Liverpool preview: set the tone

Hello everyone.

Our rather busy Christmas period starts tomorrow with an away trip to Liverpool and it's extremely important to pick up the points at Anfield. A win will over what is, on paper at least, the toughest opponent we'll face in the next five games can set the mood for the upcoming matches. It will also ensure our baby steps upwards become more pronounced and, as I'm sure the top four teams will lose points over the next fortnight, we can do a bit of catching up. After Liverpool we play QPR, West Ham, Southampton and Hull (West Ham and Soton being the only away fixtures) and this is a real chance for us to bulk up on points.

Team news

It is not so bright, unfortunately. Ospina, Koscielny, Ramsey, Arteta, Wilshere, Rosicky and Ozil all remain out, while there is "a slight chance" Monreal and Walcott will travel with the squad. We are also sweating over the fitness of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, however, the Ox stands a better chance of recovering in time for the game. Rosicky and Ospina are due back next week, while the others are progressing "according to plan". I have no idea what that might mean. Only Ramsey's return at the end of December was mentioned.

The back five

Szczesny should stay in goal, but who will constitute the back four to protect him is an altogether different and, for the first time this season, even slightly exciting dilemma.

It's Gibbs on the left, obviously, as Monreal may not even make the squad, and even if he does Gibbs remains our first-choice full-back. Mertesacker is another player certain to start, but who will he be paired with and who will play right-back?

I think we should field the same back four as against Newcastle. I see no reason to fix what isn't broken, also, this back four may be better suited to cope with Liverpool's threat (ahem).

The Mertesacker-Chambers partnership really hasn't clicked this season when called upon, while Bellerin looked sharp against Newcastle for the first time. Debuchy, meanwhile, looked really solid alongside Per and the same applies to the German himself. Our vice-captain didn't have to worry about guiding his fellow centre-back through the game and thus could concentrate on his performance entirely. Worked pretty well for everyone involved. Bellerin's pace, meanwhile, can be highly useful against the threat of Raheem Sterling. I'm not saying Chambers will do a worse job, he probably won't, but Calum deserves a bit of a rest, in my opinion.

The midfield

Our trickiest place at the moment. Only Flamini and Cazorla are well and truly fit and thus we have no other option but to field them. I say "no option" not because I'm dissatisfied with their performances, but rather because both have played a lot and could use a rest. With Rosicky back next week at least Cazorla should get some, while Coquelin can also play here and there, deputising for Flamini. However, I'm pretty sure the Frenchman will play the bulk of games. Coquelin looks more of a sub.

Who will complement Cazorla and Flamini tomorrow? That depends on Ox's fitness. If he is fit, he starts and that's how most of us like it. Oxlade was phenomenal against Newcastle  and if can replicate that performance we should be up for it in the middle of the park.

However, if Oxlade is out the only option we have is play Sanchez under the striker. I highly doubt Arsene will want a midfield of Flamini and Coquelin, so Sanchez looks a likelier option. And look, its not a bad option. Sure, the ball doesn't hold as well in the opponent's half when Sanchez acts as a playmaker, but his best performances came from this position (Sunderland and Burnley), so for some pain we'll have lots of gain. However, let's hope it doesn't come to that and Oxlade is available for selection.

The attack

Again, I'd leave it unchanged (presuming the Ox plays). The trio of Welbeck, Giroud and Sanchez was devastating against the Magpies, who, as you may recall, shut out Chelsea a mere week before. This attacking trio has pace, technique and physicality to cause trouble to just about any defense. In other words, it it is so versatile and all the players complement one another so well that I'd really like to see it in action again.

Should the Ox be sidelined, then Poldi is the natural solution. His main strength is, of course, his devastating left leg and it can be useful against a shaky Liverpool's defense and even shakier goalkeeper. Having Poldi close to the goal with Giroud by his side can be really useful.

The verdict

"Over the Christmas period we play four Premier League games. Over Christmas we’ll come back strongly I’m sure in the league."

