On recent evidence, probably not. If you came thinking this was going to be another intense post
after the previous one, I'm afraid it won't. Previewing a Sunderland match just doesn't have the
same amount of appeal as say, previewing, I don't know a match against Newcastle. Whoops. Cross
that out.
Fridays always have the potential to bring better news on the injury front, what with Wenger's
press conference, and there was certainly plenty of good news today.
From a list that that seemed earlier on this week to be mushrooming out of control, things now
look a bit more normal, don't they?
My good friend's wedding is tomorrow so this will be a very early match preview of our trip to
Sunderland. As it has been known for the past few days, RVP and Gibbs both will miss the game after
yet another injury return for an Arsenal player from an international break.
The final international break of the year is over. How good does that sound?
Real football returns tomorrow, and unlike many Premiership weekends, it is Saturday that looks
the tastier of the days. Liverpool and City play each other at lunchtime, United face Everton in
the evening, Chelsea are involved and we have a very tricky trip to Sunderland to negotiate.
Traditionally November has not been a good month for us. But I explain that by the fact we had
more injuries, it is the first period when they kick in.
Way to tempt fate, Arsene! I think he was probably referring to injuries that would occur
through wear and tear.
by CARL ELDRIDGE Crocked Kieran Gibbs will give Arsene Wenger another injury headache ahead of
the trip to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.
The young left-back hobbled out of England U-21's 0-0 draw in Lithuania last night and this
morning's paper report on the injury which comes after RVP was sidelined with ankle ligament
damage.
Well, I would be if I were one of those players having to play tonight and some nutter came
sliding in towards me with a hard tackle in mind! We cannot afford any more injuries and the loss
of any of the players mentioned below would be just awful. It doesn't even bare thinking about!
Even Sir Bobby Pires is concerned for us, but still believes we have enough strength and depth
to get through this tough time.
Gibbs limped off with an ankle injury after a 12st minute tackle forced him out of the U21 Euro
match against Lithuania. He is to undergo an X ray as a precautionary measure and more information
on the extent of his injury will be available later this week.
With Gael Clichy out for a month with a back injury, the left back position was a lock for
Gibbs.
According to Simone Bargellini at Sky Sports News, Arsenal defender
Bacary Sagna has no desire to leave the club despite rumored interest from
Juventus. His agent Christophe Mongai told
tuttomercatoweb.it,
"Juventus have contacted us, but not recently and, in any case, they have never made an offer to
Arsenal .
by JAMES CURTIS Despite the break from Premier League football this weekend there are still many
Arsenal faces in action on the international scene.
Whether this is a good or bad thing remains to be seen. Arsenal are notorious for sending
players on international duty in tip-top condition, only for them to be returned chipped, chinked
and cracked.
Arsenal fullback Bacary Sagna has rejected interest from Real Madrid and Juventus, it has been
revealed. Both European giants are chasing the France international ahead of the winter market. But a source close to Sagna told Futbol Mercado: "It is true that Juventus are interested in him,
but he does not want to leave Arsenal. Click to continue reading...
On a horrible wet and windy morning many fans might be glad that they are staying home this
afternoon instead of having to travel to football, so maybe this break has come at the right time
for once? No – ok, just trying to cheer up the grumpy ones who are missing their footie fix.
Look on the bright side, England play Brazil, so that could be a good game to watch,
alternatively there is the France v ROI play off, first leg – difficult choice?
The play-off draw was by no means easy on Republic of Ireland and they have
only FIFA officials to thank to for pitting them against underperforming but still very strong
France side. This is obviously going to be most interesting duel in the World Cup play-offs and
while we have no doubts both sets of players will be extremely motivated, it is the coaches that
have the power to win this game for their team.
This happened a couple of days ago, but, you know...(shrugs). 15 Arsenal players have been
called up for duty over the international break. The entire list can be found here.
Of the 15, only 5 Diaby, Gallas, and Sagna for France, Arshavin for Russia, and Song for
Cameroon are playing in meaningful senior international matches, as all of their nations are trying
to qualify for the World Cup.
It's funny how when you're playing well and in good form you find things going your way, little
bits of luck that can help decide a game.
I think it's fair to say we got a bit of that yesterday against Wolves. You certainly wouldn't
have put too much money on the final scoreline after the first twenty minutes.
Eight red cards, thirty two goals and more talking points than a Peter Andre exclusive, Gameweek
11 had everything. Even by the implausibly high standards set in Fantasy Football, this week was a
bit special.
