Westham Preview: Who Gets Hammered

So, here we are days after that loss to Southampton. I like to kid myself that that's officially our first loss this season, well we all know that's not true so let's get on with it. The thing with being outta the confines of civilization is that one gets to miss the world go by, you are just a part of it.....lol. Arsenal's B team had a task on Wednesday but failed the test in both paucity of goals and meh of s performance. It was always going to be very difficult against a well drilled side especially when your attack is being spearheaded by a hitherto injured Perez. Ramsey tried as he may is not the player we all saw a couple seasons ago but then again....are we expecting too much from him so soon since he just got back from injury? Iwobi I would not slam too much as he needs a shot of confidence right now, a goal might do the trick to help remove any cobwebs of the champions league mishap. Why Wenger chose not to start Ox is still a mystery but no excuses, Let's just say Arsenal were worthy of being beaten cuz they were second best on that night period.
November gone, big guns out and it's a visit to Upton park...... scratch that. It's a visit to the hammers at their new Stratford stadium where they have been playing like anything except a home team. It's understandable, being a new playing ground for the hammers they haven't really been up to it . Less than 3 wins at home this season thus far, slaven Bilics side is really struggling to capture the form of last season's fantasy heights which saw them threaten the top four status quo with away wins at Arsenal Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham. It's been an opposite this season as they flirt with the opposite end of the table just above the relegation scrappers. Arsenal on the other hand have turned the corner with the win at Bournemouth, or so we want to think. With both teams having lost midweek EFL cup matches and both teams being better away than at home. The Gunners seem to have the slight edge on this....just slight. I want to believe Arsene and his charges understand the importance of bouncing back with a win after the midweek loss. It remains to be seen how or which Arsenal turns up this evening. An Alexis Sanchez fired up Arsenal or a lumbering lethargic one. My team selection will have the Chilean  leading the line having gotten a rare opportunity of one full weeks rest. Giroud, Perez on the bench as well as Ramsey vacating Özil's #10 spot. Coq and Xhaka anchor behind him. Due to my current x n Y coordinates we won't be able to do a more picturesque line up as we usually do, please bear with us. Now having said that, these are the kind of games a title harbouring ambitions side contrives to win, West Ham will be dangerous with Payet and Antonio..... especially Payet, he is their live wire. Arsenal will need the industry and guile if it's big players to snuff them as well as assert our own game plan. Whatever happens, I hope we build on last week's win ahead of the hectic schedule of the festive season. So here's to a win for Arsenal this evening, enjoy the game wherever you are......ciao

EFL Quarters Here

    Good day to ya where ever you are and welcome to us over here, we do appreciate your stopping by and even more if your comment and share ur post. You might be wondering the anaijagunner team is in an upbeat mood today, well the question is why wont we be? Arsenal finally got back to winning ways however dicey the rout to the win might have been. After 3 consecutive draws in all competitions since our only win in November, we finally got the 3points against Bournemouth, Pheww!! I didn’t see the match (long long story so don’t ask) but I caught a few highlight reels. I get the picture that Eddie Howe’s boiz gave it a good go and the gunners were against the ropes for some time, during which the game could have swung either way. Said it in the preview that, Bournemouth on their day would cause teams problems but because of their open style play, they are also very vulnerable. Having said that, I think it’s time Monreal did sort his out of sorts limbs and general form, though it wasn’t a penalty if you ask me but the ref had other ideas. I thought he was lucky against Man U, now a similar flay of arms against Bournemouth, nobody can keep that run of luck. Petr Cech deserves a honorable mention for that point blank save from a header using his legs, if that had gone in at that time…well who knows, as for Mattieu Debauchy well all I can say is, sad  sad for him, nothing else.  All that is history though, job done 3points in the bag, moving on.

     Wednesday evening is a date with the saints from St Mary’s, Southampton come to the Emirates in some kind of out of sorts form too, 1W 2D 2 L in the last 5 league games isn’t the best when you look at it that way but when you look at their last two games, 1 D 1W against free scoring Liverpool and Everton respectively then you would have a rethink. Claude Puel’s wards are no slouch couches and they can be a tough nut to crack anyday. It took the ingenuity of a controversial penalty to get us a 2-1 win at the emirates back in august in a premier league meeting. Now the focus is on a Cup, you know how these teams bay for blood when the chance for an upset is around. That’s what domestic Cup competitions are known to be about [hopefully not this time]. The narrative continues cuz the saints knocked Arsenal out of this competition last season in a 4th round tie, 1-2 it ended in favour of Southampton. Can the gunners respond this time or is that feeling of de javu a sign of the things to come? I just hope the team is keyed in on this. 

