Match Preview: Arsenal v Wolves
Arsenal look to extend unbeaten streak against Wolves
Two weeks ago against West Ham United, Arsenal had a chance to make significant ground against the league leaders when they all dropped points. The Gunners unfortunately were able to do anythiong more than muster 1 point. This week with Chelsea and United pitted against each other, Arsenal can once again make up ground on the leaders, all they need to do is win.
As easy as it sounds, the wins on the road haven’t been as easy to gain as they have been at home. Losses at both Manchester sites and draws at West Ham and away on the Champions league against AZ Alkmaarhave caused some Gunner’s faithful to have some slight amount of concern. Even a win at Craven Cottage saw the lowest output of the season with the rather potent offense only managing a goal in a rather hard fought match.
This week’s opponent is premier league returnees Wolverhampton. The Wolves are coming into the match after a well fought draw against Stoke. The draw came courtesy of a Jody Craddock brace in the 2nd half. He will be one that the Arsenal defence will have to be a look out for especially if the lads are up 2-0 in the second half.
Unfortunately for the team from the Molineux they have not won in their last 6 league matches and and drawn their last 3. Their only win at home this season was a 2-1 win against Fulham. More troubling for Wolves is that the last time they beat Arsenal most of the Gunners current team weren’t even born. That result 3-2 win was at Highbury in 1979 with their last home win being a 1-0 win in 1978.
For Arsenal this is their first trip back to Molineux since two lads named Viera and Ljunberg took them to a 2-0 victory in January 2005. The Gunners are clicking on all cylinders and next to Chelsea have been the one squad who always look a threat to score when they have the ball. In impressive form, the Gunners secured their 1000 point under Arsene Wenger by vanquising North London rivals Tottenham. A match that looked like it was going to be more equal than it eventually wound up being.
Captain Cesc Fabregas’ form continues to increase after every game. His stunner against Spurs was equaled, nay it was bettered when he netted a brace against AZ Alkmaar in the Champion’s League Group H match this past Wednesday. The young spainard is slowly making a case to be considered the best central midfielder in Europe. He is controlling each game and maturing into a role that most players his age can’t fathom. His talent is unnatural and his ability otherworldy (at times). If Arsenal are going to come home with anything for their trophy cabinet it will be in no small part to the effort of the Catalan.
Running close second to Fabregas in form is dutch wunder kind Robin Van Persie. In his last EPL matches he has netted 7 goals, each equally as impressive as the last. His opener against Spurs, showed that when all things are clicking for a player its amazing how things go in the net. Arsene Wenger, sang his praise this week by stating there isn’t another striker in the league that he would switch out and replace Van Persie with. The Gunner Gaffer thinks his striker is by far the best in the league and possibly Europe.
The Gunners are not without their issues, like midweek, their is a host of the red army visiting the trainers table. The list is known and filled with the likes of Denilson, Vela, Wilshere, Walcott, Bendtner, Fabianski, Djourou, and Clichy. But Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri are back and if his midweek form is any indication, Nasri, like Rosicky looks to make a statement early in his return.
There should be minor changes this weekend to the side that went out against AZ. Figure that Sagna will rotate back into to his slot and EBoue back to the bench. Since Nasri is still gaining in match fitness, look for Rosicky to replace him up front. Either way that is a solid attacking form. Throw in Diaby playing as consistently as he has these last two matches and even with the walking wounded, the Gunners look to field another strong side.
With regard to Goal Keeper, figure Manuel Almunia to be back between the sticks. Arsene seems to have regained his faith in the keeper after two solid starts. And it looks like, at least for now, the GK crisis is over as Arsene has said, ” To me he looks back to his best. I’m not worried about him.”
Arsenal have scored 14 goals in their last four league games and Arsene Wenger will be looking for them to keep that form up as well as maintain the focus he is so diligently pressing them for. With the teams above them playing away at Stamford bridge the Gunners simply cannot afford to let off the gas pedal now. Look for a strong effort and Gunner win.
