Arsenal Must Sink The Yellow Submarine
April 14, 2009
Arsenal takes on Villarreal at home tomorrow (the winner playing either Porto or ManU in the Champions League Semi-Final). With virtually no chance of winning the Premiership, Arsene and Arsenal must see this as a chance to grab a piece of silverware that has eluded them in the past.
On paper, Arsenal has the upper hand, thanks to Ade’s fantastic goal which gave Arsenal the all-important “away” goal in the 1-1 result. A 0-0 result Wednesday at home, takes the Gunners one step closer to this elusive trophy, but is somewhat unlikely, in part due to the rash of injuries at the back. A 1-1 draw at the end of the match would lead to extra time, and perhaps penalties.
Having lost Clichy and Djourou last weekend and Gallas for the season, Arsene has some difficult selection choices to make at the back. Logically would dictate that Silvestre would step in at CB and Gibbs at LB, but their lackluster performances against Wigan have most Arsenal fans wondering whether this is going to be good enough against a slick and speedy passing Villarreal “Arsenal Type” team. Also, this leaves a threadbare bench defensively, with only Song as CB backup, or perhaps Sagna with Eboue moving to RB. Another alternative would be to put Silvestre at LB and Song at CB in order to field a more seasoned back four.
Villarrreal has one change to the team from the first leg, as their MOTM, goal scorer and electrifying DM, Senna, is out with a hamstring injury.
This leads me to believe that whosoever controls the midfield will emerge as winners and it will be interesting to see if Arsene sticks with his 4-5-1 formation or moves to a more aggressive 4-4-2. With Arshavin cup tied (aaarrrggghhh) and Diaby returning from injury it will also be interesting to see his starting MF line up.
Bearing in mind Villarreal’s lack of height up front, the absence of Senna and our need to score goals, I would probably go with my most experienced lineup and a 4-4-2 which looks as follows:
Fabianski
Eboue, Toure, Sagna, Silvestre
Walcott, Cesc, Song, Nasri
Ade, RVP
Bench: Gibbs, Diaby, Eduardo, Ramsey, Denilson
Let’s just pray we don’t have any more injuries at the back and that Cesc, RVP, Ade and Song do not pick up another yellow card which would exclude them from the 1st game of the semi-final tie if we are able to overcome the Yellow Submarines.
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April 14th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Off Topic: Cech is extremely poor on Liverpool’s opening goal. More hope for Sat.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Liverpool score a second. From a penalty given on another Aurelio free kick. Does that guy have the best left foot in football?
April 14th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Off Topic: Now Liverpool get a 2nd off of 1st leg hero Ivanovic mugging of Liverpool player in the box. This Spanish referee will be the death of Chelsea yet.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
GK calamity as Reina bobbles a Drogba tip shot into his net. This game is not a thing of beauty as mistakes predominate.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Liverpool are done as Alex rips a howitzer past Reina.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Just past half time and Chelsea score on a huge GK error. This game is one of the strangest I’ve seen–foul after foul and massive defensive and GK lapses. It seems as if everyone is a jangle of nerves. Both teams ought to come out of this game with shattered confidence.
Oops, spoke too soon….Now Alex booms home a free kick which should settle the tie. Wouldn’t mind having that guy as our 3rd choice CB…
April 14th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Chelsea now piling on after an Alonso give-away in his own 1/3 leads to a Lampard score.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Lucas goal off an Essien deflection. Then Chelsea falls asleep as Kuyt gets a ‘tap in’ header. This is the Chelsea that let Bolton almost climb back. 7 goals conceded by Chelsea bodes well for us.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Nope, still not over as ‘Pool score two quick goals–after Torres goes off. It’s gone completely insane, with 5 minutes left plus stoppage.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
4-4 as Lampard puts Liverpool out of their misery. Essien clears off the line as Cech is MIA.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Drogba is such a drama queen.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=636942&sec=europe&cc=5901
Same old Lehmann. A grown man should really act like a grown up.
April 14th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Denilson will play tomorrow. Which means if we go 4-4-2 Song will be on the bench unless he’s used at CB… or has Arsene finally come to his senses?
April 14th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I love the reply – “He should remind himself of the own goal he scored against Bochun.” Touche’.
April 14th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
OMG guys, David Bentley scored TWO against Arsenal …. Arsenal reserves that is. The guy has really made it big!
As for 2moro’s game, I agree completely with Caribkids lineup.
We should take the game and dictate the pace, rather than pussying about until they shock us with a goal.
A 4-5-1 will NOT solidify our defense especially if both Fabregas and Denilson are in there.
So lets keep two strikers up there to keep them honest and it will actually help us dominate terms.
They are not an aerial threat so Sagna, Toure in the middle should hold steady. I do fear for Eboue and Silvestre though.
April 14th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
“Cech was so hapless that the issue will have to be addressed.”
Not before Saturday I hope!
April 15th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Key tonight has to be the defence. Villarreal have proven that they are a good creative attacking side last match, it’d be too much to ask for Gibbs to fill in at LB.
i think the back 4 should be Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Eboue. (or Eboue at RB, Sagna at LB).
Villarreal would surely come out and attack, as the scoreline at 0-0 or 0-1 (to Arsenal) makes no diifference to them. They need to score.
in other words, a clean sheet will see us through.
so i’d perfer a 5 men midfield to give us a better control of the midfield, and to offer more protection to the defence.
Walcott-Denilson-Fabregas-Song-Nasri
and Cesc should drop deeper than in the first leg. we should try defending deeper than leg 1, and try to hit them with counter.
as Villarreal showed that from leg 1 they are pretty good with their passing and movement, pushing our defence high up the field would give them too much space to exploit us at the back because of their good passing game.
Adebayor will lead the line alone. Leaving van Persie coming off the bench should thing don’t go as planned.
but that’s only my opinion. knowing Wenger, i believe he will still order his team to take the initative to try dominate the tempo and attack. And our backline will still push up to play a high pitch defence.
anyway, be it 442 or 451, the key will have to be Silvestre and Fabianski. I think when Wenger bought Silvestre he’s looking to add some experience, clamness to our team, yet the Wigan match Silvestre played like a rookie who just made his debut — nervy and shaky. That’s not the performance we expected from a veteran.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:39 am
New kits next season.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1164758/Premier-League-kit-parade-Liverpool-Man-Utd-Chelsea-Arsenal-Man-Citys-new-strips-leaked.html?ITO=1490
The green and black (dark blue) away kit of the 80s was one of my favourite Arsenal kits. We only wore the black and green for that one occassion. Glad to see it again.
Man U’s kits next season look quite classy, until they add that “V” strip and spoil the whole thing.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:26 am
The important thing is to start in the first half. Last two games, we have been missing in action in the first half. Cannot repeat that again.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:44 am
true. in fact, we have been doing that all season long – a sleepy first half before waking up after the break.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Liverpool are following Arsenal’s pattern of last season.
Lose to bitter rivals in the FA Cup (ManU / Everton)
Defeat a high profile Euro team in CL last 16 (AC Milan / Real Madrid)
Lose to a rival club in CL Q/F (Liverpool / Chelsea) after have gained control of the tie (2-2 with 10 or so min to go / 2-0 lead at half time)
Eventually end up losing the title race?
April 15th, 2009 at 7:39 am
We have a crisis in defense. That line up against Wigan is not going to get us past Villarreal, Chelsea, nor Liverpool.
The match tonight should be a preview for how AW is going to approach Chelsea and Liverpool. Can any of us feel comfortable with Silvestre at CB against Drogba and Torres?
Having Fabianski, Silvestre, and Gibbs all in the defensive mix, is a big risk. There is no option for Fabianski, but I see Song playing along with Toure at CB, with Eboue at RB and Sagna moving over to LB.
Our situation only magnifies Arsenal’s lack of depth at CB and DM.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:51 am
As far as the balance of the line-up, it is all speculation.
So my speculation looks like this:
Fabianski
Eboue – Toure – Song – Sagna
Diaby – Cesc – Denilson – Nasri
RvP
Ade
key subs: Theo, Bendtner
I would prefer to have Song playing along with Cesc, but I have to hope this is a break out match for Denilson.
April 15th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I’m pretty chilled for this game. If we get through we get through.
Whether I’ll remain philosophical if certain players fail to perform is another thing however. Yes, I’m talking at you Denilson!
April 15th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Correction. It’s not the performance YOU expected from Silvestre. Some of us having gotten EXACTLY what we expected from him from the moment he was signed for change Wenger found in the couches.
