Posted by: Ell | October 28, 2008

The Big One!

Just 3 days after out last London derby success, we’re at it again, against Tottenham! I’m proper up for this game, been looking forward to it for weeks and now it’s finally around the corner, I’m nervous as hell! I think it’ll be naive to think form counts in this game, it’ll be about who wants it the most and hopefully we produce a typical home performance when it matters. Arséne commented on the lack of noise we create in the Emirates, and I agree with him, so let’s get behind the team tomorrow night and show the Premier League we mean business!

Ok, a win against Tottenham won’t be earth shattering, they are after all bottom, but it’ll burst ‘Arry’s bubble and also kill some of the momentum they gained off the back of a Bolton win. Bad news is that Gareth Bale is out, he’s never been on the winning side in the Premier League (despite being at Tottenham for 15 months), he was our good luck omen! Ah well, we don’t need luck, all we need is for offsideAde to turn up and we have a shout against anyone, a BIG if though.

Denílson is back, and Toure and Sagna are fully fit and need to start! I’d go with an offensive line-up, tell Walcott and Sagna to get at Ekotto early on and scare the living daylights out of him, run Modric all over the place and give him little room to work with, I expect Zokora will be the only defensive player in the midfield on show so if Denílson and Fabregas can keep him busy, we’re in for a good game possesion wise.

Typing about it, I’m actually very excited. I think we can over run, over power and over play Tottenham all night, it’s when they get the ball in the final 3rd that we need to be alert. Pavlyuchenko is a dangerous player when the ball is in the air so we need Gallas, Toure and Silvestre (whoever plays) to be on their game for 90 minutes, Darren Bent can be dangerous too and I feel defensively is where the game lies. Bentley has a dangerous cross and the odds are that he’ll have a stormer against us.

I’ll predict a line-up tomorrow as I’m off out to Poker, but I’m excited, cya Gooners!

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Posted by: Ell | October 26, 2008

Sunday Morning, Come On Gooners!

Mornin’ Gooners, got my first away game off the season today, West Ham! 2 local derbies in 4 days ain’t great but when it’s against Tottenham, it kind of raises a smile, I’ve been looking forward to the fixture for weeks! Hopefully we’ll see some changes to the team, perhaps leaving van Persie out though. I think at Home he’s crucial and he’ll be just that against Tottenham, I feel Diaby in the hole behind Bendtner this time could be what we need, either way, I want Adebayor out of the starting line-up.

Fabregas has to start these fixtures, next to Denílson again perhaps. I don’t think Wenger will risk Sagna judging by his interviews on him, so I expect to see Eboue at right back again, leaving Theo on the right wing. Perhaps we could see Diaby on the left to add some defensive balance which Arséne seems to love so much, with Nasri on the bench? van Persie starting after all? No doubt Adebayor will start, and Gallas will be reinstated to centre half.

As badly as Silvestre and Song did on Tuesday, I don’t think it means they’re bad individuals, it’s more a case of a terrible partnership. They both tried playing offside without getting tight to Guiza, who lead the line superbly, some tips from him and Adebayor would be a monster (instead of a tame Dragon). I’d like to see Silvestre and Toure at the back today, 2 returning centre halves who’re a bad partnership playing together anyway? No thanks. I’d line-up with …

Almunia

Eboue Toure(c) Silvestre Clichy

Walcott Fabegas Diaby Denílson

Vela Bendtner

Fabianski, Djourou, Gallas, Ramsey, Song, van Persie & Adebayor,

I feel we need to start rotating, the games are coming thick and fast from now until Christmas so using the same players every game is a big no. i feel the chances need to be taken tomorrow and if the early signs from Vela and Bendtner are a great partnership then I’d be prepared to use them now. West Ham are without Ashton, Gabbidon, Spector and Dyer but with Carlton Cole and David di Michelle, I expect a long ball knock down type of game from them, something we all know Gallas and Toure aren’t suited for.

Well, have a good day to anyone else who’s going down this afternoon, hopefully we’ll turn them over!

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Posted by: Ell | October 19, 2008

The Legend of the Cesc continues!

As you do on a Sunday, I woke up, ate some toast and headed straight down the shops to buy the Sunday papers and guess what was on the back of it? Yup, bullshit. “FABREGAS SNUBS ARSENAL OFFER.” ect ect. I read it and instantly wasn’t even worried, newspapers stirring up shit at Arsenal again? Never! I turned the computer on and didn’t even bother checking Arsenal.com as it doesn’t get updated on a Sunday but for some reason, I just felt the urge to do so. Clicked the link and there it was, as usual, Fabregas shooting down the papers stories like a model pro, seriously, what a Legend this guy is.

