UCL Match Day 3: Arsenal v Shaktar Donetsk; Match Preview
Really? More Group Stages?
Oh joy the Champion’s League Group stages are back. I’m excited aren’t you. Okay any chance to watch the Arsenal play is a good time but really, I am on such an anti-group Stage kick right now – I am almost not sure how I will get through this preview without vomiting. It’s the group stages causing that – not my writing mind you.
Anyway, it’s a case of another prodigal son returning to the Emirates this week. Actually that is a recurring theme from last Saturday to next Sunday. Last Saturday it was Alex Hleb and Birmingham, today its Eduardo Da Silva and next week it’s the money grubbing crew from Man City. But for today our focus is Dudu and his return to the team where he had been for the last few seasons.
Undoubtedly he will receive a warm welcome from the Arsenal faithful when he steps onto the pitch. No doubt he will keep his promise, and not celebrate if he scores (which I don’t see happening) and no doubt this will be a snooze fest of epic proportions.
On face value it shouldn’t be. Both teams have taken maximum points from the group so far. Arsenal have the edge in the group based on GD – 9 goals in 2 matches to Shaktar’s 4. The thing is a negative result isn’t catastrophic for either team since the other two squads have 0 points.
In the last get together – a 2000/01 meeting in the group stages, each side claimed a home win with Arsenal having to come back from a 0-2 deficit and win 3-2 on a brace from Keown.
I am not a fan of the back to back matches in the group stages and that is the third team you play – its home and away. So we will get our chance at Shaktar on the Emirates pitch and then in a fortnight travel to the Ukraine to take them on. So for Arsenal a win today should for all intensive purposes sew up the group before having to travel to the hostile clime of the Ukraine.
The good news for all Arsenal fans is the eminent return of Captain Cesc Fabregas. And none too late – for the obvious EPL implications. Arsene in his pre-match presser hasn’t stated whether or not he will start Cesc. It is likely that since Wilshere isn’t suspended for the CL he could start in the midfield to give way to Cesc as a super sub. Or if he wants to put the lights out – just bring Cesc on to start alongside Wilshere and pray Song knows enough to now stay back in his DM role
Theo Walcott is also to return and I think he definitely get the start. He needs to get his legs back before Sunday and we need to see if he has lost any of the form he showed before he rolled his ankle while on duty for England.
Finally I am hoping that Arshavin decides to use this match as a warm up for Sunday. He needs to find his form or at least needs to show he gives a crap about playing. Looking forward to Sunday he is essential to being successful against a slower Man City defence. He does play better when Cesc is in the lineup and it is possible that tonight we could see that linkage in action tonight warming its engines up for the EPL match up.
How The Match Should Play Out:
I figure Arsenal to try and come out early and dictate the match. At home in the last 5 years of Champion’s League play, Arsenal have only lost once – to Man United 2 years ago. It has been a virtual fortress for them in this competition. I expect that to continue. Chamakh is a Champion’s League beast and is likely to score a header and Arshavin has been more effective in European matches than in the league.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: He’s back. Theo Walcott is back in the lineup and prior to his injury looked like he was on to a career year. I’ll be looking for signs that his effort hasn’t been dulled. He may not score but I want to see the thoughtful, attack minded Theo and the mindless git of previous seasons.
Shaktar: Who else but Eduardo Da Silva. The Crozillian striker comes back to his last home before being shipped to the Ukraine. He was a fan favourite for his dedication and commitment to the club – even post injury.
Probable Starting XI:
Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Clichy, Squillaci, Djourou, Song, Wilshere, Fabregas, Walcott, Arshavin, Chamakh
Shaktar: Pyatov; Rakytskyy, Kucher, Chygrynkyi, Rat; Srna, Gai, Mkhitaryan, Hubschmann, Willian, Adriano
Injuries/Suspensions:
Arsenal: Diaby (ankle) Vermaelen (achilles) Walcott (ankle) Van Persie (ankle) Ramsey (ankle) Bendtner (groin) Frimpong (knee)
Shaktar: Fernandinho (leg
Broadcast:
US: ???? 2:45 EST
UK: Sky Sports 4 1945 BST
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YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Shaktar: 0
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