April 15th, 2009 at 9:57 am
The problem with this Arsenal team playing a defensive 4-5-1 and a lower line is that even at full strength this season they have not shown the ability to do so effectively. To do so now with this mish mash line would be like committing suicide.
To do so now, especially at home would be asking for trouble against a slick passing, attack minded Villarreal who will be pressing from the outset with nothing to lose. Even in a 4-4-2, Cesc could play a little deeper than normal and RVP could drop in behind Ade with Walcott using his speed to exert offensive pressure on the wings.
We need to do what we do best and that’s to control possession with slick passing and a high work rate by all players. Silvestre will be the key for us as he looked terrible last game even though he previously made quite a few appearances for the Reserves. This will be the game for him to show he deserves to be an Arsenal player or not.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:30 am
The speculation can be halved at this point. Arsene has said Gibbs and Silvestre will be starting. RVP is still ailing and will have a late fitness test and Diaby will be available but is not fully match fit..
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/van-persie-s-fitness-test-will-shape-the-side
April 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Fabianski
Sagna-Toure-Silvestre-Gibbs
Walcott/Eboue-Denilson(prefer Song)-Fabregas-Nasri
RVP-Adebayor
He plans to use Gibbs after bigging up his CC experience. Well excuse me but Burnley ran his ass ragged (along w/ Randall). No one is going to mistake Burnley for Villarreal (not even a blind man).
If Song gets the nod, then it will be interesting to see how well we can maintain possession. Denilson has a tendency to give away too many balls and possession is key. Lose possession and you must fight to win it back. Close down quickly and break out quickly.
This lineup depends on A) RVP passing fit from a groin injury and B) RVP passing fit from a groin injury. Otherwise we’ll go 4-5-1 and someone (I don’t care who) better damn well support Adebayor or else we’ll be done.
Cech confesses that he’s not been very good recently. That’s okay Peter, we really hadn’t ‘notice’ the SEVEN (7) goals conceded in 2 games. Was it really 7 goals? You did say 7. We’ll let that be your little secret. Just think of Saturday’s game as a kick around in the park. No big deal, no pressure, no sweat.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Like you Mazza, I don’t have high expectations for this game with all our defensive injuries.
I too will remain philosophical if certain player(s) fail to perform. Yes, YOU
April 15th, 2009 at 10:42 am
ROBERT PIRES, ROBERT PIRES
How could we all forget that one of our favorite Arsenal players of all times will be gracing us with his presence today in the opponent’s uniform.
Hopefully the crowd will give him a hearty reception and send off at the game, one he never received at the end of his tenure with the club.
It would be such bitter irony if he is instrumental in taking his team to victory today.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I guess that looks okay. It says though the home shirts from this season will last till next year… too bad. I much prefer the traditional-style white sleeve. This is Arsenal!! The kit from last year had it right, those looked great.
But I still don’t get why every club has to make a new away shirt for every season… how greedy can you be? Just keep the same one once! Especially when you have a kick-ass one, like we do this year.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I’m kinda freaking out about tonight’s game after watching the shocking defense in yesterday’s match (Chelsea-Pool, right?). I sure hope our young boys (plus old-timey, fish-head Silvestre) weren’t watching. The sheer volume of panic, poor decisions and gaffes (mostly by the Chelsea backline) was just unreal. I was also amazed at the lackadaisical midfield defending by Liverpool that allowed the various cut-back shots and goals Chelsea took and scored. Like CTPA says, it’d be great if Chelsea brought this same game to Wembly, but I think getting Terry back will help them quite a bit.
At this point I’d say we absolutely need a resolute performance (and clean sheet and no further injuries) from our makeshift defense. If we can get it (and get through tonight) it’ll be a massive confidence booster and we’ll be in a good position for taking on the shaky teams on display yesterday. However, if we perform like those teams did yesterday we’re in deep doo-doo. But maybe all that goes without saying….I gotta switch to decaf….
Like people are saying the best defense might be a strong offense so the RVP fitness test could be key, and it will determine our formation and line-up. Even without him we might be OK, with Ade on fire, Nasri healthier than a week ago and Theo ready to pounce after his well-taken goal at Wigan. Cesc and Song and/or Denilson need to win the mid-field battles and release our superior wingers/forward(s). Still, I think the key will be the defense, especially if and when tested early in the game.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:53 am
How greedy can they be? Professional sports teams? I’m assuming that was rhetorical.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I thought being an experienced player, playing for United in some BIG matches, he would add veteran leadership, and calmness at the back. (Just like Andez).
I didn’t think he’d be the solution full time, but thought he could play a part. I think many people thought the same thing.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I would play defensive at first… with what we have at the back. We need to make sure they are comfortable at the start. So I would prefer, and imagine Wenger will go with 4-5-1.
We don’t need a win, just a clean sheet.
Again… my opinion.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Andez, I can remember one of my first away matches … Arsenal were not wearing their traditional away colors… I did not quite understand the Arsenal away supporters singing… “come on you yellowwwwww”… as we weren’t wearing yellow!
I personally, would like the away kit yellow! (and blue piping?)
But in the end, it doesn’t matter… personal preference.
Of all shown on your link, I think Liverpool look best by far.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Which is why you go DEFENSIVELY at first… 4-5-1.
Need to be SURE things don’t go off the track early.
Defense first.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
It was… when you have to pay greedy athletes, you have no choice but to be greedy yourself.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Yeah, its all on Denilson. If he plays well, nobody will say shit, and if he plays OK, he’s the scapegoat… and if we play poorly, he should be shot and Wenger is an idiot for playing him.
Whatever.
I expect us to play with some pride and passion, and everybody needs to track back and contribute defensively. That is the most important thing… defensive thoughts first.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
“Correction. It’s not the performance YOU expected from Silvestre. Some of us having gotten EXACTLY what we expected from him from the moment he was signed for change Wenger found in the couches.”
Vibe4 whatever, you seriously need a life. Are you just here winding me up, or do u actually have any POINT to make on ur own?
Apart from making an one line comment here and there(most of them insulting anything related to Arsenal), I can’t recall any POINT u actually made.
on Silvestre, for your information, when he first signed, I was among that SOME OF US u mentioned who did not think it’s a good signing. And I said at that time, I’d rather keep Traore and not letting him loan out rather than taking Silvestre.
Because i remember back then whenver we played Man U, if Silvestre was playing i felt good of our chances. cos this guy has always been error phrone.
but since he’s signed, and he’s now one of our player. what can we do? MOVE ON.
he’s a veteran isn’t he? so is that too much to ask for a veteran player to show some clamness at the back? and since this guy now is wearing an Arsenal shirt, would u want him to do well?
cos let’s face it, whether we rate or not rate a guy is totally irrelevant. at the end of the day we all hope they will do well. the MOST IMPORTAN THING is for ARSENAL to do well, to win. It’s NOT about anyone’s opinion.
besides, who do we have right now? or u perfer AW to recall ur favourite son Senderos back from Series A?
now piss off, and go Vibe4ManUtd/Chelsea/Spurs.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Suuuuuuuper Super Bob… Super Robert Pires!
That song will be sung tonite at the Emirates… no doubt.
He is an Arsenal legend.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Arsene always goes 4-5-1 in the CL, so I assume he will go
Fabianski
Sagna Toure Silvestre Gibbs
Walcott Song Denilson Cesc Nasri
Ade
I think attack is the best form of defense, especially when it comes to Arsenal. But Arsene will try to defend, contrary to whatever he may say. Plus we have this annoying habit of falling asleep in the first half.
Despite all that, I would be shocked if we didn’t go through. All of Arsene’s rhetoric on how mentally strong we are will fall flat. I don’t expect it to happen.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Both teams have major injury problems heading into this game (Gallas, Clichy, Djourou in our defense, Cazorla and Senna in they’re CM). They are lacking in the center of the park, we are lacking in the back, particularly the back left. Weaknesses b/c of injury will play a major role today for both teams. Who will do a better job protecting their weakness and exploiting the opponent’s? Anyways, I see the solution to both of those as the same for us. Exploiting their weak center and protecting our weak rear both mean the midfield must be up to task today. They must keep the pressure on and dominate possession. Let’s hope they’re up to it.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Personally, the green reminds me of puke, bile, Martians, none of which are desirable
April 15th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I dont support shooting Denilson. That is too brutal. Driving him to a forest and abandoning him will be far more humane.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
He is THE all time favourite player of mine. The one and only Robert Pires. Arsenal’s BEST left side midfielder of all time.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
if report is true AW will play Gibbs, i think this lineup u put here will be our exact starting lineup tonight.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
We MUST play a 4-4-2… but if we must play a 4-5-1, it has to be Song at DM and Diaby hanging behind Adebayor. There is no other way for it to work with our personnel.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
my favourite team sports colour is red-and-white! that goes without saying! that’s why even though i m not really into ice hockey, I perfer Philly Flyers to win!
maybe back in those days we didn’t change our away kit much, it’s always yellow and blue, so when i watched the old clips and saw that green and blue i found it very cool. the new green and blue design though doesn’t look as good as the old one.
