Arsenal Ring Out 2011 With Win

Joey Barton Looking Scared

Thanks to the Twitter family for providing the above picture.  Not only did we beat QPR at home for the last match of 2011, but we did NOT allow Joey Hard-Man -My-Buttocks-Barton to beat us.  No one was sent off or seriously injured by him.  Mickey may have a bad bruise, but let's hope that's all.

Gervinho, the last Arsenal player to have fallen prey to Barton's provocations, started the game on the bench.  Perhaps part of Arsene's plan was to provide him with some rest as there is but one day before the game at Fulham.  But I also don't think it's far fetched to imagine that our Boss was protecting Gervinho from having to endure another run-in with Joe.  One can hope that Gervinho learned his lesson the first time, but we have to remember that some of our players have gotten in a spot of bother over the same incident in more than one game (Diaby anyone?).  In addition, Arshavin received a chance to up his price tag to those watching if he played well.  And to be fair, he gave a sweet pass to Robin for our only goal.

Things were looking dire there for the entire first half.  Van Persie had a chance for a hat trick in the first half alone but could not convert.  Theo, who is just back after having the stomach flu, seemed to have difficulty with crossing, shooting, and just deciding what to do in general (I'm giving him another chance just because I know I'd be a bit out of sorts running up and down a field after throwing my guts up for days).  We had only four shots on target in the first half and eight in the second.  Two of those shots seemed to come in contact with the hand of a QPR player which begged for penalty calls.  Not surprisingly, we received none.  Other no calls for us was Arshavin receiving an elbow in the face from Taarabt and Arteta was on the end of mischief -making by Barton (he did get a yellow for that). 

QPR played us tough and scrappy similar to Wolves with the one exception being we kept a clean sheet and our defense held out remarkably well against a last ditch effort by the Rangers to boot things long and try to win corners.  The team last year would have conceded most likely in the 93rd minute.  This squad did not.  As a matter of fact, and on somewhat of a sidenote, I did some number crunching and found that if you take out the first three matches of this year - for obvious reasons- this squad has conceded 16 goals to last year's 19 (I also took out the goals conceded from the first three matches of last season).  Quite frankly, I do not need pure numbers to gauge the improvement of our defense.  The fact that I'm not a wreck everytime an opponent takes a corner tells me all I need to know.

More positives?  Robin got his 35th goal of 2011, we moved up to fourth thanks to Chelsea losing and are only 3 points behind third thanks to Tottenham drawing against Swansea (Spurs still have one game in hand).  Any Gooner can take away a plethora of positives from the match.  There were a few negatives however that deserve a mention of concern.

Vermie hobbled off with a strained calf muscle in the 54th minute and was substituted by the Coq (who held his own against QPR's desperate barrage).  Arsene is saying our Vice-Captain will be out for 3 weeks and so is going to dive into the market for a full back on-loan.  I really have not seen any names in the papers linking a full-back to Arsenal other than Wayne Bridge.  What I remember about him was that he was rotten in our game against West Ham last season.  But if we only need him for a few weeks, maybe it would be worth it?  It would also mean Mancini would loan out a player to a rival.  So, if he does let Bridge go to North London, I don't think that says anything good about Wayne's potential.  Silvestre anyone?

I guess that was only one negative.  Wonderful.  We have Fulham at the Cottage on Monday so I'll be previewing that next.  Until then Gooners, bask in the glory of another 1 Nil to The Arsenal, have fun, be safe and Happy New Year to you and yours!

QPR Preview

The Queens Park Rangers from West London are making the short ride North tomorrow to face our squad at the Emirates.  The Rangers are currently sitting fifth from the bottom of the table coming off of two losses and a draw.  After Friday's matches, Arsenal dropped to sixth after Liverpool beat Newcastle.  Getting only five points from our last three games means it's more important than ever for Arsenal get all three from tomorrow to get our momentum revving again.

The team news is that Theo is back in the squad after recovering from his a "stomach illness" that we here across the pond call the stomach flu.  There is no other immediate returns although the boss says that Sagna and Gibbs could be back late January with Spiky Jack to follow shortly thereafter.  I really can't wait for Bacary to return since has hasn't played with the squad since the Tottenham game which came at the early stages of our squad's development.  I think he will enjoy playing with a squad that has such good energy and attitude about it.

Truthfully, I haven't seen QPR play many matches but know just from watching the table that after staying in the middle of the pack was their pattern, but recently they have begun to nosedive.  Another loss at the Emirates could see them in the dreaded relegation zone.  So, there is a chance they will be playing out of a place of desperation making them dangerous and scrappy.  Remember, this is the team that beat Chelski 1-0 (and put John Terry on the racist map).  In short, I'd say they are extremely unpredictable.  Our makeshift back four will have to be on their toes the whole game and keep the in-form veteran striker Helguson who has seven goals from seeing the back of the net. 

As with Wolves our attack may be diminished with having center backs playing at full back positions.  The paciness and ball handling skills needed are not quite on par with our substitutes.  They are playing their hearts out, no doubt, but one can see how even my favorite would be more comfortable going up for aerial challenges in the middle than playing a one-two with Gervinho.  If QPR come and park the bus, having Theo back on the pitch will be most welcome as we will in all likelihood look to hit them on the counter attack.

As far as the lineup goes, Arsene has already talked of playing RVP and then deciding later whether to play him in the following games: 

“It will be difficult,” said Wenger. “He will play tomorrow, then we will assess the situation with him on Sunday and Monday morning and make a decision.


“I don’t rule it out but he’s one of the players who has played a lot and you see again, against Wolves on Tuesday, he’s the guy who gives absolutely everything in every game at the moment.

