Everton Preview: We don’t need the points, they do 3 May, 2008
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News.trackback
After Man Utd beat West Ham this lunch time, our title hopes are officially over. It was a very, very long shot but after the win at Derby there was a bit of talk about our title shot and I said, “If West Ham beat United on Saturday then I’m going to be shitting myself on Sunday.” In one way I’m grateful I’m not shitting myself but in another way it’s a bit sad that it’s finally over. But at least it is over.
So tomorrow’s game is no longer vital. Or is it? We can still make second, Chelsea don’t play until Monday but I’m still sort of hoping they beat United to the title. I just think it’d be funny. We can’t come 4th anymore so it’s looking like we’re going to be 3rd.
Everton however, really need a result tomorrow. They can’t come 4th anymore, but that 5th place still isn’t secure yet. The way it’s worked out this year, there’s only one UEFA cup spot for league positions. Villa are right on their tail and Pompey are just behind them. So Everton will be desperate for as many points as possible tomorrow to secure that vital European spot.
This is worrying, Everton are a decent side and are more than capable of getting a result against us, as we’ve seen in recent years. We beat them 4-1 when we went to Goodison earlier in the season but last year we only managed one point over the two league games against them.
So basically, we’ve proved we can spank Everton, scrape out a draw with them and lose against them. And I’m betting tomorrow that it’s going to be one of those three, we’ll win, lose or draw. No but seriously, what I’m trying to say is that it really could be any result.
Right, team news. Robin van Persie is being rested, Tomas Rosicky’s out, Eduardo’s injured, Diaby’s injured…oh fuck it I can’t be arsed to list them all, this is what I think the team will be:
Toure - Senderos - Gallas (c) - Clichy
Eboue - Fabregas - Denilson - Walcott
Adebayor - Bendtner
So the same team as Derby, except van Persie is out. I’d love to put Walcott up front but we’re lacking on wingers at the moment so he has to play there really. Denilson, for me, struggled against Derby but I think he should get another game, he needs these appearances. I’d like to play Hoyte at right back but I think he’s leaving to be honest.
The same goes for Flamini, I’d love him to play tomorrow but it’s totally up to Wenger. He hinted in the week that he might be on the bench. It would be great to cheer Matty off. Although it looks like he’s leaving in frustrating circumstances, he’s still been a great servant this season, given 100% in EVERY game and become a fans favourite. I remember last season, at the final game of the season, I waved Flamini goodbye but he stayed, this time I think it’ll be for real.
I really don’t know if we’ll win tomorrow, but I really don’t care. Obviously I’d like us to go out in style and win in front of our fans but if we don’t it’s not going to be the end of the world. I’m just going to have a fun day out and enjoy my last game of the season.
The perfect result would be something like a 5-0, but I’m not going to be choosy! Enjoy the game everyone, and I’ll speak to you on Monday hopefully, thanks for reading.
Disagree with you re Denilson - it was his first really competitive game after a long injury lay-off and although he started slowly he made some good passes and tackled well in the middle of the park. I thought the partnership with Cesc was promising.
If Flamini is leaving, or waiting for the AC result to decide whether he’s leaving, I don’t think he should play. Wenger should be trying out his potential replacement.
Let me tell you. I prefer United to Chelsea. As Arsene said Chelsea is immoral, buying the title at every opportunity. Besides chelsea’s prospects will affect us more as we’re all in London. Don’t you see they’re upstaging us in London?
I also disagree with you that additional points is not necessary. A second place finish will mean straight qualification into the champion’s league. We’ll also have more prize money than placing second.
You don’t know what you’re talking about. i hope Arsene don’t share your views.
finally some1 gives credit to Everton. To be honest if it meant ye winning the league over united and chelsea id gladly give up any points to ye tomorrow and let our fifth spot go down to the last game but hopefully as that isnt the case hopefully we get the draw tomorrow and get the fifth spot we richly deserve!! if i was to choose a team to win the league next year besides everton it would be arsenal not the pompus man u or the by the title at any cost chelsea. good luck next season!!!
everton for life
Howard - How is Chelsea buying the title any different to Man U buying the title? Man U went out last summer and spent fucking loads on players - Anderson £18 mil, Nani £18 Mil, Hargreaves £20 mil and Tevez £20 mil = almost £80 mil in one go and they are still only 4 points clear of us.
I’m still praying that Chelsea get beat in both of their last games and Man U have points deducted for Ferdinand fighting with a girl steward.
Seriously though, I hope Chelsea win both of their games and man U fuck up in the last game - I also want to see Chelsea beat Man U in the Champions League final as spending the above mentioned and winning nothing would be a devestating blow to the mancs.
Chelsea may be upstaging us at the moment, but look at the state the club is in - Drogba wants out, Shevchenko wants out, Lampard has not signed a new contract yet, Cudicini wants out, Makalele looks set to move back to france for regular football, either Cole or Bridge will be sold as both want to be first choice and Wright-phillips has to leave or he will not get in the England team under Capello.
I’d consider Ashley Cole winning the title to be a travesty.
I hope Man Utd win because Ronaldo is a superb player.
I wish Flamini well for the future.
Seriously, I really hope arsenal can win this game even the title hope is over. Hat-trick for Fabregas!(Our Birthday Boy) Glory Arsenal!
Ask a man utd fan if they are bothered about their team spending 60mil last season, they wouldnt give a toss, they are champions, thats where we will always struggle as the bottom line is we just aint big enough to spend that kind of money and we should always be thankful that we are already in the top four because if we wasnt then we would be a mid table team as the board wouldnt sanction any purchases over 10 million.
Howard,
Your comments that arsenal are being upstaged in london is quite laughable, for a start they would have to win the league about 8 times along with god knows how many cups to even get close to us, i accept that if they win the champs league it will be a blow to us as the biggest club in london, however chelsea do not have the fan base or history to come within a million miles of our club.
Fr what its worth i would much rather chelsea clean up instead of man utd, i cant agree with all this hatred of cole, he’s gone lets move on, its far more important to worry about the players we have than those that have left. Watching this end of season knockabout against everton has convinced me even more that without serious investment and a change in our wage structure we are going to struggle to keep up with the likes of man utd, liverpool, newcastle, chelsea, spurs and man city. to think we can carry on indefinateley with cheap inexperienced youth is a mistake
Eboue flamini and hleb should all clear off, eboue is just rubbish whilst flamini has had one decent season and now thinks he is in the kaka, messi or ronaldo mould, well sorry mate you are just another average player that has had an above average year and even that has gone tits up since december, as for hleb, well he has given a poor return over the two years he has been with us, not many goals and he cant tackle well for a midfielder, plenty of skill but only performs when we have got our tails up.
……………….and leicester !!
Eboue is not a winger - hes an attacking full back and should be Sagna’s deputy next season and never used in midfield again. I have to say though his attitude stunk in todays game. He really needs a clip round the ear.
Song looked strong in the tackle and read the game quite well today snuffing out evertons dangerous balls forward. He still learnin though and shouldnt be relied upon as a starter in defense or midfield just yet. he seserves some significant playing time next season. Gilbertos replacement ?
Denilson did quite well without ever dominating the game. He was rarely wasteful with his passes and got about the everton midfield players well.
Bentdner had a quite but efective game. Deserved his goal. Another goal for him against Sunderland next week will take his tally to 10 goals. A good return for an up and coming striker. I hope he can push on again next season and provide some real competition for Ade.
A pretty dull game made worse by everton only wanting a nil nil. Im gald they didnt get it
I AM A CUNT
chill out man
#12, I think you’re one as well.