April 15th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
He’s a veteran, so that guarantees something? What a simple-minded point.
He was a washed-up veteran, who hadn’t made a significant contribution at United in around 5 years. SAF dumped him off, on a major rival, for no money. Which further suggests what a waste of uni he was. And this is the depth AW dug out for us?
Okay, so, even with all that, Silvestre might have turned it around. But every time he’s stepped out onto the pitch for AFC this year, he’s looked just about exactly like he did last week. Like a washed up vet, who SAF couldn’t wait to find someone desperate enough to take. How did AFC become that team?
That you had any expectations is down to your not paying attention to reality, once again. That the color of his shirt makes a difference to your perception is just the zealotry talking again.
Your bringing up Senderos suggests you really believe the only options out there are shit. Great scout you’d be.
Finally, this is a message board, bright-boy. Without opinions, there’s only the blind-faith cheerleading you prefer. When your opinions are proven wrong, of course.
Probably why you stayed off the thread where Arsene almost, but not quite, admitted his own fallibility. Acknowledging what some of us doom-saying, football know-nothings were saying last Summer.
Hope those are enough points for you to struggle with, until KO. And yeah, I really hope Silvestre manages to stay clam (sic) today. But I won’t be expecting it.
April 15th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
It should be Diaby but it will be Denilson.
April 15th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Yeah u r right, I do struggle with ur POINTS. POINTS? what points? at the end of the day, u (an Arsenal SUPPORTER) r saying one of OUR players sucks right? and our manger made an awful signing right? that’s not exactly anything new coming from u right?
great scout i’d be? thanks. but no thank. I never pretend to be a scout, and never want to be. I leave that to you. u noe why? cos i never believe i know better than Wenger, but u gave me that impression u often knew better than AW. so with u around, how dare I pretend to be a scout?
blind faith cheerleading? Not so fast man. The season ain’t over yet. Since the season hasn’t even finished, how can u be so sure it’s blind faith? what if we do win something? are u going to join us celebrating for Arsenal?
guess NOT.
Or.. what u were saying is – you think our season has already finished (that’s what made u think my faith is blind right)? in this case, and u call yourself Vibe4………….???!!
April 15th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
For a veteran, you’re not reacting very calmly.
April 15th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Anybody know what happened to Sagna? I checked the starting lineups on soccernet and he’s not there, nor on the bench.
April 15th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
OK everyone….Clam down or calm up, and let’s get behind the team….
In my mind tonight will be a classic laboratory for Wenger’s gamble about experience being overrated (with the glaring exception of Silvestre at CB). Given the first leg and the injuries to both teams I think we ought to have the quality to get through this tie. I don’t think we’ll sit back and play for nil-nil, but certainly we’ve conceded a lot of first goals that we shouldn’t have. IMO the team has almost always reacted well and shown that mental strength to come back and get a result. I feel confident, kind of….
April 15th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Arsenal CONFIRMED lineup (from BBC)
Fabianski
Eboue – Toure – Silvestre – Gibbs
Walcott – Song – Fabregas – Nasri
Adebayor – RvP
4-4-2 with Song over Denilson. Yay!
NO Sagna but Eboue is a bit surprising though.
April 15th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Looks like we are playing 4-4-2
Fabianski
Silvestre CD-L
Toure CD-R
Gibbs LB
Eboue RB
Song CM-L
Fabregas CM-R
Nasri LM
Walcott RM
RVP CF-R
Ade CF-L
Where is Sagna?
April 15th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Seems like we are going for an all out attack.
My confidence level is rising by the second.
We’ll kill these bastards!
April 15th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I predict 2-1 Arsenal, with Villareal scoring first.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I predict 3-0 or 4-1 Arsenal.
We have a cricket bat, they have buttocks. Both will get acquainted.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Can’t seem to find what happened to Sagna…anybody?
April 15th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Sagna hurt? Our best defender gone and now no defenders on the bench, though I guess Song could slide back if need be. I’ll be watching in the early minutes to see if we can hold a consistent back line (Full Monty style).
BTW—Go Porto. Perhaps we had the toughest group in the CL….
April 15th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
As per Arsenal TV:
Villarreal Team News: After only making the bench in the first leg last week, Arsenal legend Robert Pires starts for the visitors tonight. He will probably play in the hole, just behind the lone frontman Giuseppe Rossi who of course cut his teeth at Manchester United among other places. The goalscorer from the first leg, Marcos Senna, picked up a hamstring injury in Villarreal’s defeat to Malaga at the weekend so he misses out this evening.
Arsenal Team News: With injuries to Manuel Almunia, William Gallas and Johan Djourou, Arsene Wenger has had to make do with the loss of Bacary Sagna too. Emmanuel Eboue comes in at right back alongside, Kolo Toure, Mikael Silvestre and Kieran Gibbs. Further forward it looks as though the manager has opted for a flat midfield four with Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor upfront. There is also a place on the bench for Eduardo who might make his first appearance since that night in Rome in the last round
April 15th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
So thats 4 of first choice back 5 and the first reserve out.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
My beloved Sagna has the Flu. Let’s pray very hard for this one. This is the weakest back 4 we have started all year.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Sagna is out with a virus per the BBC – a virus???
April 15th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Flu
April 15th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
That back 4 makes me verrrrrrry nervous. BUT, we have not seen Ade and RvP paired up front in quite some time. Can’t wait to see them both dominate now that they’re in great form. Should be a win.
All Porto has to do is draw with ManU and hold them to under 2 goals. Porto in the semi-finals of the CL? What more could we ask for?
April 15th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
OK, a virus and just this one game I can live with…..
A big overlooked factor in last season’s stumble-in was losing Sagna (for the rest of the season) in the Chelsea game. Eboue to cross for a goal from the by-line…
April 15th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
THEO!!!!
Gorgeous chip.
Nice and clam.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!
Don’t let up lads.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
THEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
April 15th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I guess Vela taught Walcott the chip. Great pass by Cesc.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Man U have taken the lead too.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Couldn”t imagine in my dreams what an impact Fab has had since his return – he has assisted probably 75% of our goals since he’s back…
April 15th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Someone has been learning from Carlos ‘Chip’ Vela!
I always knew 4-4-2 was the way to go. 4-5-1 is for pussies and cowards. And it does NOT actually “solidify” your defense….not with our personnel anyway.
Lets keep this tempo up! And hopefully go 2 clear.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Missed the first 15 mins, I’m happy yet mad. We scored but I missed it. Come On Gunners! glad to see the 4-4-2 w/ Song over Denilson. Back line has to be very careful though.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Ade seems to be going after the Song look lately w/ that hair do
April 15th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Theo is having a great half.
Come on, Gunners. Just put this one away.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
A year ago Theo would probably have blasted the shot or tried to round the keeper, that was a cool finish. Walcott really improved a lot this season.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Theo and Song excellent so far and Fab’s passing is coming back to Mach1.
Silvestre still worries me. He has one more mistake left in him for the game.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Adebayor is having with one those….shall we say…….nights. One of those nights when you wouldn’t mind having a baseball bat on standby just in case you saw him.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Nice tactics, the WB’s are playing tight and both wingers wide and more defensively than normal. This is freeing up Fab and Song to go forward more often and then move the ball wide with both wingers and WB’s overlapping.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Silvestre shirtgrabbing and getting beaten for a header from the corner while he’s on a yellow. Where’s Nordveit?
Good half but we need to score again and put this away.
I was gonna say that this match was being played with an exceptionally good spirit and the ref was letting them play, for the most part, but then they clatter our Captain and he won’t shake hands….At least there was no spitting.
Song looks the part of DM out there but needs to be careful to avoid suspension for the next match.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Song has been my man of the half. He is really, really dynamic. Everybody is looking to pass to him if they have nothing to do with the ball.
