Spurs Preview: Gallas plays as Swiss duo are injured 21 January, 2008
Posted by lasagnechef in Cup Games.21 comments
News broke earlier today that Wenger was going to be forced to play some first team players due to our injuries and African Nations Cup players. I had a suspicion that William Gallas might be called into action to partner Senderos, however Wenger told us this afternoon that Phillippe is out so Gallas is definitely playing. Senderos was elbowed in the face at Fulham and he might’ve broken his nose. Not something I thought would be a problem but it’s enough to force him out of the game.
So Hoyte or Gilberto are going to have to fill in at centre back. Arsene said that if he got one more injury in defense he’d be forced to buy but I don’t think this will keep Big Phil out long. Hoyte had a decent second half at centre back in the 1st leg but I’d prefer to go with Gilberto’s experience. If Justin was to play in the middle then we’d need someone on the right and Sagna could get a game.
Here are the clues Arsene has given about the team:
“I will rotate the squad which means those that didn’t play on Saturday will play at Tottenham and after that I will complete it with first-team players. I will use William Gallas because I have no choice but Fabianski will play, Hoyte will play and the players that didn’t play against Fulham will all play. Walcott will feature as well.”
So that means Hoyte, Diaby, Gilberto, Bendtner, Walcott and Fabianski are all definite starters. I feel that Hleb or Rosicky is going to start tomorrow night. Theo will be playing striker so we’ll need someone on wing. Both had good games at Fulham so could be decisive tomorrow night.
I see the team being one of these two options:
Hoyte – Gilberto – Gallas (c) – Traore
Hleb/Rosicky – Denilson – Fabregas – Diaby
Bendtner – Walcott
Sagna – Hoyte – Gallas (c) – Traore
Hleb/Rosicky – Denilson – Gilberto – Diaby
Bendtner – Walcott
It all really depends on who is going to partner Gallas; If Gilberto does then Fabregas or Flamini are going to have to come in and play central midfield. On that right wing a decision will be made on either Rosicky or Hleb depending on who is going to benefit more from a mid-week break. Both would play the same role so it’s simply a matter of fitness.
These quotes from Adebayor suggest he could play too. I wasn’t expecting him to be anywhere near tomorrow’s team but if he was to play then I guess he’d come in for Bendtner.
Randall and Mannone who’ve usually been subs in the cup are playing tonight for the reserves but Lansbury isn’t, so he could be on the bench. If he does then he’ll be sitting amongst some more familiar names. I’m expecting a strong bench because we haven’t really got anyone else!
We’ll just have to wait and see what sort of side Wenger does field but it’s guaranteed to feature some first teamers’. That’s why I think we can win. Spurs cannot put in a better performance than they did in the 1st leg and really we can’t play any worse. If we score it puts them in a lot of pressure from the away goal rule and I think we will score.
I’m really excited about this game but gutted I’m not going. I think I’m going to find a bar in Watford to watch the game with some fellow Gooners. Wherever you’re watching it, enjoy the game and cheer to boys on to Wembley. Thanks for reading.
Why Ade can jump so high & 1st teamers to face Spurs 21 January, 2008
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News, Cup Games.13 comments
Adebayor’s not quite on the scale of Bendtner’s 6-foot jump against Spurs when it comes to meeting headers but the man does have a massive leap in his step. Two goals on Saturday and a few more earlier in this season (Villa, Newcastle [not a header but you know] & Spurs) and Manu is proving a real goal threat from crosses. He is tall, but that’s not it; both he and Bendtner make a bigger advantage of their height by learning to jump so high. Ade has revealed why he can jump like that:
“When I was young, I used to suspend a ball from the ceiling in my mum’s house in Togo and see if I could jump high enough to head it. Every time I managed to head it, I would shorten the string attached to the ball and try to leap even higher. I don’t know how high I could go, but ever since I played for Metz in France, I’ve always come first in every jumping test.”
Interesting technique. I thought he was going to say he stands on some invisible midget or that he can actually fly but yeah. I haven’t really noticed his leap until this season but hopefully he’ll give us a few more examples before the season is up. Also in that article he talks about how well his goal scoring run is going and that he’s not really thinking about the golden boot.
Rosicky and Hleb also put in fine performances at Craven Cottage and Le Boss has compared their importance to the team like the partnership of Pires and Ljungberg. Hleb has been fantastic for us this year but Tomas hasn’t been so consistent. He has had some really good games though and Saturday’s was one of his best. The pair are just starting to settle in here and they are proving exiting players.
However the story that really got my attention was Wenger saying we might use some 1st team players against Spurs. This is a massive game and I’ve been worried that it’s going to be too much for our kids. Here’s what he said:
“The players who were on the bench at Fulham will play. But I will have to play one or two who played on Saturday because we are short in numbers.
I will see [about playing Gallas]. Come to the game on Tuesday!”
The players on the bench at Fulham were Lehmann, Hoyte, Diaby, Gilberto and Bendtner. I don’t think Wenger meant Lehmann though as Fabianski has played all the games in the run up to this. The ‘one or two’ that he mentions I think will be Gallas and Hleb or Rosicky, possibly even Cesc. However the inclusion of just those couple of players will make a massive difference, Gallas will keep things tight at the back and the other one would create a lot and just be very useful.
Eduardo’s played a lot in this competition too but I think he’ll be on the bench tomorrow night. He played 90 minutes on Saturday and Walcott was completely rested. I see Da Silva as an option on the bench who can come on if we’re in trouble.
I’m writing up a proper preview tonight for the game so I’ll save my thoughts until then. Thanks for reading.
