Sunderland (The Stadium of Light)
Premier League
Saturday 21st November 2009
Kick Off: 3pm

After the boring International break, we can finally concentrate on the Premier League again. It seems like forever since we played a league game (even longer with the Henry-witch hunt) but thankfully we can get back to watching Arsenal in Premiership action.

Unfortunately, Wenger’s declaration that injuries are the reason for our poor form in November only 10 days ago was followed with the ankle injury to Robin Van Persie in an International friendly against Italy. The Dutch striker looks to be out for around 6 weeks which means he will miss some vital games over the winter period. I’ve said many times on this blog how excellent he has been and the way he has adapted his game this season and the way he has improved his team play has been exceptional. Along with Vermaelen, Fabregas and Song, he has been one of our most important players so far this year.

On top of the injury to Van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner is also out and would have been the first-choice replacement to lead the line. Theo Walcott is also injured, and with Diaby, Djourou, Clichy and Gibbs all missing today’s game against Sunderland is going to be a massive text.

The International break has been notorious for causing problems for us, and we usually see a poor performance from Arsenal following the disruption to our league campaign.

So this is the biggest game of the season so far.

Because with our injury worries and usual form after the International break, if we manage to get all 3 points then it will be huge. It will answer the questions regarding the strength of the squad, and also give the team a confidence boost and could be the catalyst for greater things.

This Arsenal team relies on momentum and we have been in fine form recently. We are unbeaten in 13 games now (after the double disaster in Manchester) and you sense that a good run of form is essential to any title aspirations we might have.

But another reason why this is such a massive test is because this season, Sunderland have become a formidable outfit.

Steve Bruce has assembled a side which has the ability to take on any team, partly because of the form of new signing Darren Bent. Their home form is excellent, with Chelsea being the only team to win at The Stadium of Light this season. They also have a knack for performing against the bigger sides as well this year, with an impressive win over Liverpool (in a game they dominated) and a draw at Old Trafford, in a game most thought they were very unfortunate not to win.

It has to be mentioned that their form of late has been patchy (with 2 defeats and a draw in their last 3 games) but the fact is the vast majority of Sunderland’s squad have had the best part of 2 weeks to rest and prepare for this game while most of our squad has been scattered across the globe. And a 2 week break could be just what Sunderland need to end their poor run of late.

So Sunderland are going to ask a hell of a lot of questions of Arsenal this afternoon and it’s up to us to step up and grab all 3 points. I believe this game is so big for our season, that I couldn’t care less if we played absolutely crap and scored a scrappy own goal. 3 points is what matters today.

Another problem we are facing is the prospect of starting with Eduardo and Vela upfront together for the first time this season. Arshavin is still doubtful after his excursions for Russia midweek so it’s hugely important they both hit it off if they do partner each other. Form is partly dependant on regular team selections so this is another obstacle Arsenal need to overcome.

Today’s match is going to be such a tough encounter for so many reasons, so if Arsenal can take all 3 points with a smash-and-grab performance then I will be more than happy.

With the league being more open than ever before, we have to make days like today count.

Liverpool (The Emirates Stadium, London)
Champions League Quarter Final, 1st Leg
Wednesday 2nd April 2008
Kick Off: 7.45pm – Live On Sky Sports 2

Well here we are, the three matches against Liverpool in the space of only seven days, and the first of which is the 1st leg of the Champions League Quarter Final.

Arsenal yet again play the first leg at home, which most people would think is a disadvantage. Personally I don’t think it makes a difference although the second leg is at the fortress that is Anfield. If Arsenal can win tomorrow and not conceded then that is a big advantage.

The early squad news is that Hleb and Gilberto come back after being doubts, but Rosicky, Sagna and Eduardo are obviously still missing. So that means Senderos will play in alongside Gallas with Toure on the right, or Wenger might opt to use Eboue in the right back position. Arsene has shown he likes to play Eboue in the big games so we’ll have to wait and see.

Everyone knows how Liverpool will be tomorrow.

They will defend and try to nick a goal.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal overcame a Milan side but it has to be said Liverpool were very fortunate with both sendings off in both the 1st and 2nd legs. Despite that though Liverpool are a very dangerous side in knockout competitions. I guess you’ve heard it all before – they are excellent in the cups, Rafa is a genius in Europe, and they’ve reached two finals in 3 seasons.

But everyone said the exact same thing about AC Milan as well.

And Liverpool’s threat is an obvious one, coming from Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. If we can keep those two players quiet then we have a decent chance of progressing. The other danger we have to be wary of is from set-pieces, whether it’s a Steven Gerrard thunderbolt or a header from one of Liverpool’s central defenders.

But they also have weaknesses we need to exploit.

Like Chelsea of late, they seem to be less than confident from crosses, corners and set-pieces. Pepe Reina is a decent shot-stopper but against Manchester United he really struggled from balls into the area and Wes Brown and Cristiano Ronaldo scored goals from crosses.

Luckily Toure, Gallas and Senderos (if he plays) can cause a threat from these situations with quality distribution from Cesc Fabregas.