If our strikers settle down more and are bit more “clam” they can really take this game.
I’m liking Eboue at right back. He and Walcott combined have the effect of keeping their leftwingers quiet. Walcott is killing Capedvilla.
Gibbs has been relatively stable. So has Fabianski.
Silvestre really, really, really scares me though.
I hope we can get to 2-0 as soon as possible, so we do not have a nerve-wrecking finale.
We should NOT let up on the tempo because if we do we will most likely get punished. They just need a goal to force extra-time.
So no letting up till we get the second. And even then, we should just bring in Bendtner for Walcott and Eduardo for RvP. Diaby can then come on for Adebayor late in the game.
4-4-2 till the end. All 4-5-1 ever does is CONCEDE initiative to the opposition.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
some of Ade’s runs did look kinda lazy. Theo was having all the ball down the right, and making all the crosses as well. Come on, get someone to attack the NEAR post.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
To be honest, I think I will feel more secure with Nordveit in place of Silvestre.
In fact I will take Senderos over Silvestre this very instant.
At HIS age and experience how can you let the FRIGGING BALL bounce right in front of you THEN try to control the ball facing your OWN goal. Jesus! That is the kind of thing I will smack a 20 year old CB for doing yet he does it.
April 15th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
So far so good. Pretty good first half for us?
Vela teach Theo. I think not.
Very cool calm goal by Theo. Great pass too.
I agree with Andez… Ade looks?? Lazy, un-enthusiastic?
Need the 2nd to kill it off…. I think we’ll get it.
Just stay tight at the back. Nothing stupid!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
And Ade awakes all at once!
Thanks to beautiful service by RVP.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
the dade strikes again
April 15th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
and I was thinking… Ade OFF please, as his 2nd half continued to be lethargic.
And there he goes with the great set up… and the GOAL!
We are on our way to the Semi’s!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Ade the Dade!!!!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
He is a lazy, offside-loving cunt. But he is still the DADE!!!!!!!!
Get in there!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
ADE!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April 15th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
From the Gamecast…
60′Excellent four-man celeb – like line dancing, but better and with no hats. Wenger got a bit excited on the sideline as well, he knows that goal was crucial
Fred @ lazy, offside-loving cunt. Lol.
And now PK Villareal, crumbles completely.
I am officially SEMI-enthusiastic!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Eguren GONE!!!!
Villarreal are imploding. Woo Hoo.
@Fred – love the offside loving cunt remark.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
3-0 RVP with the Penalty. It is over!!!!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
OVER
April 15th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Eeeek.
Dubious penalty.
Then stooopid arguing gets a RED, and Villareal are done.
They have lost the plot, 3-0!!!!!
OK. Let’s get Denilson on!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Oh my…very weak penalty given. We’re through but I feel bad for Villareal. Sounds like spitting Cesc in a bit more controversy as their red-carded player goes off.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
That penalty call was bullshit, but this tie was over anyways… but still, terrible, terrible call.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Just need a LATE Porto goal to make the day perfect!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Songaldinho has been near imperious in midfield. His workrate, combined with ball skills have been very impressive in this game, as well as walking away from the ref when called for fouls. Obviously, Villareal’s focus on Cesc frees him up, but still very impressive.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
RvP and Walcott for Diaby and Denilson – hardly seems a fair switch. But who cares its been a good night for our boys.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Don’t hurt yourself Cesc!
You goal scoring wizard!!!!!!!!!
Ade off… yesssssssss!
LOL
April 15th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Arsenal v United in the CL Semi’s.
3 English teams in the CL Semi’s again.
Arsenal v Chelsea in the FA Cup Semi’s.
All good. All quite amazing, considering how piss poor we were
for long periods of time this year.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Champions League. 3 more games. Blind faith or not.
Go Gunners!
Believe.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
come to think of it, there’s a real chance we will have to play Chelsea and Man U THREE more times or more respectively for the remaining of the season.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Arsenal vs. Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals… Holy Shit! It doesn’t get any bigger than that. I’m already jittery thinking about it.
But we’ve got to focus on Chelsea for now. “Que sera sera!”
April 15th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Alex Song was utterly and completely IMPERIOUS in midfield. The mayor of the park literally. He MUST start all our remaining games.
Central midfield is THE domino effect position in the team.
This is the first time this season I have been impressed by Wenger’s starting team and formation. I am surprised and very pleased he went for attack rather than stupidly trying to play a “chess game” with Villareal. We don’t know how to play chess.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Thankfully we did not STUPIDLY play “defensively at first” or try to “control the game” with an impotent and pointless 5 man midfield.
If we had tried that we would have been fucked over and thrown over the bridge mafia style.
Instead we went all out, not focusing on our weakness but on our strengths.
In the end, just like I said, they have buttocks, we have cricket bats! 3-0 was just right!
If Wenger keeps this up, we WILL take both the FA cup and the CL cup.
Bring on those fucking Mancs, F%CK 4-5-1.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
……and give him one signed by Babe Ruth
April 15th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
So we still have an FA Cup tie with Chelski and an EPL tie with Chelski
A CL tie with ManUre and another EPL tie
And we could (I stress could) face Chelski in the CL final and ManUre in the FA Cup final
Throw Liverpool in for good measure and we should be in for some good football in the next month and a half.
Oh and notice that Gibbs actually played better today than against Wigan. Was this an aberration or was Gibbs just getting his feet under him this past weekend? And I am now convinced that if Sagna is healthy we should go with a backline of Sagna, Toure, Eboue and Gibbs.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Eboue was excellent at RB.
I prefer this Gibbs to most of the Clichy we got this season.
When Gibbs goes forward you know something can happen. When Clichy goes forward you know nothing will ever happen.
Even Silvestre cleared his head for the second half. He is still a far weaker link than Gibbs though.
I LOVE the way Fabianski COMES OUT VERY EARLY to clear balls. He doesnt wait on his line like the other idiot.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Correct me if i’m wrong but if the layoff between Villareal and Man U is the same as the layoff between Roma and Villareal, then won’t Arsenal and Man U play each other 3 consecutive times in the span of 8 days?
The 12th, 16th, and 20th??? that would lead to absolute madness.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Good performance, and it was almost SEMI- automatic at times after the second goal
Open, open game. We looked dangerous and wide open in equal measure. With this team we just need to load up our guns versus United and hope we get our shots off first.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
how to fuck a formation?
April 15th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
AMEN
Maybe Wenger has finally seen the light.
Song and Fab in CM with 2 up front makes us a lot more potent, especially at home.
Well played game and we all have to be proud of Gibbs who at 19, displayed maturity way beyond his age.
Kudos to Fabianski also, whose reading of the game, ability to command his area and play as the 11th man on the field is excellent.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
with Song improved like that while getting playing time, that’s the reason we don’t need to buy another DM to kill his development. Agree?
April 15th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Completely agree, clichy’s runs are always impressive up to the point he actually gets rid of the ball. Arensal’s left side has been the most vulnerable all season but gibbs and nasri did well today.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Fabianski’s game is quite similiar to Jens, a sweeper-’keeper. Not as good as Jens of course. But I too like his style. He had a very good game today. Decisive and brave.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
A great win at home and another trip to the CL semis…just fantastic!
Between the games with Chelsea, ManU and Liverpool, it’s going to be one amazing last month of the season. Ready for the ride!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I’m pretty sure there’s only one week off between the CL quarters and semis, which means we’d play the first leg of the CL tie at OT on April 29th.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Song has become that defensive partner for cesc that used to be a fantasy. I’d like to see
fab
sagna-toure-someone-gibbs
song-cesc-nasri
arshavin
vp-ade
in the future, especially this saturday
April 15th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Actually, we could play the Mancs 4 more times. twice in the CL and once in the EPL, those are guraranteed, but we might also play them in the FA Cup final.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I thought Nasri was pretty poor to be honest. He’s like the left-sided version of Denilson.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
We still can. Just have to dispose of Denilson in the Sahara desert first.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Really? a left-sided denilson?
He wasn’t great out there but i thought he was always in a good position. when gibbs was overzealous with his runs, nasri filled space in the back left a couple times and even won a couple balls. He didn’t have any bad giveaways, at least that i saw, either…
He’s definitely not a playmaker but he is comfortable in a number of different places on the pitch and i think that’s very valuable in wenger’s system with gibbs, clichy making those runs.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
We still need a DM. Because things like injury and suspension occur. And we also need to rotate because there are a lot of games.
