Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
Friday, 16 November 2012
Arsenal v Tottenham Preview
Spurs have to finish above Arsenal this season. This is what Andre Villa Boas said and it shows just how fae Tottenham has come in the past few years. Now they expect to be of the same level as Arsenal, both challenging for the Champions League spots, a scenario that was highly unlikely a few seasons ago.
This promises to be a highly charged and emotional affair. Adebayor and Gallas are both returning to their old club. Adebayor in particular will bring out the fire in Arsenal's fans who are unlikely to forget how he ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of them after scoring for City. Him and his captain Gallas might be in for some abuse on the day. Sagna will also be out on the pitch with some purpose after breaking his foot the last time he played in this derby after a slightly heavy ariel collison with Assou-Ekotto. Even without this extra bits of spice, the derby is normally exciting and emotionally charged as the pride at stake is just too big.
With the teams being of a similar level, the main factor in this match will be that of injuries and form. Arsenal has received a triple injury boost ahead of the match, with news that all of Walcott, Szczesny and Chamberlain are ready to start the game. The return of Szczesny might be particularly important as his replacement Mannone looked shorn of confidence against Fulham and could not produce a good performance. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tottenham looks set to have 4 new first team players out from last week. Dembele has been confirmed to be missing out, with Lennon, Defoe and Walker all doubts due to hamstring strains. The most problematic one for Spurs now is that of Walker. When he went off last week, his replacement Dawson looked off the pace and made Kolarov look much better than he had looked for the rest of the game. In terms of form, Arsenal's is definitely better, with Giroud and Walcott looking especially threatening. Tottenham looked devoid of ideas without Dembele and were also sloppy in passing the last two matches.
Predictions:
Arsenal should win this match seeing the different situations surrounding the teams. However there is not much value in that market and a pop might be had at Arsenal keeping a clean sheet. Also worth considering is Giroud scoring the first goal coupled with a 2-0 final scoreline.
Friday, 2 November 2012
Manchester United v Arsenal Preview
The managers and teams have a long standing feud with each other. Their midweek matches had a combined total of 12 goals. Both teams kind of have a point to prove after some disappointing results/performances recently. Makings of an exciting match? Probably. Repeat of the 8-2 scoreline we saw last season? Highly improbable.
You would normally expect Sir Alex Ferguson to adopt a more cautious approach when facing one of the stronger teams in the league but this season he has seemed to thrown defense out of the window in exchange for a carefree throw-all into attack style. This might just play into Arsenal's hands and you can expect to see Arsenal's attackers outnumber United's defence in many of their lightning quick counter-attacks. Despite his inconsistency, I would start Walcott in this game. However entertaining United's open style of play may be, they have left themselves very susceptible to speed on the break and Walcott can provide just that option as compared to Giroud, who is probably not as suited to that way of playing. Another way Arsene Wenger might look up one-up SAF will be to place Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the right wing position. Ramsey might provide an assuredness to the game but Chamberlain's quick feet and unpredictability will surely serve the team better in what is sure to be a fast paced game. Faced up against Alexander Buttner or Patrice Evra, both of whom can be described as at best sloppy this season, Chamberlain's dribbling can be put to great effect in comparison to Ramsey, who might slow down the pace of the counter-attacks instead.
Up front is where United will look to redeem themselves. Hernandez's good performances against Chelsea pushes him closer to the starting line-up and I will not be surprised to see him and Robin Van Persie as the favoured strikers while Rooney is lined up on the left flank with Valencia on the right. Rooney on the left will present a new kind of problem for Carl Jenkinson, who has been quietly impressive this season. However, he has been facing traditional wingers who hug the touchline and Rooney tends to drift in when played on the wing. This outlet of attack will test Jenkison and he might be clueless as to when to follow and when to hold his ground. A blow for SAF is the continued absence of Shinji Kagawa limits the tactical options available to SAF. Nani also looks unlikely to start after SAF's latest scathing attack on him in the aftermath of the previous game. The selection of the central midfielders will be key in this match for United. SAF seems to have learnt his lesson from the Liverpool game and is unlikely to play Giggs in this fixture after playing him in the Capital One Cup, a sign which I am sure will be of mighty relief to their fans. The danger remains there though that he might start the other veteran, Paul Scholes, which will surely be a fatal blow to his team's chances given Scholes' lack of pace and frequent miss in tackles. A more comforting choice will be a pairing of Carrick and Anderson as I feel that Fletcher currently does not have in his tank what is required for such a high tempo game.
