Date: April 2009

‘Boro Will Be No Walk in the Park

Apr 23, 2009 by

Currently in a battle to stave off relegation, Gareth Southgate and his North East England squad visit the Emirates this Sunday.  A glance at their position in the bottom-three might give one the impression that ‘Boro will not offer much resistance, but the Gunners cannot take this match lightly. Middlesbrough is a club with everything to lose.

Middlesbrough managed a 1-1 draw when Arsenal visited the Riverside last December, and recently earned a 2-0 victory over Liverpool.  In their last two matches, they beat Hull City 3-1, and drew nil-nil against an in-form Fulham side.  They will welcome back French midfielder, Didier Digard, whose season had looked to be over, due to an injury at Wigan, but has recovered surprising quickly.

Arsenal will also have to contend with former Gunner, Jeremy Aliadiere, who seems to relish facing his old club, and has notched some excellent matches against them.  Hopefully, there will be no hangover for the Gunners, after their roll-coaster 4-4 draw at Anfield last Tuesday.  With the first leg of the Champions League Semi-Final against ManUre lying in wait next Wednesday, all eyes will be on Arsene Wenger’s personnel decisions for this Sunday’s contest.

Who do you think Wenger should pick?  Thoughts, comments, predictions?

Wild, Wild, Wild, Youth

Apr 23, 2009 by

While the FA Cup has eluded Arsenal’s first team, it is within the grasp of some of Emirates’ other residents, as the Arsenal Youth squad defeated their Manchester City equivalent, 4-1, to land themselves in the FA Cup Youth Final.

The Young Guns got a brace from Sanchez Watt, a goal from Kyle Bartley, and familiar face, Jack Wilshire converted an penalty.  They now await the winner of the Liverpool-Birmingham City Semi-Final.

Full match report here.