Likely starters

There’s a trip to Bolton looming in midweek, where we’ll continue our climb up the league table in search of that Champions League spot. But first there’s the matter of the FA Cup to deal with. A small matter or a big matter? Depends on the individuals. Arsene Wenger loves a bit of this competition but not over qualification to Europe’s premier competition. Where does the rest of the Arsenal community stand on this?

I understand the financial implication of us failing to qualify to Champions League. I can also get that the pool of players for purchase (if money is ever spent) will be reduced significantly if the Europa League is the competition on offer. I know many season ticket holders might be more reluctant to renew and not bothered to go to watch Arsenal on a Thursday night. All very valid points.

I don’t want us to finish lower than 4th as well but I can’t say that I wont follow the team’s adventure should they really end up playing the Europa League. Ultimately, I stand where Wenger stands. That there should be no prioritisation of competitions. No choosing of the league over the cups. We should play our best available teams for each and every match, that includes Villa tonight.

Winning matches breeds confidence and we’re in very low supply on that front. The players needs a lift to get back to where we were before the 3 consecutive league losses. Progress in the FA Cup will only be good for us. A good win tonight might just be the catalyst to turn our season back on the right course. There will be fewer days to recuperate what with the trip to Reebok Stadium but the boost that could be taken from a win tonight must not be underestimated.

For all points and purposes, it means that Robin Van Persie must play. Yes, I know that Park Ju Young needs to be given matches to at least see whether he’s worthy of remaining with the team and no one wants to see that more than me. However, the gulf in quality is too obvious to be neglected. If Wenger wants to start them together, by all means, but hopefully not the Korean over the Dutchman.

Thierry Henry might also be in contention should he not fail the late fitness test together with Bacary Sagna and Mikel Arteta. That said, with only 40 minutes from 2 substitute appearances under his belt, it’s safe to say that Henry is not yet match fit. With another 4 weeks left to go on his loan stint, there’s very little chance of us seeing Henry in first full (34 year old version) flight.

The return of Francis Coquelin is one very good news. He has shown so much promise this season and should continue to get minutes here and there throughout the rest of the season. I think he will play tonight but where he plays is the bigger question. Does Wenger stick with Nico Yennaris after his composed display against Manchester United? Does Wenger prefer the left footed Ignasi Miquel to stay at left back? Or do Wenger intend to give Alex Song a breather in the defensive midfield role?

I don’t claim to think for the manager but I will be tempted to start Yennaris and Coquelin in both the full back positions. That will leave Song in midfield. If we’re winning the game with a couple of goal’s advantage (yeah, I know. When was the last time that happened?), then Miquel could come in for Song and Coquelin can be moved back into midfield. No disrespect to Miquel. He’s being asked to play in an unfamiliar role which he has coped well, to a certain extend.

Szczesny
Yennaris—Koscielny—Vermaelen—Coquelin
Ramsey—Song—Rosicky
Walcott—Van Persie—Oxlade-Chamberlain

Miquel would certainly relish another chance in the first team in his preferred centreback position, a position which Wenger will have to make choices tonight. Thomas Vermaelen is a damn good player but he’s no left back. His presence in the middle is needed and the fact that we’re able to field our best partnership in the centre of defence should be motivation enough to field him there with Laurent Koscielny. Per Mertesacker has done well to a certain degree but he can have no complaints if this selection is made.

Up front, the last thing fans want to see is this match being used as another 70 minutes for Andrey Arshavin to pick up his form again. Our appetite has been whetted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and we want more. Don’t think even RvP himself will have to much to argue with that. If AOC is chosen ahead of Arshavin, it will only be because of his performance last Sunday and not because Wenger is succumbing to the pressure from fans’ voice of discontent after the whole substitution debacle.

We did beat Villa away in the league fixture but only by the skin of our teeth. Villa are not particularly good side but we will do well not to fall into a sense of complacency. In Darren Bent, they have a striker who is not adverse to scoring at the Grove. Though out of form this season, Charles N’Zogbia is another one who seemed to performed when we’re the opponent.

I can’t stressed how much I want us to win tonight. This is a very viable competition for us to win (nothing to do with United being knocked out) and it would be such a big loss to not go all out for it. But at this point in time, the team needs a big boost.

Nothing like a good win to achieve that.

