Hey all,
I got into London about a week ago, and due to the packing and etc, I didn't quite have time to write about the last two games against Dortmund and Chelsea.
First of all, It is important to note that the last two fixtures in which we have lost have definitely been the sternest tests to date, and the following month is one that instills a bit of fear to me, and most probably to most Arsenal fans. For the record, we have Liverpool (H), Dortmund (A), Manchester United (A), and Southampton (H). In order to qualify for the next phase of the Champion's League, a win over BVB is crucial, and Wenger will have to be smart with resting his players if we are to progress while simultaneously maintaining a high spot in the league. Despite having lost the games against Dortmund and Chelsea, I feel like the way we are playing as a team is top notch. Individual errors cost us the Chelsea and Dortmund games and as the season progresses and players begin to find a winning mentality, these will be minimised. Which brings us to the game this weekend.
While every game in the EPL is a crucial three points, this one coming up is even more so. Liverpool, like Arsenal have had a relatively easy run until now, and have also had what we could call a dream run, as they try to scamper up the hill, where the current king (Arsenal) resides. At the moment, Liverpool are on par with Chelsea on 20 points, while Arsenal sit just above them on 22 points. This means that the result of this game will determine who sits on the throne as the next matchweek approaches. It is entirely possible that either of the top three teams at the moment will be on top come the end of the weekend.
It's fair to say that this, like many other games, is a MUST WIN game.
Unfortunately for us, Arsenal still have a number of key players still stuck in the injury room with Walcott, Gnabry, Flamini, Poldi, Oxlade and Diaby still out. Liverpool will be missing Enrique and Aspas but will be buoyed by the return of Coutinho.
Given the blossoming Sturridge/Suarez partnership (Oh how I wish we had signed him), who have together scored 14 goals in the league alone, Koscielny and Mertesacker will have to be on their toes. Gibbs and Sagna will also have to put in a hard shift and make sure they track back properly to cover Liverpool's wide players, especially as Suarez enjoys forays down the wings.
The biggest concern for me is the counter attacking threat that Liverpool pose. Arsenal have a real problem of bringing up defenders for corners, and then not being able to run back in time to prevent a goal. It's something that Bouldy and Wenger really have to fix up, because it will ultimately result in us leaking goals in, and possibly losing games.
It'll be good to have Arteta back to provide cover for the defense, although Arsenal will still miss having Flamini's physical and audible presence. Arteta will really have to dig deep and drop back readily, even when we have possession.
I expect Rosicky and Cazorla to start on the wings and hopefully provide some much needed width into our game. Liverpool will probably line up with three centre backs, so it will be important for our wingers to exploit Liverpool's formation.
This game will be won or lost depending on how organised Arsenal are. The slightest error could let Suarez or Sturridge in and finding the back of the net. That said, Arsenal should be able to dominate the midfield battle with Arteta, Ramsey and Ozil in the centre three.
I would like to see Arsenal play an intense pressing game almost like the way that Dortmund played against us. Giroud will have to put in a lot of work to pressure Liverpool's centre backs into making errors.
My line up: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesascker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Rosicky, Arteta, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Giroud
If it were a lighter game, I would suggest taking Ramsey off for a rest given that he's played almost every game this season, but his tenacity and hard-working attitude will be needed in this game.
Score prediction: 3-2
It will be a tough game, but if Arteta can hold the back four together and Arsenal are organised and dominate possession, I don't see us losing tomorrow's match.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
In Defence of Vermaelen, Norwich (H) Expected Lineups
Good evening all you 5 people who have read this blog!
This comment isn't necessarily a bad thing. We all know the Vermaelen before last season as a goal scoring, tough tackling, steely terminator like machine of a player - form and leadership that culminated in being given the captain's armband after the departure of the douchebag. Yet it seemed that the pressure got to him and his form slipped last season leaving the path wide open for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny to form their impenetrable wall.
But all is not over for Vermaelen.
It is reassuring for both him and supporters that it is not his form keeping him out of the 1st XI but the solidarity and good form of the Mertesacker/Kosc partnership. In fact, when Vermaelen has played (not that he's played much), he seemed quite comfortable on the ball and steadier than in the past season at the heart of defense. It would break my heart to see the Verminator leave to another club, and in my opinion would do the squad and Verm himself some good with squad rotation. Of course I'm not advocating dropping either Mert//Kosc for long periods of time given their current form, but I think that against the weaker teams coming up in the league (Norwich, Crystal Palace), it could be good to see TV5 running out for 60 odd minutes. The other option is to play him as a DM, as cover for Flamini (Who is on 4 yellow cards and one away from suspension). If anything, Flamini has proven to Wenger that the team plays better as a unit with someone more defensively minded in that gap giving shelter to the back four - a position that Vermaelen could easily adapt to.
And now, back to the EPL after a long and arduous round of internationals. Arsenal face Norwich City this Saturday at the Emirates before Champs League in midweek against Dortmund. In the matches against Norwich since their promotion, there have been 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. While Arsenal sit atop the Premier League table, Norwich sit in the relegation zone with 7 points in 7 games. A win is an absolute must to hold on to that #1 spot with pressure amounting from Chelsea and Liverpool.
