I bet we would’ve won yesterday had the match been at the Emirates. And the Chelsea game is at home, so I’m still pretty confident despite yesterday.
“If only all our return games after int’l breaks were at home, things would be a lot easier.”
That is desirable but not always possible. Chelsea and ManU have won away from home after the international break, against Stoke and Tottenham respectively (both top half clubs).
I liked Vermaelen’s Van Basten effort. We need to clone this guy so one of his clones can play forward until Van Persie comes back. Song nicely picked out Arshavin and I thought that was the tying goal but it was not to be.
Detest international breaks. Atleast Arsenal have a home CL tie to get back into gear before the thugs come visiting.
A bit of a retro performance from us I’m afraid.
Lot’s of nice interplay and build up yet the desire to drive on goal was lacking, badly lacking.
Before the game my expectations were best described as hopeful but in reality I thought we may struggle. We were relying on too many injury returnees. In all fairness to Eduardo and Nasri – it’s expecting a lot for them to play key roles. Add Ramsey – very green. So the whole attack looked light to me.
I counted 6 passes from Fabregas to the opposition in the first 20 mins. He was clearly tired and not quite in tune.
Sagna tired really badly shortly into the 2nd half. I watched him closely, he had no acceleration, so he tried crossing from a static position 3 times in succession and every time the cross was blocked and went out of play.
In the end, the team didn’t have enough. The loss may be a bit tough, but we didn’t deserve a win. It’s too early to condemn Dudu in the front role, but this game did nothing to dispel my fears that he is a bit light in this formation. Maybe after half a dozen games he can adapt and with fitness prove a threat. Only time will tell. The difficulty is we don’t have time to give him time with every result critical, the EPL is all about points accumulation. If Arshavin started it may be different – he is more direct.
It’s a shame we couldn’t get the draw. This is a little test failed. Chelsea looms large. Alas, the size of the Chelsea game means any result is possible – these games are unpredictabe. There will be so much pressure.
We need Dudu to adapt, we need Dudu, Nasri and Rosicky to get match fit. Like I said, the next 2 months are going to be a big test. The loss of Perse and Bendtner is a big blow to our shape.
Cesc did look out of sorts. There was a point, early in the second half I think, where he felt Wiley should have called a foul or a handball. When he didn’t get the response he wanted, he took himself out of the action for a minute. Just let the play go on around him, as if he didn’t have the energy for it.
I thought the same thing about that play. Sunderland started out very physically and unlike our last match (Wolves) they kept it up. Since Wiley did nothing to tone things down, it made it tougher on us as we chased the game–very typical if we concede away from home. Overall, however, Cesc seems to be playing at a very high level, I think.
Absolutely, Steve. He’s been brilliant this year. They just caught us a little flat, overall, yesterday. Credit to Sunderland and no real shame for Arsenal. We all know what’s coming next, and that will be the real barometer.
Good observation about Sagna. High crosses were unlikely to work today with the available targets (or lack thereof) thus Sagna’s static crosses seemed like he was out of ideas as well as tired.
Likewise Kiwi is spot on about match fitness lacking for Dudu, Nasri and Rosicky, not to mention Vela and Theo. When you combine that with physical and mental fatigue from Gallas and Arshavin and at least physical fatigue with Vermaelen and Song, well that’s everybody except Traore (who looked bigger and stronger than I remember and awfully good) and Alumunia who had one shot on goal and one goal conceded (I think) on a play where he could have gotten at least a fist to the original ball (i.e., bad decision). He’ll have to do better vs Chelsea for us to have a chance in that match.
Finally re: “The loss of Perse and Bendtner is a big blow to our shape…” I agree with this: Bendtner is a legitimate target man and was showing at least a decent work rate when played on the right. RVP was working well with Arshavin and the two were switching forward and aft very nicely, so that if one came back for the ball the other would move forward into danger areas. We absolutely lacked that today and Dudu needed to stay forward because nobody else was headed there in his stead. He probably can adjust (i.e., stay forward and try to beat the offside trap), but some of the other options with greater mobility (Vela, Walcott) might be better as direct replacements for what RVP was doing. Std. Liege on Tuesday ought to be an opportunity to experiment (and then get some team practice/rest) before Chelsea next weekend.
Where are the doom and gloomers? (realists?)
