Bendtner Set To Strike In Spain
Nov 26th, 2007 by 'holic
The squad to face Sevilla has been announced, and as expected there is a degree of rotation taking place as Arsenal, already through to the knock-out phase, prepare for a hectic December.
Injury also plays a part as Gael Clichy misses the trip with a thigh strain, while skipper William Gallas and striker Emmanuel Adebayor are rested. Philippe Senderos and Nicklas Bendtner will doubtless come in for the latter pairing, but the left-back selection will be interesting. Armand Traore and the marginally more experienced Justin Hoyte are in the frame.
In midfield there is a return to the squad for Mathieu Flamini, although I don’t expect to see him starting unless Arsene Wenger opts to return to a 4-5-1 formation and he might then be added to Saturdays starting quartet. Under these circumstances Tomas Rosicky could find himself in the Hleb role and given free reign to express himself.
Bendtner is the logical replacement for Adebayor, but if Wenger goes for two up will Theo Walcott retain his place or will Eduardo get another chance to impress in Europe? In all honesty I think playing as a lone striker would be a tough call for the young Dane against such an accomplished side, but we shall see.
Sevilla, so impressive in the opening weeks of the season, are still coming to terms with the loss of Juande Ramos, who is the latest coach to attempt to make a silk purse out of a real pigs ear at the other end of Seven Sisters Road. His replacement, Manolo Jimenez, has presided over two consecutive league defeats, although earlier this month Real Madrid learned that you underestimate Sevilla at your peril.
This is the hardest match to call so far this season, I think. The ‘holic pound is rather tentatively being placed on a one-one draw. Better still, I think I will go for the hosts to be leading at half-time, with Arsenal coming back to claim the draw with another strong finish. That should be around 14-1, and funding the evenings liquid refreshment!
5 Responses to “Bendtner Set To Strike In Spain”
You’re doing well so far with the ‘holic pound, but I’m hoping we actually win this one by the odd goal in 3.
I expect to see Sagna on the left, Hoyte on the right with Diarra in front of him in RM for added protection and Toure/Senderos in the CB positions. A return of the Gallas/Fabregas partnership in the centre of midfield, Rosicky on the left and Bendtner/Eduardo up front to start. Walcott will come on for Eduardo and Denilson for Cesc if all goes well.
Come on you reds!
I think you mean Flamini/Fabgregas partnership. Gallas won’t be playing.
i cant see Sagna being switched to the left if at ll he plays.i will be expecting we do play a 4-5-1 formation lik ths:
Almunia
Sagna/Hoyte Senderos Toure Traore
Gilberto Diarra
Eboue Fabregas Rosicky
Bendtner
with both Eduardo and Walcott coming on as impact players later on if needed,and also Denii to come on for Cesc later on if things are sawn up.
with two defnsive mids,that gives Cesc license to stay up there and with Rosicky as well then um sure we will create chances.Diarra would help Traorewith the defensive side and Eboue would cover well for Hoyte who might actually play ahead of Sagna because he is quite solid when the impetus on the team is not to fully attack.
it will be a tough game but Le Boss will balance the team with some players that are still trying to prove themselves so the game will still have an edge,um hoping for good games for Rosicky,Cesc (as usual),Traore,Diarra and Bendtner and it would be nice to have only good things to say about Eboue.
I think he should go for gilberto in the holding role,eboue wide right,and abou diaby on the left hand side and cesc in his usual position.Then play rosicky just behind bendtner.Diaby deserves to play that game as he has been outstanding when given the chance,and also to console him so that he doesnt feel left out.i think he is outstanding!!
diaby is still injured.