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! 

Fulham (A)

After Tuesday's result we're left at the moment in a sort of limbo. It's out of our hands but due to cup games for others we'll be in the position come Sunday where we will have played 2 games more than Sp*rs. Whether we go into that 5 points ahead, 3 points ahead or 2 points ahead will entirely depend on how we perform against Fulham. I must admit, the Everton game was disappointing but we might get away with it if we pick up tomorrow.

Now Fulham are a team where if you look at the head-to-head it'll seem as if we dominate the fixture, at home this may be true, but away it's a different story and in recent seasons we've struggled to get 3 points at Fulham. This season Fulham are essentially where they end up most seasons, slap bang in the middle of the table. They took the game to us at the Emirates we only got away with a draw thanks to Giroud bagging a couple. There is no doubt we need a win this weekend with Man City heading to the lane.

Team news this evening has been slow to come out. A few players were in the line for tests to make sure they were fit. Wilshere again looked rusty on Tuesday but that is to be expected, rather worryingly is that Cazorla is also set for a test and if he doesn't make it through I'll be worried. Being hopefully though I think the team will be something like this: SZCZ, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Ramsey, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Gervinho, Giroud. It's possible that Gervinho may be replaced by Rosicky but I'm not sure he's fit.

Fulham have problems in the middle of park, so much so that Jol has recalled Alex Kacaniklic from his loan spell. Due to problems on the other side of the park Brian Ruiz was deployed on the right meaning that Berbatov had to sit behind Petric. No doubt that Fulhams main threat is Berbatov but Petric and Ruiz also pop up with goals here and there. Berbatov and Ruiz provide a physical side to Fulhams game.

That said on our day we should be able to overcome Fulham. But at this stage of the season there are no easy games and every 3 points counts and with the potential of Tottenham slipping up against City we need to make sure we've done our job and he pressure is on.

As the games begin to run down every win is crucial and with Robin van Rapist and co coming down next weekend we need to make tomorrows game count. COYG!

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Arsenal 

Everton (H)

Firstly apologies for missing the Norwich game at the weekend, these things happen from time to time and after being pestered I'm back tonight (mentioning no names). But we scrapped and scraped, got lucky and took our chances in the second half and came away with a big 3 points to lift us up to 3rd. That puts us a point ahead of Chelsea who have a game in hand and a point ahead of Tottenham who have played the same number of games which puts our position in our hands.

Tonight however we face the in form team in the league in an Everton side still with a slight chance of making the top 4 and if they beat us tonight they'll be right back in it. Arguably this match is more important than the United match in a couple of weeks. If we win it puts us in a great position going into the final run in.

The manager has decisions to make tonight. Fabianski took a kick to the ribs at the weekend and may miss out which would see SZCZ return between the sticks. Mertesacker has served his ban and should return to partner Koscielny at the back. Monreal is also back in contention after colliding with the post against Reading. Further up the field Rosicky is back but Wilshere could be in the starting line up. Walcott impressed at the weekend and I think he'll get the nod ahead of Gervinho. Podolski who scored at the weekend I think will be benched sadly. I think the team will be something like: SZCZ, Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Walcott, Cazorla, Giroud.

Everton I think will continue with the line up that beat QPR at the weekend. This means that the big guns will be in Moyes team so we'll have to watch out for the likes of Fellaini, Anichebe, Mirallas, Pienaar etc. The defence will have to be on form as Everton have both pace and power.

We picked up a valuable point against them at Goodison we really need to go one better tonight to put ourselves in the best position to finish in the top 4. A win tonight would put us 4 points clear of the Chavs and the Spuds and both have tricky games coming up including a vital match against each other.

A huge game tonight however you look at it, but big games bring big rewards. COYG!

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Everton  

West Bromwich Albion (A)

They say there are no easy victories in football, however Reading on Saturday was an easy victory. I was very pleased with the performance the team put in against Reading and although the look no more than a Championship team we made them look that bad with out very tidy performance. Now many people will be fully aware that I am no fan of Gervinho and when although I suspected he'd start, I could feel the universal disappointment at the Emirates when his name was read out.

