We got out first look at what seemed to be a strong team this afternoon as Arsenal breezed past a City team that never really got going. Arsenals line up included 3 of our 4 new signings: Chambers, Debuchy and Sanchez.
Throughout the first half Arsenal were the only side in it. The slick passing game was causing the inexperienced City defence problems. In the middle of the park the gunners bossed the play, preventing Toure and co. from getting going. Then the deadlock was broken. Sanogo played the ball along the front of the box and as Boyata flattened Ramsey the ball fell to the Spaniard Cazorla who flashed the ball past Caballero to put us 1 up.
20 minutes later Ramsey got in on the Wembley action, Sanogo again held the ball up well and slid it across to Ramsey. After a deft touch to lift the ball over the leg of Nastacic, Aaron fired the ball across Caballero again to make it 2-0. City got slightly better in the second half and Arsenal brought on 3 players: Giroud, the OX and Monreal. Sanchez, Koscielny and Sanogo made way. As Arsenal played their way back into control of the midfield the ball broke to Giroud who after teeing up a shot, crashed it past the City keeper from all of 25 yards. A truly great goal which rounded off a very nice performance.
Of course theres little point reading into this game as both sides were without key players, it appears that the only issue is that Koscielny has a minor Achilles problem and may miss the season opener against Palace. Aside from that there were brilliant performances from Chambers who I actually thought should have been MOTM and Debuchy. Considering Alexis Sanchez is still not fully ready according to Wenger he certainly looks like a very exciting player and I can't wait to see him properly this season.
In other news Thomas Vermaelen has left the club for Barcelona. I can't say I'm surprised but it still saddens me a little to think we're letting him go. However the captain featured very few times last season and for a player like himself he needs game time. Whether he'll get that in Catalonia I'm not sure but fair do's to him. He conducted himself phenomenally well over the last couple of difficult seasons for him and his message to the Arsenal fans and family was pure class:
After 5 years at Arsenal
- and the last 2 years a proud captain too - it's time for me to move
on. The club, the team, the fans, the manager, the staff and other
employees, you all made me feel at home at both the training ground and
the Emirates Stadium. It was a wonderful
time and I feel blessed I've had the opportunity to be a part of such a
great club. There have been so many wonderful games and experiences,
with lifting the FA Cup as an absolute highlight. I would like to thank
you all for your support, it was a huge honour to be a Gunner!
I wish Thomas all the best at Barcelona because a player of his quality and class deserves to play at the highest level for as long as possible. Wenger said earlier in the window is Tommy V left that he'd bring in a replacement so let's hope he does just that. Until next weekend when the Premier League season kicks off, have a great week.
This is my first post in a while and after a bumpy spell against Everton, City and Chelsea we bounced back nicely against West Ham on Boxing Day and due to Liverpools defeat at City we returned to the top of the table after a few days off it only to be knocked off it today by City.
It was a solid performance against West Ham aside from maybe not taking more chances. Cazorla was brilliant and was unlucky not to nick a goal. Walcott and Podolski also played well and it was great to see both on the score sheet. Hopefully we can kick on from this and continue in our current vain.
With Chelsea taking on Liverpool tomorrow we have to chance to make up a few points on them at least and if we were to win we'd leapfrog City into top spot. However we travel to Newcastle where last season aside we don't have a fantastic recent record. Along with that Newcastle have been playing well recently and it won't be an easy match. Taking 3 points would be a huge result as the fixtures bunch up now and this is second match we have in 10 days.
The bad news coming out of the camp is that Aaron Ramsey is out for the rest of the Christmas period with a thigh strain. It is hopeful Koscielny will be back after a minor issue but I think Vermealen has stepped in well when needed so I'm not too concerned about that. I think the boss will rotate in the middle but I'm not sure how. We have the options and unless fatigue is a problem I think Cazorla will retain his place. Podolski gives us an option from the bench and Walcott should start.
Newcastle have Tiote back after a spell out and we all know what he can do when he feels the moment. Ben-Arfa is also back despite only appearing from the bench in their last outing I have a feeling he'll start against us. Remy and Ameobi make up their strike force. We all know that this team can do some damage but only if we let them play. If we shut them out and get an early goal there is no reason why we shouldn't go on to win it. I can't see it being that straight forward myself but who knows.
This is a vital game in this busy period and they are a team in form so it won't be easy but if we play like we can, we can get a result. COYG!
Well in my last post which was over a month ago, I said if we signed any new players I'd keep you updated and surprise surprise the season is about to kick off and we haven't signed anyone. We haven't even spent a penny. Whilst we have cleared the deadwood getting shot of Gervinho, Chamakh and others we have left our squad threadbare and there was a lot of talk of how we'd cope with injuries...
But of course this wouldn't be the start of the season without us having a mountain of injuries. The main one that has been reported today is that Mikel Arteta looks to be out for up to 6 weeks with a thigh problem. Add him to Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen along with long term Abou Diaby and we're looking pretty thin as it is.
It just doesn't make any sense to get rid of 25+ players and not to bring in replacements. For a man of Wenger's intelligence and whatever you think of him there's no doubt he's not dumb, I don't understand what he was thinking. I don't buy the whole "we tried but they didn't happen" story, if every other club can manage it then so can we with our ever growing "war chest". Watching the managers press-conference he has said that "we will be active in the transfer market...we are looking more for quality than for numbers, we would like 2/3 players, if possible more".
