Oh, I wanna dance with somebody
Football rudely interrupts the gossip of the transfer window and it is a time of year when matches come thick and fast. Ordinarily, cup replays are an unwelcome distraction. Last week, the visit of Swansea City provided the perfect opportunity to administer the antidote to the disappointment of losing at home to Manchester City. Tonight the visit of West Ham offers the same solution to the same problem. A win would do wonders for Arsenal and contribute towards increasing the squad’s belief in itself.
This is a match that Arsenal have to win but then again, they always are. This time there is a tangible outcome if they do. The gap to fourth is seven points; a win would almost halve that and put pressure on Tottenham. Despite consecutive Premier League defeats, Ladbrokes still have Arsenal as overwhelming favourites to win tonight’s London derby. Such confidence is not misplaced. Since losing the first meeting at The Emirates between the two sides, Arsenal have won six and drawn two of the eight subsequent meetings. A repeat of that winning history is by no means guaranteed given current form and should not be taken as such. Not that there is enough confidence to breed the arrogance which begats complacency.
The world is out of kilter when Arsenal do not consider this a home banker though. Even Sam Allardyce thinks it is although you have to think he has the same ban on newspapers in the dressing room as Arsène – has he not read of the lack of belief and self-doubts that have been expressed by the players and emphasised by the manager? No doubt they have seen those words and with his tendency toward the less attractive edges of football, the visitors starting line-up will be filled with as many neanderthals as possible. Allardyce has previous that is not easily forgotten.
Wenger spoke of the mental aspects of the game. He hasn’t questioned their character but then went onto do so by pointing out their inconsistency in big games. Tonight falls into that category, pressure exists for points. Failure to win will seriously damage hopes of fourth place. It is not a sign of unquestionable character if they leave the pitch knowing they have underperformed. We had an answer of sorts against Swansea and Arsenal need to reproduce that belligerence and respectful lack of respect for their opponents on a regular basis.
Changes are likely to be forced on Arsenal following the weekend’s exertions. Francis Coquelin has hamstring-knack whilst Abou Diaby is just Abou Diaby. One of those midfield changes will be covered by the return of Lukas Podolski, allowing Santi Cazorla to move centrally to the attacking midfield role whilst Aaron Ramsey would cover the other absence. Plenty will groan at the latter’s inclusion but he did well on Sunday when he entered the fray. The Welshman suffers unfair detraction; even when he plays well, some will never acknowledge that so ingrained is their dislike of the player.
Diaby has been pushed too far according to the latest reports, consecutive games in quick succession have taken their toll on the player. The quick nature of the games meant that his inclusion from the start on Sunday was a gamble by Wenger, had Arteta been fit I wonder if such a risk would have been taken with the Frenchman? To play him tonight from the start might be considered reckless in view of Wenger’s comments, tantamount to an admission by the manager that he has no confidence in his compatriot remaining fit for any sustained period of time. Expectations have been placed on the shoulders of Diaby to an unfair extent in some quarters; as good a player as he is, there can be no reliance upon his fitness at the moment. It would take an injury-free season for that to begin to emerge and I am not sure that is something anyone can really envisage at the moment.
Other changes might be contemplated. The defence was somewhat dishevelled in the first half at great cost, Sagna most culpable. The Frenchman is out of form at the moment, being dropped might refocus his mind. Whilst he was injured, Jenkinson deputised ably and considering a graduated replacement schedule might be advisable, starting tonight.
The line-up I would expect tonight is:
Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere; Walcott, Giroud, Podolski
The bench remains bereft of attacking talent. Arshavin is the only forward option which is unacceptable for Arsenal; David Villa remains a high priority if newspaper reports are to be believed whilst Diame wants away from West Ham. This is the same Diame who was nowhere near anyone’s radar at the start of the season when the demand was for World Class midfielders. Now sights seem to have been lowered although problems have emerged with Alan Pardew stealing all of our reported targets moving to the North East. This is the same Alan Pardew…you know where this one is going, don’t you….
Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it.
’til Tomorrow.
well Giroud and Podolski kept fresh anyway
Relieved by the today’s result and performance.
Agree that Podolski is class, technically and mentally. His goal was crucial.
The performance is pleasing and baffling in the same meassure. Why not play like that in every game?
All the talk about the turned corners will be justified when we manage to put together a winning series in the league.
I thought this was supposed to be a red card tackle. The guy is an animal.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/gif-ramires-commits-a-nasty-foul-on-swanseas-ki/
This was old Arsenal….so much flair led by our 3 new signings.
Great win for Arsenal.
Evryone has been raving about hazard this season, yet on Sunday afternoon, I di not realise he was playing until he was substituted.
Well done boys tonight. Only 20 more goals to get this season, in a minimum of 18 games, to beat last year’s goal tally. How will we score without RVP?
Sorry about the poor spelling just now.
By the way isn’t Ramires MOTM material?
Maybe it was the 8.8 for artistic merit.
Ramsey > 123 passes 95% completion rate. Not to shabby.
Sign that ball boy before the window closes…. commitment!
Pistol Fish, one good match? the team has played well for the past 4 matches, just started late in 2. A team can play like crap and win a game, our last tropy comes to mind.
Just seen that Ramires assault on the Swansea player.
Could have been a Diaby style broken ankle.
Will the FA act retrospectively?
Doubt it, but animal is the correct term. He knew exactly what he doing… Scumbag!
Ramires seems to be getting a bit tasty?
The crazy thing about being an arsenal supporter is that the club always creates ripples regardless of how they play. And everone has an opinion
they play good nobody loves them as much as the press, cos everyone knows Arsenal are great when playing their best. When they play bad nobody lovs it as much as the press as the thing that sells absolutley most papers except headlines saying arsenal are sublime is headlines saying arsenal is sinking like a rock.
