 |
| Courtesy: The Uk Mirror |
WHeeeeww, what a way to announce ya hunger gametime for 2017. Its moments like these this that makes one love the game of football,
goals like that make you love Arsenal and the way they play. This is also part
of what frustrates the fans, tease us with a thing of beauty such as that, then
follow it up with a tepid ughhhhh kinda performance….God forbid. Have I finished drooling
over the scorpion goal by Giroud, for those still wondering what I am yapping
about? Of course I have, moved on with the 3 points in the bag too. I was only
musing out loud, but just in case you want to relive that special magic moment,
here it is… fully worth another look, trust me.
Giroud got Arsenal off to a perfect start
for 2017, with a solid albeit kind measured 2-0 win over Palace, much has been
talked about the beauty of Girouds goal, and I take nothing away from it when I
say the match was just another 3 points so let’s not lose sight of that the
performance was such that we controlled much of the game and limited Big Sam’s
boiz to a short spell where Cech had to earn his thursday paycheck. There was a
lot of encouraging points to take from the match. A win, second consecutive
clean sheet, Benteke kept in check, Iwobi did well in Ozils absence, well
anchored by the improving Xhaka and we shoved another defeat down Big Sam’s throat.
Adding the beauty of Giroud’s goal was just a gloss over an afternoon of
accomplished well controlled performance. So what’s not to like? All that is
history now and we grind on by travelling down to the Vitality stadium.
Its Bournemouth Tuesday evening. We
all know how they play i.e the Eddie Howie way with the ball on the ground. Their
home form while not stellar is quite good 5W 1D 3L isn’t a bad return for a
team their size, beating Liverpool in here in one of the most shocking comebacks
of this season. This has them at 9th position on the log then you
realize they are to be taken with seriousness. The last league encounter
between these two teams back in November 2016 was a cracking affair even though
Alexis genius helped settle the match at 3-1 in favour of Arsenal. The score
line did not exactly reflect how fine the margins of that game were as Bournemouth
could have gotten something out of it. I want to believe Wenger and his boiz
are focused on the task at hand. One match at a time but a must win this is….yet
again. 9 points off the top with just a point separating us Spurs and Man
United, it’s really getting tight around the top six. The league is still Chelsea’s
to lose but with 18 matches still to be played, none of the top six teams are
out of contention. You just have to look at the momentum 6 straight wins for Man
United has done to get that point into proper context, things can and do change
in as little as 3 matches. Like I said though, lets take it one game at a time,
stay focused and take nothing for granted. Benik Afobe has stayed back from the
AFCON to help his club, the threats of Stanislus, Arter, King and Ake also adds more
to us needing to be focused for this encounter. We have to win this game, a
good ol’ one-nil to the Arsenal will be fine, since it appears we may have
gotten back our clean sheets formula (I hope). Jack wilshere missing this one
due to his loan may be another good one for us, he has somehow steadily found
his influence grow in this team, which bides well for his continued return back
to fitness. It also raises questions about our handling him on and off the
pitch back at arsenal. What they not getting right about him. Anyway, that’s another
matter for another day. Today is about getting another win on our travels. Potential
banana skin it could be if the gunners lose focus and get complacent, there are
no easy games should be the watch word. With the games coming thick and fast, I
would give iwobi a rest and start Ramsey in the playmaker role, he needs the
run of games and boost of confidence as his season has being more stop than
start. Our depth in midfield has been the saving grace in helping Arsenal cope
with Ramsey’s absence, Welbz should get a look in from the bench as he eases
back to full match fitness while Mustafi remains a 50/50. My team will look
like this:
Subs: Ospina, Welbeck, Jeff, Iwobi, Oxlade, Mustafi, Holding
Not an exactly strong bench we have there, but in light of injuries and suspensions, i think the mix is just about balanced. The gunners will need to cut out any silly errors here, keep the sheet clean for a slim win, thats hoping they can maintain focus. Whatever the team that turns out, lets just get all 3 points and close the gap on Liverpool having drawn, maybe Chelsea too if they draw against Spurs, but we need to win first. Do enjoy the game wherever you are...Ciaoooo
No comments:
Post a Comment