Well the dust has settled on our spectacular win, the papers are waxing over us again and predicting a Chelsea Arsenal final again and transfer speculation gets silly.
First of all a big well done to Paul Merson, who slapped spoilt brat Bentley in the head by telling him that Arsenal smile after they’ve won a game and
not in training, so if you’re reading this Bentley, get a life, you left Arsenal a long time ago, get over it, do a Blackburn story instead, oh but no one’s interested are they?
Sportingo link us with a £40 million bid for Et’o and the diss it, all in one paragraph, so no change there.
Interesting day of comments yesterday and incredible that one or two weren’t very complimentary about goals coring hero Adebayor? But 99% of you were so well done Grovers.
Big game tomorrow so it will be interesting to see who plays, and who plays up front, I can’t wait for the game, but I’m unbelievably nervous, please, please don’t lose to them, not even with our academy.
Fabianski
Sagna Hoyte Senderos Traore
Walcott Denilson Hleb Diaby
Bendtner Eduardo
Subs: Randle Lansbury Ade Gavin Hoyte Lehmann
What do you think?
Eto’o Is Awsome But Always Injured.
Pedro Have You Got Msn?, I Need To Ask You Some Things.
http://www.youngguns.wordpress.com
I still think that we’d need to play a couple more ‘key’ players to have a chance. Don’t mean to be defeatist, but it’s only when Fabregas and Eboue came on there last year that we stepped up and with Senderos against Keane and Barbietov we will concede. Adebayor and Gallas should start with Rosicky and Hleb in midfield. Key players in key areas of the pitch will make the difference. With Newcastle in the F.A Cup on Saturday, Le Boss could always compensate the youngster who miss out by throwing them in on that.
nah, my choice
Fabi
Hoyte Gilberto Senderos Traore
Randall Diaby Denilson Gibbs
Walcott Bendtner
Maybe bring Sagna to RB and move Hoyte instead of Senderos?
I hope sagna does start on the right we looked alot better when he came on in the first leg
the key to the game will be the midfield.
A player like Hleb or Rosicky will enable Arsenal to control the ball more.
Also have someone like Adebayor on the bench is a great thing as it will put doubt into the Spuds minds.
It seems as if we have a reserve game tonight, so if the likes of Randall and Lansbury are missing they will be in the Carling Cup squad.
hers my stab at it:
fab
hoyte senderos gallas traore
rosicky gilberto denislon diaby
bendtner walcott
Morning all!!! Look’s like WWIII broke out yesterday with some of the blogs that were posted! Shame I missed it!!
Team for tomorrow
Fabiansk
Sagna Hoyte Gallas Traore
Diaby Denilson Gilbero Walcott
Bendtner Eduardo.
Not sure Senderos will plat hence WG in at CB.
I doubt we’ll beat the scum if we play a full squad of youngsters tomorrow, because we struggled in the first leg doing that, and even last season’s semi was turned when Cesc and Eboue came on. Knowing Wenger he’ll probably stick with them and we’ll lose!!
Anyone get a chance to see Ghanna V Gunea yesterday? This kid Ayew looked ok, but didnt get enough to time to shine when he came on for Quincy Owusu Abeiye (ex Arsenal Dutch U21 player!)
I think gazzap has the right idea. Show total confidence in the reserves and they perform better as Wenger shows he believes in them. I reckon Diaby and Denilson in particular can affect this game. If they play well we will dominate. If not we may have to rely on Spurs lack of conviction. Diaby and Denilson have shown how amazing they can play but they have also shown how inconsistent they can be. If they impove their consistency they will be really pushing for first team places.
My 11 for the dirty Spurs
Fabianski
Hoyte Gilberto/Gallas Senderos Traore
Randall Diaby Denilson Hleb/Rosicky
Walcott Bendtner
Wenger will know this is a difficult tie to just throw all the youngters out there…
Expect to see Gilberto, Gallas/Sagna in the backline.. Hoyte will be moved to the centre if Sagna is used, where Hoyte played extremely well last time round. Gilberto might be moved to Midfield, and either Rosicky or Hleb to start on one of the flanks.
