We Can Be Heroes, Just For One Day
Dec 8th, 2009 by 'holic
So the squad for the Champions League trip to Olympiacos has been announced, and if the apparent youth is not a surprise to anybody in general, there are nevertheless some interesting inclusions.
With no place for Philippe Senderos, the defence is augmented by young Luke Ayling. Now he was one of the most improved players in the under eighteen set-up last season, but this is a massive step-up for him. He is most likely behind his reserve team partner, Kyle Bartley, in the pecking order, but it looks more than likely that the pairing of Alexandre Song and Mikael Silvestre will start ahead of both of them.
If I am right about that it is very much a calculated gamble by Arsene Wenger. He is betting that Song will not pick up a knock that would weaken the side at Anfield on Sunday. The odds are probably in his favour, but he knows what the reaction will be if the punt is lost.
Another surprise inclusion is left-back Thomas ‘Top Gun’ Cruise. Not such a surprise, you might think, given that the only other recognised left-back in the squad is Silvestre. I am wondering if Arsene is considering the versatile Jay Emmanuel-Thomas as an option? At least he has some first-team experience, albeit only at Blackpool, under his belt.
Since he has made the plane I would expect to see Aaron Ramsey start in midfield. Craig Eastmond, so impressive in the Carling Cup against Liverpool, had a tough time at Eastlands last week so Francis Coquelin could be preferred. Fran Merida and Jack Wilshere are both options to join them.
Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela should be in from the start, but which will play in the centre, leaving the other to raid from the wing? Or will Gilles Sunu be played between them both? For all the inexperience in this side, there is still the potential for goals to flow from lightening-fast forwards.
All of my lighthearted commentary came out in yesterday’s piece. This is going to be a deadly serious test of the younger players quality, just a week after they were comprehensively beaten in Manchester. Olympiacos need a point to ensure qualification for the last sixteen, but will surely go all out for the win to be on the safe side. They will not want to walk off the pitch with any regrets.
Le Boss acknowledges our potential problem areas, as well as the opportunity being presented to this particular group of players.
“We want to win always. When you represent Arsenal Football Club there is only one way to do that and that is to win every game you play. I’m convinced that we will be tested defensively because that’s where we have to show that away from home with a young team we can be tested. But I am convinced as well that going forward we can create a lot.”
Let’s not forget, either, the invaluable experience that some of these players will pick up in Athens. Up against an experienced side, with a very partisan and hostile home support, they will mature or wilt. I’m sure it can be the former.
I’m loathe to plump the ‘holic pound on a specific score again. Like this weekend just gone there are simply too many variables at play. The 7/2 widely offered against an Arsenal win is probably an accurate reflection of their chances.
My search for value has unearthed a staggering 55/1 against Theo Walcott scoring twice or more. Get to Paddy Power if you fancy that too, but make sure you can afford to wave goodbye to the stake. Generous though those odds are, it would still be a bonus if it actually happened!
Have a good night, ‘holics. Here’s hoping the lads give it a real go.
26 Responses to “We Can Be Heroes, Just For One Day”
[…] Goonerholic: Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Drink, Arsenal goonerholic.com/?p=1978 – view page – cached Goonerholic: Comment and review from a lifelong fan […]
Evening ‘holic’
I was`already in the “bar” having a pop at those Greek puns on the previous blog. (good stuff)
With the fixtures (and injuries) coming thick and fast it makes the win against Liege last month look even better now and I for one am glad that we have the luxury of bringing a “lesser” squad to the land of the Olympians
Tomorrow seems to have all the importance of a mid season friendly international. I really can’t see the point in risking Song in the starting XI unless AW thinks he needs some match time due to his short absence through being suspended?
it’s a nice day out for the youngsters, a chance to get a stamp in their passports and gain some invaluble Champions League experience, there’s not that many players (let alone so young) in the U.K that have that on their resume.
A nice pint of Cider to wash away the taste of Ouzo for me please barman.
Cheers.