How it should play out:
Robin van Persie has opened the goal scoring in five league matches this season. Given how well the Gunner attack is going, look for a continued effort to prove all the nay sayers wrong. Wolves will likely be playing with 10 behind the line. And hope to take advantage when possible especially on set pieces. However, the Gunners have shown some extreme patience in unlocking teams. The should do it and within the midway point of the first half. The Gunners are best when scoring early and often – which they will do at the Molineux
Injuries:
Arsenal: Bendtner (groin), Clichy & Denilson (both back), Fabianski (thigh), Djourou & Walcott (both knee), Traore & Vela (groin), Wilshere (ankle)
Wolves: Iwelumo (foot), Foley, Jones & Ward (all knee)
Player to Watch:
Arsenal: The easy pick would be either RvP or Fabrega, but I am going with Andrei Arshavin. While he has not been scoring enamasse every time he touches the ball he is a threat. And when he is in form – he is simply the best. While he didn’t score against AZ his playmaking skill was evident for everyone to see. I see him playing a big role in unlocking the Wolves.
Wolves: Jody Craddock. Absolutely saved the Wolves last week with a brace in the second half. He is a viable threat especially on set pieces.
Possibly Starting XI:
Arsenal: Almunia, Gallas, Vermaelen, Sagna, Gibbs, Song, Diaby, Fabregas, Arshavin, van Persie, Rosicky
Wolves: Zubar, Berra, Craddock, Elokobi , Edwards, Castillo ,Henry, Kightly, Maierhofer, Doyle
Final Score:
Arsenal: 2
Wolves: 0
Match is on at 12:30 EST on FSC. Gameday Chat (www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat) will be open.
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There are actually quite a lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a great point to convey up. I provide the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you deliver up where the most important thing shall be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged round things like that, but I am positive that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Each girls and boys really feel the affect of just a second’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
To those into game stats and analysis – I just came across a pretty interesting tool to analyze games on the guardian website : http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards
Playing around with the tool, to my surprise, I realized that RVP was offside 4 times today. Wonder how tinkerbell did…oh he was offside 4 times too, and had a grand total of 0 shots on goal.
Enjoy
There’s a lovely little understanding developing between Perse and Sagna. Perse can control hard passes into the box.
The momentum has developed nicely this season. After the dual Manchester disappointment we have respondedwit a 12 game unbeaten run. It looked possible, and the team has proven itself professional enough to execute it. Even the mini-disappointment of the 2 draws has been met with a positive response.
Fabregas had re-found his scoring boots, and kudos must go in-part to the new formation and the freedon given him with Song playing a natural defensive role.
Koeman does a typical big-mouth dutch outburst, claiming we aren’t good enough. Hopefully he’ll enjoy eating those words. There’s only two possibilities, either this project will work or it won’t. And when/if it does work there will likely be a sense of some surprise. This season is fun again.
Re: Adebayor – You’ve no idea how frustrating that 07/08 season was, watching that clown sabotage nearly every single passing move that required above average footballing intelligence, see him get a goal despite it, and then come on AA and see everyone go on about how great he was, and how he our only ‘target man’. He was behind a good 70 % of my arguments.
We were never ever gonna win a thing with that donkey up front. Toure as well is being exposed, and we can now see why Gallas was drove to near dementia last season playing alongside him.
The funny thing is, apart from these rare little spells when Ade is up for it, RVP/Eduardo/Vela can do exactly the same thing as him, but without all the oafish touches or brain dead offsides. Ade could get away with all that team-killing shenanigans because as Fred said, he supposedly did the “hard work” and “stretched” the defence.
Anyway, great result today. The first twenty minutes confirmed my worst fears about Wolves and their dogged pressing, but our goal threat against the lesser teams is freakish. If we can just lose the goal scoring inhibition against the top teams(We rarely score more than one against them, unless they score themselves), then we could have shot.
Today did show how important Song is though – or at least a genuine defensively minded player – and that is something Wenger really needs to look at in January.
By the way, that little red sign on the boys’ shirts, I think was Eduardo’s idea. I couldn’t find much on it but I believe it refers to a criminal war tearing apart his birthplace back in Brazil- Villa Kennedy RJ.
Good for Eddie pointing it out!
