Arsenal vs. AZ Alkmaar

Frisbee

A win here would see us progress and I really hope we can get it, was very disappointing to see us concede that late goal in the last game. I'd expect:

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Almunia

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Sagna

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Vermaelen

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Gallas

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Gibbs

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Fab

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Song

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Diaby

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Rosicky

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Arshavin

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RVP

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I'd prefer Rosicky to start in the middle ahead of Diaby and Nasri to play left wing, or even vice versa on Rosicky/Nasri, doubt they'll both start though.

cson

Group H Table PTS
Arsenal 7
Olympiakos 6
AZ Alkmaar 2
Standard Liege 1

Thats how its stands, Arsenal can qualify tonight if they beat AZ and Olympiakos beat Standard Liege. Even if Standard win you can't see Arsenal taking 0 from their last two games. Im going to say that an Arsenal win tonight will see them through.

FORM GUIDE

Arsenal

31 Oct (Premier League) v Tottenham Hotspur (H) WON 3-0
28 Oct (League Cup) v Liverpool (H) WON 2-1
25 Oct (Premier League) v West Ham United (A) DREW 2-2
20 Oct (Champions League) v AZ Alkmaar (A) DREW 1-1
17 Oct (Premier League) v Birmingham City (H) WON 3-1
04 Oct (Premier League) v Blackburn Rovers (H) WON 6-2

AZ

31 Oct (Eredivisie) v Groningen (A) WON 1-0
28 Oct (Dutch Cup) v Spakenburg (H) WON 5-2 (aet)
25 Oct (Eredivisie) v Ajax (H) LOST 2-4
20 Oct (Champions League) v Arsenal (H) DREW 1-1
17 Oct (Eredivisie) v Twente (A) LOST 2-3
03 Oct (Eredivisie) v Breda (H) WON 1-0

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Wenger's injury problems show no sign of abating, French left-back Gael Clichy being ruled out for several weeks with a stress fracture of the back. Clichy missed the last two months of last season with a back injury; Brazilian midfielder Denilson has been sidelined since mid-September with a similar problem and is unlikely to return before the end of November.

Nicklas Bendtner limped off shortly before half-time against Spurs at the weekend, Wenger diagnosing a serious groin injury that could keep the Dane out for up to four weeks.

Meanwhile Johan Djourou is a long-term casualty, recovering from knee surgery, and Theo Walcott is out with a knee problem of his own. Lukasz Fabianski (thigh) is unavailable, while Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Carlos Vela (knee) have been sidelined recently.

On the positive side, Tomas Rosicky is back in the squad after knee trouble, though he is not expected to start against AZ. England prospect Kieran Gibbs will replace Clichy, with Armand Traore providing cover in that position.

Starting XI v AZ on Matchday 3: Mannone, Diaby, Sagna, Fabregas, Vermaelen, Gallas, Van Persie (Vela 74), Song, Clichy, Arshavin, Eboue (Ramsey 83).

AZ

Mounir El Hamdaoui misses this week's trip to London with a muscle tear and is also doubtful for the home game against Olympiakos on 24 November, though he should be fit again for AZ's final Group H match away to Standard Liege on 9 December.

However, Koeman should otherwise have a full squad from which to select.

Starting XI v Arsenal on Matchday 3: Romero, Jaliens, Moreno, Mendes da Silva, Schaars, El Hamdaoui, Martens (Lens 69), S. Poulsen, Dembele, Moisander (Wernbloom 84), Holman (Pelle 73).


2-0 to the Arsenal thank you kindly.

cson

Snap with the match thread

Rosicky won't start I'd say Frisbee, if he does he'll only get an hour. I'd say it'll be Nasri on the left.

Frisbee

cson wrote: »

Snap with the match thread

Rosicky won't start I'd say Frisbee, if he does he'll only get an hour. I'd say it'll be Nasri on the left.

True. It's six of one. Both are fairly similair, I'd prefer Rosicky in there though. And definitely would prefer one of them in the middle instead of Diaby

leninbenjamin

perhaps I'm being pessimistic, but I think it'll be Eboué again on the right. I think Wenger will want them (Nasri and Rosicky) to have more game time before putting them in for an important Champions League match.

Frisbee

leninbenjamin wrote: »

perhaps I'm being pessimistic, but I think it'll be Eboué again on the right.

I was thinking this might be an option as well, wishful thinking had me put Rosicky in though...

