Considering this is Arsenal’s worst start to a league season since 1982-83 when they had only 14 points after 11 games. Are we going to see a repeat of the 5-2 win from February 2012? I can imagine a similar amount of goals scored, but I expect the difference between the sides to be much closer.
Opinion is rife as to what the problems are with this Arsenal side. It is obvious at times and subtle at others. Injuries to critical players have cost Arsenal again and again and this season appears to be no different. Jack is back, but will it be enough to mask the defensive frailty of late? I suspect not. With Sczcesny fit I expect the defence to play better because they trust him. If Gibbs is fit then I expect a more balanced attack and defence down the left and again that will leave us less exposed. These things will make a massive difference to this Arsenal side bereft of confidence. All of a sudden that mis-timed pass will find its intended recipient, things will start to click and the Arsenal we know and love will be switched back on. It sounds crazy, but football can be that simple. Get the ingredients right and its a good dish, get them wrong and you
Great pre-match Wiggy
I am nervous about tomorrow.
If we are anything like the team that turned out against ManUre, Norwich and Schalke (at home) we will lose and the mood will turn very sour.
Since you wrote this there has been bad news on the injury front:
OG is a doubt. Arteta is a doubt and Gibbs is now classed as “long term” injured along with Diaby and Rosicky.
Santi, as you say, has played every minute and has just had a pointless transatlantic trip.
Meanwhile Old Purple Nose has cooked up an “injury” for Brave Sir Robin so he managed to miss the midweek Holland-Germany game. Why can’t AW be as ruthless as Fergie?
On the positive side, this line gave me hope: “All of a sudden that mis-timed pass will find its intended recipient, things will start to click and the Arsenal we know and love will be switched back on.”
There is no question that these players have been less than the sum of their parts recently. It’s time for them to get back to what they were doing at the start of the season.
We NEED this victory.
Rocky, all those doubts are making me worry somewhat. OG has been really good for us and we will miss him badly.
However, it is up to the players who come in to step up and show they are good enough. We have Jack fit and Rambo too so perhaps our midfield will be OK
We can win this.
WG
Well, you were right Wiggy – all it took was a piece of Adebarndoor stupidity to kick us into action – then the passes started clicking, the movement went up a gear… and we saw the real Arsenal.
I know they were down to 10, but it can be hard to defend against 10 sometimes and the way we ripped them apart in the last 15 mins of the first half was great to see.