I don't think any Arsenal fan needs to eb told how much our game against Tottenham tomorrow means. The rivalry between the two clubs is intense and shows no sign of waning, despite what could be described as a significant inequality between the two teams; it is almost 10 years since Arsenal lost to Tottenham in the league and if defeat is avoided tomorrow, the entire of the 'noughties' will have passed by without the Lilywhites enjoying league victory over Arsenal.
Those statistics perhaps present a skewed representation of the two teams' respective positions; whilst most would still describe Arsenal as the strongest team, Spurs have begun well this year. This seems to have gone to the heads of some of their players; Robbie Keane going so far as to claim that Tottenham have a stronger bench than Arsenal (just for the record, I make Arsenal's bench, if everyone is fit, Fabianski, Eboue, Gibbs, Djourou, Denilson, Walcott, Eduardo).
My head is telling me that we really should get a win at the Emirates tomorrow, we are in fairly good form, have few injury concerns and our squad looks strong. The only real area of concern is in goal, where I expect Almunia to be recalled. Though his early-season form was shaky, I hope that the time he has spent on the sidelines will have helped him to refocus. Alternatively, his confidence could be irrecoverably shattered, but this seems highly unlikely! Tottenham have a weakened team, without their most prolific striker and two most creative midfielders (Defoe, Lennon and Modric), but this does not mean that they will not present a challenge.
Despite this, I am decidedly nervous about the game. Whether this is because of our recent late lapses against West Ham and AZ Alkmaar, the nature of our goalkeeping situation or just general pre-derby nerves is unclear. Logically, as long as we avoid the basic errors we have made in the past (Clichy falling over in front of Jenas in the corresponding fixture last season, Mannone sending Diamanti's free-kick straight out to Carlton Cole last weekend) we should be able to secure all 3 points. However, something at the pit of my stomach is telling me it won't be quite that simple!
Mr predicted line-up for tomorrow goes as follow:
Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Fabregas, Diaby, Arshavin, Van Persie, Eboue.
In my opinion there are two keys to victory tomorrow. Firstly, the team need to press Tottenham's midfielders in order to prevent them playing accurate long passes forwards and be very quick to pick up on the second ball from headers won by Peter Crouch, the frankly freakish but very effective forward. Harry Redknapp has already outlined the kind of football Spurs will be playing tomorrow and as Crouch has at least a 6-inch height advantage over either of our centre-backs and can be expected to win most balls that come to him in the air. If we act to prevent these balls coming in and pick up the pieces when they do we should be able to stifle a Tottenham team that looks lacking in midfield creativity without either Lennon or Modric.
The other priority should be to prevent the Spurs defence from settling. They have a reputation for being porous defensively and with the attacking riches available to Wenger tomorrow this should be achievable. If we line up as I expect, both Arshavin and Eboue have the pace and skill on the ball to get the better of the leaden-footed Corluka, who looks like the weakest point of the Spurs backline. If we are able to make him, and thus the rest of the Tottenham defence uncomfortable then not only will we be able to score goals, we will also deny them a platform on which to build attacks and threaten our goal.
So there we are, just over 12 hours before kick off, and Gooners around the globe are nervously and excitedly anticipating kick-off. Come on you Gunners!
Friday 30 October 2009
Monday 4 May 2009
I Dreamed a Dream...
I just wanted to get this prophecy out there. Last night, I dreamt about the second leg of the CL semi-final against United. I'm not entirely sure what went on, but we were 3-0 up at one point; I scored two and set up Eduardo for the third but then I was sent off for kicking the ball at one of their players' heads. I reckon we would have gone on to win the match!
Feelin' confident!
Feelin' confident!
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Gooneriffic Returns? Man Utd Preview.
Back again. Mostly because I can't stop thinking about the match tomorrow night, and I thought writing this might help me concentrate on revision for my finals (which start tomorrow).