The long substitution

It’s finally confirmed, the news that we did not want to hear. That Jack Wilshere has had a setback and would not be available in the date that we initially had hoped he would be back for. AC Milan’s games were touted as his return period but that will now have to be extended. The bigger question would then be, do we write off his season?

Having been so wonderful for us last season, playing so many games and performing at such high standards, the absence of Wilshere this season has been keenly felt. A player with the desire and that matches his abilities on the ball, a lion-heart in midfield. However, he hasn’t kicked a competitive ball in anger this season and with the extension of his comeback, Arsene Wenger and his staff should seriously consider a back up plan.

A back up plan which consist of writing off Wilshere for the rest of the season and finding a replacement player, either from the transfer market or promote within. No doubt, the second option is better left unexplored. Prior to this setback, Wenger has often referred to the return of Wilshere as a catalyst to kick-start our season. Last season, Thomas Vermaelen’s continuous absence and our reluctance to buy put paid to our hopes of the title challenge. History better not repeat itself this season.

I can’t tell you who is available in the market. I trust that the whole staff at Arsenal should have better information than a single person. We have to make a move now. There’s only so few days left in the window. At this point, even if Wilshere (who is better than Cesc, by the way) do make it back sometime in March or in April, the result we could have in between might already be telling. Wenger spoke in early January how we don’t want to regret not picking up full points due to lack of full backs. That did happened and again, history better not repeat itself here.

On the bright side, we will have Bacary Sagna, Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry and Francis Coquelin back for contention for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Aston Villa. While I’m not expecting Sagna to be back immediately after his long time on the sidelines but it’s nonetheless great to have back one of the most underrated player in the Premiership. Potentially we could have Sagna on one side and Coquelin filling in at left back until Kieran Gibbs is ready.

But at the moment, to have Nico Yennaris on one side and Coquelin on the other is not too bad an option. It would definitely allow the central defenders not to play in those positions. Johan Djourou and Vermaelen on the best of their days are not full backs. Neither have the capacity to cover the side of the pitch from both the attacking and defending side of play. Clearly Yennaris and Coquelin are both not specialist full backs either but they are midfielders, who like Matthieu Flamini before them, seems a better fit in a full back role.

Whilst there’s no arguments over the lack of full backs impeding our style of play, recent matches has also highlighted the importance of having Arteta in the side. Without him, we’ve looked more than a little lost in the middle of the park. There’s no fluidity in the passing and an obvious vacuum in terms of the support to Alex Song and the defence. Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun has been tried in that position but neither has displayed the same effectiveness.

Speaking of Rosicky, it now looks like he might stay at the club beyond the end of his contract this June. Now, Rosicky was a real gem when he first arrived from Borussia Dortmund. Playing in the 4 man midfield with Cesc/Flamini/Hleb, they were a great bunch. Then injuries started taking it’s toll on Rosicky. The long term absence due to a “special” kind of injury robbed him of his better years.

Now, Rosicky will turn 32 in 2012. That’s reaching an age when Wenger takes a less interest in a player. By comparison, this season has arguably been Rosicky’s most productive season in years. He has not had many match winning performance but neither has he has many anonymous moments. If we were to retain his services, it would indicate that Wenger treasures his experience and thinks that he can still an influence off the pitch.

Decisions are the bread and butter for a manager. He was criticised for it during the United game and has since been defensive about it but seemed to have gained some perspective with each passing days. Wenger is right though. The fans react and respond proportionally to the performance of the team on the field. If the team starts to show some fight and puts in their shift, the crowd will reciprocate in kind.

Does it work the other way around? Does a player get a lift by hearing the crowd sing their name or the club’s songs? Are they players or are they players who are fans themselves? Or does not that matter anymore?

The end is nigh

Does everyone realise that there’s only 5 days left in the transfer window? Technically the weekend doesn’t count but no reason why deals can’t be finalised then and the registration done by Monday or Tuesday. It’s all gone quiet on the Arsenal front. Newspapers has even gone bored of recycling the same stuffs over and over again. Of which I’m very thankful of.

First things first. I do want to see some money being invested to bring in reinforcement to help us get over the line. The “LINE” this season will be referring to the Champions League finishing in the table. We’ve got a more than decent first XI who could take us there on their own but no 11 players could play the entire 38 games over the course of the season. Let alone a set of players who weren’t even all there for the first month of the campaign and some who might not even be first XI had some of the other players been fit.

