There seems to be a lot of mutual loving going on, RVP praising Mr Hiddink, Mr Hiddick praising Andrei Arshavin, Frank Lampard praising the AFC club pies, et cetera. Certainly since the childlike and petulant Mourinho left Chelsea their managers have behaved in a much more appropriate and less disrespectful manner towards other clubs.
Ou major concern is obviously our defence. On the positive it is rumoured that Djourou may be back fairly soon, within a couple of weeks with luck, the bad news is rather more copious. Gibbs may well miss out due to a minor groin injury, I doubt Arsene will risk him given the consequences of turning it into a more serious strain that may put him out for a longer period of time. Clichy's rather strange absence continues, while Sagna is touch and go following a bit of a snuffle, Gallas is obviously out for the season as well. If Sagna is fit then it's looking likely that he'll switch to left back with Eboue continuing in his natural right back slot. If Sagna is unfit, then we may see Song at centre back, Silvestre at left back and Diaby into the midfield.
I've watched a fair bit of the Chavs this season. Their main threat will come from Drogba and in the air from set pieces, they do not have the greatest of width in their side, especially without Joe Cole whose brains are missed far less that his jinking runs. The likes of Ivanovic, Terry and Carvalho are all threats from corners and free kicks, while Drogba can be completely undefendable if he can be arsed to turn up. Strangely Mikel Silvestre is not a bad player to bring in against them, he may struggle more against an Anelka than a Drogba, but aerial play is not his weakness, his sluggish lack of pace is.
I can't predict this one, Lawro thinks he can but then again he continues to wear a small rat shaped object on his upper lip, one should certainly not trust a northerner sporting such distasteful facial items. Elsewhere David Moyes has had some interesting stuff to say on the rather strange appointment of Mike Riley at the last minute for their game against Manure, it does appear more than coincidence that the rat like Riley gets appinted to so many Manure games at the last minute, is he a Manure fan and does he spend any of his free time perching on Lawro's lip?
11 comments:
our lack of defenders is now a real concern.
Unbelievable. Everton have no chance now. I can't put a number to the amount of poor decisions I've seen Riley make in favor of Man U over the years. And not just insignificant decisions, but major, game-changing decisions.
Riley is a disgrace and his blatant philanthropy to Man U has become apparent to anyone who has witnessed his performances over the years.
We really are playing well! We played a good pace, running with intensity and they gave us a lot of difficulties. Best wishes, Daniel.
Riley is a ManU fan. It is well known in the media, hence the question that was put to Moyes. His appointment is classic FA, and given how poor he was in the last game he reffed for us (I think it was Hull) in which his incompetence was truly appalling, I don't even see how he ranks as a "TOP" ref anyway.
The back 5 are fucked, but so what. There is nothing we can do now, so we have to hope that Toure plays out of his skin. Our bad luck has recently been tempered by some good luck, so we have to take the rough with the smooth. All the players in the back 4 have experience, and should be able to perform professionally.
The key, till the injured return, is to not let the ball be turned over too easily up the park. When in possession we need to keep it and use it. As a result, Ade's first touch must be on form today. Defend from the front, and by not giving them the ball. Simples.
I just hope we are able to convert any decent chances we get today. I wouldn't mind seeing Eduardo play. But that is harsh on Ade and RVP who have both helped in our recent good results.
I am concerned about defending against Drogba. If he doesn't win the ball by overpowering his opponent, he goes to ground easily to win free kicks in dangerous areas. The other one that worries me is Essien. What a player he is. Who do we have that can match his power, enthusiasm and drive? Someone has to battle him and nullify his threat so that we can create chances.
Song has to be the man to do that today I think. And Toure/Silverstre need to tag team Drogba. One tight on him, the other nipping in to take the ball.
I don't know, sorry about the waffling today. I'm nervous. I really want this one.
Come on lads! Come on the Arsenal! No room for half measures today. Stuff those chavs!
This just crossed my mind, so I thought I would ask:
why is our match v. 'Poo on Tuesday? Wednesday would be significantly more ideal.
Starting XI: Fabianski, Eboue, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Walcott, Fabregas, Diaby, Denilson, Van Persie, Adebayor.
Subs: Mannone, Nasri, Vela, Ramsey, Song Billong, Arshavin, Bendtner
What the???? No Song in the starting line up? Arshavin AND Nasri on the bench? What is Mr. Wenger playing at?
I hope he looks like a genius in the end. But I am genuinely perplexed and skeptical...
Match just ended. I'm not gutted. I am disappointed, but I somewhat expected this result.
Just a few observations (I should probably wait until later but I'll try to be even-tempered).
1. Strange starting line-up. Not sure what made Mr. Wenger do this.
2. Throughout the match (and many matches earlier this season) it appeared to me like too many of our players were looking at others to make something happen instead of being winners and stepping up.
3. Diaby was too casual. I thought he might be up for this one since it's a big occasion. And he has the ability to terrorize when he is in the mood. But he was mostly a passenger.
4. Denilson made several poor decisions. He seems like a decent lad and I don't question his desire. But I really don't feel he has enough ability to fill the requirements that we need in our players in order to get back to the top. I especially didn't like it when we surrounded the ref and Denilson pushed him.
5. Adebayor wasn't winning any headers when we hoofed it forward. Terry and Alex are tough to beat in the air. But at 6'-5, I expect Ade to win a few. That said, he needed help up front. Around 70 minutes, it was apparent to everyone that we needed to bring on a second striker to help Ade and tip the control of the match in our favor. I disagree with Mr. Wenger's decision to bring on Bendtner for Ade. He should have partnered the two of them at that stage. I won't say anymore about that decision as to avoid offending anyone that cannot tolerate criticism towards our manager other than to say that it doesn't shock me as Mr. Wenger has made numerous appalling tactical decisions over the years.
6. We had no choice but to start with Eboue in this match. And he has been doing alright recently so it didn't really worry me. But he was a liability today. He kept coming in too far central, rather than containing the flank. He does this when he plays RM as well. He floats too much. He has oodles of athleticism but is devoid of intelligence. If he was just a bit brighter he could be a star. With that said, I sincerely want us to part company with him. I can be a harsh critic, and I don't like that side of me. But Eboue makes more detrimental contributions than he does helpful ones. For this alone, he needs to be cut loose.
7. Fabianski was as poor today as he was solid against Villareal. Again, I was not concerned before the match about him playing. But he really should have done better and he cost us the match today.
8. Walcott, Toure and Gibbs were all good today in my opinion. Well done to them. Not sure what to think about Silvestre's performance. I'm not ready to slate him, but he was beat by Drogba for the second goal. RVP and Cesc weren't involved as much as I'd hope but I blame alot of that on our tactics. Arshavin and Nasri didn't have enough time to produce or the right system to give them opportunities.
9. Maybe I'm wrong but it feels like we threw this match. Not in the same degree as v. Man U last season. But there is a hint of not really going for it, in my mind.
So it goes. It's a downer for the rest of the day and down the road, I'll look back at this with regret for what might have been.
Rhino, I agree with you except for point 6 - Eboue was actually one of our better players today.
Wenger takes full responsibility today - he started with 4-5-1 and it didn't work. He then didn't change it and kept Song and Arshavin on the bench. Wrong, wrong wrong. He fucked up. I'm pissed off. Over and out. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!
well said Rhino, only just read your comments and I agree with pretty much everything you said.
we never play well sorry
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