Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Royale with Cheese

Predictions for tomorrow? Can see a weak team being put out, players being rested for the Champions League etc.

I'll stab a guess at a team, pretty hard considering we don't know if Almunia, Djourou or even Eduardo are fully fit.

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Almunia

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Sagna

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Toure

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Silvestre----Gibbs

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Arshavin----Diaby

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Song

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Vela

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Bendtner

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Eduardo

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I doubt the team will end up looking anything like that. A few players will be rested for the Champions League so that's why I don't have Adebayor, Walcott, Nasri, Fabregas.

Almunia not 100% fit but I've got him back him to get some match practice, not gonna risk Djourou. Suppose Eboue could play instead of Sagna if he's still not 100%, would prefer Sagna to get match more practice though. Song's on a good run of form, no point resting him.

I doubt it'll happen but I've got Eduardo up front as I really want to see him play in midweek and he needs match practice too. Since his 'comeback' over 2 months ago he's only managed 3 games, very disappointing.

Royale with Cheese

Double post. Nooooooo.

DenMan

I see Fabianski starting tomorrow and Manuel back for the Utd game on Wed night. I also predict big things from Rosicky next season as he will be back to his very best. Wenger has faith in him and that's all we need to know. Come on Tomas, we believe in you.

itsjaybud

Im hoping Djourou would be okay to start the game tomorrow and give Toure a rest before the Utd game.

Complete disaster if Toure picks up an injury imo.

tony1kenobi

DenMan wrote: »

I also predict big things from Rosicky next season as he will be back to his very best.

This is what I have been saying all along. Rosicky and Arshavin?

Stick your defensive midfielder up your hole....We'd score 26 goals every game.

yahoo_moe

yahoo_moe wrote: »

Not the agent

the agent seems a good sort though. agents are ruthless enough to drop clients that have bad injuries too. as well as that he seems to be on the same wavelength as AW. no i think rosicky is a good pro alright to be fair to him.

Quazzie

Good ould Jamie Redknapp is gone off on another anti-Arsenal rant at the half time analysis. At least he is consistent in being and anti-gunner/pro spurs daddy wanker.

How do sky let him get away with such bias against Arsenal. Andy Gray who would much ather see both Everton or Aston Villa (both teams he played for) qualify for the Champions League ahead of Arsenal is nearly as bad. It was funny and entertaining at the start but lately its really pissing me off.

Frisbee

Quazzie wrote: »

Good ould Jamie Redknapp is gone off on another anti-Arsenal rant at the half time analysis. At least he is consistent in being and anti-gunner/pro spurs daddy wanker.

How do sky let him get away with such bias against Arsenal. Andy Gray who would much ather see both Everton or Aston Villa (both teams he played for) qualify for the Champions League ahead of Arsenal is nearly as bad. It was funny and entertaining at the start but lately its really pissing me off.

100% in agreement.
It's getting to the stage that I turn off the analysis if either of them are on

greendom

Quazzie wrote: »

Good ould Jamie Redknapp is gone off on another anti-Arsenal rant at the half time analysis. At least he is consistent in being and anti-gunner/pro spurs daddy wanker.

How do sky let him get away with such bias against Arsenal. Andy Gray who would much ather see both Everton or Aston Villa (both teams he played for) qualify for the Champions League ahead of Arsenal is nearly as bad. It was funny and entertaining at the start but lately its really pissing me off.

What was he saying, specifically ?

Quazzie

I'm watching it upstairs so I don't have sky+ to go back and quote but he was talking about the two refereeing decisions that went in Bendtners favour (the offisde for the first goal, and the possible handball) and instead of debating them, saying that maybe there was a strong case he was stating it as fact. Even Andy Gray was saying that he thought they were harsh against Middlesborough (and probably they were) but it was just the way Redknapp went on stating it as fact, not even given any leeway as to why Chris Foy didn't give them.

It doesn't sound bad the way I am saying but I guess you'd just have to see it.

Typical as I am typing this he is praising Arsenal. Bah!

Anyways. Good win today. Nice to see Fab scoring again, with some really fluent, dare I say sexy football.

That_Guy

You did us a massive favour today. Cheers.

Royale with Cheese

Seriously, where's Eduardo?

Without 2 of the first choice back 4, and a decent strike partner for Adebayor, I don't really hold any hope of getting past Man Utd.

Beau x1

Yeah I don't get that either, there was so much hype about him coming back from his injury and now that he's back to full fitness we don't even see him on the pitch.

itsjaybud

Quazzie wrote: »

Good ould Jamie Redknapp is gone off on another anti-Arsenal rant at the half time analysis. At least he is consistent in being and anti-gunner/pro spurs daddy wanker.

