For the first time in 41 years,we are traveling to Bloomfield Road,and the last time we played there,it was during our double winning season of 70-71. We travel this time around for the possible single.Only a win would ensure that.
Last week was a very disappointing one for the Gunners,drawing to a Blackburn side whose away form had been woeful to say the least.We were complacent and lacked that attacking instinct that normally gets us the goals.The players need to pick themselves up and give a disciplined performance that would get us the win.Even a 1-0 would do(i still hope for a repeat of the second match of the season),with Man Utd 10 points ahead of us having played on Saturday.It is disappointing that we will have to play 7 of our last 8 games on Sunday as we will have to be playing catch-up for the rest of the season.
Wenger had a very emotional conference with the journalists.Normally he has two meetings,one with the TV reporters and one with the journalists.He lashed out at the people for saying that we were disappointing and defended his players 100%.He asked that if consistently performing in all competitions for the past 15 years was not a victory the he didn't know what was.He went on to say that trophies are only one way to judge success,and he said Blackpool were very successful this season as nobody had expected them to do this well.For a full transcript of the journalists' conference go here.
On the injury front we have Song and Sagna with knee problems and Theo with and ankle problem.Theo and Sagna will have a late fitness test,but Song is out for sure,but they will be back next week for Liverpool for sure.Fabregas who came on as a substitute for our last game will start his 300th game for Arsenal today.He is only 23 and has played so much already.In a way it goes on to say that even though our team is young we still have some experience.
Blackpool are the kind of team we like to play against.They play the game as it is supposed to,and it will be a very entertaining affair watching two very attack minded teams go off against one another.Two players to watch out for would be Charlie Adam,whose dead ball skills are pure genius and DJ Campbell,who is back from a 3 game suspension,he will be looking to crash the party.
With Song not playing,we can expect Diaby to start.Wenger might prefer Diaby's physicality so he could have someone to bully the midfielders and be a great asset while defending set-pieces.If Sagna is not fit by the late fitness tests,Eboue will start instead.
Predicted Starting Line-up: Almunia,Sagna/Eboue,Squillaci,Koscielny,Clichy,Wilshere,Diaby,Nasri,Fabregas,Walcott/Arshavin,Van Persie.
Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing month and a like Arsene said, we need to get back in to good form before thinking about the title.I predict a 3-1 win for Arsenal
Wenger's Pre-Match Interview
Wenger's Pre-Match Press Conference
One of my friends Gurleen Kaur aka Wondergunner made this amazing animated video of Cesc Fabregas's solo effort against Sp*rs.It is fucking brilliant,i have posted it below and i would suggest you all to take a look at it.
Morning Goonerburgh, good post.
ReplyDeleteIts not the foundations that need fortifying its the rooftops, Peter Hill Wood is the weak link in the Castle. Criticising the loyal supporters has not been his finest hour, lieing to the Media, telling anybody and everybody that funds are available for the Manager to use as and when is needed, is a contradiction indeed, January was the time to shore up our defences, we were vulnerable.Too many soldiers injured and recieving treatment, our rearguard depleted, with no reinforcements,Our captain struggling as he has all through the campaign, and the Major General Hill Wood watching from the battlements with his comfort slippers on, blameing supporters for being to critical. He never opened the Purse strings, so no reinforcements came when needed, the fight on three fronts, were fought and lost, defeated we retreated to our last stand, and we now have a battle at Blackpool, our depleted force will be fighting to the last man, hopefully a victory, while HillWoods will be safely tucked up on a safe piece of Blackpool Rock.