Well, we'll see how we start this run tomorrow. A win, and we look more or less in control with easier fixtures coming up. On the alternative we'll have time enough to speculate if we don't win.

Honestly, though, I think getting less than three points will be an underachievement. While we are not exactly on top of our game right now, Liverpool look even less the part. Without Suarez and Sturbridge they do not pose a threat like they did last year. Even the modicum of a trouble Balotelli could cause (I'm more worried about his violent behaviour than his goalscoring record here) will be gone, as the Italian serves a one-match ban. So we should, by all accounts, take the three points.

Come on you Gunners

And I'll be back with a review on Monday, most likely.

Until then

Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)

Update: Monreal, Oxlade and Walcott all travelled. Most likely means the Ox will start. Finally, good news

Thierry Henry, it's Thierry Henry

It's been some time since I last wrote, but the hectic schedule of mid-term exams is getting more and more hectic. I sincerely hope I'll be able to cover all the games over the festive period.

Anyway, with the Liverpool game isn't due till Sunday, we get the chance to discuss Thierry Henry and his retirement. The Frenchman posted the message informing the wider circles of his retirement on his Facebook page and, obviously, it reverberated through the footballing society. It's understandable, as Thierry had a long and truly remarkable career. Even during his four years with New York Red Bulls the Frenchman was still in fine form, netting 52 times. And even despite MLS not being the most competitive league, 52 times inside four years is a respectable number for someone in his thirties.

A lot of Arsenal fans (me included) hoped Thierry would return to Arsenal in some capacity or another, but that didn't happen. Instead, the Frenchman will be joining Sky Sports as a pundit and will become the highest-paid one (with a whopping £4 million per year salary). He's said he's not ready to coach Arsenal in any role as of now, but will definitely like to do so in the future. Hope it's true.

The role of a pundit still suits Thierry fine, in my opinion. He's intelligent enough to not produce some meek and incoherent bleating the way Carragher does now and, of course, the idea of having someone defending Arsenal and Arsene on TV is exciting. We've been the subject of (mostly) unfounded attacks down the years, it's about time someone stood up for us in the media.

And of course, in the light of Thierry's retirement, a lot of articles have been (and will be) written on his greatest moments, goals, quotes and the like. Some recall his brilliant goal against United in 2004, for many his goal at White Hart Lane (the celebration of which is cast in bronze now) will remain the Frenchman's top moment. His quote aimed at Mourinho definitely makes my top five of Henry's greatest ever achievements, but I'd like to single out another moment. The moment that, for me personally (though I'm sure I'm not alone here) shows the deep bond Thierry has with the Club.

I'm talking about the Frenchman's strike against Leeds United. It was the beginning of January, 2012. Our performances in the league left a lot to be desired, we've been knocked out of the Carling Cup and, despite topping our Champions League group (with Borussia in it) were pinned against Milan. The toughest team available. The Italian giants loomed on the horizon as we embarked on our short-lived FA Cup run.

We were playing out a 0-0 draw with Leeds after 67 minutes when Henry stepped onto the pitch to a tremendous applause from all corners of the Emirates. And he didn't do a lot for the next nine minutes.

On his 10th minute, however, all of it changed. Thierry escaped his marker on the left, his run was spotted by Alex Song and from here I'd like to go with the commentator:

"Song. Finds Henry. Well, that's like a fairytale, isn't it? This is amazing, amazing I say. Such things happen only in movies. Everyone knows who the hero is. Everyone is waiting for him. And he comes on. And proves that he is the hero with a simple heroic act.

Goal. The first one. Upon a return from a break which lasted five years. A goal for his home team. Scored by Thierry Henry."

Of course, the commentator bellowed all of the above, but still there was one thing he failed to mention. A thing, which is the most important to me. Henry's joy. The joy of a footballer scoring an important goal is rather commonplace, but Henry's joy was something more than that. It was the joy of scoring for the team you love.

