Chelsea (H)

So firstly it's been a long, long time since I last posted and so much has happened, too much to cover so I'll assume we're up to date with how it stands. Today we take on Chelsea who have the title all but wrapped up and for that reason I think this afternoons match could be a borefest. Mourinho will set his men out to get a draw and I have no doubt that's what they'll do.

You can be as tactically astute as you want, when his team are setup like that breaking them down is incredibly hard. They hold their shape, break up play and make life miserable for the opposition. That said we know their threat going forward and to think they won't attack is stupid.

In terms of team news, our big doubt this weekend is Per Mertesacker who limped off furing our win over Reading at Wembley. In that game Wenger shuffled the pack a lot bringing in a raft of players who weren't sharp which I think is part of the reason we struggled. I expected Paulista will start today and the back four will resume with Monreal and Bellerin as the full backs. 

Chelsea's main issue is their lack of a fully fit striker. Remy and Costa are out so our old foe Drogba will lead their line even though there are doubts over how fit he is. Trying to guess how Mourinho will setup is hard, he will be aware of Sanchez's threat so may deploy Ramires to deal with him. I expect Willian will come in to add even more muscle to the midfield containing Matic.

From a sporting point of view, the best thing to happen in this game is we score early on to draw them onto us although secretly aside from it being against us I don't think Mourinho would be devastated by a slim defeat with their gap. The three most likely scorelines I can see here are 1-0, 0-0 or 0-1. But only time will tell. This would be a huge monkey off our backs and a big victory for Wenger over that unbearable Portuguese prick. It would also take us back into second and following United's loss against Everton would give us a two point cushion over 3rd place City with a game in hand.

An interesting game it looks set to be. 

The last few weeks

Apologies it's been so long since I posted, I've had a manic few weeks at work and just haven't found the time. I was going to post before today's game but never got around to it. So I'm just going to run over the last couple of weeks.

Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham

We went into the Tottenham game with high hopes due to their lackluster start to the season. Wengers decision not to start Alexis was strange as myself and friends assumed it was due to an injury. We started brightly but the game levelled out and shortly after the half Flamini was played into trouble by SZCZ then fumbled to give them possession which Chaldi finished. The goal sparked us on and after pressing and pressing we finally equalised. The thing that concerned me most about this was the fact that it seemed to take a Sp*rs goal for us to actually look like we wanted to win. Still we can only view it as a point gained.

Arsenal 4-1 Galatasaray

In contrast to the Tottenham game, the Champions League game midweek was an outright walkover. With Ozil deployed in the middle where he just belongs, we bossed the game. Danny Welbeck scored his first career hat-trick and Alexis added another. The only sour note on the night was that SZCZ got himself sent off for pole-axing a Gala player. They scored the resulting penalty but overall it was a dominant performance from the Arsenal.

Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal

The game today was a huge game, especially considering what happened last season at the same venue when we went down 6-0. We went out looking to make a statement against the team that I think could go all the way. The game started cagily with neither side really making progress, Alexis shot from 35 yards and it cruised wide of Courtois' post. As the half wore on both sides started to open up when a well worked move saw Hazard blatantly fouled in the box. He stepped up and put his side 1-0 to the good.

We picked up the second half and pressed for the equaliser with no luck. Our fear of shooting meant we ended up going nowhere. It's not we don't have players who can't shoot it's just they really don't seem to want too. Our timidness as always cost us and as Fabregas lofted a ball between out centre backs Costa ran onto it and lobbed SZCZ and the game was done. Wenger made some bizarre substitutions and nothing changed. We lost, that disgusting cretin of a man Mourinho walked off without a handshake. He's a vile human being and the sooner everyone is rid of him the better.

None of that changes the fact that we're 9 points off the chase and our short lived title challenge is over. Even with so long left, we're not up to it against the big teams and 9 points is a huge gap. We can only right it off as one game and move onto Hull which now lies after the tedium of an international break. Let's hope we come out of it unscathed. 

Right I'll be back before Hull with a preview of the match. Until then, enjoy your weekend. 

Chelsea and Swansea Aftermath

I don't really know where to start this following the humiliation of the weekend. The result was one of the most painful I've endured as a fan, worse than the 8-2 at OT, worse than the 6-1 at the same ground. It's been a season where we've competed and where there's been a sense of progress at last, but have we really made that much progress when we lose 6-0, 5-1 and 6-3 away to our closest rivals? The fact that there appears to be this mental block in the big games is a huge concern, especially leading into the FA Cup semi-final. Ultimately the lack of desire and mental preparation rests with the manager.