We should identify the DM ASAP and offer Denilson plus some cash in exchange.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Denilson was GREAT when he came on!
Villareal barely created ANYTHING in the two matches.
They never posed a serious offensive threat at all.
Gibbs played well, I thought Silvestre was just fine, and Kolo and Eboue were solid all match. But that is partially due to Villareal posing no real strong threat.
The challenge(s) will be much more difficult for the defense against United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
You can count on that… 100% guaranteed.
Who on Villareal is an offensive threat. Nobody in those 2 matches.
Toothless.
Proud of the win… and the clean sheet, with all the injuries at the back.
But most of the match the players tracked back and gave real effort doing so.
Theo was good going both ways.
Song very good … Cesc passed the ball well as always… a team effort.
Nice to watch.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Amen,
If Song is injured we need someone else who can supply quality as DM. It could be Diaby, but he needs to show he can stay relatively injury free.
This is one case when less is not better.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
First you undress the formation ……
April 15th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
That’s what I’m talking about. A brilliant game from Arsenal against a < brilliant opponent. I’ve watched Villarreal in La Liga this season and for all the hoopla, their defense has been atrocious. Gonsalvo was an atrocity in yellow and if Adebayor could keep his ass onside, we’d have been up 3 at the half.
We’ve gone all season for Wenger to finally realize what the last 2 games has made blaitantly obvious: Song is the no.1 DM choice. He is head and shoulders above Denilson in passing, defending, attacking, recovery, closing down players who are about to to receive passes before they even know the passes are coming (hyperbole maybe but that’s how it feels he’s playing). He even showed a little Diaby ball protection today. His confidence is growing and his play makes you feel like a bowl of hot oatmeal in the morning.
Arsenal are a good team but there were moments today when some players on the ball made bad decisions because they thought team was spelled w/ “i”.
The opening play for the Walcott goal is as beautiful a scoring series as you will see this season. I’m glad someone at least is showing he’s spending his time wisely on the training pitch.
Farbianski looked better today and certainly does the sweeper job very well. He can make mistakes but be assertive, react quickly and be committed is all we asked. Plus get your wall and angles right on the FKs. Also release the ball quicker upfield after set plays.
The man’s almost 60, but did you get a load of that ‘happy’ dance from Wenger after the 2nd goal. Priceless.
Memo to: Fabregas don’t try that shot at home (you might pull something) and please, please don’t embarrass yourself w/ that shot in public again.
Platini eat my shorts. 3 English teams go through. How’s about dem apples. Expect reports of Platini sightings in a Barcelona kit in the coming weeks.
For those of you who are interested, the Arsenal pitch is called Desso grass, natural grass that’s reinforced by millions of plastic synthetic fibers. Anfield, WHL, have the same pitch. Wigan does not
Somebody didn’t get their flu shot did they Bacary (I hate needles) Sagna.
Back to reality. Saturday. FA semi-final. Chelsea. Didier (I’m such a drama queen) Drogba vs. Silvestre. Time for Silvestre to man up. This will not the time to be giving away bullsh*t shirt pulling FKs w/ the likes of Ballack, Lampard, Drogba, and Alex to hit them.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
They got into very threatening positions quite a number of times and they penetrated our secondary defensive line with ease. They just couldn’t find the final pass or shot at goal. There is difference between that and not being able to get our back four at all.
We do play an open game which makes that easier to do but we’ll need to raise our game defensively and be a bit more compact in the semi final against United.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Good point Fred, we need to emphasize our strengths rather than our weaknesses, and our stregth is always in attack.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Then you caress the formation………
April 15th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I absolutely love Gibb’s maturity at his tender age and as I have said before, I have no problem with him filling in for Clichy.
I also think he has a much better final ball. Should make things interesting next year when we have Clichy, Gibbs, Traore and Botellho.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Nasri was not poor. He played his role to a tee. He provided the defensive cover on the left side with Gibbs and provided a smothering blanket in MF which along with others, allowed us to dominate the middle of the park.
Along with Theo and Song, he did a lot of the dirty work, which allowed Cesc to be more creative. For me, that was excellent team balance.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Quite the footballing month and a half ahead.
18 Sat The FA Cup Chelsea
21 Tue Barclays Premier League A Liverpool
26 Sun Barclays Premier League H Middlesbrough
29 Wed UEFA Champions League A Manchester United
May
02 Sat Barclays Premier League A Portsmouth
05 Tue UEFA Champions League H Manchester United
10 Sun Barclays Premier League H Chelsea
16 Sat Barclays Premier League A Manchester United
24 Sun Barclays Premier League H Stoke City
27 Wed UEFA Champions League N Final
30 Sat The FA Cup
And like last year, Arsenal get to face an English team in the CL along with a corresponding league fixture close by, although thankfully not back to back but having Chelsea sandwiched in between two games against Man Utd isn’t easy either. As mentioned above, Arsenal could play Man Utd 4 times in just over a month and Chelsea 3 times. Oh man.
So in a way, Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea could stand in the way of each other for two trophies. And then Arsenal still have a huge part to play in the destiny of the title as they travel to Anfield next week and have a league fixture at Old Trafford. Despite all the misery this season, the Arsenal vs Man Utd rivalry would take center stage again, just like those good old days.
But Arsenal have to dispatch Chelsea first.
As things stand, atleast 6 games against Arsenal’s 3 main league rivals in the next month. And then there could be atleast two more games if Arsenal make the finals and either Man Utd and Chelsea make the F.A Cup and CL final. Incredible.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Ratings:
1) Wenger: 10/10. Perfect game for him. He made the absolutely right choice in going for the 4-4-2 formation and going for the right DM. He focused on our attacking strengths and it paid off. Even his substitutions were perfect – though I would have preferred Ramsey or Vela for Walcott rather than that “Brazilian”. Wenger is JOINT man of the match.
2) Fabianski: 8/10. Calm, cool, collected. Came out for crosses. Shouted well at his defense. Seemed to always be standing on the sensible position at freekicks, unlike Almunia who always seems to be standing too close to one of the goal posts. All his goalkicks met one of our players. But most impressive off all was how he always came out very early to clear and relieve pressure. I would take Fabianski over that other clown any day of the week.
3) Eboue: 7/10. Great game. He is solid as an attacking wing-back. He worked quite well with Walcott. He should NEVER play RM again.
4) Toure: 6/10. Quiet and anonymous – perfect for a central defender.
5) Silvestre: 4/10. Weakest link. 3 or 4 gaffes. Always causes panic with his play and might have gotten himself sent off.
6) Gibbs: 6/10. He wasnt beaten much by their right winger. And he was quite good going forward. I prefer him to Clichy of this season and he has only played 2 games. He will get better.
7) Walcott: 8/10. His pace killed Capdevilla. He was a constant threat and he worked quite well with Walcott. He is our trump card.
8 ) Song: 9/10. Man of the match. The mayor of the pitch. He controlled everything. He stopped all their oppositions central moves. Everybody looked to give him the ball. Perfect game.
9) Fabregas: 8/10. Class.
10) Nasri: 5/10. Anonymous. I cant think of anything he did yet we were the ones attacking for most of the game. Gibbs will make a better LM with that sort of performance. He needs to buckle up.
11) Adebayor: 6/10. Still has the annoying play and lazy attitude. Excellent goal though. And definitely still the DADE!
12) RvP: 7/10. Played quite well, great assist for Ade’s goal and good build up for Walcott’s. Still looks rusty but he works well. I have a feeling he will TEAR Chelsea up this weekend.
13) Diaby: 5/10. Made one or two runs and shots. Looks rusty.
14) Denilson: 3/10. Was supposed to come on and pacify the game (the only thing he is supposed to know how to do) yet he allowed two players to have pot shots right in front of him. Offensively he hilariously passed yard wide of the advancing full-backs on two occasions – I thought sideways passing was his forte!). Ah well, dead horse and all.
15) Bendtner: 4/10. Missed header but made some OK runs. He doesnt look very dynamic.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Let’s not even discuss Chelsea today, but savor our win. Chelsea represents totally different challenges which our mish mash defense may not be able to handle.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Then you turn the lights off ……… though some formations prefer the light on ………..
April 15th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Give Nasri a little more credit today Fred. He played an excellent defensive game which allowed our midfield to dominate.
He was quiet, but, good quiet.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Caribkid, we started off like a house on fire but after that initial whirl the game was pretty even in terms of possession and territory. I don’t think at any stage we dominated that area.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Three key changes:
Cesc coming back, Theo gaining composure by the week and Song starting to own the DM slot.
