The international break is done and dusted and it is time for the Gunners to take the field again in a must-win situation. Blackburn will be visiting the Emirates Saturday afternoon in a game that is vital to our title chances. Many players will be returning to the squad after recovering over the international break, including Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, and Alex Song. Hopefully, these key players can make a difference.
RVP will most likely be ready to play, according to Wenger, he will have a final assessment tomorrow. The reason I am doing this match preview a day early is because I may be a bit busy tomorrow. If I have time, I will post up something about Wenger’s prematch presser.
A lot of positives and here is another: Denilson will miss the match. Many have been hammering Denilson lately on his poor play, including myself. It is about time Wenger stop playing him in this critical stretch of the season. Maybe this injury will hold Denilson back longer than expected…
Things are not going great at Blackburn. They are in 13th at the moment with 33 points, but they are only a point ahead of the drop. It is very tight at that part of the table and they desperately need points. Earlier this week, Blackburn boss Steve Kean expressed interest in Ruud van Nisterooy. It may not happen, seeing that Ronaldinho passed on the Rovers.
This match could decide our season. If we lose, and United win, [...]
Many Arsenal fans are considering the pros and cons of Jack Wilshere participating in the Under-21 international championships this summer for England. It seems as if Jack wants to play but Arsene is a bit more wary of the workload the 19 year-old. Many remember that Theo Walcott played in this tournament in the summer of 2009 and many think it lead to a disappointing 2009-10 club campaign.
Do you think Wilshere should spend his summer with the Under-21s.
Obviously, Wilshere wants to play and it id his decision to make. Wenger can protest or try to persuade him, just like he did with Theo, but ultimately it is up to Jack whether he plays or not. Here is what Jack said today over worries about workload: “At the moment I feel I can keep going. I feel fitter than ever.
“I’ve played 43 games and I feel better than ever. I believe the U21 tournament will only be good for my career. If you look at the Germans, the year before [2009] they won the U21 tournament and the following year they went to the World Cup
with many of the same players and did well.
“It is important to start winning international tournaments early and get that mentality into you. Then hopefully you can take it onto the world stage.”
It is certainly understandable why Wilshere wants to play. First off, he loves football and wants to succeed. Secondly, he has grown through the English youth system with many [...]
The England-Wales match has just ended and the Three Lions have come out victorious by a score of 2-0. This Euro 2012 qualifier was special for us Gunners because we saw Jack Wilshere match up against Aaron Ramsey. Both started and played reasonably well. These two could be the future of our midfield. Ramsey was a first-time skipper for Wales. The 20 year-old is believed to be one of the future Welsh stars. In the end, England outclassed the sluggish Welsh defense.
Wilshere again started in the holding midfield role. There were some scary moments. Twice in the match, Wilshere was slow to get up after a tackle. He shook the knocks off though and continued. Wilshere is always involved in those hard tackles because he is all of the pitch and always wants the ball. It is his determination, along with his elusiveness, that makes him prone to the aggression of the opposition.
Aaron Ramsey played a bigger role in his team. He had to because Wales found it hard to muster an attack. He played well, though some of his passes were less than spot-on. Wenger should strongly consider starting him alongside Wilshere and ahead of Diaby and Denilson. Although I do not think Diaby has been all that bad, Denilson has been consistently poor.
So, that is about all I have to say. Neither player had a magnificent showing and neither played poorly. Both are still young and have plenty of room to grow their talents. Let’s hope [...]
This is my first post in quite a while. This is due to a number of things, including a nasty illness along with some mysterious hand pain. Enough about that! Let’s get to the Arsenal. Robin van Persie has been in the news lately. Today, he slammed both Chelsea and Manchester City. Here is what he had to say:
“I still strongly believe in my club’s philosophy. A club like Manchester City change their philosophy every year and Chelsea spent about €80million this season … two clubs who had a big mouth before the season, thinking that Arsenal wouldn’t play a role in the title race but we are still ahead of them. And just by playing our own game, through our own philosophy.”
“We always do our best at Arsenal and always want to win. On a number of occasions we have been very close but, at the last moment, it’s often not good enough. That’s the reality. It’s very frustrating when you lose, especially as a team when we’re so close. But we have to look forward and now it’s up to us to change all that. I firmly believe in the team, Arsenal and myself and I’m positive we will win prizes.”
It is great to hear that RVP is nothing like Cashely Cole, who runs around with his guns and bags of cash. You have to admire Arsenal’s spending philosophy. Since 2005, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, [...]
Time to go over some of the reactions to yesterday’s match at West Brom that ended in a 2-2 draw. Wenger was obviously delighted with the character his side displayed. When asked whether Jens Lehmann would take over after Almunia’s mistakes, Wenger said this: “It was a big misunderstanding and I have to watch that closer to see what really happened there. We were 100 per cent guilty on that one.
“Competition exists in every position and when you make an error you are judged like every other player. It’s the interests of the club which counts.”
So Wenger did not exactly show much confidence in Almunia. Maybe Lehmann will get his chance. He certainly could not do any worse than Almunia did yesterday. That is, unless Lehmann tries one of his stunts and gets tossed from the match.
Speaking of that keeper competition, Manual Almunia today denied any rift between him and Lehmann: “There are no problems. There is respect between us. We have keepers out injured. Jens was one of the best keepers in the world and has returned to give his best.
“I don’t remember saying that. When he left Arsenal we spoke and he left on good terms. We have a good relationship. He’s here to compete with me and it’s a challenge. But I’ve always tried to help the team.”