We are every neutrals favourite team. Everybodys second team. Everyone has an opinion about Arsenal. United people either hate or love. Crude and simple. Everything is always straight forward with United.
Arsenal, people have an opinion about. Its what people discuss, nothing is straight forward, but the clubb is classy, plays classy, has a classy policy, some classy players, plays sublime when in form, plays utterly shit when not.
Arsenal is the most vibrant club in the PL. Thats why everyone has an opinio. thats why it can be really stressful to be an arsenal fan.
I hate/love it..lol
Oh and regarding Ramsey, you dont get made Captain for your national side aged 21 without having some talent. I know Liverpool got Allan but Ramsey will become 10 times better.
Hope someone can trace all the negativity towards Ramsey on this blog that was written earlier this season so we can slap it in the face of those who wrote it. I remember specifically one poster(cant remember name thogh), who kept starting every post with ” i dont care who played, except ramsey, as he was so shit but todays match bla, bla bla”.
Good to see Jack with the armband after TV5 was subbed
poodle
January 23, 2013 at 11:00 pm
Excellent post
Always thought that myself.
I go on footytube sometimes to check highlights if i’ve missed them and the amount of diverse people that comment on Arsenal is astonishing. Almost every fan from every big team comments.
Usually they talk about Arsenal as if its their own club, as if they support it. They love it when we play brilliant , love our players and always comment on our potential.
Barcelona fans are actually the most that comment. They love Arsenal football.
I didn’t think Theo was great Moe. On 5 occaisions all he had to do was play a simple pass to set up a team mate for a one on one or a tap in. Every single time he failed, he was dangerous but wasteful. Now I thought Poldi was a beast tonight, all about opinions mate.
Ramsey looks good when played in his preferred role, the negativity by some was I hope merely a reflection of their frustration that Arsene likes to play him out of position.
Bradys right foot
Fair enough mate. I agree about the wastefullness but the signs are there, that he gets himself into those positions are encouraging.
Miami Arsenal (MA)
You know what i think is Ramsey’s biggest problem, i think that he was played at a time when we were quite bad. I mean in midfield now you don’t notice his failings as much because he is surrounded by quality and THATS what he needs, he needs to iron out his game with great players that can cover for him while he learns.
I think his issues have been highlighted way too much before simply because it was very obvious in a team that was underperforming at times. They were amplified, but take the attention from him, take the focus from him and he can develop properly.
Some players like Wilshere thrive on pressure and limelight, I think Ramsey is different, he will develop when there is less pressure on him.
and he puts less pressure on himself.
Great win tonight.
We always look best when counter attacking with pace.
I have been a bit of a Ramsay critic, but it is clear that when he plays in his best position, centrally, he is a far better player, and plays with confidence.
Moe (11.12) Interesting that – most fans of other clubs that I speak to can’t understand why so many Arse fans are down on Wenger; the vast majority of them would have him at their clubs in a heartbeat (Manure fans aside, obviously).
Quiet on ACLF tonight.
Pesky ol’ Arsenal, hammering the Hammers …
Agreed AA , and I believe the manure fans hate him because because deep down they are aware that he’s got much more than Fergie football wise. All Chelski and City fans known to me wish they had him. Their only contention is his perceived unwillingness to spend the money he supposedly sitting on.
Gotta sleep now. Tis 3am up here. Cheers ACLF!!
Night Kadigah!
ArsenalAndrew
Eerily quite, i think most people have gone sleep
Evening all – I just got in from a 12 hour shift at work. Sounds as though I didn’t miss much! :0)
AA @ 11:46pm
I know what you mean.
Remember when Oliver Cromwell cancelled Christmas? Feels a bit like that tonight. No matter. Some of us are furtively celebrating.
Get yourself in front of some highlights Jonny, you are in for a treat! Long shift btw, ouch.
I don’t actually remember Oliver Cromwell Merlot but I know exactly what you mean ha ha!! (That should be lol there shouldn’t it, but I just can’t bring myself to do it).
Well just got in myself. Have the game taped but due to idiots that shall remain unmentioned I already know the result, hence popping in here. A good result against a crap team. On a different note, well done to Bradford and Swansea
Ramsey deserved the early season criticism but slowly and surely he has played really well lately and Aw has given him a chance at his preferred position. Well done the lad.
Podolski played really well tonight, Im also glad Giroud got 2.
I was doubting that we can finish top 4 this year but if we can reproduce this form and sign a few good additions then we have a chance.
COYGs
I feel certain if we set our minds to it we can find something to get depressed and negative about.
When the Walrus call Arsenal “brilliant”, who am I to argue?
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/video/24811/8429631/allardyce-salutes-brilliant-arsenal
Surely we can all see the potential of this squad? Two additions, as suggested by Arsene, and who knows?
The future’s bright: the future’s red and white!
Poodle @ 11:00 pm,
Spot on!
Great win that will do wonders for the team and their fans rejuvenating their faith and belief ,
Whu has given some high fling clubs all they could handle are are no pushovers ,
Bring on pool, good time to play them,
Diaby to play and to do a number on them . Again.
Come on you. GUNNERS;!!!!!
poodle your comments are becoming more nonsensical by that day.
not that I really care to read that crap. Closet manc.
It would be quicker to talk about who wasn’t good for us last night. Some superb individual displays all-round, still need to tighten up defensively on set-pieces but as that hasn’t happened already I assume it never will. It won’t matter if we press hard and high and attack with vigor like that in every game, absolute sex.