What was the prematch minutes silence for?
I think that red flower-shaped thing has to do with something else. They wore them for the home game against ManUre last year, and it was around this same time of year, early November.
i think it was to pay tribute to the soliders who died in war.
Those flowers are the poppies worn for Remembrance day, Nov 11.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day
Yeah that’s what I thought, but I wasn’t sure, so I didn’t post it b/c I didn’t want to post it if it turned out to be false. Thanks for the clarification.
Ah yee.. Got it..
Thanks guys
I give Wolves credit for their effort, but it was clear after about 15 minutes that our talent would break down their lesser skills. The pure number of fouls was an indication of what would happen. The OGs were really to Eduardo’s credit… his positioning forced the defender into a bad spot, and the second goal especially was to his credit. Cesc = you can see his belief growing each weak, he now knows this team is a spoiler to everyone’s assumption that the EPL is Chelsea’s, the CL is ManU’s, the FACup’s is City’s and the Carling Cups someone elses. I believe we will something this year…the FA or the Carling Cup most likely. Cesc is going to lead this team forward and silverware will ensure his staying to become an Arsenal legend. RvP is my player of the year so far, just cool and collected in scoring and assisting. Also, Vermaalen was top quality again, and now Gallas looks the better for it. Our keeper is still rubbish, and will cost us in the league title race and the CL. I am confident in our boys and we will know in the next 10 weeks wether we have a chance to hoist some silverware.
In the money-is-everything football world, I bet lot of people must be wondering how on earth Arsenal sold 40 mil worth of players, two starters, and spent only 10 mil for replacement, yet getting STRONGER instead of weaker?
Dude, dont make stag’s head explode! :-D
According to him City are still going to “strengthen” in January :-D
ps: we still need a backup DM and first choice GK though.
having money is good. but if I were Mark Hughes, I would rather focus on buying the “right” player.
Obviously Mark Hughes never visited any Arsenal forum. Every Gooner knows Toure is at his best playing alongside a big strong central half.
Richard Dunne looked like a perfect fit. Yet instead Hughes moved heaven and earth to land Lescott instead, and got rid of Dunne.
The City fans now are saying they shouldn’t have sold Dunne.
Then it’s their strikers department. It’s good to have load of strikers. But it can also backfire when you have too much choices.
Bellamy has been their most on form striker so far. Yet because of Tevez, he’s being forced to play wide.
I can’t help but wondering had they played Bellamy up front every game, what position Man City would have been in?
But then Bellamy’s biggest weakness is – he’s not as big a NAME as Tevez or Adebayor.
And I haven’t mentioned that 160k per week Ronbinho who been doing nothing but eating up Man City’s wage budget so far.
If we could get ourselves a top 10 (EPL clubs) keeper, doesn’t have to be top 4 or the best, I am very confident we could win the league.
I agree. I think Jussi Jaaskalainen of Bolton is PERFECT.
The guy is talented, the right age and has tons of Premiership experience.
Plus he would most likely come for around 5 million which isnt too expensive.
If we add a cheap, unknown French DM who is strong in the tackle and serve as backup for Song, then yeah we are most likey going to win something this season.
I just am not confident what will happen if Song doesnt play for a period of time.
my worst fear is all the good works done by our outstanding outfield players would get undone by the incompetence of our goalkeepers somewhere down the road.
I like what I seen so far from Vito, but he’s too green.
Fab’s too gungho.
Almunia is too negative.
our goalkeeper situation is like a time bomb now. It’s not a matter IF it will happen (the incompetence of our keeper to cost us an important match), it’s a matter of WHEN will it happen.
I would be absoultely gutted if it will happen in a cup final or league title decider. That’s my worst fear.
at the moment we are getting away from that cos our attacking force somehow managed to score 3 goals or more in half of our fixtures. but it will be unrealistic to expect them to continue this scoring form week in week out.
Somewhere down the road, there will be some close matches, that’s when a good keeper will make a DIFFERENCE.
The City supporter I’m most worried about is Art. Another disappointing result for him and his Dade.
