Wenger 'Will Not Rotate Too Much' At West Brom
Mar 2nd, 2009 by 'holic
Had the year started differently I may well have been in the market for a ticket to the Hawthorns. Things conspired to prevent me from applying, and watching the weather forecast I am not entirely sorry now. It is due to be very wet and very windy, just what we didn’t want in the run we are enduring at present.
West Brom are unlikely to be any more enamoured with the conditions than us. They may be poised for a quick return to the Championship, but have won much praise for sticking to their footballing principles throughout a difficult season.
I had a close-up view of them on the opening day of the season, when Samir Nasri’s debut goal after just four minutes secured the three points. West Brom were pleasing on the eye, with the experienced Greening and Morrison impressing in midfield. Their problem that day, a powder-puff attack, has continued to haunt them and persuaded Tony Mowbray to take Jay Simpson on loan for the second half of the season.
Little did we realise that our own goalscoring problems would be previewed that day, and the big question on Albion’s turf will be who can score the goals that will secure us a double? With Simpson ineligible to play against his employers, and nobody back from the treatment room for the visitors, the mischievous may suggest that a fifth consecutive goalless draw in the Premiership is on the cards.
I don’t agree. Defensively Arsenal have lost William Gallas to an ankle injury. Johan Djourou is a more than capable deputy, but the conditions promise to be very difficult for defenders if they are faced by direct-running opponents. Our run of six consecutive clean sheets is under threat.
Arsene Wenger has suggested that he will not need to rotate much with five days to go to the FA Cup tie with Burnley. He should perhaps be more concerned with how tired some players appeared in the closing stages against Fulham. I would suggest that Djourou be joined in the starting line-up by Nicklas Bendtner, and we should confidently go 4-4-2. Carlos Vela may be better employed coming on to a sodden surface against tiring defenders after an hour or so for maximum effect.
I’m not altogether sure that I might not start with the enigma that is Eboue on the right flank either, and allow Andrey Arshavin a run at the ageing Robinson in the last half-hour. Wait. Who am I kidding? You just know Song is going to get a start, don’t you!
The ‘holic pound will have to be ventured on a high-scoring affair. Surely the conditions, and the fact that two nervous sides will be desperately seeking the points for different reasons, will lead to an error-strewn open contest that will keep us all enthralled? I’m taking 4-2 to the Arsenal, and will have to open another new account at Sporting Bet to grab their 80/1 odds. Hang on, who are those men in white coats outside?
I’m probably reading too much into the conditions, and making too many assumptions about which side may tire in the closing stages. All we can hope for is that those who have the cannon on their shirt tomorrow night show some spark of life, some enthusiasm, and most important of all, some bloody effort. It’s the least you can do for those that continue to follow you and sell-out the visitors allocation of seats up and down the country.
Thanks Steve
Finally can I offer my thanks to Steve who has dropped me a line at via Facebook (oh yes, even old ‘holic is on Facebook!) to offer some help. Steve, I have tried to reply tonight but apparently I am so popular they have had to shut me down for some unplanned maintenance, or something like that. I will get back to you as soon as I can, and cheers for the offer.
32 Responses to “Wenger 'Will Not Rotate Too Much' At West Brom”
Haven’t popped in here for a while.
Could I have a port and lemon please, ‘holic
Mmm,
Lemonade, lemonade?
I must have some here somewhere 😉
A close up view you say?
i wont be pretty if we fail to take all three points tomorrow.
There is an answer to that, Danish, but I am too much of a gentleman to give it. I cannot vouch for the rest of the ‘holics, however 😉
‘wenger will not rotate too much’……………he will not bring ebue to midfield and put denilson wide. he will not bring song to CB (may be).
…apparently you can think of rotation in the ‘right context, and that is the right context for arsenal.
I don’t honestly see Denilson being shunted out wide to make way for Eboue in the centre. That makes no sense whatsoever.
I could have seen Song at centre-back, which is where he may end up if he wants to stay at Arsenal, were it not for the fact that Wenger has already said Djourou will replace Gallas.
I do have a nagging feeling that Song may start in midfield, particularly if we stick with a 4-5-1. That would be a bad move in my opinion, but we pretty much got what we asked for in terms of team selection on Saturday, and it didn’t work.
Hey holic that’s a hell of a tonic!
Thanks Gunnersmith, but let’s be honest about this, it’s only West Brom. It’s not like we’re even playing all of Bromwich 😉
It’s 80-1 for a very good reason.
Good luck though.
You’re right, of course, Pip.
I’m chasing my losses in one night.
Poor gambling 😉
I can’t get my head around the formation this time. Ever since Wenger tried out that “4-5-1” I keep thinking he’ll use it again.
I’d start with the 451 again and go for: v.Persie – Bendtner(L) – Arshavin(C) – Nasri(R) – Song/Denilson – Song/Diaby – Clichy – Djourou – Toure – Sagna – Almunia with the possibility of a switch to 4-4-2 during the game.
Should give us a 2-0 win.
Oh no! I have been asleep all this time and things havent been good for you guys! I am sorry, i must have taken something strong from the “holic Kitchen”
Now i am bak in business and see you tomorrow at the Hawthorn.
My being only spells good times ahead!
Fasten your seatbelts boys and girls…we are going for a ride!
Djourou for Gallas obviously and, yes, Bendtner for Diaby but I don’t see what’s to be gained from too much chopping and changing – especially if it sees the return of Song – other than time to get Wilshere back on the bench and give him some playing time.
As you say WBA do try to play football so why don’t we do the same?