Hello H2H,
Good to see you here again. Agreed about Song, but I can’t see Bartley starting in that sort of atmosphere. Maybe half an hour if we are either doing very well or very badly…
If Theo gets an early goal I will be decidedly edgy. Had a little bit more than a pound on that bet. The more I think about it, the 55/1 is very generous.
One cider, coming up.
Holic,
I have a small query about tomorrows squad.
Once again there seems to be no place for Philippe Senderos, is he injured?
If not surely this admission will single the end of his time at the club, he will want to be playing regular football to make sure he gets in the Swiss WC squad.
Or is there something I’m missing?
The last one went down a treat, so as I’m still here I’ll have another Cider please sir.
Cheers.
It’s a shame to see Senderos left out again. He was fantastic during that great Champions League run a few years back. Seems Wenger doesn’t want him cup-tied for any potential buyer.
Win or lose it will be a great opportunity for all our players involved. A brace for Theo would do wonders for his confidence (and for the ‘Holic pound no doubt). Should be a fascinating game to watch.
I’ll take a cider as well, barman.
Great job filling in for Arseblog. Came upon your site through that connection. In my opinion, Wenger always talks about project youth, so let them play. Why Song or Ramsey or anybody currently helping the first team is even considered I don’t know. Kyle Bartley is a good prospect with solid potential, let’s find out whether or not he has the mental fortitude to deal with the atmosphere, the pressure, etc. If you can throw half of these kids out against the motivated billionaires from “oop nort” in a cup quarter final, then why not in a meaningless game in Greece.
I think the simple answer to that, CanGunn, is that some of these lads weren’t considered at Eastlands. You don’t want to pick lads that may not quite be ready and see their confidence shattered first time out.
Down the years not many of the kids have made their debut in losing games. Think about it.
I’m with you H2H. Even if Sendy is on his way let’s stick him in the shop window. There is more to this than meets the eye. (Edit: Although Joshua’s point about not cup-tieing him is a good one.)
Agree on the Sendy take, guys.
‘holic – will try and get tickets for the January game we discussed, although I suspect it will be a ‘big ask’ given my lowly red membership status.
Good work over on the otherside over the weekend. A spirited and positive approach worked wonders.
Cheers.
I’ll have a cider too, with ice, of course.
Cheers ‘holic.
There surely is something rotten in the state of denmark. (not a Bendtner reference)
I think we’ll all have to keep an ear to the ground, (not a Van Gogh reference) because this story is bound to resurface sooner or later.
I’ll be keeping an eye on the drinks in the bar, the regulars in here seem quite savvy to all things Arsenal. Joshua (5) had a good theory, but I also believe there’s more to it.
Cheers.
I will try and get one spare , Snail, on the management’s red. There may be others about in the other place and we could juggle to get two together somewhere, maybe. I know I had success for the corresponding fixture last year, although obviously it was upper tier, grade A price.
Oh, and drink is evil. As well as a tidy punt on a Theo double I have now put my bollocks on the line on the away win. How often are we over threes to win anywhere, and although they deserve to be favourites, Olympiacos are not Barcelona, are they?
Christmas could be cancelled this time tomorrow.
Or maybe even a blooming good one 😉
Since I’ve still got that cold and have been understimulated for a week, I’m going to grab the que from the headline with both hands and run away with it. Sorry lads, but here goes…
I’m pretty sure that Sendy isnt with the boys saying ‘London Bye Ta-Ta’ because of a lack of spark. He probably is uninspired and, I don’t want to be ‘Breaking Glass’ but you can’t have such a player in the team. Just a guess though and I feel sorry for the young man whatever the reason for Wenger to tell him to ‘Stay’ behind now. He’s been with us for ‘Five Years’ but it looks like he will have to find ‘A New Career In A New Town’, sadly. ‘It Aint Easy’. Hopefully he’ll get a place to call home and don’t have to travel from ‘Station To Station’.