However he played his socks off at the weekend and although we saw the man who can slip past 2 defenders before blazing the ball over the bar, we saw glimpses of what he really cant do, his goal was a tap in but fair play to him for seeing it. But the stand out moment for me was when Sagna (who was superb) lifted the ball over the top of the midfield and Gerv charged onto it. He was on his own against 3 defenders but held the ball well, drew them all in and then slid it across for Giroud who drilled the ball in. There were a lot of really good performances, Cazorla was unreal as were all the midfield actually. Fabianski had a good game and it was good to see Giroud getting back amongst the goals.

I'd also like to touch on the fantastic display of support on the 7th minute of the match for a man who graced our number 7 until his very premature death. David Rocastle was a fan favourite at Arsenal and with a unique blend of flair and power he was exciting to watch and a very effective player. Sadly on March 31st 2001 David lost his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma aged just 31 and will always be sorely missed, but will never be forgotten. 

Anyway that game is gone and we need to keep our momentum in the run is as Chelsea slipped up against Southampton. Tomorrow is going to be an odd game. We play West Brom who are by all means a decent team and will be very hard to beat but on the flip side of that, they have nothing to play for. They're sitting comfortably in mid table and aside from a Europa League place will go nowhere. That said they will still provide a stern test for our team who are still battling for a place amongst Europe's elite next season, and although people will say the run in is with us, we have to do our job before we count on others.

Team news for us is looking positive, although we are still without Jack and Theo, they are aiming to be available for selection next weekend. After colliding with the post and going on against Reading, Monreal is available which is good because although Gibbs came on to replace him its clear he isn't quite ready just yet. So with this in mind I think the team will be identical to the one that started against Reading. Fabianksi, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Gervinho, Cazorla, Giroud.

West Brom have a strong team and with Lukaku upfront on loan from Chelsea having bagged 13 of their goals this season. After Odenwingie's antics on deadline day he hasn't been selected (surprise, surprise). Brunt will sit in the gap behind Lukaku and they will have threat from Morrison too. They are however without the powerhouse Mulumbu in the middle which may give us the edge to to run the game from the middle of the park.
 
West Brom are a tricky team to beat but if we want to keep our charge for the top four on track they are a team we have to beat. On our day when the Arsenal play in the way we all know they can we should be beating West Brom but sadly we all know Arsenal far too well to expect this to be a bump free ride, we do like to make things hard for ourselves.

Until next time. COYG!

Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Arsenal

Reading (H)

Finally after a dull international break we return to proper footballing action this weekend and we continue our chase for a top 4 spot against Reading at home. This won't be an easy game.

Firstly we have a few doubts over the game this weekend, Gibbs is struggling with an illness so Monreal will fill in at left back. Walcott is out with a groin problem and Wilshere is out as a precautionary measure. But the really heartbreaking new came from Abou Diaby who will be out for eight to nine months with an anterior cruciate injury. Nobody deserves his luck. Sadly for him I fear this could end his career at Arsenal.

When Diaby first appeared on the scene his potential was clear and if he hadn't been hampered by injury he would have been one of the best midfielders in the world, make no mistake. After THAT tackle he didn't really seem the same player, then at the beginning of this season I really thought he might be back to his best then after that injury against Chelsea he lost it again. I really feel for the bloke who seems very genuine. As it was well put by 7amKickOff:

"Dan Smith made three appearances for Sunderland, one in which he ruined a career"

It really is that black and white, I wish Diaby a speedy recovery none the less and I really, really hope he proves me wrong.

None the less the show must go on and with all the injury news etc. I would expect Wenger to keep the same back line and although Podolski is back and available I can't help but feel Arsene will go with Gervinho on the left. I think the Arsenal team will be like this: Fab, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Ramsey, Arteta, Cazorla, Alex OC, Gervinho, Giroud. 

Now on paper this is a game we should win but matches aren't played on paper and Reading are scrapping for their lives and they of course have a new manager. We have to go out there and want this win. It looks as if Reading will start with Pogrebnyak upfront on his own with McAnuff just behind him. Along with this they also have Robson-Kanu on the wing who can be a pain on his day.

