Villa Preview - Walcott could start

This game could prove decisive in the vital run in towards the title. I hate to rule teams out of the race as it can come back to bite you, but i really do think it’s us and Man United all the way to the last game.

So, Villa at the Emirates. Tough game, expect a game different to the Birmingham one, with more pace injected through Villa’s Agbonlahor and pacey winger Ashley Young.

Walcott could start, so some young English talent is likely to be on show at The Grove. Van Persie is back in training along with Djourou but they are not in the squad. One man who is fit though is Abou Diaby, the big Frenchman is back from injury and is likely to start on the left.

Martin O’Neill’s side have really shown their class this season with some super performances which have got them challenging for a European place. 

We’ve already pointed out their threats, but one we haven’t said about is the Giant of a striker - John Carew. The Norwegian goalscorer has been in good form this season, he recently got a hatrick in the win against Newcastle and seems to bustle his way past defenders with his pure strength.

Obviously, Ashley Young’s pace could cause Sagna/Clichy trouble depending on where the Englishman plays. One thing we can be sure of, Villa will be a massive threat and are more than likely to get on the scoresheet if The Gunners don’t put in a good enough performance across the pitch.

Here are our predicted sides for Saturday’s match:

Arsenal:

   -Almunia-
-Sagna-Gallas-Senderos-Clichy-
-Hleb-Fabregas-Flamini-Diaby     
-Adebayor-Walcott

Aston Villa:

   -Carson-
-Mellberg-Laursen-Gardner-Bouma-
-Young-Reo-Coker-Petrov-Barry-
   -Carew-Maloney-

Manager’s Views:

Arséne on Van Persie back in training:

“We will not rush him but the news is quite good.

“It is difficult to say, we go step by step, but he should come back into normal training very, very quickly now.

“Maybe I’m being a little over-cautious in my statements, but I do not want to put any special pressure on him.”

O’Neill’s View:

“I know we are capable of going to Arsenal and winning the game. I genuinely believe that. We have got ability in the side and pace in the side.

“We know Arsenal are very good and also very capable of beating us but we are definitely going with a lot of confidence. We are going well.

“We are a much better team than we were 18 months ago.

“I know we got a draw at their place last season but it was the first game at the Emirates and these are different circumstances. Arsenal were just finding their feet a bit as we were.

“We might get beaten Saturday but we are a much better side than we were then.”

My Prediction:

Hopefully, the lads leave Eduardo in the back of their minds and concentrate on the 3 points which as i’ve pointed out, could prove decisive in the run in towards the title.

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

Expect a long match report tomorrow evening on Gunners Live!

Come on you Gunners!

Walcott on Eduardo injury & competition upfront

Picture from 4thegame

Theo Walcott has given his thoughts on the Eduardo injury as well as telling Arsenal fans that he wants to be Emmanuel Adebayor’s strike partner before Robin van Persie gets back from a thigh injury.

Walcott, speaking to Arsenal.com, said this about Eduardo:

“Of course Eduardo has been on our minds,” Walcott said “It was a quiet coach ride home and felt just like a loss in truth.

“We had a couple of days off and then actually went bowling to keep our team-spirit up. A couple of lads went to see him yesterday and reported back to the rest of us.

“But we have tried to forget about it in a way and concentrate on Saturday.

“We don’t all want to rush there and then gradually stop. It will be more difficult for him in later months so we want to be there for him the whole time he is out.”

Changing the subject on Eduardo, Theo believes that the game against Birmingham might of proved a boost for his push towards a starting place.

Theo said:

“I feel upbeat, I feel confident,” he continued. “The goals helped and they gave me a boost so hopefully I can take that into Saturday.

“It was nice to get a poacher’s goal. My agents have told me I need more of those. Then the second was more about the kind of player I am. Left-foot too, which is something people have questioned me about.

“Now I just have to improve with every game and time will tell [if I can fill the striker’s role]. After all, the boss picks the team so when I do play I will just do my best.”

Just before we go, take a look at this injury news from the official site, it states that Robin van Persie could be back soon, while Abou Diaby is in the squad for the Villa game.

Aston Villa preview tomorrow on Gunners Live!

