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HOPE WE UP FOR IT TONIGHT AS NEED 3POINTS
Previews
Written by Mean Lean on Tuesday, 01 February 2011 10:42
Arsenal return to the Emirates to face the Toffee's in Arsene's number one priority competition. The choice of players in these regular games tells everyone what is really important and what we will try and grab if we can. We will try and win the other cups if our squad players can perform to a high enough standard.
That standard wasn't reached on the weekend but the result was the right one. With the injury to Samir Nasri and the lack of performance, it almost feels like a defeat and I have to keep reminding myself that we were picked out of the hat in the next round and not Huddersfield who gave a great account of themselves on the day.
The usual faces will return to the starting line up. Gael Clichy, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott all bring a higher level of energy to the side, Alex Song should return to add stability to the center of the park whilst Robin Van Persie who has scored 7 goals in his last 6 games will add the firepower and guile in attack. Cesc Fabregas should come back into the team after scoring the winning penalty on the weekend.
The only real decision Arsene Wenger has to make is who will be given the rather difficult task of replacing player of the season Samir Nasri. Nicklas Bendtner's recent improvement of form and goals gives him a chance of being a candidate but the money would be on Andrey Arshavin who is starting to look like the Andrey Arshavin of old. Perhaps his stint on the first team bench has given him the hunger needed to regain his best form. His last ditch tackle over the weekend is proof of that.
The last time that this group of players played together was two games ago against a Wigan team who had their goalkeeper to thank for escaping embarrassment. I hope that they can click back into place as if they haven't been away, that will be my worry until I watch the first five minutes of tonight's game.
Everton have only won once since Christmas in the Premier League and that was an expected victory against Tottenham at Goodison Park, having said that, they have only lost once in that period, filling the rest of those fixtures with three draws.
Everton came to the Emirates last season and produced one of the best away performances of the season, they pressed from the front and closed us down all over the pitch and once they got possession they matched our passing. Both teams are in different form this season and I would imagine that it will be Arsenal that will be taking the game to Everton.
Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up
One to watch: Andrey Arshavin
The Russian has some big shoes to fill but if he can find his best form then he is fully capable of stepping up to the plate and producing the goods.
Nasri was very important to the team because of his link up with Cesc and Van Persie, so it will be interesting to see how Arshavin plays with his creative team mates.
Mean Lean's Match Prediction:
Arsenal 2 (Van Persie, Walcott) Everton 1
Everton as always will be a difficult team to play against and they will not make it easy for us to pass and move. Will the team be a little out of sync without having played for a few games, even if the line up against Ipswich at home was pretty strong. How will the team play without the dribbling and goal threat of Nasri?
Many of the players should be well rested whilst our opponents had a tough FA Cup tie against Chelsea at the weekend in which many of the players that will be on show would have played in so I wouldn't be surprised if we stepped up in the second half after a tough start.
Home victories from now on please Arsenal.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS.
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01-Feb-2011 11:49 | | GoonerfishGood article ML,
I too expect AA23 to step in tonight for Nasri but my concern is not his link up with Theo, Fabregas or Van Persie becasuse at the end of the day Arshavin is world class and we all know what he can help produce going forward, my only slight concern is what he will offer tracking back.
Our defensive record has been superb of late and that all started when Nasri was put in front of Clichy, as a result we have seen 4 consecutive league clean sheets and I worry a bit about how our defensive game plan may suffer if Arshavin has one of his 'lazy' days.
However as David Seaman once said, it doesn't matter how many we concede as long as the boys up front score one more.
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01-Feb-2011 12:03 | | d4davisAs we all expect its going to be tough but i expect the lads to finish the business before the close of business hour i mean before the 90 minutes elapses
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01-Feb-2011 12:40 | | afcI think it time rosicky steped up to the plate in that nasri role on the left instead of arshsvin, if you watch him play he's close ball control is quite perfect, he can also pick out beautiful through ball and has the same work rate as nasri as he always plays he's part in getting back, this guy is to talented to forget about, we need to give him a run of games, also he needs to bag a goal then will see the old rosicky from the new found confidence
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01-Feb-2011 15:20 | | richie - We should have enough..............Squeaky bum time anyone? Either with Rosicky or Shava taking Nasri's place we should have enough.
Shava's play the other day was a lot nearer to the standards we've come to expect. At his best going forward (when he ain't giving the ball away cheaply) he is almost unplayable. Like everyone I'm concerned more about him taking his defensive duties seriously, and not leaving our full backs exposed, I was delightedly surprised to see him tackling back last time out.
