Post Easter Weekend thoughts……

Hope it was a good long weekend for you. I had a nice chilled out one in Devon, sunny all weekend and as we took Leanne’s car I spent most of it drunk. Ahhhh, joy.

I caught all of our 18 seconds of highlights on MOTD on Saturday night, why do those cockhounds insist on putting us on at the end of their programme I don’t know. Pretty certain Villa were on earlier when they were in 4th.

Overall I thought we looked good. Common consensus was that Gibbs was lucky not to go on half time to taking his man out. While I agree that he should have gone, I’m not entirely sure that he man got ahead of him by legal means anyway, looked very 6 of one, half dozen of the other to me. But there you go.

We punished Wigan for sloppiness with our first and third goals, Silvestre contributing for the second by putting Cesc’s good pass away, but goal of the game had to be Song’s effort at the death for the 4th. Speaking to the old man I compared it to a “Batistuta” type of goal, using strength to hold off his man before drilling in a well placed shot. Yes, I’m still talking about Alex “Renaissance Man” Song here! The lad deserves it for really upping his game recently, long may it continue.

Only real negative was the injury to Djourou. No news yet on how severe it is, but lets hope he makes a return in this utterly vital week of the season with the CL quarter final second leg and the FA Cup semi final.

So, Villarreal tomorrow night. This has the potential to be high scoring. We were lucky not to be out of the tie by half time at El Madrigal. Potentially we’ll only have Kolo as our only first choice Centre Back, so we wont be too convincing at the back I’d think. The Yellow Submarines lost again at the weekend, 2-0 home to lowly Malaga. Crucially for us, first leg goalscorer Marcos Senna is definitely ruled out of the game with a hamstring injury while Cani and Mati Fernandez are also concerns for our visitors. Nice to see its not only us losing players at this vital stage (although a few injuries to Drogba, Essien et al would help ahead of the weekend. Note to self: Learn Voodoo)

More on Villarreal tomorrow, I’m probably meant to be doing some work

Bye bye me luvvvveerrrrrrr!

Technorati Tags: Song,Cesc,Silvestre,Senna,Villarreal,Wigan

I knew I forgot something……

Pack, yup. Tie up loose ends at work, yup. Do blog…….crap!

Erm, Wigan. Only team news that I’ve heard is that Almunia is out for 2 weeks after aggrivating the ankle injury he got from that c**t Diouf. Obviously Gallas is out, not sure about RVP, Diaby and Eduardo. I imagine they wont be rushed back for this one with the 2nd leg and semi final coming in the following week. Arshavin will be back in the squad following his ineligibility midweek.

As for Wigan themselves, erm, has Zaki returned from international duty yet? Not seen anything recently about this and he didn’t face Everton last weekend. It’s a potential banana skin this one, we played out a dreary 0-0 on a quagmire of a pitch last season and with Everton facing Villa this weekend a win for us could put a huge gap between ourselves and 5th.

Ok, I’m off to Devon, enjoy the long weekend and COME ON YOU REDS!

Technorati Tags: Wigan,Almunia,Zaki,Gallas,Arshavin

Two stunning goals, two costly injuries?

So, honours even after the first leg.

A wonder goal from Marcos Senna from 30 yards put the hosts up within ten minutes. A great goal but, like at Sunderland this season, really really should have been shut down before he shot.

The hosts dominated the first half with some good first time passes and high tempo. In contrast our passing was poor, our tackling was poor and we had no outlet up front as Adebayor put in one or the laziest, half arsed performances I’ve ever seen. Constantly offside, token efforts to run for balls once they were out of reach and never bothering to jump for crosses or even getting the correct side of his man.

Seriously, bringing him off wouldn’t have been enough, there’s a danger he might do it again another game. I’d have shot him, the lazy c**t. Nasri was pretty anonymous as well, but this can probably be chalked down to still having the flu to be fair.

I also mentioned this week about Song’s rejuvenation recently and wondered if this was down to lower standard opposition. Well he didn’t exactly excel last night, his work rate was good but he just seemed a little out of his depth last night. Guess we’ll see again next week depending on Diaby’s recovery.

