"It Is A Big, Big Game For Us"
Aug 29th, 2008 by 'holic
In concluding his lunchtime interview, Arsene Wenger sums up the second consecutive Saturday tea-time clash perfectly. A little over fifty hours before the transfer window shuts tight there is the little matter of a home Premiership meeting with Newcastle.
The game has been given added importance by the dropping of three points at Fulham last week, and Newcastle’s spirited unbeaten opening three fixtures, which included a draw at Old Trafford on the opening day when the champions had to come from behind to draw 1-1.
Kevin Keegan is turning things round at St James’ Park after the disastrous short tenure of anti-football manager, Sam Allardyce. He will be only too aware that the visitors were soundly drubbed on three visits to the Grove last season as both domestic cup runs ended in North London.
This week the main difference for Arsenal is that we are looking forward to a midfield that incorporates Cesc Fabregas, and it will be fascinating to see who partners him in the centre. Whilst the heart wants Denilson, or even Alex Song, to start and impress in the holding role, the head says that Emmanuel Eboue is likely to get the nod.
In fairness the theatrical Ivorian has given a hundred percent in the opening weeks and is learning a third new role in the squad. Clearly it is his versatility that endears him to his manager, and if he makes a success of his latest challenge he may just find some of the supporters swinging back behind him. I hope so anyway.
He may not be the only change from the Champions League win on Wednesday night, as Wenger confessed βIt will be the same 18 as against Twente but I will rotate a little bit.β To me that hints at a return for Kolo Toure in the back four. Johan Djourou would be the recipient of much sympathy if he is the player to make way.
Up front we will surely see Emmanuel Adebayor, and based on their early season form it really would be the toss of a coin as to whether Nicklas Bendtner or Robin van Persie made way. I don’t think too many would be upset to see them both benched in favour of the young Mexican, Carlos Vela. My gut instinct is that van Persie will be given the opportunity to get up to match-fitness.
The ‘holic pound shows the first change of the season as well. 2-0 predictions have not worked for me, and we are still not quite where we would like to be. I’m nervously opting for 2-1, fearful that we are still vulnerable from set pieces. Hopefully sod’s law will see me forfeit my hard-earned nugget to a 2-0 scoreline.
To those of you who are going, have a great day. The weather forecast looks good and the pubs with beer gardens will be popular pre-match spots. Am I being too hopeful that the third competitive fixture at the Grove will be the first to be boo-free?
The rest of you ‘holics who will have to settle for the live tv feed or a dodgy internet stream, have a good one. I will be back with a post-match view on the proceedings, but be warned it may not be until Sunday morning if things do not go well. I do feel I was part of an over-reaction last Saturday night.
Oh, and if you are a blogger who is moving on Saturday and relying on the cable guys to plumb you in on a Saturday afternoon so you can watch the match, I wish you luck. No, really, I do π
24 Responses to “"It Is A Big, Big Game For Us"”
Evening ‘holic, nice place you have here, I’ll have a pint of London Pride please.
‘Holic,
You are too hard on Big Sam – he has feelings too! Anyways, I’ll pour YOU a shot of GJ in advance (I hope this place allows the BYOB) because Keegan is melding a squad out of the Toon. Please, Please, Please keep Eboue on the bench (give Denilson more time); partner Kolo with Djourou, and – here’s a thought- put the youngster (Wilshy) up front to support Ade.
2-1 is VERY optimistic… Then again, I am hoping for the best. You’ll hear my curses from the States if we can’t get the result.
2-1 at HOME to NEWCASTLE is ‘VERY optimistic’!!! Are things really that bad? I think not.
Mr Wenger
Please think carefully about your team selection and when and who you will make as substitutions.
If theres a chance that either Toure or Song could partner Cesc, let them have the opportunity. You’ve stated that neither have the engine to play in that role for a full 90 minutes so whats the harm in giving them a go and then using a substitute wisely.
Djourou looked really good on Wednesday and should be given the chance to play again alongside – it will have to be as you made him captain – Gallas.
Us girls don’t get it!! Why not start with something different and change it if its not going right. Apart from bringing on a striker I don’t remember a defensive sustitution ever improving a game. Someone will tell me I’m sure.
`heh `holic.
Lets hope we start the game at a high tempo.So many games we seem to start like an extension of a training match.
Newcastle`s new signing Jonas looks a bit of a handful.
I think Toure will return.Against Michael Owen Arsene will want a bit of experience.Tough on Djourou but i`m sure his time will come.
Partner to Cesc?.I`d stick with Denilson.
Got in a bit late last night ,so bit of a frosty(Siberia) atmosphere around here today ,so i`m off the drink but I could sneak in a quick pint or two while she`s watching the X-Factor.
Cheers.
peaches
Quite agree about the defensive sub analysis – you must have been reading my mind (or earlier blogs!)
I keep reading about how AW’s next signing is going to be crucial (and I agree – assuming we make one), but it will be very interesting to see his starting line-up tomorrow. Newcastle are on a high at the moment and won’t be a pushover by any means.