   I expect wenger to keep faith with his varied mix of fringe experienced players with a mix of youth. Martinez in goal, Jenks coming back in at right back with the Debauchy misfortune, Holding and Gabriel or Bielik in central defence and Gibbs at left back if fit. In the middle of the park I liked Maitiland Niles in the last match, neat tidy with a bit of skill, along with Neny and Xhaka. attack is where we have bare options, so Ox and Maybe Akpom with Jeff come in here….Perez is still out and Wenger is unlikely to start Giroud, that’s just me thinking sha, u never know with that old man. My line up looks thus.

    The key to winning this match will be what I have being banging on about in recent times, a clean sheet, stay compact, defend with better organization. Looking above though that may be a tough ask (I hope I am wrong).  The experienced guys will have to bring theirs to bear by shepherding the young gunners, Gabriel and Gibbs at the back, Xhaka in the middle. Arsenal will have to take their chances when they come else it may be another farce of a performance. Having said that, home support should count for something too, so here is hoping they can rouse the boiz with a good "gingerr"cuz if we can clear this hurdle then maybe just maybe we may go all the way and win this cup for an Arsenes first  but first we have to end our not so stellar November form with a win.  Do enjoy the game wherever you are…….Ciao

Bournemouth Preview: Time to Stop The Rutt

    Black Friday has come and gone, so I hope you got good bargains like me who didn’t, there was that odd flash sale but before I said Jack Wilshere Robinson what you get with a click is “sold out” or ya internet connection chooses that very moment to slow down. Anyway Cyber Monday is just around the corner so you never know. Speaking of things Wilshere, Arsenal welcome Bournemouth to the emirates in a Sunday afternoon kickoff. Nobody needs to tell Arsene and the Boiz that this has become a must win match. No disrespect to Eddie Howe and his crew but these are games we should be and have to win. Simple!! It seems I keep saying that every match is a must win but considering our hitherto run of consecutive draws, any further slips by way of a draw or loss would give a severe dent to whatever glimmer of title aspirations we may be harboring. The gunners just can’t afford anymore dropped points especially at home where we really need to improve by putting teams to the sword thus making the Emirates a fortress. Its important the boiz get back to proper organized defending, clean sheets I keep saying give you a better chance at winning, sometimes even when you don’t score….Arsenal V PSG at nil nil would have seen us maintain leadership of Group A in the Champions league, just saying ooo but I am sure you catch ma drift.           

Jenkinson at right back is still suspect to me although I must say he has been improving but by bit. Nacho Monreal has not been his usual consistent self which is strange, in the middle of the park will either Play Ramsey in the double pivot central midfield, paired with Xhaka, maybe further ahead with Özil on the bench…I know I know. No Ramsey on the wings, it’s painful to watch Arsene, spare us the misery please.

As you know Jack Wilshire will be absent from this encounter for obvious reasons. Benik Afobe will probably fancy a start against his football alma mater in Arsenal Fc. No love lost though as he has found a nice place nest at the vitality stadium but on this day Arsenal will have to Keep Him Stanislaus Wilson and co very quiet.  Boss the midfield and give ourselves a chance to score. Without Jack, the Bournemouth midfield lacks a bit of drive as the few games of theirs I have seen he seems to have steadily become influential in their play. Eddie Howe is praised for being one of the few small team coaches who lets his team play expansive football and on their day they could hurt even big teams besides they don’t seat in 10^th position for nothing, at the same time it could be their undoing against the Gunners. Games like this could be a potential banana skin so the team has to watch it, we haven’t been playing well so complacency may not be an issue here just our ability to move up a notch in gears if need be. On a much better note, Oliver Giroud is beginning to fire them in which is good for his confidence, also news is Hector Bellerin has signed an extension to his contract, could we get messers Özil and Sanchez to please not dally on putting pen to paper. Arsenal should better give them what they desire. My Team sheet will look like this

Subs: Ospina, Chamberlain, Iwobi, Jeff, Coquelin, El Neny.