Evil_Clown

All guesses I suppose but i think this may be the way we line up tonight:

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Almunia

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Sagna

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Vermaelen

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Gallas

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Gibbs

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Fab

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Song

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Diaby

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Arshavin

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Eduardo

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RVP

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I would expect Rosicky and Nasri top make an appearance at some stage

cson

I'd be surprised to see Eduardo on the left tbh. As mentioned above its likely it'll be Eboue with the other two only just coming back from injury. Although I can't help but hope one of them starts instead of Diaby.

RedivideR

agreed, i dont think he will start with eddie, shava and rvp. that would be seriously attacking, and we aren't exactly under a huge amount of pressure to score loads of goals. would like to see rosicky or nasri start but based on past decisions i reckon it will be eboue.

ErinGoBrath

I'm expecting a massive performance from the Arsenal tonight. 3-0 to the Arsenal please!

Galvasean

I read today that Wenger was opting for Eboue over Sagna. Either way I'm expecting a cosy win for arsenal, nettng 3 or 4 in the process. I can't see them making the same mistakeas last time, especially not at home.

Corcs001

Yeah I'm hoping for at least 2 or 3 nil anyways. I think a clean sheet is important and I'd say we'll get one at home.

Redzer7

Have a feeling that the right Diaby is going to show up and do the biz tonight . Eboue starting at right back.

Frisbee

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Almunia

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Eboue

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Vermaelen

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Gallas

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Gibbs

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Fab

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Song

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Diaby

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Nasri

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Arshavin

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RVP

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cson

Woo, Nasri

Redzer7

I'ts on Setanta Ireland for those who haven't got Sky Sports.

Frisbee

Redzer7 wrote: »

I'ts on Setanta Ireland for those who haven't got Sky Sports.

Before the game I had a brief scare they were gonna show Rangers :pac:

Frisbee

Anyone catch the subs?

Redzer7

Frisbee wrote: »

Before the game I had a brief scare they were gonna show Rangers :pac:

:pac: My heart stopped when I seen that.

Frisbee

Atrocious goalkeeping

Arsenal 1-0

Fab

Gillington

Keeper was poor alright...

Royale with Cheese

Bleedin hell. Fabregas can't stop scoring.

Redzer7

Cesc Fabregas 1 nil.

Corcs001

What was the keeper at? Diaby's started off alright! Is it just me or does Arshavin look disinterested lately?

Royale with Cheese

Defence still looks shit when AZ get forward. They keep backing off.

Redzer7

Arshavin looks off the pace alright.

Corcs001

Great goal 2-0. Nice to have Nasri back!

Frisbee

He's Baaaaaaaaaaaack

Arshavin's first real contribution of the match, I'll take it :pac:

hudsonriver

nasri with a sweet goal!

TanG411

Lost his marker very well Nasri.

Great goal

Redzer7

I LOVE NASRI

Royale with Cheese

Who was Cesc shouting at after he scored?

Frisbee

Pat Dolan doesn't believe in Santa Claus...

OPENROAD

Arsenal playing some absolutely lovely football.

Frisbee

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Who was Cesc shouting at after he scored?

Not sure, think it was Nasri

If so, it worked

Evil_Clown

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Who was Cesc shouting at after he scored?

I was worried it was Gallas for a second but I think it was that AZ player that has been man marking him (badly):P

Royale with Cheese

I'm pretty sure he said Fuck you to whoever it was, so hope it wasn't an Arsenal player.

It was Mendes da Silva. Nice one Cesc.

Frisbee

Yeah replay just showed it was your man de silva

Corcs001

I thought it was Nasri...hope I'm wrong!

Edit: And I am!

greendom

Delighted for Nasri. Fantastic to have a player of his quality available again.

ErinGoBrath

Redzer7 wrote: »

I LOVE NASRI

But not Saturday week.

Royale with Cheese

Cesc again. This is getting ridiculous now.

Frisbee

Cesc.... have my children

Mossy Monk

Sexy football

Redzer7

I LOVE CESC

Corcs001

Great finish by Cesc. Just keeps getting better.

Frisbee

Great save Al!

Very poor defending though

Redzer7

Good save.

Frisbee

Please Arsene:

RVP -> Eduardo
Nasri -> Rosicky

Give Fab till 75 and if he hasn't got his hat trick by then:

Fab -> Ramsey

Redzer7

Nice to see Diaby heading the ball with his eyes open this time , close there from Gibbs.

Royale with Cheese

Arshavin has still be relatively quiet but can't complain about his 3 assists.

Would like to see Eduardo get a goal here.