Gervinho and Theo will round out the front three with Robin.  Rambo had a breather last match so I expect him to start alongside Song (no backheels please) and Arteta who I am thinking will need a rest here soon.  He's played every Premier League game since he's become an Arsenal player as well as Champions League.  With his history of injury, he is doing surprisingly well, but I would not be shocked if he is approaching the red zone quickly.  With back to back matches on the horizon, I hope Mickey gets a rest.  Who would take his place?  The Coq could step in as well as Ping-Pong although I'm not sure how he and Song would play together.  Honestly, I can't remember if they have appeared together on the pitch or not.

We also have Yossi who could fill - in and deserves some more playing time as he's shown he can make an impact on the pitch.  All in all, I think we'll see a squad that looks something like this:


                                                                  Chezzers

           Djourou                     Mertie                          Koz                   Handsome

                                                                    Song
                                             Arteta/Coq                  Ramsey

Theooooooo                                                                                       Gervinho

                                                                 Captain My Captain

Unfortunately, the game is being shown over here on Fox Soccer Plus which my brother - who is the Gooner upon whom I depend on having access to the right Arsenal channels - does not have with his television programming.  So I will be at home reading Arseblog's live blog and cursing at the illegal stream that keeps freezing.  On a good note - I'll get to wear my brand new Arsenal scarf that the above brother gave me for Christmas.  There's always a silver lining!  Or in this case, a Red and White one. 

So here's hoping we score early and kill off the game before halftime, squashing those West Londoners thus sending them on their way  down to Relegation Alley.  Have a great day Gooners and COME ON YOU REDS!!
                                                                

Filling the Gaps

Current and Former Captains



So here we are on the cusp of 2012 casting an eye on the coveted spots occupied by those above us (included the hated Spuds) while looking over our shoulder at those nipping at our heels.  And while we have experienced a growing confidence in our team, I am looking forward to a time when some of our injured players can come back and fill their roles properly thus allowing our out-of-position players a breath of relief as they move to their more natural roles.

As much as I love seeing my Vermie play every game, even I can acknowledge that his talents are more of a use to us in the center of defense where his gritty play and incredible vertical leap are even more beneficial. 

And although our Dutch of Class and Captain is having the season of his career, we wait with baited breath every game for him to show a hamstring strain or suffer a horrendous tackle.  What would we do if something happens to him?  Chamakh is still suffering from a lack of confidence (or being blackmailed into becoming a complete shambles of a striker for going on a year) and is leaving in January to participate in the ACN along with one of our goalscorers, Gervinho.  Who is on the bench to give Robin some rest?  Arsene shows no confidence in Park playing him only one time in a Cup match and once in Champions League.  Having never set foot on grass for a Premier League game, he is, it seems, a last resort.

Which brings us first off to Thierry Henry.  Having arrived at London Colney  back in mid-November for fitness purposes, Titi has gone from merely being happy to train at his former club to now being a very possible - and very short term- loan move for Arsenal.  Our cagey manager denied rumors of a move back in November, he has now revealed it was his idea to try and push through loan move with Henry's current team the New York Red Bulls. The deal sounds basically done except for the insurance details being finalized.  If the deal goes go through, Henry may not be ready to play until the Leeds game on January 9th with Wenger admitting his fitness still needs a little work.

I'm of the mind that Henry will be a great but temporary option from the bench, and cannot fully be the missing striker that we need.  Van Persie and Arsenal need a proficient scorer who can give Arsene an option when RVP needs a rest and perhaps give the Dutchman a reason to extend his contract at the end of a season.  Arsenal have been linked with two strikers for the January transfer window:  Lukas Podolski currently playing for his home club Cologne in the Bundesliga and Olivier Giroud from the Ligue 1 club Montpellier.  Below are compilations I have found on YouTube that I think highlight their skills as best as possible.

What's interesting is that both are left footed players which gives us the same option at corners and free kicks that Robin provides us.  I have to admit that from limited ability to view these players, I would opt for Podolski in that he seems strongly built and could endure the physical rigours the Premier League requires while having pace and a rifle of a left foot.  He also is used to playing on the wing as well.  So while Gervinho is gone, he could additionally be an option on the left.
Giroud seems technically gifted and a good finisher, but as he is currently on a goal scoring run, he probably would be pricey and difficult to pry away from his current club mid-season.  According to the Metro, Montpellier's owner is asking a hefty fee as he has two years left on his contract. Knowing Arsenal - this alone could obliterate our pursuit of him.

Podloski is having a great season as well scoring 14 goals in15 matches but is out of contract at the end of next season (sound familiar?).   The club's director would like him to sign an extension, and Lukas has been quoted as admiring Arsenal while admitting that there had not been any talks held.  Well, that does not bother me as talks are not to officially take place for two more days.  If Cologne (or Koln) are in any debt they could use this opportunity to balance their books and have an extra few months to scout Lukas' replacement rather than be put through a protracted negotiation at the end of the season.  Podolski is 26 years old.  He's peaking and, if he has any ambition, needs to hone his skills in a more competitive league with what could be his last professional contract.

All in all, I hope Podloski signs.  I saw him play the 2006 World Cup when he was only 19 years old and thought he was wonderful.  Plus, he'd have a comrade in Mertie who rates Podolski as well:

"He is a great player, especially for the national team," Mertesacker said. "He scores a lot of goals, and he has a very good finish with his left foot. His left foot is unbelievable and I'm a fan of him. This year, he has scored a lot of goals. He is powerful as well."

As always, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.  Tomorrow we play QPR and the big question is whether Arsene will rest RVP in the middle of this fixture congestion, or will he play him, thus allowing him the chance to tie or break Alan Shearer's meaningless record?  More details on that in tomorrow's post.  Plus, I'll be writing about the state of affairs with our full backs in the coming days so stay tuned.

Take care Gooners.  Feel free to tell me what you think about our striker situation in the comments.  Until tomorrow...