Match Preview: Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (Carling Cup)
Let the quest for Silver begin
As is Carling Cup tradition, Arsene Wenger will blood a host of young guns this week as the third round Carling Cup match up kicks off at the Emirates Stadium
Arsene has already confirmed that his lineup will feature Polish wunder keeper Wojicech Szcznesy, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Carlos Vela, Sanchez Watt, Fran Merida, KIeran Gibbs, as well, as Shea, Sunu, Bartley, Coquelin, Freeman, Frimpong, Murphy, Hoyte, Eastmond, Barazite. Finally, the squad will have a bit of senior squad feel to it in the back as Mikhail Silvestre and Philippe Senderos will be asked to add some experience to the side.
The importance of the game experience isn’t lost on the likes of Senderos or Watt who are both vieing for more first team time:
“I train with the first team a lot, but it was great to get the chance to play in pre-season,” said Watt, who can operate out wide or in attack.
“However, I don’t want to be a name who just played in the Emirates Cup – I want to be there in Arsene Wenger’s mind.”
Watt added: “Arsene Wenger watches you off the ball too, so you have to be switched on, tactically and mentally.
“You just have to work hard.
“I hope to be picked for the Carling Cup and am just going to keep on trying. If I get the shout, I will try my best.
“It is about whoever is hot at that precise moment, and whoever gets that chance to do well.”
Last year at this time, Arsene’s young guns destroyed Sheffield United in what seemed to be a pre-season match. The final score line – 6-0.
West Brom currently sit on top of the table of the Championship. Under the direction of 1st season manager, Roberto Di Matteo the Championship side are playing a free form attacking football. West Brom come in on good form having won their last match against Middlesborough 5-0. Overall, inclduing rounds 1 and 2 of the Carling Cup, the Baggies come in without a defeat in their last 10 matches.
Team Facts Courtesy the BBC:
• Arsenal have beaten West Brom 60 times in all competitions. The Baggies have beaten Arsenal on 38 occasions and the clubs have drawn 28 times.
• Arsenal have won their last four meetings, including a 2-0 away victory in the third round of the League Cup three years ago.
• Albion last beat Arsenal in a cup competition when they knocked them out of the League Cup in 1969.
• They have not won at Arsenal for 26 years.
• This is the third time these clubs have been drawn together in the League Cup, and Albion are yet to score against Arsenal.
Players to Watch:
Its hard to say for Arsenal. There are so many budding stars on this team that each one will be trying to impress the boss. I figure it will be a 3 way tie between, Wilshere, Ramsey and Watt. These are a core of stud players in the making and they all possess some uncanny talents for players their age. Wilshere especially should shine as he is not only looking for more 1st team play but he is hoping to catch the eye of Fabio Capello and get a call up to the National Side.
West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson is going to get tested often in this match. He will need an “A” game performance to move his side through.
Possible Starting XI:
Arsenal: Szcznesy, Senderos, Silvestre, Gibbs, Traore, Wilshere, Ramsey, Merida, Vela, Watt, Barazite
West Brom: Carson, Mattock, Olsson, Zuiverloon, Martis, Brunt, Thomas, Dorrans, Mulunbu, Bednar, Moore
How it will go down?
Attack, Attack, Attack. If this is the side Arsenal put on the field. I really like its make up. Its young, its quick and very talented. These are the future stars of Arsenal. If a period of success is coming on the backs of these guys it starts today. I figure the Baggies will be up for the challenge, however, the talent difference will be too great. Figure the boys will play a typical Arsenal game which will be too much for WBA Scott Carson.
Final score: 2-0
As usual Game Day Chat will be on so that it the match can be discussed as it happens.
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Objective proof that Man U gets help from the refs at OT: The Guardian looked at every single home league match for Man U from the beginning of the 06-07 season to now. That’s over three seasons.
The results? Refs add an average of one minute more stoppage time when ManUre is losing or tied at the 90 minute, compared to when they are winning. This is not a big-4 phenomenon either. The Guradian also found that Man U gets is subjected time added when winning at home when tied/losing than do Arsenal, Chelsea, or Liverpool.
The exact numbers for all of the last three seasons, plus this year, are in the article. What say ye, Sir Purple Nose?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/22/manchester-united-goals-stoppage-time
That should read:
“Man U is subjected to less time added when winning at home…”
Not sure what I was doing there.