A win and nothing less will assuage a lot of nerves, especially with Man City and Liverpool winning this evening lets get it boiz. Note i never mentioned novemberI leave you with this piece, 

“The United States will come talk to us when it has a black president and the world has a Latin American pope,” Fidel Castro supposedly told the world in 1973, a joke or prophecy that predicted the rise of Obama, Pope Francis and the work to bring the US and Cuba together again.....Hate him or Love Him, we say RIP Fidel Castro.

2nd Again, Familiar Failings....?

    A 20 minute spell of spirited come back seemed like the best response we could show in this BIG game to make the statement Arsene asked for……close but no cigar. Still have a sour taste from the kick in the teeth feeling no matter how much as I would love to spin it positively, and there were positives. Yes we remain unbeaten in all competions since our day 1 loss to liverpool, yes we are showing resilience by fighting back and overturn deficits, Yes Kostafi central defensive partnership looks good, Ramsey played better in the Middle (who knew) Giroud got his deserved start & Yes we are more clinical in front of goal by scoring more from lesser number of created chances, the stats article here. That as far as the positives go. Against PSG we looked like we were tested by a team that knew what needed to be done, calm coordinated and deadly. It was no surprise we conceded by  the 18^th minute, what was surprising was the way our defence was easily split for that pass to Matuidi, once he skipped past Jenks and Mustafi a and curled the ball across to wards the far post, there was no mistaking the preying Cavani off Koscielny’s  shoulder. For me it was a basic silly goal to to concede early in the game but full credit to PSG, they deserved to be ahead at that time.

0-1  to PSG

We did respond though, with a bit more purpose but lacking the necessary incision in the final 3^rd. As the 1^st half wore on toward its end, Ozil conjured a moment of magic with a ‘So-junu” pass to Sanchez who was playing on the right wing this time while Iwobi occupied his trademark left wing. Sanchez did a shimmy dance into the box did a cut back and left his leg trailing for the defender to nick….Penalty! Giroud stepped up ad sent Areola the wrong way for the leveler. Arsenal was lucky here again to go into the break honors even but I’ll take it.

1-1 all square.

    After the break the gunners came out like a house on fire, we pressed and harried leaving PSG running around in chasing packs, the second gall duly came in the 60^th minute although through a stroke lucky ping pong with the ball finally going in off the shin of Verratti following a mishit shot from Ramsey. Arsenal were on the ascendency so it seemed but the team gradually relinquished control and PSG started piling the pressure. Arsenal were living on the edge of danger. Again the PSG equalizer came some through an own goal. From a corner kick floated in deep Lucas Moura was allowed to volley goal wards, Ospina was left flat footed after Iwobi made a weak attempt to clear from the right post. You could tell he was very much gutted, as he got substituted immediately, I don’t wanna believe he was being blamed but I am sure he blames himself. Tough luck but that’s the game and he should learn from the experience as long as he doesn’t allow it affect his confidence. PSG went on to boss the rest of the game with Cavani missing some gilt edge chances, I wish Arsenal made them rue those misses but the gunners had  surrendered the initiative to PSG. 2 -2 it ended. PSG now on top via head 2 head and we are now 2nd in the group...…sounds familiar??

   Again we nicked a point where we were very much 2^nd best. I worry about this current trend and taking Arsene’s comments before the game, he must be really worried. 3 Draws on the bounce in all competitions since our win against Ludogorets. I don’t want to state the obvious but we really need to pick up our form. We remain unbeaten since the only loss but we are dropping too many points along the way. Time to get back to winning against Bournemouth away especially with Man City around the corner. Our away form is a bit better than our home form. We need those 3 points if Arsenal is serious about any tittle challenge. Win that, start building the momentum into the hectic Christmas schedule hopefully who knows, Wellbz & Perez coming back from injury…maybe, just maybe we might get that luck to make this title push but we need to stopp shipping in goals, get back to those early season clean sheets, a clean sheet always gives you a chance at winning cuz all you need is a goal. Anyway that’s it from us here see you on the other side of the Bournemouth preview……Ciao

The Special 1 Point & PSG Preview.

