premier league – Page 24

Manchester City v Arsenal: Predicted Line-Up and Preview

December 13, 2013December 13, 2013TotalArsenal

ManchesterCity v Arsenal

4^th v 1^st

Will Koz score again?! :) — Will Koz score again?! 🙂

The Home View:

They seem to be our mirror image in some respects. Check this out;

Unsure of best GK, although it probably will not be Hart. Pantilimon has kept 3 clean sheets at home in their last three starts.

Had trouble in getting a settled back four, but their likely set up will be;

Zabaleta, Kompany, Demicheles, and Kolarov.

However, in midfield they have the return of Silva for Navas?, Fernandinho, Toure, and a choice of Nasri, who was rested, or playing Milner who had a good midweek. More defensive with Milner, more creative with Silva?

Their strike force is the best in the Premiership;

Aguero, Negredo … and have Dzeko waiting in the wings.

Of those who played midweek. The back four bar Kompany, all played, although Zabaleta from the 16^th minute( for those wishing Richards on us in the TW?). In midfield and strikers, Toure was suspended, Silva played 73 mins, after returning from injury, when Negredo took over. Aguero and Nasri missed out, although the former was on the bench.

Unlike Arsene Wenger, allegedly, I do think it focuses the mind of players and fans alike to see where the opposition are strong, as well as their weaknesses. Without doubt their strength is in attack, which luckily for us, our defence, or defending, has been one of our strong points. So if we can nullify their best bits, we need an attack that punishes their weaker defence?

So I predict our line up will be as follows:

Bench; Fab, Verm, Monreal, Arteta, Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski,

However, Gibbs could be replaced by Monreal if Silva returns, and Navas drops out. If Sagna is fit then Jenks may drop out altogether?

So if it is a battle of the midfields, how do we fare?

Flamini will have to organise it well to keep out Toure and Silva from controlling things deep, and I can see Nasri having fun against Jenkinson, as he has been in great form recently. So it will require both Wilshere and Walcott doing a fair bit of tracking back, given that Kolarov likes to get forward a lot too? Likewise on the other side, Navas will keep Gibbs busy, as Per and Kos will have their hands full with Negredo and Aguero, but his pace will be essential if he is pressing forwards, and so keeping Zabaleta back.

Let us not kid ourselves; this is going to be a tough game to win for the above reasons … The reasons to be fearful?

The reasons to be cheerful are in what we have going forwards. If they are all pumped up on some of HT’s expresso, because a fast start is essential. We can worry about fatigue late on, and it tends to be less if you are winning? The good thing here is, we know we are up against a strong side, particularly at their home ground, so they should be keyed up for it. And with Rosicky, Cazorla and Podolski we will have a strong bench to provide fresh legs when it starts getting tough.

Quick movement and pace with Walcott from the start will be key. I would love to see Rosicky in there too, but I think we may have to save him for the last 30 minutes, and a start against Chelsea.

Ozil is going to have to dance around Fernandinho while Wilshere can drag Toure all across the pitch, but importantly, keep him pressed back. But where we should do well is with Giro getting one on one with Demichelis, while Ramsey can get Kompany making late tackles. I think we must be due a game where we play against 10 men? All of this sub play should see Walcott being able to cut inside and leave Kolarov cursing.

I do not see much point of us going there thinking our defence is strong enough to cope with their attack for long periods. Whatever happens, we will be ToTL, so let us go for it without fear. This game is only half time remember. We should recover any dropped points on our patch, so the important thing is to try and impose our game on them. They cannot do much without the ball, so make them work hard to get it. We can afford to put all our effort into this game because we have a tidy 9 day break before we play the Chavs, so get out there with all gun(ner)s blazing.

We are The Arsenal!

Written by: Gerry.

Has Lukaku found a way out of Koscielny’s pocket yet?

December 10, 2013TotalArsenal

Match analysis and afterthoughts.

Well that was one of the most exciting games I have watched all season. Credit to Roberto Martinez for building such a potent side. It was end to end stuff practically the whole game. In the end we shared the spoils which was maybe the fairest result anyone has had all campaign. Being an avid Gooner, my focus of course is on the Arsenal side. As such, there are a few observations I would like to make.

First of all, how good are Per, Kos and Szczesny this season? It is because of them that we have the best defense in the league. I mean can someone tell me if Lukaku has found a way out of Koscielny’s pocket? The two have formed a defensive partnership that no one in the EPL can match. At least not at the moment. And what of Szczesny? He makes saves that Oliver Khan would be proud of. The three (along with Sagna) have been nothing short of world class. Which brings me to the left back position. I feel (and have always felt) that Monreal is a better defender than Gibbs.

The few games he has played continue to reinforce my stance. Yesterday, Gibbs had an below average game defensively and he may have cost us 2 points. He did not close down Deulofeu for the goal and considering he was in our penalty box, I find it a bit hard to forgive. Gibbs is good at making interceptions but his positioning at times and his one on one defending leaves something to be desired. Maybe he is jaded from all the games he’s been playing, but either way I feel it’s time Monreal got his chance.

Secondly, there is the midfield conundrum. In a previous post I mentioned that having so many options to choose from can sometimes be negative. In this case it is. I feel that Wenger should find space for Walcott in that side one way or another. Wilshere has been outstanding the last 3 games and Ramsey is one of the best players in the league this season. That said, playing them all takes away not just our width but also our killer instinct. We play so well but once we get to the opposition box there is no one willing to enter the box. Ironically, playing so many creative midfielders has restricted the number of clear cut chances we create because we pass and tease at the edge of the box but it so often ends up breaking down as there is no one willing to makes runs into the box, or shoot.

The omission of Theo has also made our counter attacks toothless. When we win back the ball and we have a chance to counter, the ball lands to Ozil or Santi and you feel like crying because everyone else either isn’t willing to make runs or just isn’t quick enough to make it count. Many people call Theo a one trick pony but when that one trick is being supported by Ozil and Cazorla, it is a devastating trick. Even on Ozil’s debut, that potential partnership showed from the go. The fact is, Walcott will greatly increase our goals. Since his return, we have scored every time he is brought on.

Thirdly, if the Everton game showed us one thing it is that we need a killer striker to really take us to that elite level. I have always said Giroud is a fantastic player but he doesn’t have that ruthlessness that Suarez, Cavani, Falcao, Lewandowski, Aguero and RVP have. There are games (like yesterday’s) where having a striker who takes his chances makes the difference. Yesterday towards the end of the first half we came alive and with a more clinical striker, could have gone into the half 2 nil up effectively ending the contest. Wenger must really make this a priority when entering the market in January.

In conclusion, I feel that the game against Everton was the hardest we’ve played all season. The draw was a very fair result but because I know we can do better, it came as a disappointment to me. More so, because we really needed that 7 point cushion going into the double header against City and Chelsea. Now we have to make sure that we win at least one of those two games which will be no easy feat. That said, we are THE Arsenal and we are more than capable of doing so.

In other news, I am glad Podolski is back and we are almost at full strength and now we can begin to see how good we really are.

Come On You Gunners!!!!!

Written by: Marcus

Were Arsenal hurt by conservative tactics and rotation?

December 9, 2013December 9, 2013TotalArsenal

Arsenal-Everton 1-1: Great match, disappointing result?

Sunday’s line-up:

High flying Everton, fresh off victory at Old Trafford came to North London full of confidence and with nothing to lose. From the kickoff a pattern of Everton pace and width with repeated balls into Chelsea man Romelu Lukaku would be the tactic–a means of bypassing Arsenal’s packed 5 man midfield.

