Saturdays early Kick-Off comes just a few days after Dortmund snatched a late equaliser in Germany. Arsenal defended brilliantly and took the lead through a ferocious chocolate-leg finish from van Persie after a great through ball from the oft-criticised Theo. The equaliser was justified after a tenacious performance from a classy Dortmund team, but it took a wonder-strike in the closing minutes to deny the mighty Arsenal a great away win. Confidence is on the up, Arteta looks sharp, both Song and Gervinho will be back, and Chesney is in inspired form. Theo has looked a little wayward in the last couple of games, and Gibbs seems out of sorts. Players missing: Wilshere, Vermaelen, Diaby, Squillaci, Ramsey, Rosicky I will update the missing players and likely team based on Wenger's Pre-Match Press Conference. Most likely team: .....................Chesney Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs .......................Song .............Benayoun Arteta Theo.................RvP.........Gervinho Bench: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Djourou, Frimpong, Oxo, Park, Chamakh How are you feeling about the game fellow Gooners? Blackburn away are a physical team and they could really put Arsenal under the cosh. The team seems more physical themselves this season however, and better drilled defensively. My most super-bold of predictions: Blackburn 0-2 Arsenal
The real test of whether we can shake off the start of the season. It starts here. And tbh, Gibbs always seems out of sorts.
Who would you leave off? Jenkinson can play Right or Left. You need a CB, and a Keeper. MF Depth is very lacking so Oxo and Frimpong have to be on there. Chamakh will be on the bench - only Park is a possible exception. I personally think Jenkinson is more likely to be on the bench for his versatility, but then Santos got the nod in mid-week so perhaps not?
Depends how goo dhe is. I think you spend 6m on a fullback you may as well use him. My friend is a proper geek and he maintains he fell out of favour for Fenerbache and they were stunned we offered what we did. Personally I think he'll be a good acquisition but maybe at the moment it's a case of lack of match fitness. If healthy I'd add him at the expense of Jenkinson or Park.
Couldn't be a better time to go to the NW to be honest. Blackburn look a poor side getting poorer, I nicked some 4/1 they get relegated before the start of the season and they could be odds on inside a couple of weeks. We are unlikely to go there and demolish them like previous Arsenal teams but I'll take us to sneak a 2-1 win
Hope Arteta does not let Walcott anywhere near the free kicks, he fancies himself as a bit of an Henry with them but never scores and generally they are weak attempts. Arteta or RVP are the only men for free kicks or Tommy V when fit for belting them. RVP should not be taking corners either, he should be in the box as he's good in the air and thats where a top striker like him should be. Arteta can take both sided corners for me.
I heard the tag must win many times for Arsenal but it rarely seems to work out that way for us sadly in recent years. That said I agree with you, we have to be beating Blackburn who are in as bad a patch as us, we need to go for it big time.
Hopefully mertesacker will show why we need that height and strength against Bburn maybe even beat them using set pieces
Now, now AJ. You don't think we would be fielding an under-strength team just because we're preparing for the journey to Salopia, do you? I think that if we get an early and clear lead, we should play RvP in a free role. Perhaps even start that way. Always worth a try. I'm sure RvP will want to prove a point.
i do not think the arsenal are coming salopia way, i thought the shrews were visiting the emirates, where an interesting game will take place. i wish arsenal good luck at blackburn but are they up for a win? i think the arsenal need torres asap
No doubt that drunken lout of a husband of mine will arrive home stinking of beer on Saturday afternoon