Yeah, that’s a wonderful stat, but what happens if ManCity SCORE?
Just because they are adding time to a tied game, doesn’t mean ManU are going to score… they can concede a goal too.
That may be so, but the point is that the refs seem to add more time just because it is Man U, which seems to be patently unfair to other teams in the league.
I found the Jerome Thomas incident quite interesting as it says something about our Jacks’ temperament. It did not see anything in Thomases challenge that was malicious but obviously something about it wound Jack up.
Not only did he refuse to take Thomases his hand,I think he was trying to help him up off the floor but he mouthed something to him in an angry manner. It was more of a face/neck push than a slap, but obviously a sending off offense.
I wonder what Jack said to him that upset him that much. I have never seen Thomas while playeing for Arsenal anyway react so aggressively.
I really want to hear what “Jack the Lad” said. HE looked so humble in his first few games for us and in the youth team. I remember noticing how he used to play almost without a an expression on his face.
Now he is turning in to a right little Wayne Rooney, but without the bollocks and with a nice repetoire of dives in his skill set! LOL. I hope he can sort it out or he may become yet another Arsenal hate figure, until hre becomes the darling of the national side of course :-D
Two quick thoughts after the game:
1. I cannot understand why Vela doesn’t play a more prominent role in the first team. His energy, clever play, and quick thinking cause teams so many problems.
2. I only saw the highlights, but I like what I saw from Szczęsny. It seems he made quite a few challenging saves early on. Also, held a difficult ball well that denied WBA a 2nd chance on goal.
There is a big possibility the guy is the best keeper at the club.
That shows how mediocre the other 3 are.
Oh, how we long for the days of Seaman and Lehman.
No Fred, he isn’t, as much as I rate him as potentially the best keeper we have. Big Al, I am sad to say is still our best GK when he is on form.
Alarmingly he is not in good form at all and it may not get better for now. What is all the more shocking is that he seems to have almost regressed back to the form of 2006 and prior.
If the GK problem is not addressed we may well pay for it in a big way.
I am not too persuaded by those stats though. After all it does not take into account the quality of the shots. I.e if one GK has 20 saves out of 25 all of them straight at him, he would classed higher than a GK who saved 19 out of the 25 all the shots aimed to the top corner.
Wenger has said that Vela isn’t ready yet since he is just coming back from injury, but he seemed to hint at him playing more this year.
Off but On topic:
Its really obvious the void of journalism in sports media. It seems any issue on the pitch is
now magnified exponentially.
Clubs, players, and managers are lambasted by these high profile secretaries, with the
only intent to raise and polarize emotions of readers, viewers, or listeners.
It would be easy to segue into politics and paint numerous comparisons but this is
not the venue to spotlight well dressed whores.
I was really apprehensive about WBA. Until Vela came on there were just not many bright spots in the game for Arsenal. Curious about Thomas being ejected.
Evidently he slapped Jack Wilshere pretty much right in front of the ref. Not sure of the circumstances though.
Jack the Lad went for a tackle on Thomas and he was none too pleased.
Jack was on the ground THomas offered to help him up Jack refused to take his hand that’s when Thomas Slapped him.
Jack comes with an edge. I like it.
You sure it wasn’t Craig Bellamy instead of Jerome Thomas?
nipuna
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:51 am
Off Topic: Almunia has pretty much the worst shots saved to goals conceded ratio in the league. Source is OPTA Stats.
———————————–
That’s what I suspected. Despite the criticism on our DM or defence, the truth is Arsenal had allowed oppositions few shots on goals in almost every match so far, even the Man U match. With the exception of City game when we had to push up and left behind more room at the back.
Yet with few shots on goals from oppositions, we conceded at least one goal in every game Almunia played in except for the Celtic away. He’s lucky playing for Arsenal that he didn’t have much to do in most of the matches. Imagine he plays for a lowly side like Wolves, how many goals he would have conceded?
Probably wouldn’t be starting at Wolves.
LOL.
Interesting everyone is now catching up to the impostor in goal.
Before he came to Arsenal the guy didnt play a game in the Primera division in Spain.
And he is going to be 33 this season, which is the best age for a keeper.
you were not the only one who had doubt in him previously were you?
Please show me where I said I was – reread my comment first.
besides, when a player who has proven the doubters wrong that he’s not up to the job, it’s a SAD thing.