    Okay Okay……. Lets all calm down even though that was bad, no that was horrible in terms of an Arsenal performance. Arsenals wretched winless streak in the league at Old Trafford continued for the 10^th year running gunning, our last win over there came way back in 2006……in the league ooo. That definitely wasn’t the Arsenal we have been watching this season and even our performance in Paris against PSG was better than that, at least the second half was….Init?? For once I concur with Mourinho when he said we Arsenal were the lucky ones. We were totally out gunned (We should be doing the gunning) and out matched by a more purposeful Man United. Seeing Jenkinson start in place of Bellerin gave me a lot of cause for concern initially but I never knew that would be the least of our worries on that early afternoon. Why because Man United never really took advantage of his weakness in our backline preferring to attack down their right instead, with Valencia Vs Monereal (No.. it wasnt a Penalty). It does beg the question what’s so bad about “Debauchy”? it must be really really  be very bad for him not to get a sniff at their team. Jenkinson did perform better than expected, that’s because my expectations are quite low. How the score line ended at 1-1 is a bit of a mystery but Cech had a lot to do with whatever was that mystical element. He was that piece of the gunners’ ensemble that came to the concert, saving when called upon as the busier of both keepers. It is quite telling that De Gea never had a save to make all through the match….POOR ARSENAL. Man U thoroughly deserved that lead having being the one in control, keeping Arsenal under the kosh for much of the play.  Özil, Walcott especially had one of those games to forget with Sanchez being the only one trying to make something happen but was seeing very little of the ball in areas where he could do damage to Man Utd. He kept dropping deeper and deeper to receive the ball. As for Ramsey on the wings….the left wing for that matter, which needs to stop Arsene. I hate using the word useless for players no matter how bad they play but Ramsey was this close to that, not his fault though. Arsene wants to play him with Özil in d same team by force but not the same spot. Özil is our #10 Ramsey isn’t when Özil is around period.

    This brings us to the flipside of the coin, as there are always two sides to one. Arsenal defended quite well up until that goal in the 68^th minute from Mata even though the gunners offered little or no threat going forward.  The team should also be praised for not panicking after going a goal down because they were still in it somehow. The problem with 1-0 leads is, as long as the game is still on the other team can get a goal. We were the other team, Arsene made his customary 70-80 minute substitutions, on came Giroud Ox and Xhaka. In one of our few ventures well forward Ox skipped past Rashford and put in a good cross. There was Giroud towering over Koscielny and Rojo to thump in an equalizer. Like I said credit to the boiz for snatching that point from Mourinho which made the draw sweeter. Our 1^st goal against him in the league since 2009…..progress? Naaah!! Whats progress is the fight back put up by the gunners, they say you can’t play well all the time but you must find a way to eke out points especially when you don’t play well, that’s what wins you trophies! Arsene’s boiz did that to become “the lucky ones” in Mourinho’s words. I worry about our November form though….Just one win in 3 Matches. Not too bad but definitely not good enough.

    PSG comes to town on Wednesday night for a champion’s league day 5 encounter. I made reference to our performance in Paris being the nadir of our performance this season, we just topped that with the leggy performance at Old Trafford. I wouldn’t go into any detail preview but the team needs to respond. Snap out of it and get the focus back. Topping the group is number one priority, which means beating PSG at home. Stamp on the better head to head record against them. A draw wouldn’t really cut it cuz that still puts on the pressure to win at Switzerland and we could do well to avoid that. The French champions are now back in their groove after their early season yo-yo form. 4 wins and a draw in their last 5 league matches, up to 3^rd on the Ligue Un table just 3points adrift of the surprise team of the League so far…Nice. The gunners have to step it up a few notches, we can’t soley depend on luck all the time, you have to make yours sometimes. Arsene shares this view as well talking about the need to show we can win against a Big team he said

“We had created a momentum up to beginning of November but we have been stuttering recently cuz we haven’t been winning games. We want to build that momentum again. We need to show we can win against a big team, so it’s more important for us to do the job. It would send out a statement.”

