Well I can't say I'm surprised that we're out of the Champions League. We had it all to do and when that ugly German Schweinsteiger scored in the 54th minute the tie was all but over. Podolski scored a quite superb goal moments later to make the scoreline respectable on the night but it was just too much. Ah well onward and upwards as they say.
Tomorrow is the game that all die hard fans and away scheme members look for when the fixtures are released. A game that can quite literally change a season. The North London derby is our match, our chance to get one over on our nearest neighbours. But more than that a win tomorrow could kick us on into the final few stages of the season. If we win tomorrow we'll be 9 points clear of 5th placed Tottenham incidentally with a game in hand, meaning if all goes well when the fixtures level out we could have a 12 point lead over 5th. Not completely sewn up but so close.
Along with that we're entering our dreaded run where we play Spurs, Chelsea, Swansea (due to cup success), City and Everton between now and April 6th. In these games every win is vital and every point dropped could be the difference. I'd like to say this is a good time to play Tottenham in their current run but in a derby they'll be right up for it to turn it around. They have problems at the back and a few other players who could miss out, but we're hardly at full strength with the news revealed that Ramsey has suffered yet another set back and Ozil is out for up to 6 weeks.
In terms of our team Oxlade-Chamberlain is in contention with starting and with the way he's played recently I really think it's a no brainer. He adds pace and drive to the team which tomorrow could do some serious damage. Cazorla should start and then in the middle we have decisions. I think le boss will go with Rosicky due to experience and he does like a goal against Tottenham. That said he could change things around to include Podolski who I'm sure has a big role to play yet this season. Gibbs is however a doubt which means we could play Monreal there. Kallstrom is fit but I doubt this is an apt time for his debut.
This is a huge game as not only is it a derby but it has connotations for the league too as I mentioned up there. A big performance today and we'll be as prepared as we can for a difficult run. A loss and we'll be hammered in the media and questions will be asked. Let's hope for the former. COYG!
Showing posts with label derby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label derby. Show all posts
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Friday, 16 November 2012
Tottenham Hotspur (H)
If you haven't read it already I've already digested and analysed the Fulham match so I won't prattle on about it. Tomorrow is the match that we all look for when the fixtures come out, it's a match where the team that wants it more normally comes out on top. Neither of us have had a particularly flying start to the season but this is the match that could see either one kick off and pick up some form.
The good news from an Arsenal perspective is that there is a chance that SZCZ will return to the side along with Walcott and Alex OC. I think we'll see Szczesny return tomorrow after he was on the bench against Fulham. Mannone has filled in, but there is no doubt in my mind that SZCZ is number 1. I really hope Walcott is fit to start because he gives us pace down the wing and we look more of a threat when he plays. If not Alex OC also provides pace and power on the wing, which I think we desperately need at the moment.
Other good news for us is that Dembele is definitely out who in my opinion is by far their most creative player. There are doubts over Defoe and Lennon. I think Lennon will make it but Defoe is touch and go. I'd like to see Defoe out because although Adebayor provides a threat of his own, Defoe is on form and scoring goals. When I look at the back line I see Gallas as the weak link, he's old, slow and not to mention a wanker. I think he could be our entrance to the Spurs box.
There is no doubt tomorrow is a huge game for both teams, not to mention a win for us would put us above them in the table. I have no doubt there will be goals. It should be an exciting match. COME ON ARSENAL!!
Prediction: Arsenal 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur
The good news from an Arsenal perspective is that there is a chance that SZCZ will return to the side along with Walcott and Alex OC. I think we'll see Szczesny return tomorrow after he was on the bench against Fulham. Mannone has filled in, but there is no doubt in my mind that SZCZ is number 1. I really hope Walcott is fit to start because he gives us pace down the wing and we look more of a threat when he plays. If not Alex OC also provides pace and power on the wing, which I think we desperately need at the moment.
Other good news for us is that Dembele is definitely out who in my opinion is by far their most creative player. There are doubts over Defoe and Lennon. I think Lennon will make it but Defoe is touch and go. I'd like to see Defoe out because although Adebayor provides a threat of his own, Defoe is on form and scoring goals. When I look at the back line I see Gallas as the weak link, he's old, slow and not to mention a wanker. I think he could be our entrance to the Spurs box.
There is no doubt tomorrow is a huge game for both teams, not to mention a win for us would put us above them in the table. I have no doubt there will be goals. It should be an exciting match. COME ON ARSENAL!!
Prediction: Arsenal 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur
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