Any tiredness on Saturday can only have been mental as there wasn’t much physical exertion going on. Roma was Tuesday so 4 days to recover and, albeit a good performance, wasn’t that demanding.
Arsene’s fitness/dietary regime extended the legendary, but aging, Back 5’s careers by years so what exactly is the problem with this lot.
Seems to me that perhaps AW’s played the “tired” card a bit too often to excuse substandard performances and the players now believe it.
As for wet and windy weather; perhaps it might wake them up. The weathers been perfect the last 2 Saturdays but has made bugger all difference.
I can see Bendtner starting in place of Vela. I think Vela has looked out of sorts recently and a more physical presence may well be required. I also think that 20 mins of Arshavin at the end could well be the way to go.
Booked tickets for The Hawthorns some months ago thinking it would be a nice evening trip and not back too late. Like you I have just been treated to the weather forecast. Thank you God!!!!!! Out with the wellies and waterproofs it is then.
A nice glass of red to finish the evening off if you please? And where is my Weller stuff for the jukebox???????
Up the Gunners.
Keep the faith.
‘We came out of it naturally the worst:
Beaten and bloody, and I was sick down my shirt.
We were no match for their untamed wit,
Though some of the lads said they’d be back next week.’
I was always taken by:
“Bullshit is bullshit, it just goes by different names” . . . .
And the subsequent:
“And if you feel there’s no passion
No quality sensation
Seize the young determination
Show the fakers you ain’t foolin’
You’ll see me come runnin’
To the sound of your strummin’
Fill my heart with joy and gladness
I’ve lived too long in shadows of sadness”
Hello, hurrah. Cheers then mate…………………
Days of speed and slow time Mondays.
Pissing down with rain on a boring West Brom.
Watching the news and not eating you tea.
A freezing cold Hawthorns, and damp on the walls
thats’ entertainment
So very true . . .
Rotation or not, one should feel really confident. After all the law of large numbers will be playing for us after this lengthy goal drought with countless scoring opportunities.
At the “manager-in-a-chair” game, I would play an all-offensive side with Eboue wide, Nasri in the middle and Song as DM. This is a really good opportunity to rest Denilson who played something like 40 games this season. We need him at his best next week.
I wish all the best to the courageous travelers tomorrow. No music during the game for me this time, our support away is always a joy to the ears.
And I’ll have a glass from a decent German burgundy-like pinot noir we opened yesterday. Surprisingly fruity. Exactly what’s needed to toast to our goals tomorrow.
I’m excited about the prospect of tonights match v. WBA, but I do not think Bendtner on the wing is a good idea, he has no speed whatsoever to get pass a defender, plus his first touch is laughable at best. I guess you can read I’m not the biggest Nick fan on here…. As much as I hate to say it as well I think Eboue would serve best on the wings with us going for a 4-4-2 w/ RVP and Bendtner up front, mainly Nick winning the air balls and tipping them onto a running RVP to pop’em in the bcak of the old onion bag!! This Yank predicts a 3-1 to the Arse with Nasri, RVP and Arshavin scoring for the Gunners!! Btw has anyone heard if we’ll be bringing back big Phil from AC Milan at the end of the season?? I hope so cause I think the loan may have done him good especially in a defensive style leauge like the Itailian leauge…
afternoon all, it is just now i think.
A whole streets belief in sundays roast beef
Gets dashed against the co-op
To either cut down on beer or the kids new gear
Its a big decision in …..
i always liked town called malice. what a great lyricist. good pub memories of when they used to have ‘out of the sinking’ as sky theme for footy years back! still gives me the buzz when u hear it 😉
(and .. sorry but did anyone ever see robert carlyle bbc series ‘looking after jojo’ ? (decent jam soundtrack! pretty good mini-series also)
thanks ‘holic btw … no worries
right down to the business end of things…..
gotta be a gunners win. if we don’t that’s it! i’m joining garrett in the assassination squad 😉 i am expecting a romp. a romp now to be 3 goals … not the 7 we once considered as a romp
don’t think you are too far off on your prediction though ‘holic .. good luck!!
whatever the score goals are certainly of a high demand and this may be the perfect opportunity to relieve some pressure within the ranks by grabbing a bundle!
good luck gooners!
(ps. phantomphreak i asked the same question of big phil / swiss tony to my father last night … i think you are absolutely right – bring him back. hopefully it has brought him along well!)
Interesting ‘holicpound.
Coffee please. Straight.
Pint of the black stuff and do you do food?
Eboue will be starting tonight on the right of midfield, we have no other choice right now, Arshavin will be benched i think, brought on for the last 20 if needed.
Does he do food? He’s only just installed a juke box to liven some of these stiffs up a bit.
*points accusingly at fellow ‘holics*
A spicy Peparami and a jar of those out of date cockles please ‘holic. They were quite lively last time, as I recall. Oh and a pint of the usual.
*counts out change*
I like 4-2 – it’s a good away score.
Half-time snail, and I am starting to love 4-2. Keep Song on until the Baggies get their second please Arsene 😉
Heh – it is looking good value for money – I just hope you put at least a monkey on it.
I hope you put money on the same two goal margin for 1-3 elsewhere. Thought we looked hungry and up for it tonight. A couple of shocking referee decisions, but hey ho – when isn’t there these days, eh? Nice to see Ramsey and Merida get a run out. Feel a bit sorry for Arshavin as he played his socks off and you can tell he wants a goal.
Anyway, looks like the other two are winning as well, so i’s as you were, unless your surname is O’Neil.
Back to work tomorrow. Never mind 🙂
Yes, 9 am start, as ever…