Personally i would like to Diaby tried in midfield in front of Denilson, because we all well know that Gilberto Denilson doesnt provide us that variety we need.
Read the Bentley article in the Mail at the weekend. One word. Knob! Top marks to Merse for putting the little knob jockey in his place!
What happened yesterday?? Don’t do weekends on the web.
Steve have a look at the comments on the Adebayor post from yesterday.
Yeah, I took a kicking. Thanks guys, where were the rest of regulars to stick up for one of the old patrons ???!!!!
Anyway, never look back, yesterdays news.
I think Walcott will definately play up front, and as Wenger says he is not going to play him on the wings anymore, anyone think we may be signing a winger…… any suggestions????
I thought I read somewhere, for what it is worth if it was in a Sunday paper, that Gallas may play Sunday s we are short of CB’s?
Yep! Noticed some names I hadnt seen before pop up!! And some rather colourful language too!
I read somewhere this morning that Gallas was def going to be included. We still don’t know how injured Senderos is after he had his mug rearranged on Saturday!
The winger debate got a bit tasty last week as some people dont think we need one, I think we do, but apparently Vela is good enough to play there which means Wenger won’t buy one. Ayew was the only one we’ve been looking at apparently, but didnt see enough of him in Ghana’s gane yesterday to form an opinion.
Hahahaha, just had a read. Blimey, just as well we fucking won eh?
There is nothing as thought provoking as the beautiful game.
I have a feeling that he will definately buy a winger now, as he has lost a centre midfileder in Diarra, so will use Diaby central more, and has stated that Walcott will be used as a forward from now on…….. so thats 2 wide midfielders down, and even Arsene as tight as he is with the purse strings must see that we will be short of a wide man for the run in. Maybe another Loan signing with a view of sign or return at the end of the season, like what we did last year with Baptista…….. should be an interesting 10 days of gossip !!!!!!
FRom the horses mouth (breaking news )
Arsène Wenger could be forced to draft in a couple of first-team players for Tuesday’s Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg at White Hart Lane.
The Arsenal manager has a policy of playing squad players in this competition. For example, in the first leg, Justin Hoyte was the only starter to retain his place from the previous Premiership game — and the former England Under-21 international has hardly been a regular in the top-flight this term.
Wenger is without five players at the moment — three of them centre back — and, as a result, he may employ some experience.
“The players who were on the bench at Fulham will play,” he said. “But I will have to play one or two who played on Saturday because we are short in numbers.”
One reporter asked if William Gallas would be one of that duo.
“I will see,” replied the Arsenal manager. “Come to the game on Tuesday!”
[ Monday, January 21, 2008]
Odub, don’t be so hard on little Spice (Wanna have Fun) David. He just epitomises the lazy mental attitude of so many young English players (Barton, Pennant et al). Why knuckle down, work hard & improve that God given talent when for the same reimbursement you can ‘ave a larf innit’. By the time David’s brain has fully formed it will be too late & he will have his children on his knee asking ‘Where are all your football cups & medals Dad ?. Hmmmm, flashing his Loadsamoney Bank Book won’t have quite the same kudos.
They pressurised the midfield in the last game and Denilson couldn’t play his usual game. He lost the ball more often than not. We need a midfielder that can stamp authority on the game – Fabregas maybe? And if he does play the bastards still can’t claim that we played our senior team – he’s still under-21. I suspect we might be seeing Gallas too, seeing as everyone is injured and Senderos is shite.
Verdict: Who else? worst case scenario – we go through on away goals after extra-time!
I’m very nervous though!
I must admit, I am not confident, but fuck it, its football, anything can happen !!!!
Will not lose sleep if the Flids win, but at the same time they are bottlers, so we have every chance !!!!
