srigooner wrote:

Iceman wrote:I've been thinking today: Could the extra pressure on our wingers to produce something from nothing be a catalyst to Walcott's development?

This season, we've seen Walcott start to create chances on his own. He is taking on his man much much more often, he is playing through balls for Van Persie (See match vs Norwich, goal against Dortmund in the 1-1 draw etc.) . I can't help but think that this is all due to the lack of support from midfield at the start of the season. When there was no creativity and nobody playing through balls for Walcott to run onto, he had to adapt his game a bit. I'm really impressed with his progress this season as well. His final ball improved, his dribbling and creativity improved and his tactical understanding and defending also improved.

I agree with you. I have been of the opinion for a while now that the departures of "key men", followed by the abysmal start to the season, has provided the team with a steep learning curve. The younger players have grasped on to the opportunity and the pressure has helped them mature. Its a good thing for team mentality. Arteta and RvP have played a key role in this change in dressing room mentality and it is evident on the pitch. But I am deviating slightly. The point is, we were under pressure and everyone has had to step up their game to the next level and improve both individually and as a team to get rid of the 'crisis'.

Sometimes, I think that I am happy that Fabregas has left. Yes, he is immensely talented and was a key cog in the team. But I like this team more. His departure, I think [sometimes], was better for the Arsenal.

Well said from both.

Wales manager Gary Speed found dead in house.

RIP

Hope Rambo is ok.

WHAT THE HELL!!

Extremely sad news about Gary Speed :S

The directors, players and staff at Arsenal Football Club are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Gary Speed. http://bit.ly/rNVd8i

NOW what would be city line up on tuesday night if you have to guess?
no ballotelli

sina90 wrote:NOW what would be city line up on tuesday night if you have to guess?
no ballotelli

hahaha, well I wasn't worried about him too much. Dzeko looked sharp today

via Simon Clancy ,an insider.
Balotelli attacks the away dressing room door and damages it. Dressing room door now shut.

____

Thank heavens we won't have that to worry about at the Emirates.

Despicable, for all his talent. I for one, am absolutely overjoyed that he isn't in our team. I like humble players. Not Balotelli. And not the 'humble & respectful' ones, before some of you jump to ask me that.

Balotelli & Barry both suspended for the game which is good, but it's not like they don't have a big squad.

Will still be very tough. Both might not have played anyway so let's wait and see.

We will see all former Arsenal players in their line up for sure.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger concerned over condition of Robin van Persie following Fulham draw

Worryingly, Arsène Wenger named Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey as being “in the red” and “on the edge” following a tired performance on Saturday that ended their five-game winning streak.

Abou Diaby, who was playing his first Premier League match of the season, also suffered what Wenger hopes is only a minor muscular set-back following his long-term absence. Walcott has what Wenger called a “hamstring alert” but he completed 90 minutes and Arsenal are confident that there is no lasting injury.

What is clear, however, is that Wenger is now fearing for some of his star players, notably Van Persie, and will make significant changes for Tuesday’s Carling Cup quarter-final against Manchester City.

Wenger will be well aware of his prophetic words the last time he talked of someone being “in the red”. On that occasion, he was referring to Jack Wilshere, who promptly suffered a stress fracture to his ankle and is yet to play this season. “We have a few players on the edge like Van Persie and Walcott, who had a hamstring alert, and Ramsey,” said Wenger. “We’ll have to see how they respond to 24 hours rest.

“It will be easier for you to pick the Man City team because you can look in the stand and on the bench [against Liverpool] and you will see who plays on Tuesday. We have red alerts on a few players but I will pick as strong a team as I can.”
Wenger has generally looked to his academy and reserve team for the Carling Cup but, with City possessing such strength in depth, there will be a slight adjustment. “I will change my philosophy a little bit,” said Wenger. “I’ve always said that I will play a team that has a chance to qualify. We will give them a game, don’t worry.”

There is certain to be specific focus on Samir Nasri, who refused to sign a new contract at Arsenal this summer and has more than doubled his wages by moving to City. Wenger has already suggested that Nasri’s departure came down to money, but he hopes that the Arsenal supporters do not abuse the France midfielder.

“You want to respect players who have played for us and that’s what we expect,” said Wenger. “It’s always more important to support our team than to be negative with the players from Man City. What is important is that we are united to win the game.”

Wenger’s concern about the current physical state of key players highlights questions over Arsenal’s strength in depth, with Andrei Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh among the fringe players who were unable to make any impression on Saturday.

What was encouraging, though, was the collective determination to at least salvage a draw after Thomas Vermaelen guided an attempted clearance into his own goal.

With Chris Baird, who cleared one Van Persie shot off the line, epitomising Fulham’s resilience, it was left to Vermaelen to atone for his earlier mistake and head the equaliser. “You can see that we are up for a fight,” said Wojciech Szczesny, the Arsenal goalkeeper. “We’ve got more experienced players this season. We seem like we can come out on top of all the challenges. It’s not as beautiful but we got there.”

Fulham could feel justifiable satisfaction at the result. Brede Hangeland said: “I thought we looked like the old Fulham with the compact shape and being hard to break down.”

