Arsenal America

Charlton Manager Alan Curbishley has done such a fine job with the Addicks that rumors abound that he may get the open Spurs job. Well, if thats my reward I’d have none of that. Players and fans alike are pleading for the Charlton boss to stay and he has assured them he will, but it is nice to see him get some recognition that is overdue. With little or no real names, Curbishley has molded a club that is certian to survive and end around mid-table. Now he has moved in some talent, raised the game of some old reliables and poses a real threat to the Gunners.

The Addicks currently sit in 7th and have won their last 3. Strange as it may seem they have played much better on the road, 3-1-1, than at home 1-1-2 ,where the two teams will face off. They have only scored 5 and given away 9 on their home pitch and it may help against a side that just beat Blackburn on Monday.

Charlton are a more lively and faster crew than in years past. The midfield is still a weak point. To help, Matt Holland was brought in from Ipswich Town for a mere 750,000 pounds. A right good purchase it has been as he has captured the captain’s armband at times. He is a scoring threat, if given the go ahead to push up, and he is solid and reliable.

Perhaps the biggest change in the Addicks is in the forwards. Not known as a team to spend alot of money and buy scoring, they got Paulo Di Canio on the cheap. He is an intense workhorse sort of player with attempts at glitz. Players are talking of how his presence has already transformed the team’s game. When asked about scoring, the majority of opponents want to know, “Who’s this Lisbie kid?” The 25y/o Jamaican international cut through the Liverpool defense with ease, scoring a hat-trick in one of his only starts. So where’s he been? Back to the bench, as even this feat doesn’t knock Jonatan Johanssen out of his starting role. Dont forget Jason Euell! He victimized the Gunners for a couple in a 4-2 defeat of the Gunners at Highbury. Four quality players in the strike force is uncommon for the Addicks and it could cause trouble for a weakened Gunner backline.

I always have to mention GK Dean Kiely. Much like the Addicks game, he is never spectacular but never terrible. Consistant, tough and always reliable he has no problem barrelling through a group to get the ball. It’s not like he’s going to lose his hair or his teeth in a fracas, he’s doesn’t have any to begin with.

Curbishley usually changes the tactics of his team based on those of his opponent. These tactics evolve with the game and its hard to nail down just what we will see come Sunday. He is a players’ manager, who has developed a rapport with the players that makes them want to do well for him. The club is running with a new confidence that may prove a much tougher fight than we may think.

ArseAm predicts: We’ve jumped back on the bandwagon and are drinking the kool-aid. The Arsenal win 3-1.