This is it, we suck, we need to buy, sack Wenger, etc…..
Fred (and others) have got it just about spot on, and he called it about our rookie goalkeeper….HATS OFF!
Really I thought we played well but I think we missed RVP and Arshavin until he came in. Dudu….I love him, am glad he signed a long term deal, etc., but he seriously lacks the mobility, and maybe the physicality of RVP (at least as a target for crosses). And maybe Cesc, Nasri, Rosicky, and Ramsey (and Dudu) are too similar–lots of nifty work near the edges of the box but who puts it in the net? It’s almost a 4-1-5-0 without RVP & AA23. I’d rather see Vela up there, but it’ll never happen. Certainly the Smilan’ Mayan had his feet whipped out from under him there in the 93rd minute and we should’ve had a spot kick to equalize. But (of course) that’s waaay too late for Alan Wiley to make his first (meaningful) call of the night.
Finally, I think it would’ve been better to start Theo and play a long ball or two his way in order to keep their back line honest. To have him come in as we’re chasing the game exposed a few of the weaker parts of his game (like dribbling and passing, for example) while not featuring his pace.
In the end, Sunderland are a good pick for a Europa league spot, and deserved something from the match (as did we). Still think we have a fine chance for the six points next weekend.
Draws and losses are disappointing, but I think our chances against Chelski don’t change. If anything, the result today was a reminder to Arsene about depth and GK.
Kiwi – good point about Sagna, he was exhausted. Eduardo needs time to build chemistry with the midfield (& Song). I wouldn’t mind seeing Theo in the center (up front).
Despite their brief time on the pitch, I thought Vela and Theo made things happen, brought some energy to our play.
“I thought Vela and Theo made things happen, brought some energy to our play.”
Agreed. Theo made that one brilliant cross on which there was somehow no one on the other end. Vela at least got himself in the position to draw a penalty.
Objectively, we should have drawn, but did not deserve 3 points. Their goal, the ball bounced luckily to Bent – not much our defense could have done.
Fred’s right on many points: Song didn’t pick up a yellow, Bendtner’s absence, and Arsenal had an off day.
Eduardo, Nasri, and Ramsey could not overcome the physical play of Sunderland and consequently weren’t effective. Rosicky had no trouble competing, just hasn’t had enough playing time to settle into his final touch and shooting.
I thought the back four & Song played well. Good outing for Traore. To me, he looks much more confident than Gibbs: made positive plays in attack & played smart on defense. I certainly would start him Tuesday night.
Overall, we held on to the ball too long, allowing them to knock us off the ball or their tackle diffused our flow of play.
It’s a shame that on Song’s attack up the middle, the combination play with Eduardo didn’t come off in a score, would have been a highlight for the season.
When Song, Vermaelen, or Gallas brought the ball up the middle, Arsenal seemed very effective in causing problems for their defensive organization.
On to Tuesday night!
At this point, Arsenal being scored on off a set piece can hardly be called lucky.
Sunderland made a play. We did not. They’ve done it to the Top Four enough this year, that I’m inclined to give them their credit. Objectively.
Can’t see where I implied that Sunderland didn’t deserve the win.
Also, I believed I used the word luckily to reference the ball’s bounce!
However you are finally right about them making the most of the play. I have watched
three or four of their matches this fall, they are organized and have solid players
at every position.
To be honest it is hard to pin point anybody for being terribly woeful. Though everybody seemed a step out of it. It is probably the bloody international break’s fault.
One critical mistake though was for the goal, Almunia did NOT dive logically. His hands was at least THREE feet away from where the ball was. Meaning that Bent raised the ball over his WAIST.
So what was the point diving then?? Sometimes, or rather a LOT of times he does things as if he does not have a brain.
So in other words for us NOT to concede ALL our defenders must play like gods for 95 minutes and ensure the ball never reaches Almunia once.
The game illustrated two key issues
1. On paper, we have great strength in depth. Today’s starting 11 and the bench was full of quality. But we have too many questions marks over the fitness and playing time of too many players. How can you throw Vela and expect him to produce the goods when he has hardly played all season? Also, we seem to need a game or two to get into gear every time there is a break. This is our second loss after an international break.
2. We always tend to concede a goal (most likely via a set play), so we need our offense to be in great shape (not just clicking but clicking well) to win games. May not happen always.