First you see the brief flash of disbelief on Henry's face. Then, as understanding dawns on him, you see the endless joy. He spreads his arms in an attempt to hug every Arsenal fan inside the Emirates. Then he sprints to Arsene Wenger, his manager, his mentor, a man, who made Thierry Henry a legend. Henry's happiness at repaying Arsene's faith can only be match to that of Arsene's joy. And then the finishing touch of the celebration. Pointing to the badge and then to his name on the back of the shirt. A moment of true magic.

And this is how I will remember Henry. As a man completely devoted to the Club, a man who (unlike, say, RvP or Suarez) is always willing to help his Club in any way he can. A man who is ready to make his enormous talent serve the higher purpose.

I hope to see you return to Arsenal one day, Thierry Henry. And I have faith you will.

Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)

Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle: depleted Arsenal side is up to scratch

Before the game I wrote I didn't know what to expect, which Arsenal side we would see. Newcastle was on the up, we've lost Ramsey against Gala, Koscielny and Monreal didn't return from injury, Chambers was suspended. Add all the other wounded on top and we played Debuchy at centre-back and Oxlade alongside Flamini. And both Oxlade and Debuchy faired brilliantly. But let's start at the beginning.

The first half

We started with a whole lot of pressure, albeit there was some nervousness to the proceedings. We didn't concede any chances until very late in the half, if I recall correctly.

Our first real opportunity came from a corner. Alexis swung in a cross to the near post (do we cross anywhere else?) and Mertesacker got his head to the ball. Unfortunately, the ball rebounded off the underside of the woodwork and was then cleared.

In the 15th minute no such travesty occurred. Our move started near the halfway line, when Bellerin read Newcastle's pass well and intercepted it. The young Spaniard then passed to Giroud, the Frenchman singled out Sanchez with his pass and continued his run. The Chilean got to the byline and crossed it towards Giroud. The Frenchman rose majestically and met the ball with a cracking header. Alnwick was left to watch the ball float into the top corner. 1-0.

We could have been 2-0 up almost immediately. Welbeck and Gibbs combined on the left, the Englishman ran around Janmaat and then chipped the ball over Alnwick. However, the goal was disallowed and I don't know why. I think the ref was under the impression Welbeck fouled Janmaat in the build-up, but replays showed Daryl fell on his own at the slightest of contacts. Apparently when he realised he's lost the battle against Welbeck.

The Englishman could have scored another, however he couldn't quite get the ball under control after Sanchez's lobbed pass left all the defenders out of the picture. A shame, Welbz deserved a goal.

The half didn't finish as calmly as we'd have liked. Newcastle earned another free-kick in a good crossing position, a customary cross ensued and the ball found Gouffran at the far post. The Frenchman pulled off a header, but Szczesny was equal to it. Cisse was the first man on the rebound, but Szczesny saved again, this time with his leg. A brilliant double save to keep us ahead at halftime.

The second half

Nine minutes into the half we scored a second, which was long overdue. Sanchez spotted Cazorla darting inside the box and split Newcastle's defense with a pass. Cazorla received the ball, stayed on his feet after Collocini unceremoniously tried to bring the Spaniard down and then swerved the shot past Alnwick. A beauty of a goal from the man who turned 30 on the day.

Four minutes later Giroud added to his tally. Bellerin got down the right flank well and powered a low cross in Giroud's direction. The Frenchman was standing  sideways to the goal and as such had only one option: poke the ball with the outside of his foot. Which he did and it paid off beautifully. The ball rolled over the inside of the net and it was 3-0. However, Newcastle tried to swing the momentum in their favour and we found ourselves under pressure. And lost our clean sheet as a result.

The Magpies won themselves another free-kick, crossed the ball towards unmarked Perez and the Spaniard headed the ball home - into the far corner. 3-1 and I admit I started to get rather nervous, as there was still half an hour to go.

However, I worried over nothing, as it turned out. Instead of shutting shop and putting men behind the ball, we managed to maintain the right balance between attacking and defending and could have been further up, first through Santi's volley, then through Gibbs's effort. Both flashed their respective shots just wide of the post with the keeper beaten.

