Goodison Provides The Questions. Have Arsenal Got The Answers?
Jan 27th, 2009 by 'holic
“I think we are hungrier than ever, and I think we have a good opportunity to show that tomorrow.”
Arsene Wenger knows only too well that the journey to Goodison provides our sternest test for a month. A single goal triumph in a war of attrition would be far more enthusiastically received than other recent triumphs. In short, we are about to discover if we really are beginning to rebuild confidence after an unbeaten run of eight Premier League games.
Team news centres around the likely recall of William Gallas. I can’t honestly say I am enamoured at the prospect of the former skipper marking either Cahill or Fellaini, who provide the home team’s most potent threat, at set pieces. I would not be surprised to see Song and Diaby start to add to our aerial capability at the back.
If we are to triumph then we need a performance from Emmanuel Adebayor, who has been overshadowed in recent weeks by Robin van Persie. The Dutchman has enjoyed good health and has responded with his most consistent spell of good form in the red and white. A return to the Adebayor of last season would provide us with the most potent of strike forces as the season heads for the pointed end.
Manchester United and Aston Villa have set the standard for the midweek round of fixtures by winning away from home at West Brom and Portsmouth respectively. We need to respond even if the challenge that faces us is a lot more daunting than those faced by our rivals.
I have had some good news today, so am hoping it is an omen. I’m being persuaded by my heart, rather than my head, to plant the ‘holic pound on an away win. I cannot see us keeping a clean sheet so I’m looking at a slightly unusual 3-2 win for the visitors, and Skybet reckon that is a 40/1 shot. I wonder why!
So this is it. Squeaky bum time starts here. The closest Premiership contest for years is about to ignite. Despite numerous examples that suggest we we lack something this season we are about to discover if we are lacking either bottle, or just luck, in a big contest. I’m convinced we have the ability. Now let’s see if we have the heart for the fight.
Come on you Gunners.
19 Responses to “Goodison Provides The Questions. Have Arsenal Got The Answers?”
its gonna be a really tough match tomorrow. but the the way aston villa are going at the moment we need the result tomorrow. really unbelievable the way aston villa have been winning all their matches lately but theyre 6 points ahead of us so it is getting worrying. its gonna be tough to catch them if their luck remains like this
i dont fink our midfield will be able to pass this examination big al, i really dont.
gizza pint of brandy al.
luck or not on villas side a result is what’s needed tomorrow, I’d like to see a 2-1 or a 3-1 but with everton drawing pool 2 times i just have a feeling it’ll be a draw.
Nice to hear you have received some good news ‘Holic.
I have had this fixture in mind for some time. Not only will defeat open the gap with Villa to 6 points, Everton will then be breathing down our necks. I must admit I feel this one will be a draw.
I not sure about Diaby and Song starting. It will mean either Denilson or Nasri misses out and Wenger has already bemoaned the lack of creativity. As well as RVP has been playing he can’t make the chances himself. He and Nasri seemed to have developed a good understanding. Nasri’s attempt in the first half against Cardiff was very similar to the goal he scored against Hull.
Anyway, I am a bit worried about this one and require a double gin.
I hope you’re not lacking in bottles ‘holic… Mine’s a house red please.
It will be intriguing, but I have a feeling the lads will pull out a result.
Brandy,double gin,just give me an optic special. I think I’m going to need it.The way we leak goals to set pieces I can’t see the recall of Gallas as being the answer. I hope I am wrong but I reckon today could be the day the chickens come home to roost.
Oh guys, we have always come out of the sticks when things get tight. I honestly do not believe Villa should be any threat to us at all. Tots came, and finally went on to struggle till this moment that we are trying to discuss tomorrows’ match.
Villa shouls start thinking of dropping points this early because its’ of no use them hanging to what does not sound a prospect to them.
For sure, they are the next tottenham.
Huge game tomorrow night, keep winning and we’re right in the mix. The draw that would usually be a decent result at Goodison is no good to us at the moment. Let’s not forget that Everton, despite some decent results are a pretty mediocre outfit without any strikers. Let’s hope the Liverpool games have taken it out of them. Villa were extremely fortunate tonight, I still can’t get too worried about them though. Win tomorrow and I’ll start hoping for much more than 4th place.
Glad to hear you’ve had some good news, ‘holic. Lets hope it can continue with your bet coming off tomorrow……
JD and a Hamlet, please guv
Then again I suppose Denilson could start on the right…
That’s enough now.
I for one am pleased that Gallas is back. I think in the weeks leading up to his injury he has played well. On his day he is still the best centre back we have by a country mile. It is just a case of working out who to play next to him.
Tomorrow will be a hard fought game and 3 points is now a must. I just hope that the 2 games against Liverpool will take their toll.
I can se us playing 5 in midfield with just the one up front. Diaby pushing forward with the wider players being told to push on. But we will see.
Up the Gunners.
Cant believ Villa, played crap again, (6 games in a row) but still won.
We need to play to our best tomorrow, expect a dull game with Everton pushing everyone behind the ball, and us passing the ball around in midfield.
Aslong as we can get the break through we will open them up.
I think we have to get through the next 3 games, Everton, West Ham and Spurs, and then we have some of our players coming back from injury.
Plus Villa have a realy tough March and april, playing the others in the top four, while we play some of the mid table teams and Liverpool.
Good night ‘holic and COME ON THE ARSENAL !!!
Bring GG back and win 1-0. I don’t care whether it’s boring as long as the gunners win. Under AW the gunners play football pleasing to the eye but are unable to win. I don’t know what’s eating AW. Surely the name of the game is winning instead of passing when confronted by teams playing safety first.
Cardiff palyed a similar game and you cN bet your house Moyes will be doing a Liverpool and hit the gunners at set pieces and counter attack. Surely Moyes is playing to his strength and if AW calls it anti soccer he is entitled to his opinion.
If Arsenal lose tonite the gape beween and them will be 6 points.I am not saying the gunners will lose but it is atough game.The gunners don’t seem to have a back up plan when confronted by such an approach.If they aspire to be champs they better find an ansrew to this of team and fast.
Good on the good news, ‘holic 🙂
I’ll have a little morning Irish coffee please. Thanks.
Let’s not forget that Everton, despite some decent results are a pretty mediocre outfit without any strikers. Let’s hope the Liverpool games have taken it out of them.
If Everton are so mediocre why are you hoping their still hung over form the derby.
Mate – don’t waste your money on that scoreline ffs … Everton have not let in very many goals in the last few games and they are an excellent side defensively while we lack any penetration at the moment despite RVP playing at a great level. A 0-0 is the most likely outcome but if Iwere to speculate on an unlikely scoreline in our favour I would go for a 2-0 to the Arse. 3-2 sounds like fantasy land to me. better just buy a pint with that money, if you can afford a pint that is.
(Edit, ET, the email addy you put in will hit my spam filter every time. I’m not in the habit of deleting regulars, trust me).
I’m off for a solitary brandy and cigar.
*slams door*
Ivan Gazidis ????? WTF is HE doing? It doesn’t matter if you think we need AA or not. AW made a move for him and can’t make the deal. So why did we bring in Ivan Gazidis, what part is he playing in our signing absolutely no-one ??????? Looks like he will be another Eboue …. AN EFFIN WASTE OF SPACE. What is happening to my beloved gooners? Oh to be singing on the Norht Bank “We are invincible” !!