Please, Art. Just post so that we know you’re all right. ;-)
I got a feeling AW rested Song at the beginning was trying to save him for the Chelsea game. Cos Song is currently on 4 yellow cards. one more he would automatically miss next match – Vs Chelsea.
I am impressed by Ramsey as well. Same reason, “he’s everywhere”. Another strong point of Ramsey is he’s excellent running off the ball. The biggest compliment I could pay to Ramsey is – with him on the pitch, we didn’t look out of soft whatsoever in midfield.
his obvious weakness at the moment is still his strength. but strength is far easier to develop than talent. The kid is a natural.
As Fred mentions above Andez, we are playing Sunderland next, so I think he was just resting him for the reason of resting him. I wish he had picked up a booking later today, not that I want to see him suspended, but I’d rather he played for us against Chelsea than Sunderland (where the 5 yellows may play on his mind). Plus it would get the suspension out of the way. I actually remember wishing he had done a silly ball throw away and picked up the yellow when we were 2-0 up to West Ham (that would have allowed him to serve suspension in the CC game to Pool).
In fact, it might be worth it resting him for the Sunderland game for the very reason. What does everyone else think?
oh sorry i mixed it up. i thought it was Chelsea! yeah, in this case, probably he just wanted to give Ramsey a chance.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I thought the first 20 minutes were dicey.
I didn’t think we would lose. But I did think we would concede the first goal.
Overall my MOTM was Ramsey. A shame he didn’t have goal and with the exception of one errant pass – he was everywhere!!! He is of the same make as Fab and when the two of them were attacking (when Diaby was taken off) our game opened up more. We were always a threat from that point on and Ramsey always seemed to be in the mix of it.
Also, with the exception of the late goal – our defense looked really solid and hardly out of place or position.
Obviously the next match is a big one – Chelsea. That match could be a deciding factor for the season.
Actually our next game is a tricky trip to Sunderland.
Bent and Jones will be a real test.
Jones is out suspended. And I’m very thankful for that. He is just the kind of striker that would give us problems, big powerful and linking up with Darren Bent, who isn’t half as effective without him. In fact, in spite of all the goals, I would rather that Jones is out instead of Bent.
Sunderland have been VERY unlucky in front of goal the last couple of games. It’s a miracle that Totts managed a clean sheet. West Ham should have conceded more than 2 as well.
Anyway, they play good attacking footy and should be a fun game.
NB- On the clean sheets, I know we can’t keep one if there was 5 mins to hold out and our season depending on it, but the whole league seems to be suffering from it. Not one team has convinced defensively.
I’m very happy we no longer have Adebayor on our roster.
Watching the team develop and the playing style of our main players and their personalities, it is now quite obvious Ade was a big, red, sore thumb.
Mazza first caught it, instead of killing the ball, he has the heavy touch that requires him to run 10 yards to retrieve it – giving him the illusion of hardwork. Poor vision that does not mesh at all with any of our major attacking players. Ofcourse from time to time he can make up for it by really running the oppo’s CBs ragged, thereby creating space for others to play. But thats only if he is up for it.
All in all, he was a retarding factor on the team’s attacking development. Watching him play for another team really brings it home.
And lets not even mention the OFFSIDES! I dont think we have had up to 3 offsides the entire season! :-D
Had we kept Adebayor, we would probably be playing 442 right now.
I got a feeling the 433 in no small part is designed to bring the best out of Cesc. To give him freedom roaming around.
I think everyone would agree Fabregas seemingly really been enjoying this new role and formation.
I like the way we just eased down Wolves. This is the least-resistant route to the title – Spank the lower-table teams! And we are doing just that. We need to keep it up. Beat everybody from 7th place downwards, run up the score and increase our goal-difference.
Against the big teams we can then hustle for draws and a lucky win here and there.
As for todays performance it is quite clear that Song is the KEY to this team. He is the guy who balances the equation.
And to you guys who doubted my boy Gibbs … well it is clear there is NO drop off from Clichy. Gibbs is very well at home as a starter. Smart kid.
I have a feeling Chelsea are going to dismantle Man U tomorrow. I’m talking 4-0, 5-0 thrashing.
