Build up to the big game begins 17 January, 2007
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News, Premiership.trackback
Arsenal vs. Manchester United is one of the most anticipated matches of the year and it’s been pretty quiet this week so far but people are stating to talk about the game now. The Wenger-Ferguson mind games have dies down in recent games but the passion is still there. Also Liverpool face Chelsea this weekend so this will be an important couple of days for the top four. Chelsea could close the gap to 3 points, we could go 2 points clear in 3rd, Liverpool could go 5 points away from second and we could be 6 points away from Chelsea. It’s hard to decide who I’ll be rooting for between the Scoucers and Russians. We will be looking to jump Liverpool but we’re quite realistically within distance of Chelsea. Man United are going to take some catching up but if we can take all the points on Sunday it’ll make things interesting.
A few months ago the top four all played in the same weekend, Chelsea beat Liverpool in the early kick off and we won 1-0 at Old Trafford. Two results like that would do us good again but I’m hoping that we win (obviously) and in the other game the points are shared. I think we can still come 2nd this year and I think we should have our sights on that rather than third. If there was some sort of disaster for Man USA then we could even be in with a shot of the title who knows.
I’d love for Lauren to be playing against Man United on Sunday, we could do with a bit of this in what’s bound to be a physical match. However Ralphy looks like he’s played his last game for Arsenal and his long-term replacement Eboue is keen to play on Sunday. He got an ankle injury a while ago against Portsmouth and made his return for the 3rd Round of the FA Cup but he aggravated it and has missed a couple of games. Now he has his eyes on returning against Manchester United:
“The problem has been my ankle. I have been injured since the game against Portsmouth and when I trained I was still feeling it a little bit. But I am hoping to be back for the game against Manchester United. I really, really want to play in that game.”
I’d prefer to have Eboue than Hoyte on Sunday but I’m really not that bothered, Justin’s done well recently and I think he’d also be up to the task.
The full back on the other side, Gael Clichy has been talking about life after Ashley Cole and how he still doesn’t take his place in the team for granted. With no Cole, Gael’s now first choice left back with only really Traore challenging him for his place. He’s going to have to play well this weekend as he’ll be up against an in-form Christiano Ronaldo. Here’s what he had to say:
“I am really enjoying myself, definitely. Playing football has always been a passion for me, since I was six years old I wanted to be a footballer. Last season was difficult for me with all the injuries. My first two seasons here were good but Ashley was there so I was on the bench a lot. But now I am just enjoying the time I get to play on the pitch. I’m really enjoying playing for Arsenal. I have to keep working hard in training because I know how quickly things can change in football. Maybe tomorrow there will be some new left back and Arsenal may want to sign him. So I am working hard to make sure that the boss doesn’t feel he needs to go out and buy someone else in the summer.”
I’m confident that Clichy will go on to become one of the best left back around and better than Ashley Cole. You have to admit he’s got big boots to fill but I think he can do it. I’m also I big fan of Armand Traore‘s and I think he’s another kid who can bee a big player for us one day. In a couple of years we’ll have to excellent left backs and I think Wenger knows this so wont be buying a left back anytime soon. Don’t forget we’ve also got William Gallas as cover there and I don’t need to go into how good he is.
Alex Hleb has been talking about Shevchenko saying he was wrong to move to the Premiership this late in his career. ‘Shevva’ moved from Milan to Chelsea for ₤30m in the summer and has been an absolute flop. I admired Andrei when he played for AC but was quite concerned when we’d have to face him in the Premiership, so I am over the moon how he’s been total bollocks for Chelsea and wasted thirty-mill of Roman’s cash.
Rio Ferdinand say’s he’s concerned about Adebayor the most ahead of Sunday’s game. The mind games have begun. Ferdinand is trying to be clever here when obviously any defender in the world is going to be concentrating on Thierry Henry the most.
And Finally, ticket details for the Spurs game at The Shithole for the first leg of the Carling Cup were released yesterday. You’re going to need 25+ away credits to have a chance of going for this first allocation of 3,000 tickets. Looks like I’m not going then. However there might be another load of tickets released where you won’t need as many credits. I’ve got 2, not looking good for me ay.
Have a good day.
I have to say that this is one of the best Arsenal’s sites I’ve seen. I will put it third or second with Arsenal mania and just behind the official site. I loved the article as well, it is as smooth as the layout. I hope to be reading more articles on cannon in the future, well done.
I love the little pictures that come up over the links. nice website.
I am hoping for a draw between liverpool and chelsea. that way only 2 points are dished out to our rivals rather than 3 if someone wins. if we cant finish 2nd then we HAVE to finish 3rd. I know there is no difference between 3rd and 4th RE CL spot but I cant be doing with panicking about the 4th spot towards the end of the season when we could still be in the CL or FA cup.