We then conjured up two brilliant counter attacks and the second wasn't in vain, albeit the first looked a better opportunity. Alexis and Welbeck were 2-on-1 (against Collocini), but the Chilean held onto the ball for too long and this resulted in Welbeck being dispossessed on the edge of the box.

The second attack, however, turned out to be successful. Gibbs won a crunching tackle near his box (cleanly, I have to say), ran some distance (considering it was 88th minute) and passed it to Cazorla. The Spaniard cut Newcastle's defence open and Dummett had little choice but to bring down Welbeck inside the box. Cazorla stepped up and chipped  Alnwick from the spot. A cooly taken penalty for a brace and a 4-1.

The aftermath

An attacking masterclass from Arsenal. We wanted to produce a performance after a blunder at Stoke? Done. Protect the makeshift back four? Done. Take our chances and score goals? Done. Not leave it until late in the game to grind out a win? Done.

That's not to take anything from our defenders, they were all very good. Bellerin made a couple of mistakes, but with an assist under his belt and the part he took in creating the first goal, I think we can turn a bit of a blind eye to his slips. It was a breakthrough performance from Hector, and though I expect Chambers to return against Liverpool, it's good to know Bellerin isn't there just to make up the numbers.

I was also very happy for Debuchy. For someone who has never before played at centre-back he did very well. In fact, I think he performed better than most natural centre-backs. Again, in the light of Chambers' return it's unlikely we'll see Debuchy deputising alongside Per any time soon, but who knows? Koscielny is out for "a couple of weeks" and we have a busy Christmas schedule coming our way.

I also want to single out Oxlade-Chamberlain. The lad performed brilliantly in central midfield and it's obvious he's taken a leaf out of Sanchez's book in  terms of work rate and desire. After such a performance it's obvious Wenger wasn't just talking for the sake of it when he said central midfield is Chamberlain's future.

Finally, there was a really nice moment during the game when supporters started singing "One Arsene Wenger" in full swing. This time the commentator was on top, so I missed the moment, but I will find it and then listen the hell out of it. That's what Arsene said on the overall situation surrounding his persona:

"99.9% it's people with full respect even when they're not happy. I can take the 0.1% of criticism. I'm thankful for the fans singing."

Even though the numbers are exaggerated, it's still good know Wenger understands those calling for his head represent the minority.

So, a nice game all around. We now sit sixth in the table, level on points with fifth Southampton and just two behind West Ham. And we'll play the Hammers over Christmas, if I recall correctly.

That's it for now. Enjoy the win and I'll be back in a couple of days with fresh news.

Until then

Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)

P.S. Wenger said he'd go to church over the weekend for a CL draw to be kinder to us. It apparently helped, as we've drawn Monaco in the last sixteen. Now we can breathe easier, for the first time in, like, six years. On a side note, City again got Barcelona, Chelsea was paired with PSG (moneybags contest) and Borussia will face Juventus despite topping the group. Guess there really is a God

Newcastle preview: chopping and cropping

Hello everyone.

It's Newcastle today and, though I'm buzzed for the game (as I always am), the state of our squad is genuinely scary.

Team news

Koscielny, Monreal and Ramsey are all out. The first two haven't recovered, Rambo pulled a hamstring and various reports suggest  he could be out for four weeks. Add Arteta, Wilshere, Ozil, Rosicky and Walcott and our squad is wearing rather thin. I'm not even including Diaby and Gnabry in this list. The current situation is so pitiful that Coquelin's loan has been cut short and he was spotted in training yesterday, with the manager suggesting he could use his Coq in the upcoming game against the Magpies:

"He (Ramsey) told me yesterday he was very positive and much better and that he would play, then he texted me late last night and said he was out. I called Coquelin back from Charlton."

So the task of putting together a comprehensible starting eleven is becoming ridiculously easy and genuinely daunting.

