Going to keep this nice and short. I hope we play 4-5-1 because we need the extra security in midfield and it’s not as if any of our strikers will score anyway, so no difference between playing 1 or 2 of them. Diaby-Gilberto-Cesc in the middle, Rosicky and Ljungberg on the flanks.
I’m going to stick my neck out and say we’ll win by 2 goals. It’s pure blind hope, but at times like this, hope is all we have.
What I posted 2 days ago:
I hate being right. Things are getting a bit ridiculous now. It wasn’t so much as an “Arsenal Special” as it was an “Arsenal Spectacular”. 30 shots on goal with 14 corners and nothing to show for it, amazing saves by the opposition goalkeeper, hitting the post twice, and then to concede an offside goal in the last seconds (literally) of injury time in the first half.
Here’s a more detailed analysis:
Lehmann: Didn’t have much to do, positioning is always questionable when someone manages to lob you though. Got into a bit of shoving towards the end, which wasn’t what we needed.
Gallas/Toure: Kept on getting into each other’s way, even when doing simple things like passing
Clichy: Somebody teach him to cross the ball please. Or better, use those skills of his to take the ball into the box occasionally
Eboue: Did better than the last game, but still passing to the opposition (the “Hleb effect”), and decision making up front was questionable
Gilberto: Did well, showed what we were missing the last game
Cesc: Better game than recently, still going though some bad form. Needs to work on his shooting
Rosicky: A real spark, but again shooting needs work. Very quiet in the second half
Hleb: Oh dear. Like the rest of the team, played better than the last game, but the “Hleb effect” was in full flow as he kept on passing to the other team. Still passing when he should be shooting.
Ljungberg: Full of running and movement, one on one saved, might have done better. As much as he looked good and full of energy, he’s only scored 1 league goal in his last two seasons, not that many assists, plenty of injuries. An attacking player that doesn’t score goals and provide assists? So what use is he?
Adebayor: Another good game from him. Great header, unfortunately great goalkeeper to deny him as well. He needs to play with a real forward/striker, and unfortunately, we don’t have any at the moment.
Wenger: Diaby substitution was questionable. Should have put on Aliadiere a bit earlier for the ineffective (for our team anyway) Hleb.
Crowd: Far too quiet for most parts.
So that’s that. Another depressing few days, and Newcastle away next - we usually don’t do well up there, and with our current form, it’s hard to see us getting anything from the game. 4 losses on the trot, I hope not.
My first Arsenal blog entry.
So Arsenal play again after what seemed like an eternity - avoiding football news sites after a bad result can have this effect. The kids (and their slightly older brothers) are great sometimes, like against Liverpool this season. But sometimes they are not good enough, like against Liverpool this season. Oh well…
During the week, Liverpool comfortably beat PSV, who knocked us out comfortably. Typical. The Mancs fought the law and the law won (repeatedly, on the head with a police baton it seems), Chelsea looked average against Valencia (go Edu!!) and Tottenham lost 2-1 to Seville courtesy of a dodgy penalty and a headed goal by possibly the shortest guy in the penalty area.
 Sol Campbell, seen here not running away to Belgium at half time |
So we play West Ham again. A must win, if not for the points, then for pride and a stop to the slide towards relegation. Eboue is out again, which might not be the worst news considering his recent form (due to the injury perhaps). What are the odds of Arsenal having all the possession, 20 shots on goal to the Hammer’s 1, and we still lose 1-0? Surely bookies must be calling this the “Arsenal Special” by now.
We’re at home, so I would like the team to stick with 4-4-2. The “Beast” might need to make way for Aliaidierererere, and please play Diaby in the middle Mr. Wenger (hoping Gilberto is fit). Rosicky must start. And hopefully the defence can sort itself out in time. We are as likely to lose 3-0 as we are to win 3-0 at the moment, so anything could happen.
Come on Arsenal!!!!!!