I don’t know… Arsenal players make it tough on themselves don’t they? Last week Gibbs threatened to break his foot for the under 21′s, this week he went through with the threat by smashing his foot into the underside of a Liege players boot. Kieron’s broken his metatarsal and he’ll be out for the next two months. What a gutter.
Will boot manufacturers ever wise up and build more protective footwear? I mean, we are talking about football here. The difference of 0.1 seconds worth of pace on a football pitch over a protected foot? Well, surely it’s a no brainer. So for Sundays game, we’ll either see Traore or Silvestre. Nice…
Onto the game.
Again, it’s a tough one to report on. I’ve got to give it to your straight and I’m worried that if I dish out too many superlatives, I’ll be doing you an injustice. Standard Liege are a poor team. A poor team on the level of Wolves. We beat them convincingly and played some pretty special football at times, but if you take off your blinkers for a second, you’d have to admit that we could have drawn or lost that game last night because of the silly mistakes.
Despite dominating possession for a majority of the ninety minutes, Standard still managed to hit the woodwork twice. More worryingly, a freekick flew into the box, bounced 8 yards out, luckily Almunia wasn’t beaten by the oncoming striker. I can sit here and talk about how we could have bagged 6, it’s true, but we’re playing Chelsea this weekend and those chances that an incredibly poor team carved out, will be goals if we continue to take a sloppy approach to defending this Sunday.
Arsenal started in a hungry fashion. If Wenger let rip with a 4 letter expletive in a press conference, you can imagine the mood in the dressing room. Fair play to the boss, molly coddling grown men is never going to get your results. Song went close early on after he miscontroled the ball and was fortunately let back in by some poor defending. Fabregas and Nasri also had chances in the first five minutes.
Song continued to impress going forward, neatly cutting the ball away from his challenger, releasing Nasri who inexplicably crossed it to the back post. Our next chance… or 4 chances, came from a Fabregas corner which Bolat saved the resulting Arsh header, Vela had a toe poke cleared off the line, Gallas had a double shot saved, before Arshavin nearly had his head taken off by a Verminator thunderbolt! Humorous stuff.
Then came the usual sucker punch. Mbokani, skillfully worked his way into some space at the expense of Vermaelen and let off a rasping shot that nearly snapped the upright! Outrageous how things like that only ever seem to happen to Arsenal.
Our time was upon us. Vermaelen sensing Mulemo was uneasy with long balls, fired a 45 yard looping ball to Nasri, the Liege defender inexplicably slipped over, the ball bounced on the 18 yard box, Sammy followed the ball in and clipped the ball on the bounce into the bottom corner. An amazing finish!
Moments later, Eboue played a poor pass outside our box, Goreux picked up the ball, Gallas shoved him over in pub brawl style fashion and unbelievably, the ref waved play on. Perhaps feeling guilty about not giving Eboue a penalty earlier in the night (Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that. He really has cleaned up his act, hasn’t he?).
The ball went up the other the other end moments later, Denilson looked up and smashed a 30 yard screamer at the goal. The ball moved 3 times enroute and deceived the keeper to give our young Brazilian his first of the season. Denilson and I have a strange relationship… I didn’t enjoy his contribution in preseason, but last season, I preferred him as the holding midfielder. If only he had the bulk…
The second half was a bit of a write off. Arsenal mostly controlled the play and nothing of note really happened bar of course some shoddy defending and another woodwork effort with seven minutes to go. Theo managed a run out and looked powerful and pacey and Cesc was being praised for keeping his cool when Carcela-Gonzalez went for the head butt. The press didn’t mention Cesc slapped his face moments before in the challenge, but fair play to the captain for keeping things under control.
So in conclusion. William Gallas wears a gum shield. Samir Nasri is a sly finisher. Cesc has his temper under wraps. Denilson has promised to deliver us more screamers. Eboue is still a diving cheat. Gibbs is out. Arshavin bleeds for the cause. Willy G looks like the elephant man. Gibbs is injured. Arsenal are going to have to out score the Chav’s on Sunday, because we’re not going to out defend.