Early on Everton, to their credit, performed like the home team and Arsenal were often pegged into our own half. Playing on the break, we seemed limited by Giroud’s lack of pace and the midfielders lack of sureness as to whether they should make the forward run. Additionally, with only Giroud as a target (and nobody to really aim his headed ball towards), Szczesny’s (much improved) clearances never posed a real threat when we did go “Route One.”

By contrast Everton presented a strong attack and seemed happy to play the ball forward quickly. Barkley, Mirallas, Pienaar and the two fullbacks, Coleman and Oviedo all pressed well and pushed forward while ManCity man Gareth Barry anchored their shape. Still, beyond a few dangerous looking whipped crosses, which found only our heads or open spaces, they were limited to long, wide angle shots. In the first half, Szczesny did not have a save to make.

Arsenal came into the match as the half wore on and in the 27^th minute we almost took the lead on a cross from Cazorla to Gibbs in the 6 yard box. Only a slight deflection (unseen by the linesmen—a goal kick instead of a corner was given) prevented a sure goal. As the half wound down, Arsenal forced two smart saves from Tim Howard after nice combination work from Ozil, Giroud and Ramsey. Still, possession stats corroborated Everton’s dominance: 62% to our 38% showed just how much we had struggled to force the game to our will.

While I find great satisfaction in watching Arsenal defend with calmness and confidence, I do feel we will struggle for results if we cede so much possession. It could be argued that Arsene Wenger’s desire to have a 5 man midfield was undermined by his reliance on a combination of younger, relatively inexperienced players (Wilshere, Ramsey) and older, smaller, less mobile guys (Arteta, Cazorla), all of whom left both new man Ozil and our big fella up front (Giroud) somewhat isolated. I would add that our attempt to play the match in a good spirit, rather than indulging referee Howard Webb’s well known tendency to use his whistle near the center circle, was somewhat naïve. Misplaced balls, often under strong Everton pressure, were a key feature of the first period. A final area of complaint might be the ineffectiveness of our fullbacks going forward… Crosses beyond our attackers are another quick route to lost possession…

2^nd Half

We picked up where we had left off and our possession game looked far better in the early part of the 2^ndhalf. We certainly seemed on top as the hour mark came and went. While I thinking that Wenger had given Roberto Martinez the upper hand by not starting Theo Walcott and giving us a threat of pace on the break, I was no less than stunned when he did go to the bench in the 68^th minute. A triple change of Walcott, Rosicky and Flamini entered the game at the expense of Wilshere, Ramsey and Cazorla and immediately made us look a greater threat and more solid in the middle of the pitch (Flamini clearly taking a leadership role…), but time was running short. It was quite a roll of the dice and left us zero flexibility in case a player picked up a knock or the nature of the match was altered by a goal.

Did it also indicate a touch of regret regarding the starting 11?…

Finally, in the 80^th minute Rosicky found Walcott in the box and a wise header down to Giroud looked a sure goal. Possibly held back or fouled by Jagielka, our big man whiffed his effort but Ozil was there to smash it into the top of the net. The 3 points seemed ours!

Unfortunately, Martinez had just brought in Barca boy Gerard Deulofeu. Soon after, on a broken play and over-hit cross, the youngster was able to freeze the ball and defender Kieran Gibbs with a series of quick right footed touches and an even quicker shot of extreme power: he blasted the ball past Scszesny. The shot seemed both block-able and save-able but the talent and skill of the Deulofeu should probably be saluted. Gibbs had Rosicky protecting any move to the left so perhaps he should have done more to force the very right-footed young attacker back towards the center.

The match still had several minutes remaining and both teams seemed determined to try and find a winner, but Arsenal, stunned by the goal, had trouble wresting possession and Everton looked the more likely team to grab a late winner. Lukaku, put onside by a Gibbs touch, had their best chance in the 88th minute but Scszesny was well aware to the danger. A Walcott cross almost found Koscielny in the 90^thminute and Flamini had a swing (and a miss) at a tough angled volley with Howard out of the goal, but closest of them all was a stunning turn and shot by Giroud that beat Howard but rattled off the junction of post and crossbar. So close, but so far away…

It finished 1-1 and while disappointed that we didn’t take all three points and open up a seven point lead I’m still satisfied with our performance. We must sometimes salute a strong opponent and a thrilling match played in a good spirit, I believe. The trip to ManchesterCity will surely be very difficult but then there is time to regroup before the visit of Chelsea. Of course, before those two is the difficult trip to Napoli where we must finish off our Champions’ League group.

I think we may have been hurt by Wenger’s conservative tactical and rotational approach to the match. Arteta has been a rock as our deep lying midfielder but with youngster Jenkinson in for (injured) Sagna we may have needed a second rock in that part of the pitch. We looked more solid once Flamini entered the match. Additionally, with Everton pushing the ball up field quickly and using their Fullbacks as attackers we might’ve tried to match their pace with our own in Theo Walcott. Sagna also provides a secondary target for long balls from Scszesny and that tactic seemed particular ineffective without him. Last season, when we played plenty of “Route One,” Walcott’s runs off Giroud and Sagna headers were always something defenses had to respect. I also believe that Gibbs, while being the better athlete and a great “recovery” defender, isn’t as good a possession and “intelligence” player as Nacho Monreal. Did we suffer just that little bit from Wenger’s change at LB?

Finally, I believe we need to be better at adapting to pressing teams with quick passing, better outlets and using the protection of the referee when needed. Young Ramsey (who frankly had an off day by his recent high standards–sorry, no player ratings for me…) and Wilshere need to move and pass more and carry the ball (or try fancy flicks) a bit less. That they were both sacrificed, along with Cazorla, who often looks physically over-matched in open, fast paced games, was not a surprise. We may have to re-jig our starting 11 ever so slightly against the more physical, quicker teams.

So, while we have some issues the team is still growing and obviously working together. It is a disappointing result but I believe one that will toughen our resolve and move us forward. Not the best way to start the brutal run of three (very big) matches in less than 6 days, but also not the worst.

Longer term, Everton are a much improved team under Martinez (did they miss Moyes big “targets,” Fellaini and Baines, today?) and a good bet in the battle for Champions’ League spots. Unfortunately they’re heavily reliant on Lukaku, Barry and Deulofeu who are theirs on loan only. Wenger’s words about current loan policy loom large if Chelsea and City are to be considered our biggest league rivals. Will any (or all) of the three be recalled in the January window? We know they won’t play in matches against their parent clubs, which surely doesn’t seem correct…

We take a five point lead going forward. Not as good as seven but we also carry a fighting spirit that I’m not sure our rivals possess. A big month looms and then we may need to make adjustments in the New Year and the January window. All told, consider me excited by today’s match and our prospects…

How ‘bout you?…

Written by: 17highburyterrace

Arsenal v Hull Predicted Line Up – Time to Rip Roar on

December 3, 2013TotalArsenal

Really good game tomorrow and aren’t we lucky Hull have just beaten Pool: the boys will be extra focused now and when Arsenal are focused we are at our best.

This is the time to push on and grab every three points we can get, and Hull at home offers a good opportunity to make it 34 points after 14 games. The rest will have to keep up otherwise the gap will grow quickly. Let’s hope for another fine defensive performance, a midfield that dances its way to the goal and another selfless and oh-so-effective performance by Le Handsome.

Predicted Line-Up:

It looks like Sagna will get a rest due to a slight hamstring injury, and I reckon Rambo will be rested for the Everton game. Jack to sit next to the Flame and Rosicky to play RM. Nacho to get another game and the rest picks itself right now (Cazorla needs to keep playing now to find his best form).

Some will say, Theo will/must start and they could be right. I have a feeling he’ll start on the bench and will get 30 minutes, but would love to see him start.