However as someone once said “Get away from her you bitch” “Its a game of two halves” and whatever Wenger said at half time worked wonders as we looked a different side. Walcott began to penetrate the hosts’ left flank, Cesc came alive and began to spray the ball around with ease, including one brilliant ball over the top that was chested down by Adebayor, who then produced a stunning volley to give us the vital away goal. (Cheers to Arsenalist for the videos).

Senna fizzed another pile driver just over the bar towards the end but we held on, better second half, good result but still work to be done next week. Remember Chelsea in ‘04?

However, to put a dampener on it, we picked up two injuries to seasoned campaigners. Almunia went off after about 20mins with an ankle injury he picked up from a challenge with Rossi. Looked to be the same ankle that Diouf kicked a few weeks ago and he’ll probably be out of Wigan this weekend and maybe the second leg. More seriously, Gallas damaged his medial knee ligaments when a Villarreal player landed on him awkwardly from a Song tackle. Initial reports are saying that his season is over.

While Djourou is a more than capable replacement the loss of Gallas could be huge, especially as domestically he had formed a formidable partnership with Toure at the back since the turn of the year, shipping just 4 premiership goals this calendar year.

So, it’s finely poised, we have a slight advantage. Fingers crossed for next week. Will do a Wigan preview tomorrow as I’m off to the West Country tomorrow afternoon to visit the outlaws for Easter.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Villarreal,Cesc,Adebayor,Gallas,Almunia

Showtime!

“And so, this is where the sh*t gets deeper” – Winston Churchill

I’m pretty sure Churchill didn’t say that, but it’s quite appropriate as Arsenal enter the most crucial phase of the season, beginning away to Villarreal tonight in the CL 1/4 final.

Team news, we’re still without Eduardo and Diaby, RVP’s groin has also ruled him out. I think it held its own press conference which was quite spectacular, and as we all know, Arshavin is ineligible.

For our hosts, they head into the tie off of a 3-0 defeat at Almeria. Bobby Pires was sent off while midfielder Santi Cazorla broke his leg, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. So not idea preparation for tonight but expect a tough game. El Madrigal is an intimidating ground and the locals will be up for a spot of revenge after this from our last visit.

Of course, this will also be the first time we’ve had to face Arsenal legend Robert Pires since his departure, I’m sure he’ll get an awesome reception from the travelling supporters. He’s probably the only one of the players that have left under Wenger that I’d take back without even thinking about it. He may only be able to last about 70 minutes but the skill is still there, which is why he’s probably been singled out by Wenger as the one to watch. Saying that, he’s also said that Cygan is as well, reports that Wenger was seen smoking from an Opium pipe before that comment was made are yet to be confirmed.

So anyway, I’d take a 2-1 defeat tonight as long as we get the away goal, but I think we’ll get something our in Spain tonight, 1-1 is my prediction.

ALLEZ ARSENAL!

Technorati Tags: Pires,Cygan,Villarreal,Wenger

Two good

 

So a sunny Saturday in N5 saw many a beer consumed and, more importantly, 3 points for the Arsenal.

Citeh never really turned up as we dominated from beginning to end (despite what the MOTD highlights may have suggested). They were poor, if they play like that every time they go away it’s not hard to see why they’ve experienced little joy on their travels.

Ade put us one up after ten minutes with a well placed header from a Fabregas cross. The same pair combined on 59 minutes, Cesc’s sublime ball over the top of the Citeh defence saw Ade latch onto it, round Given and roll it into the open net.

Ade had a good return from injury, Citeh provided the perfect opposition for him as he was given time on the ball. Saying that, he worked hard as well and I can’t really remember his strolling offside or not tracking back hard enough. Well played.

He was a midfield colossus, won every ball he went in for and made a few good passes, including a deft back heel. Yes, while it was good to see Cesc play 65 odd minutes in his return, I was actually referring to Alex Song. Yes, you read that right.

In the past few weeks Song has been a revelation. His work rate has risen, his passes are hitting the target and he’s an animal in the tackle. The metamorphosis is frankly staggering from the useless lump we had to endure at the turn of the year into a legitimate midfield anchor, merciless and grafting hard, a pitbull! So, has the penny dropped or has the standard of opposition been more to his level? I guess with the run of games we’re about to embark on we’ll find out if it’s the latter shortly.

