Swansea preview: not in vain

Evening everyone.

Tonight we play Swansea in what is, effectively, our game in hand and three points are as vital as it gets. I know I've said that quite a few times this season, but with the Saturday loss we've reached our all-time low, which means a win is the only acceptable result today.

Prior to our Stamford humiliation Arsenal was beaten to a pulp twice and in both cases a 0-0 ensued. It was all right then, given the fact these draws were obtained against Chelsea and United, but now we face Swansea, who are struggling for form. Four losses in five games can hardly be labelled a success and this makes our win still more urgent.

After a defeaning silence in mass media, both Arteta and Wenger took to press, the former to analyse the situation and apologise:

"We have to take [on board] some of the things we have done wrong. You cannot only just move on, you have to analyse what you've done and react. I'm expecting a big reaction on Tuesday because we have to and Saturday was not good enough for this football club.

The pressure we put on ourselves by losing games like that is massive and there's no need for it. We just disrupted the good season we were having. I don't know what else to say apart from sorry to everyone at the club, the fans, and we promise that we will try hard to put that right".

And the latter to describe the situation as a freakish occurrence:

"An accident has happened, that doesn't mean that you're not a good driver.

It just means that we have played about 40 games this season and it's not what happened on Saturday that reflects the quality of this team. We have 62 points that we earned hard with quality games and that's what we want to focus on".

While both statements were obviously preplanned and there is nothing unusual in it, both surprised me, though in a different way.

Arteta was brutally honest in admitting the level of performance was unacceptable and that we really should have done better, while Arsene's words is a completely different story. An accident may happen once, twice maybe, but definitely not three times inside one season. When it happens this often, it's blindingly obvious something is wrong, so I hope it's just pep talk from the manager, while there's a fully-fledged investigation going on behind the scenes.

In terms of team news, both Gibbs and Oxlade will be available, after the FA committee ruled the former was a case of mistaken identity, while the latter's foul wasn't found harsh enough to show him a red card. There is still the small matter of Marriner's incompetence, but it seems we'll have to make do with what we have. The ref was appointed for a Premier League game this weekend, so I don't think he'll be punished in any way.

However, Koscielny has damaged his calf (among other things) on Saturday and will miss at least two weeks. It means a place for Vermaelen in the starting eleven and I'm fine with that. Our skipper has done well the last time he was called upon and deserves his chance to re-establish himself as a first team member.

Koscielny's injury also means we are a defender short, so Hector Bellerin, whose loan was cut short recently, will fill the void on the bench. Let's hope we won't see the young right-back in action, cause that will mean our defensively thin ice have suffered yet another crack.

Apart from these, I think changes need to be made in order to shake things up. Flamini should be reintroduced alongside Arteta, for one. In fact, he should have been playing there for the last two games, taken into account, how poor the Ox looked. Well, it's still the case of better late, than never.

Oxlade, meanwhile has to be pushed out wide, where he's (for now, at least) more effective and offers better end product.

Rosicky is another sub that can make a difference. Playing him under the striker seems the most obvious choice, while Cazorla will cover the left flank, replacing an ineffectual Podolski. The German can be helpful, no doubt about it, but right not he looks more of a hindrance.

I also would not be surprised to see Sanogo and/or Gnabry start. The latter came in handy during the last encounter between the two sides. Serge is also an unknown quantity and can become a dangerous outlet as such. His style of play is similar to that of Oxlade-Chamberlain, so it'll be a like-for-like sub.

Sanogo is yet another possibility and an option for the manager to consider. I don't know, how bad Giroud was against Chelsea (but, as I've seen suggestions of playing a tree in our next game, I guess he was bad enough). The younger of the Frenchman should, at least, provide Giroud with some R&R ahead of the City encounter.

So, we are all set for a nervous night, but there is one more thing I failed to mention, namely: the clean sheet. I've mentioned how we've focused on keeping our goal under lock and key after two horrible defeats and today should be no different. It's psychologically very important not to concede because of what happened three days ago. Our attacking display may suffer, but I'd gladly take a 1-0 over a 3-1 even now.

So, come on you reds, show that our season was no accident, return to winning ways.

And I'll get back to you later with a review.