On the other hand, Wenger might surprise us and rest OG and replace him with Theo tomorrow. I really hope he will not do that but wouldn’t be surprised if that is the case.

Anyway, let’s hope for another committed and fine performance and three points to the good guys. Time to push on and upwards and put some real pressure on Maureen and his Southern Oilers (our main competitor for the title).

Up the Arse – OGAAT – Come On You Rip Roaring Gunners! 😛

Written by: TotalArsenal.

Is there a better midfield in the PL than Arsenal’s?

November 28, 2013TotalArsenal

If you think that our goals last season were almost entirely scored by four players – beautifully spread out between them – and three of them have hardly played any football this season, there is every reason to believe we can at least continue – if not improve further – our two goals a game average. Last season we did not score many goals from the mid-mids: Rosicky, Wilshere, Ramsey and Arteta (except for his well taken penalties) seldom or never got the ball over the all important line.

But this season, we finally are getting goals from our central midfielders and this is a great sign of good things to come. Ramsey has been in red and white hot form, and Jack and Ozil have also scored a few goals already. And yet, the midfield is not fully clicking as we would like them to do; and so there is plenty of scope for further improvement.

With the likes of Rosicky, who unfortunately is less successful in finding the net, Ozil, Ramsey and Wilshere, we have four footballers who can play in various positions and be both finisher and creator whenever they feel like it. The more they will play together the better they will become as an attacking unit, and once they hit top form they will become unplayable.

Add Ox, Pod and Theo to the mix and it becomes even more interesting. The idea that we have three to four footballers who can score goals regularly and pick a defence splitting pass at any moment in the game, is simply fantastic. On Tuesday we saw some fantastic through-balls from Wilshere, Rosicky and Ozil, and it was good to see Jack in fine form again.

Jack in 'the hole' was a big surprise but he looked rusty once again, unfortunately! — Nice fag Jack?! 🙂

Some are wondering what has changed in Jack and the answer is nothing, other than simply hitting form; or maybe his body is finally starting to feel good again. One thing is certain for me: it has nothing, niente, nada, rien, niks, nichts, to do with a change in attitude by ‘Jack the lad’. Being a huge fan of SJW, I have studied his behaviour and persona a bit, and I am convinced he is the total professional who gives his all in every game!

With Jack hitting form now and Theo returning to the first team, there is further opportunity for Ozil to get settled into the team and learn to master the art of being the advanced central midfielder in our 4-2-1-3 formation. This still seems to be a bit of a new challenge for him, especially when we play the stronger teams and we tend to sit back more. But I am sure Wenger will work with him on this, and his fellow midfielders will help out as well.

As you know, I am a big fan of treating every game as a cup match – OGAAT OGAAT! – and we should not look further than the next game against Cardiff. But I am also looking forward tremendously to us playing the Southern and Northern Oilers next month and to see how our midfield holds up against theirs.

If, with a bit of luck, we can keep our team fit for a while, and can play with our strongest midfield and defence and OG is available in those games, I reckon we can beat them both.

If we win those midfield battles, or are at least equal to the Oilers’ midfields, I reckon we will win the league: December will tell us a lot, imo.

Will that finally shut up ‘those in the know’ – the Hansens, the Shearers and other perfect cures for insomnia – about Arsenal’s chances to win the title? Aah who cares, you should only rate an opinion of someone you rate as a person, and the rest is water of a duck’s arse stuff.

Let’s OGAATly play Cardiff on Saturday and work our socks off for another three points; that will bring us to 31 points and will put pressure on our desperate chasers to stay in touch with us (all playing on Sunday).

Let’s do it for Pat and show him our love and let’s help him beat that bastard called Cancer – Victoria Concordia Crescet! Pat we are thinking of you!

Written by: TotalArsenal.

Walcott or Gnabry start – wall of RamTeta – Santi or Jack? Preview

November 23, 2013TotalArsenal

Intro:

ANDDDDDDDDDD we’re back! We return to the Emirates this week against this season’s revelation Southampton. A loss against United reduced our lead on top of the table down to just 2 points, but with Liverpool facing Everton in their local derby it’s our chance to gain some breathing space again. I’m not suggesting this fixture will be a walk in the park (it’ll be anything but), I just want to sleep a little easier at night!!!

This match looms as the EPL’s best attack against the EPL’s best defence (they’ve only conceded 5 in 11 games). It’ll be another scrap…in all probability more so than the United game.

Mauricio Pochettino has turned Southampton into a well-oiled machine and has developed their defence into the meanest in the league. However, Southampton has not won away at Arsenal since 1987 (13 losses and 5 draws).

1st v 3rd…Let’s get in to it shall we:

Missing in Action:

Arsenal: Podolski (Hamstring) – back in training and should be back in the squad soon enough, Ox (Knee – Arsene said he’ll be back in a month – which may be code for see you in March for a few games before the season ends. It’s a real shame because HH and myself (and I’m sure countless others) tipped the Ox to explode this season. I hope he returns all guns blazing and doesn’t suffer the same fate as Vermaelen (struggling for form so long after injury and finding it tough to break back in)), Sanogo (back), and Diaby (Knee-ds to get back to fitness because we could do will the squad rotation) Ramsey will be fine to play despite missing for Wales. Flamini will miss thanks to an accumulation of yellow cards (scandalous news to take I know).

Southampton:Cork (ankle) and Prado (knee – regrettably he will be unavailable to score any own goals for us this time around)

Predicted Line-up:

Flamini misses through suspension so our very own lego-hair Arteta slips into the defensive spot (92.3% pass accuracy – highest in the league over 75 passes). Walcott is back!!! Therefore I think it is time to unleash the speedster again out on the right wing. May start from the bench because of his 2 month spell on the sidelines. If he does it’s definitely the German wunderkind Gnabry. The BFG should slot back in after recovering for the virus that kept him out against United. Everything else picks itself. One big positive is our internationals had quite a tranquil time away. Giroud didn’t play, Kozzer received a red card so he got one game off, BFG and Ozil only took part in one match, and Ramsey ‘injured’ himself in training…*wink wink*. So many should be ready, rested and raring to go against Southampton (barring any sort of flu, stomach, or influenza type bug).

Previous Encounters:

South v Arsenal 1-1

An own goal saved us from going down to a spirited Southampton team…very wearisome for all involved. Their goal was shocking, it was though every Arsenal player froze waiting for someone else to clean up the mess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ4MEfvY44s

Arsenal v South 6-1

4 first half goals (two own goals), a double from Gerv, and an absolute rocket from Lu-Lu Podolski left Southampton shell shocked. Welcome to the Emirates Saints fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsMfUTxrlsg

EPL Form Guide: Arsenal: : LWWWD Southampton: WDWDW

The LONG interlull should have well and truly wiped away the despair from the United game (then again it’s not like they played us off the park or anything. They got lucky with a header). Time to get a string of wins going again and dampen Southampton’s dream run (sorry guys, it won’t last.)

Southampton are on an 8 game unbeaten streak and have only lost once this season. They beat Liverpool at Anfield and they drew with United at Old Toilet…*clears throat*

This week I’ve dipped into the Arsenal Archive and pulled out this video clip. It’s the 2003 FA Cup final win against Southampton. God (dennis) the last few minutes were hard to watch. Thank goodness A.Cole was on the line to clear Beattie’s goal bound header. Have a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRGiMoRforg

One to Watch:

This week’s one to watch is Adam Lallana. The new England international has been in top form this season and is one of the main reasons behind Southampton’s start to the season (so a winger who has come up through the Southampton academy hasn’t been pinched by another team? and why hasn’t anyone pinched Luke Shaw yet? He’ll end up at United soon enough I’m sure of it). He’s enjoyed a freer role this season and it’s paid dividends. Look for him to run at our defenders at every chance (highest number of completed dribbles in the last round of fixtures – 5). Gibbs (72.1% 1 v 1 challenges won this season) and Sagna will have to focused and make sure they don’t let him run free all game. If he gets the chance he will make Arsenal pay. Rickie Lambert is one to keep an eye on; he’s been in top form since his move from Norwich.

