Oct 30
With the Blades looking distinctly blunt at the moment - 19th in the second division and falling - this is a great opportunity for Wenger’s other batch of Youngsters to dish out a pasting in the style.
Admittedly, Sheffield beat us 1-0 last season thanks to a moment of Lehmanic impulsiveness, but they also had to resort to various nasty unpunished tricks like punching VanP in the stomach.
This year, as we all know, we can deal with the physical stuff. So, yes, it is another grim, cold, probably wet, Up North kick-fest — think Liverpool with no class - but with Denilson, Diarra, Diaby, Bendtner etc. all raring to showing their stuff, I predict we can romp this 3-1.
Over to you tacticians…
35 Responses to “Sheffield United”
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October 30th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
I was happy to see this team relegated last season. They rose through the ranks as one of my most-hated Arsenal opponents in part because of the match you mentioned.
Here’s hoping the Gunners give them a proper pasting!
October 30th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
i think arsene should put lehmann in goal this time around to give him a chance. if he let another blunder in, it should be the end of his arsenal days…
i am looking forward to seeing diarra play. i guess the reason wenger haven’t used him in the previous games is because he is adjusting diarra’s style…
and of course gilberto too. he will prove himself worthy to stay at arsenal. and we do need him to stay as toure and eboue will leave for the african nations cup. his experience will be a plus.
for yound guns, where is denilson? couldn’t even make the bench? well, i would like to see him too tomorrow night.
my xi for 2moro…
lehmann
j. hoyte, diarra, gilberto, traore
eboue, song, denilson, diaby
walcott, bendtner
October 30th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I’m hoping AW plays some of the heralded youth stars like Fran Merida and Havard Nordeveit. My starting eleven for tomorrow:
Fabianski
J. Hoyte, Song, Gilberto, Traore
Diarra
Walcott, Denilson, Diaby
Bendtner, Eduardo
Subs
G.Hoyte, Nordeveit, Eboue, Merida, Landsbury
October 30th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
The thing I remember the most about last year’s game was the cow pasture they called a pitch up there in Sheffield. It was a discraceful surface on which to play prem football.
And, this is the club that feels they got cheated out of staying up because of all the potentially shady signings by West Ham last year. True or not, legal or illegal, I’m glad West Ham stayed up rather than the Blades.
BBC reports that Vito Mannone will be on the bench for Arsenal.
I think Fabianski should be in goal and not Lehmann - the latter’s self-inflicted stupidity wound isn’t earning him any points with anybody.
I want to see Bendtner and Denilson and Eduardo and Diarra in this match for some quality time.
And, no injuries, please!
October 30th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Bert’s back.
Provisional Arsenal squad to face Sheffield United:
Fabianski, J Hoyte, Toure, Song, Traore, Eboue,
Denilson, Diarra, Diaby, Walcott, Bendtner, Mannone,
Gilberto, Eduardo, Lansbury, G Hoyte, Merida.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Havard is injured, won’t play.
Would like to see this team:
Fabianski
Hoyte-Song-Gilberto-Traore
Walcott-Denilson-Diarra-Diaby
Bendtner-Eduardo
Five or six of them can challenge for first-team places and some may even get a game in the Champions League next week. All to play for. The squad is very strong and looks as good as any other in the Premiership.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Lehman wont play again for Arsenal, he’ll be off to ‘Citeh in January. Fab (the Polish one) is rated as Polands next top goalkeeper, I’m not convinced….but then I haven’t really seen him play. I’ve got a feeling if Lehman goes another established goalkeeper will come in, West Hams Green…possibly in a swap with Lehman if Citeh falls through? I like Almunia (not the yellow barnet) but I dont think he’s the best out there, good, solid, but not the next Jennings - Wilson - Seamen. This is a great squad….I feel like I’m nit picking so I’ll stop!