Until then

Chelsea review: disaster

As I have said countless times, I've been supporting Arsenal for almost ten years. Though it's only for the last couple of seasons that I'm able to see basically every minute of every game, I've seen a lot of defeats, some of which were so painful it hurts to think of them even now.
My reaction to abhorrent losses is simple: as soon as I smell we're to lose the game by at least a three-goal margin, I turn the TV off in order to keep my nervous system intact. Considering the lengths I go to to get home on time for a match, turning off the TV is the same as skipping the game altogether.

I've been able to sit through the demolishing at the Etihad, because the game was never really out of our reach. A month ago (at Anfield) I opted not to watch any further than 17th minute. This time I did the same. Even the minute was the same.

The manager kept his faith in the squad that delivered against Tottenham and this, in my view, was an unwise decision. Though we have beaten Spurs, I had my reservations about starting some of the players again, Podolski and the Ox spring to mind at this point. They were probably not any worse than everyone else, but I have a feeling that, had Flamini started alongside Arteta, we would not have been 3-0 down as early as 17th minute. We may not have been down at all.

As it was, three childish mistakes in the opening minutes ensured the game was beyond repair and the fans, the players and Arsene had nothing to do, but watch a hapless 10-man Arsenal beaten to a pulp. As it was in the game against Liverpool (and earlier, City) we just didn't show up for the game. Psychologically, of course.

We can say Marriner was incompetent, sure he was, but does that change the fact we were crap from the first minute to the last? That a professional ref in the 21st century can mistake one player for another is bollocks, but, frankly, it wasn't because of that that we've lost. Chelsea punished our every mistake, but the fact there were so many to begin with is something that really gets me down.

This defeat was every bit as painful as it was unexpected. I thought the players would try and step it up for the manager,  but we fell well short of even our own notion of failure.

Arsene didn't have the heart to turn up for the usual press conference, but who would blame him? Today, Twitter is alight with rumours of Arsene leaving the club at the end of this season.

Maybe that's why the club went into a fully-fledged lockdown mode after the game, cancelling pre-Swansea press conference and forbidding the players to take their anguish, sorrow, anger and whatever else to mass media. This may also be out of pure respect for Arsene Wenger, who is, ultimately, just a man and cannot endure everything thrown his way. As reporters will do all the same, but at least Arsene will have a bit of time to recuperate and think of what to do (and say) next.

I've always held our manager in high regard and always trusted his word. He said once, that when he himself understands there's nothing he can do for Arsenal, he will leave. If he's come to such a conclusion after a beating we took on Sunday, I will accept his decision. To most, this will look like Arsene's running away, should he leave in the summer, to me it'll look like he's kept his word. If Wenger decides, he can no longer lead this Club to success, then he really cannot. It he stays, I'll ask for a marked improvement in our away games against the big clubs.

All of this is very sad and the timing of the defeat itself could not have been worse. Wenger's 1000th game will always be remembered for a punishment his side was dished out, which is plain unfair if you look at how much the man has done during his tenure.

He didn't desert his team even after their abject performance on Saturday and took full responsibility for the defeat. He has shielded his players once more and it's a true measure of his personal qualities. Arsene named this day "one of the worst in his life", mine will come, should the Frenchman leave the club.

Don't know, what else there is to say.

I'll get back to you tomorrow for a preview, as we'll start picking up the pieces.

Until then

Chelsea preview 2.0: how far have we come?

Morning all.

It's Chelsea today as we look to close our gap on the league leaders and put pressure on City and Liverpool.

This is what Arsene said reflecting on our 0-0 with the Blues back in December:

“On the day Chelsea were set up to stop us from playing. We didn't manage to create enough to pretend to win the game and that's what it will be like on Saturday.

“For us it's about being creative, making chances and, as well, stopping them from playing because they have creative players up front who can open you up when you go forward. It is up to us to find that balance between attacking well and defending well. That will decide the game.”

I'm really interested in the approach Arsene will take for this game. We can, obviously, try and seize control of possession and pour men forward, thus risking being exposed to the counter attacks.

We can also try something similar to what we've pulled off against Tottenham. However, Chelsea is much more dangerous in positional attacks, than Spurs and can thus cause real problems.