Ratings:
Almunia: Hard to rate a keeper who had very little to do, yet still nearly managed to concede 3 times. The ball bouncing in the box was a particular worry. He’ll need to dominate his area on Sunday if we’re to have a chance. 6
Gibbs: I thought he was having a good game at left back, I’m just gutted his been cursed by the same injury Clichy suffered with for so many years. Someone needs to invent foot-pads for defenders… or metal boots. 7
Vermaelen: I love the guy, he is always keen to get forward and defends with his heart on his sleeve. However, we’re still looking susceptible at the back and he is part of that. 7
Gallas: After a nasty collision with Arshavin, it would have been easy for him to go off. He didn’t and he fought on despite looking like he’d just been involved in a nasty car crash. I’m giving him an extra 0.5 for that. 7.5
Eboue: Sloppy passing, loads of running into the opposition half with no end product and a customary dive. We’ll get the old cut and pasters telling us that he’s really improved this season, I’d beg to differ… he’s still the same player. The irony of being a cheat and having a God message on your shirt is not lost on many of us. 6
Denilson: I thought the Brazilian had a pretty solid return to action. His passes in the main went forward, he joined well with the attack and he played in an intelligent manner. Oh, and he even managed to bag his second of the season, first of the Champions league. 7
Song: One of the players steadily moving out of the marmite category, straight into blind love pile. He can do no wrong amongst some of you, which leads to cries of man of the match after every game, tales of spectacular control of the game and comparisons to some of the all time greats. He played well yesterday, but to hear some of you harp on about how amazing he is, is quite beyond me. He’s supposed to protect the back 4, we have the worst opening season defensive record in our history. 7.5
Cesc: Played superbly well, hustling and putting his weight about in defence, creating and crafting out chances going forward. He’s been unlucky on the goal scoring front, but he’s still the form man in our side at the moment. Give him movement up front and he’ll give you chances. 8
Nasri: Drifts in and out of games, but after 3 months out, that’s to be expected. A laboured performance from our Frenchman today and a very tidy finish. 7
Vela: Didn’t really have much of an impact on the game. We have to give him time though, he’s really quite green to the first team. He does have a lovely touch and he knows how to turn his marker inside out. I’ve got high hopes for the new Robbie Fowler. 6.5
Arshavin: Far too much criticism from the fan base over the contribution of Arsh. It’s normally the people telling you Song should take the Balon D’or right now. He is a dream of a player, every person I speak to about Arsenal talks about our Russian green with envy. He is a once in a lifetime player, enjoy what he does and stop moaning when he doesn’t give you 4 goals a game. He’s feeling his way into this season and he’s still managed some powerful, tangible stats (Tangible as in goals and assists, intangible as in Hleb assisting the assister). He even bled for the cause tonight. 7
See you in the comment Grovers!
Yer I agree with that line up A.
Don’t know who will play the front-line.
Only Arshavin is a definite if he’s recovered from that head injury fully…
Will be interesting who he picks tho.
Front 3*
Thanks Samir all that bollox that he was gonna be out for a month was a fuckin smoke screen then!
Anyway’s people I’m off….
Have a nice sleep!
Yeah I agree Samir, it surprised me that Eduardo didn’t start mid week. Unless he was carrying a knock. He’s obviously lacking confidence so a goal would’ve done him the world of good. Also would’ve said that Rosicky was likely to start on Sunday but Nasri was very very impressive so he might have wrestled that position away from Rosicky now. Vela did well too but didn’t score so I reckon it probably will be Eduardo in the end.
well, he may have the ability on paper, but has fuck all defensive discipline IMO…
he is going to leave us exposed – why do you think ‘Arry played Traore as LW? because it was his best position with less responsibility and with safety net – remember 5:1 v Spuds? I do: Traore LB with another clown Hoyte RB – the latter plies his trade in Championship now and is still pretty shit…
nite Samir
That idiot redknapp played Traore at left back because he was playing in a shit portsmouth team, down the bottom of the table, that needed more defensive minded full backs. Traore is to a left back what Eboue is to right back, both of them are very good going forward from full back, but don’t have the mind set to ever be top quality wingers, but add defensive balance there. Both are attacking full backs though and as such will get caught out defensively at times.
