West Bromwich Albion arrive at The Emirates with the good form of the early season disappearing into the mists that have descended in recent mornings. The Baggies have slipped out of the top four, albeit on goals scored, having lost their customary back-to-back games this season. Previous years might have seen such events become woes but having made their best start in over thirty years, Albion have revived memories of the mid-to-late 70s, the Atkinson era, when they routinely handed bloodied noses to clubs who were the Big Four of their time, a place they briefly occupied as they routinely produced sparkling performances.
A different world now, on and off the pitch. Arsenal are nothing but consistent with their inconsistency at this time of the year, dominating the back pages as players are deemed ‘wantaway’. One such, Bacary Sagna, was the subject of conversation at the pre-match press conference. The previous day, the French defender was deemed frustrated by talks breaking down yet the manager, Team Sagna or someone else is mischief making. That is not surprising on so many levels, least of all is that broadsheets now routinely stray into territory that used to be the sole preserve of the tabloids. Speculation is everywhere.
Theo Walcott meanwhile has incurred the manager’s ire, stalled talks, additional demands, the most recent of which is that Arsène serenade him with a version of “Moon River” whilst he is signing any new deal. If it gets that far, of course. My own view from the outside is that Walcott has long made his mind up to leave, knowing full well what is on offer at other clubs. I do believe that he would prefer to stay but the disparity with salary on offer – inflated by the spare cash saved on not paying transfer fees – it is difficult for him to resist new overtures. To be honest, he is a lucky lad to be in that position and that Arsenal’s own form has been so inconsistent. There is no doubt that he would be little more than a bit part player had the squad been able to continually produce the performance levels of August and September. Arsenal have a dilemma; to pay him closer to his demands and more than he demands or incur more wrath with the perception of another key player leaving. Damned if they do pay more, chastised no doubt in many quarters, damned if they don’t, castigated if they fail to hold onto another young international.
Which segues into the words of another with Kieran Gibbs noting that the lack of confidence in the team led to a lack of concentration at the back as they forced, and subsequently chased, the game against Swansea. The manager noted that home form has been unspectacular this season and any dreams of improving on last season’s third place – or even consolidating – have been thus far. Still the gap is less than two wins and Arsenal have got away with it. A win today is imperative to ensure that does not widen.
Podolski is missing today, as are Walcott and Sagna. I would hope that means the inclusion of Rosicky with Cazorla moving to the left, Oxlade-Chamberlain to the right. The alternative would be the Spaniard to the right, Arshavin on the left. Arsène has options to include the Czech, a player who was pivotal in the charge to third before the stumble at the end of the season. Rosicky doesn’t score enough, even he admits that but his contribution is more than that, his speed of thought and perception of attacking play allow him to quicken Arsenal’s forward play. That has been missing in recent weeks, the verve that he brought to the trip to the ultimately doomed trip to Greece in midweek. His withdrawal at half-time was as clear a signal as any that Rosicky starts this afternoon.
My line-up would be,
Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Rosicky, Arteta, Wilshere; Cazorla, Giroud, Arshavin
I suspect that Gervinho will be preferred to the Russian and possibly Oxlade-Chamberlain to Cazorla, to give the Spaniard a rest. Whatever the case, a win is vital, more than the performance. The fixtures beyond the Home Counties derby transported to the North West, suggest routine wins for teams above us. Just win to make the world seem brighter.
Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it.
’til Tomorrow.
Wenger obviously can’t keep clean sheet. So this win has to be down to Bouldie, right?
The players we’re scared to face a repeat of the Bould version of hair drier treatment and did what they had to do (dived) to win the game. Bould for manager. Wenger out!
Is Djourou injured?
http://www.arsenal.com/team-news
Henistic.
That is what some will say .
And others will say they are entitled to their opinion and it comes from a legitimate concern.
Much improved performance, but a long way to go yet.
I think the team are aware of the slow play and back passing that was the problem, it seemed to me that they were consciously looking to make a pass forward rather then the interminable back passing we’ve seen recently.
George,
Well, that is true. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Even an Einstein like yourself.
“In Bould we trust”
Have not had time to read the comments.
very important win. The first penalty was weak but that has and will continue to happen both ways. The result is the key and we took advantage of our luck and did what was needed. Really pleased with the clean sheet.
The thing is Henristic ,Someone as smart as me is likely to be right most of the time .
As indeed I am .
I agree with George!
Ha George, must it all be about you?
Stop cramping my Bould campaign. I’m hoping to see a movement started.
george is crazy, have you guys not noticed yet? I mean the guy thinks he is a meerkat
One should think that after such a long time hanging out in ACLF he woudl know that Poodles are on top of the animal foodchain.
poodles george not meerkats…
poodles are curly and clever and fits everyone from old ladys to springy youth. They even come in all shapes and sizes. not bad for a dog.
And meerkats? well they keep going to “compare the market” to look at meercat birds instead of “compare the meerkat” where all the hotties are… and they all sound like Arsharvin…
oh and we won today, happy days indeed
George is a Ninja meerkat so be careful poodle
I don’t like poodles. Don’t really see them as ‘proper’ dogs.
Meerkats win 100%. They are what they are.
Thanks Henristic and to prove the point
Zaha has just confirmed he’s signing a pre-contract with Arsenal and joining the team in the summer…?
dupsffokcuf – I thought Miquel might be injured too? If not then I’d definitely take him.
Also, ignore my comment about Zaha above, looks completely fake.
Henristic
It’s Doris the tea-lady they’re really petrified of. Wenger out! Bould out! Doris for manager!
:O how rude..lol
anyway, whatever happend with santi out there today it will surly drown in the Manchester derby tomorrow. All we need is a little diving from Young, a controversial penalty and a grumpy Balotelli and nobody will remember Cazorla except us. Which is how it shouhd be…
Just watched MOTD from behind a pillow in anticipation of the Cazorla witch-hunt. Didn’t happen. Called it a dive, which is undoubtedly was, and that was that.
Very complimentary on our performance.
Things looking up.
Jack looks like he is getting back to his best.
Midfield players – Jack, Arteta, Cazorla, Rosicky, Diaby, Coquelin, Ramsey.
Mouthwatering.
Strange how quiet this place is after a win
Resurgent AFC Victory and clean sheet in a six pointer = bad day at the office for some, Dups.
Morning LFers
here’s hoping
the Spuds lose or draw @ the Toffees..
Shitty beat or draw with the red Mancs…(then lose 2 in dec.)
Scousers beat or draw Fat Sam’s Hammers @ Anfield…
to seal a great weekend.