It was wet, cold and in the Midlands, which is close enough to the North to qualify as a traditional meltdown zone for us. And yet we strolled it…. After the first goal anyway.
Song is definitely needed at DM to free up the attacking midfield. Everything else is gelling nicely, apart from the obligatory bit of dopy defending for the setpiece at the end.
Ramsey’s a bright spark isn’t he? He has the same quick-thinking alertness that Cesc has – not afraid to take the initiative.
Also agree about VanP – newfound maturity in his play, the way he holds off a challenge and links up the attack.
Let’s hope for 0-0 at the Bridge tomorrow.
The negative of the win is – the upcoming stupid international break. Not only halt our momentum, and we have to cross our fingers and hope no player coming back with an injury.
This was supposed to be a tough away game. But we made the win look so easy.
I agree Sagna had done well so far. Not sure why he was critized early on.
We gotta give credit to our defence. Cos they sure hell protected the goalkeeper well. Almunia rarely needed to make a save. And when he needed to, more often than not he ended up picking the ball from inside the net.
Meaning that if we wanna keep a clean sheet, our defence need to clear everything and to prevent a shot reach our keeper. That’s not an easy task. Basis on that, our defence have done brilliantly so far this season.
RvP has been playing the BEST football since he joined Arsenal. At the past he had his moment of magic. But this season he actually CONTRIBUTED a lot to the team’s attacking play. He fully deserved his Player of the Month award last month.
I agree. For us to keep a clean sheet, the ball must not reach Almunia.
That is too much to ask of our defense.
On 80th minute, I was thinking, “wow, Almunia hasnt been too bad today” … and then a through ball, Gallas was screaming for him to come for the ball, but Manuel was STUCK to his line like an idiot.
Do you need to teach when to come out to a 34 year old keeper?!
that was not the first time. Manuel always did that – when defender shielding the ball waiting for him to come and collect, he just clued to his line.
As a result, it caused confusion from time to time.
That penalty we gave away at OT was one example how it could lead to a goal being conceded.
Gallas could have kicked the ball out of line had he known that Almunia weren’t coming out. Cos that was not even a dangerous situation. Until Almunia hestiated to come out and allowing Rooney to reach the ball first, turning a routine clearance to a dangerous situation.
Had Manuel made up his mind to come and collect the ball (when Gallas was shielding it), no way Rooney could reach the ball before he did.
Perfect result except for our customary late goal to avoid the clean sheet.
Yeah, I honestly think the turning point is Diaby leaving.
We were not balanced with him on and Song out.
Sagna has really IMPROVED this season.
And I am happily surprised at the level of composure RvP is displaying. Awesome.
Fabregas on fire!
First 20 min, we were under siege. Then we scored and it was as if we clicked into gear. Or was it the substitution of Diaby that changed the game? ;)
It always works this way – Diaby goes off – we create more chances.
Nip, can you post the link. Thanks.
https://youaremyarsenal.mystagingwebsite.com/gamedaychat
Anybody knows if gameday chat is on?
Yes, we are on it.
I wonder who would play DM today, Ramsey or Diaby.
I wonder too. DAG thinks it will be Diaby. That is a big ask.
NB: We are on game day chat.
Should be Diaby.. With all of Wenger’s recent talk about his ‘hard tackling ability’ and all that..
Although according to the feed I’m watching we’re playing 4-2-3-1. They never seem to get it right with us these TV guys.. Probably can’t blame them too much with how much we interchange.
Is Song hurt or is he just getting a much-needed break?
I wish there were still a viable option to give our CB’s a break. Arsene’s working them like dogs. How many games have they started this year, and how many have they played the full 90? It has to be damn near every match, other than CC. That worries me.
Yes, Gallas and TV5 have played every minute of the league and CL.
They should get a break or two in the champions league. Or I hope so anyway, I know we’re not mathematically there yet but I think our second string can get us there.
City need to spend another 250 million to break top 4. They need a new CB, a LB, 2 CMs, 2 AMs and a BRAND NEW strikeforce to replace the two gorrillas they currently have starting. :-D
Tevez and Adebayor played like utter, utter cunts. At least Tevez wasnt a lazy cunt like Ade. LOL.
