Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[Dioufy]

Well that sent out a message to Manchester United/CSKA Fulham and the rest of the Premiership. I am not a big fan of Cesc Fabregas, but he impressed me yesterday, not for the first time might i add. Thierry Henrys first goal was amazing. Alexander Hlebs was not bad as well.

[SE13]

Tonight sees us take on West Bromwich Albion in The Carling Egg-Cup. Early team news suggests that most of the players coming back from injury will be involved, Gael Clichy for starters. I suspect that if he were to come through unscathed tonight, that he will slot back into the first team at left back, allowing William Gallas to move to centre back. Phillipe Senderos is also expected to make his return, and will also be pushing for a first team place after tonights match.

Thierry Henry, as expected does not travel, however many of the team that faced Reading on Sunday do travel, including the ever impressive Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, and Robin Van Persie.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

Well Arsenal cruised past West Brom, Jeremie Aliadiere grabbed a brace.

I heard Wenger mention someone getting an injury and being out for around three weeks, is he talking about ? If so then this will mean an extended run for Robin Van Persie as well as a place on the subs bench for Jerremie Aliadiere ? Maybe a final chance for him to show his worth. His fragile body has lasted the season so far so now's his chance to show what he can do if he can get a few minutes playing time (this is assuming injury keeps him out for Emmanuel Adebayor a while). You also have the Julio "beast" Baptista to return.

[SE13]

I am not altogether sure what to make of the Julio Baptista saga. As stated in a previous post, the circumstances surrounding the "injury" are curious to say the least.

The injury last night was Emmanuel Adebayor, and at this time, there has been no official confirmation of the damage done, nor the length of absence from the first team, however I guess that with the performance last night of Jeremie Aliadiere, there will be someone pushing for at least a squad appearance for the visit of Everton on Saturday at Ashburton Grove.

My guess is that Robin Van Persie will partner Thierry Henry up front on Saturday, and that Theo Walcott will the the striker in waiting, although manager Arsene Wenger seems to prefer Theo Walcott in a more midfield role. The injury to Emmanuel Adebayor will have little or no bearing on the initial selection for the first team on Saturday I think, but a slight reshuffle on the bench will be required, and it could be that Jeremie Aliadiere gets the nod. He has impressed in the past, particularly in The Carling Egg-Cup, so we wait on the decision from Arsene Wenger, and the official release of information with regard to the injury news surrounding Emmanuel Adebayor.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

Just a few thoughts about Hleb, Rosicky and Fabregas

These names are good enough to wet anyone’s whistle. They together have all the key attributes for any successful midfield. Speed, control, defending, shooting and above all, slick passing. When I saw them play together against Reading, I almost felt sorry that Reading had to deal with these three along with Henry and Robin Van Persie. Rosicky, Hleb and Fabregas are all an integral part of your team already, separately their great players, we all know that, but when they play together their next to unstoppable. Sceptics may say that they have only played together for a few months against average teams. Then cast your mind back to Old Trafford where you literally played Manchester United off their own pitch. Plus this is a new partnership and it can only get better. Rosicky and Hleb are like day and night, they complement each other beautifully and since Rosicky arrived Hlebs game has improved even though i thought otherwise because of Eboues injury. Hleb needs some one to connect with which is why Eboue was so crucial. Imagine what would happen if Eboue and Clichy both join the mix. Scary to think about. Their game is based on movement (Cesc, Hleb and Rosicky). they move about so much that opponents find them almost as bad as Henry. Also Cesc has been more incline to move foward this season and twice came close to scoring, of course he's provided a hell of a lot of assists for a 19 year old. I'd prefer them to Barcalona's (Deco-Xavi-Guily) anyday. Their young, no question about that but they all have plenty of experience and their main aim is to get the ball to the forward more quickly and also support him, which he didn't get much of last season.

[Magpie]

I knw this is probably going to leave a bad taste in the mouth but I watched Arsenal play last weekend and it occurred to me that there wasn't a single English player in the side. Now that Ashley Cole has gone, how many English players (other than Theo Walcott) have Arsenal got and how many have a realistic chance of playing in a Premiership or Champion's League game? It's not sour grapes or anything (I'm far too old for that), but I am genuinely interested because I think we're probably the only country in Europe, possibly the world, whose FA would allow it to happen.
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[SE13]

Well, there are a few English players, you mentioned Theo Walcott, but also there is Justin Hoyte, who has started a number of games this season. Matthew Conolley is a fringe player on the verge of breaking into the first team, but is behind the like of William Gallas, Phillipe Senderos in the pecking order. Mark Randall featured on Tuesday against West Bromwich Albion. Plus there is Jay Simpson, and exciting prospect for the future up front, but obviously well down the line with the like of Thierry Henry in the squad.

Generally, Arsene Wenger opts for youth from The Continent, because English players are so expensive, for their comparative skill level.

Our youth system is churning quite a few English players out just now, and over the next few seasons, as the rebuilding continues, you should gradually see more English players making appearances for Arsenal.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

Thanks for that. I didn't realise how many they had but to be honest, it doesn't sit right with me to have an English league team made up entirely of foreign players. I agree with your comment regarding the cost of English players in comparison though, so I suppose it makes financial sense. Maybe I should just move with the times!!

[SE13]

[Dioufy]

It should be a good game, I always look forward to these matches. If i was David Moyes (I am glad i'm not, what a ugly frigger he is), I would target Cesc Fabregas, I just feel if he un-nerves him, he wont want the ball as much and it could and that could disrupt Arsenal's rhythm . I would love to see 2 men on Thierry Henry, I feel he can be marked out of the game.

2-1 to Arsenal.

[SE13]

I guess that most teams thus far this season have tried to target Cesc Fabregas in one way or another, and none have succeeded.

Thierry Henry is really difficult to mark, as he can drift in and out of the game, either by going directly through the middle, switching to wide left, or just dropping back, and using his pace.

And it really is not that long since we put seven past Everton at Highbury. New ground, different teams, and although Everton could potentially spring a surprise, I really can not see beyond three comfortable points. I just hope that I am not sitting here come Sunday, eating my very words!!
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

I don't think there'll be any need for eating your words! I'm with Dioufy on this one: 2-1 Arsenal.
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[Dioufy]

It was the kinda game that i expect. I knew Everton would be physical and would try to break Arsenal's rhythm. I am thankful to Everton, that draw keeps Arsenal below Below Bolton.

What did David Moyes get sent to the stand for ?!

[SE13]

Ha ha! He got send to the stand for standing and pointing at his watch, in the direction of the referee. In all fairness, time had long since passed, and he did not want Arsenal to mount one last attack.

This will go down as another game we should have won, but were snookered by the lack of ability to convert the seventyeight percent possession into goals. Something like twentythree attempts at goal, with only one notch to show for it.

More importantly is that Manchester United and CSKA Fulham both picked up maximum points, so we slip a further two points behind the leaders, and now sit fifth in the league.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Dioufy]

For me, David Moyes did nothing wrong. He has stated he never swore, so i don't see how he could be sent-off. However, Mr Riley never sent nobody off in normal play, so he had to pick some-one else. I would not be surprised if you struggled at home in future to be honest. Most teams will sit back, Including CSKA Fulham and Manchester "****" United.

To be fair, I thought Tim Howard could have done better with the free-kick.
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