Whether you winced as Shay Given batted away James McFadden's penalty, rejoiced as Jamie
Carragher finally got his comeuppance, or sat indifferently as Phil Brown's tenure at Hull
approached its conclusion, chances are you will have had an exciting last seven days in the world
of Fantasy Football.
Friday has arrived, only one day to get through until we play again.
I am just glad November 5th is now over for another year – I don't like Fireworks!!
Sadly though, nowadays November 5th seems to go on for about a week, so I anticipate more
tonight and over the weekend Few odd bits of gossip around late yesterday evening and early today.
With such blistering pace at just 4.5M, I'd have a silly grin on my face
too Our Funny Feeling Friday this week is Arsenal's left back Kieran Gibbs.
With starting left back Gael Clichy out for a month or more with a stress fracture in his lower
back, Gibbs should take over the starting spot and comes with the price tag (4. Click to continue reading...
When Robin Van Persie scored Arsenal's third in the North London derby against Spurs, it
prompted me to draw comparisons with the Real Madrid legend Raul. He has scored seven goals in the
league and been given the role of the top of the Gunners attack. He has previously been compared to
Dennis Bergkamp who was a genius at linking up attacks with the rest of his teammates.
Happy Monday to you. It's always good starting a new week when Arsenal won. It's even better
when that happens against Tottenham. After 2 consecutive draws, Arsenal maintains their 100%
winning record at Ashburton Grove with a comprehensive victory against a side who started the week
mouthing off about how great their team are, but has now gone home with their heads firmly between
their legs.
It looks like we have shut the Spuds up for another few months then with a performance that left
even the most hardy Spurs fans noting that they had some way to go to catch up with us.
I had a very good feeling before the game, a feeling I hadn't had since that 5-1 beating we
took. Maybe it was confidence or just a sign of what was to come, whatever it was I liked it and
enjoyed every second of this North London Derby.
For a football fan, there can be few things as satisfying as an epic goal bundle.
In order to achieve optimum conditions for bundles, several key elements need to be in place.
Surprise is definitely one. Scoring against your old rivals is another.
Arsenal's use of the whole pitch created space and angles to open up the Spurs defence as two
goals inside a minute set-up a comfortable win. _______________________________________________________________________________
Arsenal 3 (Van Persie 42, 60, Fabregas 43) Tottenham 0 (Premiership)
A victory that was as satisfying as it was ultimately comfortable guaranteed that the
'noughties' would be completed without a single Spurs victory over Arsenal in the league, a run now
stretching to an impressive twenty games.
"Welcome to my nightmare, welcome to my breakdown."
Alice Cooper's 1975 campy anthem sums up the last five minutes of the first half for Spurs.
Harry Redknapp probably regrets starting a clearly unfit Ledley King who has struggled with
injuries this season. Sagna on the right whips in a cross which Van Persie reacts to more quickly,
outmaneuvering King to turn the ball past Heurelho Gomes for the first goal in the 42nd minute.
Arsenal continued to have the upper hand over their North London rivals as we convincingly won
3-0 at Ashburton Grove. Many will say that up to the first goal, Spurs have matched Arsenal stride
for stride but that cannot be further away from the truth.
As an Arsenal fan, today is the day we wait with abated breath. This is the first fixture I look
for whenever the new season kicks-off. For Gooners, it comes no bigger than the North London Derby.
Spurs visit Ashburton Grove looking to find the first league victory over Wenger.
This week and continuing from the close of the summer transfer window Arsenal have been linkedÂ
with many players, the majority being more young possible acquisitions. However today I have set
out to attempt to reveal what players are realistic signings in January.
Eden Hazard
Hazard is an attacking midfielder currently playing for Lille in French Ligue 1.
1. A 2 Goal cushion is totally enough to kill off the game. We simply must stop letting teams
think they have a chance even when they're two down.
2. We need to buy a goal keeper. Almunia is inadequate, Mannone is too young, Fabianski is
scary and Sczesczny cannot get a jersey because the Nike cannot spell his name.
Arsenal threw away the chance of a fifth straight Premier League win as West Ham battled back to
earn a 2-2 draw at Upton Park on Sunday. The Gunners had looked in complete control following first-half goals from Robin van Persie and
William Gallas. However, Carlton Cole pulled a goal back before substitute Alessandro Diamanti netted a late
penalty. Click to continue reading...