Reading are a team that are very capable of playing good football and as I said they are fighting for their lives and of course we have the new manager effect to deal with but of course we should dispatch them and keep our chase for the top 4 on track, especially as the scum have a potentially tricky trip to the Liberty to deal with.

So 9 games to go and everything still very much to play for, let's keep on track COYG! 

Jovetic to Arsenal? International boredom

It's been a while since I've posted having missed our very tidy victory against Swansea which has been followed up by the international break which has been as dull as ever. A few Arsenal players scored for their countries, one Arsenal player has been injured whilst away with his country, the usual stuff really.

We'll start with the injury and it appears that Theo Walcott has suffered a strain training with England and played no part in the 8-0 mauling over San Marino. He will play no part tonight either and he's a big doubt for the weekends clash with Reading at the Emirates. With Wilshere also a doubt it could be a very interesting midfield that is fielded on Saturday. Now the Arsenal site has Podolski up as injured before the Swansea match yet he played 71 minutes for Germany last week so make of that what you will.

Now as always when the internationals roll into town the rumour mill has started churning away. The Jovetic to Arsenal rumours have been around for some time yet and just when you thought that one had died a death, the Sun (I know) has quoted Jovetic himself as saying:

"I have an affinity with Arsenal. It's a major club with a big tradition, one of the biggest in Europe."

I'm still very skeptical about whether a move for him was ever on the cards or quite frankly ever will be. If you want to hope though you can watch him take to the field when England play Montenegro tonight.

There are other strenuous links around at the moment linking us with Diego Costa but as it's fairly obvious we need a striker it's going to be a long summer with us being linked with every forward who's scored this season. 

I'm going to spare a few words for our youngsters who beat CSKA Moscow in the NextGen Series last night, a fantastic achievement and they should all be very proud of themselves. They've set up a very tasty looking semi-final with Chelsea. This has all produced the question however of when will we see any of this success in the first team? It's a question that just highlights how difficult it is to make it in this sport. 

When I played football, I played just off a young lad who had plenty of talent and was easily the best player in our squad. Three times he was picked up by scouts and after spells at Fulham, Chelsea and a two year spell at City he has yet to make a name for himself on the scene and very sadly for him, I doubt he ever will. Then at school, two lads were scouted, one a goalkeeper who was actually signed by Charlton, then dropped and he has now given up on his career in football. The path to becoming a professional is littered with players who just never quite made the grade. 

But there you go, that's football lets hope that our lads can go all the way! Until Friday have a good week.

Bayern Munich (A)

After 10 days without an Arsenal match, we play in one of the most pointless games. We travel to take on the might of Bayern Munich with a weakened team. Quite frankly right now the only thing we should be focusing on is the league and we have some big games coming up. I can understand what Wenger is saying that if we could grab a win it would boost confidence but I really can't see it. 

We go into the game knowing that Wilshere is out for around 3 weeks. The news on him seems to be that he will miss this weekend and the internationals but we're hopeful he'll be back when we take on Reading at home. I really hope that it only is 3 weeks because Wilshere has been the engine in midfield and without him we are certainly a weaker team. Along with Wilshere we're without Sagna which means Jenkinson will be on the right. Podolski took to twitter to say he has an "annoying" problem which may explain why we've seen so little of the dangerous German recently. In terms of on the left we may have Gibbs back which would be a real boost. Bizarrely SZCZ is out tonight, Wenger has said that he needs a rest "mentally". Make of that what you will. So my guess tonight is: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Cazorla, Arteta, Ramsey, Alex OC, Walcott, Giroud.

The news from the German camp is that they will be without Robben and Ribery for tonight not that it makes much difference as their team has quality throughout. They're better than us in every area of the pitch and I think maybe only Wilshere would get into their team. I'm not going to go into their threats we all know who they are.

To get a result tonight is a mammoth task and you wont find many punters backing us to score at least 3 there. They have the most sound defence in the Bundesliga and to stick 1 past them there, let alone 3 will tonight be too much.

Prediction: Bayern 2-0 Arsenal