Bye!

Carlos Vela - A Fan’s View

 

Picture from Sporting Life

Gunners Live has found a superb interview with an American who was fortunate enough to see Mexican starlet Carlos Vela in action when Mexico took on the U.S.A. a month or so ago.

We did an article on Carlos not so long ago, and while the highly rated striker is expected to make it at Arsenal, an American Gooner gives his opinion on Vela, and why he thinks Carlos is an extraordinary prospect. 

Here it is…

The Interview…

I was born in the United States and am a U.S. citizen residing in New York, that said, I have a certain obligation to feel at least some commitment to the futile cause that is the United States National team. So I was pleasantly surprised to remember at the last minute that their friendly against Mexico was being televised live. I was even happier, as an Arsenal devotee, to see Carlos Vela starting for Mexico, and in doing so, making his third appearance for the Mexican first team. This start would be his first in the heated competition against the United States. It’s important to note that while the quality of most North American national teams is often overlooked by their European and South American counter parts, there is definitely skill and a physical edge to the games featuring Mexico and the United States. So to earn a cap in this “derby” is seen as very well earned. I was excited to see how he would handle the challenge. Had I known I would be writing an evaluation of his play, I would’ve taken notes on what he did, instead I can only really offer a recollection and summary of his play. I apologize for the not-quite so detailed analysis of his game.

How Did He Play?

Vela started as a left sided attacking midfielder, lining up against young FC Dallas right back, Drew Moor, also on three caps. Vela started off brightly, getting involved in two early attacks and showing up on both flanks, his pace and quick feet causing some discomfort for the patchwork American back four. In gaining these early touches, Vela was picking up the confidence on which he would thrive later in the night. What I thought was a good facet of his game was not only his aggression to attack, but his ability to drive forward with his head up and search for the pass. He occasionally snubbed the pass in order to dribble at his defenders, but it’s great to see in a young player the instinct to look up, and also the confidence to drive at a defender. Not only that, but he also managed to come back in his own half in order to provide a speedy outlet for Mexican ‘keeper Guillermo Ochoa.

What he gave Mexico last night is ideally what he will give to Arsenal in the future, width and commitment. In the second half he moved more into a left winger’s position in 3-4-3. He stretched the pitch to its full extent pulling the play wide in his characteristic forays down the sidelines, often rewarded with a chance to cross. On one specific occasion, in the second half, he whipped in a beautiful cross with perfect height only to see it flash just past the waiting Mexican forwards, only inches away from what would likely have been a goal bound header. On another, he sent a driven low cross central only to see it cut off by his teammate Bautista, and wasted with an over-audacious back heel, despite the fact that De Negis was perfectly positioned to slam it home.

In the same vein, he showed prowess on set pieces, taking the Mexican Corner kicks. Early in the second half, his near post corner was flicked on to Magállon who bundled the ball home at the far post. That leveled the score 2-2. From there Mexico looked the more likely to find the third goal that would inevitably elude both teams. They looked the more likely in large part due to Vela. On the sixty minute mark, Vela ran into acres of space down the left corner of the 18 yard box where he was played in to shoot. With composure he took one touch and dispatched a shot that was well blocked by the desperately back tracking Moor. Had Moor not deflected it wide, it would have caused the excellent Tim Howard all sorts of trouble.

Unfortunately, only a few minutes after this chance at goal, the game slowed down drastically. The United States made two excellent substitutions, bringing on teenagers Benny Feilhaber of Derby County and Freddy Adu of Benfica for Fulham’s Clint Dempsey and inept Heerenveen midfielder Michael Bradley, who managed to take the pace out of the Mexican attack.. Feilhaber quickly stamped his authority on the midfield and held possession for the United States. In doing so, the game’s balance went into the favor of the United States. The ball never really came to Carlos again until he was substituted in the seventy-first minute for Giovanni Dos Santos. It was in this moment that the quality of his performance was assured by the traveling Mexican fans. As Carlos walked to the sidelines, he was given a roar of approval from his loyal fans, as he joined the impressive De Negis and Bautista on the bench, capping off a well performed night.