Now our game against Chelsea becomes a must win?
We have this set piece shits for too long. Wenger really need to hire defensive coordinator.
illustrates that we have no “game changer” with RVP being our closest thing to it.
I don’t think anyone can complain about the line-up or Wenger bringing on the players he did.
Just one of those days… we looked lethargic and tired, and they wanted it more.
We created nothing.
I told you guys not to talk too excitedly about Chelsea last week, because a loss here and a Chelsea win would make our matchup COMPLETELY different. Now the game will be about us not falling 11 points behind NOT us taking 1st spot.
There is nothing wrong with having an off day, but Sunderland is the kind of place you try to at least get a draw from.
Anyway, just chuck this down to an off day. There is nothing else one can think of in terms of personnel to save this game. I knew if we didnt score with a set piece we might have problems scoring an opener. And so it proved.
Its apparent Chelsea are by far the strongest team in the league. At this point I think they have a 90% chance of winning it. Man U have the other 10%.
We on the other hand should continue to hustle for second place.
On the plus side Song doesnt have a yellow card.
PS: We REALLY need Bendtner. In the middle.
Not the result we wanted before facing Chelsea. The gap is now 8 points. :(
“…so far, pretty easy to referee for Alan Wiley…”
What’s that supposed to mean? Not a lot of running his fat arse around?
;-)
Gameday chat is open:
http://www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
BTW glad to see Ramsey get the start
Arsenal Starting XI: Gallas, Vermaelen, Sagna, Traore, Fabregas, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Nasri, Eduardo
Subs: Mannone, Vela, Walcott, Denilson, Silvestre, Arshavin, Eboue
Good line-up IMO, Song just needs to be careful not to mix it up too much and pick up that yellow.
Hopefully we can take advantage of their rookie keeper and changed defense and get an early one (first 15 minutes?) I hope to see a bit of the Smilan’ Mayan, the Chippin’ Magician, (Vela) who I think is plenty strong enough for his young age and could work some good stuff with the likes of the rest of the front players.
“Hopefully we can take advantage of their rookie keeper…”
Am sure Sunderland are thinking the exact same thing :-D
They did and scored :(
Team news: (from Sunderland site)
SAFC: Fulop, Bardsley, McCartney, Da Silva, Mensah, Reid, Malbranque, Cana (C), Henderson, Richardson, Bent.
Subs: Carson, Healy, Murphy, Ferdinand, Nosworthy, Campbell, Zenden.
Arsenal line up as follows: Almunia, Sagna, Fabregas (C), Vermaelen, Rosicky, Nasri, Eduardo, Gallas, Ramsey, Song, Traore.
Subs: Vela, Walcott, Denilson, Silvestre, Arshavin, Mannone, Eboue.
Adebayor just proved what a dopey, languid, unmotivated tosser he is in that instance, and for the last five games. Couldn’t be bothered to defend a set-piece, like he couldn’t be bothered to defend the set-piece against United in the champions league last season.
I’m so glad I called that clown out early doors. For some *cough* Arthur *cough” , it takes a bit longer ;)
Fucking knew that would happen. Still a twat.
Well, I was just about to say that you called that one right, but now Skeletor loses Ade and he equalizes with a wide open header…Arthur to chime in shortly…
Part of me was thinking “wait till to the end of the match”.
He’ll probably be a different player now. Always needs that goal to wake him up.
He IS a decent target on set pieces and I’m not so sure I’d trade our defense for ‘Pools at the moment….
A sixth straight draw for City (two straight for ‘Pool) is a result which suits me.
edit to say: oops, now I’ve spoken too soon (about the result, not about ‘Pools defense)….No, wait, it’s a goal fest (Placentayoun makes it 2-2).
Finishes 2-2. Lucas missing an open header at the whistle…
“He’ll probably be a different player now.”
Nah. Tomorrow he’ll still be tall and lazy.
Up early hoping to see a decent match between Liverpool and ManCity…and pretty disappointed. On the plus side both teams were able to finish the 51 minute first half with 11 men and Shay Given made a nice save before the players started dropping like flies. Also, Yossi Benayoun is running like a thoroughbred out there only 12 days after doing his hamstring. Supposedly he had RVP’s placenta treatment (at 3:30 in the morning–I only hope RVP got an equally fresh one…) so that’s interesting, I guess. Finally it looks like Mark Hughes has been talking to his team about being less selfish (and benching Tevez shows he means it) as they’ve tried a few dummies–even Ade tried to leave a ball, for a defender of course….His hair, however, looks good.
