Morning everyone.
It's Sunderland away today and I cannot recall another occasion when we needed a win this badly.
However, Sunderland won't be easy to beat, not just because it's the BPL, where everyone fights tooth and nail, but because of the humiliation the Black Cats suffered in their last game. Having been made a laughing stock by Southampton, Poyet's side will be determined to put things right, especially at their own place. So any loss of focus, dip in concentration or underperformance will be punished.
We go into this game while still adapting to a new system and on the back of a very exhausting away European fixture. We also could have been better off in terms of personnel, so fielding a balanced team is something of a problem. The good thing, of course, is that we've won our last game, despite leaving it very late. With all this sorted out, a guessing game is in order.
The back five
Although Martinez had n excellent game against Anderlecht, I don't think we'll see the Argentine in goal. Szczesny is our number one, so, while it's good to know we have capable back-up, no one should fool himself that it's anything more than just back-up. Wojciech is the experienced guy and will start all games by default, at least till Ospina is back in full training.
Our defense is once again our weakest link. Though Chambers is back, it now looks like Koscielny will spend at least another month on the sidelines. Which is, of course, a huge blow, but given the nature of Laurent's injury we only have ourselves to blame for not buying cover. We knew he had a chronic condition which would require a lengthy treatment at some point and yet we failed to act. And the effort put into signing a defender doesn't really earn us any bonus points or a spare CB. Only the result matters. In this case the result is two injured leave us down to bare bones and the prospect of playing two youngsters week in, week out: Chambers and Bellerin.
And yes, I'd better have Bellerin starting games with Chambers alongside Per, than see Monreal deployed centrally. The Spaniard has bags of experience, but little of it he acquired by playing CB. So an axis of Mert and Chambers would make more sense. I also think it's more balanced and reliable.
The midfield
Here we have Jack unavailable, who serves a one-game ban for picking up five yellows. Apart from the Englishman, however, everyone else is good to go.
I've already stated I'm all for Arteta in that holding role and my opinion hasn't changed. In fact, my belief was further reinforced following an erratic showing from Flamini in midweek.
Maybe Arsene is playing mind games, eh? He knew Arteta received his bit of criticism prior to injury and decided to show the alternative is worse. So that everyone will cry their little eyes out and pray to the heavens Flamini won't start our next game. A clever ruse from Arsene.
No, honestly, this Flamdess has to stop. Enough's enough. The Frenchman doesn't bring anything to our side, apart from a lot of clapping and shouting. Which are important qualities, since we have very few players like that, but when every other aspect of your game flops, you have to ask a question of whether the cheerleader's qualities are more important than the overall performance of the team.
In front of Arteta I suspect Ramsey will start (who might just improve in Jack's absence) and AW has a decision to make of who to pair the Welshman with. Rosicky or Cazorla? Cazorla is a more natural playmaker, but Rosicky replicates Wilshere's qualities better. He likes to take players on, gives a pass at the last possible moment and it a tireless runner. He'll chase players all over the pitch, and this can be quite useful, when coupled with Ramsey's, Sanchez's and Welbeck's energy. Moreover, the Czech is fresh, having not featured a lot for us this season, so he'll be running through brick walls for us. Won't surprise me if he starts, with Cazorla on the flank.
The attack
Wlebeck is a regular starter, though I'm starting to question whether he can handle that many minutes. Was his substitution in midweek down to weak performance or because Danny's just exhausted?
If it's the latter scenario, we may see either Campbell or Sanchez up front. I think the Costa-Rican should be given a chance, but then I also think Sanchez is a more reliable option as a CF. He's different in the way he operates, but the manager is reluctant to use Campbell in any position right now, let alone as a lone striker. So it's either Welbeck up front or Sanchez.
The flanks are also an enigma. Assuming one of them is occupied by Cazorla, then we have Poldi, Sanchez, Oxlade and Campbell all fighting for one spot. Oh, and let's not forget Walcott, who can make the bench and as such is bound to come on at some point. A nice selection headache for Arsene. I'd personally go with a Cazorla-Sanchez-Welbeck trio, but there's no telling what Wenger may do.
The verdict
All in all, we have enough firepower up front and that little bit of confidence after our dramatic midweek game to win today. The defense is a sticking point, but then we all knew it is risky to go into the new season with just six seniors. No point bemoaning it now, we cannot change it, so time to get behind the team and the manager. And wait till January, when we should be furiously searching the market for a CB. And while we are at it, we might as well buy a DM. A decent one. Cause right now only Arteta looks decent, while Diaby... did I mention he is injured?
Right, that's it for today. Here's for the three points today and I'll get back to you with a review on Sunday or Monday.