Previously Traore was woeful defensively, against Sunderland he was flawless, he didn’t get exposed, or caught out of position once, and if that’s come with a new found maturity then he could well end up the best left back we’ve got. Hoyte is nothing like Traore, he never had the raw potential
in the 2nd half vs SL who slotted in denilsons position when he came off
i thought nasri dropped back
sorry – played him at left mid even
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr5y0mUsyLM
Nasri was only on the pitch for about 5 minutes after Denilson came off jlp.
When Denilson came off though Song dropped back deeper. Before Denilson was actually playing as the deepest of the three midfielders, sitting back and reading the game, which allowed Song freedom to win the ball higher up the pitch. That’s what I expect to see against Chelsea too
A,
how can you say he was never exposed against Sunderland? I expect you to offer me the explanation on how the fack did Malbranque get into our box with Al exposed at the near post, where he’s pretty shit…
I am not convinced by Denilson’s defensive game, plus he made quite a few dangerous misplaced passes v Liege…
you mean when the ball came over from a cross on the left suga?! if you blame traore for that then you have no understanding of football!
Denilson is our best defensive reader of the game in midfield, he’s very important for balance against the big teams imo.
Brilliant Franchise
er, sure mate, whatever…
as far as I am concerned, if a player get all the way on the right side without being tracked by the LB who happens to be nowhere to be seen, then it is LB’s fault…
our midfield is too small and has every chance of getting smacked to fuck with all this fancy Dan ‘defensive reading of the game’ bullshit without any power…
yea thats right A thanks
nasri got subbed off before denilson
tough call who gets the nod upfront
go with pace and energy with theo n vela
or go with experience and class with rosicky and eduardo
i guess the mix is there as well
tough call
suga3 you can see the video on 101 great goals, traore was in his position and was on the front post when he shot, exactly where he was meant to be throughout that whole phase of play, it’s literally impossible to blame him for that for anyone looking at it objectively, and just lying to say he was nowhere to be seen or had gone all the way down the right side without being tracked, when he was tracked the whole way!
Denilson’s reading of the game results in his winning the ball back by intercepting, so he doesn’t need power in that respect, agility is more important in fact. His reading of the game coupled with Song’s power will be a very good combination
Yep agree with A there.
Denilson and Song are the first choice midfield pairing.
jlp i don’t see there being any real chance of Theo starting, he’s not started a game since his return from injury so isn’t going to be full fit. I reckon it’ll be same sorts of player, Rosicky or Nasri, and Vela or Eduardo.
Arshavin has never played against the chavs, expect him to be up for this.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/3977958
There you go SUGA3, walk me through what Traore did wrong when Malbranque got the chance?!
yeah good point choy, arshavin will be big on sunday, let’s hope he’s really focussed. Did people see the story and all the stick he’s getting in russia? Not great if true
i thought traore failed to mark malbranque both times as well Suga
but also agree with A he is more than capable of producing on both ends of the pitch…maybe brings more going forward but as the 3rd choice lb my guess is you’d be hard pressed to find any EPL squad with a better option
I would definitely play Sagna at left back on Saturday and have Eboue at right back, neither will let us down, in fact our back four will not be any the weaker, I definitely don’t want Silvestre in he just hasn’t got the pace any more.
well, he was supposed to be all over Malbranque that very moment (or maybe not, considering what clumsy tackler he is) – Malbranque fucked up twice, as he was expecting just that, while he had enough time for a manicure, ffs…
we shall see whe Song is gone to ACN – did you see Chavs today? I looked closely out of interest and I thank God that Song didn’t get booked on Saturday…
one more thing:
don’t you fucking call me a liar…
He’s just their scapegoat…
Chavs are going to be a tough game.. but then they haven’t faced Arsenal yet.