This was followed by heart-break on Tuesday night when after going 1-0 down at home to Swansea, we showed that fight and determination that everyone has spoken about this season to score 2 goals in 2 minutes via Podolski and Giroud. Then moments from time an unfortunate deflection and block hit Flamini in the shins and ended up in our own net. It pretty much sums up this week and we are now looking very precarious in 4th.

Everton are 6 points behind us, with a game in hand and we have to visit Goodison Park this season. Assuming we lose to City this weekend which based on recent results is pretty much a given, they're 3 behind with a game in hand and we have to play them in 2 weeks. That will be a 6 pointer if ever there was one. It is so typically Arsenal to have been in the title race not 2 weeks ago and now we're looking over our shoulder worrying about our position in the top 4.

There was one shining light on Tuesday however and that was the fact that Kim Kallstrom made his debut and actually looked like a fairly solid player. Everyone and their wife ripped him upon arrival but if he's going to contribute to the team in the end then nobody will be complaining.

Well I'll be back on Friday with some team news and the build up to a game that quite frankly I really don't want to think about at the moment. Try to enjoy the rest of the week. COYG!

Man United (H) - Review

Again sorry for not posting before the United game, but it's been a busy weekend for myself again. We got a point and if you'd have offered that to me beforehand I'd have taken it. On the basis of the match I think a draw was probably the right result but it's just frustrating to know their only goal came due to our own mistake.

We flew out of the block and for the first 35 minutes we were all over them, a few United hangovers were still looming in my opinion and after 2 minutes, Rosicky who had a blinder found Walcott in space (who was offside) and although De Gea got a touch on it, the power took it in. Our problem this time was not finding that second goal. Podolski who I'm still not convinced is fit, smashed a shot but it was easily saved by De Gea. 

Then the mistake from Sagna. He was dithering with the ball and his pass went straight to Van Persie who charged past him. In his effort to get back and correct his error he took Van Persie down inside the area and it was a penalty. You can have no complaints. Of course Van Persie scored and as much as I hate him to his credit didn't celebrate again. That knocked us back and it took us a while to get going again after the half. United went through a spell of 20-25 minutes where they were in total control but couldn't make it count. The final 7 minutes of so where really end to end and either side could have nicked it.

Without Giroud, we had to start Podolski who had his moments but I'm still not sure about his fitness. We spent a fair amount of money on him and it would be crazy not to play him because if he has been unfit this season, so far he's done pretty well. Rosicky also played really well and along with Podolski and Cazorla, one of the few players who will actually shoot and as the old saying goes if you don't shoot you don't score. Both I think can be a little disappointed about being taken off.

With Tottenham dropping points yesterday we sit 2 points above them having played a game more and are now behind Chelsea by a point again having played a game more, but we have to remember that the game they both have in hand is against each other (got it?). I look at our last 3 games: QPR, Wigan, Newcastle and they are all winnable matches. If we win all 3 I think we'll be there. A Chelsea win against Sp*rs would help no end but all but end our hopes of finishing 3rd, but quite frankly I'm sure every Arsenal fan would take that right now.

The end of the season is gonna be close and almost certainly nerve racking. Until next time have a good week! 

West Ham (H)

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

Chelsea (A)

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

Olympiacos (H)

Our unbeaten run came to end on Saturday as we went down 2-1 to Chelsea, largely I have to say due to our own errors. Defensively we were all over the place and although I understand why Wenger chose Vermaelen and Koscielny over Mertesacker, it was the wrong choice and I think he knows that. The first goal came from a free kick conceded by Vermaelen who steamed through Torres, as it was put in Torres somehoe wrapped his foot around Koscielny and put it into the top corner. 

We retaliated before the half when Gervinho stopped an Ox cross in the box, pivoted and rifled into the roof of the net leaving Cech no chance. It was a great goal but apart from that Gervinho had a relatively indifferent game, there is no doubt he is one of the most frustrating players there are. We started the second half well and for the first 7 or 8 minutes we were the better team but then once again we conceded a free kick which Juan Mata whipped in and Koscielny could do nothing but help it into the net. It was goal bound anyway. After that we went totally flat and didn't do much, Cazorla was shut out effectively by Chelsea and I think we lost something after Diaby went off 15 minutes in with what we now know is a Thigh strain. Perhaps we should have had a draw when Giroud rounded Cech and but only found the side-netting from a tight angle, not the easiest chance but the opportunity was there to shoot and a player in form may have found the finish.

Champions League action tomorrow as we host Olympiacos. After beating French champions Montpellier in France, a win tomorrow would set us up nicely. Judging the team is difficult at the moment. With Diaby out it's possibly we may see Frimpong occupy his role but I doubt that is the case. I think its more likely we'll see Ramsey sit behind the front line with Arteta, far from an ideal setup but there you go. I think the line up will be something like this: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ramsey, Arteta, Alex OC, Cazorla, Podolski, Gervinho. This is another game we should be winning in the group and it will be interesting to see how the team bounce back after the weekends disappointment.