Arsenal’s one to watch this week is Theo Walcott. He’s back ready for action (hopefully in a starting position). Southampton taught him the ropes from a young age… so what better way to show them just how far he’s come than by scoring against them?! Southampton have had the least number of shots on target against them in the league this season (31) but I think Walcott’s pace will test that stat. Returning to action so soon is not something I’d normally advocate but I think he’s completely vital in this one (if not Theo definitely Gnabry). Southampton play a high line and will look to suffocate anything and everything. Playing Rosicky and Santi out wide would feed straight in to their trap. If we can use the pace of Walcott to get in and behind their defence it will stretch them, and hopefully make them retreat a little. Even if he only has 60′ in him he should start; in that time hopefully we can pinch and early one and change the shape of the game. Time to see Ozil’s delicious passes out in front of Walcott again. Only this time Walcott will be ready to convert on the counter.

Key-Match up:

Ramsey and Ozil vs Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama

Ramsey has set the EPL on fire this season; Ozil has lifted our team to the next level. This week they face a tough task as they line-up against two workhorses in Schneiderlin and Wanyama (number one in the league for fouls committed – 29). Ex-Celtic player Wanyama was linked with us for some time (what defensive midfielder hasn’t since Gilberto left?!) and I’m surprised he didn’t end up at a bigger club. I expect both Southampton midfielders (especially Wanyama) to rough up our midfielders on every occasion they get. Their goal will be to break up our fluidity at every chance they get, and make no mistake they will do it anyway they can. I feel the winners of this duel wins their team the match.

Pre-Match Finger:

This week’s finger goes to Nicklas Bendtner.

We were lead to believe he was training hard and focusing on football. Most fans wanted to see the back of him, some were coming around to the idea of keeping him (I know I was, I didn’t even sell him on FIFA14…we’ll I have now but that was because I needed a sweetener to get my Reus deal over the line!). We’d hardly heard a peep out of him this season. However, in typical Bendtner fashion he had to start flapping his gums again. In an age where every single athlete is that well media trained (so much so they are all starting to sound like bloody robots dribbling the same old tired rhetoric. Don’t believe me, then look at what Southampton’s midfielder James Ward-Prowse said this week: “I know it’s a cliché, but we’ve just got to take each game as it comes, prepare right for each one, and go into them with the right attitude and mentality to come out on top. There’s a confidence instilled in us that no matter who the opposition are – whether they’re lower league or top of the league – we can go and beat them. I think these next couple of games (Arsenal and Chelsea away) will show us as a club where we’re at in terms of playing the top teams in the league, and I think we’ll be alright.”), Bendtner still manages to make a fool of himself. As soon as a microphone gets shoved in his face he’s back saying how he wanted to leave and how he’d love to play for Barca/Real. Who is he fooling? Perhaps if you focus on the important stuff you may actually get there one day. What squandered talent. Oi Bendtner, shut it and play ball!

Pre-Match Pat on the back:

This week’s pat on the back is going to Arsenal’s shot stopper Wojciech Szczęsny.

He’s told his dad to stay off the Wódka and stop drunk texting Arsene. He’s done what Bendtner hasn’t and put in the hard yards. Best of all he’s performing exactly how Arsene and all of us knew he could. He has the potential to be a world class keeper, and at only 23 (feels like he’s been around forever!) he really does have the world at his fingertips. His hard work has paid off and he was rewarded with a new contract and special praise from the manager. Keep at it Szczesny…you deserve it young man!

‘Ask the opposition’ returns again this week. Boy was it a struggle to get there this week! Four blogs ignored my email. Two forums blocked me and delete my comment (not like I was trying to bloody sell something. I wrote it in their ‘Arsenal v Southampton’ thread). I knew a week like this would come but I never thought it’d be at the hands of Saints supporters…maybe Totts or Man United. Nevermind we got there in the end. This week the brilliantly named ‘Le Tissier’s Laces’ has stepped up and offered to have a go. I’m glad he has because he’s written some quality responses. Let’s see what he’s written for us this week:

1. What do you attribute to your fast start to the season?

I think the excellent start we’ve had has been a combination of two factors which are of course interlinked – our high-pressing, high tempo style of play, and the fact that our outstanding coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has had a full pre-season in which to implement his philosophy and ideas. It seems odd that none of the ‘lesser’ sides (and by that I mean those that are unable to buy in significant talent, such as a £40m Ozil) have not adopted this style previously, as it’s clearly very tough to play against, but then I genuinely don’t think many coaches have been able to implement it from the off. Pochettino is a disciple of Bielsa and has grown up around this style of play. Should we carry on at the level we are, expect many to try and copy it from next season.

2. Do you think your squad is big enough to keep you up all season??

Currently we’ve been lucky with injuries. The greatest fear of any Saints fan right now is a serious problem at either left-back or goalkeeper. Our replacements for those positions (namely Danny Fox and Kelvin Davies) aren’t of the requisite quality unfortunately to keep this level of performance going. With a fit first team we’re a match right now for anyone in the division. A couple of injuries such as those would likely see us start to drop points. Although there’s a lot of faith placed in the up and coming youngsters, ideally some strengthening in key positions would be a priority in January. Much as the management and owners of the club think the sky’s the limit, and preach that positivity throughout the club, you won’t find many Saints fans that genuinely see us as title contenders, or even top four. Top six is certainly doable though.

3. Are you happy with how your transfer window went?

We strengthened smartly in the close season, and despite some initial reservations about Dejan Lovren after a hellish last season at Lyon, he really has been the star player that we’ve brought in. Calm and composed, and with no little skill on the ball, he’s been the fulcrum of our excellent defensive record at the back. A lot was made of, and expected of, Victor Wanyama when we brought him in, and he certainly provides a menacing physical presence in front of the back four. Again, his addition has contributed significantly to our meanness in both senses of the word, but he is prone to making small technical errors that can prove expensive. On the flip side, he’s also only 22, and once those minor errors get ironed out, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with. Our record signing, Dani Osvaldo, he of the Jonny Depp looks, is yet to really fire, but his quality is evident when he’s on the pitch. What’s exciting for Saints fans right now is that we’ve got ourselves into third place, and yet our Italian international forward is yet to truly get going.

4. What position/ player is your weakest link?

When we have a fit first team I don’t think there is a specifically weak position which is part of the reason for our success. There are no outright ‘star’ players in the team, but there’s a genuine seam of quality running through the team as a whole. If I was pushed on that, we sometimes can struggle on the opposite wing to Lallana. Jay Rodriguez, despite his recent call up, is probably the player whose first team position feels most under threat.

5. What position is Arsenal’s weak link?

Arsenal have assembled what looks to be a formidable team currently and much like ourselves, when the full squad is fit and up to speed there are no real glaring weaknesses that stand out, particularly now Giroud seems to be firing. If there’s an area to exploit for visiting teams, it would likely be the central defensive positions. Mertesacker, for all his undoubted quality, isn’t the paciest and Koscielny feels erratic.

6. Which Arsenal player would you love to have in your team and why?

It would be a toss up between Ozil and Carzola for me. The classic ‘bums on seats’ players and thrilling to watch when on song. Other than Lallana, we lack a genuine creative force in the midfield (an area we may well be strengthening in the January window), and unfortunately, despite his talent Gaston Ramirez has failed to really shine in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League. It would be a delight to see either of those two in a Saints shirt.

