Wilshere – Page 8 – Bergkampesque

For tomorrow’s game against QPR, Arsenal need to do something different in order to break the horrible spell that has come over us since last Saturday. I am sure a lot of talking will have taken place between the players and the managers over the last few days, but such apparent lack of confidence and form within the team cannot be resolved by just talking things through. We need to see a few changes in our formation in order to drive the team forward again.

QPR have never been an easy opponent for us; according to the Guardian, they are statistically our least favourite opponents, next to Manchester United. This is only their second year in the PL, after a period of absence of 15 years, and as we all know they are bottom of the league, and therefore even more desperate for a result than we are right now. It is rumoured that Hughes made as many as 40 new signings since his arrival, but clearly things are not working out for him, and time is running out. I cannot say I am sorry about that, but I do feel for the Hoops in general at the moment.

We need to sort out the wings and the creative side of our midfield tomorrow, and we also could really do with keeping a clean sheet tomorrow. I wonder what our GK hero, David Seaman, who we once bought from QPR, makes of our current GK situation?! And what would we give to have him back – being in his early thirties again?!

So, what will be the team for tomorrow?

I cannot imagine Arsene playing Santos again tomorrow, in front of the home crowd. Santos is the sort of player who needs games, as he will gradually get better, but the risks are too high that a) he will be targeted by QPR, b) he is confidence is shattered, and c) the crowd will further exacerbate the situation with expressions of discontent with every mistake he makes. He also played two games in four days and I reckon he is not fit enough to play a third game in seven days. Therefore, I believe he will not play tomorrow and either TV will play on the left, or Jenkinson will be moved there, and Sagna will move back in the RB position.

In midfield, we need real, new impetus as both Arteta and Cazorla need help. Ramsey and Coquelin are both falling short in the lynchpin role at the moment, and I reckon Arsene will start with Jack. He simply has to do so tomorrow, as long as he is fit, of course. I am sure he will not play the whole 90 minutes but he will bring that much required extra-spark in midfield. If all goes well, Cazorla will get a lot more support in setting up attacks, and is allowed to play closer to our central striker. I reckon this is crucial in order to make our attack more potent.

In attack, I believe Podolski will get a break and start on the bench. Giroud in the centre only makes sense if we play with proper wingers, and that’s why I reckon Gervinho will start on his favourite left and The Ox will start on the right, if he is fit enough. If not, I reckon Gnabry will get a chance from the start. He might by young and inexperienced, but he will allow Arsenal to keep its natural shape tomorrow, and he will offer that extra bid of drive in our attack.

Predicted Line-up:

Mannone

Sagna – Mertesacker – TV – Jenkinson

Arteta – Wilshere

Cazorla

The Ox(Gnabry) – Giroud – Gervinho

Total Arsenal.

With a special thanks to VCC for providing background info on QPR (for whom he has a soft spot).

Aaaaaaaaaaah proper football is back again! And what a good weekend of football we can look forward to. The best possible news we could have had, is that little Jack the Giant Killer is fit again. He has arrived in Norwich tonight and with the rest of the first team squad.

Jack or Santi?

Will he play or won’t he, and could he even start tomorrow? It is unlikely that Jack will start, but it could well happen. Santi played almost the entire game against France on Tuesday and might need some rest. Wenger has to consider Cazorla’s fitness as he will definitely need him in Wednesday’s all important CL game against Schalke 04. That is a must-win game for us, as a loss or even a draw would give the others a chance to catch up on us, where a win would get us close to qualification for the next round. Norwich is of course also a must-win game, so Arsene has a difficult decision to make tomorrow.

I reckon Arteta and Ramsey are a given in the starting eleven against Norwich, and it will be either Coquelin or Santi to start. If the former starts then Ramsey will probably play in the ‘hole’ position. I reckon there is still between 10-20% chance Wenger might surprise us all and starts with JW10. I go for Santi to start and JW10 to come on for the last 30 minutes or so.

Giroud or fluid-three?

Will Arsene start with Giroud again, as he did against West Ham? The extra height of Giroud will be very welcome during set-pieces; when we are attacking, as well as when we are defending. I am so pleased OG scored that goal against Spain: it is exactly what he needed and I expect him to play with a lovely lightness of being tomorrow. He came on as a late substitute, so is very fresh and yet full of confidence, which bodes well for Arsenal.

On the basis of this, I would say Giroud will start. However, a fluid three of The Ox, Gervinho and Podolski is also a strong possibility. The latter is a lot harder to defend against for Norwich. Especially Gervinho and Podolski function really well in this system with already nine goals between them in all competitions.

The Ox looked really good against SM, and his confidence seems very high at the moment. I am not sure how fit Gervinho is, but travelling to, and playing in Africa must take a bit out of him. Therefore, I reckon he will start on the bench, as we will also really need him against Schalke midweek.

I will go for Giro, The Ox and The Pod up-front tomorrow. All three are full of confidence and only played a few minutes as late substitutes during the week.

Defence

Although Big Per could probably do with a break tomorrow, I reckon Arsene will need to play him against Norwich. We need as much consistency as possible in defence at the moment, and especially in away games it is too dangerous to give the likes of Djourou – who also travelled a long way midweek – or Miquel a chance. The rest of the defence pick themselves at the moment.

My predicted formation for tomorrow is:

Manone

Jenkinson – Mertesacker – TV – Santos

Arteta – Ramsey

Cazorla (60 min) – JW10 (30)

The Ox – Giro – The Pod

Spuds or Chavs?

What is the best outcome for Arsenal? It is a no-brainer for me: Spuds to win. The gap with the Chavs is too big and we know our North-London neighbours are totally capable of giving away a lead again, however big that might be.

A lot of people believe the Chavs have a very strong team, but I am not convinced yet. It is definitely a good team, but they have not been properly tested as yet. Arsenal made it so easy for them by gifting two very soft goals at the start of each half, which meant it only became a proper game at the end of the second half. Fair enough, Chelsea did not allow us to dominate our midfield for most of the game and were able to punish us severely for our mistakes.

But Arsenal have a decent chance to do well in the PL this season and a win for us, whilst the Chavs get beaten, is just what we need tomorrow.

COYRRG!!

Total Arsenal.