I couldn’t agree more, it’s what we have being saying about our performance in recent games and I am glad the manager is calling it out. I hope we go on to heed this by staying compact all round stiffle PSG and give ourselves a chance to win. My preferred line up will be this:

Subs: Sanchez, Adelaide, Gibbs,Chambers, Cech, Ramsey, El Neny

I will be giving Sanchez a bit of rest, he needs it and i worry about that hamstring he has a band aid over, plus Giroud has been banging on the door for a start. Iwobi starts over Ramsey please and Xhaka comes in for Neny. I can't wait for Santi to come back from injury, he gives us something very special. Anyway that's it from us, here's to a clean sheet in the win...... Ciao

Familiar Foes: Special 1 or Specialist in Faiure

   A lot has happened around the world since I seen you guys but no time to comment on Trumps win (surprise surprise) or the Internationals or the fighting  in Syria…Nooo we dive straight in for the Man U V Arsenal. The Derby of the Premier league I dare say (maybe not as top of the bill as before), we both know these teams are not the stuff of champions they used to be Arsenal looking for their 1st League trophy win since the invincibles and Man U still outta sorts since the departure of SAF. How times have changed but ….have they really changed that much?? I think not. The added spice of  the Arsene-Mourinho rivalry makes this an even more interesting match. Man U Vs Arsenal like that heat isn’t enough, you throw in the caustic Mourinho V Wenger rivalry  for that lil tabasco on this “hotdog”. In a nutshell as far as hypes, egos, special one, specialist in failure or bitter rivalries go, this is not a game I’d wanna miss if I was you. Jose believes he isnt accorded the kind of respect Wenger has, despite his recently winning the league as compared to Wenger's last ....some eons ago. it riles him and he just cant get come to terms with Wenger seemingly having the better rub of the green from the Media, the FA, and the club managements.

Familia Foes

   Our look at the form book for both clubs, Man U looks to be in more some sort of Strait…..not dire yet, but one win in the last 5 league games tells an unpleasant story. Some go as far as saying compared to Van Gaal & David Moyes at this stage of their various tenures, Mourinho’s current doesn’t seem to be fairing any better than they had after 11 matches. A summer splurge on some of the best and most expensive players in Europe hasn’t had them blitzing opponents like most of the fans would have been expecting. The team is conceding more goals than an average mourinho side would especially one with a De Gea in between the sticks. Pogba besides his inconsistent hairstyles has only shown a bit of that quality we all know he has in flashes recently but he needs to do it more consistently to show his second coming to Man U is a the step up he so wanted. Mikitaryan not playing is another perplexing story entirely while Rooney is looking more of a misfit conundrum. Damned if you play him, damned if you don’t. It’s not all dour for the Mancs though, Rashford has forced Jose to take him a bit more seriously, Mata is getting playing time, Bailly has been a solid fit in at the back and Zlatan shows us he still gat it at 35, if you need a lil bit of something to cheer. Basically the team has a lot more potential to be more than they currently showing they are and it’s up to the manager to get his pieces to fit together. Does it mean Arsenal has a free pass on Man U this time, as an Arsenal fan…..i wish. 

     The truth is Arsenal hasn’t been firing on all cylinders too, one win sandwiched between the last 3 league matches hasn’t set us on a slower momentum now we are visiting Old Trafford where we have not won since 2006, against a manager Wenger hasn’t beaten in the League,  with just only one win in 12 past meetings against Mourinho all in the month of the dreaded November month where Arsenal has a not so productive history. Looking at all these indicators I don’t know what to expect as the odds looks totally stacked against Arsene Wenger and his team. That’s the form book though and we all know that in games like these, that book goes out the window, It comes down to who wants it more during the 90+ minutes encounter so all that aove may be irrelevant. This may be the day of reckoning for Mourinho where Arsene Wenger gets it right with a lil luck on his side and he gives him a hammering or another win for Jose. Tactically Mourinho is one who would have sat down to prep his team against an opponent drilling each of his players as to how to nullify the opposition tactics.           This method though is being found out and teams are getting past Jose and his plans. Wenger on the other hand will expect his team play swarms the opposition into submission with no specific player or players being targeted. For wenger too, teams are parking the bus, happily ceding possession and hoping to hit Arsenal on the counter and it works to a point. Whatever the plan is, I hope Arsene has a more pragmatic plan for this encounter. Both teams need the 3 points, a draw does neither team any good. Man U though being at home may feel the 6 points behind the gunners, they are under more pressure.  Both teams are also without some key players. For Man U, no Ibrahimovic, Bailly, Smalling, Miki, Fellaini, with Rooney a doubt.  Arsenal is still without their midfield dextro, Santi Carzola, Bellerin and possibly Sanchez even though he didn’t seem to aggravate his hamstrings on international duty, the remaining team looks good. My predicted team sheets will look like this.