How do sky let him get away with such bias against Arsenal. Andy Gray who would much ather see both Everton or Aston Villa (both teams he played for) qualify for the Champions League ahead of Arsenal is nearly as bad. It was funny and entertaining at the start but lately its really pissing me off.

+1 they were extra hard to listen to today and i nearly got sick when Gray called Redknapp "Jay" ffs they turn my stomach a times. Redknapp just said there at half time in Blackburn game ashley young for young player of the year and giggs for player of the year! Thats complete and utter sh*** imo.

Good win today sum very fluent passing and movement and nice to see Fabregas bagging a few.

Looking forward to utd game and will try and keep positive, hopefully it doesnt go like the FA Cup semi final with Adebayor up top with no support and completly ineffective.

Royale with Cheese

itsjaybud wrote: »

Redknapp just said there at half time in Blackburn game ashley young for young player of the year and giggs for player of the year!

That was hilarious because he's obviously read like the rest of us that these are the two being heavily tipped to win the awards due to betting patterns/insider info.

Redknapp says it like it's just a hunch he has, he 'has a feeling' it'll be Giggs & Young, moron. Does he all think we're as stupid as he is?

Pepe LeFrits

Worrying selection again from Arsene. Nasri playing behind Fabregas at times, instead of the other way around...

We'll get murdered if he does that against Man United. Fabregas has to play from a deep position if we're to have any chance.

tony1kenobi

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Redknapp says it like it's just a hunch he has, he 'has a feeling' it'll be Giggs & Young, moron. Does he all think we're as stupid as he is?

I'd still put in his wifes back doors.......

yahoo_moe

itsjaybud wrote: »

hopefully it doesnt go like the FA Cup semi final with Adebayor up top with no support and completly ineffective.

Looks like it might unfortunately - certainly I don't see Cesc playing in a regular CM position for the first leg as he's yet to really play there since he came back. From what I saw of today (first 25 minutes), he was dropping deeper than he has done so far but still not enough to really get the benefit of his passing from deep.

It's fine against Boro or City at home when we've loads of the ball and it's constantly getting up to where he can make a difference but against teams like Utd and Chelsea, he has to be the one getting it up there or we'll be rightly screwed.

Galvasean

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Seriously, where's Eduardo?

Its weird how he hasnt gotten so much as a run-out lately while Bender is getting full games.

gosplan

I think Eduardo was just rested today.

And I'm being totally optimistic about the selection on Wednesday.

Walcott -Song-Fabregas-Nasri
Adebayor - Eduardo

I mean seriously - fcuk this 4-5-1 European stuff for the moment. If Eduardo's fit, just play two up top and score some nice away goals!

This is a premiership game(if you know what I mean), we're playing against a defence that's conceding quite a few goals at the moment and we need to test them. 4-5-1 is pointless without someone like Arshavin, Hleb etc in the hole and it's really pointless if it forces us to play Denilson - Song - Fabregas.

Royale with Cheese

I can't see Eduardo just being rested. He's played 3 games in the past 15 months. If he was to feature in midweek he would have got a runout at the very least.

eZe^

How good is this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5QLRid8DLw

What a player.

tony1kenobi

I just watched MOTD2...Keown and Dixon...Arsenal in their blood and their analysis of the game was completely impartial...just a moment at the end where Chiles allowed them to indulge in their team.

That is the difference between Arsenal and Spuds/Scouse...(Redknapp)

The others are relying on history and bolshy sh1te talk where our boys can sit back and do their job knowing their home team will do the business or at least entertain....and if they don't the boys will tell it like it is.

BBC= The Times

SkySports= The Sun.

Sútalún

eZe^ wrote:

What a player.

Favourite player ever without doubt. Wish we'd kept him.