7. What is your match prediction?

My head says an Arsenal victory as long as your players find a way around our high-energy style. I’d happily walk away from the Emirates with a point and without Arsene trying to steal another of our youngsters. My heart would hope for a Liverpool loss early in the day and a Saints victory to take us top! Southampton top of the Premier League. Now wouldn’t that be something…….

Prediction:

At the start of the season I never thought I’d be sitting here worried about a home game against Southampton! They really have taken the league by storm. They may not be a team of star players but they work together it’s working. If results go their way and they win by more than a goal they’ll be top of the league! Surely they can’t take points from us…can they? A win against South will definitely send a message to the rest of the EPL and boost Arsenals confidence. Nah I think we’ll be too strong and our midfield will be the difference. It’ll have to be if we want to break down their stubborn defence. A goal early could see has net 2 or 3. I feel it’ll be another chess match. If they score first I don’t think we’ll be able to wrestle back all 3 points. It won’t be pretty but we’ll get the job done in the end. Arsenal 1-0.

What is your prediction?

Can Southampton continue their dream run?

What starting line-up would you choose?

What position is their weakest link at the moment?

What tactic would you employ to beat Southampton?

Written by: Oz Gunner

At least three home grown players should start each EPL game? Think again!

November 19, 2013November 19, 2013TotalArsenal

REFORM PROPOSALS

I see that popular theme of the moment was raised again – the number of players in the England squad who started in the premier league games was 9? Perhaps they should be forced to put Gibbs in the squad to get the quota up?

I am not sure if the new commission have thought it through, with this idea that at least 3 homegrown players should start every EPL game. Do they not realise that the big money clubs will simply buy up all the best young talent, so instead of the talent being spread around, it will be concentrated in fewer clubs, and although 3 may play, you can guarantee that at least 3 or 4 others will be sitting on the sidelines?

Where will that leave the game in 5 years time?

Not only that, can you imagine the divisions and rifts it will cause if a club has its best homegrown players injured and has to use a 3^rd tier player to fill in, at the expense of one of their really talented imports? In reality what is more likely to happen is the bigger clubs will simply lose a substitute or two and haul off anybody who is not there on merit?

That is the real point. We want homegrown players to be in our top sides on merit

So, perhaps the size of these academies should be looked at?. Then look at the period after the young players who sign their first schoolboy, then by the time they are 16, govern more closely where they move on to at 18 or 19. If these academies were given a rating for their development skills, and getting players into their first team for a minimum number of matches, then they were have their quota raised for their junior entrants, and more important, clubs that fail to upgrade their juniors into their first team, have their their opportunities to cream off the best also cut.

So, you begin by setting up a limit of how many players academies can have in the first place. Arsenal for instance, have around 80+ under 18’s.. This may well be a reflection of what the club can afford, but does it give all those the same opportunity than if they were in smaller units spread around? Then you have the ratio of those juniors which have been selected from their immediate area from the age of 9 through to age 16 and their first contracts, against those that are imported aged 16-18+?

This to me is the first stage of the imbalance that worries football chiefs. Do the locals really get squeezed out, or are the foreign player simply better coached at an early stage, and thus show more potential by the time they reach the time to sign professional forms? If it is the former then they can negate that by quotas. If, as seems evident in most cases, it is the latter, then we lose talent that could strengthen the premier league status to other country’s leagues, and without addressing the fundamental problem of coaching skills?

My proposal would be to do a full background check on clubs throughout the league, not just the premier division. See how is it, that a smaller income club like Southampton can be so successful, it appears, in all respects, than say some clubs who have bigger resources, who do relatively little in terms of progressing youngsters? May be like Arsenal, they can distort the final figure of successfully trained juniors into first team players by the huge numbers they process? It is not that simple of course. A club like Arsenal will attract a large number of aspiring youngsters that simply do not have the required talent, and may not be good enough to break into even a lower league side?

But how, if at all, are these clubs assessed?

I quoted the figure from Coventry’s academy recently, that 11 of the 18 players in the squad that beat Wimbledon AFC in the FA Cup game were homegrown, most had been there since the age of 9. If it were not for their 10 point penalty, they would be 4th in Division 1. They must be doing something right, and others less so?

Moving on to more general assessment. It should be able to get a figure from all the clubs of what %age of the clubs income is spent on development of young players, and from that how many players each club will then coach from all divisions. You then can have a better idea who is doing it right with regards to getting players to first contract level?

With all that in place you can also have from the basic quota of the numbers of players that are in the system from the %age of income, and can adjust that according to success rates. Up and Down!

Remember this is throughout the league, and at the bottom end clubs do not have the finances to run large academies, or even the successful ones being able to expand if they are given an increased quota if they are not one of the mega rich clubs.

This is where I feel the massive income from TV sources should be used. So a successful but not a club but not with a large fan base or income, could be allocated X millions to fund another 10 places for quality players to get the best coaching right through until they are able to sign professional contracts age 18. The lower league clubs could get similar assistance so every local club has the facilities in place to coach youngsters no matter where they live. But they will be assessed on the quality of their coaching. Indeed, if this money is spent wisely, using techniques that are implemented at the best clubs, by paying these ‘best clubs’ to train and educate new coaches. Particularly the lower league clubs who run really good academies, would have openings for these newly trained coaches who have working experience as well as their merit badges? Many of these people will be ex-footballers, who going through a properly funded system where they learn from the best, will then be our future skilled managers?

That brings us to ‘Best Practice’

What determines best practice? Each club, and it’s manager, will have a favoured style of play which they want to instil into players that go on to have a future at their club. But before that, the basics that are worked, over and above precocious early talent. Techniques of ball control, passing and team work, are the fundamentals that good coaches should be able to get right, long before formations and style of play come into it?

The clubs that take in huge numbers of youngsters, and turn the average 8 or 9 year old into a good footballers, and the very talented into top class ones, are the models the commission should be looking at. Rather than the clubs who simply scout their adjacent clubs and cream off the best ones. This will simply distort their performance of improving techniques, by just adding a bit to the most talented? This does not mean all big clubs are not models for best practice. However, if thoroughly skilled coaches were spread over more clubs, even if not directly funded by the clubs themselves, it could open up diversity where the kids could see where they are best suited, before they get into club allegiance? There could be teams of coaches who visit clubs on a regular basis to do coaching sessions, which the clubs can back up themselves. I thinking here at very grass root level of non-league clubs, who with the best will in the world cannot employ highly qualified coaches. But the aim is to have as many clubs assist their local children in giving them the best football education, without having to travel miles and miles, before they know if they want to pursue it further?

Monitoring young players.

It is important to know if what is being done, is working the way it is intended. By the time players reach 14 or 15 their natural talent beyond technique should have revealed itself. They are now on schoolboy forms which makes the follow up easier. However, players that leave the system should also have an input in case it is something that can be corrected, and they can continue their interest in playing. There may be a shortage of local clubs, referees, or even pitches to play on, which another area where centralised funding could help?

The breakthrough years between 16-21 are where the pressures and disappointments start to surface. But if these players are monitored and assessed, and the players have had an input, the quality players with an abundance of natural talent, and years of the best coaching practice behind them, should be able to find clubs to employ them professionally.

Only then, when all this is in place, can you say to clubs who they should or shouldn’t play. In the meantime, perhaps those clubs that horde quality youngsters could be given a push with a ‘use them or lose them’ ultimatum? So 16 year old not getting a minimum number of games appropriate to their talent or age should be made available to other clubs who can claim a shortage of top young talent, if they meet the criteria of being models of best practice.

Opportunity, not money, should be the guiding principle?

