Man United preview: The 2nd of two BIG games 2 November, 2007
Posted by lasagnechef in Premiership.7 comments
We’re less than 24hrs away from the most important game of the Premiership campaign. No one expected us the be here at this point, everyone wrote us off when Thierry Henry left for Barcelona and said Tottenham would break into the top four. How wrong they were. Fans alike were worried about the coming season and I doubt many thought we’d be in such a strong position.
The kids have done brilliantly and last week they proved they can do it again against the big boys. However, tomorrow is a tougher test. United have done well to get back level on points with us, we do have a game in hand but the stage is set perfectly for tomorrow.
Now lets focus on the possible team. There’s no new injures, just Van Persie and Senderos are out. It’s tempting to think the team will be the same as the one that played Liverpool, but that was away and unless Arsene’s going to go 4-5-1 at home I think they might be a couple of changes.
In goal it will be Almunia. I remember last year in this game Lehmann made some important stops and I bet he’s desperate to feature tomorrow. However Manuel is our first choice ‘keeper now and however much Jens moans he’s just going to have to come to terms with it. Cesc Fabregas has this week said the team feel comfortable with Almunia between the posts, and that’s the important thing. He’s made some good stops recently and I’m sure we’ll need more tomorrow.
The back four is the only certainty; Sagna and Clichy have been doing great out wide and won’t be replaced, no matter how good Diarra was in the week. And of course it’ll be Gallas and Toure in the middle, we’ll need a giant performance from them but I know they are capable. I have complete faith in our defence and they do not worry me one bit, wouldn’t swap them for anyone.
Now the midfield and attack are harder to predict. Will Arsene go 4-4-2? 4-5-1? 4-4-1-1? All are good options. I think it’ll have to be Fabregas and Flamini in the centre, whatever formation. Gilberto played well in Sheffield and personally I think we could do with him tomorrow but he wont start; Arsene wont drop Flamini, we’re going to need his determination, heart and strength. He could prove a massive figure tomorrow. Out wide I reckon Hleb and Rosicky. That’s assuming it’s going to be a 4-4-2. Eboue has started a lot recently and to be fair I haven’t been incredibly impressed. I’d rather Diarra at right midfield but I’m pretty sure that wont happen.
Upfront Adebayor is a definite starter too. He’ll be looking forward to this game just as much as the fans and I bet he’d love to get another goal against them. It’s just who will partner him. It’s between Walcott, Eduardo and Hleb. If it is Alex, then maybe Gilberto will get a chance in the midfield? Or maybe Eboue would come in on the right making it the same team as the one at Anfield. It would be one of those two or Diarra or Diaby. I don’t think it’ll be Walcott partnering Ade, as much of a threat Theo is I wonder if he’s physically up for this one. I personally think he’s going to have more of an impact as a second half substitute, I expect to see Theo as some point in the game but I don’t think he’ll start. I’d guess at Eduardo as Emmanuel’s striking partner. He played well in mid-week and his pace, skill, strength and goal scoring awareness might make the difference. But what do I know? So he’s that team:
Sagna – Toure – Gallas (c) – Clichy
Hleb – Fabregas – Flamini – Rosicky
Adebayor – Eduardo
I’m really getting exited about tomorrow now. The tension is building. Neither team will want to lose so we could expect quite a dull game, United have only let in something like 4 goals so far this campaign. Last year, this was the game of the season with those 2 late goals giving us that 2-1 win. Anything like that again tomorrow and I’ll be fucking delighted. Enjoy the game however you follow it. Match report on Sunday. Thanks for reading.
Sheffield United 0-3 Arsenal – 31/10/07 – (Carling Cup) 1 November, 2007
Posted by lasagnechef in Cup Games.5 comments
As always I was completely wrong with the team selection. It was J. Hoyte and Song at centre back with Gibbs on the left and Diarra on the right. We had Diaby on the left wing and Walcott on the right. Gilberto started in his natural centre-back position alongside Denilson and we had Eduardo and Bendtner upfront. Not a bad side at all, but quite a makeshift defence.
Hoyte is a natural right back but this was a perfect game to see exactly what Lassana Diarra can do in that position, and he was excellent. He was getting down the wing really well and had great determination. I was really impressed with Lassie and although he’s said it’s not his favourite position, after last night’s show he might get a few more games there.
Eduardo also put in a good performance. He got two goals and looked really dangerous. He might just have earnt himself a start against Manchester United after last night. I think it would be wrong to put Theo in the line-up; he’s going to have more effect as a substitute on Saturday.
To be fair, Sheffield Utd we’re at full strength either, but that’s their problem. We started well with an early goal in the 8th minute. However, the home side could’ve opened the scoring 4 minutes earlier from a set piece but Fabianski did well to get out and make the block. Our opener came from Eduardo. Song set Bendtner free to run into the opposition half, he passed left to Eduardo and I think he was looking for the one-two but Eddy had other thoughts. He took a touch and blasted the ball from 25 yards out and the ball screamed perfectly into the top corner at 70mph. It was a great goal and it’s Da Silva’s first domestically.
The goal shocked United and they were all over the place for a little while after the goal. This led to more chances for us and we were playing some great passing moves. However once we got near goal we didn’t look so confident, the passing wasn’t great and we often lost possession.
The home side hadn’t given up though and we doing all they could to get back in the game. In the end it finished 1-0 at half time but both sides were looking to make an impression after the break. Sheffield Utd were quick out of the blocks but we really just outclassed them all over the pitch and it wasn’t long until we were 2 up…
Eduardo got his second in the 50th minute. Gibbs showed great vision to exploit a huge hole in the defence and sent Eduardo straight through for an easy one-on-one. A calm finish from the Brazilian meant he was on course for a hat trick.
2-0 now and surely it was game over. We didn’t ease up on the pressure though and we were playing lovely football. In the 64th minute Walcott had a fantastic chance to make it three. He beat the defender and the ‘keeper but he was going quite far wide and could only managed to thump the ball against the post.
It wasn’t long after that though we did get that third goal. It came from another Brazilian born player, Denilson. He scored in the last round and now it’s two in two. Denilson picked up the ball in acres of space in their half, he drove forward into space towards the Arsenal end. The travelling fans cried, “shooooot!” And he did. It took a deflection so the ‘keeper had no chance but I don’t think Denilson or Arsene will care.
We had a few more chances before the end. Kieran Gibbs nearly made his great debut even better by getting a late goal but it wasn’t to be. There was a few more debuts in the final few minutes, 16 year old Henri Lansbury came on for his two-year elder Theo Walcott and Nacer Barazite who’s just 17 replaced Eduardo. Merida also came on for Diaby but Fran’s Arsenal debut came in the last round.
So it finished up 3-0 and it was a great performance from the kids. Grandpa Gilberto kept them together and even though he didn’t have the armband on acted as a great leader. He put on a good show and hopefully he can get back into the first team. The captaincy was awarded to Fabianski, Arsene explains that here and says there is no problem with Gilberto. Hmm.
Next up it’s the big one. Preview tomorrow. Until then.