Norwich have no major injury concerns with only Elliot Bennett on the sidelines. Pilkington is expected to return on this fixture, which will bolster the Norwich attack. Arsenal on the other hand are missing Sagna, Podolski, AOC and of course Diaby. There is, though, a major injury boost for Arsenal as Cazorla, Walcott, Rosicky, Sanogo and Ozil are all expected to be fit for the fixture.
I think that it is important to play Cazorla and Walcott but not so much that they strain themselves in the process - considering that they are just coming back from injury, I expect them to play 60 and 30 minutes respectively.
My lineup for the game v Norwich
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil, Gnabry,Cazorla Wilshere, Giroud
*UPDATE*
Arsene has spoken - Walcott is out for another 2 weeks and Cazorla is not yet match fit. Wilshere will probably play at LW and be subbed off for Cazorla/Rosicky
**
I expect that if the game is managed properly and the players turn up, this should be a relatively simple game to win, but everything must be executed properly. Expect some intricate play between Cazorla and Ozil and some direct running from Gnabry and Walcott if he plays. I predict a relatively easy 3-1 win to the good.
Reports have been going around this week that Thomas Vermaelen has been hinting at a January departure should he not regain form enough to displace either Mertesacker or Koscielny in the CB spots. He has been quoted as saying:
Of course, if you are reading this blog, you will no doubt have already read others commenting on how good old TV5's comments are simply a critical assessment of the situation he is in. I too will concur with these smart smart non-media swayed bloggers. As the World Cup swings back in 2014, Vermaelen will be 28, to turn 29 in November. The chances are that with a burgeoning Belgian national team, this will be the last world cup that Vermaelen will likely participate in, and in a team that has a steady chance of making it far (Look at the names on that teamsheet: Courtois, Mignolet, Kompany, Vertonghen, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Hazard, Witsel, Lukaku, Benteke to say the least). So, I don't read any more into his comments than that he would really like to play in the world cup in 2014 and that if Kosc and Per keep him out of the starting lineup he'll consider looking for playing time somewhere else."I'll have to think about that when it's necessary. January is still a few months ahead. Of course, never playing will not be the ideal situation for me to go to the World Cup, that's for sure," he told the Daily Mail. "People ask me if I panic because I'm not playing a lot but I'm not."I have spoken to the manager but it will remain private between us. Things can happen in a split second and change my situation. That can happen tomorrow or next weekend. In that case, we will speak differently in January. I have to be ready for that."
This comment isn't necessarily a bad thing. We all know the Vermaelen before last season as a goal scoring, tough tackling, steely terminator like machine of a player - form and leadership that culminated in being given the captain's armband after the departure of the douchebag. Yet it seemed that the pressure got to him and his form slipped last season leaving the path wide open for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny to form their impenetrable wall.
But all is not over for Vermaelen.
It is reassuring for both him and supporters that it is not his form keeping him out of the 1st XI but the solidarity and good form of the Mertesacker/Kosc partnership. In fact, when Vermaelen has played (not that he's played much), he seemed quite comfortable on the ball and steadier than in the past season at the heart of defense. It would break my heart to see the Verminator leave to another club, and in my opinion would do the squad and Verm himself some good with squad rotation. Of course I'm not advocating dropping either Mert//Kosc for long periods of time given their current form, but I think that against the weaker teams coming up in the league (Norwich, Crystal Palace), it could be good to see TV5 running out for 60 odd minutes. The other option is to play him as a DM, as cover for Flamini (Who is on 4 yellow cards and one away from suspension). If anything, Flamini has proven to Wenger that the team plays better as a unit with someone more defensively minded in that gap giving shelter to the back four - a position that Vermaelen could easily adapt to.
And now, back to the EPL after a long and arduous round of internationals. Arsenal face Norwich City this Saturday at the Emirates before Champs League in midweek against Dortmund. In the matches against Norwich since their promotion, there have been 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. While Arsenal sit atop the Premier League table, Norwich sit in the relegation zone with 7 points in 7 games. A win is an absolute must to hold on to that #1 spot with pressure amounting from Chelsea and Liverpool.
Norwich have no major injury concerns with only Elliot Bennett on the sidelines. Pilkington is expected to return on this fixture, which will bolster the Norwich attack. Arsenal on the other hand are missing Sagna, Podolski, AOC and of course Diaby. There is, though, a major injury boost for Arsenal as Cazorla, Walcott, Rosicky, Sanogo and Ozil are all expected to be fit for the fixture.
I think that it is important to play Cazorla and Walcott but not so much that they strain themselves in the process - considering that they are just coming back from injury, I expect them to play 60 and 30 minutes respectively.
My lineup for the game v Norwich
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil, Gnabry,
*UPDATE*
Arsene has spoken - Walcott is out for another 2 weeks and Cazorla is not yet match fit. Wilshere will probably play at LW and be subbed off for Cazorla/Rosicky
**
I expect that if the game is managed properly and the players turn up, this should be a relatively simple game to win, but everything must be executed properly. Expect some intricate play between Cazorla and Ozil and some direct running from Gnabry and Walcott if he plays. I predict a relatively easy 3-1 win to the good.
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