If it was up for me to decide, I'd stick to our usual playstyle, take the ball and try to pull their defence apart by peppering the Blues with endless attacks. We are still going to be relatively safe, what with Hazard being their only quick player.

We are in for a bit of luck, as Ramires and Willian will both sit this game out, giving Mourinho (who himself misses the game through suspension) a nice selection headache. Serves him right, that arrogant piece of shit.

From our point of view, no one will make a comeback, but I hope Kallstrom will this time at least make the bench. There are also doubts over Rosicky, though I think the Czech is ready to play, having seen him on the photos from the training ground.

Provided we have the same team as against Tottenham (plus Kallstrom), I think we stand a decent chance of getting the right result against Mourinho's mercs. I'd probably reintroduce Flamini in central midfield, seeing as we'll need Oxlade on the right to stretch the play.

I'd also start Cazorla on the left (Podolski can come in later, should we need him to) and Rosicky under the striker. The Czech is unlikely to play there for the entire game, but his energy, drive and willingness to track back are all handy assets, that can provide us with the edge right from the kick-off.

Apart from (basically Flamini for Podolski) we should see the same squad. It's a team that has proved it's worth and, in my opinion, come a long way in little less than a year.

To back it up with the stats, the best teams under Arsene Wenger averaged 22 wins in a season and, at this point in time, we already have 19 wins with 9 games to go:

"The number of wins and losses is yet another measure of the strength of Wenger’s squad. In the first half of his tenure he never once had fewer than 20 wins in a season and maintained above 22 wins in all but one season. In the last 9 years Arsene has only pushed his team on to more than 22 wins twice, 07/08 (24) and 09/10 (23)".

Despite this Arsenal side being amongst the lowest scoring ones in 18 years under Arsene Wenger, we still have amassed a decent number of wins. This just shows there's real grit in our current squad, that these players can grind out results despite not demonstrating the best attacking football possible.

So, the stage is set up nicely for the upcoming showdown, let's hope the players reward the manager on this special occasion. Come on you Gunners.

That's it for today, back later with a review.

Until then

Chelsea preview: a 1000th game

Tomorrow we play Chelsea in an early kick-off and we have to win the game in order to stay in the race.

However, there's another reason for the players to put extra effort in: Arsene Wenger will lead the team for a 1000th time. I cannot even comprehend such a number.

I've started supporting Arsenal in 2004, long after Wenger became our manager. First I thought, that I was attached to the players. But individuals like Henry, Bergkamp, Lehmann and Fabregas came and went and, though I was broken-hearted each time they did so, I haven't stopped supporting the club.

Then I thought it was the style of our play I held in reverence. It suffered greatly and underwent a number of transformations during our trophy drought, but still I was there to watch every Arsenal game I could lay my hands on.

Though today I understand, that's it's the club itself I adore and will never stop supporting, a lot of this love is of Arsene Wenger's making. He's made Arsenal what it is today and the image of Arsene (whose name, incidentally, correlates with that of the club) treading the byline has become a must in every game. I simply cannot imagine Arsenal without Arsene Wenger in charge.

There are a lot of qualities, that make Arsene a great manager, but it's his undying love for the Club coupled with his charisma, the way he behaves on the pitch and off it, that makes me shudder of the mere thought of him one day leaving the club. Despite yours truly questioning our manager's abilities at the start of this season, I have never questioned his desire to lead Arsenal to success or his passion as a whole. When a man measures the height of toilet seats in a new stadium, that tells it's own story of how deeply ingrained that man has become to the club.

Tim Stillman over on Arseblog called Arsene a dying breed and I couldn't agree more, though he's a rare specimen in more ways than one. His managerial skills, the way he inspires players and encourages their future development, how Wenger cannot stand physical separation from his side during suspensions, but what I like most about Le Professeur is the way he holds himself.

He's always polite, rarely loses control over his emotions, has an ability to get one back on mass media and/or other managers when they step out of line. This vision of how to behave Arsene was able to pass on to his side. When, for example, was the last time one of the Gunners performed a dive in order to earn a free-kick? It's just not the way Arsene does things.