Anyway on the plus side football is finally returning tomorrow and we kick off at home against Aston Villa, a side that I would say have had a good summer. They've tied Benteke down and held on to Wiemann whilst adding to their side. we have a fit side apart from the injuries highlighted above. Sagna and Ramsey are fit to play after reports suggesting that they had picked up knocks. The boss confirmed that Per Mertesacker will captain the team this weekend which is an interesting choice, the quiet German and a player who upon closer analysis appears to have had a bit of a ropey pre-season being pulled out of position a few times.
I think we'll go for something like: SZCZ, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Wilshere, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Cazorla, Giroud. I think Rosicky will step into the gap and lead the midfield attack with Jack and Aaron behind. Or Cazorla may lead the attack with someone shifting over to the left. I think a focal point of our attack will be Walcott running diagonally behind the defence and if we link up its a very effective point of attack.
Obviously threats from Villa will be Wiemann and Benteke. Our defence will need to be strong in the air to keep the big Belgian out of the frame. Of course Agbonlahor is a player that we shouldn't overlook either. I think this could be a big a game for Mertesacker who I'm certain will be marking Benteke. Villa are sharp on the counter too so our pacey players will need to track back.
It's difficult to predict a the first game of the season, but based on our promising pre-season I'm quietly optimistic. Until next time COYG!
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
So after two tough, well earned wins in the league, we return to FA cup action. Now there is no doubt that this cup represents our best chance of any silverware this season but Wenger has made it clear that it is not his priority. So with that in mind I think we might see a fair bit of rotation from the team that took on Sunderland.
It looks as if Koscielny will still be out of action this weekend. Wilshere has more of a chance but that kick he took to his thigh may see him miss out yet again. I can't really see Wilshere participating against Blackburn bearing in mind we have Bayern Munich mid week. It's more positive on the Vermaelen front he seems to be more likely to take part and should be in the squad. I expect we'll start with something like: SZCZ, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Monreal, Ramsey, Diaby, Rosicky, Alex OC, Gervinho, Giroud.
I'm not going to lie I don't know much about the Blackburn squad. The obvious threats are Jordan Rhodes and David Goodwillie but I'm sure the side contain others. Kazim-Richards I'm sure can still give defences problems and there's no doubt this team will no roll over. That said they're a division below us and I fully expect us to beat them, but the team will have to earn the victory. Should Rosicky start I think we'll have plenty of strength going forward. He drives the team forward and takes players with him. He's a player I really like and when he gets firing, he scores and gets assists.
If Wenger does name a team similar to the one I named up there then it will present some players with chances to impress. Gervinho has just returned from the ACoN and he will have to go out and try to prove that he has got what it takes to compete for a place in this team.
This is a game that I think we should win. But as always with Arsenal we like to make things hard for ourselves and of course these gambles with the team in the past have failed. A win would give us some real momentum going into the Munich game midweek. COYG!
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Blackburn
After breezing past Coventry, Arsene may have a few things to think about before selecting his squad for the visit of the racists from West London. Stand out performances from Walcott and of all people Arshavin may give him a few options to consider. Arshavin who seemed to do nothing bit jog and stand still managed to get a goal, win a penalty and get 3 possibly 4 assists?! He's always been a game changer or a flop really. If he is included then down a wing isn't really viable in my opinion as he doesn't track back like Poldi. Arshavin ideal role would be striker or possible CAM, where he's not relied on to get back.
Walcott played well which only reinforces my view that he should be in the team ahead of other players (Gervinho), but for some reason, whether it's to do with his ongoing contract talks who knows, Wenger just doesn't play him first choice. His performance has thrust him into contention none the less and Wenger has some decisions to make. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain also scored a screamer of a goal and will be in with a shout. Of course the most important goal was that of a certain Olivier Giroud who clipped it over the on-rushing goalkeeper. After breaking his duck and me thinking here comes the confidence he promptly had a penalty saved...make of that what you will.
Anyway this weekends game is yet another huge test for us, Chelsea are a team that personally I would have as favourites for the title this year. They were shaky against Stoke but overall their quality has seen them come this far unbeaten. Our record against Chelsea is a bit all over the shop, it's Antone's guess really. What I will say though, is they're unbeaten, we're unbeaten, but we are far from something giving. It's early in the season and both teams would probably take a draw given it now. But I do think there will be goals.
We have no new injury worries and we see the return of Vermaelen after missing out last week with a virus. This gives Wenger a tough decision out of the 3 centre backs, Mertesacker has been a different class this season, Vermaelen the same and Koscielny also played very well last week. I think we'll see him remain with Mert and TV5 for this match. I would also expect Gervinho (sigh) to start upfront after Giroud's run around midweek. The right wing is an interesting call though with Ramsey, Walcott and Alex OC all potential fits. I would expect Wenger to go with the Ox however. So here we go: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Alex OC, Cazorla, Podolski, Gervinho.
As far as I know Chelsea have no injury worries either, Lampard is fit but I'm not entirely sure he'll start. Terry WILL play whilst considering whether to appeal the FA's decision. Obviously with a squad like Chelsea's all players are dangerous but Hazard, Mata and Torres would be the 3 I'd want to watch out for (yes Torres). It will make for a very interesting game to see how hard Chelsea press forward at this early stage in the season.
So all in all it's anyone's guess really. It should be an entertaining match none the less. COYG!
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea
