Written by Mean Lean on Tuesday, 07 December 2010 22:20

I should be writing this, talking about giving the likes of Carlos Vela, Emmanuel-Thomas and Wojciech Szczesny some important Champions League experience, instead we are left with a must win game to get us through to the knock out stages.

I suppose the only comfort is that our opponents have yet to pick up a single point in Group H. Partizan Belgrade  were given the run around by Andrey Arshavin and Jack Wilshere back in September and the same will be required if Arsenal are to progress to the last 16. We can actually qualify by winning, losing or drawing depending entirely on what happens between Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Braga, but obviously the manager and players will demand a victory, especially as our form at home has been rather patchy until our two straight victories at the Emirates stadium.

Arsene has the job of rotating his players with Manchester United in mind, whilst still keeping a strong side on the pitch. I would imagine that both Robin Van Persie, Walcott and Denilson will start while Wenger may rest the likes of Rosicky, Alex Song and Samir Nasri. Emmanuel Eboue is another option at right back if Wenger is brave enough to add another attacking option but given his form against Wigan I would think that Sagna would be the preferred choice. Kieran Gibbs is also another option at left back should Wenger feel like making that change.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Andrey Arshavin

Whenever I pick out Arshavin as the one to watch, he never produces so instead of thinking of this as a jinx, I prefer to take the law of averages approach.

He has been bright over the last few games and he seems to enjoy European nights at the Emirates so hopefully in the possible absence of Samir Nasri and or Rosicky he can step up and cause the opposition problems as he did away from home.

Mean Lean's Match Prediction

Arsenal 3 (Van Persie [pen], Walcott, Arshavin) Partizan Belgrade 0

Ideally Braga will cause a shock and beat Shakhtar Donetsk and we will cruise to victory but that is an unlikely story. What is for certain is that we have to put on a performance regardless of what players start the game.

I am hoping that we put them under pressure from the kick off and take our chances as soon as possible, the longer the game stays level, the more the panic will set in around the supporters and then ultimately the players.

With Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea all topping their groups, it is important that we go out there and show our quality and restore the belief before the next round.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.

• Add New
• RSS

Comments (13)

• 08-Dec-2010 18:28 | | MeanLean
  

  Wellington Singing!
  
  Copy and paste into browser.
  
  http://www.twitvid.com/player/GUBUA

• 08-Dec-2010 22:41 | | richie  - Through but unconvincingly
  

  I'm naturally very happy we are through to the last 16 ,but........................
  yet again the defending leaves nothing but massive questions?
  
  Two defensive moments in the game sum us up this season. 1st
  Their goal was Kosh's fault because he was way out of position he dived in breaking up the defence's back line leaving Squilla defending 1 against 2.
  
  Next up Squilla dived in leaving Sagna in trouble. Sagna got a red card trying to make a last ditch challenge, which from half a meter back would've needed perfect timing. In truth he nearly made it.
  
  I don't wanna sound like an old moaner, but this isn't good enough! Not against Partizan. If we can't defend better than this? Then against a top side we'll get stuffed. It really is no good thinking Kosh is a better defender in the CL, sorry guys but thats a poor excuse. I keep saying I expect Kosh to come good and be a great defender but (thats for the future) coz he ain't there yet! I know Chelski didn't look good, but I'm not concerned with them I'm studying our football.

• 08-Dec-2010 23:21 | | richie  - Just finished watching ITV's re-run some positives
  

  Theo's goal was really well taken! Chested to control followed by a louped volley into the only open gap. RvP got some more mins under his belt as captain along with a well taken pen. Although I criticise Song being to far forward for a DM (Which leaves our dfense exposed) he played one hell of a tight one two in their box with Nas while both were surrounded by defenders Songs two footed ball control almost matched Nasri's beautiful drag back under pressure to steal half a meter before executing a clinical finish.

• 08-Dec-2010 23:40 | | MeanLean
  

  It was a bad goal to give away, a few bad decisions involved. However I don't think Koscielny is to blame. The ball was played into the attacker and Kos had to press the ball. The problem was Sagna was not in position so Squillaci was in two minds whether to close down the man on the ball or the runner admittedly Koscielny was caught a little ball watching and should have got back in position quicker. Had Sagna have been in position then it would have left Squillaci with the job to close down the man and he would not have got his shot away. He was also unlikely that his shot rebounded off his foot into the net.
  