Team Line Ups Courtesy UK Guardian

    Here is hoping for a better outing against the the mancs, 3 points and and a clean sheet to the good even though the signs aren't looking so good. Despite Arsenal's terrible record at Old Trafford and Arsene's hitherto terrible stats against Mourinho, one can and should be still be able to dream BIG......enjoy the game wherever you are, .......Ciaooo.

NLD: Guts But No Glory!

    What da deeleyo peeps, I mean whas goin on (ma fav yankee accent). Yes ooo, its Dee day back in the states (I never reach airport oo….lol) and we are about to find out who is the most hated of the two ills…..meh. Scheming Hilary or Mean-filled Trump? Frankly speaking I can’t be assed about the theses elections frankly speaking just cant understand what the vested interest it is with Nigerians, the way Nigerians analyses the US elections one would have expected that we would have the foresight to prevent the current economic recession right here….anyway Good luck best of luck to both candidates, though I have a soft spot for democrats just not sure about this their candidate sha, and the alternative…..Puhlzzzz.

    Back to naijagunner, the north London derby has come and gone, with the vestiges of the hype dust now settled. It turned out to be an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, ending in a grinded out stalemate. One point is better than nothing looking at the glass from the half full perspective but with Liverpool turning over opponents like its Sunday jollof and Chelsea, storming their way back, one can’t help but feel it was two points dropped especially when you add the fact that we were the home team. The Gunner have dropped most points at home now with 1L & 2 D while we have only 1D on our away trips in the league. Arsene has something to worry about if that stat continues. Emirates should be made into a fortress where TEAM should fear coming cuz they would be put to sword.

    The match stated with both teams trying to impose themselves on the midfield, Tottenham

Took the gamble of starting Kane and he was threatening by his positioning during the early exchanges, there was a particular ball that Erikson whipped in from wide right which flashed across the six yard box inches in front of him but that chance went begging, a much match fit Kane would buried that. Thank God he wasn’t. Then next came son, dummying mustafi on the high press he raced down towards the by line and then flashed a cross into the area, Monreal did just that gentle enough touch not to turn it into his post but nick it away fro the lurking Kane ready to tap in ….another close one. This seemed to wake the gunners up from slumber. Monreal was one of our standout performers on that Sunday, showing why his early season Jitters are very obvious because we are so used to him being consistent. He cleared at least 3 potential goal creating chances from the Arsenals box much to Kane's frustrations. Arsenal stared to seize control of the game towards the last twenty minutes of. There was that snap shot from Sanchez that went waaaay over the bar.  Then Sanchez drifted right to tee up Özil, he dragged his tame shot wide of the mark. Next up was Iwobi who had a better game I think, derby rush maybe, he was set up in the box by a fine pass from Sanchez again, only, he shot straight at Loris…he really should have done better. Arsenal again turning the screw breaking away quickly as Özil, Sanchez and Xchaka combining to release Walcott, he ran ahead and thundered a fierce drive against Hugo Loris’s left upright. The rebound off the post was not skewed into row zee by Özil as he tried to balance himself on the scissors volley. That was a terrible miss by our German playmaker with a look that said it all. We were knocking for a due goal and it came in the dying embers of the 1^st half. Arsenal won a freekick outside Spurs 18yard box, Özil steps up to loft a teasing ball into the area, Kevin Wimmer who was starting his 1^st league game for spurs, sends its into the back of his net for an own goal.

1-0  to Arsenal

So the half ended with the gunners on the ascendancy. Second half was more of Spurs seizing the initiative again and it paid off, quickly Dembele dragged Coquilin shirt to tease into the Gunners box Mustafi tried to nick the ball but missed and koscielny stuck out his foot, missing the ball but buying the Penalty Dembele sought. Refree pointed to the spot from where kane made no mistake, sending it down the middle while Cech grasped air with his legs.