Written by: Gerry.

Flamini for Arteta, Gnabry for Rosicky, Walcott on bench? Match Preview.

November 9, 2013November 9, 2013TotalArsenal

Arsenal vs Manchester United Pre-Match

Intro:

This week we take a trip to Old Trafford to face our bitter rivals. It’s a little unusual this time around though because instead of sir red nose it’s David Moyes at the helm. Early days have been rough for him (as you’d expect). He has big shoes to fill and he’s slowly dragging United back up the ladder. A loss for United will see them languishing 11 points off the lead. A position they have not been in for a very long time.

A win against United would boost our confidence through the roof and really act as a springboard for the long season ahead. Wins against Pool, BD, and Man U in a week would make a serious statement to the rest of the competition!

Let’s get in to it shall we:

Missing in Action:

Arsenal: Podolski (Hamstring) – back in training and aims to be back in December, Ox (Knee), Diaby (Knee), and Sanogo (back). Wilshere, Flamini, and Walcott face fitness tests.

Man United: Fletcher (chronic bowel condition), Welbeck (Knee). Reports have suggested that Rafael (foot/ankle), Evans (back) and Carrick (calf/shin) could all return this week. Almost a full squad for United…no excuses.

Predicted Line-up:

Flamini to return in place of Arteta and Serge to step in for Rosicky. It’s probably too attacking away from home but I’d like to see us put them on the back foot quickly and score early. The likely scenario is Rosicky to play in Gnabry’s place just like he did midweek. An additional question mark is will Flamini be alright to go? If he is will he partner the ever reliable Zorro? Walcott and Wilshere will make the bench.

Previous Encounters:

Arsenal v Man U 1-1

A beautiful run by Walcott saw Arsenal go ahead in the 2nd minute. It was undone by a poor back pass by Sagna, followed by an overzealous challenge inside the box as he looked to make amends. The penalty was despatched by the treacherous rat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uami6cBa8ME

Man U v Arsenal 2-1

Vermaelen gifted BSR a goal in the 3rd minute. Somehow Evra scored with a header. Jack was sent off (The only Arsenal player on the day who decided to show up). Santi scored a conciliation goal at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAVEaGRp1iw

EPL Form Guide: Arsenal: : WWWDW Man U: WWDWL

Two massive wins in a row against Liverpool and German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund see us riding on cloud 9 at the moment. It’s been 252 days since our last loss.

Manchester United currently sit in 8th position…yep 8th! I’ve wanted to see them languish into mid table mediocrity for quite some time. It may not last but for now it’s better than porn. They were held goalless midweek by Real Sociedad, they blasted away Fulham either, and Chicharito saved them at home against Stoke. They’ve started to lift but by no means do they look convincing.

In saying that, Man U (away) still remains our toughest fixture this season…regardless of either teams form.

This week I’ve dipped into the Arsenal Archive and pulled out this video clip. It’s the famous Ruud Van nistelrooy incident in the 2003/04 season. I absolutely loved at how the team bandied together and gave him a mouth full when the final whistle blew. Keown’s jump and hit (probably still enraged after Red Arse picked him up and hugged him), Lauren’s and Parlours Push, and the rest of the team giving him a spray. God I’d love for the boys to do the same to Brave Sir Robin this weekend. Have a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1dfphE6jOs

One to Watch:

This week’s one to watch is Rooney. All Summer long he was linked with a move away from the Fergie-less United. It’s no revelation he stuck around, we’ve seen it take place before when he wanted more money. I’ve always hated him! Ever since he scored that outrageous goal during his Everton days I knew more despair was to come. It did come…in the form of a dive across Sol Campbell’s leg in the match that snapped our unbeaten run (. He’s scored 10 goals against Arsenal which is more than any other team…aren’t we lucky!!! He’s like a balder, whiter version of Drogba (I’m not sure which one dives more though). Hopefully Flamini can leave a few marks on both him and BSR. As Arseblog mentioned the other day, it’s only fair BSR and Rooney share the same fate as General Zod. Being trapped in the Phantom Zone as they waft through space forever is a fitting end after all the anguish/anger they’ve caused us over the years.

Arsenal’s one to watch is none other than “the enforcer” Mathieu Flamini. He’s tough, uncompromising, and fights to the very end! For years we’ve been torn apart by United on the counter. Flamini will have to marshal the zone in front of the back four and protect it with his life. The good thing about Flamini is…he knows no other! You know what you are going to get when he steps out onto the pitch. Let’s hope he’s fit enough to start.

Key-Match up:

BFG + Kozzer vs Rooney + Brave Sir Robin

Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny check list:

· Luis Suarez—–
· Daniel Sturridge—-
· Robert Lewandowski—-
· Marco Reus—–
Brave Sir Robin
Wayne Rooney

They’ve kept four big hitters quiet, now it’s time to close out another two. Rooney started off the year slow (no surprise given the controversy throughout the summer), but he’s stepped up in recent weeks and started to form a good relationship with BSR. Together they’ve scored 11 goals in the league this season (same number scored by Giroud and Ramsey) so our defensive duo must maintain their form if we are to win at Old Trafford. With the help of Sagna, Gibbs, Flamini, and Szcz I think they will. 3 clean sheets in a week…you got it!

Pre-Match Finger:

This week’s finger goes to none other than Ashley Young.

The premier league was relieved to see the back of serial diver Christiano Ronaldo. However, in his place grew another diver in the form of former Aston Villa winger Ashley Young (I guess you can say he’s still a Villain (eh! eh! eh! Okay I apologise for that one). At Man United he’s become the new Ole Gunnar Solskjær, but instead of coming off the bench to score he comes on -> is touched by an opposition player (sometimes not even) and delivers a bewildering blur of twists and turns resulting in a split legged face plant -> whistle -> penalty (and sometimes a red card). The catalogue he’s developed over the last few years is truly astonishing. In a game that can be won or lost by the smallest of margins he is rightfully on the receiving end of the media’s blowtorch. Thankfully his dive against Real Sociedad during the week didn’t win them the match. Justice was served when Brave Sir Robin missed the penalty and Man United shared the points. It’s a real shame, as once upon a time he was considered a real talent. Now he’s resigned to forging a career in the England synchronised diving team. My finger is out to you Ashley…time to pull yours out too (just not this week and not for United).

I’m glad the ref in our game against BD didn’t fall for similar tactics employed by Robert Lewandowski. It was sickening how often he dived throughout the match. I’m still laughing about the foul Arteta was called for after he won the ball from Lewandowski. Amazing how Kozza can be absolutely poll-axed in the box and receive nothing, yet these blouses can get rewarded when they go to ground after a pass of wind.

Pre-Match Pat on the back:

This week’s pat on the back is going to Arsenal’s Running Man Tomas Rosicky.

His importance to the team cannot be mentioned enough. When others are puffed out and out on their feet Rosicky is there! Terry is mesmerised by his hair flapping about as he runs, whereas we are fascinated by his determination and commitment to the cause. I had him as our MoTM against BD for obvious reasons. He chases, he passes, he tackles, he attacks…he really does do it all. He may not be able to play every game but when he does he definitely makes it count. The press is very important in today’s game and I think he’s the best in the team at implementing the strategy. He’s definitely got a lot more juice in his legs, and I hope he’s rewarded with a premiership medal at season’s end for his continual hard work. Well done Rosicky.

‘Ask the opposition’ returns again this week. It is designed to get some friendly banter from our opposition fans and get their insight for the match ahead. This week the answers were kindly provided by Dale O’Donnell from http://strettynews.com (@StrettyNews). Let’s see what he’s written for us this week:

1. What do you attribute to your slow start to the season?

It’s a transitional period. David Moyes came in and was willing to try different things. He had to do it at some stage and there was always going to be consequences, as you can see from the points we’ve already dropped. There has been signs of negative football and that must be altered. Attacking football is a key aspect to Manchester United.