Plus the Arshavin factor in League games.
It’s all starting to mesh – up front.
I’m still not exactly sure how our defence has turned into this model of undefeated consistency.
But if everyone brings their A game, we have a good shot at Chelsea, who are not without their own weird moments at the back. Here’s praying Sat. is sweet revenge for the Carling Cup dust-up.
PS I’m in DC this week (sick mother-in-law, don’t ask) so maybe I’ll see some A.A. Gooners at Lucky’s off Dupont Circle.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
There nothing wrong w/ Martians. In fact some of my best frien….
April 15th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Wait, the FA cup final is after the CL final???
Never seen that before?
Maybe we will get to play the FA cup final as European Champions!
April 15th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Have you guys noticed that it doesnt really make any difference whatsoever what defensive personnel we line up?
The performance is always exactly the same. What “disaster” did today’s defense perpetrate that we havent seen from Sagna-Gallas-Toure-Clichy?
None.
Our first team defense was never really good in the first place anyway.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Please, please Mr. Bookie make Chelsea and Man U the favorites.
Song and Walcott are growing up before our eyes. We should feel like such proud parents.
Nasri did his job. He was never going to be the ‘out’ pass w/ Walcott on the pitch.
I want to say a word in praise of RVP. On the Adebayor goal he had 2 choices- Walcott wide w/ a pass across his body and Adebayor onto his (R) foot for control and outside of the foot shot. He picked the the right pass although he had to pass by 2 defenders as opposed to 1 defender on Walcott. Simply brilliant. Happy dance time:::))))
April 15th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Nordtveidt is on loan somewhere in Norway I believe.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
And he made that decision and released the pass fast enough to keep Ade onside. It reminded me of his three assist performance against Hull City away (I think). And moments before he looked off to the races running onto the ball before being pulled down. Front 5 of Ade, RVP, Theo, Cesc and Arshavin ought to scare the poop out of Chelsea. Expect A LOT of cynical John Terry fouling….(and no cards as he is England’s captain and the FA must support the national team, etc, etc….)
April 15th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
So for two seasons running, Barcelona is left to carry the flag for the rest of Europe vs the English teams in the Champions League semi finals. I really wonder what scheme Platini is working on now
He can’t be happy though.
3rd straight year that three English teams are in the semis. It was back in the 2004 season that 4 nations were represented in the CL semis.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Against Chelsea, I want this exact formation but with Arshavin in place of Nasri.
Nasri can then come in for Walcott in the second half and if a goal down, Eduardo, Bendtner, Vela or Diaby can come in.
We beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with a terrible team so we know they arent that special. And they are leaking far more goals than we are right now.
We can take ‘em.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Did someone drug Eboue today? He was so calm and collected. I thought his play was superb. For the past few seasons, I have actually thought he was the second most skilled player on the team behind Hleb. But obviously his psychological issues were hindering him from displaying his talent…and for the most part unforgiveable. Today’s performance reminded me of the ‘05-’06 run to the CL final, when I thought he was the best player on the field in most of the matches. And I disagree with those that think he should only play RB. He is starting to add some end product when he plays in midfield. He has come a long way from what happened to him earlier in the season. I hope it is a result of greater maturity. Because if it is, he has all the pieces to be an excellent player.
And well done Alex Song. Another guy who has come a long way in a relatively short period.
Maybe Denilson will be next……..nah!
April 15th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
No, Eboue plays well because he comes in from deep.
When he plays in midfield he NEVER runs like he did today. He just waffles about and tries to move central and then loses the ball.
April 15th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I was looking over all our results so far this season, and, say what you will about or defense (and we’ve all said plenty), but they haven’t allowed more than 1 goal in a game since December 26th (almost 4 months ago). That’s 22 straight matches in all competitions without allowing more than a single goal in a game. Pretty damn impressive when you think about it.
April 15th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
I still don’t know how they’ve done it!
April 15th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
yup. liverpool will win nothing this year. being setup for the fall.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
But let’s talk about something more important shall we – our new line dance celebration and Arsene’s impromptu jig on the sidelines.
Never thought I would see Le Professor let loose like that.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Eboue and Walcott combined really well… throw back to something like bobby and cashley.
Only if we could clone eboue and sagna, maybe get eboue to grow golden locks
April 15th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/apr/15/arsenal-villareal-champions-league
Now the critics are on Wenger’s side once again.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Fabianski stood out the most to me today. He was terrific in goal. I almost forgot goalies were supposed to intercept crosses/corners every now and then. He is active in the box like Lehamnn and I love Lehmann more than anything. Seemed more confident and energetic than Almunia. The Spaniard’s days as Arsenal #1 are numbered and he knows it. His injury opened the flood gate for Fabianski’s talent and he will show that he is the man for the first team.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Because they are ARSENAL!! Long live the Red and White!
April 15th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Yes, I’ve noticed that too. I’ve grown used to Almunia and so Fabianski’s more bold style took me by surprise as I’m not used to it, since I rarely have the time to watch non-Arsenal football.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Yup and all he needed to do was CHANGE the DM and the goalie.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:16 am
that’s an interesting point. i wonder if fabianski will become the #1. almunia makes a little nervous sometimes but not like lehmann made me nervous!! when lehmann used to come way out of the box to make a clearance, i half expected him to just pick the ball up and run with it.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Most importantly you must say nice things about the formation to the formation unless it likes it rough. In this case, hope 4-5-1 likes a little Slap & Tickle.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:31 am
I’ve noticed Fabianski coming out much further than I like on corners but for the most partr I’m happy he dominates the box. He also starts from the top of his box so he’s positioned much better for getting to crosses.
April 16th, 2009 at 3:42 am
“I almost forgot goalies were supposed to intercept crosses/corners every now and then”
that’s a good point. i think many ppl had actually felt the same way as u muffintop – forgotton how a keeper could come out attack cross, and intercept one on one situation. because we were used to watch Almunia now, and he rarely did things like that.
For a side like Arsenal, a keeper who’s brave and decisive coming out sweeping the one one one through ball, and the ability to attack crosses is more important than some other teams.
because (1) we tend to play a highline defence, meaning our defence are more vulnerable in one on one situation should the offside trap fails. A keeper who’s quick and deciisive off the line can be very handy in thiis soft of situation.
for instance, when Silvestre once got turned by a Villarreal attacker, and he simply didn’t have the pace nowadays to cover back, luckily Fab was quick to sweep away the danger.
(2) oppositions all knew Arsenal are weak in the air defensively. They tend to attack us with their long crosses into our box. having a keeper who’s brave to come out and clear the crosses will signifiicantly help ease the pressure from our central backs.
I am not saying Fabianski is better than Almunia. at the moment Almunia is still the better choice as our No.1, because he’s calmer and at times Fabianski tends to be too bold.
but Fabianski definitely has the potential to be a good all around keeper. the only downside of him is – his height. rather short for a modern day goalkeeper.
April 16th, 2009 at 3:47 am
Last season in CL, NO English side went out of the competition at the hands of a contential side. Liverpool beat Arsenal, Chelsea beat Liverpool and Man U beat Chelsea.
This season there’s a good chance history will repeat itself – that NO English side will go out of the compeition at the hands of a non-English opponent. IF Chelsea could see off Barcelona.
no wonder Platini is worried.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:12 am
You are preaching to the converted Andes,
I have been one of a few voices on here who has been an ardent supporter of Fabianski for months because of the qualities he brings to Arsenal at this point in time.
It’s not necessarily who is the better GK, Almunia or Fabianski, it’s that Fabianski complements our team style by acting as an additional sweeper for our defense which plays a high line. His ball distribution is also better than Almunia and although he may flap at one each game, he still commands his penalty box.
He and Almunia are both listed as 6′ 3″ in more than 1 Internet reference, as was Jens Lehman. Also, Iker Casillas (World # 1), Pepe Reina, Shay Given, Victor Valdes, Jerzy Dudek, Julio Cesar, and a host of other world class GK’s are all listed as being under 6′ 2″.
This is a position where intelligence, confidence, reflexes, quickness, leaping ability and wing span is more important than height. Don’t get me wrong, height is an advantage if they have the other qualities, a la Petr ?ech, although he does go thru some hazy periods at times.