Its all about our attack vs their defense.
huh SUGA3, I said the combination with Denilson’s reading of the game and Song’s power will work very well. With Song not playing we’ll lack the power.
You made up that Traore didn’t track Malbranque, and was nowhere to be seen! Either just to back up your argument whilst not knowing the facts, or knowing the facts and saying something that you knew to be untrue!
looks like fatty will be back for sunday
I hope so Choy, if he’s been getting pissed the night before a big game and then impertinent talking about tactics etc then it’s not great at all!
I agree, it’s just whether we can take our chances early on
just typical really they have all there team to choose from and we have fuck all
I just saw that too bbk, not a massive deal, he won’t be fully fit
It was all about that last season too at the emirates, we started really really well but couldn’t convert.
yeah choy, theo tore them apart in the first half hour
A,
he was not where he was supposed to be, which is doing something not to allow ‘his’ player to have a shot – OK he may have tried to track him, but did not do what he was there to do…
Clichy & Gibbs are class, Traore is not a LB
—————-Mannone—————
–Gilbert—Sendy—Silvestre–Traore-
—————Denilson—————
fucking Keystone Cops defensive part of AFC
Fat Fwank fit?
oohhh, what a terrible ‘injury’ that must have been – not fully fit, A?
no mate – rested…
Whether you rate him or not SUGA he’s still a left back! He could never be anything but a left back! It’s what he is, though whether or not he’s good there is obviously open to one’s opinion!
Clichy is class, Gibbs and Traore both have massive raw talent, but big deficiencies and areas of their games they need to work on, both have potential to be class.
Denilson is one of the best defensive readers of the game in the premiership, Senderos is a very good player most of the time too, Mannone and Gilbert aren’t premiership class and Silvestre is past it.
Traore tracked Malbranque the entire way, and was goal side of him the whole way, then tucked in when the cross came across exactly as any full back would be taught to do, but because of a deflection it got to malbranque. If the best left back in the world was playing he would have taken up the same positions in that instance!
Traore or Silvest?
I think i would take traore!
he’s been injured SUGA, so won’t be fully fit, as he’s not played for a few weeks!
But whoever plays that side will have to be on top of their game, Arsh is hardly going to be tracking back!
If Lampard was fit he would’ve played today to get his match sharpness up as Drogba did, if he starts he won’t be at 100%, Drogba shouldn’t be either
A, like I said all this reading of the game counts for shit if you get outmuscled, beaten in the air, etc.
Denilson is 2 inches shorter than Song, and considerably lighter, he may find it hard to hold his own against some ‘in your face’ sides…
a few weeks? yep, 3 weeks, out of which 2 were the international break, then some more time, so that it wouldn’t look stupid & obvious…
Chavs can afford to rest players, Drogba was genuinely injured, hence his appearance to day to regain fitness…
but fuck that, we’ll beat them cunts anyway!
obviously it counts for shit SUGA, because you win the ball back time and time again with interceptions! When Song is unavailable Denilson will play the deeper role as he did yesterday, and will against Chelsea, but Diaby will play the physical role, not as well as Song but he’ll still manage it and it’ll give us balance
Total concentration from the first whistle to the last is what is needed on Sunday
SUGA3 if a player hasn’t played a competitive game for three weeks then he won’t be match fit first game back, that’s pretty much a given….
Both Drogba and Lampard were genuinly injured, both were diagnosed by the international physios, not the club physios, and neither have been training
I agree though, we would’ve beaten them even if chelsea were at full strength!
Diaby will play physical role – words fail me…
do you seriously think that if Lampard asked Lewin to excuse him and the son of the shoplifter from playing some bullshit friendly in another timezone, he’d say no?
don’t be naive…
i think we are going to get bullied on sunday and embarresed again,pretty much like last season’s result..
all right Grovers, I’m offski
lol SUGA3, yes I do think, and pretty much know that he’d say no! He travelled to Dubai, he started training, he pulled up with a muscle injury, a scan showed that he’d torn his thigh and he was released from the England squad as there was no way he’d be available for the Brazil game.
