Is tomorrow make or break for Arsenal?
By Avenell Dave
Hope spings eternal and we go into tomorrow's game looking to repeat last seaosn's victory against the Ch*vs.
Of course, on that day, RvP made the difference but whatever happens, we have to keep our feet on the ground.
The Arsenal Supporters Trust came out yesterday discussing the most recent events, the purchase of more shares by Stan Kroenke and also referring to Ivan Gazidis's quotes about winning trophies.
Business plans are all well and good but when we pay so much for a season ticket, we expect our investment both financial and emotional to be better rewarded.
Arsene Wenger talked about no lack of heart and the need to fight until the end of every game from now on.
I hope that was a message to the likes of Denilson, whose laboured, nonchalant tracking back was a disgrace and would probably have landed him with a fine and a slap at some non league clubs, it was that bad.
If we win tomorrow, we're in with a shout but we'll still be relying on other results.
Lose and we may as well start blooding the kids who will be the future if transfer funds are as tight as the spending seems to suggest.
When Gael Clichy replaced C*$hley Hole, I hoped he would prove himself to be an able deputy.
Too often though he has switched off and although he is not yet fit, I think Kieran Gibbs is a much better long term option.
Armand Traore started well but tailed off but after a couple of weeks out, I'd like to see him play at left back and I'd like to see Theo Walcott given a chance in attack. he's scored a couple of memorable goals against the Ch*vs already in his career so why not?
Nick B also has to start if only because of the Ch*vs' poor aerial record and while Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski's records recently have been much of a muchness, the Spaniard should be shipped off and put out to grass at another third rate club in his homeland.
The great thing about tomorrow is that, while hope remains, my expectation of winning has faded immensely.
It helps to numb the pain but you never know, Addicts, it may result in an even nicer surprise.
Addict XI
Fabianski
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Traore
Ramsey Fabregas Song
Rosicky Bendtner Walcott
DA
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Reader Comments (10)
Arsenal should not be written off as title contenders - even if they lose at Chelsea.
I am afraid it is. As I've said AW has lost the plot. Even if the gunners make it to the qf/sf/f of cl I still expect them to lose.My conviction stems from the fact the guneers defence is still shaky despite the addition of Campbell. If he got cahiill from BW or Smalling i would change my mind.
Btw his all out attacking game will play into the hands of fast counter punching teams and there are many of these lurking in the epl and cl.No plan b and his emphasis on marathon passing is going to cause arsenal to lose more games.
I think a victory will do us wonders, but mathematically we'll still be in it. Especially if we can collect maximum in the remaining lesser fixtures. Or better still give Chelsea the 'Blues' tomorrow. ROAR ARSENAL..
http://11gunners.com/opinion/6-must-do%E2%80%99s-as-arsenal-await-another-6-pointer/3063/
Defeat on sunday against the Chavs would be a big bodyblow. But it would not end the league campaign, The result is decided over the full 38 games and who knows what will happen in the remainder of the season. I just hope the team puts up a strong show and bucks the recent trend in our matches with the top two teams.
It does not matter the results tomorrow against Chelsea. Win or lose Arsenal will not win the BPL, this is my stand and opinion right from the start of the season. The reason is simple, Wenger refused to add any top class player to his squad which other than the first 11 the rest are just not good enough, they are rookies. I said it then and I say it again Ársenal WILL NOT win the BPL because of Wenger's stubborness and misplaced confidence in his substitutes. I mentioned the BPL is a long season and injuries is a major factor in winning or losing therefore Arsenal would need able reserves as good as any first team player. Liverpool lost the race because of none other than - injuries. Arsenal and Manchester United are the same situation, they have many injured players BUT the big difference is Manchester United can easily fill the vacancies with top class replacements whereas Arsenal only have shoe polishers.
This team will never ever win a competition.
if we loose tomorrow even 4 th place will be in jeopardy
My fellow gooners,
Stop over-reacting! Although I also was gutted & cried through the night cause of bad performance & public humiliation after big expectations, I do think its not the end of the world. We just have to get a result in the Chelsea game & then you will get to right proportions. Two slight reminders. Last season ManU was heavily defeated by their main rivals, Liverpool & they still manage to win it with some margin. Also they had an awful record against "big 4"that year. Three years back we managed to make the double over ManU & still they win it. Both managers, AW & AF, that u would really appreciate, think 82-83 points would do the job this season. Draw at Chelsea means we need 33 point out of 13 games to be in a position of winning the league. With only Liverpool, ManCity (both home) & Spurs away are the so-called tough games, with 7 home games & 6 away, we are in great position for a possible run of 13 wins. although 10 wins & 3 draws would do us the trick. Pointing that ManU & Chelsea have more away games & still both have to play harder games (ManU (H) Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs (A) Villa, Everton, City; Chelsea (H) City, Villa (A) Everton, ManU, Spurs, Liverpool) so its not that day-dream illusion. I still believe we will win Chelsea away, so we can even settle for 9 wins & 4 draws.
As for the coming Sunday, Denilson must be 4th choice for midfield as he was totally disappointing & costs us the game more that anyone else. I would pick Eboue, or Diaby if fit as second choice & Ramsey as 3rd. Almunia & Clichy might be punished also as their performance was embarrassingly poor. Chelsea is not the quickest team around, but they are physical, so Silvestre can do the job at the left back.
Fabianski/Mannone
Sagna-Gallas-Vermaelen-Silvestre/Clichy
Song-Eboue/Diaby/Ramsey
Fabregas
Walcott-Bendtner-Arshavin
If not Walcott, then Nasri at the left & Arshavin at right.
Song & Eboue must hold the midfield & let Fabregas fly. If Fab was to be surrounded as with the ManU game, then Arshavin must step back & take control with Walcott giving the pace & Bendtner the power & presence in the Chelsea box.
I know most of you are skeptics yet I believe this game is ours all over it. In our recent form Chelsea will come to the game as they already won it & there we can harm them & get the points before they knew it … 3-1 to the arsenal. Big nick brace & a Russian torpedo will do.
we lost.............
Yes a sad two matches for us. Its at times like these we have to see who is a fan and who is only following the team because they like red and white. For me, the team could wear polkadots! Yes the two games to the top two were always going to be tough but they are now out of the way and we have to face those below our table position so at least Europe next year, and at most (yes you are a fan so optimism reigns supreme) champions. Its only 9 points, our hardest games are out of the way they have to meet so I reckon a draw there (thats 2 points gained for us) Liverpool always up their game against manu & chelsea - another draw so thats 2 points gained. Now even on that alone if we win our respective games the 4 dropped by Chelsea nad manu coupled with our 6 puts us up on top. Then city - another draw if now a win against one or other ....Look I can dream - why dont you!