Fabianski is still relatively raw at the tender GK age of 23 (he celebrates his 25th in 2 days time), still has a lot to learn, but presents a better solution than Almunia for Arsenal.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:33 am
We are witnessing the metamorphosis of ARSENAL. The rash of injuries last fall and this spring have given bench players the playing time to confirm why they are wearing the Arsenal colors.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:17 am
And now the non-bench players are still fresh (somewhat).
April 16th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Smoke and mirrors is how it’s done.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:26 am
So will Wenger ditch one of the competitions to give us a better chance
in the other two, like he usually does?
We have injuries piling up at the back, and MANY games against all the top sides coming up…
Does he tank the league matches… and risk Aston Villa coming back into the hunt for 4th?
We have a LOT of matches over the next 1 1/2 months… we need everybody to contribute, because the injury list isn’t short.
It will be an interesting 6 weeks (at least 5?)… it should be a fun ride. We will see what we are really made of against Chelsea, Liverpool and United.
That, is for sure.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I can see where you’re going with this, but today Wenger seems to have changed his tone on throwing away a couple competition in order to focus on another.
“We cannot choose which competition we want to be in, as each performance from each match carries over to the next”
I agree, you can’t purposely throw away a match and then expect your players to still feel confident about the next match. We never quite recovered from the 4-0 drubbing in the FA Cup at OT, and the 5-1 loss at WHL in the CC.
From a tactical perspective, we’d like to put our best XI to play in the FAC and CL as we are only a few games away from silverware, whereas even if we win our remaining 6 games we could still just be 4th. But I’m afraid that we need to go all out in every remaining match and carry on our current form and momentum.
Quality over the course of the season usually wins you the league, but in cup competitions it’s all about “our form on the day”
April 16th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I don’t think we have to worry about Villa coming back into the hunt. Especially this week. West Ham will give them a run out and I expect it to wind up a draw or even a loss. WHU has really impressed me this year – they come ready to play at every match and they are still technically in the running for a Europa Cup spot. With Laurensen and the amount of goals Villa has been letting in lately – I would say they are done for the season. Also didn’t gabby come up lame in the match against Everton? If so that would only leave Barry and Carew as their legitimate scoring threats. Young is not so menancing.
Even with our fixture list against the remaining big guns – the are interspersed with lesser teams. If we keep to current form and say draw against Liverpool (the only real match that worries me) – we’re in good shape.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I see where your coming from. I agree that we need our best XI for FA Cup and CL matches, but I don’t think we necessarily need it to go “all out” in league matches. We need most of our starters, but there’s nothing wrong with resting a few players each league match.
For the strikers, leave Ade or RVP on the bench for a game and let Bendtner start alongside the other. In the midfield, since Arhsavin can’t play in CL games, he will be well-rested for league games. It also means that we can rest one of our midfielders in league games (most likely Nasri) who has to play the CL games.
At the back the options are a bit thinner, but once Djourou comes back we will have 2 fit LBs (Gibbs, Clichy), 2 RBs (Sagna, Eboue) and 3 CBs (Toure, Djourou, Silvestre). Resting one of our starting defenders in lesser league games is definetly possible too.
As for keeping confidence high, I would also advocate going with a full-strength XI in our league games against Chelsea and Man U in case we must meet them in the respective Cup finals. But against Pool, Boro, Pompey, and Stoke we can rest perhaps 1 player each at FW, MF, DF.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:55 am
For the Chelsea game we NEED to go FULL, FULL strength because our next match in the FA cup if we go through is AFTER the season is over.
Fabianski
Eboue – Toure – Djorou – Gibbs
Walcott – Song – Fabregas – Arshavin
Adebayor – RvP
With bench of: Mannone, Silvestre, Denilson, Diaby, Eduardo, Vela, Bendtner
I have a strong feeling our strikers will be very much rewarded in that match. Plus, Arshavin WILL tear it up.
Walcott vs. Ashley Cole will be interesting.
Against Liverpool on Tuesday, we can slow down a bit:
Fabianski
Sagna – Toure – Djorou – Gibbs
Nasri – Song – Fabregas – Arshavin
Bendtner – Eduardo
With Bench of: Eboue, Silvestre, Denilson, Diaby, Vela, Adebayor
As long as we show no fear we WILL win BOTH games.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I know Arsenal doesn’t let defense dictate their formation and play but i’d be very worried about the back 4 if that was the lineup against Chelsea. The left side is exposed with Arshavin and Gibbs: how many times did Gibbs go forward and leave his backside unmanned against villareal? Fabregas may feel hesitant to attack if that’s the starting XI…
…which is why i like your starting XI for the liverpool match. Let Arshavin rove behind the strikers and take the ball to either wing. Play Nasri with Song and Cesc but similarly allow him lateral freedom. I see a lot more balance here.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Looks like we have an additional back problem. Seems Gibbs picked up a groin problem in last nite’s win.
Arsene mentioned it in his interview to Arsenal News.
On the good front Eduardo should be ready.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Yes, Gibbs and Sagna are both a doubt for the semi-final while Clichy and Djourou are out for sure. Which means the back line would have to be Eboue, Toure, Silvestre, and ??? We better hope one of the 2 doutful players makes it.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
From the sublime to the ridiculous on the injury front. Now Gibbs is out and could be a doubt for Man U in the 1st leg of the CL. Gibbs injury I suspect is what happens when you go from reserves to the BPL big time work load. So much for the resilience of youth.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Wenger’s options right now are Song at CB and Silvestre at LB. That really blows because that means Denilson ahead of Diaby at CM. That will handicap Fabregas on the offensive end. The dominos keep falling. I suit up but I can’t fit into a diaper anymore.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Jesus Christ!
If Song has to play CB and Denilson CM with Fabregas, then ALL my optimism goes down the drain.
We will be playing with a man down.
I really hope ONE of Sagna/Gibbs comes back or else I dont see any hope.
April 16th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
So Berba is already spouting at the mouth and discounting Arsenal. He also had this to say:
“Our defence is incredible. They have been tremendous for us all season and deserve so much credit for their performances.
“The major reason we are in the position we are at the moment is because of our defenders and I want to thank them.”
I don’t know but I think the major reason they are still in first place in the EPL is a 17 year old named Macheda. If not for him they’d be at least 4 down to Liverpool.
And frankly their defence which has been good as looked very suspect lately.
Bring on the Manc’s
April 16th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
No hope?
I am sure someone can play “out of position” for a match, and do OK at left back… I think we will be fine SHORT TERM.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Three:
Ummmm. Yeah, I think he can crow a bit about United.
They still have the possibility to win 6 trophies… its unheard of.
They have allowed only 21 goals all year… only one more than Chelsea’s 20.
And… to be fair, they’ve had their share of injuries as well…
Macheda?
He has played 2 games – 2 goals. Well done for him.
However, One hit him it the ass and went in. He might be a footnote
in history… because he’s barely played and surely is NOT much of a reason
that United are winning the league.
The defense is injury hit… and that gives us hope.
While they are not a LOCK to beat us… I give us a puncher’s chance…
They are certainly not Roma or Villareal… they are the best team in the world in the last few years… and maybe Barcelona might be better this year. We’ll see.
I don’t think United owe us respect. We haven’t won anything in…. ??
I hope its a lack of respect… I hope they look past us, but I doubt Ferguson
will let that happen. They are a big favorite vs. Arsenal.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Never had much to say while at Sp**s and certainly nothing about that defense. Just keep shooting off your mouth and hopefully being overconfident you money grubbing SOB.
Please forget about that French kid who just got off the boat and sank yours the last time we met.
We’ll be begging your pardon when we go to OT and saying yes sir and no sir as humble as we can be
April 16th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
The problem is not Song playing out of position, he’ll manage. It’s with Denilson playing at all.
April 16th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Yeah, the same United we beat the stuffings off early this season with a pitiful team?
The same United we have outplayed in the last 2 seasons before this one (except the FA cup tie last season).
They are “big” favorites against Arsenal in the same vein Aston Villa’s midfield is “much better” than Arsenal’s.
April 16th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Berbatov is a pointless cunt who should concentrate on winning the league.
He just got there this season so I dont understand why he needs to open his mouth.
Obviously the idiot has never heard of the word: JINX.
Maybe in a couple of years he too will make it “big” like David Bentley who hit the pinnacle of his career by scoring two at the reserves level vs. Arsenal….LOL.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Absolutely thrilled with the result. It’s always nice to score three and keep a clean sheet. I was up ’til 2am watching the game last night, not knowing who won, and it was worth it.