Obviously, a good result in this first leg would be fantastic, it goes without saying really. There isn't too much speculation going about the team at the moment; we know who is and isn't going to be fit (Silvestre aside), and we know which players will probably make up the majority of the starting line-up. It seems veyr likely that Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gibbs, Nasri, Song, Cesc, Walcott and Adebayor will make up 9 of the first 11. Either Silvestre or Diaby will play in central defence alongside Toure. If he is sufficiently fit after his lay-off, I would take Djourou every time. His pace gives him a definite edge over Silvestre, who has not covered himself in glory in recent games.
The final place, in my opinion should go to the much maligned Nicklas Bendtner. I doubt this will be a particularly popular opinion, but it could be a very effective move. Presuming we continue with the 4-2-3-1 formation we have used in recent weeks, positioning Bendtner on the left of the three players behind the striker would help us gain the initiative in this match. Man Utd are likely to be playing Rafael at right-back, and Bendtner's height and power would trouble the young Brazilian, who is certainly more assured going forward than defending. Utd are likely to target Kieron Gibbs at left back and with Rafael overlapping Ronaldo, it would be a huge challenge for the youngster. Playing Bendtner on the left would help keep Rafael pinned back, and thus ease the burden on Gibbs.
If I was the manager, the team would line up thus:
-------------------Almunia----------------
--------Sagna---Toure--Djourou---Gibbs-
-----------------Song----Cesc-------------
---------Walcott----Nasri----Bendtner----
------------------Adebayor----------------
However, I expect Nasri and Cesc's role to be reversed, and on the evidence of our last performance against Middlesborough, this would not necessarily be a bad thing.
We need to gain the momentum early on in this matchin order to prevent Utd taking advantage of our weakened defence. Walcott should be able to prevent Evra from getting forward too often, Adebayor has the capacity to keep Vidic and Ferdinand busy all night long, and the Song-Cesc axis is able to dominate Man Utd central midfielders. If Bendtner is able to restrict Rafael's role on the right, we can cut off the supply to Utd's fearsome forward line and give ourselves the advantage.
Obviously, a good result in this first leg would be fantastic, it goes without saying really. There isn't too much speculation going about the team at the moment; we know who is and isn't going to be fit (Silvestre aside), and we know which players will probably make up the majority of the starting line-up. It seems veyr likely that Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gibbs, Nasri, Song, Cesc, Walcott and Adebayor will make up 9 of the first 11. Either Silvestre or Diaby will play in central defence alongside Toure. If he is sufficiently fit after his lay-off, I would take Djourou every time. His pace gives him a definite edge over Silvestre, who has not covered himself in glory in recent games.
The final place, in my opinion should go to the much maligned Nicklas Bendtner. I doubt this will be a particularly popular opinion, but it could be a very effective move. Presuming we continue with the 4-2-3-1 formation we have used in recent weeks, positioning Bendtner on the left of the three players behind the striker would help us gain the initiative in this match. Man Utd are likely to be playing Rafael at right-back, and Bendtner's height and power would trouble the young Brazilian, who is certainly more assured going forward than defending. Utd are likely to target Kieron Gibbs at left back and with Rafael overlapping Ronaldo, it would be a huge challenge for the youngster. Playing Bendtner on the left would help keep Rafael pinned back, and thus ease the burden on Gibbs.
If I was the manager, the team would line up thus:
-------------------Almunia----------------
--------Sagna---Toure--Djourou---Gibbs-
-----------------Song----Cesc-------------
---------Walcott----Nasri----Bendtner----
------------------Adebayor----------------
However, I expect Nasri and Cesc's role to be reversed, and on the evidence of our last performance against Middlesborough, this would not necessarily be a bad thing.
We need to gain the momentum early on in this matchin order to prevent Utd taking advantage of our weakened defence. Walcott should be able to prevent Evra from getting forward too often, Adebayor has the capacity to keep Vidic and Ferdinand busy all night long, and the Song-Cesc axis is able to dominate Man Utd central midfielders. If Bendtner is able to restrict Rafael's role on the right, we can cut off the supply to Utd's fearsome forward line and give ourselves the advantage.
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