I don’t like throwing around the word Legend to people who don’t deserve it but he really is already a Legend. He’s perfect on the pitch, and he’s perfect off it, a ’story’ tring to sell papers, Fabregas kills the story within 5 hours, hell even the Arsenal.com webmaster must be a little pissed at having to work on a Sunday. As much as I’d love Fabregas to stay for life, I’ve come around to the idea that eventually he’ll be wearing the colours of Barcelona and when he does, I’d like to think Aaron Ramsey will be more than ready to replace him, who I believe has just as much potential.

Agggh, now yesterday’s game, feels like old news after this mornings press. Well anyway, a really good win in the end, some good performances around the pitch from pretty much everyone, except Denílson maybe? Well Song wasn’t much better and yes, fair enough he’s not a right back, but Denílson isn’t a defensive midfielder, so why’s he getting all the criticism. Diaby is back now and I believe he’ll be partnering Cesc if he gets his opportunity in the coming weeks, his little cameo yesterday was good for someone who hasn’t played since August, got an assist too, which puts him level with Fabregas for the season!

I don’t like the way Theo got all the plaudits yesterday, how he changed the game. He didn’t at all, it was already in our favour, Clichy was our best player yesterday, once again. We were dominating Everton before Theo came on and although he gave us more pace and a direct style down the right, I believe we would have won without him anyway. I think the bumming of Walcott by all the media is going to get him disliked by many sooner rather than later, he’s not a God and he is still inconsistent, so in the words of Arséne Wenger: “Let’s not make him Thierry Henry before he is Thierry Henry.“

Speaking of good ol’Thierry, he’s failed to make the Ballon d’Or shortlist for the first time since 1999, and would you beleive it, it happens after he leaves us for ‘better things.’ Coincidence? Nope. Nice words from Theo about him though on Football Focus, calling him ”his idol” although surprisngly, he ”hasn’t spoken to him since he left for Barcelona”, which is a little wierd. Such a shame that Thierry isn’t the same Thierry he was with us, playing out on the left in a 4-3-3, why spend £16m on someone and play them out of position? It’s like Spuds paying £16m for Darren Bent and then playing him full stop, it’s wierd, what’s the point?

Talking of Tottenham, how funny. Another defeat today, this time against Stoke! The Fair Play League was their only hope of Europe and then Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson get sent off, great stuff, they’re without them for the game with us. 6th defeat of the season would be acceptable if we were in May, but October? I don’t believe that they’ll be relegated, but long may it continue, they got Bolton at Shite Hart Lane next and then they come to us, I’m telling ya, as if the credit crunch wasn’t expensive enough, I don’t think I’ll be able to handle St. Totteringham’s day and Chrsitmas day at the same time.

Some good wins for the youth teams this weekend too, the u16’s and u18’s both beat Norwich, Benik Afobe scoring again for u16’s, he’s like a friggin’ machine! I’ll be back tomorrow after work, gonna be playing Poker for the next 6 hours so if anyone plays, give us a shout!

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Posted by: Ell | October 18, 2008

Arsenal vs. Everton Preview & Busy Week

Afternoon all, a couple of hours away from kick off and no confirmed teams news as yet, although Bendtner, Gallas, Djourou and Sagna are definitely out, huge blows. I read that Gallas was injured during the week and really felt that Djourou had a chance to step up and prove himself but he suffered concussion in the week so I guess Silvestre will fill in next to KingKolo. Eboue dropping to right back? Denílson on the right with Song partnering Fabregas in the middle? Nasri on the left? I rally hope that Vela gets a start today, for either van Persie or Adebayor ..

I haven’t update the site since Monday as I’ve been extremely busy from work, working in South London all week and getting home at silly times in the evening, all I’ve had time for is food, poker and sleep I’m afraid, hopefully it’ll be different from here on in though.

I haven’t missed much, still been browsing around the Arsenal scene, noticed a few developments in a few areas including the takeover department. The FAT Russian Uzmanov compared us to his wife, saying it’s a Love and he’ll only sell if he’s hated by the fans. Well, news time Sir, you are hated, time to file for a divorce. We don’t need you, we don’t like you and most of all, we don’t want you.

Fabregas yet again re-iterated his desire to stay at Arsenal following all the press release in the week, saying how he’s 100% committed and a few of his words were taken out of context, even so, they were pretty true and it’s very big of Fabregas to come out and say everything he has. We need to get better and he’s recognised it, it normally takes an older figure to say it, Gallas said it a few weeks ago and no one took notice, Fabregas says it and everyone’s ears are up, surprised? Nope.

Almunia

Eboue Toure Silvestre Clichy

Denílson Fabregas Song Nasri

Vela Adebayor

Fabianski, Gibbs, Ramsey, Diaby, Wilshere, Walcott & van Persie.

How I’d line-up, I think Vela deserves a start, I’m not too sure on how much he played during the week but I know van Persie’s been struggling for fitness again and I think it’s time we tried something new apart from the predictableness of van Persie/Adebayor combined, take the game too Everton and if there’s chances, Vela’ll be there.

Toure’ll take the armband for the game, have a good day to everyone else who’s going, and hopefully there’ll be a happy report tomorrow morning!

