In Out In Out Shake 'Em All About
Dec 12th, 2009 by 'holic
How on earth does one go about previewing a game when one hasn’t the faintest idea what the team is going to be? I’ve been trying to access some definitive news about who will or won’t be available, but it’s a bit like plaiting fog, I’m afraid.
At the moment I am indebted to drinker Sooth, who found this for me. According to physio room;
T Walcott Ankle/Foot Injury 13th Dec 09 slight doubt
C Fabregas Back Injury 13th Dec 09 doubtful
A Arshavin Ankle/Foot Injury 13th Dec 09 slight doubt
E Eboue Hamstring Injury 19th Dec 09
A Traore Hamstring Injury 13th Dec 09 slight doubt
W Gallas Hamstring Injury 13th Dec 09 slight doubt
T Rosicky Groin Strain 9th Jan 10
E Da Silva Thigh Muscle Strain 13th Dec 09 doubtful
K Gibbs Metatarsal Fracture Feb 10
V Diaby Calf Muscle Strain 13th Dec 09 doubtful
R Van Persie Sprained Ankle Apr 10
G Clichy Back Injury 19th Dec 09
N Bendtner Inguinal Hernia 9th Jan 10
J Djourou Knee Injury Mar 10
Obviously if they are all missing the television switch will remain firmly in the off position at 4pm on Sunday. I’m most dischuffed to see Fabregas listed as ‘doubtful’, although the same applies to Diaby who elsewhere is thought to be available.
Assumptions are dangerous allies, but in order to formulate a bet I will have to make a few. I would be surprised if we did not patch up Gallas and Traore to play alongside Sagna and Vermaelen at the back.
I can see a gamble being taken with Cesc if there is any doubt and if he misses the trip to Burnley in the week, then so be it. He will partner Denilson and Song, I’m sure.
Up front is most interesting. Walcott was perhaps unfairly criticised for his performance in the week, and must be better for having finally got a game under his belt. The temptation to let him lead the line, with Arshavin left and Nasri right, must be strong. Eduardo (is he fit, or isn’t he?) is the most likely option if Theo isn’t risked.
Liverpool are being similarly cagey, but considered opinion is that the club without a home win in November (and you thought we had it bad!) will be boosted by the return of Torres. Just our bloody luck, eh? Even luckier for them, Babel is ruled out.
A quick glance around the Liverpool forums reveals they are even more concerned about the potential outcome than us. Perhaps a draw might be the way to go with the ‘holic pound? 12/5 at Stan James looks as good as it gets, and with both sides odds against to win the bookies are just as confused as us.
So that is about as ambitious as I am about to get, I’m afraid. If you are off to Anfield then have a good trip. I hope the M6 is running freely for once. I will be snuggled up on the sofa with a bottle of Talisker attempting to put an end to this damn cough that is driving me round the twist. Apparently on oldlunatic.com I am rated a ‘slight doubt’ for the game against Hull next Saturday.
Cheers ‘holics.
18 Responses to “In Out In Out Shake 'Em All About”
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Enough is enough, im an athletic trainer by profession and i can not believe the number of injuries Arsenal carry on a consistent basis. No other team in the EPL has anywhere near the number of players in the treatment room as Arsenal. WHY IS THIS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. Injuries are part of the game but not at this rate.
After noon Holic,
I hope that AW continues with Arshavin as frontman for tomorrows game, he did well at Anfield last year and I thought he played a blinder last week v Stoke. IMO Walcott has made the best impact when he has been used as a sub, bringing on his extra pace in the latter stages of the game when the oppositions legs start to tire.
These games are hard to predict at the best of times, but factoring in both teams injury woes and L’pools lose of form doesn’t necassarily make it easier. Rafa may have more of his first XI available, but they are far from 100% match fit, Torres only played a bit part in the midweek game and their new midfield “saviour” Aquathingy, is yet mostly untried and tested in the PL.
I too have been reading opinions on other sites and I have the feeling that they are more worried about us then we are about them. Even the highly blinkered Lawro can’t see L’pool winning this one, I don’t think I’ve ever read such a long comment on his predictions page, it takes him quite a while to justify his prediction of a 1-1 drew. (he NEVER predicts a L’pool defeat)
I think this game may come down to who has the most spirit and belief in their team, luckily for us these are two qualities that seem to be missing in the current L’pool set up. I am by no means writing them off completly, because history tells us that they are a great team, but Rafa does seem to have lost the plot a little lately, his tactics are off and his team look like they lack motivation.
I think a loss for the home team, and many around Anfield will be sharpening their knives, the scousers don’t usually do knee jerk reactions when it comes to their managers, but I get the impression that patients are running thin. The pressure is all on them, so here’s hoping our lads can take advantage of this and compound their misery.
