UCL Match Day 6: Arsenal v Partizan Belgrade: Match Preview
Well, I for one agree with Arsene Wenger, this is a mess of our own doing. Never in my mind did I see us losing to Shaktar or even to Braga. Another loss today and the Gunners would fail to get out of the group stages for the first time in 11 years. But with the best goal differential of the group all they need is a draw to make it through.
They go up against a team that has been pitiful in Europe this year. They haven’t won a match in the group and sit at precisely 0 points. Sounds easy for the Gunners doesn’t it. But as they have shown us all season long, nothing is easy when it comes to this club.
The biggest issue coming into the season and this European campaign was how well our goal keepers were going to be. Well since Lukasz fabianksi has had a regular run out he hasn’t been bad. He’s been solid back there. One or two odd mistakes but overall he’s been solid. I don’t think anyone thought the Verminator would be out this long with injury. When Wenger signed Koscielny and Squillaci, the hope was one of these would emerge as a good partner against what was perceived to be the durable Belgian. But TV5 has been anything but that right now, suffering a series of setbacks from an achilles injury he suffered early in the season on international duty. That meant that going to the domestic and european campaigns our back 4 had two players who hadn’t played a single season in the EPL. Additionally, even though Johan Djourou had returned a year a way from the game, means he is being eased back into the squad. All in all it has been our defencive middle that has been the weak spot.
It has meant that even outplaying teams as we have for most of both campaigns, nothing is a sure thing. That being said, we’ve handled all the teams in the group stages and BElgrade hardly seem like a real threat. But you never know right.
So what are the permeations of things that can happen? Well if we lose its simple, we have three titles we will be in for, not four and Tottenham will have lasted in the Champion’s League longer than us (something I cannot stomach). Draw and we are through as a two seed which means the likelihood of drawing a big team like Barca or Madrid early is inceased. Win and we are still at the mercy of the Brga v Shaktar match. If Braga were to win that match we would go through as group winners on GD. Which has its own benefits of drawing group stages 2 seeds. Shaktar draw or win and we are faced with being a 2 seed in the next draw.
Frankly, I think I am okay with a 2 seed and I will tell you why. You have to play those big teams at one point. Do you play them early and show that you are actually what you say you are – a European contender (that would mean winning) or do you fold up early in the face of greater opposition. Those matches early on will tell us a lot about this club. It will provide, I am sure, endless fodder for the likes of the kool aid drinkers and doom mongers alike.
Either way, the mess is off our own doing. Had we put away either of the two opponents before this and we would have been able to field a reserve squad. The good things is that our next match is Monday so a full squad can be used and well rested for the important Monday clash with United. But hey I am getting ahead of myself. . . let’s play this match first.
How this Should Play Out:
Let’s be honest our home form of late hasn’t been all that great but I figure we have enough quality to see this one through. We should attack early and often getting early goals. Look for Nasri to be the man of the moment again as he is simply the best player in the league right now and possibly one of the top ten in Europe. Partizan have nothing to play for but pride as they have not won a single match in the group. Which makes them dangerous. Look for Cleo a tall striker to play up high looking for the long ball.
Possible Starting XI:
Arsenal: Fabianksi, Sagna, Clichy, Squillaci, Koscielny, Song, Rociky, Wilshere, Nasri, Chamakh, Arshavin
Partizan: Stojkovic; Kizito, Jovanovic, Krstajic, Lazevski; Petrovic, Smiljanic; Babovic, Almami Moreira, Ilic; Cleo.
Injuries/Suspensions:
Arsenal: Diaby (ankle) Vermaelen (achilles) Frimpong (knee) Fabregas (thigh) Almunia (elbow)
Partizan: Miljković (groin) Stevanović (illness)
Broadcast:
US: ???? 2:45 EST
UK: ITV 1 1945 BST
Feeds:
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GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!! www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Partizan Belgrade: 0
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