1-1 all square

   A kick in the teeth from a terribly soft penalty to concede but if it’s a foul which it was, then it’s a penalty….deal with it. We tried to respond on the offensive, Xhaka shot another balloon into the air, why today of all days, then Spurs tried a trick one from Rose across the 6 yard box after getting behind our back four, I don’t know how Monreal got ahead of Kane for the vital block on what would been a tap in. The look of disbelief on both Kane and Rose was just epic. Monreal just got up and carried on. End to end stuff this was becoming, Iwobi floated a flighted lob into the box Xhaka couldn’t dive to meet it and the half chance went begging. It was nerve wrecking and both Teams were going at each other hammer and tongs. Wenger decided to go for it, bringing on Ramsey for Coquelin and Giroud for iwobi. Sanchez Played in Özil but Loris was quickly off his line to smother the ball for a corner. Corner taken but ramsey couldn’t keep down a rebound from the clearance. Ramsey shot another ball waaaaay over, much to the frustration of everyone. Then came a Steven Gerard moment by Cech, when Spurs played a long ball into Son over our highline, Cech was quick off his line but slipped on the way, Son, stopped his running just long enough a moment for Cech to recover and clear the ball. Pheeew, that was close, Arsenal continued to press for that winner. Giroud nodded into Loris's safe hands from a cross by Sanchez., 90 minutes now and the tension was fever pitch. Then Danny rose sped to the byline before pulling back a cross that fell for Jansen, His scissors volley didn’t quite come off, Arsenal cleared but only just as Wanyama picked up the loose ball and shot over the ball. There was enough time for just one more attack from Arsenal before the final whistle.

I hate to say ths but we dropped two points despite credits to Spurs with their defending which was very well organized. They made it difficult to break down. On the balance of it all  1 oint isn’t bad but 3 would have been most ideal considering our next trip is at Old Trafford, that has become a must win match lest we fall waaay behing high flying Liverpool and revamped Chelsea, you also would expect Pep Guardiola to sort City out soon enough so all points count. Anyway that’s it, we are off to the international break guys, Up Nigeria as iwobi scores in Uyo…….Ciaooo

North London Derby: Red Or White?

    Remember remember the 5^th of November, Guy Fawkes day is upon them in Britain, and when we look at the recent polls, Americans still cant decide if she is bad while he is worse or the other way round. I’d rather the US elections, Brexit and all the hum dum of political jargon be gotten over with so we can watch something more meaningful on CNN. Anyway V for vendetta was that movie, twisted, cynical  and it rabid dialogue was nothing short of brilliant. How Guy Fawkes goes from villain to a hero is beyond comprehension but hey this world is full of mysteries aint it…..thats ma opinion though.

Guy Fawkes Mask: V for Vandetta

     Back to Arsenal as this is what we do here, please pardon the digression. It’s the north London derby (NLD) at the emirates on Sunday and our first on this blog ……yippee. Arsenal face the first test of their mettle against Tottenham as they begin the fabled “crunch November” in the league. A lot of history in this one since 1992 when both teams met for the 1^st time in the EPL.  From cross carpeting players like Sol Campbel to managers like George Graham and Herbert Chapman (same Chapman with a statue), it really is a stuff of legends.

Arsenals 66 Wins to Spurs 50Wins, Spurs have never finished above the gunners in the league since Arsene came to town. Last season coulda been that season though, after pushing leiceter most of the way it looked like they would get 2^nd place above Arsenal (which they deserved if u ask me) but like the famous Lasgne of 2006, Tottenham bottled it yet again. We aren’t at that point of reckoning yet, just about a third of the league games played. Of the two sides, Arsenal are the form team even though they seemed to be getting themselves into tricky situations and then going on to get themselves out of it, just for the heck of it. One would thing a better team would punish the gunners more with their penchant for school boy defending in recent games. Spurs on the other hand though unbeaten in the league so far, here’s hoping we change that. They seem to have lost some mojo in their last few matches with just one win in four games compared to Arsenal's 3 wins in four. Yes the form guide points to an Arsenal win and I hope for that too….but derby is a derby and this happens to be one of the fiercest rivalries in football where no one wants to end up on the losing side. Form they say goes out the window when it comes to this and the day belongs to the team that shows to want it more. Can Arsenal do that to kill Tottenham’s high pressing game? BIG question that needs our BIG GUNZ to show up BIG time. Can we do that?  Sanchez seems to think so, saying this derby will have everything as he understands what the result  of this particular means to the team and the supporters in terms of morale and bragging rights.