Until then and c'mon you Gunners
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
It's Sunderland away today and I cannot recall another occasion when we needed a win this badly.
However, Sunderland won't be easy to beat, not just because it's the BPL, where everyone fights tooth and nail, but because of the humiliation the Black Cats suffered in their last game. Having been made a laughing stock by Southampton, Poyet's side will be determined to put things right, especially at their own place. So any loss of focus, dip in concentration or underperformance will be punished.
We go into this game while still adapting to a new system and on the back of a very exhausting away European fixture. We also could have been better off in terms of personnel, so fielding a balanced team is something of a problem. The good thing, of course, is that we've won our last game, despite leaving it very late. With all this sorted out, a guessing game is in order.
The back five
Although Martinez had n excellent game against Anderlecht, I don't think we'll see the Argentine in goal. Szczesny is our number one, so, while it's good to know we have capable back-up, no one should fool himself that it's anything more than just back-up. Wojciech is the experienced guy and will start all games by default, at least till Ospina is back in full training.
Our defense is once again our weakest link. Though Chambers is back, it now looks like Koscielny will spend at least another month on the sidelines. Which is, of course, a huge blow, but given the nature of Laurent's injury we only have ourselves to blame for not buying cover. We knew he had a chronic condition which would require a lengthy treatment at some point and yet we failed to act. And the effort put into signing a defender doesn't really earn us any bonus points or a spare CB. Only the result matters. In this case the result is two injured leave us down to bare bones and the prospect of playing two youngsters week in, week out: Chambers and Bellerin.
And yes, I'd better have Bellerin starting games with Chambers alongside Per, than see Monreal deployed centrally. The Spaniard has bags of experience, but little of it he acquired by playing CB. So an axis of Mert and Chambers would make more sense. I also think it's more balanced and reliable.
The midfield
Here we have Jack unavailable, who serves a one-game ban for picking up five yellows. Apart from the Englishman, however, everyone else is good to go.
I've already stated I'm all for Arteta in that holding role and my opinion hasn't changed. In fact, my belief was further reinforced following an erratic showing from Flamini in midweek.
Maybe Arsene is playing mind games, eh? He knew Arteta received his bit of criticism prior to injury and decided to show the alternative is worse. So that everyone will cry their little eyes out and pray to the heavens Flamini won't start our next game. A clever ruse from Arsene.
No, honestly, this Flamdess has to stop. Enough's enough. The Frenchman doesn't bring anything to our side, apart from a lot of clapping and shouting. Which are important qualities, since we have very few players like that, but when every other aspect of your game flops, you have to ask a question of whether the cheerleader's qualities are more important than the overall performance of the team.
In front of Arteta I suspect Ramsey will start (who might just improve in Jack's absence) and AW has a decision to make of who to pair the Welshman with. Rosicky or Cazorla? Cazorla is a more natural playmaker, but Rosicky replicates Wilshere's qualities better. He likes to take players on, gives a pass at the last possible moment and it a tireless runner. He'll chase players all over the pitch, and this can be quite useful, when coupled with Ramsey's, Sanchez's and Welbeck's energy. Moreover, the Czech is fresh, having not featured a lot for us this season, so he'll be running through brick walls for us. Won't surprise me if he starts, with Cazorla on the flank.
The attack
Wlebeck is a regular starter, though I'm starting to question whether he can handle that many minutes. Was his substitution in midweek down to weak performance or because Danny's just exhausted?
If it's the latter scenario, we may see either Campbell or Sanchez up front. I think the Costa-Rican should be given a chance, but then I also think Sanchez is a more reliable option as a CF. He's different in the way he operates, but the manager is reluctant to use Campbell in any position right now, let alone as a lone striker. So it's either Welbeck up front or Sanchez.
The flanks are also an enigma. Assuming one of them is occupied by Cazorla, then we have Poldi, Sanchez, Oxlade and Campbell all fighting for one spot. Oh, and let's not forget Walcott, who can make the bench and as such is bound to come on at some point. A nice selection headache for Arsene. I'd personally go with a Cazorla-Sanchez-Welbeck trio, but there's no telling what Wenger may do.
The verdict
All in all, we have enough firepower up front and that little bit of confidence after our dramatic midweek game to win today. The defense is a sticking point, but then we all knew it is risky to go into the new season with just six seniors. No point bemoaning it now, we cannot change it, so time to get behind the team and the manager. And wait till January, when we should be furiously searching the market for a CB. And while we are at it, we might as well buy a DM. A decent one. Cause right now only Arteta looks decent, while Diaby... did I mention he is injured?
Right, that's it for today. Here's for the three points today and I'll get back to you with a review on Sunday or Monday.
Until then and c'mon you Gunners
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)