That there is only one name being linked with us right now is worrying but refreshing in a way. It’s not a name that we’re constantly being told that would pack his bags and join us. Eden Hazard story is frankly boring the crap out of me. If it happens then great but if not, so be it. This new name is Julian Draxler, an 18 year old attacking midfielder/striker.

What? Too young you say. I think the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signing has taught us a thing or two about signing prodigious young talent. I have not seen much of this Shalke lad, the only time I saw him was the German Cup final last season and he scored a wonderful goal for his victorious side. Even if this link is true and the deal goes through, it doesn’t mean that Draxler will for sure feature in our plans for the rest of the season. However, the club cannot stop thinking/planning for the future.

At the moment though, we’re going through our second bad patch of the season because of numerous injuries and the players who have come in, have not replaced efficiently. Laurent Koscielny does not agree with this point and he’s not completely wrong. It is about team work and playing for the team. A team that has less individual talents can beat a team with more individual talents, provided the team work and tactics are correct.

When it comes to team work, the ethics and understanding between the person standing next to each other on the pitch is absolutely crucial. Which is why I’m absolutely delighted to hear that Robin Van Persie or whoever initiated it, called the team together after the defeat to Manchester United and tried to iron out the faults of the team. Or perhaps, what is required out of them as Arsenal players.

I can only seem to recall two times of such precedence within the Arsenal camp. The one after the brawl at Old Trafford where George Graham rallied the troops and the other one where Tony Adams told off Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit to prioritise their defensive duties. The latter might have just even been the 3 of them, I can’t be certain now.

More importantly, it’s about how the rest of the team receive the discussion. Whether they will look at themselves and realised that the performances of late hasn’t been good enough. That despite our current problems of player shortage in certain positions does not warrant the lack of application or effort. That we were lacklustre in first half was obvious for everyone to see and we did not up our game until we were chasing the game.

A lot of us were angry, myself included, at the substitution of AOC. Claus Lundekvam’s tweet probably didn’t help matters. I don’t think anyone can deny that some of the boos thrown out during the substitutions were also aimed at Andrey Arshavin. It’s not only because of the opposite form that both players have shown over the course of this season but because of the application/effort that they put on the field.

At this point, I would still argue with anyone who suggest that AOC is a better player than Arshavin. I don’t mean on present form but in terms of the talent and capability of each individual player. Yet, why is everyone reacting so furiously at the sight of the latter replacing the former? Arsene Wenger reminds us that Arshavin is still very much the captain of Russia but that is hardly the point to be used for this argument. Fans appreciate the effort put in by any player. Ray Parlour has obviously less ball skills than Arshavin but he’s loved so much more by the Gooner army.

It pains me to see how much Arshavin has fallen and how inefficient he has become. It’s the exact opposite of what Marouane Chamakh is. Plenty of willingness but clearly out of his depth and bereft of confidence. A situation that if continues, might give a returning Sanchez Watt a chance. The 20 year old striker recently returned from his loan stint at Sheffield Wednesday and he will be hoping that Morocco continues their losing streak and Chamakh doesn’t get back into form before returning to Arsenal.

At the moment, I’m not saying Watt is the answer but if this Chamakh is considered a viable option by Wenger, then so can Watt. The younger of the two is inexperienced and may not be the most talented of player to come our from the Arsenal production. However, I certainly do think that it has come to “anyone but Chamakh” . Considering Watt’s age, there’s a perfectly logical chance that a run of games with the first team will turn his career back on the right direction. Benik Afobe would have relish this chance had he not been injured himself.

Still hoping for someone to turn up.

Not the debut we hoped for

A 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United with each side coming on top in one half is not the worst of results. However, the manner in which we lost the game, left a bitter taste in the mouth. After what happened in the reverse fixture early in August, many Arsenal fans (including me) wanted to exact revenge but also conscious of the fact that we want to avoid another thrashing. Yet, we could’ve just easily won this game.

Arsene Wenger was bold with his selection. Thomas Vermaelen was thrown in straight from the start and looks a little short in fitness as can be seen from him tiring towards the end of the game. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also got a start ahead of Andrey Arshavin and that is probably a big wake up call thrust in the direction of the Russian. A sign which Arshavin didn’t take too kindly to and we’ll come to that later.

