We once again fell foul of our bi-polar issues again at the weekend, a first half that in the end cost us a result. You can say we were unlucky, with Coquelin being fouled in the build up to the first and then Ramires diving to win the penalty, but we were caught feeling sorry for ourselves and they punished us. Sagna had possibly the worst game I've ever seen him play. When Giroud went through and missed his chance 5 minutes in, I thought we'd rue it and seconds later we did. Now I like Giroud, don't get me wrong, but in a game like that you have to take chances like that. I still think we need another striker.
The game tonight is arguably more important than the one at Stamford Bridge. It's our game in hand and a chance to close the gap, nothing but a win will do. Every time I look at our position I keep thinking, if we win our game in hand it isn't a catastrophe yet. Maybe that's me being in denial and optimistic but either way, 3 points tonight is an absolute must.
Wenger has said that Diaby may miss out tonight, this isn't due to injury, more due to the fact after being out for 4 months, he's played 3 games in a week. We're still without Arteta and Coquelin has picked up a hamstring problem. Podolski returns from illness and Oxlade-Chamberlain has a chance of being fit. With all of this in mind I think we'll go for a lineup like: SZCZ, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski, Giroud.
West Ham post a different threat from Chelsea and Swansea and tonight will be a physical game. It looks like Carlton Cole will lead their line as Chamakh is unavailable due to the conditions of his loan. Either side of him will be Jarvis and Joe Cole both can be a danger on their day. Of course Nolan and Noble in the midfield can also cause problems. There is no doubt that we should be beating teams like West Ham every day of the week but I've been saying this all season.
Basically we need to go out and respond to everyone, make a statement that we aren't just going to roll over and let the top pack run away with it. It really is a must win. If we do we'll be 4 points off of Sp*rs which as last season showed us is more than attainable. COYG!
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
Wednesday night was all about one man really. Anyone who watched the game will know exactly who I'm talking about. After 25 attempts and extra time seeming inevitable, Jack Wilshere fired a left footed shot low, past Michel Vorm and it was no more than we deserved. The first half was quite slow and "tippy tappy", but the second half we battered the Swansea goal, hitting the post, having 3 efforts cleared off the line and forcing countless saves from the Swansea keeper. On another day we could have won 3 or 4, but we got the job done and it was a solid performance. Tomorrow is an altogether different story.
We travel to take on the chavs of Chelsea at the Bridge. Now as I'm sure you're all well aware Chelsea are currently under a bit of pressure, especially at home, winning just 1 of their last 5. The manager is unpopular, there is a sense of unease on terraces which makes it a fantastic time for us to go down there and pile on the misery. But make no mistake this is a huge game and they will be up for it.
Wenger has some decisions to make over the team selection tomorrow. We fielded a side midweek with Cazorla and Walcott either side of Giroud. Podolski dropped out and we sat Diaby and the defensive Coquelin infront of the back four. Podolski is again a doubt for tomorrow after missing training yesterday but he does hope to be fit. The main question will be who will be leading our line, Giroud or Walcott who of course signed a new 3 and a half year deal. The outcome of this decision will also affect whether Oxlade-Chamberlain will get a start. If Walcott starts upfront he will otherwise I can see him remaining on the bench.
Chelsea are out of sorts as of late and it is still touch and go whether Terry will be fit for the clash. After Ivanovic's torrid game against Swansea his confidence may be shot and this could be our focal point. Upfront for Chelsea is anybody's guess, personally I would play Ba but my gut feeling is Benitez will start Torres. Mata is Chelsea's danger man, if we can nullify him then we might be able to keep them quiet. I think it will be Diaby's job off the ball to stick with Mata.
I must admit I fancy us tomorrow, I'll probably be proved wrong but it would be a great result if we could steal 3 points. It'll be close that's for sure, but let's hope its the red side of London that come out on top.
Prediciton: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
Firstly apologies for not having a preview up for the City game, I've been extremely busy recently and still am to an extent. I'll start with just a little bit on the City match. It was a game that was undoubtedly influenced by the sending off of Koscielny for rugby tackling Dzeko in our box. From there we never really looked like getting back into it and although the second half was a lot better, the game had gone. We were dealt a big blow injury blow losing Arteta pre-match and I felt that led to the rushed decision to include Diaby in the squad, who although showed flashes of quality, showed more signs of a man who has played very little football recently. Overall a disappointing result.
With the injury to Arteta in mind the midfield tonight could be interesting. Rosicky is also out with a calf problem which causes yet more problems in the midfield. I think we'll see Ramsey come in to partner Cazorla and Wilshere but Diaby may also feature in his progression back to the team before his inevitable injury. There is the possibility of playing the more defensively minded Coquelin which I can also see Wenger going for to deal with the likes of Michu and Graham.
I think the side we'll play will be something along the lines of: SZCZ, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Alex OC, Podolski, Walcott. Obviously we're also without Koscielny due to his suspension, which he'll begin tonight. The team will have to be on top form tonight if we are to progress against a Swansea side who have already won at the Emirates this season.
Obviously their main threat is Michu who just can't stop scoring at the moment, but they also have Graham and Routledge who can pop up with goals every now and then. Our full backs will need to be on form tonight and if they go forward they need to get back. Similarly I think Gibbs will need some help from Podolski who seems to be reluctant to track back.