October 30th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/23713/Morgan-Arsenal-need-to-grow-up
Check this out (above link):
apparently Sheff Utd Chris Morgan (remember him? a ruby player who pretended to be a footballer) is still upset about Arsenal players didn’t shake his hand….. ONE YEAR ago….
and he is telling Arsenal’s kids to GROW UP.
Well, I wonder who is the one really needs to grow up?
October 30th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Thanks for the Morgan link. I particularly enjoyed his notion of football where “You pit your wits against the player you are playing against.”
This is the sneaky thug who was banned for 3 games for smacking VanP in the ribs! Very mature.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Not only should Bendtner start tomorrow, he needs to start seeing more playing time in general. His physicality in the box is something Arsenal simply don’t get from anyone else in the striking corps. Every time he gets in, he moves bodies around and gets shots, as well as helping to create opportunities.
I am still a firm believer in RvP’s skills and talent, but unfortunately he’s not the sturdiest of chaps. Adey can make things happen, but while he’s scrappy, he just doesn’t have the same warrior mentality that I keep seeing from Bendtner.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
With the squad at hand we would probably start:
Fabianski
J Hoyte - Toure - Song - Traore
Diarra - Denilson - Gilberto - Diaby
Walcott - Bendtner
Sub: Mannone, G Hoyte, Merida, Landsbury, Eduardo
October 30th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
I would not risk Toure in this game. My starting 11 would be -
Fabianski
Hoyte Gilberto Song Traore
Walcott Denilson Diarra Diaby
Bendtner Eduardo
Eduardo needs to start scoring soon and I hope it can be tonight.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
While I sympathize with both Gilberto and Lehmann, I don’t think we can let either leave in Jan.
If Lehmann leaves, we are left with Almunia, Fabianski and Mannone. How are we going to challenge on three fronts if Almunia gets injured? I don’t think signing another GK is the answer either, unless it is a long term answer. I would prefer to keep the three till the season end when Lehmann will leave and Wenger can decide, once and for all, if Almunia has done enough or we need a new #1.
If Gilberto leaves, we are left with Gallas, Senderos and Djourou during the ACN. What if one gets injured? Our backup CB will be Song. We can’t jeopardize our chances like that. We need to keep all our players till the summer. That is the right time to make long term changes.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
No point in starting Lehmann today. It stunts Fabianski’s progress. Also, if Lehmann does well, what does it mean? He can’t displace Almunia because of a Carling Cup performance. But he may start shooting off his mouth. It’s best to start with Fab and have Mannone on the bench.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
An interesting stat before the ManU game.
We all know that Arsenal are very strong in the second half. Guess which team tops the second half charts? It’s ManU.
http://stats.football365.com/dom/ENG/PR/sndhalf.html
October 30th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
exactly nipuna. selling a ‘keeper midway of the season could potentially be a disaster, especially when u take into consideration we have everything to fight for this season around. New ‘keeper usually takes time to fit in, Arsenal were rather lucky to be able to buy Jens right after Seaman. Normally goalkeeper is the toughest position to replace. United took years to finally land van der Saar to properly replacing Schmeichel. And there is no guarantee a big name keeper would make an impact neither. Mark Bosnich and Barthez were all well-known ‘keepers, yet never really be able to settle there.
it’s always better to buy a new keeper in the summer than the January window.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:10 am
Looking forward to seeing what our reserve guys can do against Sheffield Utd. With Morgan probably still wearing the armband, he’ll surely be telling his colleagues to come with the physical stuff. Regardless, our class should still prevail.
I think Wenger is right not to play Lehmann in this game. He shouldn’t play Lehmann again until he’s ready to let him be the #1 again or to give Almunia a break. For Arsenal, the Carling Cup is about developing our youngsters so it’s clearly not for Lehmann.
I don’t think we should let Lehmann leave in the winter but if must happen what about this deal, hypothetically: Lehmann and Gilberto/Senderos to Juventus for Buffon. I don’t know if Buffon would want to leave in the winter but I believe he want’s to play at The Emirates. He isn’t cup tied and Juventus have been sweet on Gilberto and Senderos for a while. Lehmann would be playing again. It would be a good deal for all players involved and both teams. Wenger would look even more like a genius. Who would we dare lose, Senderos or Gilberto?
