Good day to you.
It's Leicester today while things continue heating up in the transfer market. Football stuff first, though and I'll get around to transfer rumours later.
The set-up
This match is soaked in history, as it turned out. The last time we played Leicester was the 38th game in 2004: the last Premier League match, which concluded Arsenal's unbeaten season. We've won that encounter 2-1, but it was the squad that caught my eye: Lehmann-Lauren-Campbell-Cole-Ljunberg-Silva-Viera-Pires-Bergkamp-Henry. The subs? Stack, Parlour, Keown, Edu and Reyes. Ah, good old days. I've started supporting Arsenal in the summer, not knowing they were reigning champions or unbeaten for 38 games, but these players are all more than just familiar to me. I've watched them play until all of them finally left the club.
Another Leicester game, no less memorable, happened in 1997, when Dennis Bergkamp netted a brilliant hat-trick. The third goal is out-of-this-world good. Have a look at all three here.
Now, however, we face a different Leicester side, though one we should treat with caution. The Foxes only have a point in two games, but these two matches were against Everton and a rampaging Chelsea side. I haven't seen Leicester in action, but Arsene is wary of the threat they pose, so we should be too:
The back five
Arsene confirmed Ospina might make the bench, but this really isn't that important for now. Of course it's good to have the Colombian back, but Szczesny has done well and would start between the sticks, barring something will happen to the Pole at the last moment. Either Martinez or Ospina will make the bench.
I'd also keep the defense that has featured against Besiktas. We don't have options on the flanks, so it's Debuchy and Monreal (Gibbs should be back after the break), but I'd stick to Mertescielny axis in the centre. Both looked calm and assured against Besiktas and their presence and interaction was soothing to everyone around, the fans included. Chambers, meanwhile, will make a great sub, along with Bellerin.
Midfield
There we have too many options (I feel good by just saying these words). Despite Arteta being deemed short (should also be back for City), Ramsey is coming back and there are no fresh injures from our midweek game.
It'll be quite hard to start Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla and Ozil all together, even with one of them on the flank, so someone will have to be dropped. And I honestly don't know, who should that be. Flamini seems the weakest link, but he's still the closest thing to a DM we have and, besides, he had a great game against Besiktas. So I will (very cautiously) assume that Cazorla is going to miss out. Flamini and Ramsey will be at the base of the triquetra, with Ozil under the striker and Wilshere on the left. Or maybe Wilshere under the striker with Ozil on the left, in case the German is still not fully fit.
Attack
After his great midweek display Alexis should lead the line, no doubt about it. Arsene himself has basically confirmed it:
The verdict
We have a VERY strong squad. Lots of quality players and to think some of them will be restricted to a place on the bench just shows that this Arsenal side is real quality. And that's without Gibbs, Arteta, Walcott and Giroud. And Bellerin doesn't have a senior contract, may I remind you.
All of that brings us to the matter of transfers, We are still linked to the host of players, but little new happened since yesterday's evening. Except Remy rumours. They suddenly surfaced in the wake of Chelsea almost signing the striker and, though both Amy Lawrence and David Ornstein (in whom I have great trust) said Arsenal hasn't yet met the buy-out clause, that little interference from Arsene wreaked havoc with Mourinho's plans. Which is no less than this small and sad man deserves.
Finally, there are two things I have to mention. University starts tomorrow and, as of now, I'm not sure how this will affect the frequency of my posts. Bottom line is, I'll get back to you here every two days and definitely for all the previews and reviews.
Also, a kind reminder, Firstly, if you've missed my yesterday's bit on Ozil, give it a go. Really worth your time. And secondly, you can always subscribe to my updates via e-mail (just enter yours using the form on the right) or follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin) to get instant updates. Posts included. With the e-mail subscription it takes a while.
That's it for today. Back tomorrow with a preview.
C'mon you Gunners
It's Leicester today while things continue heating up in the transfer market. Football stuff first, though and I'll get around to transfer rumours later.