I’d like to think that he will start with what he sees as his strongest team from the players currently available – and I’d really like to think that he won’t play anyone out of position.
Pool fans were very patient with raffa during his ‘change the team every game’ period – please don’t let arsene go down the same road. I’d like to see some consistency once he’s finished with the midfield experimentation.
I think you will find, Rasputin, that very rarely are we able to field the same side over a number of consecutive games because of the number of injuries that happen in the modern game.
I take your point entirely though. I think we have a settled squad because there is a first-choice group of players that will be picked when they are fit. Rafa makes the mistake of leaving out top players when they are fit and want to play.
Yes I agree ‘holic, but it would be nice to have a level of stability.
Do you think we suffer a disproportionate number of injuries – partucularly in training. I remember that Cheshunt chav Bentley saying that he preferred it at Blackburn because players were actually able to tackle one another in training.
I mentioned the team in the Pat Rice/George Graham era the other day, I wonder how many team changes were made in their era?
Maybe one other important member of staff we lost over the summer was Gary Lewin
Dave –
I don’t think we’re dealing with the same old Newcastle (or Sunderland for that matter). I’ll be happy with a result, don’t think we’re gonna dominate these boys.
As far as experimentation goes, I know Rafa switched things around from match to match, but consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. Although the margin of victory in the EPL is small (3 to 5 points), now is the time to do a little switcheroo with the line-up to find a resonant chemistry. There’s plenty of time to have a settled eleven in October.
I’ll take a Yuengling please, ‘Holic!
I had been toying with traveling for the Newcastle game until Fox Soccer announced it’s being shown here in sunny Virginia. I’ll save my $$$ and put the feet up here and enjoy a Sam Adams or three.
I’m sure that Ade and Robin will start tomorrow and emerge as the duo to beat for the rest of the season. Expect Theo, Rosicky, Nick and Eduardo to feature as the other rotators up front. Vela will be played sparingly to bring him up to speed for a climactic 2010.
Cesc and Denilson will will soon be the constant pairing in the middle. They’re both class. Nasri will play regularly on the left and Diaby on the right. Eboue will cover injuries and substitute for Sagna.
I think the strongest back four is Sagna, Gallas, Song, Cliche. I think if you look back on last year’s games you’ll see more errors from Kolo than Big Willie, although Galls got and still gets most of the stick.
Almunia will have a very fine campaign. Enjoy!
LoneStar –
Thanks for the recognition – how’d you know my name….is that why your name’s always in red?
I would have liked to think that a lot of the experimentation with the team would have taken place in pre-season (emirates cup, amsterdam etc) as it could cost us three points against teams like Fulham.
Let’s hope we’re not too far behind to make up the deficit come October
Just a pint of Guinness (Extra Cold) for me tonight… oh and a Port chaser, why not? It is Friday after all…
Beer garden eh?
Not Tia Maria with your Guinness, snail?
I think Pat and George would tell you that players today are so highly tuned, so fast, so fit, that injuries are more likely today because they are closer to the physical limits than thirty years ago.
I have to say though if you watch the video of the 1971 double season you do wonder how players appeared week in week out when the tackles were fast, furious, and what was acceptable in those days would be automatic red cards today.
I think you’ll find Lone Star was referring to Dave’s comment no 3.
bergkamp’s the man you forgot rosicky.
there’s no chance that he’s gonna be left out of our strongest first 11 when totally match fit.
i’d love to see:
————-almunia————-
sagna, gallas, djourou, clichy
rosicky,fabregas,toure,nasri
————rvp——————–
—————-eduardo———
class team :p
Before the Twente match I predicted on this blog 4-0 against Twente and 3-1 against the Toon. Since I got the first half right, Holic, you’d do well to put your pound down on 3-1!! I have a hot hand.
newcastle will cop 4 tonight.
Last week against Fulham I predicted 3-1….got the 1 right….ahh well!!
Anyway, to today….2-0 goes Arsenal’s way. We will, and rightly should, be too stronng for the toon. I expect at least a goal from RVP. Ade perhaps to bag another.
Pretty standard! But then again sometimes standard things do happen π
CMON THE GUNNERS!!!!!!!!!
The opening hours here are extremely erratic
That’s because I drink elsewhere π
3-0. I’ll have three large Bushmills in the same large glass. No ice or nothing.
Oh ‘holic! How nice to see my spaniard back in league action. And what a big difference he made!
we could’ve won by a greater margin, but really right now, i’m just happy for the three goals, the three points and the cleansheet.
xx
Great game, great result, some great performances, no-one was pants!
I can’t believe that some people are adding 2 and 2 and think that Vieira is coming back just because he was at the game. Its about as likely s TH14 signing for manure.
Vieira coming back? I wouldn’t bet on it. When we got rid of him 3 years back….there was talk of Wenger being concerned about his knees being shot. As much as I loved Paddy, he won’t be coming back.