October 31st, 2007 at 5:11 am
Hypothetically?
October 31st, 2007 at 5:58 am
buffon will be good. but i doubted if juve want lehmann in exchange though…
and a few months ago juve did say buffon’s asking price is 80m euros. it doesn’t sound like wenger’s style, is it?
actually i do like kasper schmeichel. young, talented, and most importantly, not expensive. and he is down to 3rd choice at man city now. we may hate his dad, but son can make it up…
October 31st, 2007 at 8:37 am
k. schmeichel is not that good. his overall game is even lower than almunia. there is a reason he dropped to 3rd choice….even with the famous name.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:07 am
As for Chris Morgan, last season he was playing the Arsenal first team, this season he is playing the kids. That says it all.
October 31st, 2007 at 12:28 pm
I thought Kasper went out on loan to a no name team, dont get excited spurs it wasn’t you!
October 31st, 2007 at 12:30 pm
NBG, you’re a funny guy.
October 31st, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Interesting squad for the game according to arsenal.com:
2. Abou DIABY (Age 21)
8. Lassana DIARRA (Age 22)
9. EDUARDO (Age 24)
15. DENILSON (Age 19)
17. Alex SONG (Age 20)
19. GILBERTO (Age 31)
21. Lukasz FABIANSKI (GK) (Age 22)
26. Nicklas BENDTNER (Age 19)
31. Justin HOYTE (Age 22)
32. Theo WALCOTT (Age 18)
34. Kieran GIBBS (Age 18)
39. Henri LANSBURY (Age 17)
40. Vito MANNONE (GK) (Age 19)
41. Gavin HOYTE (Age 17)
42. Fran MERIDA (Age 17)
43. Nacer BARAZITE (Age 17)
Average age of squad: 20.2
October 31st, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Where’s Traore? I don’t want to see Diarra playing RB.
October 31st, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I really enjoy Carling Cup matches because I get to see the future of the Gunners.
Although, I feel so bad for Gilberto. I bet he asks out of Arsenal in January?
Who are you guys looking at to have big performances today?
October 31st, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Denilson definately, I hope Merida and Landsbury gets a decent look
October 31st, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Rocket of a strike from Eduardo…. 1-0 to the arsenal
October 31st, 2007 at 4:01 pm
is this game on TV?
October 31st, 2007 at 4:12 pm
watching it on Setanta broadband. I think its on Setanta USA too
October 31st, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Fabianski must be the quickest player (since joining the club) to become Arsenal skipper (even if it’s a stand in skipper), with only one previous first team appearance!
October 31st, 2007 at 5:16 pm
yeah, was kinda shocked that Gilberto was not skipper. Denilson just scored arsenal’s 3rd, and Gilberto just cleared off the line.
Hve to applaud Gilberto’s professionalism…I think he has been really cool to play with the youngsters. I think his presence has helped a lot in the game today, and even though he is not the captain he has controlled the game well.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Has anyone seen the Chelsea score? Chelsea fielded a very strong lineup today and they are down 3-2 with 15 to go! C’mon Leicester!
October 31st, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Awww Feck! Spoke too soon.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:44 pm
I supposed those rival fans who wrote off our title chance as - Arsenal lack of DEPTH in squad, they probably never saw us play.
perhaps when they look at our squad roster, there aren’t any big name stars there in the reserve. so they mistaken big name stars = squad depth.
The truth is, as far as i m concerned - i have never seen any Arsenal side with as much DEPTH like this season EVER.
i look at our Arsenal B side’s performance in the Carling Cup so far, everything looked so easy for them, and if the Arsenal XI being the kids, this side tonight are the “babies”. But they surely had played like men, and made Sheff Utd look like babies. It’s so one-sided almost unfair.