It was a poor a first half from Arsenal that we’ve seen this season. It wasn’t about United being better than us but more of the case that we were shittier than them. Just like at the Liberty Stadium, we were losing the fight in midfield. Alex Song tried to be authoritative and it worked on occasions but that tactics went to bits each time his attacking senses take over. Tomas Rosicky was the best of the trio while Aaron Ramsey tried hard.

Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick, two players you don’t normally associate as players who could win the midfield battle, were outfoxing our trio despite the numerical disadvantage. Every opportunity that they had, they tried to feed the flanks. Nani or Antonio Valencia were sticking wide and slipping away from their markers each time one of their midfielders had the ball. Sometimes, even Wayne Rooney dropped off and supplied those angled passes wide.

Johan Djourou was being tormented by Nani the entire first half. The big Swiss had a poor game, failing to keep track of the United winger. Pace was an attribute giving advantage to Nani but still Djourou afforded him all the time and space in the world. He should have stick close to Nani but didn’t  and it was no surprise that when United took the lead late in stoppage time of the first half, it came from our right. This time, Giggs double up on Djourou and delivered a sumptuous cross. Vermaelen wasn’t aware of the presence of Valencia and the United man headed past Wojciech Szczesny. Poor defending all around.

Having identified Djourou as the weak link, Wenger took a further risk by putting on Nico Yennaris for him. The youngster did well and we suppressed the threat down the right side. The second half was also an indication of the tactic and bravery of Wenger’s selection in dropping Arshavin. AOC, who was peripheral in the first half, failing to be on the same wavelength as his team mates and moving in-field when not required to, step up a notch or two in the second half.

No longer interchanging positions with Theo Walcott, AOC stayed generally wide and pushed on. Every time he received the ball, he was dangerous. He was strong on the ball and the markers were unable to nick the ball of him. It was no coincidence that when we equalised, AOC was the creator. Cutting inside from wide, his pass released Robin Van Persie and with a swing of the left foot, the captain scored.

We were buzzing. A disjointed first half was replaced by a more purposeful second half and it was a great equaliser to match. Yet, just 3 minutes later, the atmosphere and impetus was lost. AOC was replaced by Arshavin and the manager will have to take the blame for this one. Yes, AOC could be tired having not played 90 minutes of Premier League football before and perhaps he might not have defended better than Arshavin for that goal but that is such a ridiculous argument.

The initiative was on our side. United were on the back foot, the ground was vocal and supportive after the equaliser. Everything killed by a substitution. It gave United every bit of confidence seeing their tormentor going off the field and replace by someone who looked like he could hardly give a toss what happened. Fact of the matter is, Ferguson saw the substitution of AOC and then took off his right back for an attacking midfielder. Even their manager was dismissive of whatever effect Arshavin could have on the game. RvP too, seemed displeased about it.

It was bad defending again which cost us. Arshavin is no defender but every bit of justifiable  to expect him to do better in that situation. The calamitous defending inside the box, failing to clear the ball and a lucky bounce went back to Valencia who had already tie ribbons around Arshavin. The ball laid off to Danny Welbeck, free of pressure to slot home. Per Merstesacker for the second time of the night, lost bearing on Welbeck’s position.

We had chances to either equalise earlier than the RvP strike or to take the lead in the game or to equalise for the second time that night but none was forthcoming. No better chance than the one which RvP fluffed having seen Rosicky nick the ball of Chris Smalling who slipped. The shot went wide when RvP had the goal at his mercy. We even saw the introduction of Park Ju Young onto the Premier League stage but it was too big an ask for the Korean to drag us back into the game.

Plenty was dreading the potential outcome of the match before but were rightly angry at the inept performance that was dished out by Arsenal. This was United for the taking and we missed our chance. Missing the chance to beat United was one thing but this was another lost opportunity to claw back some points on those we have in front of us for the Champions League spots. Again, we were unable to take advantage of our rivals dropping points.

Laurent Koscielny, AOC and possibly Rosicky could look back at this game with much pride over the work that they put in but the rest will have to take a long hard look at themselves and seriously think of their next move. If they wish to continue playing for the red and white, such performance is not acceptable.

Closer margin but pride hardly restored.