L'prof

This season v previous seasons:

P   W   D   L   F   A  GD Pts
2008-2009:  34  18  11   5  60  32  28  65
2007-2008:  34  20  11   3  64  29  35  71 ( 3rd)
2006-2007:  34  18   8   8  57  31  26  62 ( 4th)
2005-2006:  34  17   6  11  57  27  30  57 ( 4th)
2004-2005:  34  22   8   4  74  33  41  74 ( 2nd)
2003-2004:  34  24  10   0  69  24  45  82 ( 1st)
2002-2003:  34  21   8   5  71  36  35  71 ( 2nd)
2001-2002:  34  22   9   3  70  33  37  75 ( 1st)
2000-2001:  34  18   9   7  57  33  24  63 ( 2nd)
1999-2000:  34  20   6   8  64  34  30  66 ( 2nd)
1998-1999:  34  19  12   3  54  15  39  69 ( 2nd)
1997-1998:  34  21   9   4  63  28  35  72 ( 1st)
1996-1997:  34  18   9   7  57  28  29  63 ( 3rd)
1995-1996:  34  16   9   9  46  30  16  57 ( 5th)

Rolling season:

P   W   D   L   F   A  GD Pts
2008-2009:  38  22  11   5  70  34  36  77

Current run:

P   W   D   L   F   A  GD Pts
2008-2009:  20  11   9   0  35  14  21  42

Great to finally beat Southgate!!!

yahoo_moe

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

I can't see Eduardo just being rested. He's played 3 games in the past 15 months. If he was to feature in midweek he would have got a runout at the very least.

Yeah, it's looking pretty unlikely that he'll be involved this week. Then again, with Van Persie out for both legs, maybe Arsene's trying to hold him back so he's definitely around for the second leg.

On the plus side, if he does get a game in either leg, at least we know he doesn't need a run of games to start scoring again

itsjaybud

Is RVP out for the both legs??:( Im hoping injury news got it right when they updated it last thursday and that he has a chance for the home leg!

I cant see Eduardo starting or even coming on tbh, its hard to look past anything other than a 4-5-1 formation.

I would love to see Eduardo up top alongside Adebayor but i think we'll have to forget about this one for maybe another week or so.

Would be quite happy to see the following;

Walcott---Song---Fabregas---Diaby

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Nasri

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Adebayor

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Think Diaby would have no problem tracking back and giving Gibbs some protection and we all know hes very decent going forward.

tony1kenobi

itsjaybud wrote: »

Is RVP out for the both legs??

Just the sore leg.

yahoo_moe

itsjaybud wrote: »

Would be quite happy to see the following;

Walcott---Song---Fabregas---Diaby

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Nasri

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Adebayor

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Think Diaby would have no problem tracking back and giving Gibbs some protection and we all know hes very decent going forward.

Diaby left side is horrible though. If it's that front 6 (and I don't think it will be), I'd rather Nasri left side and Diaby in the hole I think. But I think it'll be Cesc off the front again, Nasri left side and then Song + either Denilson or Diaby.

Right. I've been a very cagey fan all this season. The word "Transitional" comes to mind when I think about this season.

But, I think we'll surprise a lot of people on Wednesday.

3-0 to Arsenal.

Clean sheet due to no fabianski.

Going to stick a tenner on it.

gosplan

Papa S wrote: »

Right. I've been a very cagey fan all this season. The word "Transitional" comes to mind when I think about this season.

But, I think we'll surprise a lot of people on Wednesday.

3-0 to Arsenal.

Clean sheet due to no fabianski.

Going to stick a tenner on it.

Not sure abbout the 3-0 but I think we'll do very well. It's been a while since Man U had a good game. Spurs collapsed on the weekend like a team with nothing to play for but when they were trying, they caused Utd huge problems.

All that said, I'd be more confidant about the scoreline if we had a full defence.

4-1 so

Frisbee

I'll be more than happy with a score draw, or even a narrow scored defeat.

Im gonna say 2-1 to United

FearDark

Interview with Silvestre on going back to Old Trafford.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8021211.stm

Im getting a feeling we are going to win tomorrow night, possibly 2-1 or 3-2.

itsjaybud

yahoo_moe wrote: »

Diaby left side is horrible though. If it's that front 6 (and I don't think it will be), I'd rather Nasri left side and Diaby in the hole I think. But I think it'll be Cesc off the front again, Nasri left side and then Song + either Denilson or Diaby.

I dont think it will be the front six either but i would be fairly happy if it was tbh. Its a pretty realistic line-up instead of sticking in Eduardo when we know theres not a hope he will start if even feature.

Diaby on the left for me is something i would be pretty comfortable with and he could maybe produce something similar to what he done away to Villa albeit that was from the right!

Diaby starting there and interchanging with Nasri is also possible but I would agree and will be completly shocked if Wenger doesnt go with

Walcott---Song---Denilson---Nasri

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Cesc

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Ade

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edit: il give my prediction : 2-2
would settle for 2-1 aswell, but hopefully score a few!!

gosplan

So what think we of Brede Hangeland?

The noise about him leaving Fulham has steadily increased. He's still only 27 and wouldn't cost too much.