We don’t have an away goal? Or are you suggesting we will definitely score Jimmy?
Yesterdays debate was fierce, Bud steaming in with a “Lazy Ade” jibe… it was too much for some! Good stuff though! 80 comments on a Sunday was best ever I think?
I don’t think we need any wingers? Look at the job Rosicky and Hleb did at the weekend. With our overlapping wing backs, I think we have all the width we need for the time being. Like Odub said, we have Vela waiting in the WINGS (Sorry) and Eduardo looks as if he could do a great job out wide if he was given the opportunity.
Bud, how did Big Phil play?
I think tomorrows game has grown in importance. I think Wenger knows that if we lose tomorrow, it could potentially derail our Premiership challenge.
Positivity equals winnertivity.
Add that to your book of football clichés chaps.
Senderosd did OK actually. Credit where credit is due !
Yeah but Pedro, if one of Rosicky or Hleb gets injured in the next month, which is probable, who else plays on the wings?
Do you not like the idea of another Baptista style deal…….. obviously with somebody good this time ?!!!!!!!!!!
Hleb/Rosicky will get injured again b4 the end of Feb, they always do!! I dont know what it is about those 2 and RVP but I just get the feeling we’ll never get a full season out of any of them! The only problem now is if/when they get injured who do we play in their place(s)?
Any news on Senderos’ injury?
What, a cheeky loan deal for a player not currently starting… like, say… RONALDINHO!
I heard that he is boning Rijkarrds daughter… could explain his absence from the team?
Good to hear about Big Phil, if he does well tomorrow, he could be on a roll again! I hope he can recapture his form of old.
I don’t think Gilberto and Denilson will work tomorrow night. I really think Denilson is too light weight. He gets knocked off the ball too easily.
If Willy G and Cesc play, I think we can roll them. We’ve got to hope Barbitov (Liking the sound of that steve) has a sulk up!
He has his Wingers…
When journalists suggested Wenger was trying to re-create the Pires/Ljungberg combination, the manager was never going to deny it.
“Of course,” said the 58-year-old. “For us it is important that we can score goals not only through our quick passing in the middle, but also from balls to the flanks, put in quality crosses and get people into the box from midfield. That is what we did at Fulham.
“Rosicky is more of a Pires-type and Hleb is more for me a guy who attracts people to the ball, and then slides it through. So he looks like he always slows the game down [only] to speed it up again. He is more of a dribbler and a passer, whereas Tomas is more of the guy who is in the flow of the game, a little bit similar to Pires.”
But one will get injured Pedro. Not saying I want to replace them, but we do need one more, someone good enough maybe to alternate with them should the never never happen and they both stay fit !!!!!!
Check piece below from Goal.com, a list of Arsenal’s all time greatest 11…..Interesting!!
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=555322
Jennings
Dixon McLintock Adams Sansom
Armstrong Vieira Brady Pires
Bergkamp Henry
Worked out what Youths will be on the bench. G Hoyte will be replaced by Paul Rodgers (who looked better than G Hoyte for the Youth game against Burnley and looked good in the Reserves defeat to Fulham – Was Captain in fact !), and Kieran Gibbs and Henri Lansbury will be joining him.
They are the only 3 out of the reserves tonight that are omitted…. surprisingly Randall is starting for them, so presume he misses a go this time !
So safe to say, tomorrow will be a fairly strong squad !!!!!!
It seems then that it will be;
Manone
Hoyte Gallas Senderos Traore
Rosicky Gilberto Denilson Diaby
Bentdner Walcott
With Keeper, Rodgers, Lansbury, Gibbs, Eduardo on the bench.
Unless one or 2 of the Youths above are injured and the subs spots filled with a Cesc or a Sagna ?!
I meant Fabianski in goal, not Manone !
Merida played 30 minutes for Sociedad last night and did OK in their 3-1 win over Cordoba.
I didnt know Big Phil busted his nose??