Real change of heart from Almunia it seems. Way back in 2008, Almunia said this: “I know he (Lehmann) hates me.” Not many people are [...]
Arshavin sparked the team with his brilliant finish.
The Gunners were able to score two late goals in an effort to comeback from a two goal deficit. We were unable to get a winner in the final minutes but it was still a tremendous effort to comeback from two goals away from home. Of course our defending was apalling, but that is to be expected. If only the attack could have heated up earlier, maybe we could have come away with a win.
When Arsenal were still down by two goals in the first half, I planned on starting this post with a picture of Arsene Wenger and a caption about how he should be sacked. Then the comeback came and I felt that was not called for. This game should have been a win so we did underachieve, but it was nice to see the team fight back and equalize. Should Wenger be sacked because of the shocking defense?
The first half was an absouletly abysmal one for Arsenal. West Brom got an early goal off a corner. Steven Reid put the header past Almunia. It was a ball that a decent keeper may have gotten, but Almunia isn’t a decent keeper. He should have put two hands up to catch the football instead of just lazily waving an arm at it. It wasn’t the last mistake the pathetic keeper would make.
We had trouble finding chances and keeping possession in the first half. West Brom played well, [...]
Tomorrow’s match at West Brom is a must-win for the Gunners. No two ways about it. West Bromwich Albion managed to beat us 3-2 at the Emirates very early on in the season. We must return the favor tomorrow afternoon to keep our title chances alive. Only three points behind United with a game-in-hand. The title is certainly in sight and we control our own destiny this year, and that means beating the teams at the bottom of the table.
After my update yesterday, word came from UEFA about bans to Arsene Wenger and Samir Nasri. Both will miss one match presumably in next season’s Champions League group stage. Not a big deal because Wenger had the right to degrade that official as much as he wanted.
Now, on to the game at hand. It will be Jens Lehmann’s first game back at Arsenal. He will be on the bench. This is Arsenal so expect many players to miss the match due to injury. Cesc, Theo, Vermaelen, Song, and Szczesny will not play. Maybe West Brom have a chance against such a weak Arsenal side.
Roy Hodgson has joined the Baggies since that loss early in the season. He has helped their terrible defence finally get going, and they have been having some success. They are coming off a victory at Birmingham City and before that rang off three straight draws. So they have been getting the points.
This preview is going to be a little shorter than my usual previews. [...]
I know this is my first update in a couple of days but I have had a hand problem and I’m trying to limit my typing. With that out of the way, let’s get to some of the Arsenal news. Jens Lehmann is making his glorious and shocking return to North London. We may never see him play but I have a funny feeling we will. That is how things work at Arsenal. No way he just sits on the bench for the rest of the season. In fact, he is already planning Almunia’s demise as we speak.
Lehmann came out of retirement to join the Gunners and here is what Wenger had to say about signing Lehmann: “Jens Lehmann is a great short-term signing for us and will be a valuable asset during a crucial time of the season. Jens has kept himself very fit during this season and will provide quality back-up to Manuel Almunia.
“Jens knows the Club very well, is vastly experienced and will also be an extremely positive influence in the dressing room during his time with us.”
Positive influence in the dressing room? I thought he was a real bonehead. No doubt he is experienced, going to three world cups with Germany. Here is what Jens himself had to say:”I’m very excited to be rejoining Arsenal. I have kept myself fit since the end of last season and I’m ready to contribute at any time for the team.
Several reports are coming in about Jen Lehmann possibly returning to North London on an emergency loan deal. Lehmann is in London today and some reports say Wenger wants him to return to Arsenal, presumably in case anything happens to Manuel Almunia. Jens spent five years with Arsenal but he is 41 and is currently retired and trying for his coaches badges. Can he make a difference at Arsenal.
Lehmann had his good times and his bad times. Sure, at times he was certifiably insane, completely off the rocker. At other, he was a very good keeper. Of course, he is 41 but look what van der Saw is doing. Here is what Lehman had to say today to a reporter:”I am in London and so far have heard nothing of such plans, but you never know.”
Sources Sky Sports say that Lehmann has had “positive talks” with the club. I do not know how reliable these Sky sources are but it would be shocking to see Lehmann in goal again for us again. So many great times, and some not so great ones.
Actually, as I am writing The Sun have reported that he has agreed to rejoin Arsenal. So I guess that means no Eboue in goal. Seriously, it is good that Wenger was able to secure a keeper just in case Almunia goes down. We will see the old German in goal for Arsenal again? I wonder…
While many Arsenal fans are calling for his head, Arsene Wenger still has his sights set on winning the Premier League championship. We have been eliminated from three competitions in two weeks and now only have the Premier League to play for. We are sitting at only three points behind United with a game-in-hand. Here is what Wenger had to say: “It (loss at Old Trafford) will strengthen our resolve at home.
Arsene still believes we can win the Premier League.
“The Manchester United game [in the Premier League] is only important if we win our games before that.
“I am convinced that if that game is decisive, we have a good chance to do it at home.
“Before that, it’s important we respond very quickly. We go to West Brom on Saturday, we will see the first signs of how we recover.”
“I believe that we can do it (win the title). It is a good test for us now, to show that we can regroup, show our mental strength and respond quickly.
“We have a week without a midweek game, that is the first time for a long time.
“You will find out. We will have to [answer] this type of question in the next few weeks. We have to show that we have an answer to that.
“We are used to being questioned by our environment, we have to show we are strong enough to deal with that.”
Certainly we will play less matches now that we have [...]