Searching around for line-ups (which should also be interesting) and I’m finding nothing yet. Anybody?
The Henry incident is being blown out of proportion because of it’s sensational nature. Did Henry commit a foul, yes. Does that make him a cheat? Fuck no! That’s like saying anyone who’s ever committed a foul is a cheat.
Henry proved that he’s human. He was tired and completely focused on giving his all to help his team win a match. Sometimes, during the heat of the battle and in a split second, a weary mind and body can do things that are far from typical. That doesn’t make him a cheat, it makes him a human.
Ireland are making a big deal out of it because it is a big deal. They’ve just missed out on the World Cup because of a missed call. They’re absolutely gutted and they’re taking their anger out on Thierry Henry because he’s the biggest, most visible target. Because it happend so late in an elimination game, it’s more sensational. Sometimes football isn’t fair. This predicament meant it was Ireland’s turn to have the shit end of the stick.
Myles – its his profession, which is tabloid – certainly not journalism, to stir up controversy / readership….Rupert Murdock style.
I sympathize for Henry as a fan that regularly followed him, his on & off the pitch contribution to football and Arsenal has been positive. With time, the attention he has drawn will dilute, just as it has for Eduardo.
Lets face it, there is too much pressure on officials. Our beloved sport has advanced past the 19th century traditions. American sports (not all) use of video, is a confirmation that officials have limitations but to minimize bias and human error, technology is in place to support the beauty of the game.
It won’t be long b4 every major football association will demand Fifa initiate the use of video.
The Henry situation btw is way OTT. Did he cheat? Yep. Is he a serial offender? No way. Instinctive? Yes. Did he also know what he was doing . Yes. It has all happened in less than a second. Nothing’s tarnished for me as far as Titi is concerned. Or Dudu for that matter. Mistakes happen. Hell if Cristiano Ronaldo can dive all over England and still be a legend at ManU , there’s no way one handball is going to tarnish his legacy for me.
It’d been nice if he didnt do it and maybe a part of me is glad he was not at Arsenal when he did it, but overall – the big picture nothing changes. On Arseblog I read that Myles Palmer – Yes Myles the great called Thierry scum of the earth. Rich.. coming from him..seriously. I wonder what would have happened if beloved Rooney or Gerrard had dived instead.
On Myles – IMO he’s truly the scum of the universe. Worst than any other anti-Arsenal fans / Spurs/ManU/Chelsea fans / Plastic / Glory Hunters I ever come across.
Without Henry, I doubt Arsenal would have won the double.
Without the glory brought to us by Wenger, Henry and co., Palmer wouldn’t have written that book “the Professior”, that brought him some extra $$$ into his bank account.
I had the book “the Professior” with me before.
The reason I said I HAD is because I had since thrown it away when I discovered what soft of a person Myles Palmer is.
His Arseblog makes DannyT’s Arsenal Truth looks like the most POSITIVE Pro-Arsenal site around. That sums it up.
I’d feel ashamed calling myself a Gooner if next time I hear him claiming himself an Arsenal “supporter”.
“The Henry situation btw is way OTT. Did he cheat? Yep. Is he a serial offender? No way. Instinctive? Yes. Did he also know what he was doing . Yes. It has all happened in less than a second. Nothing’s tarnished for me as far as Titi is concerned.”
Exactly what I was saying on the other thread. Sometimes you really talk sense, LDE. :-)
Oh, and there is most definitely precedent for a match to be REPLAYED,
for “unsporting” behavior changing a result.
It happened in 1999, with the Arsenal involved in an FA Cup match
against Sheffield United.
————————————–
Yes Stag, I think it’s one of the best decisions Arsenal made. As had we not offered them a replay, Arsenal FC would forever been labelled as “cheat”.
The club’s identity is far more important than a FA Cup.
I wonder whether it’s from that moment Steve Bruce and Wenger started becoming friends?!
This Henry incident kinda makes me wonder “what’s the point trying to be a nice guy?”