The 4-4-2 presented Villareal with too many problems. I’ve been a big-time advocate for Denilson this season, as I think he’s done much better than many of us expected playing out of position, but Song looked damn good last night. He was strong and resolute, as is typical, but he was much more than that. He was incredibly dynamic. He’s definitely playing better than he did earlier in the season. While I still believe Denilson can become a great player, if Song is ready to finally step up and stake his claim as our guy in DM, I don’t have a problem with Denilson being dropped.
Keeping things in perspective, Villareal were without their preferred central midfield guys. You can maybe get away with one missing but both, on the road, in the Champions League, against Arsenal? They didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning at the Emirates last night. Last year, when we lost Fab/Flamini, it was ugly. We got absolutely crushed by Sevilla, then turned around and got skull-drug by Middlesboro that following weekend. Boro, for crying out loud, handed Arsenal their asses. I’m not down-playing last night’s win, but stressing the significance of their CM’s who’ve been getting it done all year, suddenly not being there.
Chelsea will provide us with a sterner challenge. However, I think we’re better than they are. They can’t cope with Adebayor or Diaby. Likewise, they’ve an advantage against Silvestre but if they play with only one striker, Kolo can cover the old man. Their RB will also be significant as they both love to get forward but I don’t see Arshavin/Nasri tracking back. Hopefullly, I’m wrong but we’ll see.
In fairness, I’ve been too busy lately with grown-up stuff to watch the last few games (even though I’ve recorded them) or even read what you guys have said so I don’t know how well the team is playing, except for last night’s game. I’m even going to miss the Chelsea game this weekend. But I hope our boys are stepping up to the next level. Time always tells.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Who says Song will have to play out of position?
We don’t know what the line-up will be… and in ONE match, it doesn’t always matter.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Fred.
You can be delusional if you wish… but how many points ahead of us are they?
They won the league and CL last year.
When did we last win anything.
You don’t have to like it… but they are better than we are, and have been for the last 3 years or so… and counting.
It doesn’t mean we can’t beat them in one game… or even or two in the CL.
But the league marathon is the true test. We aren’t close.
Villa’s midfield is MUCH BETTER than Arsenal’s… if Cesc is injured, Theo is injured… and your personal punching bag Denilson is playing in the middle.
Again, you don’t have to like that fact, but its reality.
Villa beat us this year… so with your logic (as in we beat ManU) does that make them better than us?
With Cesc in the line-up… Theo in the line-up… Arshavin in the team… and even Song playing well… its not the same midfield, now is it?
Check your bookie tote board… United favored? I think they are…
I bet Chelsea is too on Saturday.
We beat Villareal, Roma and Wigan… and folks are getting cocky?
Look at the tables… look how many behind we are… how many more we’ve let in… who we’ve played during the last few weeks…
There is hope, and reason to be hopeful and believe we can win…
but let’s not get carried away and cocky… especially with the schedule of matches we have upcoming.
April 17th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Perhaps Man U have been better than us in the League, but we aren’t looking to challenge them in the League right now. We’re looking to challenge them in the CL and possibly FA Cup. Besides, we’ve already beat them once this year. And so what if we haven’t been able to match their sustained form in the League… as you yourself just admitted we’ve had nearly insurmountable injury problems.
April 17th, 2009 at 2:54 am
WTF? You just said “I am sure someone can play ‘out of position’ for a match.” That’s who said it… YOU
You also said it won’t matter for ONE match, which is the same exact fucking thing I JUST SAID. If you read my post, and you don’t even have to read it that closely, you will see that I said Song playing out of position (for however many games it might be) is NOT the problem, it’s with Denilson playing at all. (Though I guess I’d be okay w/ him coming on as a sub if we were up.)
April 17th, 2009 at 3:51 am
One point I disagree with u Josh. Yes, Villareal had 2 of their key men out, but we had virtuallly our entire starting defence missing but Toure. And had to play an extremely inexperienced Gibbs at LB.
On the night, I think we simply outplayed them and were the better team. The encourage thing is we did come out to play from the first whistle instead of only waking up at the 2nd half like the past. A very good win.
April 17th, 2009 at 4:15 am
STAG:
The ENTIRE comment is about the CL tie….and YOU said they are overwhelming favorites. How the fuck does league table position matter in a CL semi final? How the fuck does winning the League and CL LAST season matter in this CL semi final???
Now you are backing away from it hey??? Hilarious shit!
The CL semis is a complete toss-up. A 50-50, so your nonsense about league table is gibberish.
“Villa’s midfield is MUCH BETTER than Arsenal’s… ”
You are an imbecile if you truly believe that.
April 17th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Anyone know who’s televising our match with Chelsea on Saturday?
Fox soccer is NOT.
April 17th, 2009 at 6:56 am
FA Cup Semi: Chelsea v. Arsenal
If we can manage to stabilize the back 4…….We can take this match. Our forwards and mid-field are playing with real confidence.
The news out this morning is that Ancelotti (AC Milan) will be the new Chelsea coach. That they are targeting Offsidesbayor & 3 other high profile stars to bring in.
Wow, talk about throwing kerosene on the fire for Chelsea. Can just imagine the thoughts in the Chelsea locker room. Don’t see them finishing ahead of us in the league table – nor ahead of Liverpool.
April 17th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Setanta.
April 17th, 2009 at 9:22 am
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/sagna-ruled-out-of-fa-cup-semi-final
The latest and not so greatest news. Our injury fall back position w/ Song (CB) and Silvestre (LB) impacts our recently vibrant MF attack. Diaby is not vibrant but at least he’s more attacking than Denilson. My real concern is no reserve defenders on the bench. WTF good are they if one can’t make the bench. Drop Bendtner and put a defender on the bench. Pick one, anyone w/ a brain and a healthy body will do.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Another problem for us will be set piece defense against the likes of Terry, Drogba, Ballack, 2 goal Ivanovic, Lampard, Carvalho, and Alex both in the air off CKs and FK wise. We will be greyhounds to there bulldogs.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:50 am
WHY SONG?
It can be ANYONE playing out of position…. Eboue, Silvestre, Ray f’n Parlour.
WHO SAID ITS SONG?
April 17th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Fred.
You are a BITCH.
All you can do is call names… from behind a keyboard.
(see, its not so hard to do, or a special skill you own)
Can you complete a post without calling a player useless, or shit, etc?
Have you ever kicked a ball?
You talk in circles.
You tak trash.
Villa beat us 2-0 at the Emirates… with the shit midfield we had for most of the season, Villa’s WAS a better midfield. (with our injuries)
What you type… is not gospel. Its not fact… its your own opinion.
Its worth shit. About the same as other people’s.
ManU is FAVORED in the CL. So its not 50-50.
Its more like 60-40.
They have been a better team than we are over the last few years. They are better so far this year.
Its OK. You can admit it.
Of course you’ll have to call someone useless, stupid or an idiot…
That’s what makes you so charming.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Spot.
Don’t see them finishing ahead of us… when?
They will this year.
And we don’t have a clue what our line-up will be next year… or their line-up!?!
April 17th, 2009 at 11:02 am
cpta.
Right on.
It will be a different world… completely different game to Villareal.
They have a rock solid midfield, unlike Villareal…
and they are good at set-pieces and heading the ball… we suck at defending them, and we have replacement players at the back, so it will mean we lack continuity.
THIS will be a massive challenge.
An early goal would help!
April 17th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Oh lala ……. someone didnt take his coffee this morning.
Funnily enough the post you are commenting to is one I did not call a player useless or shit.
Guess you dont read. But hey, am not surprised at all.
OHHH….so you are now dropping it down to 60-40 ??? After starting with “big favorite who dont owe us any respect”. LOOOL.
Again, what on earth does being “better” in the league have to do with CL semi finals? Or even FA cup?
YET YOU KEEP REPEATING IT.
Villa have a shit sandwich midfield. Their midfield even with our weakness was NEVER on our level.
The fact you still argue that shows you are a rather foolish clown.
By your own STUPID argument: we beat Man U therefore our midfield is better than theirs, right???
Sound logic! NOT! LOOOL.
April 17th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
How bad is it for Arsenal? It’s this bad: our replacement players need replacing. So Wenger is left to play musical chairs w/ diminishing assets. Oh boy. It could be a blood bath. Still, I’m forever hopeful that we the ‘righteous’ will prevail:)
April 17th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
http://www.arsenalnewsreview.co.uk/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1239&cntnt01returnid=42
If this is true then I will say just 2 words: Oh F**k!