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| Image Cred: Arsenal..com |
Hey people, what’s crackalacking over there ma footy people? How Y'all doing this lovely day/night? Its game time again and our darling Arsenal (i hope) is on parade this Saturday at the Emirates against the scousers from the red part of Mersey side, yeah …Liverpool. This post will be a quickie so, let’s start by quickly review the Blackpool game sharply.
The gunners were never really in danger of losing control of the carabao cup game once they went ahead through Litchsteiner and Emile Smithe Rowe but as with things Arsenal, most of the time that is, the gunners found a way to make what should have been a comfortable game a bit more difficult than it should. Allowing Blackpool, a goal back with that lovely header was one as well as the red card for Matteo Guendouzi being the significant other reason. I won't debate if the second yellow was a correct call but, when a player is already on Yellow card in a game, he/she is walking a tightrope, especially midfield players responsible for intercepting and breaking up oppositions play. Maybe Emery should have brought him off earlier, who knows but that’s what most coaches do, to play things safe in order to avoid a potential red card. Moving on, the important thing though is the Gunners bounced back to winning ways after the winning run punctuating draw at Selhurst park. No matter how you flip the cart, this restoration of regular schedule was key for the team’s confidence. The other thing I want to mention is Emile Smithe’s showing again, that guy is putting himself about making sure the coach remembers him. I sure hope he comes good, cuz there have been quite a number of good potential talents who look the real deal for a bit only to never make the cut. Lastly on the Blackpool game, nice to see Maitiland Niles back after the lengthy injury lay-off, expectedly match rusty but that’s by the way. I look forward to seeing what Emery can bring out of this talented dude.
On to Liverpool game, we play host to them on Saturday in a late kick-off for the day. It kind of feels strange playing on Saturday and you know why? Anyway, this is touted as the gunners first real test, like the previous nine games we have played were inconsequential, if the gunners had lost any of their last 7 league matches, they will be labeled as “soft” or lacking mental spine but win the games and they label them as having played no team of repute….no offence. Such is the double standard of the press these days, you damned if you do, you damned if you don’t, either way, you want to cut it, you will be damned, or are they right?
The boyz will have to answer that question, if all the perceived progress we have been quietly getting excited about (we are not title contenders yet, I keep telling you) is all premature or there’s good reason to be, this game should help us find out. No excuses being put down before but you have to admit, Liverpool are favorites here, they playing well, scoring goals (one more than last season at this stage), so far conceded less (Van dyke/Gomez looking good), there seems to be a much better solidity about them even if their attacking trio is being said to be a little off their sweeping best and yet to click into full gear. Liverpool is one of the 3 EPL teams currently unbeaten in the league having won 7 games out of 9 thus far. All that being said, we know they are good, we know Arsenal are underdogs going into this match, we know Arsenal has had a wretched form against top six opposition going as far back as 2015, but all this doesn’t make them invisible, NO! I don’t think Liverpool has been tested bar City, which was a draw. This is where the gunners have to show their level of progression by keeping an all-around discipline, especially in the middle of the park while matching this with ruthlessness in front of goal. Özil needs to come to this to make it an Arsenal Party…BIG time, Lacazette, Auba, and Mikhi need to find their poachers boots. Liverpool will give us a look in but we must be ready to anticipate so as to take the chances when they come. They are still vulnerable at set pieces even with Alisson and Van dyke shoring up the defence. Our defence which so happens to be patchy at the moment with Bellerin out, Monreal a doubt. It definitely needs to be protected. Torreira must bring out the best in Xhaka (not at left back please) or Ramsey, I repeat discipline is going to be key so no stupid high lines which would leave us open to Liverpool’s rapid-fire counter-attack, by now everybody knows that is suicide hence would be stupid to fall for it. Emery wants the team to rewrite a new chapter in the history against top teams and I couldn’t agree more:
“The result tomorrow is very important but first I want to show them, to show you and to show everybody our best mentality in the game. I know if we have a big performance individually and collectively - and also we need some luck- then I think we can win.”
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| Image Cred: The Uk Guardian |
He just sums up my thoughts more or less, I just hope the lads are tuned in to his station, so we get the win. The line-up is anybody’s guess right now with all the injuries at the back so let just wait and see.
Aiite folks I guess that’s it from us, go on and cheer the gunners to this win, don’t forget to follow us on our Facebook page by clicking here, Subscribe to our blog or use the hashtag #anaijagunner and leave us your comment. Before we go, we send our condolences to the families of those who died in the leicester city chopper crash, may the departed souls rest in peace. Do enjoy the game wherever you are……Ciaooo
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