As for our juvenile squad, the manager sure made some ‘Changes’. Id tell them – ‘Oh, You Pretty Things’, you might not have reached your ‘Golden Years’ yet but you might well give Olympiacos a good game. Most if them are born this side of ‘1984’ but one or two of the boys has the makings of a ‘Future Legend’ or even ‘Starman’. They are almost ‘Fully Grown’. But I must say, a bit impatiently, Â ‘Im Waiting For The Man’!
Till tomorrow, ‘Hang On To Yourself’, Holic and who knows, after the game we might be ‘Dancing In The Streets’ Â
My view is Sendy is as good a gone. It would not surprise me in the slightest if the deal was already done.
Looking forward to seeing the kids tomorrow night. They played well together last season so why not. Massive test in a game that does not really matter. It will also no doubt be the most English players we have fielded at the same time for some conisderable period.
I fancy an away win and Theo to get some vital minutes under his belt.
6X for me please. I hate cider………
Surprised, in the circumstances to see no Senderos. Would seem to signal his days with the club are numbered (31-9=22 and counting). Everton still need him. Wonder if he’ll end up there after all?
I have no hopes for tomorrow night other than no injury to Alex Song. Fabregas, Song, Denilson is a super platform for success. I wouldn’t take the risk with Alex. I’d give Ayling and Bartley a half each with a pep talk on “for the experience only” up front.
Fabianski, Walcott and Ramsey, on the other hand, need the opportunity to develop their games in this kind of situation and I’d have no hesitation with any of these Young Dudes taking their protein pills and tying their helmets on.
Difficult to get too excited about this one and it’s a toss up on whether I take Her Nellieness down to the chipper for a slap up or watch the game.
I think the young lads will prove to us that the shitty game was a one off.
I can do with a vodka. Love da taste
‘Tis a risk with Song, for sure. In the players defence though he is not really prone to inuries and is quite robust. That said, the knives will be out if he takes a knock.
Walcott to finish 90m minutes. 10,000-1
is Song not suspended for the Liverpool game due to a booking he received in the Man City cup tie making it 5 for the season?
TC,
No he missed the Stoke game last Saturday. I think he was on marching orders in Manchester to get his fifth and get it out of the way with Stoke. Only one AW.
Certainly not expecting too much tonight, but odds of 55-1 for Theo to score 2 or more is too big to ignore. (Especially as the same bet is 12-1 with William Hills). Also had a cheeky bet on Ramsey for 2 goals or more at a massive 90-1, also with Paddy Power.
Albo, can i have a fiver with you then!!
Singapore Sling for me pls ‘holic 😉
I hope walcott scores a hatrick too!
Ah damn i just realised, there is no live game here, not even a delay… any streams guys?
Rash,
More streams then you can shake a stick at, enjoy;
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
It’s very exciting to get another opportunity to see so many of our young players as many of them will be in the senior team in 2-3 years. Interestingly enough we will have a majority of british players on the pitch which again shows how much a visionnary AW is considering the coming rules on homegrown players.
That said anything better than 0-3 is a good performance. Many kids have never played at this level (Olympiacos is not here by chance) in a game where Olympiacos needs a win to qualify and we don’t care about the result. As long as none of them get injured it’s going to be a worthy experience in a heated caldron which is all that matters at this stage.
Very sad not to see Senderos but he picked up a knock in training. I wish him to find a worthy club in January. But we’ll get to see Bartley and Ayling for the first time in the first team. I’m very curious to see them in action after having read so much about them. If Senderos leaves in January and we don’t buy a replacement, we could get to see them back on the picth rather sooner than later…
Is Song’s suspension still ongoing for Liverpool?
As for Sendy, maybe the deal with Everton (who need players with all their injuries) is done and Everton are in the Europa League, right? So if Senderos plays in the CL, he’ll be disqualified to play in the EL.
The norwegians commenting on my feed are all excited. Looks like at the moment Barca will play the Europa League with Liverpool.
Otherwise the kids are great so far.