2. How is Moyes travelling? He has big shoes to fill, will he make the grade?

Massive shoes to fill but he must be his own man and do things the way he feels is right. You don’t change a club like United, it will change you. Expectations are risen dramatically since his reign at Everton. Personally, I’ve got behind him from day one despite not being my initial choice. Moyes is a football man and he deserves time.

3. Your thoughts on Ashley Young being labelled a diver?.

Thoughts? It’s embarrassing. Young arrived and has yet to show any real consistency. Both Fergie and Moyes have said they’ve spoken to him about it but he still does it. And he’s still mediocre.

4. Are you happy with how your transfer window went?

Not particularly, but Moyes did name his targets. It was not his job to negotiate, so anyone hanging the blame over his head has not got a clue what they’re talking about.

5. What position/ player is your weakest link?

That has to be our midfield, but I’m not going to single out any player because it often depends on the combination. Carrick performs well regardless of who he is alongside. However, we still have fans that don’t appreciate the job he does for us.

6. What position is Arsenal’s weak link?

I don’t rate Szczęsny at all. He’s been at Arsenal since 2009, so he’s had the time to do it.

7. Which Arsenal player would you love to have in your team and why?

Ozil, hands down. What he has done for Arsenal so far this season does not surprise me one bit. It’s what happens when you add world class to your squad. Look at us last season with Van Persie. Remember him? Without your former captain, I doubt we would have won the league.

8. What is your match prediction?

We are at home, so I’m going for 1-1.

Prediction:

It’s hard to not get carried away and say we are going to win it easy, especially considering the way we’ve handled our opposition this week. The truth is we’ve played two very tough games in a row. Hopefully our physios have been working overtime and the players doing everything they can to recover 100%. In saying that it’s a massive game, if you can’t lift and find another gear in this game you don’t belong at Arsenal. I’d love to see us win at Old Trafford because it’s been a truly miserable place to play over the years; therefore, I’m torn between a 1-1 draw or a 0-2 victory. Frick it…0-2 to the good guys.

What is your prediction?

What starting line-up would you choose?

De Gea or Szczesny?

What position is their weakest link at the moment?

What tactic would you employ to beat Man U?

What will be the top 4 at season’s end?

Written by: Oz Gunner

Time to show Suarez what he missed out on: Liverpool pre-view

November 1, 2013November 1, 2013TotalArsenal

Arsenal vs Liverpool Pre-Match

Intro:

Both teams have had a great start to the season but also have been handed a kind fixture list until now. Time for Arsenal to show the competition why we belong at the top of the table. A resurgent Liverpool? I don’t think so: time to shut them down at the Emirates on Saturday.

Let’s get in to it shall we:

Missing in Action:

Arsenal: Podolski (Hamstring) – back in training, Ox (Knee), Diaby (Knee), Sanogo (back), and Walcott (abdominal). Not too sure what’s going on with Flamini (groin). There have not been any noises coming from the medical department, is he unavailable? Are we just supposed to presume that he is? Or was he sent to a different medical centre to Diaby…one that actually heals injuries quickly?

Liverpool: Coutinho returns to the squad, left back Enrique Iglesias is in doubt for this one because of a knee injury.

Predicted Line-up:

Szczesny, BFG, Giroud, and Ozil should return to the starting line-up. Arteta returns following a one-match suspension and should line-up next to Ramsey if Flamini is injured. I’m not too sure if Santi is ready to go again. If he is then he should play out on the left, if not I’d give Wilsher/Rosicky a go. Gnabry should start on the right and could cause problems if Enrique doesn’t get up for this fixture.

Previous Encounters:

Arsenal v Liverpool 2-2

A ripper from Walcott saw Arsenal come from 2 goals down to share the spoils against Liverpool. It was a rather dull encounter but after Henderson scored on the 60′ mark we shot to life and scored two goals in 3′. Both of their goals were a complete joke and as lucky as they come!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbCvTSj8p_U

Allah Theo, Allah!!!

Liverpool v Arsenal 0-2

Two new signings bring two goals away at Anfield. Santi and Podolski started their Arsenal careers with a bang. Deserved the win after we controlled the midfield all game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIXYU8-EITU

EPL Form Guide: Arsenal: : WWDWW Liverpool: WDWWL

We slipped up midweek against Chelsea but our EPL form has been solid, yet unspectacular. Time to kick in to gear again and stop a premiership contender in their tracks.

Although they lost points to Newcastle they’re on a good run of form. Suarez was blistering against West Brom in their last fixture, netting a hat trick. A win will see them jump above Arsenal on the table.

This week I’ve dipped into the Arsenal Archive and pulled out this video clip. It’s the famous 4-2 victory against Liverpool during our ‘invincibles’ season. in the week preceding this game we had been beaten in the FA Cup semifinal by Manchester United and the Champions League quarterfinal by Chelsea. A patched-up Arsenal twice went behind to Sami Hyypia and Michael Owen goals, but stormed back, inspired by Thierry Henry, as he scored a hat trick to seal the win and preserve the unblemished record. Brilliant clip!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er5vVCVbVsw

One to Watch:

Recent transfer target ‘El Pistolero’ Luis Suarez. His suspension has been served and boy has he hit the ground running! In no time at all he’s netted 6 times this season after just 4 games. I know I’m being greedy when I say this…but Jesus I’d love to see him in our team! Suarez really would slot in nicely up top with Giroud wouldn’t he? ‘El Pistolero’ means ‘the gunner’…he was a perfect fit. Oh well what could have been huh, let’s just hope he’s firing blanks this weekend.

This week’s one to watch has to be Ozil. Truly great players stand up in the big fixtures and I have no doubt Ozil will do just that. 2 goals and 3 assists make Ozil a very dangerous player for Liverpool to match up against. It’s also interesting to note that he’s currently got a 88% shooting accuracy and we’ve all seen just how long he needs to pick his target.

Key-Match up:

Giroud vs the Liverpool CB’s

Our midweek game showed just how important Ollie is to our side. He’s stepped up a gear this season and his self-belief is coming along in leaps and bounds. 7 goals 4 assists and an average of 5.1 aerial duels won per game makes Giroud a handful wherever the ball is. Who he’ll line up against is anyone’s guess. Skrtel, Sakho, Agger or Toure, or all four as has happened on one occasion this year. Whoever it is will have to keep close watch on Giroud.

Pre-Match Finger:

This week’s finger goes to Foy for sending off Mikel Arteta’s. Fair enough a decision was needed in real time, but why not throw out the ridiculous one match suspension? Sort it out rules committee! How can a bunch of grown men on a football site be left scratching their heads after the game when asked what Arteta’s outcome would be?! Because the rules are a joke at times. That decision changed the game. Thankfully for us we still came out on top! Video replays people…we need them!!!!

‘Ask the opposition’ returns again this week.

It is designed to get some friendly banter from our opposition fans and get their insight for the match ahead. This week the answers were kindly provided by Paul Tomkins from tomkinstimes.com (@paul_tomkins). Let’s see what he’s written for us this week:

1. What do you think is the secret behind your success this season?

Credit has to go to Rodgers and the transfer committee, for the work they did, and to John Henry and co. for keeping Suarez, when I thought he’d played his last game for us. Who knows, another one pound fifty and we might have buckled?!