Not something to be happy about.
I said it back in the Almunia Vs Jens season that he’s not up to it. So did a few other regulars as well.
But so what if we have been proven right? From the team’s point of view, let’s just pray miracle happens that either someone else steps up or he will improve.
At the end of the day, the only things matter is for us to see our team going out there and win.
That’s what makes us HAPPY, or well, at least that’s what makes me happy. Not our opinions being proven right or wrong. Who bloody cares anyway.
correction – when a player who has proven the doubters RIGHT…
I have a feeling the “LOL” throws you off completely.
It doesnt always mean what you think it does, man. No need to get so emo.
56K to watch Round 3 of Carling Cup.
By the way – The correct pronunciation of our polish goalie (Per ATVO) Woyjicheck Shesknee
Randall is force, Vela magic in pace.
I believe the score at halftime is 0 – 0
Jerome Thomas (for WBA) red carded at the 37th minute
Just an FYI guys –
Arsenal officially unveiled their US devoted site.
http://www.arsenal.com/usa
Basically Arsenal.com with a few stars and stripes added to it.
silvestre is going to cost us this game
Arsenal Starting XI: Szcznesy, Silvestre, Senderos, Gibbs, Gilbert, Traore, Gibbs Ramsey, Coquelin, Wilshere Watt, Sunu
Bench:Shea, Bartley Eastmond, Randall, Barazite, Frimpong, Vela
Is it me or is this our most “English” side in a while?
Game Day Chat is now open.
Follow the link the blog roll or click:
https://youaremyarsenal.mystagingwebsite.com/gamedaychat
I’ll be gone at the kick off (have to pick son up for school) but back before the 2nd half kick off
In other words, we would be better off even with the keeper from Wolves.
One encouraging stat –
Injury time goals in the last five years:
1. Arsenal (32)
2. Manchester United (29)
3. Everton (24)
4. Liverpool (22)
5. Tottenham (20)
6= Chelsea, Fulham (17)
Presumably today’s game isn’t being shown anywhere live.
Not even streams?
I don’t know if there are any.
Not any on my normal source – ADTHE.net
ESPN360 is showing Pool v Leeds
Off Topic: Almunia has pretty much the worst shots saved to goals conceded ratio in the league. Source is OPTA Stats.
http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,12038_5575856,00.html
Nice writeup DAG, it is appreciated.
Merida is out for U-20 int’l duty as is Hoyte.
Therefore, the lineup should look like:
Szcznesy
Gilbert, Senderos, Silvestre, Gibbs
Wilshere, Ramsey, Traore
Watt, Barazite, Vela
The other potential lineup would see Coquelin being inserted as the DM with Traore, Vela and either Watt or Barazite leading the front line.
Like you said, it should be a very open and entertaining match with a vastly improved WBA under first year coach Dio Matteo and I would be disappointed but not surprised if this game resulted in a draw or loss.
Our teamwork, which is so integral to Arsenal’s style of play may be somewhat tested because this team is a hodge podge of fringe 1st squad players with little match time under their belts, reserve team players and Vela who is just returning from injury.
Guys like Ramsey, Senderos, Silestre, Wilshere and Vela will have to step up big time in order for us to come away with a victory. Hopefully, the God’s will be on our side today.
I have a feeling Wenger might surprise and put Cocquelin centrally. Apparently he’s been unbelievable in the reserves.
Shame about Merida. He seems to continually be playing in these under 19/10 tournaments.
The Silvestre – Senderos axis is probably the slowest, most disaster prone defensive pairing I can possibly think of in world football.
Seriously, I struggle to think of another combination that is slower or worse, and I come up empty.
The team is quite inexperienced and I dont know if they really have it in them to break down the Championship leaders.
On the other hand, Brom might be concentrating more on promotion. I hope that is the case.
Either way my team will be:
Szcznesy
Traore – Senderos – Bartley – Gibbs
Merida – Coquelin – Ramsey
Wilshere – Bendtner – Vela
Bendtner is not named in the squad.
Hoping Senderos is impressive. We need depth at CB.
DAG – precise overview of todays match.
Thanks for your time.
WBA is boasting confidence brought on by belief from their new manager. We’re in for a real test today. I have not seen enough from many of the young players, which only builds on the pre-match intrigue.
Go Young Gunners!