Adebayors next goal and next decent performance will be against us in April!
To think some commentators were not only predicting City would break top 4 but that they would WIN the league. Its clear stupidity is widespread amongst most.
Or in the Carling Cup. I’m looking forward to that.
Re City, I think for all their buys, they have weakened their team enormously by letting go of Richard Dunne. He provided balance in that defence because Toure, Lescott and Richards all have traits that I think he would complement. Not to mention his presence, and seeing your Captain leave is always going to be slightly unsettling.
Good to see them burnnnn!!!
Man City trip over their wallets and bungle another game! Happy days.
Today needs to be a cricket score. We need the goal difference. We need to learn how to wrap up a game in 60ins, like we should have done against W. Ham.
We just don’t play well sitting on 1- or 2-goal lead. We still have their jittery gene waiting to come out. So let’s push on – with this front line, our best defence is always to be pressing forward.
I say 3-0 minimum.
Man oh man….Fat Pat Dolan is going off on Man City and especially their expensive defense (Toure & Lescott & Bridge). “And was Adebayor even on the pitch?”….
Arsenal Starting XI: Almunia, Diaby, Sagna, Fabregas, Vermaelen, Eduardo, Gallas, Van Persie, Ramsey, Arshavin, Gibbs
Subs: Senderos, Rosicky, Nasri, Song, Silvestre, Mannone, Eboue
Interesting line-up with Ramsey getting a start. I’m looking for a big day from little Andrey ahead of his big WC playoff match.
Song rested…this must be Diaby’s audition for February
Funny headline from Soccernet – “City complete comeback”….. all that when the match hadnt even over.
3-3 is the final score.
Adebayor still yet to find the net since his world cup final winning goal against us.
Yeah, plus they were up 3-2!! Comeback? Gimme a break!
I don’t care how we win… even if it’s 1-0, I’d be fine with that, so long as we score that 1 goal before, say, the 75th minute. If we don’t, then the same questions about the team’s mental strength will still be unanswered. And let’s not see any leads given away today either. If we’re up 3-0, I don’t want to see the game end 3-2. But even if that does happen, a win is a win I guess.
Burnley 2 City 0
This day is startinf off on a good note
Things have turned around a bit…3-2 City with a bit of luck and home cooking and now 2-0 (against the run of play) for Spurs over Black Cats.
Oh well….
3-3 Burnley equalize
and that’s the final!
Looking forward to today’s match but first I feel compelled to watch some of the early ones….What do we have? Man City-Burnley, Spurs-Sunderland, Villa-Bolton, Blackburn-Portsmouth…Ugh…
I guess Man City is worth watching as Ade and Kolo are back and it features the two widest goalkeepers (Given & Jensen) in English Football. DAG, your boy Stephen Ireland, gets the start in MF today.
And now I hear that Robbie Keane has scored for Spurs. That’s the game I should watch (to scout Sunderland for after the break) but there’s something horribly awful about watching Spurs and I hate the camera view from the high spot at White Hart Lane.
Time passes slowly waiting for our match…
But wait (love the edit feature….) Lescott gets called for handball and Burnley take the lead from the penalty spot…
I think we’re going to win. The margin that will probably be decided by how early a goal we score. I think it may well be a rout if we go into the break a goal up.
Here’s to putting the pressure on the top 2 who I think are just starting to take us seriously.
Arsenal to win by 3 goals plus.
We need a routine 2-0 win with us in control all the time. But I think it will be a lot tighter, probably a one goal margin (1-0 or 2-1).
Thanks for another great write-up.
I remember the first time I saw Cesc play in a Carling Cup match at the ripe old age of 16. Within 5 minutes of watching how he controlled the ball, his vision, and passing I made the comment that he could easily develop into “World Player of the Year”. If he keeps this up, he won’t have far to go…
FYI henceforth I shall refer to Adebayor as Tinkerbell. Why you ask? Well according to Mark Hughes, every team needs a player who has a little bit of “Star dust” and that is what Tinkerbell brings to Man City.