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When does Chamakh go to the ANC?
Previews
Written by Mean Lean on Monday, 09 January 2012 13:09
I am not quite sure what to make of this preview. I could talk about all the great FA Cup clashes of yesteryear or the fact that Leeds United are a sleeping giant who tried to force growing into a larger giant but lost their gamble and are now more of gnome size. This would all seem very appropriate material to work from if we hadn't already played Leeds United in the FA Cup last season. A time where our second string teams had absolutely no connection, no established partnerships and Leeds United would have been rather frustrated to have come away with a draw.
This time there will be no Cesc Fabregas sitting on the bench waiting to come on and change the game, although the focus will almost certainly be all about the Arsenal substitutes bench. I suspect that a few more camera's will be at the Emirates this evening as the media will be pining for the best facial expression from the legend that is Thierry Henry.
Arsene has already confirmed that Henry will have some part to play in the game and for those who know Arsene's substitutions well over the years, I would guess that a 10-15 minute cameo at the end of the game would be a good bet.
Those who are being handsomely paid for writing about the match will be hoping that the game is still level at least before Henry comes on but those like myself would be much happier if our longer term squad members do themselves justice and wrap the game up long before then.
Our manager has already said that we will field a strong team but I guess that depends on what his definition of strong is. The FA Cup has always been a competition that we have taken more seriously than the Carling Cup, our line up's over the years will show that but I would be awfully surprised if a few others do not join van Persie in some serious feet up sessions at home or at least, on the bench.
Mikel Arteta has been played consistently week after week since he joined the club and although he hasn't had the international minutes, you would expect a player of his age and commitment needing some time off after a very hectic Christmas period but after the Fulham game, I am not sure if Arsene's selections would shock me anymore.
Having said that, the fact that we have had over seven days rest may influence Arsene's decisions as it is rare that we get that amount of time to recuperate after matches.
Ju Park and Marouane Chamakh will be in contention to start, it will be interesting to see if Arsene selects both players or chooses one or the others. That choice is vital because it decides the shape of the team and the midfield or wide personnel.
Arsene used a 4-4-2 shape in our last Carling Cup game against Manchester City with both Chamakh and Park leading the line, if this is Arsene's choice then I suspect that Arshavin will not start the game. That would be very harsh but trying to accommodate the Russian attacker along with two center forwards could unbalance the defensive shape of the team.
4-2-3-1
There are issues about both of the above midfield's and doubt whether we will see either of those team's tonight. One because in the 4-4-2 Arsene has never used Tomas Rosicky as a central midfielder in that formation. He has played the more advanced role in a three but never in a two at Arsenal as far as I am aware.
That problem remains in the 4-2-3-1, Yossi Benayoun has only played as the advanced central midfielder once in Dortmund in the Champions League and Arsene has already said that he is more of a wide attacker rather than a central playmaker. If Arsene thinks that then he certainly will not drop Yossi back to sit alongside Alex Song.
Now this could all change if either or both Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey have enough energy levels to play this evening, I assume now would be a time to rest them because they have looked jaded of late but Arsene may think differently. If that is the case then the options open up.
I would love to see Francis Coquelin given a chance in midfield and that would solve the balance issue but it seems as if Wenger doesn't believe that Miquel is a good enough option even if he has performed admirably in the few occasions he has played at left back.
Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up
That line up is pure speculation as we have no idea what Arsene has in mind but I expect the bench to be full of first team players who can change the game. Players like Walcott, Ramsey and of course Thierry Henry could be called upon. I don't know if van Persie will be on the bench or rested completely.
I like all Arsenal fans are looking forward to the moment where Thierry Henry is called to warm up, I expect the Arsenal support to go mad then followed by his entrance onto the pitch. It should be emotional.
Fingers crossed for a victory tonight and if the footballing gods are in a good mood then a Thierry Henry goal would do nicely also.
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09-Jan-2012 15:06 | | Anonymouscarlo destine to be arsener player *&for that lt'll be a co
ngrate 4 arsener to sign him!
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09-Jan-2012 15:06 | | KENEDY WABSWenger must consider signing Podolski,Benayoun and any other quality players.
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09-Jan-2012 15:13 | | Robin1. fabianski in not available. almunia will be the most likely starter
2. Van Persie is currently in dubai
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09-Jan-2012 16:08 | | princekanayo - solomon kalousolo kalou wil be a gud signing,but right now wil need a defender.
