West Brom Preview: 3 points needed before internationals 19 March, 2011
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News.trackback
This is it now, there are no other distractions with cup competitions; we have one sole aim – to win the Premier League. Ten games stand between us and the title. Some very tricky ones, some winnable ones but today we start with a trip to West Brom and it’s one of the 10 I’ve highlighted as ‘must win’.
They’re a tough side and I know that because I was at the game earlier in the season when they went 3-0 up on us. They were under a different management then and they showed that they weren’t afraid to attack. They now have Roy Hodgson at the wheel but the players will take confidence from the way they were able to break us down in September. They know we are fragile at the back and they know that today we’re coming to the Hawthorns with a depleted defense.
Wenger says he’s not worried about Squillaci but I have to admit I am a little. I mean I’ve seen him do well and I’m confident he can step up his game again but what I’m worried about is if he can be consistent for 90 minutes of the ten remaining games. It’s a big chance for him to make his mark in his debut season and I’ve got my fingers crossed that he forms a solid partnership with Koscielny now. It’s not just down to those two though, the whole side must not forget their defensive responsibilities. That’s Denilson, Wilshere, Ramsey, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky, Bendtner and especially Arshavin – not only do they need to be looking forward but also when not in possession we need to close every team down quickly and win the ball back. I’d love it if we could emulate Barcelona performance against us in the Nou Camp where we found it so difficult to keep the ball never mind attack.
We have a few injures for today so the side might look something like this:
Almunia
Sagna – Squillaci – Koscielny – Clichy
Wilshere – Denilson
Nasri
Rosicky – van Persie (c) – Arshavin
Bendtner could also come into that side at the expense of Rosicky but I’m not sure, Arsene likes the option of Tomas at the moment and he is better at tracking back than some of the others.
West Brom’s current form from the last five games is: LDDDW. That last win was against Birmingham City, it was a big win for them and they’ve had two weeks to prepare for this game. They’ll be ready and confident that they can nick something today to help their fight against the drop. It’s not going to be easy today but I still fancy us to win. We need to start well and put them under pressure from the first minute whilst not forgetting to defend with everything we’ve got. An early goal would be brilliant, I’m not saying by any means that West Brom are going to hold out for a 0-0 but the longer it remains that way the more tense it’s going to get.
I’m off to the game today, in fact I better wrap this post up quickly as my train is at half 11. I’m really looking forward to it, every game in the Premiership is massive now and I’m sure the Gooners will be in full voice today. It’s also going to be a chance to see Jens Lehmann in the flesh, the last time I saw him he was waving to the fans at Ashburton Grove to chants of ‘Leee-man! Leee-man!’ I’m expecting something similar today. I’ll report back on the game tomorrow but you can follow my trip over on my twitter – twitter.com/the_cannon.
Enjoy the game however you’re following it. Let bring back those three points from Birmingham. COME ON YOU GUNNERS.
the greatest manager in world football,has said he will honour us by seeing out his contract. what a releif,who else could organise a defence like him,or create a team spirit and winning mentality like he has? were so lucky to have him. genius , the man is a genius.
another realist,
i like your style
Pessamist?
id call myself a realist.
Im interested in facts not fiction
and most importantly i sleep well at night knowing that im not some renegade supporter fighting against the tide. My opinion is the same as every pundit on TV, every ex arsenal player on the radio and most of the journalists that write in all the papers not just the rags. Are they all pessamists as well?
I read and contribute to several blogs and most are inferior to yours but you DO watch Arsenal through rose tinted glasses and this is a one eyed blinkered site.
Wenger has had his day as have most of his flops that he has attempted to con us are the real deal for the past five seasons. Defend Denilson, bendtner,diaby,almunia, chambolikh,squillaci,konsielsky,eboue and song at your peril
You are right to say you will follow Arsenal to your grave as most fans will but remember it is Arsenal we follow not Wenger.
Whatever the outcome of todays result these players are not fit to be on the Arsenal payroll!
Yeah I see a lot of our problems and at 2-0 down I was ready to say the season was over.
Yeah Wenger isn’t some genius, he has his weaknesses.
However you don’t know me and I don’t agree that I watch Arsenal through these ‘rose-tinted glasses’.’ I was ranting, shouting, swearing at some players yesterday, where the fuck was our leader? However I don’t enjoy endlessly criticising this team, I enjoy being in the title race because that’s where we still are at the moment.
I do like a debate though and I see your opinion and agree with some of it. But sacking the manager or whatever isn’t going to solve anything, the void left by him would be quite damaging but that’s something to talk about another day. However some players could do with some sense slapped into them. I don’t want to see Denilson in an Arsenal shirt again.
But what is the point in calling for that sort of action now? The summer is for personel change but for now we just need to get behind our players because that’s all we can do. Manuel Almunia isn’t my favourite player in the world but he’s all we’ve got at the moment so we need to just support him as best we can for the good of the club. The same goes for the rest of the players and the manager.