Tuesday 18 October 2011

The 18 players in the squad presently at Marseille.

Wenger flew into Marseille with an 18 man squad from which he would pick who starts and who remains on the bench against Marseille in tomorrows Champions League tie. Gibbs is out with a stomach injury but Aaron Ramsey is back in the team and in contention for a starting place in midfield.

Below is a full list of the players the made the flight.
Wojciech Szczesny
Lukasz Fabianski
Carl Jenkinson
Andre Santos
Per Mertesacker
Laurent Koscielny
Johan Djourou
Tomas Rosicky
Mikel Arteta
Alex Song
Theo Walcott
Gervinho
Yossi Benayoun
Francis Coquelin
Andrey Arshavin
Aaron Ramsey
Robin van Persie
Marouane Chamakh

Monday 17 October 2011

Robin Van Persie to the rescue as Arsenal secure three points against Sunderland.

It took Van Persie only 28 seconds to once again show his class by putting the ball into the back of the net and putting Arsenal ahead just after Howard Webb blew his whistle for the kick off of the game. Van Persie and Arsenal shone like a million stars for the first 30 mins of the game, dictating play and having the upper hand allowing Sunderland to feed on scrap but Sunderland found thier way into the game and took inspiration from a superbly taken free kick by Larsson.


Just like I said earlier today that Sunderland would come prepared hoping to leave with at least a point, Steve Bruces' line up ultimately confirmed it. He played a 4-5-1 formation, with 6 midfielders and 4 defenders leaving Sessegnon (a midfielder) upfront.

The second half kicked off and Arsenal started on the front foot again but failed to make any real impact as Sunderland kept their discipline. Arsenal had several opportunities from set pieces but squandered every chance they got until the 83rd minute when Arsenal had a free kick on the right side of the pitch (Van Persie territory) and Van Persie stepped up to take it and superbly curled the ball into the net much to the delight of Arsenal fans across the world and RVP himself (of course he was delighted, what else would explain taking his shirt off).

Arsenal was able to survive through the remender of the game as Sunderland pushed for a late equaliser. Arsenal walked away with the 3 points today and I'm sure this victory would help build the much needed confidence.

Here are my player ratings:

Wojciech Szczesny : 6.5

Carl Jenkinson : 5.5

Per Mertesacker : 6.5

Laurent Koscielny : 6.5

Kieran Gibbs : 6.0

Alex Song : 7.0

Mikel Arteta : 6.0

Tomas Rosicky : 7.0

Theo Walcott : 6.0

Gervinho : 6.5


Robin van Persie : 8.5

substitutes.

Andre Santos : 6.0

Yossi Benayoun : 6.0

Andrey Arshavin : 6.0

Sunday 16 October 2011

Arsenal banking on home form against Sunderland.

I would like to start by saying that I am really sorry for staying away and not updating this blog in a while, its been due to things I could not help. I know I have lost a large part of this blogs' followership but good news is.....I am back and hope to get back my followership. :)

Okay, straight to the business of the day. Our dear Arsenal take on Sunderland at the Emirates later today hoping to secure all three points and continue an impressive home form which has seen them unbeaten in five out of six games played at the Emirates.

Arsenal has found herself in unfamiliar territory lying at a lowly 15th position on the log and would want to do everything to move out of that position and get herself up the log. The season has started terribly for Arsene, Arsenal and the fans. (the fans look like the most hit of the three). Its been one bad news after the other, we lost Diaby to injury before the season even started,Wilshere too and then Vermaleen joined in and finally the killer blow, Sagna out for three long months *sigh*

Arsene Wenger believes that Arsenal's home form can help rebuild confidence. http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-home-form-can-rebuild-our-confidence- Arsenal needs a lot of confidence right now and the likelihood of Jenkinson starting at right back is not helping my confidence at all. He is a decent back up who needs plenty of time to acclimatize to professional soccer and understudying Sagna would have been the best thing for the young lad but thanks to injury, he is back in the team and would be made to learn on the job.

Sunderland are a very decent team and can pull off a surprise on any ground. Worthy of note is the form of Larson and the threat he can pose to any team (even Arsene and Van Persie acknowledged). Sunderland has suffered a bad start to the season as well, finding themselves 16th on the log, one place below Arsenal.  Arsenal would need to be prepared for battle, as Sunderland would came with the aim of at least leaving with a point.

I hope and pray that everyone that makes the team later today would know the importance of the 3points up for grabs and give absolutely everything to get it. Every department would need to be on top form for the whole 90mins and be determined to get the "very important" 3points.