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Posted by: Ell | October 13, 2008

Theodore, Deníllson and boring ol’Monday!

..NOT! I’ve been away for the weekend as no blog entries suggest, not that I’ve missed much. Managed to catch the England game in the pub and saw Theo Walcott put in a nice little cameo once again, seems like he has that right wing spot nailed for England, Bentley not even picked, Beckham making appearances to raise the roof and egg on the team and Wright-Phillips on the bench. Walcott also picked up Arsenal.com Player of the Month award which was nice, despite 2 very poor performances at the start of this month.

Interesting as to when he’ll actually move up front, I mean, I guess it’s all good playing him out wide but will we keep signing strikers or will we eventually allow a couple to leave, moving Walcott up top and bringing in another winger, or perhaps promoting Wilshere to battle with Eboue? (In a couple of years of course) What would you do?

Good interview with him and Denílson on ATVO aswell, Theo talks about how he got into football and Denílson talks about his season so far, his partnership with Cesc, how he misses Gilberto and his confidence this season. His English is pretty shoddy for someone who’s been in the country for over 2 years, but you get what he’s saying most of the time.

“I’m very happy with how the season has gone so far for me, I’m working hard for myself and for the team aswell. I’m very happy when I play with him [Cesc], I’m playing where Gilberto and Flamini were last year but sometimes I like to go upfront [attacking midfield] to score or pass. Im finding defensive [playing defensively] hard because it’s all run, run, run, but I’m training more and more, but I’m very happy.“

It seems that the main word he knows is “I’m very happy”, I counted atleast 10 times he said it in the first 10 minutes! But he aknkowledges he’s still learning after just over 60 professional games, and admits Arsene Wenger warned him about the physical style when he came to England.

“My celebration [against Bolton] just happened, I did the Samba dance because I like it, and the pointing to my shirt was just in the moment, it just happened, I’m just very happy. In 2006 when I was just young, the Premiership was very hard and Arsene said to me about the strength but I’m training 3 or 4 times in the gym, going to sleep early while concentrating hard on my work because I want to achieve.“

I won’t write an entire transcript as I’ll be here all day but it’s worth a watch, and as you can gather, HE’S VERY HAPPY! Hopefully there’ll be more news tomorrow, I’ll be back after work and hopefully we can all look forward to seeing Theo start on Wednesday, Ashley Cole’s pulled out because he’s a pussyhole and don’t wanna face more boo’s, and it seems Theo’s nailed down that first team slot for the time being!

G’day Gooners!

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Posted by: Ell | October 8, 2008

Traore delight at progress & Wilshere 8’s Spurs!

It was about 10 months ago that we really saw Armand Traore exposed at left back as Dani Alves [now of Barcelona] and Jesus Nevas ran riot in the Champions League game. His positioning was awful and it seemed that only his pace could bail him out of situations he put himself in. After a positive attacking performance but a wild defensive one, many people thought Traore could really thrive on the wing, and how they were correct.

He played the final few Premier League games on the wing last season and did pretty well, providing a superb cross for Nicky B in the penultimate game of the season against Everton. Pre-season started and unfortunately injury prevented him playing in most games, but there were a couple of positive performances including a burst of pace and cross which set up Jack Wilshere against Burgenland XI in July.

Now fully settled in at Portsmouth, it seems that he’s getting better and better as each game progresses, already bagging a couple of assists aswell as being unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions himself. Traore said earlier how delighted he was with life at Portsmouth, and how he’s progressing as a player.

”I am enjoying it a lot because I am playing in lots of games. That’s what I came for. Most of all, I am definitely improving as a player. I have learned how to play in different situations, things like simple passing, control and my awareness. My game in these areas has improved, definitely. I’m happy. I get on very well with everyone and I am getting the experience and that is down to the manager. I thank him for that.”

I remember being pretty amazed when he made his debut at Dennis Bergkamp’s Testimonial in 2006 when as a raw 16 year old, he was bombing up and down the wing as well as making several important tackles. He kicked on made a number of appearances in the Carling Cup team, including a start in the Final. But it wasn’t until last season when he really kicked on and started making starts in the Champions League and Premier League, impressing in the final 3 games, in which he started 2, and he still feels there’s more to come.

”I think it’s an excellent team. We have great players in each position. We have a great bench – people who come on and make a difference like Nadir did against Vitoria for the second goal. A great team. For me this is only the beginning. I haven’t played 10 games yet and I think there’s more to come.”

With Tomas Rosicky unfit still and Samir Nasri the only real option on the left hand side, Armand Traore has a real chance to secure himself as a back up left back and left winger next season, hopefully he’llkeep improving and soon enough, one of his long range rockets will pop up at Fratton Park, Happy 19th Birthday Armand!

Also, if you check Jack Wilshere’s Facebook page (yes, I stalk Arsenal players), he recently joined the group ‘Spurs for Relegation 08/09′, good lad!

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