In other news it's good to see that Jack Wilshere has played his first 60 minutes of competitive football in 14 months, after making an appearance in the 1-0 defeat to West Brom U21's yesterday. Let's hope we'll soon see him back in the first team.

I don't think tomorrow will be too challenging but in the Champions League very few games are easy.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Olympiacos

 

Podolski comfirmation and midweek clashes

Based on the game and circumstances I think that will certainly be a point gained rather than 2 dropped at the end of the season. The games between us and Stoke are starting to get pretty intense, I read an article on Monday saying that its a real grudge match now and I'm inclined to agree. When fans boo a player who had his leg broken by one of their lumbering players, its a poor effort on their part and I certainly think the games will only get worse before they get better.

Anyway moving on from that and finally it has been confirmed that Lukas Podolski will sign for Arsenal. His club Cologne (Koln) confirmed earlier in the week as did Poldi himself using his website. He seems genuinely excited by the prospect of joining the club which is always a good thing but I think it makes a statement from Arsene for 2 reasons. 1) Showing players that we are serious about growth and improvements within the squad and 2) Sends a message to other clubs that maybe, just maybe, this summer we mean business. In complete contrast to previous windows where we've left signings till literally the last minute, we've made our first signing before the end of the season.

 
Apart from that there isn't much news coming from Arsenal so our attention turns just slightly towards 2 big games in the PL this evening. Chelsea v Newcastle and Bolton v Tottenham. Now it is possible that after these games we can go into the game against Norwich knowing that a win will secure 3rd (bar an 18+ goal swing for Newcastle in the last game). That scenario is as follows: Bolton beat Sp*rs and Chelsea and Newcastle draw. Personally I can't see either happening, but you never know. Either way after tonight we will know exactly what we need to do to secure 3rd.

Of course we know what we need to do already, with it still in our hands we need to win our last 2 games against Norwich and West Brom. It really is that simple but of course if there is a chance of us doing it sooner then all the better. We will only know after tonight.

Till Friday, have a good week.

Chelsea (H)

I dealt with Wigan in the previous post so there is no need to bother ourselves with that again so we can dive right in with Chelsea this weekend. This is a massive game in the race for Champions League qualification and a win for us would be huge and could possibly sink Chelsea's chances of qualifying although they have an even bigger game with Newcastle to come.

Now there is encouraging team news coming out of the Chelsea camp today with the diving dog out with a "knee problem" although he's clearly being rested with Tuesday in mind. Not that it bother me. Drogba has an annoying record of scoring against us so with that in mind I'm glad to see him out. So instead our defence has to deal with Torres who is VERY slowly starting to score again, hopefully we can add to his torrid run of form by denying him a goal at the weekend. Along with that Chelsea are also without Luiz and and Ivanovic whose banned after his kidney punch a few weeks ago.

However we have our own problems. Arteta is out for the rest of the season sadly which leaves a gap in the midfield. Wilshere is also out for the rest of the seaon and probably the Euros (so much for back in March!), which worries me as this injury seems to be worse and worse as time goes by. Benayoun is also ineligible to face Chelsea. There is some positive news though, Koscielny returns after his ban, so Djourou will drop to the bench. Also in the defence Gibbs is expected to be back in at left back after picking up a knock. I also expect Gervinho will be back after featuring from the bench against Wigan.

So teams look something like this. Arsenal: SZCZ, Sagna, Kos, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Walcott, Song, Ramsey, Gervinho, Rosicky, RVP. A lot is being made of Ramsey slotting in to the midfield but we really have no choice. Now many of you will be aware I'm not a big fan of Ramsey at this current moment, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't get behind him. We're called supporters for a reason, however you look at it, he's going to play so we need to support him. I would genuinely love to see Ramsey score this weekend and shut me up.

 
Chelsea have the opportunity to rest players after 2 intensive games. So a few names may drop out but this is a huge game for them either way. The main thing is no Drogba which is a huge bonus for us.

i think this will be a tight game decided by 1 goal but I think we might just have too much for them after their last two games. If we come out firing, there's every chance we'll be celebrating at the end.

COYG!

Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea  

Aston Villa (H)

Wednesday was a huge win for us for more reasons that just 3 points. It was like the Arsenal of old, we scored early and defended our lead, really, really well. Koscielny was brilliant as was Song in getting back. But the standout player was Vermaelen who Ian Dowie said "was a different class". Aside from scoring he really showed why he's such a rated defender. It was a performance that we needed to give the defence some confidence. It looked to be the perfect night for us until Van der Vaart scored an annoying equaliser in the 90th minute of the yids game with Stoke but still, the result was enough to see us climb to 3rd our highest position of the season. 