Neither players, and certainly not international physios, would EVER make up an injury, because it would do their careers a lot of harm, and the physio would be sacked!
smoke & mirrors, A – how else were they supposed to excuse a few stars missing in a high profile friendly for a lot of money in the middle of the desert?
suga3 they WANT the players to play, Capello would never excuse anyone, because he isn’t like that, and the FA would never do that either, because they’d lose money! And they certainly wouldn’t force the players to fly all the way out there, then excuse them! It’s an absolutely ridiculous and illogical conspiracy theory! No one or two players could get preferential treatment anyways! If they let Lampard off (which is ridiculous even by itself) then they’d have to let everyone off who asked!
A,
having an opportunity to play your fringe players in the friendly is not a bad thing for Capello either…
TBH
I can’t see The Arsenal keeping a clean sheet against Chelski. Anelka & Drogba will be too much to keep scoreless.
SUGA3 he doesn’t need an opportunity, he’d play them if he wanted to, regardless of who was fit. The friendly was a money making exercise, and the sponsorship money would be more substantial the more high profile players there were on show. The FA would never allow anyone to not play if they were capable of it.
neither can i gnarley, another 2-1 would do me, though 4-1 reversal of last year would be better….
brilliant story – http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-will-snub-Arsenal-to-sign-for-Liverpool-article232659.html
did you know papers just make up stories from scratch – fact.
BBK how do we have fuck all? I’v told you 70 trillion times stop exaggerating
Talking to myself. on that note I’ll take my leave
Seriously worried about Sunday. Our defending has defaulted to pants again and I’m nervous with just Vela or Eduardo up front alone. But knowing us we’ll play out of our skins and Arshavin will put on a blinder and score 3 Kanu goals and the Verminator will fire in a long range rocket. 4-0 TO THE ARSE!
Well, quelle surprise, Lampard and Drogba are gonna be fit. Just like I said they would.
Fucking great all their players get fit before our game while we lose more.
Fwank aand Drogba both fit for our game?
I simply cant believe it! I really thought they would both be injured still like we were told…
ha ha
Highest rating of the match, so I’m guessing he got MOTM.
Chamakh: 8.5 – Stretched Juve’s defence all over the pitch when he wasn’t on the ball. Ran well when picked out with long balls. Won numerous free kicks and was eventually rewarded with a goal of his own at the death.
You could have a great season, get injured at the end of it and miss out. So I am just going to concentrate on every single game until the end of the season and see where it takes me.
Theo Walcott
Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin is being blamed for Guus Hiddink’s downfall as Russia coach.
The Sun says the former Chelsea boss has come in for stinging criticism after losing to Slovenia in a play-off – despite earning £9MILLION a year.
Hate figure Hiddink has been branded ‘a kind grandad’ who is unable to control the Russkies’ big-name players.
Reports claim Hiddink lost the dressing room following a string of bust-ups with several of his stars – including Andrey Arshavin and Tottenham’s Roman Pavlyuchenko – over tactics.
Arsenal ace Arshavin is even said to have given his own team talks that contradicted Hiddink’s instructions.
What is Walcott still on about?
Concnetrate on your club mate!
Wtf!!
The Sun says…
The Daily Mail says ….
The Daily Mirror says ….
Father Christmas says …..
What did Father Christmas say Raddy? I love that guy!
LOL!
Morning All
Santa says – Ho Ho Ho
Morning Rico, I think Raddy had a senior moment, he posted, then forgot, he’s probably lost in the park right now!
That’s if he remembers Rico!
New post!
In order to draw with Chelsea- we will have to play better than we have for the past 2 years- is that possible yes- but this is very unlikely with an injury ravaged team. I’d rather we lost than collect anymore injuries.
Only Chelsea’s temporary this year manager is a class act- but even he cannot disguise what lies underneath. Very strong no expense spared ageing team granted- but also a loathsome bunch of aggressive egotistic mercenaries. Maybe our time is not yet- but it will come.
I’ll predict a 2-2 draw.
Chelsea to take an early lead but Arsenal to finish the game the stronger of the two.