Your Opinion

What an Arsenal fan should take away from this performance was the testament it gave to his skill, work-rate, and fantastic ability to cope with the physical edge of a big match. He displayed good vision and trickery while plying his trade out wide, and composure and aggression in more central areas. This was all well complemented by the good deliveries provided on his crosses. Most importantly though, he knew where the space was and how to find it, making intelligent runs in behind and getting into threatening positions, thus showing a precociousness not found in many young footballers. Finally, he completed the night by making a visible effort to come back and provide an outlet when his team were pressured, something always useful in the battleground that is a premiership match.

There were, however, some small downsides. He tended to try and dribble a bit too much when the pass seemed more readily available, occasionally trying too hard to beat his man. He also conceded position a bit too easily at times and could’ve had a goal. Overall, he proved to be the player Wenger sees in home in a very strong showing in a tough physical match. Bring on the summer, so Vela can join up!

(Don’t forget to read up more about Carlos, with updates on his every game, goal, and performance, Carlos Vela News is the place to go.)

The nicest tribute from a mini Gooner!

Just had to point this out, thanks to Jamie from Young Guns for the picture. A fitting tribute from a 9 year old Costa Rican lad, no more can be said! (Except happy Birthday to Eduardo and we all hope you will be back in May celebrating the title that you contributed to this season!)

Eduardo thanks everyone for support

  

Above: Eduardo tribute from Young Guns

From Croatian Media:

“I’m speechless and cannot express my gratitude for all the support I’ve received. Thank you, everyone. Your support means a lot to me and I could not believe that it would be so strong.

Many have called me, as well as the club and Andreja ( agent), the phones won’t stop ringing. I’d like to thank everyone for their good wishes but ask for their understanding and some peace and quiet during the next several days, both for me and for my family. At this moment, after the surgery, I need to rest and sleep. There will be plenty more opportunities to talk later on.”

More tomorrow on Gunners Live.

Eduardo - His season in Photos

Just as a little tribute to injured Arsenal star Eduardo da Silva, I’d thought i’d do a little tribute with his season in photos. Get well soon Edu…

Eduardo scores his first Champions League goal:

Eduardo’s thumping effort against Sheffield United:

Eduardo’s sublime composure and finishing against Sevilla in the Champions League:

Eduardo shows his predator instincts slotting past Howard at Goodison Park:

The perfect touch and volley gets an early goal against West Ham at the Emirates:

Pictures from Reuters and The Daily Mail, taken from Get Well Soon Eduardo

Above Picture from TGF Forum

Full Time Report: Birmingham 2-2 Arsenal

 

Picture from BBC Football

First Half:

Not a lot of talk about this game before kick off, but once the ball got rolling it turned out to be a decent game. Arsenal were wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for Bacary Sagna’s brother Omar, who died in his bath a fortnight ago - news that Gunners Live broke in England not long ago.

Unbelievably, Martin Taylor put in a disgusting challenge on Eduardo in the 2nd minute, im sad to tell you, it looks as if it is a broken leg - it really was a career ending challenge. Taylor got sent off, but my heart goes out to Eduardo, Hleb was almost in tears and really this ruined the day for Arsenal.

So, the match starts to get going, not many chances from either side, obviously the lads wanted to win it for Eduardo, who was on his way to hospital as the game went on. Hopefully, Bendtner could replace Eduardo in style, maybe with a goal, or a decent performance.

Alex Hleb certainly didn’t look fit early on, I don’t think the injury to Eduardo helped really, but he got some passes together and tried to hold firm. As for chances, Walcott struck a volley at the keeper from a crossing position.

Then, the breakthrough happened, but it was the team who were down to 10 men who got the vital goal, Birmingham got a dubious free kick on the edge of the box and McFadden curled it round Almunia who got a deft touch on the ball.

1-0 Birmingham, undeserved, cheats. Ok, maybe that’s harsh, but I couldn’t get over that horrific challenge on Eduardo. How were the boys meant to cope? Their team-mate breaks his leg, and they are expected to carry on and play a game of football and win!

Sir Alex Ferguson was probably laughing in his chair at the game, but Arsenal never lose without a battle and trust me - this game wasn’t going to be a Birmingham win, or was it?