We now have a run of games where we need to keep the pressure on Tottenham and Chelsea who rather conveniently play each other this weekend. I personally think the winner will end up 4th, but we shall see. Its really one of those games where any result works for us depending on how you look at it. Chelsea win, it pegs Tottenham back, Tottenham win it pegs Chelsea back and a draw gives us the opportunity to make some ground up on both of them. Of course this only applies if we beat Aston Villa.

Villa are a team who we always seem to have a problem with, they were the first team we played at the Emirates and it was a 1-1 draw. Aside from the cup comeback earlier in the season, they seem to have a decent run against us at home. But this season they have been all over the place and currently sit 15th. On top of that Darren Bent is out for the season (thank god) as is Fabian Delph, so hopefully we can turn it on and get 3 more points. Team news is pretty similar to Wednesday, I would expect a similar team to start but I have my suspicions that Ramsey may fall back to the bench given his poor run of form at the moment.

So Aston Villa, players to watch for are obviously Agbonlahor, Petrov, Ireland and N'Zogbia. They can be dangerous going forward but at the back they lack pace and I think that's where we'll get in behind them, its the sort of game where if Walcott plays as we know he can, he'll have a good game. The momentum that we have at the moment is great, we just need to keep it up.

Now I'm sure some of you are aware that we don't exactly have the best relationship with Villa fans, mainly because they're all wankers, but hopefully there's a good turn out and we really make some noise. COGY!

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa

Chelsea (A) match report

Firstly, I apologise to you for not posting a Chelsea build up and prediction, I just never got around to it this weekend so apologies for that. I'll be honest, I was gonna predict us to lose 2-1. At the half I had the score, at full time I was miles.

So the game kicked off and it was clear that no side had set out to defend. There were attacks at both ends and we looked wobbly in the defence. Chelsea had 2 or 3 great chances to open the scoring as we were carved open. Then with the miss of the game, the ball was slid across the box to Gervinho who missed from 6 yards. Moments later RVP skied the ball from 7 yards. Then Chelsea were clinical, Mata breezed past Santos who apart from scoring had a shit game, and crossed for Lampard. The prick had a grin on his face after that went in, 80 minutes later he was skulking off down the tunnel. 


The game was totally open and we engineered a chance or two, but the one that we needed came after 35 minutes. A beautiful ball from Ramsey through to Gervinho who unselfishly passed it across to RVP who had the simplest of finishes, 1-1. Chelsea then once again put the ball in the net, after again beating Santos who was a mess. But it was ruled out for offside and rightly so. 7 minutes later though, it was 2-1. Mertersacker beaten to the ball by John Terry who let it bounce off him and in, shocking defending. And that wrapped up the half.

As we kicked off for the second half, we came tearing out the blocks. Nothing could have prepared me for the second half. 3 minutes later Santos showed us that he should probably be a winger rather than a defender as Song slipped him in and he smashed it through Cechs legs. That drew us level and from there we never looked back. After 56 minutes of the game, we took the lead for the first time as Theo Walcott drove the ball home sending the 3,000 travelling Arsenal fans, me and my father into total hysteria. We dominated possession and battered Chelsea, but we sat back too much and they equalised 10 minutes from time. However Santos was blocked off by the lumbering Lukakalaka, whatever his name is. 

It was this point that I picked the wrong time to get a beer. I opened the fridge to hear my father go ballistic and hurl a barrage of abuse at John Terry that I won't repeat on here. I charged in to see the racist fall over and allow RVP to run on to it, round Cech and pass it in, once again cue hysteria. Its a goal that Arsenal fans will watch over and over again, and will spark YouTube edits with the cartoon banana slip noise. Chelsea threw men forward in an attempt to grab an equaliser, but this ended up being their undoing and with 2 minutes of added time remaining, the game was dead. Arsenal broke 4 v 2 the ball was passed to RVP who fizzed his shot into the Chelsea net after a weak hand from Cech, at this point I was prancing around the room like I used too when I was 10 and I watched us score any goal. Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal. Stamford Bridge was even quieter than normal and as usual the Arsenal end was making all the noise. The whistle went and as the Chelsea players drudged off, our players and fans celebrated with scenes that reminded me of 2004 at WHL.

A truly remarkable game of football. Who says top 4 games are boring eh? A good start to the weekend and I have a shit tonne of fantasy league points with RVP's hat trick and Walcott's addition. 

Till Monday, enjoy this weekend and brag horrendously on Monday!