Arsenal, Fulham, Premier League
Arsenal’s title campaign must get back on track without delay
Arsenal will attempt to offer a far more impressive performance at Craven Cottage this Saturday to make up for a poor show against Birmingham last weekend. The Gunners fell to second place on goal difference last week after Manchester United routed a manager-less Newcastle side 6-0. Arsenal, who drew 1-1 with relegation-threatened Birmingham at the [...]
Arsenal will attempt to offer a far more impressive performance at Craven Cottage this Saturday to make up for a poor show against Birmingham last weekend. The Gunners fell to second place on goal difference last week after Manchester United routed a manager-less Newcastle side 6-0. Arsenal, who drew 1-1 with relegation-threatened Birmingham at the Emirates, will be looking for all three points while hoping for a United slip-up at Reading, as they did last season.
Fulham could be the perfect rebound team for the Gunners with the Cottagers winless in 10 Premier League games. Although new Fulham manager Roy Hodgson will be desperately hoping to take home his first Premier League point since taking over, even a draw may be elusive against what should be a fully-fit Arsenal team.
The Cottagers, who will be missing American internationals Kasey Keller and Brian McBride, could find themselves overwhelmed by the returns of Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie to the Arsenal side. Low morale, coupled with additional injuries to Hameur Bouzza and Ian Pearce, could mean that Hodgson will be facing an exercise in damage limitation.
On the other hand, Arsenal players hoping to prove themselves after the disappointing show against Birmingham will be looking to display some of the fine flowing football that had once placed them at the summit of the table. The possible return of the prolific van Persie will also boost the Gunners confidence ahead of the clash.
Arsene Wenger will likely start with a similar lineup to the one that faced Birmingham, although Theo Walcott and Eduardo could see themselves ousted in favor of Czech Republic captain Rosicky and injury-prone striker Van Persie.
This means that Manuel Almunia will start in goal behind Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, and the vastly improved Philippe Senderos. Senderos, standing in for Kolo Toure who is away at the African Cup of Nations, played what may have been his best game in the red and white of Arsenal against Birmingham. Normally error-prone and out of position, this time the Swiss defender managed to use his height to get onto crucial headers, and even came close to scoring a winner.
The Arsenal midfield was complacent against Birmingham, but hopefully the return of Rosicky will add some creativity to the already ingenious lineup of Cesc Fabregas, Alex Hleb, and holding midfielder Mathieu Flamini. Rosicky should register a performance far better than last week’s woeful appearance from Walcott.
Up front, Van Persie may finally link up with the squad after falling victim to bone and muscle injuries as well as a recent virus. Emmanuel Adebayor, the second highest scorer in the Premier League, will be looking to bag a few goals to inch closer to United’s Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Golden Boot.
We learned last season that no game can be taken for granted. Arsene Wenger learned that lesson a second time against Birmingham last week, and his entire squad will be looking to rebound from the draw with an emphatic win at Fulham. A 3-0 victory is my prediction.
This match preview was originally published at http://lazy-arse.blogspot.com, an Arsenal fan’s blog.
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leave Theo alone. The kids only 12 y.o. His time will come
senderos’ best game for arsenal?! everyone seems to forget that in 04/05 when he came into the team he was absolutely fantastic, and kept sol campbell out when he came back from injury, prior to being the swiss best player in the 06 world cup
Whats with all the attacks on Walcott. Please give it a break b4 we make his confidence drop below what it is now. The sky is the limit for this youth but all the fruit do not get ripe on the same tree at the same time. Get off his back please and sit back and watch greatness unfold b4 u! Geez why the hostility?
I can’t agree with any of the comments on here about Philip Sendeross (Silly Ponder-Arse)- he is simply the worst defender to turn out for Arsenal since Gus Ceaser. And yes, I’m well aware that we’ve had Any Linighan, Colin Pates and Igors Stepanovs since then. And Pascal Cyborg.
get off Theo! It’s only going to make his confidence even lower than it alreay is!! He will get better! hes only 18!
Hope Sendros’ last performence has lifted his confidence… i thought he played very well and am not as concerned about him in defence anymore as i was, he is a future replacement for gallas in my opinion, i thinks thats the reason wengers is keeping onto him.
im starting to worry about van persie now… if this continues it might be the end of his arsenal career… i hope it never comes to that because he is ome of the best strikers in the EPL!
Almunia
Sagna Senderos Gallas Clichy
Rosicky Cesc Flamster Hleb
Ade Eduardo
Agree with your prediction. Fulham are almost definatley relegated… pity cuz i like fulham! They just dont have the quality to get anything out of us!
Theo should be given time. Let’s try to give him some breathing space. He is an impact player and changes games that seem not to be going our way. He’s just back from injury and some flu but he’ll catch up. We need him ready for the Milan game so he can change the pace to one that am sure the Milan guys won’t enjoy. So guys let’s just pray he’s in the right frame by that game.
I’m far more concerned that RvP can’t get fit or stay fit than I am about TW (who is young etc etc and NOT a wing player imho). Would like to see way more of Niklas on the pitch as he seems to have the knack of livening things up (and he’s OK with running/playing across the width of the pitch).
RVP out for a number of weeks! I don’t f*****g believe it! Never mind new signings - sack the useless medical staff!!!
Agree with you alex. Thanks for the comment
Senderous will prove his point, done it before am sure he will do it again. Wenger would have bought another person if he did not know this. Go Senderous go……….