IMO, he'd be the prefect defensive signing. Toure, Gallas, Hangeland and Djourou - 4 players for two positions, 2 stoppers and 2 ball playing centre backs. We know he can do a decent job in the premiership even against the best teams. There's no settling in period, he already lives in London.

With his defensive performances (and ours) this year, I'm sure he wouldn't see himself as third choice defender and would be confidant that he could compete for a starting place.

Couldn't see him complaining too much about our wage structure. It'd only take a tiny amount from our transfer budget and would surely be covered by selling any of our attacking players, one of whom I'm sure will go in the summer.

Personally, I'd much rather sign a competent premiership defender than someone from abroad. We need to hit the ground running at the start of the season with a squad of players who can go straight into the starting 11. IMO, picking from the non-big four defenders (as you won't get anyone else), one has got to go for either Hangeland or Laursen. There are doubts over whether Laursen will ever play again so that rules him out.

This is obviously all conjecture but at his age, his next contract will be the defining one of his career and the guy clearly would want a move to a bigger club. Liverpool, Utd and Chelsea are all OK for CB's so you'd imagine if we came in with a decent offer, he couldn't resist.

gosplan

gosplan wrote: »

IMO, he'd be the prefect defensive signing.

Ha, just re-read this. Obviously 'perfect' might be stretching it a bit but you know what I mean.

eZe^

See you in a few games lads. We need to beat you again to prove that the last time wasn't a 'fluke'....

itsjaybud

Wenger has instilled plenty of confidence through out the club!

Even the fixtures guy at Arsenal.com is showing it compared to his counterpart at manutd.com!!!

I prefer the look of Arsenals May fixtures towards Uniteds!:)

we're one nil up already!!!

L'prof

eZe^ wrote: »

See you in a few games lads. We need to beat you again to prove that the last time wasn't a 'fluke'....

Last time we outclassed ye and were let down by dodgey goalkeeping. If we both get there this year, I hope the opposite happens and we walk away with the cup

eZe^

jasonorr wrote: »

Last time we outclassed ye and were let down by dodgey goalkeeping. If we both get there this year, I hope the opposite happens and we walk away with the cup

Outclassed us? Sigh, Eto'os goal was wrongly disallowed anyway, we should have won 3-1 with your keeper sent off.

L'prof

eZe^ wrote: »

Outclassed us? Sigh, Eto'os goal was wrongly disallowed anyway, we should have won 3-1 with your keeper sent off.

Right...should have, would have...ye had a couple of good chances, but apart from Almunia throwing the match away, we had the better of the game even when we were down to 10 men...we squandered everything, but always looked dangerous!

EDIT: That's how I remember it anyway, of course I could be wrong...maybe!

Pepe LeFrits

Nope, Eto'os goal should have stood but Lehmann should have only been booked. Still, water under the bridge now.

I hope Arsene gets the selection right tomorrow. If we have a Denilson-Song CM pairing I think we'll get battered in midfield.

L'prof

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

I hope Arsene gets the selection right tomorrow. If we have a Denilson-Song CM pairing I think we'll get battered in midfield.

Song on the bench for me, but knowing Wenger lately he'll talk up the attacking game we're going to play and start with Song and Denilson!

Pepe LeFrits

You'd have Denilson play instead of Song?

Galvasean

I'm gonna back Song to score. Not sure why, just seems like a decent bet.

Frisbee

Galvasean wrote: »

I'm gonna back Song to score. Not sure why, just seems like a decent bet.

I already have, 13/1 anytime scorer

Royale with Cheese

Good to see Hleb hasn't lost his goalscoring touch.

OPENROAD

Fever Pitch just starting on Film 4+1. Always worth a watch.

L'prof

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

You'd have Denilson play instead of Song?

Definitely! Song is far too slow, which isn't a great quality in a defensive player. I like Song, but I hate nothing more than starting with both of them, it's far too negative!

DvB

I have a horrible feeling about this game, a feeling i havent had since before MU ended Arsenals 49 game unbeaten back run in 2004 at OT, back then of course it ended up pretty much as i had been nervously expecting beforehand, ie that they'd win by a couple of goals with the odd questionable decision going their way thrown into the mix. Despite this being a great chance to get one over them i have a horrible feeling they'll win by 2-0 (or god forbid more than that) due to our own errors/poor defending leaving us with an insurmountable task for the second leg, obviously i hope i'm wrong but cant shift this bloody feeling of dread!!

My heart says Arsenal can win this & go on & win the thing outright but my head is telling me we'll fook it up like we did in the FAC.