Celtic Preview: We’ll have to do it without Fabregas 25 August, 2009
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News.trackback
First off I think another apology is in order for completely disappearing for a week. Well I went back to London unknowing that I have no internet at the house. It’s amazing how life just comes to a halt with connection to the world wide web.
So I went to the Portsmouth game at the weekend with no idea of team news or anything and have only just found out that we will be without Cesc Fabregas tomorrow night who has picked up a hamstring injury. The boss says there is a chance that he could return for the trip to Man United but he is definitely out for the crucial second leg against Celtic.
Arsene has said the injury wont bring about a change to the new formation and Aaron Ramsey could be the man to step in. I like Ramsey, he came on for the second half at the weekend and showed that he too has an eye for the goal. However I’m not sure whether Wenger would be so keen playing such an inexperienced player in a game like tomorrow night’s. I see it as a simple choice between Diaby or Ramsey though and Arsene might go for the slightly more defensive option.
Here’s my guess at the team:
Almunia
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Clichy
Song
Denilson – Ramsey
Bendtner – van persie (c) – Arshavin
Although we are in a strong position 2-0 up and although we have got Man United away at the weekend, Wenger will not be resting any players. He says he’s going to start with his best team but it wouldn’t surprise me if things go according to plan we’ll see some stars taken off.
I’m not as worried about this one as I was the first leg. We’ll have our own fans behind us this time and in a much more familiar place. Also, Celtic have to come out at us and we all know that is when we play our best. If that is the case then I think we will have good fortune on the counter attack, especially with a team like as the one above.
I’m expecting the visitors to come out flying; we’ll need to be mature and strong in the first quarter of the game, hold on to the clean sheet and get the game in our control. Then I think we can start to build on our two goal lead.
If Celtic do come and score first, we need to show our maturity even more to stop the inevitable bombardment from Celtic. We just have to remember we are still winning and just stop them from having the ball.
I’m driving up from Bournemouth for the game and heading back straight after. Bit of a long trip but I think it’s going to be really worth it. The atmosphere was good I thought at the weekend but I’m expecting better tomorrow night. The visitors will be noisy and I think we will give it right back to them. Remember to bring along your scarf from Saturday if you were there – if this is your first home game of the season then dig last season’s scarf out and lets get some colour in the stadium.
Ok then well I’ll speak to you Thursday with the match report. Enjoy the game and if you’re going lets hear you in full voice for The Arsenal.
None of the commentators at the weekend seem to have noticed that we rested our full backs and 1st choice DM against Pompey. We’ll be well ready for anything Celtic throw at us. I’m sure we’ll be right up for this and see no less than 4 goals hit that Celtic net. No worries.
I have no problen in your line-up except that I wish Denilson is dropped for Diaby. He’s the likely candidate to face challenges if any of Rosicky and Nasri are back and running. I can’t see him upstaging Song in the DM role now and also can’t play the Fabregas role.
the weekend atmosphere was good” i really don’t think so but when arsenal play at night boy does the emirates erupt also i think it will be diaby song and ramsey in the middle and dudu in for nicky b i have a feeling arshavin will have a great game
I agree with Maturks in that Denii should be dropped but i really have utterly different reasons for it.
I think Denii should be rested so as to keep him fresh for Saturday cos there is going to be alot of space to cover at OT and to have both Cesc and Denii having rested a bit will put us in goos stead so i wouls start as follow
___________Almunia
Sagna__Gallas___Verma__Clichy
_____________Song____________
_______Ramsey___Diaby_______
Bendt52_______________Arshavin
___________Eduardo___________
I know its a bit risky to start without both Cesc and Van-P but i have been wondering who would lead out attack if the unfortunate thing of Van-P gettin injured happend.thats why i would be interested in seeing Eduardo and Bendt52 maybe interschanging so as to give us an idea wat to expect then again Wenger probably knows already hahaha
Chamahk+Matuidi=15million
VCC
———-Almunia————-
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Clichy
———–Song—————
——Denilson – Diaby———-
RvP –—— Dudu —–— Arshavin
would be my fav, if things goes well and Arsenal can bag 2 goals before half time then let, Bendtner, ramsey and merida in
I agree with Casicky’s line-up. Ramsey in first, with Denilson on the bench.
I have a feeling in my gut that they’re not going to sit back and play defensively. They’ll want to continue this massive string of goals. It’s sending a message. Can you imagine the momentum going up to OT at the weekend should we dispatch Celtic 4-0?
same old arseholes – always cheating