Arsenal vs Man Utd. any day is a big game and i know that man U will be beaten come sunday. Man U is on fire and there is no doubting the abilities of ronaldo,rooney et al. but the thing is this: this season, le prof. has a side that can upset the form books. Man U’s attacking threat is anchored on the wings where ronaldo/Neville & giggs do bomb down the flanks before unleashing the likes of saha, rooney, scholes etc, but the irony of it is that there backline will and must be exposed because of the quality of the gunners(Hleb, Rosicky, Fabregas, Henry, V. Persie et al). Wenger has assembled a side that doesn’t have natural wingers and what it means is that no matter the formation he employ’s(4-5-1 or 4-4-2), Man U will be closed down and outgunned. this my team;
lehman
eboue toure senderous clichy
hleb flamini fabregas rosicky
V. persie
henry
Arsenal to win 2-0 (Henry, V. persie)
lets not become too arrogant because Man U IS THE LUCKIEST TEAM IN THE PREMEIRSHIP…. I hope we win thou…Win or lose our boys will make us proud remember Wenger is building for the future.
C’MON GUNNERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
WHAT A PICTURE, OF ADE…
COME ON BOYS!! LET’S FUCKING ‘AVE THESE COCKNEY, OOOOPS, SORRY, MANC SCUM!!!!!!!
I hope we go out there on sunday to do one thing and one thing only to DESTROY man USA.
I think our lad’s are strong in every department 100% better than man USA in every position and as for clitchy vs ronaldo it’s a no contest and clitchy will come out basking in the glory of the emirate’s crowd he’s 21 year’s old and we arnt missing ashly cole one little bit.
Manchester USA are due an all mighty arse wopping from arsenal and let’s see a collossol effort by our boy’s come sunday also i would like to give a hundred thousand good luck’s to the liverpool team please get a point on sunday or even three if they have had there weetabix.
Up the arsenal come lad’s ffs give it umm 100 million % on sunday represent arsenal and arsene wenger the boss put a big cheesy grin on his face at the end of the game woooooooooooo ! haha.
1 more thing less of the roony and ronaldo crap there only good against poor team’s on sunday they will be shown for what they are MEDIOKA trust me i cant f**kin wait till sunday seriously.
Up the arsenal up the arsenal.
Fergy can kiss my arsenal hahahahahahahaha.
Michael, do us a favour, lick my nuts now !!!!!!
I think Rio’s got a point there. Ade’s got some pbs getting control of the ball when he is receiving it; but when he gets control of it, he is one of the most difficult forward to disposess. He shown that against Manu and Chelsea. Th14 is the most clinical in front of goal, as opposed to Ade, but he gets too easily disposessed (Liverpool and Blacburn), which allows a lot of pression on the defence and midfielders chasing the ball.
Therefore, it would wise to balance the front line.
My best team selection and system.
System: 4-3-1-2.
Team:
Lehman
Eboue-Toure-Senderos- Clichy.
Hleb -Flamini -Rosicky.
Adebayor – Henry.
My prediction: Arsenal 3-Manu 2.
Come on Gunner!
I love your Blog!
Sorry, I forgot Frabregas.
I think Rio’s got a point there. Ade’s got some pbs getting control of the ball when he is receiving it; but when he gets control of it, he is one of the most difficult forward to disposess. He shown that against Manu and Chelsea. Th14 is the most clinical in front of goal, as opposed to Ade, but he gets too easily disposessed (Liverpool and Blacburn), which allows a lot of pression on the defence and midfielders chasing the ball.
Therefore, it would be wise to balance the front line.
My best team selection and system.
System: 4-3-1-2.
Team:
Lehman
Eboue-Toure-Senderos- Clichy.
Hleb -Flamini -Rosicky.
Fbregas.
Adebayor – Henry.
My prediction: Arsenal 3-Manu 2.
Come on Gunner!
I love your Blog!
Great pic of Ade, but that Ralph photo is my personal fav… …do you notice that phillipa shat his shorts!
Come on the Arsenal… …really fucked off that we have to wait until Sunday, I want to go now!
Yeh I reckon Rio’s gettin into the mind games mode that is usually associated with this fixture but for once i think he does have a point. Me personally, i’d like to see Ade start in front of RVP as i tink he’s more suited to this sorta match… hmm we’ll see though, reckon Wenger will go with RVP..
Not really mind games as he can’t comment on any other Arsenal forward as Henry and Van Persie injured last time! Plus it was in the United Magazine that he said this, rather than him throwing it out over the weekend to be controversial. Plus 0 lets give our boy credit – it’s the truth! As a lone front man, Adebayor runs defences ragged, as at Chelsea.
Go away Clock End Gooner! You are a prat!!!
Yes, the big game is just days away and the Dallas Mavericks are surely going to smear the Miami Heat into the ground!
As far as Arsenal and Machester United goes, I don’t know anything about that because, to me, soccer is like working for minimum wage; all that work and you barely have anything to show for it. What, 2 or three points in the WHOLE game?