The Fulham players had clearly also benefitted from a rare week off from a Europa League schedule that began back in June. “I had 13 days off in the summer so it feels like I’ve played for a year already,” Hangeland added.
The Telegraph
----------------------
diaby

PLZ dont laugh at my team to play man city

squid and chamakh need to play
some other need rest

Fabi-yennaris-squid-kos-miquel-frimpong-coq-diaby-AOC-chamakh-park good mix of youth and experience

it looks not good enough to beat money-grabbers but have some BLEEP faith

Abou Diaby, who was playing his first Premier League match of the season, also suffered what Wenger hopes is only a minor muscular set-back following his long-term absence

That report seems to be scare-mongering a bit. Ramsey, Walcott and van Persie are "in the red", but it's not like those three were going to play on Tuesday anyway. They could all very well be fine for Saturday.

Also, Nasri, if he plays, will receive so much abuse from the fans. Up there with Cole and Adebayor, I reckon. Hell, wouldn't surprise me if Clichy gets booed too, should he play. The only ex-Gunner playing for City that'll receive respect will be Kolo Toure.

GoonerJay29 wrote:That report seems to be scare-mongering a bit. Ramsey, Walcott and van Persie are "in the red", but it's not like those three were going to play on Tuesday anyway. They could all very well be fine for Saturday.

Also, Nasri, if he plays, will receive so much abuse from the fans. Up there with Cole and Adebayor, I reckon. Hell, wouldn't surprise me if Clichy gets booed too, should he play. The only ex-Gunner playing for City that'll receive respect will be Kolo Toure.

sure
think kolarov will play instead of clichy
sami you are a bleep you are a bleep..........

New Post - Unlucky 13 for Barca as El Classico looms http://bit.ly/tzCPjh

if i was to guess the team


----------------------Hart---------------------------

Micah(?)-------Kolo------Savic--------Kolarov

------------De jong----Some guy--------------

AJ------------------some guy------------Nasri

----------------------Dzeko----------------------

RealGunner wrote:if i was to guess the team


----------------------Hart---------------------------

Micah(?)-------Kolo------Savic--------Kolarov

------------De jong----Some guy--------------

AJ------------------some guy------------Nasri

----------------------Dzeko----------------------

Zabaleta, Hargreaves and Luca Scapuzzi

Ah yea forgot zabaleta and hargreaves


U know i think we may have a good chance to win if the city team is indeed that.

They were tired today, and the match is on tuesday. Highly doubt any of the big star will take any part.

our team will be something like this


---------------------------Fabianski--------------------------------

Yennaris-----------Squillaci---------Koscielny-----------Miquel

----------------Coquelin-------------Frimpong------------------

Oxlade---------------------Arshavin----------------Benayoun

--------------------------Chamakh---------------------------------

But Park can play instead of arshavin, and move him to the left with benayoun coming in the middle

I think Park will definitely start. There's no reason for him not to, since he's only played Carling Cup games so far.

I think he'll play in place of Chamakh, though I guess that depends on whether we'll go 4-4-2 like we did against Shrewsbury or 4-2-3-1 like we did against Bolton.

That backline worries me, though. Squillaci playing his first game of the season, and two make-shift full-backs up against Adam Johnson and probably Nasri too? I'm not looking forward to that.

I'd go with the same squad as the one you picked RG. But instead of Chamakh, i'd put Park. He's good in Fifa12 Plus i wanna see what he can do.

On another note, it's so nice to be live for a change. I can do a proper post-match thread.

Possible team v City (if all fit)

Fabianski; Coquelin Squillaci Koscielny Miquel; Frimpong Diaby; Chamberlain Rosicky Benayoun; Chamakh

or maybe:

Fabianski; Yennaris Djourou Koscielny Miquel; Chamberlain Frimpong Coquelin Benayoun; Park Chamakh

or:

Fabianski; Djourou Squillaci Koscielny Miquel; Coquelin/Frimpong Diaby; Chamberlain Arshavin Benayoun; Chamakh

Bet I don't get any right...

Oh it's live? YEEAAYAA! Finally, i hate listening to commentray alone.....

Theo Walcott admits Arsenal players need to take the scoring load off Robin van Persie's shoulders.

Van Persie has struck 17 goals so far this season.

Walcott said: “The only side of things that I want to get in my game is a few more goals. We can’t always rely on Robin but the form he has been in it is fantastic to see.

“People will think it is weird when he doesn’t score in a game but he creates chances still. It would be worrying if you didn’t see Robin creating chances, but he is and the man is on fire which makes my job easier.

“But as a team we need to help him out a bit more often in getting those goals.”

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny felt they showed great determination for their draw with Fulham.

Szczesny says they playing with more steel this season.

"You can see from today that we are up for a fight," said Szczesny.

"Maybe it’s not as beautiful as before but it’s effective. I think we’ve got more experienced players this season.

"We’ve got players like Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker who like to fight. Mikel played for Everton who play different kind of football. I think the players that have come in are very creative as well, like Cesc and Nasri. They are creative but they are different.

"Maybe they are not as beautiful in the way they play but it doesn’t matter if you win the game."