Post-game Wenger revealed that Theo took a knock to his knee and was a slight doubt for Villarreal away on Tuesday night. To be honest I’m not surprised, the lad took about 5 “tackles” from behind as Citeh systematically took him out. To be honest, that was probably the most productive thing Robinho did all afternoon, looked as if the long flight back from South America was taking its toll. There’s also hopes for RVP returning tomorrow night as well as Nasri providing he’s over his flu (poor little mite), however Diaby and Eduardo will be short and won’t feature. More on Villarreal tomorrow.

Yesterday Villa lost 3-2 to Man United, leaving us 6 points clear of them in 4th and starting to look comfortable, however the next 20 odd days will be vital, some big, big games coming up for us!

One final thing, well played Cesc for blowing Barcelona’s favourite method of signing a player; the Spanish Media, out of the water in the matchday programme:

“Once more, there have been stories in the media recently talking about my future, I’m very happy at Arsenal and have said it many times – but I cannot control what the newspapers say or stop the press.

When they speak for me, I don’t understand it because only my friends, family and the boss know what I think.

It’s just a story that will go on and on, even if I was to say I would stay and retire here!

I’ve said many times I’m proud to be captain of this club and I see my future with Arsenal.”

And on that note, good day!

Technorati Tags: Citeh,Adebayor,Song,Cesc,Villarreal

Back to the good stuff!

Ahhhh yeah! Fridays are even better when you’re up the Arsenal tomorrow!

Straight into it, I asked who would join Diaby, RVP and Bendtner on the injured list. Well, add Eduardo (groin) to that list. Seriously, Eddy, is it something I’ve said?

Bendtner apparently texted the boss yesterday to say he was fit, however Nasri has the flu and Vela is f**ked after flying back from Mexico (who incidentally sacked Sven last night). Adebayor is also back from 2 months out, Theo is back, but most importantly so it this guy:

Ahhh yeah, lets get Cescy! Personally, I’d be surprised if he started, but stranger things have happened and to see Cesc, Theo and Arshavin in the same team will be pretty awesome.

Citeh won’t come to defend, no siree. Not sure if they’ll have Robinho as he was in action for Brazil midweek, being withdrawn after 45 minutes, may have been for the weekend, may have been an injury, not sure, but one thing is certain, I’ve used a sh*tload of commas in this paragraph so I’ll stop.

Obviously it’s not all about Robinho. There’s Steven Ireland, Micah Richards, Shaun Wright Philips (although he’s doubtful after picking up a knock with Ingerrrrlund.) They’re a good side as we found out at Eastlands, but they have a poor away record.

Lets hope that continues.

COME ON YOU REDS

Technorati Tags: Citeh,Cesc,Arshavin,Theo,International Break,Nasri,Eduardo

Bring on the proper football!

It’s ok, you can come out now, it’s over.

Another thrilling gash round of international matches are behind us and decent football returns on Saturday with the visit of Man Citeh, I’ll cover that tomorrow when we have an idea on casualties. So far we know that the following three picked up injuries from the first round of matches:

Diaby, RVP and a comical picture of Bendtner!

Hip and Groin injuries kept Diaby and RVP out of their matches last night respectively, while Bendtner made the bench for Denmark despite his knee injury. We don’t know the extent of the injures but I’d be surprised if 2 of the 3 made the Citeh game.

Also apparently Samir Nasri dropped out of the French squad at the 11th hour with a virus. F**king boo.

All of which means we could see a bit more of Cesc than first thought, and maybe a bit of Rambo (Aaron Ramsey, not Stallone, although the latter would be awesome!) should injuries force Wenger’s hand. Adebayor could also play a part following his goalscoring return from injury for Togo. Another goalscorer internationally was Eduardo who got Croatia’s second against Andorra last night.

That's the internationals over, lets not speak of them again………

Citeh preview tomorrow, will the body count rise before then?

Technorati Tags: Bendtner,RVP,Diaby,Adebayor,Eduardo,International Break,Citeh