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Iwant wenger 2be very extra cearful abt 2day game @ d mild field and our defence line should be mr no nonsense, our boys ave 2 utilise any chances dey ave, bcs we almst had it and mis used it, dey ave 2be very sharp
Previews
Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 02 October 2011 12:25
I took my son to football training yesterday and we wore our Arsenal shirts, it was early on Saturday morning so not many people were around. Our journey only lasted 30 minutes but during that time I was approached on three separate occasions by Tottenham fans all telling me that they would beat us 3-1. Who was asking for their opinion? and not only that but why did they all have that score line in their heads?
I wanted us to win badly before yesterday and now I want it much more. It has occurred to me that a Tottenham victory over Arsenal is their whole season, it is almost their only concern and we cannot allow them to take any satisfaction from us.
Opposition
Tottenham had the better of us last season and they are currently full of confidence after a 4-0 victory over nine men Liverpool and a victory against Shamrock Rovers. The game has extra spice attached with former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor playing for the side who he scored frequently against whilst wearing the red and white of Arsenal.
Goalkeeper & Defence
I was hoping that Laurent Koscielny would be available for selection but he has not made it which not only means that we lose his defensive recovery but we also miss the presence of Alex Song in midfield. Wenger is likely to start Kieran Gibbs over the impressive Santos due to the Englishman's experience in these types of fixture.
Midfield
Alex Song will have to be replaced in the heart of the Arsenal midfield. Emmanuel Frimpong will more than likely get the nod over Francis Coquelin. Mikel Arteta will be experiencing his first London derby but will know exactly what is required after having taken part in many Liverpool v Everton games over the years.
Attack
Theo Walcott has been passed fit but we are still waiting to hear if Gervinho will make it, I am hoping that it is mind games from Arsene Wenger just to keep Redknapp thinking. If we are to do well then I truly expect Gervinho to be the player to cause them the most amount of damage. If we have to start the game without Song in midfield and Arshavin on the left then I would worry about our chances. If the Gervinho that took apart Udinese turns up then the big spaces could suit the powerful running of the Ivorian.
van Persie will be instrumental in moving off the front and allowing spaces in behind for our wide men to exploit. I expect that to be our greatest chance of scoring goals this afternoon.
Injuries
Our injury problems do not seem to be getting much better right now.
Injured List:
Abou Diaby, Thomas Vermaelen, Jack Wilshere, Johan Djourou, Laurent Koscielny, Ignasi Miquel, Gervinho?
Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up
This is a big game, not only because it is a derby but the rewards of victory could be huge. On the other side, a defeat would be a massive set back to a side that is desperately in need of confidence gained from momentum. Last season we started the game fantastically well and dominated the possession, we need to stamp our game on them as quickly as possible. If we can do that and move the ball quickly then we can hurt them in the final third. Frimpong will have to be disciplined yet committed and our defence will have plenty of tests.
I hope we can shove all the Tottenham excitement where the sun doesn't shine. A victory could really catapult our season and the players should fight with everything they have to make this chance possible.
COYG
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02-Oct-2011 13:13 | | JOEL - UNFORTUNATELY!Unfortunately,the erratic Konscielny is unfit to play and Song will have to revert to Centre Back.A recipe for disaster on two levels-inadequate central midfield coverage as Frimpong seems unable to either read the game or keep up with swift counterattacking football and Song plainly isn't a "Centre Back" although evidence suggests that neither is Djourou.
Unfortunately Tottenham's crisper passing will also nullify our 4-3-3 formation which needs to be replaced by a more pragmatic 4-4-2.
Unfortunately Monsieur Wenger's "Sound Bites" might please a section of the Arsenal Support but this team isn't what we've come to expect ,either in terms of aptitude or attitude.
Unfortunately,I'm horrified to see a 12% increase in salaries at a time when we are down to,only,three World Class players in the entire Squad and only one of them is currently fit.
Unfortunately,my words will be contrued as a lack of "true support";but my shoulders are broad enough to withstand a little criticism of an opinion which is ,only ,given because I care!If only,more of the current Squad cared enough to make a real difference!
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02-Oct-2011 13:29 | | kay - We must be disciplinedThis game will be a very tough game. I want to believe that Spurs are presently being overated especially because of the win over Liverpool( a nine-man Liverpool!) The wingers must be ready to help the full-backs in this game, which is why i will start Arshavin in this game. I cannot afford a ball watching winger when we are defending. Everybody must work for one another, keep Modric quiet and stifle out Adebayor. Arsenal should win this game. Guns out
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02-Oct-2011 13:44 | | jack - park
we bought park where is he????????????? : 
we shoul play him instead of chamake or whoever
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02-Oct-2011 14:00 | | PodgeFrimpong is more of a box to box midfielder so if we expect to face a counter attacking team then maybe Coquelin should start.Confidence is high at spurs so I expect them to attack us seeing as we only have 1 centre back.I don't see their passing nullifying our formation they play a standard 4-4-2 and rely on their wingers pace to run onto Modric passes. I think our full backs have the pace and quality to keep their widemen quiet for 90mins+, and Mertesacker needs a good game to keep Adebayor out of the game aerially. The high energy closing down of Frimpong should reduce the quality and frequency of Modric balls forward.
We hope for Gervinho to start as Arshavin would make things more difficult for Gibbs with his token efforts at defending and Walker may not be ready to deal with a superior athlete.Arshavin could make a a big impact coming on late when Walker tires as his trickery and experience should be too much for the gifted youngster after an hour, Walker should be targeted he is likely to make mistakes under derby day pressure and he is unproven at this level.
Some snap shooting to test Friedel's 40 yr old reflexes and RVP dropping deep to bring King out of position would be my offensive tactics.
Defoe worries me, without a pacy centre back we could be vulnerable and will have to defend a little deeper.
We have enough to beat spurs today these games tend to be high scoring and I think most likely a 3-2 Arsenal win with RVP(x2) and Arteta scoring for Arsenal, Defoe and Adebayor for Spurs 2-2 is also likely but I think the gunners hunger for a win right now should see them over the line.
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