Old head's experience to lead is crucial to the cause

The papers are going crazy with this fixture and all the focus is on Arsenal and how the mighty have fallen. How this is no longer the plum tie of the Premier League season (somehow, I think the numbers tells a different story), why there’s no pizza or pastries being thrown at each other and why there’s no more fights between the two sets of players. And of course, the biggest of them all, how they’ve all 8 2 be us since that match day.

What happened in the last fixture between us was neither easy to take nor was it easy to forget. The pain and humiliation is still there. Say what you will, but there’s a big possibility that the defeat prompted Arsene Wenger to go out and make those purchases on the final day of the transfer window. Similarities to this game and how we’re now in the transfer window is truly uncanny. Would another defeat send the manager to scour for more talents to fix the squad? Or would the team rise up to the challenge and show that they’ve come a long way since that humiliating day?

United are not exactly in the best of form themselves. They’ve lost to Blackburn and Newcastle in recent weeks, negated only by that win over Bolton. Ferguson has brought back Paul Scholes and I hope he plays. At the age of 37, Scholes will still have retain those skills that made him a revered player all around the country. However, his pace, stamina and power will not be anything like the older days.

We’ve always talked about the injury crisis at our club but it’s hard not to see and admit that United are probably going through the same problem. Nemanja Vidic is out for the rest of the season while Darren Fletcher will also not be available due to his illness. The tormentor of our team in August, Ashley Young is also out together with Tom Cleverly and Anderson. Ferguson though will be pleased to have the services of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones available again for this match.

As for the Arsenal side, I’m only basing on what’s being thrown around on Twitter (apologies if the situation is now different). That Thomas Vermaelen is back. However, with the absence of Mikel Arteta, the bigger question will be who to replace the Spaniard. Yossi Benayoun was given the chance last Sunday but struggle to impress. Tomas Rosicky looks to be the benefactor of that insipid performance last weekend.

Szczesny
Djourou—Mertesacker—Koscielny—Vermaelen
Rosicky—Song—Ramsey
Walcott—Van Persie—Arshavin

Out of the 4 man defence, 2 are without question better than the other 2. Hence the reason why I’m not in agreement to play Johan Djourou beside Per Mertesacker. It would probably be better for Mertesacker to move to the left side of the central of defence and allow Laurent Koscielny to compensate whatever weakness of Djourou. Vermaelen to be expected to do the same on the opposite site.

In midfield, as was shown last week, we will miss the influence of Arteta. Rosicky will come in and be his busy usual self. I’m not too worried about Rosicky going forward as I’m sure whatever Arteta can in that regard, Rosicky will more than match it. It’s the defensive side that I’m more worried about.

Being the senior personnel in midfield, the Czech captain will have to ensure that Alex Song stays in position and that he is suitably supported by either himself or Aaron Ramsey. The scenario which I don’t want to see is that United go on a fast counter attack and there’s only Song standing between them and our defence.

Up front, Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott are guaranteed starts, both with differing reasons. One is one fire and virtually undroppable while the other has no competition good enough to depend on. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is one that could be sprung into action but ask yourself this. If his defensive side of the game is one that we’re still worried about, would it make sense to play AOC against United?

I’m as optimistic as I can be ahead of this match. I’m sure that the 8-2 reverse would not occur again. Don’t forget that 4 of those goals at Old Trafford went/curled straight into the top corner. That doesn’t normally happen, at least not with that high frequency is one single game. But whether or not, we will win the game, it’s a totally different matter.

Ferguson has in recent years, packed his midfield in trying to stifle our style of play. Given that the obvious weakness of United this season is in midfield, there’s more reason for him to continue to use the same tactics. He wouldn’t want his midfield to be overrun and outfought. RvP will have to make full use of the indecisive partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Johnny Evans/Phil Jones. There’s a clear lack of pace in that line-up and if Walcott could find the run, through-balls behind the defence could be our outlet.

Yes, the defeat earlier in the season will have hurt the pride of the players. I’m sure each and every one of them will try their hardest to ensure that we give it a good fight this time around. While I would love to beat them by the same margin, it’s worth remembering that at the end of the day, it’s only 3 points that matters. The leaders in the team tonight will have to ensure that no dropping of heads if it goes against us early on.

More than pride is at stake here.