We’ve not had the toughest first nine games, with just United a big test so far, and they look uninspired this season. But Sturridge, and now Suarez as well, have been absolutely sensational. With Mignolet making the saves that Reina had stopped making, we have racked up points due to the keeper and the strikers. What’s in between hasn’t been as good as last season, with some of the possession game sacrificed, but the tactics are getting the best out of the front two, and they are clinical at the moment.

The next 10 games are very difficult on paper. So after game 19 – the halfway point – we should have a better idea. I don’t see us as challengers for the title but we are capable of the top four if the front two stay fit. Lose both of those to injury and there’s not a lot in the reserve. Our first XI is the strongest it’s been since 2009, and the average age is good, so we should have a brighter future. The fact that we’ve done well without Suarez in over half the games, and with Coutinho out, suggests we are getting better.

2. Suarez…is all forgiven?

I think so, although he was just doing to us what he did to Ajax to move to us in the first place. Some footballers are like that, and you accept it. He is not the loyal kind, but he is someone who works his nuts off in every match. I think he loves LFC, just like he loved Ajax, but he is also fiercely ambitious. My view is that we just enjoy him while we have him and then reinvest the fee wisely when he inevitably leaves. Hopefully he’ll move overseas, when that times comes, and for a lot more money than was on offer in the summer. And hopefully he won’t bite anyone in the meantime.

3. Are you happy with how your transfer window went?

I think so. Mignolet is doing extremely well, and Sahko looks a beast. Aspas had a great preseason and then looked hopeless when the season started, but it’s too early to write him off – although he’s the one disappointment so far. Cissokho looks like a sensible loan, and Luis Alberto has that Barcelona pedigree. Tiago Ilori has a very bright future, and Victor Moses is another astute loan, although after a bright start he’s looked a bit lost in his last couple of starts. Still, he’s clearly a good player.

And of course, there’s Kolo Toure. He’s really surprised me. I really rated him at Arsenal but assumed he was a fat-arsed has-been – but he’s not, and he’s impossible not to love. A great character, and still a very good footballer.

4. What position/ player is your weakest link?

We’ve had problems at left-back, and hopefully Cissokho will prove a solution. Enrique is a mix of brilliance and awfulness, and while he’s quite endearing, he can be too frustrating, so that’s the main area.

And some fans are moaning about Lucas again, but I remain a fan. He missed a lot of football, and it can take a long while to get back to the old levels. He reads the game so well, but once he’s beaten he’s beaten as he doesn’t have the recovery pace.

5. What position is Arsenal’s weak link?

It’s hard to say for sure, as I don’t see you play as often as I see Liverpool. I’m not overly impressed with Szczęsny, although he may be playing better now, and is still quite young for a keeper.

I don’t think you have the strongest centre-backs around, although I used to be a big Vermaelen fan – not sure what happened with him? But again, I may be wrong, as I only see the occasional game or highlights on TV, and Mertesacker and Koscielny may be much better than I realise. I do actually quite like Koscielny but he’s one of those who seems to make a few high-profile mistakes.

6. Which Arsenal player would you love to have in your team and why?

Probably Ozil, although we aren’t short of attacking quality. He’s not what we need, but then I thought he wasn’t what you needed either. Turns out that he’s so good he improved Arsenal all the same, even though you seem to have a few similar types. You’re a bit like us – better going forward than defending.

7. Ozil or Suarez?

I’d say Suarez, but then I would, wouldn’t I? As an individual he’s phenomenal, and now that the team seems better suited to his style he is looking obscenely good. But of course, he’ll probably want out in the summer. They’re both great players, and that’s not me being diplomatic.

8. What is your match prediction?

No idea! I’d expect a lot of good attacking play from both sides. The higher-scoring games have tended to happen at Anfield in more recent years – 6-3, 4-2, 4-4, but it could be one of those evenings!

Prediction:

I’ll admit it; I’m a touch worried about this fixture. Sturridge and Suarez have been on fire and have the speed to really trouble the BFG. Both teams love to attack so this one could turn into a good old fashioned shootout. We have to press them all over the pitch so they don’t have too much time on the ball! If we can do that and not get hit on the counter I think we’ll win this one 2-1.

What is your prediction?

Suarez or Ozil who would you prefer?

What position is our weakest link at the moment?

What tactic would you employ to beat Liverpool?

Written by: Oz Gunner

Seven games to make a real statement of intent by Arsenal: Bring it on!

October 13, 2013October 13, 2013TotalArsenal

Time to push on and silence the remaining critics!

Norwich (H), Dortmund (H), Palace (A), Chavs (H), Pool (H), Dortmund (A), Mancs (A)…. and then we need another inter-lull hahaha…. which we will duly get. 🙂

Arsenal had a fantastic start to the season; and we are not talking any more about THAT home game against the Vile Villains! 😈

And please don’t come on here and tell us we actually got less points from our PL fixtures until now compared to last season. To you I say: OSAAT! One Season at a Time. In the here and now we are ToTL and f*ck the rest.

But for all those doubters out there, and for all those who are waiting like athlete foot to get under our skin again – eagerly anticipating the next lost game as to be able to return to their comfort zone once more – there is hope. 😆

The next seven games will tell us a lot, and although nothing is lost or won at this stage of the season, Arsenal have a fantastic opportunity now to make a real statement of intent, and to knock a few direct competitors temporarily unconscious in the process.

It will by no means be easy, but if we take the OGAAT approach, get a bit lucky with injuries and rotate cleverly, we could be safe and dry in the CL and still be ToTL, or there about, come 10 November.

The sequence of: two home games, one away game, two home games, two away games should suit us very well; although, the last two away games will be very tough indeed: Dortmund and MU away. Why are we always playing the Mancs away in the autumn?

Arsenal are by no means a team that can take it easy against any team and still collect three points. Therefore, the first and last games, against lowly Norwich and mid-table Mancs, are just equally important, and equally hard. Every game needs full focus and passion by all in the team, and what is so nice about the current team is that we can count on this now. We currently have a great core of players who love to make their hands dirty and fight for every ball; and, combined with a good average age and a lot of talent within the team, this is exactly why we have a good chance for silverware this season.

Beating Norwich after an inter-lull proved difficult last season, and once again their manager will have had two weeks with most of the squad to prepare for this one. Arsene, on the other hand, will be praying for his players to return without injuries and not be too tired from the qualifiers and associated travelling.

This is our next PL OGAAT and we should forget about the rest. But playing Palace away, followed by Liverpool at home and Mancs away is just such a mouth-watering prospect; such an opportunity to make a real statement of intent.

These four PL games should tell us a lot more of how we will do this season.

The League Cup game is a nice one to have and I hope both teams will play a ‘second string’ team, so they are evenly matched. Maureen does not like losing, and despite all his bluff of playing his reserve players, I reckon he will put a team on the pitch with the sole aim to beat Arsene and his team. Should be really good game and a win would be sweet.

The double with BD in the CL will probably be the main feast of football during this period of seven scintillating games. It would suit both teams to win at least a game, rather than two draws, and I expect both teams to go for it all guns blazing from the start. We often think the best football is played towards the end of the season, but the two games against Die Gelb-Schwarzen might already turn into the icing on the cake of this season. Whatever you do, don’t miss them!

For once the inter-lull was not too bad as we all felt the team needed a break, and hopefully the cliché of ‘a change is as good as a rest’ will apply for our internationals. But, it is also good to know that the likes of Flamini, Arteta, Szczesny, and probably Gibbs, will have had time to fully rest and motor the team on again come Saturday. And if Pod and Cazorla are also ready to support the troops again, we should have a fantastic first team and bench to make real progress in the next seven games.

Time to rock on and show them all who will be king this season. Bring it on!

What do you reckon fellow Gooners: sink or swim between now and the next inter-lull?

Written by: ToTL Arsenal 😉