Rosicky has the class to cameo Nasri but I'm not sure how his confidence is sitting at present? Defensively he's normally a better bet but he hasn't had much actual game time so will he be sharp enough is the question?
Like afc above I'm not in favour of forgetting the talent he is, but with Cesc Song & Dare I say Jackboy as 1st on the team sheet and RvP our man at the head, Shava on paper looks favorite to play behind him. Jackboy with his great motor alongside Song gives a fair amount of cover defensively so lets hope our recent good defensive record continues. Because we don't have a lot of room to manoeuvre we need to keep the pressure on. He says in nervous anticipation.
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01-Feb-2011 15:22 | | dkgoonerYes, it will be interesting to see who replaces Nasri. I could also see Bendtner starting on the left and then swapping back and forth with Theo. Except that Cesc now plays that ball to meet Theo's run inside from the right without even looking.
Whatever Arsene decides, we'll have too much for Everton. The whole of their first team played against Chelsea whereas most of ours have had a week's break.
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01-Feb-2011 15:38 | | richieWhat safe hands said might be true? But that style of play is liable to kill off plenty of our very best Gooners
Many a Gooners heart (mine included) might not be up to the task. I'm lucky I don't have the problem, but I know many who say watching us play that kamikazi style has given them their "farmer giles". Or in French coz it sounds better les hemorroides 
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01-Feb-2011 15:43 | | richieTheo might yet again arrive late when the toffee's are really slowing down.
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01-Feb-2011 16:15 | | Sobin the Indian goonerIam confident we can do it,arshavin can do the job of nasri .
My 11
sczezny-sagna-djourou-koscielny-clichy-song-wilshere-cesc-walcott-RVP- arshavin.
COME ON GUNNERS.IN ARSENE WE TRUST
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01-Feb-2011 16:55 | | ATLgooner - Excellent siteI'm concerned about Coleman giving Clichy becos Arshavin might not do enough tracking back.
I guess Song will help in that regard.
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01-Feb-2011 22:11 | | MeanLean
Great turn around from the boys. Everton stopped us playing our game early on but we managed to find our flow in the second half.
For once in my life I got the prediction correct.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we stepped up in the second half after a tough start."
As I never get these things right normally, I think I will have to milk it a little
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01-Feb-2011 22:13 | | richie - & its Arsenal Arsenal FC we're the greatest teamMagnificient! The team spirit was 100%!
To come back from a goal down born out of a bad decision was "Polish Freespirit" for those who're into vodka or "Wray & Nephews overproof" for us rum drinkers. Both spirits to warm your heart and soul, as our performance did for me without having to open a bottle.
Rosicky got a run out as did Diaby, moreover Shava banged one in the old onion bag which along with his great contribuion stands both him and us in good stead in the absence of Nasri.
With Manu'er winning this was a much needed result and to come from behind in this manner should give everyone at the club a lift it certainly gave me one!
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01-Feb-2011 22:21 | | richieMagnificient!
Great team spirit!
To come back from a goal down born out of a bad decision was Polish Freespirit for those who're into vodka or Wray & Nephews overproof for us rum drinkers. Both spirits to warm your heart and soul, as our performance did for me without having to open a bottle.
Rosicky got a run out as did Diaby, moreover Shava banged one in the old onion bag which along with his great contribuion stands both him and us in good stead in the absence of Nasri.
With Manu'er winning this was a much needed result and to come from behind in this manner should give everyone at the club a lift it certainly gave me one!
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01-Feb-2011 22:23 | | richieML not at all sure how the second 1 came up? Not only that but different from the 1st?
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01-Feb-2011 23:41 | | richie - ML 2 posts not sure what happenedI pressed send ended and got 2 posts back along with a computer programme. Not sure if I found a glitch on your site or I have one in this machine.
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01-Feb-2011 23:43 | | MeanLeanThe same happened to me when I tried to write an earlier comment. Fingers crossed it has moved to a Spuds site instead
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01-Feb-2011 23:48 | | richieI'm up and still buzing from the manner of our boys victory! Especially Shava's entry!
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01-Feb-2011 23:49 | | MeanLeanHaha, very good. I wouldn't like to wait around and see, It could get rather messy.
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02-Feb-2011 00:17 | | MeanLeanHaha.
Right it is bed time for me. Thank you Arsenal for allowing me to have sweet dreams.
Three more points in the bag! Up the Arsenal.
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