I did; however, hear something about a guy named beckham that signed a $250 million contract to play for some team in Los Angeles.
Hhmmm…a guy gets paid $250 million by a team no one even knows exists. Kinda’ strange if you ask me.
GO DIRK!!!…Dirk Nowitzki, that is. (Without a doubt, the baddest dude on the planet!)
j.peem Organ,
Can you please sniff my groin
MMMM. Smells like Spotted Dick.
Oh, sorry, I thought you said smell my breath.
No, Groin, Go on, give em’ a sniff
Oh, GROIN
(sniff, sniff)
Awwwe, you douched and everything. Thanks for giving me a clean GROIN to smell.
No, thank you
ermmm
J. Peem Organ
Go Mavs… …no what you mean about Dirk, how the hell he wasn’t MVP last season!
but basketball is 58 minutes of crap and then two minutes of excitement (kind of like sniffing Blog Head’s Groin I have heard),
anyway ‘rest of the world football’ tm is the best sport on the planet
RVP may well be injured… But until I hear it from a more reputable source than the Sun, I’ll assume he’s fit. Nobody else is reporting this yet. I think the build up to this game is so underwhelming that this is the most hype they can muster… Ferdinand admires Adebayor (SHOCK) RVP injured? (HORROR)… what next? Wenger wants to win (OUTRAGE) Fergie wants revenge for Old Trafford KO (FOR SHAME!!!).
Boring…
I agree with Glo, this is the best Arsenal fan site/blog out there. Clear concise analysis, with amazing pictures … brilliant job! This weekend’s showdown is likely to make an interesting view given the recent top performance of both teams …
Ashburton Alan,
YO MUMMA, YA FAT TWAT!!!
After rereading the comments I left on this blog last night, I’ve decided to apoloigize to the owner and Blog Head (same person?) for putting such crap in the comments section.
I’m much too old to engage in such childishness and request that my comments be removed.
This blog is actually quite good and I wish much luck to the owner and all of it’s fans.
Later Peeps.
P.S. You can leave the stuff about Dirk if you want because he really is the baddest dude on the planet. He loves football himself and his best friend Steve Nash, the NBA MVP for the last two years, is a football junkie. He can be seen kicking the basketball around like a football when the play clock isn’t running and even used his head to pass the ball to a fellow team mate during a dunk contest. It was the greatest combo dunk I’ve ever seen. Check it out on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUex9Ulqtco it’s only 44 seconds. Check this one out too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXoiEDs_a0E
Go Arsenal!
Who do you even think you are to mention Arsenal in the same comment where you talk about some stupid North American sport (right, not “American”, as that way I’d be insulting a huge continent that is pretty decent considering all you’ve done to them you bloody imperialist pigs). I can picture you already, a bloody glory-hunter sitting in his living room and talking about “soccer” because it’s fashionable.
Please do us all a favour and make a choice… you either take Arsenal seriously, or you can go and support “Real Salt Lake” (what a joke of a name) until you consider yourself wise enough to watch some football (real football that is, not that pathetic, boring, plastic, commercial, and sexist sport gringos seem to enjoy.
As for our upcoming game against ManUtd, well, that’s going to be a tough one, but hopefully we’ll grab at the very least a draw, in order to keep our morale in reasonable shape.
Well thats it innit? Ralphy’s gone…. as expected as it was, its still gonna be hard to see him in another jersey.. All the best mate. Hopefully this doesnt come back to bite us on the arse.
Lauren (They Said he hates being called Ralphy) is gone…so sad to see him go.But why does pompkin er pompey get our sloppy seconds????????????.
He should have gone abroad.
Ralphyyyyy….
Sorry about the lack of updates. I’ve got a Uni interview today and had loads to do. Will get a new post up early evening.
Clock End Cock. It is a pity I am not jewish maybe you could have used your racist crap on here again you f**king prat!!!
Ashburton Alan,
What’s your problem son!?!
Still holding a grudge about a song I typed on here, over 2 months ago…? Awwww, diddums!
Try getting behind the boys more, rather than holding pathetic grudges agaisnt fellow Gooners, you fucking mug!
2-0 SUNDAY PEOPLE! I’m drinking in the Rocket, before the game, if anyone is game! See ya there!!
UP THE ARSE… ALL THE WAY!!!
You have a lot of class taking the piss out of his mum Clock End Gooner. At least Ashburton Alan’s mum does not sleep with african guys 30 years younger than her!
adebayor smells like shit! did you get him out of a coaco bean packet?
Life
Modern view of the-cannoncom.
arsenal 2-1 man utd arsenal 1-0 man utd so shhhhh we played u we beat u pretty clear who’s the better team we beat u homw and away.
go to http://www.arsenalthierryhenry.piczo.com for info on arsenal fucking up man utd on january 07 and september 06.