A man who I would like to start tomorrow night (ahead of Diaby and Eboue) would be Theo Walcott. He looked lively against Bolton and has made an impression virtually every time he has played. He also scored a double against Birmingham and with his raw pace will cause Liverpool all kinds of problems. He also provides some natural width to the team which has been lacking – as Hleb and Diaby tend to come inside. Plus Theo just deserves to start ahead of Eboue who hasn’t been performing for a while now.

I just think that with Hleb on the left and Walcott on the right Arsenal would cause more of a threat in the attacking third. We know Liverpool will make the game as tight as possible and try to get us on the break so mixing it up a little with some crosses from wide positions could help us break the deadlock.

Apart from that, the team picks itself.

GK: Manuel Almunia
RB: Kolo Toure
CB: Philippe Senderos
CB: William Gallas (captain)
LB: Gael Clichy
RM: Emmanuel Eboue
CM: Cesc Fabregas
CM: Mathieu Flamini
LM: Alexander Hleb
FW: Robin Van Persie
FW: Emmanuel Adebayor

For some reason I just think Arsene will start with Eboue on the right. Maybe because of his apparent defensive cover but with Liverpool I would be suprised if their fullbacks cross the half-way line. Hopefully Walcott can start but we’ll have to wait until tomorrow evening.

The only other thing that might be different would be the formation. The personel would be the same but possibly Van Persie might drop deep and play on the left while Hleb would be put down the middle just behind Adebayor.

Predictions?

I hate making predictions before big games. I believe we can score (we are capable of scoring against anyone) tomorrow but if we do is another question. We failed to score against AC Milan in the first leg of the last round but we kept a clean sheet which was important. And however negative Liverpool will be they always have a threat from somewhere. You don’t reach two finals in three years without being ruthless.

You would struggle to remember any matches Liverpool played en route to the two finals they have appeared in and that’s the point. They’re not here to play attractive football, they’re here to win football matches. They get the job done.

Luckily Arsenal are probably still on a high from that stunning comeback against Bolton Wanderers so their confidence will be sky high.

Finally, did anyone catch the BBC: Inside Sport Interview with Arsene Wenger last night?

I’ve read and own most of the books available on Arsene Wenger and I think every Arsenal fan knows what he has done for Arsenal Football Club and football in general in this country. Even though he didn’t say anything I haven’t already heard or read before it was still nice to listen to the genius that is Arsene Wenger. When things aren’t going right for Arsenal it’s sometimes easy to forget exactly what Arsene has done for the club.

AC Milan (The Emirates Stadium, London)
Champions League 2nd Round, 1st Leg
Wednesday 20th February 2008
Kick Off: 7.45pm – Live On Sky Sports 2

Well I’m still in shock over Saturday’s game against Manchester United in the FA Cup. For a competition we really valued in years gone by has now been reduced to something Arsenal obviously care little about. In the Vieira/Bergkamp/Henry/Campbell days we would be favourites to be there or there abouts come Cup Final day. Maybe we’d have a better chance of progressing if the final was in Wales instead of London.

Last year we let Blackburn beat us and this season we gave United exactly what they wanted.

Talk about giving your rivals a boost.

We can go on and on about how many injuries we have but there really is no excuse for a performance like that.

On the plus side however, it looks like Clichy, Sagna, Adebayor and Flamini are available for tomorrow’s game so that is great news. The return of Clichy and Sagna is especially positive, as they have been exceptional this season and give Arsenal that something extra in the final third with their tireless running. Another thing is that every single time they have been on the pitch they have shown great desire and passion, something which couldn’t be said about a few of the regulars on Saturday afternoon.

AC Milan are struggling with injury problems of their own, with Ronaldo suffering a ruptured tendon in his knee which looks like will be career threatening. He has had his ups and downs in but there’s no doubt he was one of the best players to grace the game, and hopefully this won’t be how his footballing career ends. Milan are also having goalkeeping problems, with Zeljko Kalac dislocating a finger and Dida picking up a freak injury from sitting on the bench. Never short of controversy stupidity is he?

Meanwhile Clarence Seedorf thinks that Milan will be too strong for Arsenal. Milan’s domestic league record isn’t the best in recent years but in the Champions League they are a completely different beast. In Europe they are simply sensational, and Arsenal will find it tough tomorrow night because it seems like the Champions League is the only competition Milan actually take seriously.

Milan are like Liverpool – impressive in Europe but when it comes to the domestic league they’re fighting for the final Champions League position and Inter on the other hand are like Arsenal, top of the league and but have disappointed in Europe for a club of their stature.

Tonight’s game between Liverpool and Inter will be interesting to watch. Liverpool, like Milan are tactically astute (in Europe anyway) with Inter have a lot of attacking talent and the ability to score goals from all over the pitch. Arsenal and Inter are also top scorers in their leagues, and have similar goal differences (Inter +35 and Arsenal +36).

Depending what happens tonight at Anfield tonight, maybe Arsenal could learn something.

Manchester United (Old Trafford, Manchester)
FA Cup 5th Round
Saturday 16th February 2008
Kick Off: 5.15pm – Live On BBC 1

It’s the game we’ve all been waiting for ever since the draw was made.