The back five

I'm not sure where we are with Ospina, but with a fit Szczesny and capable Martinez serving as backup, the Colombian is the least of our worries right now.

The defense IS worrisome, however. We have four fit defenders + Coquelin, so there are two possible scenarios: 1) Debuchy, Mertesacker and Gibbs all in their preferred positions with Bellerin on the bench and Coquelin at centre-back and 2) Debuchy alongside Mertesacker with Bellerin and Gibbs flanking them. I like the first option better, as our best defenders play in their natural positions, while Coquelin is physical and quick enough to hold his own, however, the second option seems more likely:

"That is what I have to decide. I have asked him (Debuchy) already.

Yes, of course [it's a big ask], but the solution I have to decide will not be ideal, it will be a gamble. But there is not a massive difference between right-back and centre-back."

Tell that Djourou. Or Chambers (though for him it may just be the other way around). Sagna was the exception, and, by the way, the Frenchman still hasn't played an awful lot at centre-back.

The midfield

Flamini and Cazorla are our only established players in their respective positions. Oxlade can do a job alongside Flamini and then we have Coquelin. Imagine such a pair of central midfielders: Coquelin and Flamini. Just what the doctor ordered.

That's why I think the Ox is a more likely candidate. Probably his best performances came from central position, so I'm not particularly worried about Oxlade playing there. I'm much more worried it'll his umpteenth game and that his last was four days ago, a full ninety minutes in Turkey. I'm also concerned about the general state of affairs in midfield and, especially, Ramsey's absence. The Welshman produced a stunning display away at Gala, it's a real shame to lose him like that. Fingers crossed his injury is nothing serious and he'll face Liverpool a week from now.

The attack

With Walcott unavailable and Oxlade occupied elsewhere (hopefully), Alexis should be reinstated on the right flank with Podolski coming in on the left. This seems the most sensible decision, especially taken Poldi's midweek performance.

Up top it's either Giroud (who criticised our game at Stoke and defended the manager) or Welbeck. If it was me making the call, I'd probably start the Frenchman and thus give him the chance to redeem himself after our last week's showing. However, I do not exclude the possibility of seeing Giroud and Welbeck together. I think Arsene is quite keen on this experiment and, after some good interaction between our strikers in the last couple of games, you can see why.

The verdict

I honestly don't know what to expect from this game. This season we are as unpredictable as my German teachers when giving mid-term marks (sorry for this atrocious metaphor). We had good games and bad games and then again good games and then once again bad games. There's just no telling which Arsenal we'll see today: the one that capitulated at Stoke or the one that ripped Galatasaray apart with a second squad. The fact that these two games happened inside one week probably tells you all you need to know about our (in)consistency.

The matters are only further complicated by Newcastle's recent performances. After an atrocious start to the season, which has seen them spend some time in relegation some and the fans calling for Pardew's resignation, the Magpies pulled their act together and won 6 of their last 8 games, beating Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea along the way. They are on the way up it seems, we are struggling and searching for consistency. Let's find some today. Please.

Come on you Gunners.

Finally for today, you can take a look at this (link), if you've missed it. The preview part is no longer relevant, but the thoughts on the manager are and, I suspect, will be for quite some time.

And I'll be back with you as soon as I can.

Until then

Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin) 

Galatasaray 1-4 Arsenal: a positive game all around

Going into this game, I didn't expect us to produce such a strong display. As I've stated, it was unlikely Borussia would lose their game. They eventually drew against Anderlecht, a result which left a narrow window of opportunity for us. And by "narrow" I mean a win by a 6-goal margin over Gala.

The first half

An achievement which wasn't completely out of the question during the first 45 minutes. In fact, it seemed more and more likely as the half progressed.

We've started the game in the best possible manner: by scoring a quick goal. Ramsey found space near the box, his pass singled out an unmarked Podolski and the German fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner. 1-0.

