Collision Not Dive

By Boris Mellor
September 11 2009

"What will happen at City, who knows, who can predict? It depends which team turns up, and I don't mean Arsene's team selection. Arsenal always struggle after International weeks, and this time the injury roll is lengthy." That's what I wrote for last year's fixture, it doesn't need a lot of re - writing, and the injury list is a mile long as usual, perhaps not as bad as back in November.

  Back then the Gunners played a back line of Hoyte, Silvestre, Djourou and Clichy. Silvestre was Arsenal Magazine Man of Match! It doesn't come much weaker than that

The rest must have really been poo for Silvestre to be MOM in a 3-0 defeat. Fortunately I can't remember, and no way am I buying the Season Review, that is for masochists.

Denilson, Song and Diaby were the midfield; well it's one way of finding out how much they improved. Nasri, RvP and Bendtner combined to produce a blank.

Arsenal had lost to Villa the week before and won against Chelsea a week after, and then went on a very long unbeaten run. So how will the team react to the defeat by Manchester United? That is very hard to predict, sending the team away for two weeks after a great disappointment must have really helped Wenger to get it all together again.

So back to the injury list - no Arshavin, Nasri, Djourou, Walcott and Vela.  Rosicky and Fabregas played for their national teams, but Wenger is not sure if they are fit enough for competitive football.

Russia has kindly wrecked Arshavin for at least the next 3 games, so Arsenal will not be at their strongest against the supercharged sheiks of Mancunia.

Some fans fear that oil money will push City into the top four, that City will be too slick for Arsenal. However Saturday will be the first big test for City. City are yet to face a real top four club, in normal circumstances I would expect Arsenal to win, but if they get the post international break blues it could be a draw. Even if Arsenal lost, I would still expect them to be in the top four come May.

Vermaelen and Gallas are a classy act, Sagna and Clichy are as good, if not better than most. Indeed at Utd a week ago the defence and midfield stifled the Mancunians for the first two thirds of the match.

When Walcott, Arshavin, Rosicky, Eduardo are all super match fit very few teams will be able to live with them. But they could be a little way off the top if they lose again, so a good result will be important, it will also be very important for City prospects. Its test for both teams.

For Gunners it will be a chance to measure Arsenal against the Arsenal team of last year. Has it really improved, this game could tell us far more than the Man Utd game.

 

Test for City Slickers

Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 11/09/2009 20:43

Arsenal Times
11/09/2009 20:43

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:13:11:42:01 by Padre Pio.

Reply Quote Report

eduardo
11/09/2009 21:28

I'd expect our team to be

almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
Denilson Song Cesc
Eboue Van Persie Bendtner
subs
Mannone, Silvestre, Diaby, Ramsey, Merida, Wilshere, Eduardo

Reply Quote Report

Padre Pio
11/09/2009 22:15

That means forward line no better than last year, worse in fact

Reply Quote Report

Gööfle11
11/09/2009 22:26

Not worse becauseBendtner has improved greatly and we have a front three, rather than two strikers. But I would have Eduardo in there, not Eboue.

Official 1000th poster in the classic transfer rumors thread of 2014.

Reply Quote Report

Padre Pio
11/09/2009 22:38

But RvP has gone backwards

Reply Quote Report

Gööfle11
11/09/2009 22:40

Not true, he has been very good this season without having to score to make up for overall bad performances. I think some of RvP's worst performances last season where when he was scoring goals (funny that...).

He is sacrificing a lot for the team at the moment, but I am sure he will get his 15-20, with the rest of the team scoring more.

Official 1000th poster in the classic transfer rumors thread of 2014.

Reply Quote Report

eduardo
11/09/2009 23:31

Eduardo unlikley to start after playing twice in a week in Internationals, just like Rosicky is unlikely to be even a sub cos Wenger wants to ease them back into action, would also be suprised to see Walcott named a sub.

Reply Quote Report

AJ The Gunner
12/09/2009 10:58

Like you said, This is really the game to measure the Arsenal team to see if they have improved cos the game against utd didn't really tell us much except that this team can self destruct a game they had control over.

i expect toure to play out of his skin since he is the new city captain as for ade;he would charge around and want to score a goal.

we just have to win this game or the media will go on the overdrive.......

Reply Quote Report

celine dion
12/09/2009 12:05

Quote:

Padre Pio
But RvP has gone backwards

About 100 times a game, in fact.

Reply Quote Report

celine dion
12/09/2009 12:06

6-1 Adebayor 1st scorer. Seems a bit long to me.

Reply Quote Report

Padre Pio
12/09/2009 12:18

How about 2-1 for an Arsenal clean sheet?

Reply Quote Report

celine dion
12/09/2009 12:35

I think if Fabregas plays theres no reason why we cant get a draw or a win. But I would still fancy Adebayor to set the house rocking with a goal. Its the 'ex player' thing isnt it.

Reply Quote Report

Merlion96
12/09/2009 18:44

lo..every ex-Arsenal players got intot eh habit of scoring against Arsenal.

And if we meet BArca in CL CUp FInal...

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net