The set-up
This match is soaked in history, as it turned out. The last time we played Leicester was the 38th game in 2004: the last Premier League match, which concluded Arsenal's unbeaten season. We've won that encounter 2-1, but it was the squad that caught my eye: Lehmann-Lauren-Campbell-Cole-Ljunberg-Silva-Viera-Pires-Bergkamp-Henry. The subs? Stack, Parlour, Keown, Edu and Reyes. Ah, good old days. I've started supporting Arsenal in the summer, not knowing they were reigning champions or unbeaten for 38 games, but these players are all more than just familiar to me. I've watched them play until all of them finally left the club.
Another Leicester game, no less memorable, happened in 1997, when Dennis Bergkamp netted a brilliant hat-trick. The third goal is out-of-this-world good. Have a look at all three here.
Now, however, we face a different Leicester side, though one we should treat with caution. The Foxes only have a point in two games, but these two matches were against Everton and a rampaging Chelsea side. I haven't seen Leicester in action, but Arsene is wary of the threat they pose, so we should be too:
"It is a team who has very good defensive solidity. They are good at counter attacking, they have two good players on the flanks as well who are very quick".As I've said, I cannot comment on that, so I take it at face value. However, I'm sure how we line up for this game doesn't depend on which players will start for the Foxes. We always try for our plan to work and if it does, it doesn't really matter who we face. So with that in mind, let's try to play a guessing game.
The back five
Arsene confirmed Ospina might make the bench, but this really isn't that important for now. Of course it's good to have the Colombian back, but Szczesny has done well and would start between the sticks, barring something will happen to the Pole at the last moment. Either Martinez or Ospina will make the bench.
I'd also keep the defense that has featured against Besiktas. We don't have options on the flanks, so it's Debuchy and Monreal (Gibbs should be back after the break), but I'd stick to Mertescielny axis in the centre. Both looked calm and assured against Besiktas and their presence and interaction was soothing to everyone around, the fans included. Chambers, meanwhile, will make a great sub, along with Bellerin.
Midfield
There we have too many options (I feel good by just saying these words). Despite Arteta being deemed short (should also be back for City), Ramsey is coming back and there are no fresh injures from our midweek game.
It'll be quite hard to start Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla and Ozil all together, even with one of them on the flank, so someone will have to be dropped. And I honestly don't know, who should that be. Flamini seems the weakest link, but he's still the closest thing to a DM we have and, besides, he had a great game against Besiktas. So I will (very cautiously) assume that Cazorla is going to miss out. Flamini and Ramsey will be at the base of the triquetra, with Ozil under the striker and Wilshere on the left. Or maybe Wilshere under the striker with Ozil on the left, in case the German is still not fully fit.
Attack
After his great midweek display Alexis should lead the line, no doubt about it. Arsene himself has basically confirmed it:
“He has many qualities to lead the line. He is first of all brave, he is strong in the challenge - which you wouldn't expect when you look at his size - he's very quick and very mobile as well. He's a real fighter and once his link play and runs get better, he can be very good in this role.”On the right, I'd start Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was very active and lively in the last two games and Wilshere/Ozil should start on the left. That's pretty much it, though I don't exclude Cazorla will slot in somewhere. The Spaniard had a brilliant midweek showing, with his defensive display in the last 15 minutes worthy of the highest praise.
The verdict
We have a VERY strong squad. Lots of quality players and to think some of them will be restricted to a place on the bench just shows that this Arsenal side is real quality. And that's without Gibbs, Arteta, Walcott and Giroud. And Bellerin doesn't have a senior contract, may I remind you.
All of that brings us to the matter of transfers, We are still linked to the host of players, but little new happened since yesterday's evening. Except Remy rumours. They suddenly surfaced in the wake of Chelsea almost signing the striker and, though both Amy Lawrence and David Ornstein (in whom I have great trust) said Arsenal hasn't yet met the buy-out clause, that little interference from Arsene wreaked havoc with Mourinho's plans. Which is no less than this small and sad man deserves.
Finally, there are two things I have to mention. University starts tomorrow and, as of now, I'm not sure how this will affect the frequency of my posts. Bottom line is, I'll get back to you here every two days and definitely for all the previews and reviews.
Also, a kind reminder, Firstly, if you've missed my yesterday's bit on Ozil, give it a go. Really worth your time. And secondly, you can always subscribe to my updates via e-mail (just enter yours using the form on the right) or follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin) to get instant updates. Posts included. With the e-mail subscription it takes a while.
That's it for today. Back tomorrow with a preview.
C'mon you Gunners