As you know, they always say at Anfield- You’ll Never Walk Alone,- Well, that’s because misery loves company.
A pint of Lager tops this lunchtime, please barman.
Cheers.
The sun’s shining brightly here this morning and that is invariably a sign! Arsenal to win 2-1.
Captain Fabspanic never lets us down on a Sunday, so I’m expecting to see the hottest mid-field in Europe at the moment, Song, Cesc and Deni, in front of the resilient back four you predict, ‘Holic.
Nasri, Eduardo and AA would be my pick up front with a good dose of Theo off the bench (per H2H) around the 70 minute mark, to soothe your cough and raise your cheer, ‘Holic.
I think The Verminator will be too fast for Torres’ speed and Alex Song will be singing a combination of The Stealer, Jailhouse Rock and You Always Walk Alone (Without the Ball) every time he nicks the ball from him and drives us forward.
A wee one for me and a big Venos for yourself, barman. Come on the little lads, with all the injuries and only one Song.
every time he nicks the ball from GERARD….
Here’s the link to physio room (in case anyone needs it): http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
And a B-52 for me, please, Holic.
To assume is to make an ass of u and me.
Very nice outcome at The Kremlin today. I’m not surprised Everton let three in, but I’m astonished they scored three there. So, now it’s eight points with two games in hand.
Who’s the fat lady this year, Holic?
Unlike, English, arithmutic was nevir my best stuff at school. 9 with 2.
Not sure who, BtM, but I cannot even hear her beginning to clear her throat yet. Mancs one down at half time and fat granny-shagger booked for diving. If Carlsberg did football days… 🙂
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!! Villa.
One nil to the Villa – that’ll do nicely – if we win our two games in hand we’ll be above Manure on goal difference and two points behind chavski.
Makes tomorrow’s game a must win, in my opinion.
I’ll have a glass of Snowball please, barman,
Managers and players must have gotten really excited by the results today, many are going to have a hard time falling asleep. This THE must-win game of the month for both teams and despite all our injuries we’re going in more confidently than they are, here’s the feeling from LiverpoolBanter:
“I cannot honestly see us winning due to the lacklustre display from three quarters of our players.”
“This time tomorrow I will I hope write about ‘the start of our Season’ and say what a wonderful game it was. My heart tells me that I know I will but commonsense tells me No.”
They have all their players back which will give them a boost but morale-wise this is the best time to meet them. And since football is mostly a confidence game this is our big chance.
I’m 100% behind Buck on this one. 120% even. And I don’t like Arsene’s solution which is to have a 50 players team to compensate. We need to address the injury issues asap.
I think it’s gonna be tougher than most think reguardless of Sliverpools morale or not. They are at home, boost there no matter there record, they have a full squad to pick from, and Torres usually gives us the run around. I think if we do not let in an early goal and let our heads drop then we have as good a chance as any, but if we do let in that early goal I’m afraid it’ll be Chelski all over again. I agree with using Arsh up front possibly having Theo play behind him, or vice-versa Theo up front and Arsh behind him, I think that it could work?? Anyhoo here’s to 3 points in the monyata, come on Arsenal show some balls and kick’em in the balls, hehehehe
If you missed it there was a very enjoyable moment today when Spuds got booed by their own crowd.
Nah. That was our Triple B, B3, B cubed, (2B+B) over there practicing for our next game incase Diaby’s fit for our next home game, Matt.
Five points lost in two consecutive games. AncelottisPolitburo, or AncelottisPotti for short, will be hitting the Smirnoff hard over at Red Square.
Meanwhile, Villa will have bust a few more blood vessels in the famous red grouse’s old purple nose. He’ll be able to go on as a substitute at New Year, (for the old lighthouse on Aberdeen harbour wall, that is).
I think we need to worry about the Kuyt v Traore battle just a wee bit tomorrow? Hope the Monsieur Armand is up for it.
I don’t think Liverpool will have any problems getting up for this one – it is a massive game and it’s been a long time since we came away with 3 points from Anfield. I sincerely hope we take them to the cleaners tomorrow but I think the ‘holic pound may be sensibly wagered on the draw.
Spuds lost to Wolves. Mancs got done by Villa. Chavs managed a point at home to Everton. And I have just got back from a cracking Weller gig in Cambridge. If we get 3 points at Anfield then perhaps Carlsberg do actually do bloke weekends after all.
Until then I will enoy a couple of cheeky tins of Pedigree that I have saved for this type of evening. Hopefully it will not be long before I will be saluting thse good people a Carlsberg, whilst contemplating what will hopefully be London Pride.
As the great man says, keep the faith.