Titi been trying to be nice to everyone throughout his career, in fact, I remember I once got annoyed by him chatting happily towards opposition players in the tunnel before a big match.
Then, one incident later, the world cannot wait to jump on his back. Now he’s made like the evil of footballworld.
Now I imagine the other way around, say, a well-known diver like Rooney, if for once, he stays on his feet in the penalty box while being tackled, he would immediately be hailed as the new saint, a bad-boy-turns-good, a role model…
Don’t you think the world is going to react this way? I believe it will.
Finally saw the Henry handball. I can only say what James Mason said when he went up to his wife’s lover in divorce court and stroked him under the chin: “Naughty, naughty.”
As for Sunderland, this is a perfect storm for us to lose by a goal or two – tired, cold, wet, post midweek internationals and Silvestre in the back four.
Let’s hope our new found momentum hasn’t evaporated. Or our fluency. I like the idea of having Walcott to through on for the last 15 mins too.
If we really a side gelling, then we can do this 2-1.
I was on soccenet this morning and guess what I saw. Check this link:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=701084&sec=global&root=global&cc=4716
This is for everyone who wanted Huuntelaar and Felipe Melo. Actually, Flamini should be on this list as well.
I’m confident about this game, despite the injuries and internation break etc. Always am when our midfielders are fit.
I’ve located and plan to wear my rose tinted Arsenal glasses for the week-end.
Great points about who will be rested, but its too important a league match.
I’m resting Song on 4 yellow cards and asking Arshavin to give me 45 minutes,
then slot in Vela.
Arsenal take the 3 points.
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Eboue
———Ramsey————-
—-Cesc——–Nasri——–
Rosicky—————-Arshavin
———-Eduardo————
Like that, including the Vela sub.
I like it too, but AW will never play Vela. He must hate him. I honestly think subbing Walcott in on the right wing and moving Rosicky over to Arshavin’s spot is more likely.
I’m not sure what to expect tomorrow, but I sure as hell can’t wait. RVP is a big loss, but if there’s anyone who can replace him its Dudu. Arshavin needs a rest- Vela could fill in there, and Walcott could fill in on the right. I’d like to see Carlos, but Wenger will never play him. Not sure what he has against him, but at any rate I hope he rests Arshavin and plays someone else there.
It would also be nice to see Eboue fill in for Sagna (RB is the one spot where I not only don’t mind him, but actually think he does a pretty good job). Sagna has been giving good crosses lately, but his understanding seems to be mostly w/ RVP, so RVP’s absence presents an opportunity to rest Sagna as well.
Gallas could use a rest as well, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Senderos playing every now and then. Cesc needs to play though- no rest for the weary.
Speaking of cheats, ‘the biggest betting fraud in this history of UEFA’.
To paraphrase what Steve said on the last thread. Longest. International. Break. Ever.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/21/sports/soccer/21fix.html?hp
Sunderland. Yes, please.
Interesting. Wonder what Platini will have to say. He’ll probably blame it on the “greed” of English clubs… as if Lyon, Bayern, Real, and Milan aren’t greedy.
Oh, and there is most definitely precedent for a match to be REPLAYED,
for “unsporting” behavior changing a result.
It happened in 1999, with the Arsenal involved in an FA Cup match
against Sheffield United.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_19990214/ai_n13936259/
Now, on to Sunderland!
I remeber it well, it was my first trip to Highbury.
Very afraid of this match, and all the football and travel that our players have done … Again, we need some youth and rotation this week… with 3 matches in 8 days…
We somehow have to come out of this match with 3 points!
It’s a big match for us… going into the MASSIVE match on Sunday
against Chelsea.
I predict that in a tight match… 1-1 in the 86th minute,
Eduardo goes into the box and dives when a defender breathes on him,
he gets a penalty.
But seeing he’s a nice chap and a real sportsmen… he kicks the ball sideways, out of play… and wins the sportsman of the year award, as well as being a cheater.
Sunderland score a late winner… and everybody slates Eduardo for not playing to win the game!
;)
Can’t wait until kick-off… for some actual Arsenal football!
Just an FYI – My injury updates are based on Wengers press conference.
Walcott and Wilshere are fit and available.
He may rest Sagna and Gallas based on the duos involvement in the 120 WC qualifier.
Andrei may rest as well since he had a long trip back to the Emirates.