I could go on and on, but Arsenal fans won't need me to. Words are just not enough to describe all the good our manager has done (and brought) to this club. From a fluent passing game to a new stadium, whose construction Arsene supervised in person.

All of this sounds like I'm saying goodbye to Arsene, but I didn't mean for it to look this way. I just tried to emphasize the point, that it's most unlikely someone will ever do so much for Arsenal, especially in an era, when stability it's overlooked in favour of immediate success. I really hope the players will be able to make Arsene happy tomorrow and beat Mourinho and his cronies.

I know this was supposed to have been a preview, but what the hell. I'll get back to you tomorrow for a proper one.

Until then

Tottenham review: 1-0 to the Arsenal

Yesterday we returned in the title race with a much-needed win against the Spurs, while also breaking the unfortunate spell of not being able to escape White Hart Lane with the three points, a spell that stretched back to 2007. We have also beaten Spurs for the third time this season, something that happened for the first time in my memory.

Despite talking up Kallstrom's fitness and Flamini's importance, the manager opted for the Ox in midfield and Rosicky on the flank and his decision paid off in the second minute of the game.

A wayward pass from some Spurs bloke was intercepted by Giroud, who chested the ball down for the Ox. The Englishman laid it off for Rosicky, the Czech ran half the field, played a hilarious one-two with Oxlade and then smashed the ball home.

It was a strike of true beauty, with the manager labelling it "one of the top goals this season":

"It will go in my collection of great goals. I told Tomas that because first of all he's not a typical goalscorer and he surprised everybody. He had not even time to realise what he was doing and it was in the back of the net. It was an unbelievable goal".

Tottenham tried to put us under pressure after that, Adebayor doing his damnedest to upset us, but to no avail. In fact, Arsenal should have been 2-0 up at half-time, only for some poor decision-making from Oxlade and a couple of dodgy decisions from the linesman to prevent us from killing the game.

As it was, we were very nearly punished for our wastefulness early in the second half.

Szczesny came off the line to clear the ball, misjudged the situation and the ball fell to Chadli. He was unable to make this mistake count, however, as Mertesacker and Koscielny seemed to shield the entire goal, with the latter one getting in the way of Chadli's effort.

Tottenham attacked some more, Paulinho and Soldado were thrown on, but the chickens only went close from a decent shot by Adebayor from outside the box. Szczesny saved that, making it look easier than it really was.

We even could have scored another late on, but Lloris got down to Mert's shot well. The final whistle came soon after that.

The manager talked up the importance of the result after the game:

"It is a huge result. We were under pressure to win before the game because of course it was a very important game. After that it was a mixture, our early goal a little bit influenced too much the way we played because we missed the second goal and after that we wanted to protect the lead. Sometimes we were under pressure, Tottenham played well you must say. For me they were absolutely up for it and we needed some special resilience to get away with it. As long as we didn't score the second goal of course it was a very tight game. But in the end for us it's three massive points".

And on how well our central defenders fared:

"They were exceptional for the whole game. They were already at Bayern I think and even after when Vermaelen came on we finished with the three [centre-backs] and they didn't create the chances anymore".

Truth be told, I'm in two minds about this game. There were things I liked and the ones I didn't.

To start on a positive note, I admired our defensive performance, or, to put it in manager's terms, our resilience. Everyone did their bit, Mertescielny was outstanding, Sagna denied Rose space, Arteta fit in well in a game that doesn't really suit his style. A defensive masterclass, with the only thing Tottenham could have used to equalise is our own mistake.

At the other end of the pitch, though, we weren't as good as I'd like us to be. Oxlade-Chamberlain wasted a couple of opportunities, Giroud was basically invisible (bar his exceptional time-winning style in the very end), very little came off for Cazorla, who was deployed under the striker. I'd really like us to step it up against Chelsea a week from now.

That being said, it just seems a bit churlish and mean to complain about the way we got the result when we've got it. Yes, it was a backs-to-the-wall performance, but it doesn't take any points or our defensive brilliance away.

All in all, a hugely important win and though our chances to clinch the title still look slim, we are in this race and should we beat Chelsea, we'll be serious contenders.

As for now, enjoy the win.

Until later