Predictions:
Expect a high scoring game. Well, that's a pretty obvious conclusion. Personally, I will take an Arsenal win here and somewhere in the back of my mind I am constantly reminded of United's thrashing at the hands of City and Arsenal might possibly exact revenge for their last season's humiliation in a similar manner if United gets a man sent off. Punters can also put some money on Van Persie to score anytime given his prolific scoring record and especially since it is against his old club. Braver guys might also see great value in backing Vermaelen to score and choosing Any Other Score.
Sidenote: Anyone with any matches they would like me to discuss? Do comment.
You would normally expect Sir Alex Ferguson to adopt a more cautious approach when facing one of the stronger teams in the league but this season he has seemed to thrown defense out of the window in exchange for a carefree throw-all into attack style. This might just play into Arsenal's hands and you can expect to see Arsenal's attackers outnumber United's defence in many of their lightning quick counter-attacks. Despite his inconsistency, I would start Walcott in this game. However entertaining United's open style of play may be, they have left themselves very susceptible to speed on the break and Walcott can provide just that option as compared to Giroud, who is probably not as suited to that way of playing. Another way Arsene Wenger might look up one-up SAF will be to place Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the right wing position. Ramsey might provide an assuredness to the game but Chamberlain's quick feet and unpredictability will surely serve the team better in what is sure to be a fast paced game. Faced up against Alexander Buttner or Patrice Evra, both of whom can be described as at best sloppy this season, Chamberlain's dribbling can be put to great effect in comparison to Ramsey, who might slow down the pace of the counter-attacks instead.
Up front is where United will look to redeem themselves. Hernandez's good performances against Chelsea pushes him closer to the starting line-up and I will not be surprised to see him and Robin Van Persie as the favoured strikers while Rooney is lined up on the left flank with Valencia on the right. Rooney on the left will present a new kind of problem for Carl Jenkinson, who has been quietly impressive this season. However, he has been facing traditional wingers who hug the touchline and Rooney tends to drift in when played on the wing. This outlet of attack will test Jenkison and he might be clueless as to when to follow and when to hold his ground. A blow for SAF is the continued absence of Shinji Kagawa limits the tactical options available to SAF. Nani also looks unlikely to start after SAF's latest scathing attack on him in the aftermath of the previous game. The selection of the central midfielders will be key in this match for United. SAF seems to have learnt his lesson from the Liverpool game and is unlikely to play Giggs in this fixture after playing him in the Capital One Cup, a sign which I am sure will be of mighty relief to their fans. The danger remains there though that he might start the other veteran, Paul Scholes, which will surely be a fatal blow to his team's chances given Scholes' lack of pace and frequent miss in tackles. A more comforting choice will be a pairing of Carrick and Anderson as I feel that Fletcher currently does not have in his tank what is required for such a high tempo game.
Predictions:
Expect a high scoring game. Well, that's a pretty obvious conclusion. Personally, I will take an Arsenal win here and somewhere in the back of my mind I am constantly reminded of United's thrashing at the hands of City and Arsenal might possibly exact revenge for their last season's humiliation in a similar manner if United gets a man sent off. Punters can also put some money on Van Persie to score anytime given his prolific scoring record and especially since it is against his old club. Braver guys might also see great value in backing Vermaelen to score and choosing Any Other Score.
Sidenote: Anyone with any matches they would like me to discuss? Do comment.
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