Gala responded with a dangerous counter-attack, but, thankfully, Bellerin (deputising at left-back) made a gorgeous last-ditch tackle. It would be the last moment of danger before we took full control of the game.

Which happened in the 11th minute. Podolski won a tackle near the halfway line and passed the ball to Oxlade. The Englishman saw Ramsey making a run, rolled the ball in the Welshman's direction and Aaron did the rest by coolly poking the ball into the far corner. 2-0.

We could have been further up through first Podolski and then Sanogo, only for the former's strike to rebound off the bar and the latter's effort blocked to be blocked by a defender. However, we did add a third in the 29th minute.

The move started rather innocuously. Campbell swung in a corner which was cleared at the near post. The last thing I saw before the visual part of my stream died was Ramsey readying his left foot to hit the ball on the half-volley from some thirty yards out. But the audio part of the steam still worked fine and before I even thought "Why, oh why, Aaron?" the commentator shouted what a beauty of the goal the Welshman just scored. Replays showed Ramsey's beautiful strike (with his weak foot, mind you) fly all the distance to the goal and end up in the top corner. The Welsh Jesus has returned.

However, we didn't put the foot off the gas till the whistle went. Campbell was denied from a one-on-one, Podolski's cannon of a shot was somehow parried away to safety and I vaguely recall some dangerous shot from Oxlade-Chamberlain which flied over the bar. The possibility of us scoring the required six goals was there all right.

The second half

This possibility went up in flames right after the restart, as Arsene took off Ramsey and Flamini for Zelalem and Maitland-Niles respectively. Not that I rue the manager's decision. It was the right call to rest those who needed it most. That's what we've taken so many youngsters to Turkey for. To give seniors a breather provided we got a satisfactory result.

The downside of that double sub was that our midfield lost it's cohesion and urgency. Both youngsters (under the guidance of Oxlade-Chamberlain) did pretty well on their debut, though. At least I recall no blunders from them, which is a positive in itself.

These changes led to us surrendering possession and, consequently, our chances of scoring six. However, we came across as a very organised defensive unit, mostly restricting the Turks to distance shots. There were a couple of last-minute blocks from Chambers and Debuchy, but not much else. The few efforts that hit the target were dealt with by Szczesny easily.

Gala got their consolation goal, for whatever it was worth. The ref appointed a ridiculuous free-kick on the line of our box (the ball hit Mert's arms, but the German was blocking the shot and turning away from the ball. It could have hit him in the face, for instance, but the ref wouldn't say it's a free-kick in this case). Technically, though, the Spanish referee was within his rights as the ball hit the arm. Sneijder stepped up and smashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner. No chance for Szczesny.

We did manage to end the game on a high, though. A quick counter inside the last minute of injury time saw Poldi go one-on-one with the keeper and the German slotted his chance away. 4-1 it finished.

The aftermath

"We gave a strong response. We were dangerous every time we won the ball back, had good penetration, goals and until half-time we were very strong. In the second half we suffered a bit more - some players had not enough competitive games and I had to take two players off. We were a bit more lightweight in midfield. It was, overall, a strong performance."

A summary from the manager and it's a fair one. Interestingly enough, he said the possibility of scoring six crossed his mind at half-time:

"Not at the start of the game, but at half-time yes. But after we had to take Ramsey and Flamini off, it was too much for us to hope we could score six. We were closer to conceding one or two more in the second half. We had still our opportunities. No regrets, the players I left at home, I had no choice."

Borussia still finished top, despite drawing at home against Anderlecht (wait, Anderlecht is a hard team to play? At home? Who would have thought?) and thus we have to steel ourselves for a tougher opponent in the last sixteen. We'll face one of Atletico, Real, Barcelona, Bayern, Porto or Monaco. Not the prettiest picture, but to prove you are the best you have to beat the best. There's no escaping a big team in the Champions' League play-off round, so does it really matter when we draw one?

Alright, I'll leave it at that. Back tomorrow (or on Saturday) with the preview and all that entails.

Until the, enjoy the win

Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)