On Arsenal.com it says that it will be Gallas and either Hoyte or Gilberto at centre back (because of Phils busted nose?!) He also said that Theo will feature
No disrepect but Gilbo is not good enough in midfield. He was the weakest link last time and quiet embarrassing to see-considering his former role. Let Diaby play the role Cesc plays in the 1st team alongside Denilson. Have Cesc, Hleb and Ade to just create doubt in Spuds. We might win it 1-0 or on penalties.
Didnt think Senderos would make the squad based on reports on how badly he broke his nose at Fulham. So team remains as first suggested.
Fabianski
Sagna Hoyte Gallas Traore
Diaby Denilson Gilberto Walcott
Bendtner Eduardo.
I am all of a sudden feeling more confident now……. a sprinkling of Gallas and a few others and BANG……… i’m starting to think we’re gonna stuff the spuds !!!!!!!!
Now got 50% of our first choice defence, and that my good friends means we’lll pulverise the scum tomorrow!!! Come on!!!!!!
Eduardo wont start, he will start Theo up front to start with and will more likely put The Spuds Nemesis Ade on the bench, as if we need to score, we just bring him on, because he has never played against the Spuds and not scored !!!!!!
Let’s hope you’re righ, bud, when we chase down every ball, like we did against Fulham and the Chavs, we’re a different team, we need to get in their faces, from the off.
Diaby and Denilson for me gave the ball away far too often to play together, unless they change tomorrow it doesn’t look good, but I think he’ll play Rosicky or Hleb and with their shit defence, we should have enough.
That why I think he will rest Eduardo – I have never seen an Arsenal Forward cover so much ground closing down and chasing back…….. he was like a man possessed !!!!!
I’d play Kieran Gibbs and Walcott down the lanes to be honest, but can’t see him doing that, so Diaby will once again play on one side even though he doesnt look comfortable there.
Gibbs isn’t a bad shout Odub, but only if he puts our beasts in the middle !!!!
It’s what we need, 11 men possessed, not like the spuds though they really are possessed like that Megan in the Exorcist.
Or like what possessed Pedro to wear his Dress Spider !!!!!!!
Yeah the 2 youngsters on the wings with Gilberto and Diaby on the middle doesnt sound a bad shout!
Geoff for those of us who can’t remember the Exorcist is Megan the girl with the 360 degree neck bones?
that’s her Odub, just like Defoe and Jenas!
Gallas confirmed as captain for the spuds game, that’s a bit of good news!
Geoff keep up! See Bud’s comments above! 3.43 Gallas in! Senderos broken nose etc! Can’t say it’s damaged his good looks though!!
I think pressure straight from the off and possessed sounds a good call -put them on the back foot Sorry geoff it wasnt Megan in the exorsist it was Regan -unless you were watching the very rare welsh version containing the sheep shagging scene
I’m having a bad blogging day today aren’t I???
ive known you have better days -must be the suns gone to your head .Staying in London for next few nights and its been pissing down -think its gonna be colder and wet for tomorrows game -thermals on boys
starting XI
Fabianski
Sagna/Hoyte Gallas Hoyte/Gilberto Traore
Randall Denilson Gilberto/Kleb Diaby
Bendtner Walcott
Subs: Mannone G.Hoyte Cesc/Lansbury Gibbs Kanu Jnr
Amended starting XI
Fabianski
Sagna/Hoyte Gallas Hoyte/Gilberto Traore
Randall Denilson Gilberto/Kleb Diaby
Bendtner Walcott
Subs: Mannone G.Hoyte/Clichy Cesc/Lansbury Gibbs Kanu Jnr
a lot of slashes in there, but Clichy and Cesc on the bench like same time last year.
Good to hear that Gallas is starting, that should sort things out at the back and get everyone pumped for our biggest game for a while.
I think we could win 2-0, with a brace for walcott. Did anyone read Wengers retraction about walcott? He thinks he is good now.
Oh Arsene, you are as fickle as the fans.