  To be honest, I don't think our defending was awful today. Just think back to how many chances they had or how many saves Fabianski had to make. Hardly any.
  
  Our man problem was the fluency of our game, it was just not there. Right now the Van Persie and Chamakh partnership is not working, probably because it is RVP's first 90 minutes of the season. We needed a Cesc or Rosicky to link it all together. Robin will do it in time but he is still rusty or so it seems.

• 08-Dec-2010 23:41 | | MeanLean
  

  Oh and two great goals. Theo's finish was lovely and Nasri continues his superb run of goals. Great play by Song and a nice early shot from Nasri. Something that the rest of the team should do more often.

• 09-Dec-2010 00:25 | | hotsteppa LFM  - tonights result
  

  Average performance, good goals. Shame that PB fans celebrated our goals more than we did! We'll beat utd on Monday but struggle against stoke. The saga continues...

• 09-Dec-2010 00:28 | | MeanLean
  

  If we keep winning whilst struggling, I will be content.
  
  Not the most fluid display tonight, improvement will be needed to get through the last 16.

• 09-Dec-2010 02:54 | | richie  - I too will be happy if we keep grinding out result
  

  ML, We won and thats important. But against Partizan at home we really shouldn't struggle. Kosh didn't press the forward with the ball if he had, the ball might've stayed where it was. Kosh dived in overcomitting himself got left for dead and the forward played the ball into space.The overcommitment meant Squilla was left 2 on 1 - Next up Squilla overcommited himself he rushed forward when he should've held his position. He should've seen Sagna was tracking his man from a disadvantagious position 1M behind. Its this lack of a coordinated defensive unit thats so worrying.
  
  Apart from being hung out to dry by Squilla's action and then needlessly making that 50/50 when the score was in our favour. Sagna had a really good game. When you give out marks for the game may I politely suggest 5 each would be appropriate for our CD's. 3's each wouldn't go amiss for both Dennilson & Arshavin.
  Apart from an absolutly magical one two with Nas our old Song's contribution was forgetable. Normally we as a team don't tick if Cesc isn't on point, suddenly we are over reliant on Nasri.
  Cesc is still out are we too vulnerable if Nas has an off day?

• 09-Dec-2010 06:10 | | KING RVP
  

  Man to watch Andre Arshavin its official you jinxed him by the laws of average you get it wrong again. Nice to see RVP on the scoresheet again

• 09-Dec-2010 11:48 | | SAPMAN
  

  i believe that the goal we conceeded was goalkeepers error ...im of the opinion that he committed himself with a dive-stretch-save way too soon. a more experienced keeper would not have been mid air without knowing where the ball is going first. he sees his defender blocking the shot therefore he should expect a defelction and get into a position where even if he stretches he does so under full knoweldge of where the ball is going.
  
  even if th eshot had not deflected it was a hardly a shot that demanded such an elaborate save attempt ..he could have blocked it while standing with or without the deflection. he was also a few steps forward from his line.
  
  i will agree that the reasion why he went for such a panicky save was because his defence dont give him confidence though ...or i could be wrong..i dont know

• 09-Dec-2010 12:29 | | dkgooner  - Thanks for the laugh
  

  Had to chuckle at that one sapman. Fabianski's been blamed for everything from two goals against Chelsea to the crucifixion of JC, but now you've gone too far.

• 09-Dec-2010 12:31 | | dkgooner  - Defence awful
  

  So you didn't think the defence was too bad ML? I thought it was awful. Even allowing for Eboué playing out of position it was poor stuff. I don't feel happy with Squillaci and Koscielny together. They don't seem to communicate well.
  Bring back JD.

• 09-Dec-2010 12:50 | | SAPMAN
  

  dont get me wrong i rate him and im of the people who tell others to shut up about fabianski ..i just felt he rushed in his decission to do such a save ..but he is young so its to be expected.

Write comment

Your Details:

Name:

Comment:

Title:

Message:

Powered by Compojoom comment 4.1.7 stable