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09-Jan-2012 16:42 | | marshy - mightywhite
marching on to the henry and co, gunners carnt shoot for toffee. the mighty whites are in your city for a 2-0 white wash.
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09-Jan-2012 16:49 | | marshy - arsenal for jpt trophy this season
never mind u gooners theres always the fairplay way
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09-Jan-2012 17:29 | | kk - Ryowould it be better if we started Ryo instead of Benayoun? Because AOC and Ryo are very fast
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09-Jan-2012 20:55 | | colesyAnother player gets a soft muscle injury
no other club can surely claim as poor an injury record as the arsenal over the past few years. Surely the medical staff and their methods need investigating. 
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09-Jan-2012 22:02 | | MeanLean
Thierry Henry Thierry Henry Thierry Henry Thierry Henry Thierry Henry !!!
The exact same Thierry Henry finish of old.
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09-Jan-2012 22:22 | | Vuja DeI'm obviously pleased that we won the game.
Thought both Coquelin, Chamberlin, Yennaris and Miquel all had good games.
It was great to see Coquelin and Chamberlin playing long, accurate crossfield balls when nothing was on in their part of the field. It was also interesting to see Chamberlin moving into central midfield at times too, not being content just to hug the touchline.
Chamberlin was also doing his fair share of tracking back and defensive work too, so his time away from the team has been well spent. He's going to be a big player for us, and I thought it was a shame that he was substituted around the 68 minute mark. I'd have left him on.
It's also a shame that Coquelin got injured too. Incredible.
Whilst I'm glad that TH12 scored - he'll inevitably get the morning headlines too - I thought that we should have been at least two or three goals ahead, long before he even took to the field.
We must be one of the most wasteful teams in the history of professional English football, when it comes to not taking real goal scoring opportunities.
But we won the game, which is the main thing.
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09-Jan-2012 22:38 | | MeanLeanAgree with pretty much all of that VD. I really like Miquel as well, he doesn't panic, always uses the ball very well from the back.
Chamberlain technically looks very very good. Have been impressed with that side of his game every time he plays.
Onto our usual post match complaint and I agree 100% We dominate so many games and do not get our rewards and I think Thierry Henry's goal just says it all.
Arshavin, Ramsey, Gervinho and many more snatch at almost everything. The ball comes to them and it is like there is no real craft about the attempted finish. It is a case of smash it either foot and eventually it will go in.
Henry's 3 yard burst behind his marker is what only van Persie is doing for us right now but it was his finish, cool, calm and practiced that makes all the difference.
We have to stop wildly snatching at chances, especially Aaron who for a midfielder finds himself in so many good positions. It is harsh to point the finger at a 20 year old, he will score goals eventually and I am sure Henry wasn't as cool at that age but if there is one thing to work on at London Colny then it is that.
While Henry is here he should take Gervinho, Walcott, Ramsey, Chamberlain, Chamakh and company and just practice what he does best. That would more of a help to our squad than his actual game time I reckon.
*Just remembers that Gervinho and Chamakh are not actually going to be around*
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09-Jan-2012 23:03 | | Vuja De@ Mean Lean,
I definitely agree that TH12 should take aside as many players as possible whilst he's around, and give them comprehensive masterclasses on how to score goals.
Then, when TH12 departs for NYRB, the goal scoring practise should continue at the training sessions, until the players can hit the target and score with their eyes closed.
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10-Jan-2012 00:19 | | PassenalTo be fair ML, the players are under a lot of pressure and know what the fans and pundits are saying about them. I think that is why they snatch at chances and why they find it hard to relax and just play their game. Chamakh had a pretty good game, doing what he does - holding up the ball with his back to goal and setting up others. The fact that they miss those gilt-edged chances is hardly down to him. Yet the minute one pass goes astray, the abuse and groaning tells him exactly what some people think of him. How is that conducive to playing his best? But it's noticeable that fan favourites like Ramsey and Arteta's mistakes when they give the ball away in dangerous areas, or make hospital passes that put their team mates in trouble are overlooked.
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10-Jan-2012 13:23 | | Sun KingI don’t know if Henry can “teach” any of our current “strikers” much. It’s all about having a football-ing brain (can’t believe I’m quoting Hanson
), the current lot seem to lack it. I was at the match, and watched Henry warming up in the second half: The man spent half of his warm up watching the match on the field, studying what was going on. You can’t teach that kind of thinking.
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