And while this is a massive game, you wonder if failing to progress into the next round is actually that important when you look at the bigger picture.

Don’t get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to beat the Mancs on their home ground good and proper – but all I’m saying is a defeat is far from disasterous.

Obviously, whoever wins will have bragging rights and will be praised in the media but if I had to chose a game to win and a game to lose, I would take the 3 points in the Premier League fixture over the FA Cup tie every time.

And with Arsenal fighting for the Premier League and the Champions League, that one less fixture could help us push on further. Remember this is hardly the FA Cup Semi-Final here, and if we beat Manchester United we are likely to have to get passed Chelsea and Liverpool to win the cup.

Our form going into the weekend is much better than United’s, but we have seen in the past that form means nothing when these sides meet. At the start of last season United were flying and Arsenal were stuttering at their new home, drawing games at the Emirates and concededing the first goal on more than one occasion – but Arsenal turned up to Old Trafford and won 1-0 thanks to a late Adebayor goal. We also missed a penalty and Lehmann made one of the best saves I have ever seen from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer towards the end.

And talking about Lehmann, the early news is that he could be continuing in goal for Arsenal for the FA Cup game depending on whether Almunia can shake off the bug he’s had all week. Kolo, Eboue and Rosicky may be back too, so that will give Arsene some selection options which he really struggled with against Blackburn.

Usually I would say that the first goal will be massive but even if Arsenal concede first I still believe that we can get back into the game. If Spurs can score against them, and even Darius Vassell then surely Arsenal can cause United problems at the back – especially if Rio ‘Merked’ Ferdinand continues his shocking form from the City game.

I really hope Eduardo and Adebayor start for Arsenal because they will be too tricky and strong for Rio, but Arsene could revert to 5 in midfield which he’s done at Old Trafford in the past.

Predictions?

Well obviously I think Arsenal will win and generally a 1-0 or 2-1 scoreline would be the obvious prediction but throughout this season this young Arsenal side has done nothing but surprise me every time. Who really thought that with 12 games remaining Arsenal would be 5 points clear at the top of the Premier League?

This season I have been taking each game as it comes and Arsenal just keep on performing. And the difference from previous years is that with a fully-fit Gallas Arsenal can actually defend. They can see out games now and Blackburn was a prime example.

United will be under pressure to attack, especially with their recent form but I think Arsenal can do what City did but better and counter-attack with pace, purpose and penetration. If Arsenal can get the breaks they need then I can see us leaving with a 2-0 victory.

Newcastle United (The Emirates Stadium)
FA Cup 4th Round: Saturday 26th January 2008 (3pm)
Premier League: Tuesday 29th January (7.45pm)

After the heavy defeat midweek against Spurs, Arsenal have a chance to progress into the next round of the FA Cup and keep the pressure on Manchester United at the top of the table in the Premier League. The only thing standing in the way?

Newcastle United.

I haven’t actually commented on the return of Kevin Keegan, but whatever has been said I’m not sure it’s the dream ticket all the Geordies have been hoping for. Don’t get me wrong, Keegan is a lovable character – I mean who can forget that rant against Alex Ferguson?

We know King Kev is a man who wears his heart of his sleeve and he has shown in the past that the pressure can get to him. I just think that in today’s game (where the pressure is as intense as ever) with 24 hour sports channels and more media coverage than ever before Keegan might find the strain a bit too much. Remember he’s walked out on football clubs before.

Another problem I think Newcastle have at the moment is what Sam Allardyce left behind.

Newcastle is a club with big potential, and with fantastic fans but am I the only one who thinks the current squad they have is average at best? If you watch Match of the Day you would think that being the Newcastle manager was one of the most coveted positions in world football. I think there needs to be a lot of rebuilding before Newcastle will be where they want to be.

But then again Alan Shearer is the man offering his opinions so you would expect them to be biased wouldn’t you?

One of my friends is a Geordie and when I asked him what his predictions were for the Arsenal v Newcastle double header he was sceptical about the impact of Keegan’s return and thought Arsenal would win both games; 2-1 and 2-0.

Well I would take those results right now.

You can understand the lack of optimism from the Geordies, especially after a stale draw against Bolton last weekend but I think Newcastle will be more of a threat than everyone thinks. Yes, we are at home but no-one is giving Newcastle a chance and that’s when teams are at their most dangerous.

If Arsenal can get their act together after losing midweek and the Adebayor/Bendtner fight then we should be too much for Newcastle and win both games. But you can’t take anything for granted in this Cup or League. Look what happened when we had an off day at St James’ Park – we could have lost that game.

Finally, Arseblogger had a link yesterday to The Sun which claims Adebayor said to Bendtner “I’m only on because you’re sh*t!”.

There’s been some reports of Bendtner being too cocky which has apparently rubbed some of the Arsenal players the wrong way, while others say Adebayor and Bendtner have had a long-running fued. Well whatever it all was hopefully Arsene has sorted it out because Arsenal have come too far this season to just start fighting amongst themselves.