Adebayor wasted a couple of chances, the big Togolese man looked shaken up because of the earlier incident. A few free kicks, most of them absolutely rubbish didn’t even test their Keeper and to be honest the added time of 9 minutes didn’t really make a difference

Half time approached, and The Arsenal didn’t look like scoring at all. The whistle went, the troops trudged in, what was the half time team talk going to be about? Let’s hope it can be a second half of Arsenal’s enthralling, quick football…

Second Half:

The Second half was something to talk about. Theo Walcott ran the show, but really Arsenal should of got more than 2. Walcott’s 1st goal was a bit of luck, Adebayor leaped for a header and the ball fell to Walcott who flicked it into an unguarded net.

His second goal was superb, he took the ball, ran rings round the Birmingham defence and drilled it past Maik Taylor who couldnt get to it in time.

There was more chances though, Adebayor got through one on one and instead of playing it square to Nicklas Bendtner he had a shot himself and it was fingertipped round the post by Taylor.

This was indeed a wasted chance, the last minute of added on stoppage time and Gael Clichy couldn’t handle a Flamini pass and brought down Parnaby. McFadden stepped up and smashed it past Almunia, Gallas was furious and had his own mini protest on the pitch.

Not a lot of words can describe this game, except one - unbelieveable.

(My thoughts go out to Eduardo of course, and im sure all my fellow Gooners out there wish him a quick recovery for next season.)

Update on Eduardo:

Wenger just said on the radio that Eduardo has a broken ankle, shin and fibula so that rules him out for 1 year or more. More tomorrow on Gunners Live

Birmingham Preview + Good financial news

Right, tomorrow’s game against Birmingham, expect a tough, gritty, game and don’t expect a nice, easy, walk in the park as Birmingham have had a good 2 weeks preparation whilst we have only had a mere 3 days.

Before i get onto the preview though, some good news on the financial front, Arsenal’s profits have gone up by 54%. Some good news there, not that im an expert at that sort of thing!

Team News:

Arsenal:

There is no massive news on the injury front, the same squad that played against Milan will travel to the Midlands bar Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, the latter will miss the game through suspension and Kolo will miss it through injury which we reported on Gunners Live yesterday.

There is interesting news regarding the goalkeeping situation, Manuel Almunia is back in the squad for tomorrow but Jens Lehmann has been playing in the last few games and some say he could still stay in goal for tomorrow’s match including the man himself!

Here is Gunners Live predicted line up for tomorrow:

Arsenal:

     -Lehmann-
-Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy-
-Hleb-Fabregas-Flamini-Walcott
        -Adebayor-Eduardo

Birmingham:

Olivier Kapo is back in the Birmingham squad, the Frenchman missed their last game against West Ham through suspension. They are likely to have James Mcfadden upfront with the Frenchman Kapo.

Here is our predicted Birmingham line up for tomorrow:

Birmingham:

     -Taylor-
-Kelly-Ridgewell-Jaidi-Queudrue-
-McSheffrey-Muamba-O’Connor-Larsson
-Kapo-McFadden-

Views on the game:

Arséne’s View:

“We have one big advantage in our position (as Premier League leaders) and that is we do not have to look at the others.

“We just want to perform and get the points.

“I look at the game as a good opportunity to take three points and want us to give everything to try to do it.”

McLeish’s View:

“We do need to demonstrate more toughness at the back,” he said ahead of the game at Arsenal.

“We’ve got good young legs but just a wee bit of nous, a little bit of know-how and a wee bit of steel will make us a much better team.

“The good thing is they will get much better and we’re still in with a great shout of staying in this League.”

My View:

If Theo starts, there will be trouble for the Birmingham fullbacks with his immense pace. I have a feeling Ade might get on the scoresheet and maybe Eduardo could get a goal as well.

We shouldn’t under estimate our opponents though, it is a tough looking match, but Arsenal’s enthralling football could just edge it over Birmingham’s ‘rugged’ look.

Prediction: Birmingham 1-3 Arsenal

If you have Sky Sports you can watch this match on TV, coverage starts at 12:30.

COME ON YOU GOONERS!