Tonight's match is critical for us in many ways, it represents our best chance of a trophy, it's a chance for us to return to winning ways and it's a chance for us to send a message to other teams in the league by showing them that we mean business. Till tonight we just won't know. COYG!
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Swansea
After the potential outs post the other day I'm following it up with a potential ins post. One of the three players I touted to leave has already gone, albeit on a loan deal, but gone for the season none the less. With Chamakh gone for now, strikers are on the bill and there are a lot of them out there. We'll start it from a story that just will not die at the moment:
David Villa
We have been heavily linked with David Villa, he's out of favour at Barcelona and just wants to play football at the minute. But there are issues with Spain's leading scorer joining us. Firstly I've heard that his wife is pregnant meaning that a move now would be totally out of the question. Secondly, I struggle to see how he would fit it. We have Walcott who is starting to play upfront, Giroud who is doing well. It would be unfair to have Giroud as our 3rd choice striker but Villa wants to play. Finally I've heard from other sources that he is reluctant to leave Spain.
Chance: Unlikely
Adrian Lopez
This young man from Atletico Madrid seems much more like a Wenger signing, he's young, versatile and clearly talented. He netted 19 goals for Atletico last season, even though he wasn't playing as a striker. The move would also suit him as he is down the pecking order at Madrid with strikers such as Falcao and as a young player he wants to play. The issue with this deal appears to be the fee for him, he has a £15m buy out clause but we are apparently only offering £12m at the moment. Expect this one to rumble on.
Chance: Possible
Eduardo Vargas
This is an interesting one that has cropped up in only the last few days. After a £11.5m move from Universidad de Chile, Vargas has really struggled to make an impact in Serie A without netting a single goal in 16 appearances for Napoli. Reports suggest that a loan would suit Napoli and we have been linked. I'm not entirely sure a loan is what we are looking for but he does seem like a typical Arsenal player. That said reports suggest Sao Paulo are also interested in the striker and to be honest, if they make a bid I can see him moving.
Chance: Unlikely
Arsenal fans are none the wiser it seems at the moment, with Wenger stating one thing one day and then a different thing the next. We seem to be interested in making a couple of signings but there appears to be no effort on our part, leading many fans including myself worried that we may not sign anyone. Till next time, have a good week.
It's a break from the Premier League this weekend as teams compete in the FA Cup. A cup which no doubt we'd all like to see us lift at the end of the season but to even think about that we first need to overcome Swansea. It will be a tough match and make no mistake Swansea will be up for it.
When the draw was first made for this, I wasn't particularly looking forward to it and I'm still not. Swansea will be buoyed from their result against us earlier in the season when the ever-dangerous Michu bagged a late brace to secure the points. That day we looked flat and deflated much like we did at the weekend against Southampton, we can't afford another performance like that.
Swansea have been really hit and miss this season, they've had some great performances, some average performances and some really poor performances. Much like ourselves. If both teams tomorrow go out and are on form, it has the potential to be a great match. If one of us is off and the other team is fired up, it'll be a bloodbath. I expect us to start a similar team to the one that started against Southampton. I don't see Wenger resting players in a match like this. So I expect it to be something like: SZCZ, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ox, Poldi, Walcott.
Obviously the main threat from Swansea is Michu who has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season. But we can't look past Danny Graham and Wayne Routledge who can also scored when they feel like it. It will be an open game tomorrow as both teams like to play the passing game. However accuracy is a must, we can't afford to be sloppy with possession against a team like Swansea who won't give us a lot of the ball. We need to keep it tight, which are more than capable of doing given the day.
Tomorrow's match is a vitally important one for us and although a cup means more matches, when it comes down to it a cup run can lift spirits and even kick a team on to better things in other competitions. Let's hope we turn up and go all out.
Predition: Swansea 1-2 Arsenal
Apologies that I haven't been posting much over the festive period I've been incredibly busy. I've missed 2 wins and a disappointing draw with Southampton at the weekend, but I shall be back on Saturday with a preview of out FA Cup game at Swansea.
Now as you're all fully aware the Transfer window is open and tomorrow I'll post about potential signings but today it's potential outbound players.
Johan Djourou
I feel like a broken record on this one, every window that comes round seems to lure interest over Djourou yet he never seems to move on. Now as many of you know I'm not exactly a fan of Djourou but you can't knock his commitment and whenever he gets onto the pitch he does give it his all and he has had some good performances for us. If he does go, I hope he does well.
Sebastian Squillaci
Another international player who arrived from a good club that just never really pulled it together. He was sporadic during his first season but a string of shocking performances have seen him fall further and further down the pecking order. A move seems on the cards, if he can find a club that wants him however.
Marouane Chamakh
His time at the club is over and he'll leave without having much of an impact. As much as nearly every Arsenal fan would like to see him move on, I think we may struggle with this. His wages are on a par with our highest earner and he seems happy to live in London, earn his money and just let his contract run out. There was no doubt he was a risk when we signed him and this one didn't pay off.
I hear stories of a few other players that I have heard mentioned but simply can't see leaving so I've left some out. The defenders are the most likely to be on their way which will leave us short for cover at the back so replacements should be a top priority.
Tomorrow, potentially inbound players.
