Date: October 2008

Fenerbahce 2-5 Arsenal

Oct 20, 2008 by

[Two previews by Sachin & LDE]

Arsenal visit the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium in Istanbul to take on Luis Aragonés’ Fenerbahçe side. While Aragonés may be credited as the architect of Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph, he will forever be associated in my mind as the man who destroyed any chances of a healthy partnership between Henry and Jose Antonio Reyes. But personal dislike aside, he has largely inherited Zico’s team from last year garnished with a good slice of Brazilian flavoring in the form of 4 players. The most well known of those Brazilian players is ofcourse Roberto Carlos, who at the tender age of 35 still continues to play at the highest level.

By their usual high domestic standards, Fenerbahçe are currently struggling in the Turkish League. Out of 7 rounds, Fenerbahçe have already lost 4 games and lie in 10th spot. In the Champions league, they are also bottom of the group with a point to show from round 2′s 0-0 tie with Kiev. Considering that Fenerbahçe’s home form in Europe is better than their away form, they will be looking to get something against Arsenal on Tuesday to keep their hopes of progressing out of the group stage alive. The 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev halted Fenerbahçe’s run of 8 successive home wins in the Champions league, including last season’s wins over Chelsea (2-1), Seville (3-2), Inter (1-0), PSV (2-0), CSKA Moscow (3-0). The last away team to register a Champions league win (including both the group stages and qualifiers) in the Sükrü Saraçoglu stadium was AC Milan in the 2005-06 season with a 4-0 win. Fenerbahçe did not make the group stages in the 2006-07 season but returned for a surprize quarter-final run in the 2007-08 season.

Worthy Test
Fenerbahçe provide a good test for Arsenal’s current injury riddled squad as they are neither light weight nor too difficult. The current Fenerbahçe team is beatable provided the Gunners can cope mentally with the intimidating atmosphere in the Sükrü Saraçoglu and put away their chances. The absence of Toure, Gallas and Sagna will leave Arsenal weaker at the back, but Fenerbahçe are not that much of a defensive force either. In his youth, Carlos was known to be a tad slow in returning to his defensive role after his forays up the field, so it remains to be seen how much slower he is now in getting back and if Arsenal can make him pay for that.

[LDE's preview]
A tough win at the Grove and a much needed 3 points will hopefully give the guys some much needed confidence going into the tip of Asia. The famous “Welcome to Hell” might be applicable only to Galatasaray but Fenerbahce cannot be too far behind. The Turks are fanatic supporters and whether they are losing or not , they will make life hell for 90 minutes for any team that comes there. Kazim Kazim scored a spectacular 30 yarder last time around to beat Chelsea 2-1 so they are capable of a win. We will need to be strong to win there. Suggestions of an easy game are probably off the mark though I’d love to be proved wrong. As usual I have no clue about Fenerbahce’s players apart from the fact that Aragones went there and RC plays there as well.

After the disastrous Song at RB experiment hopefully AW will not try it again. What will happen though is probably a backline of Djourou Song Silvestre and Clichy. Which is okay except that Djourou isn’t a natural RB either and attacks will be stunted. Not that we have much choice. I’m almost certain and agree with Fred that AW will play RVP wide left in a 4-5-1 and Nasri won’t start. That said the team will most likely be:

Almunia
Djourou Song Silvestre Clichy
Eboue Cesc Denilson Diaby RVP
Ade

Hopefully he will go 4-4-2 but thats a long shot. RVP and Ade really need to get their shooting boots on and score quicker, specially in Europe where you’ll get lesser chances. Fener will know its their best chance of qualifying — Winning at home and will be up for it.

If that 5 man midfield plays and we now get caught out in CM and allow a strike its not good. Those 3 need to learn how the others play and track back when needed. Hopefully no gaffes at the back with Silvestre n Song either. Hoping for an Arsenal win.

Fener 0 – Arsenal 2

Arsenal 3-1 Everton

Oct 17, 2008 by

The international hibernation is over and finally we will get to see Arsenal take to the field again. The torture that comes with the international pause is always made worse by the fact that injury to Arsenal players during the break forces them to start a few paces behind when things resume in the league. Thankfully, Arsenal will have enough to field a full team atleast. The squad should pick itself, with the good news that Cesc and Van Persie will be available.

The big news for Everton this week was that David Moyes finally signed a new 5 year contract. This should give the team a lift given the disappointment of their league results and early European exit. In a way, Everton might be relieved to be away from home for this game as they are only one of two teams without a home win this season (ofcourse, the other winless team needs no introduction). After Arsenal’s home loss to Hull, it will be hard to imagine that too many teams would come to the Emirates with their heads down. So Arsenal cannot, and should not, expect any gifts from their opponents. The Arsenal players have no choice but to work hard and start winning games again.

Lineups, analysis, predictions….over to you guys.

Enough to bring a smile on your face

Oct 14, 2008 by

I had to share it with someone, cause it’s enough to bring a smile on your face no matter what the situation is.

In Life, there are times when people unknowingly do great things. They are part of History without being actually aware of the greatness of the event/act. There is so much at stake that these events which change the course of history become a part of Folklore.
e.g.:

US President Rutherford Hayes wondering who would use a telephone.

Neville Chamberlain thinking that he had acheived lasting peace with Germany after the Munich Agreement.

Lee Harvey Oswald realising too late that he was set-up in one of the greatest conspiracy of all time.

A bunch of idiots simply unable to digest their dinner.

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I was out with my friends for dinner at some Italian joint. When the food was served I realized that someone had ordered Lasagna. I just burst out laughing & when I wouldn’t stop, the entire group got pretty curious about it; even the waiting staff were wondering if they had made some mistake! The dame who had ordered it almost emptied a glass of water on my head to make me tell them the reason…… I tried but they just couldn’t understand the significance of it… I am wondering how do you make people realise the essence of it?

Jokes apart; That day holds special significane for me; for all of us.
*Last Game of the last Season at Highbury.
*Henry scoring a Hat-trick & then kissing the turf.
*DB10′s retirement.
*But still, the Tiny Totts make it extra special in allowing us to finish in Top 4.

Even if you list your favorite memories (HorseFace getting roughed up at OT), goals (DB10 vs Newcastle), OR players; That last day will remain an all time favourite moment of Arsenal.