Arsenal News 24/7
After losing to Norwich, we need to win at least one of the next two BPL matches otherwise the pressure will start to pile up.
Previews
Written by Mean Lean on Saturday, 20 October 2012 11:52
Today is Arsenal day and that feels great. It is ridiculous to have had so many stop start international breaks already to this early season. It is not over yet though, no siree. We have another round of friendlies next month in the middle of the season. It is like Arsenal arranging friendly matches in the middle of a difficult schedule. But hey, money talks doesn't it?
But that isn't our immediate concern as we face the Canaries at Carrow road this afternoon. There is something about this Norwich fixture that makes me think of sunshine and happy times. When I think of the likes of Stoke, Birmingham and co I think of gloom and rugby.
Our record has been pretty positive against Norwich in recent history although I do remember Norwich spanking us 4-2 in the sunshine at Highbury back in the nineties.
Last season we beat Norr-witch (as Arsene would say) away thanks to a Theo Walcott assist and I forget the rest for us. A Per Mertesacker error gifted Norwich a consolation goal but it wasn't enough for them.
The home game late in the season was crazy, a match filled with undisciplined defending. The final score ended 3-3 with the visitors having enough chances to have won the game. It could have been a result that could have allowed Tottenham the chance to finish 3rd but they blew their chance as usual.
Today is a different game, much has changed between the two sides. Norwich are under different management while we have built a new attack. So last season's results are insignificant.
We have some injuries that we have to deal with. Andre Santos will start his first Premier League game of the season at left back as Kieran Gibbs is still nursing his injury which he picked up at West Ham. Theo Walcott's impact with the San Marino bus has put him out of action for another week at least according to Arsene. Koscielny has a back issue so he is left out of the squad and there are rumours that Francis Coquelin could be out of the squad with injury also.
Even with those injuries and also players not quite ready to return to the starting line up, we still have quality to come in such is the depth of our squad at present.
Oliver Giroud is currently going through a mini scoring run after goals against Coventry, West Ham and Spain so you would imagine that he will be feeling pretty good right now, he should lead the line and I guess Arsene has to decide who plays on the right. Gervinho is the obvious choice, considering his goals this season but if Arsene wants to reinforce his midfield then he may go for someone like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, although given his England exploits you have to think that is quite unlikely.
Mean Lean's Predicted Line up:
Much of today's focus will undoubtedly be about Jack Wilshere who will be taking his place amongst the substitutes but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't feature in the game at all. Had the likes of Rosicky, Diaby and perhaps Coquelin been fit then it would be likely that Jack wouldn't be in the squad so soon.
That being said, it would be lovely if he was to get a nice 5 minutes at the end depending on the score. That would take some of the pressure off his next match.
Lets hope the boys can get straight into where they left off at West Ham.
Speaking of Jack Wilshere, @RoxyArms, the man that brought you 'Sign da ting' has come up with another song for us Gooners. This time he brings us 'Jack's Back' along with three Mini Lean's on the backing.
Enjoy.
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
Fancy writing your own articles for fellow Gooners to read? Click Your Vision section.
-
21-Oct-2012 05:43 | | SpectrumWhat a poor display from us. Every area of the team struggled, and our much vaunted " improved " defence reverted to type. Up front we offered little, and their goalkeeper had one of the easiest afternoons he's had for a long while. As per our usual pattern, we can be reasonably competitive with the higher ranked teams, but choke against modest opposition like Norwich. Norwich !!! - the side that has the SECOND WORST defence in the league so far, F.F.S. !
This should have been a certain three points in the bag, instead we sink further behind the leaders. ( Surprise packet Everton should also win today. ) Ten points adrift of Chelsea ALREADY, even at this early stage of the season. We have no adequate backup for Sczesney, that much was demonstrated yesterday. Mannone is not up to it. Wenger's policy of making do has cost us this game, basically. Among the players he DIDN'T buy and should have, is a quality keeper. Why didn't we go for Lloris for example, when he was available ? Instead he goes to our rivals the Spuds. Our stupidity in strengthening United is also apparent - Van Persie is scoring and creating goals for them - another goal and assist yesterday from him. Great forward planning, Arsene.
What do you put this defeat down to then, A.K.B.'s ? Is the team still "gelling" ? Are we still lacking "match fitness" ? L.O.L. what excuse will you dig up to explain this latest ( unnecessary ) failure ?
Why wasn't the team refreshed and motivated after the international break ? Oh,it WAS. Problem is it wasn't Arsenal !
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
"IAWR"
-
21-Oct-2012 06:41 | | craig - the dark tunnelOnly two points 'better' than this stage last season- which wasn't our best, is all Arsene has to show for his careful planning and masterful team selection process.
And to think back to the title winning comments the AKB's were coming out with earlier this season. Even fourth (our real target) will be tricky.
IAWR
-
21-Oct-2012 07:32 | | SpectrumAgreed Craig, if this is "the moment of truth", we need to be worried......
(Quote ) " We started [the season] with many questions about us, Wenger told BBC Sport. But of course we need to build up belief and convince people around us we have a chance. Apart from the Chelsea game we have been convincing, and we have belief we can do something special ".
Er, say again, Arsene ?
"IAWR"
-
21-Oct-2012 10:46 | | SpectrumHmm. It's gone all quiet on here. Apart from the sound of the A.K.B.'s bubbles bursting, that is.
"IAWR"
-
21-Oct-2012 10:52 | | Gooner80It's probably quiet around here because 'Arsenal supporters' don't tend to brag after defeat as it is their own team. Hence both of your absence in recent weeks.
-
21-Oct-2012 11:43 | | SpectrumGooner 80 - You A.K.B.'s STILL don't get it, do you ? It's not the defeat in itself. It's about the PREDICTABLE pattern that inevitably shows itself season after season. And the man who is responsible FOR that pattern, and our consequent non achievement.
It's early days, but our familiar faults are reappearing, despite the optimistic start. That is the point Craig and I are making. Different players, new coach(s), e.t.c. but little change. Do you ever stop to wonder why that is ? We find it amusing that none of you can see, or WANT to see, the common denominator and root cause of it.
"IAWR"
Powered by Compojoom comment 4.1.7 stable
Comments (8)