“The Arsenal fans are amazing supporters and that really helps me to perform well, and  we want to give them something to celebrate” speaking to Arsenal.com

    I don’t think anyone can question our energizer bunny’s work ethic. The good thing is his attitude has rubbed of on the likes of Walcott and recently Oxlade who have spoken glowingly about how he gives that bit of extra. Özil is also reverse chipping in with more goals this season than assists so far and I hope he continues with both. Football is a team game and it would require the whole team to stay compact in defending without the ball and clinical when the chances come. Despite Spurs injury worries, without Anderwereld, Kane though proclaimed fit is not likely to start, spurs still posses a threat in Son(Spurs top scorer) Erikson, a fit Kane they are no slouch couch. Remember Arsenal has not won Spurs in the last four league meetings. The midfield will be a key battle area, if we win that, we have better finishers who can convert chances to hurt them real bad. Wenger has a few concerns too and a selection headache albeit a good one. Walcott and Monreal are likely to be back in the side after their short layoff while Santi the magician remains the doubt….still the ankle. My own preferred lineup will be to go with pace in attack and a strong midfield to stifle Dembele and Wanyama. Something like the usual back four with Cech, Nacho and Bellz returning, powerful midfield trio of Coq Xhaka and Ramsey in front of them then a front three of Wally Iwobi and Sanchez. …..yes I am leaving Özil on the bench with Giroud, keep them hungry for the second half. Having said that, I believe Wenger  who knows, will go with the team below depending on injuries(those in bold are almost a guarantee );

Sub: Ospina, Elneny, Jenkinson, Giroud, Ramsey Xhaka, Oxlade.

Predicted Lineups courtesy ; The Uk Guardian.

Whatever the team that's put out, here is hoping the players fight for everything like Sanchez said and get that win for the fans to celebrate. Till tomorrow, do enjoy the match wherever you may be.....Cioa

The Wizard Of Özil Seals The Comeback In Sofia

  Wow…..a comeback is always nice especially away from home but that wasn’t easy. Its not every time that we have said that this season since Arsenal Made a flying comeback post their first match loss. Arsenal played a different Ludogoret side from the one that visited the emirates two weeks ago. Off the block Arsenal tried to impose themselves in the midfield that had Ramsey starting for the first time since returning from injury on the wings where arsene admitted “he doesn’t like to play”. Ramsey was the first to test the opposition waters as early as the 5^th minute , then in the 8^th minute Özil was played through on goal by a delightful slide on pass from Coquelin. Özil took the pass well o the run but aas usual his final shot was a weak placement that  Borjan their keeper was able to save with ease. That seemed to have jolted the hosts out of their shell as they took Arsenal apart with two well taken goals within the space of five minutes. The first came from a nice free kick after Xhaka was harshly penalized for a soft handball outside the gunners penalty box. Wanderson floated in an in swinger, the Arsenal defence dallied on the incoming and the ball was bundled home by Cafu despite Jenkinson’s best efforts at a desperate clearance.

1-0 against the Gunners!

  I know Jenkinson is just back from injury but he was a weak link in the arsenal backline making life a bit more difficult for Mustafi. Going forward he lack the incision of bellerin and his defending really needs to be less clumsy especially his positioning. He gets a bit of slack cuz he is only back from a long injury lay off but he is has to up his game to catch up with Bellerin. Our collective defending was brought to the fore again few minutes after the goal via a fast break with the ball played out wide by Wanderson to the left for Cafu. Cafu  did some nice footwork to land Gibbs on his backside before playing the ball into space for Keseru to convert. 

2-0 against the gunners!

Painful to see us defending this way, . I just did a bigups on Gibbs and he fails me like this….. that was it though for the home side. Arsenal needed to respond and they picked themselves from falling behind. Özil did well to scoop the ball of the line for Granit Xhaka to steer beyond the grasping dive of Borjan in Ludogorets goal on the dot of 20 minutes.

2-1 against the gunners! Still some ground to make up.

Just like arsenal conceded in quick succession, Ludogorets were going to almost oblige Arsenal the same. Arsenal won the ball in their half got it to Ramsey out wide on the right flank. Ramsey on the edge of the box floated one into the box. Giroud came forward to glance the header beyond the keeper for the glorious equalizer…..pheeeeww. The game played out till the end of the first half.

2-2 All Square at halftime.

   The second half was more grit than grace from both teams as they tried to eke out that final killer ball to finish off the other Team. Not like Arsenal were so dominant cuz Ospina had to get of his line twice to smother a potential threat from Wanderson. Ludogoret still gave us some nervy causes for concern. Oxlade came on for Ramsey just over seventy minutes before two more substitutions bought El Neny and Iwobi. As the match was dying into a stalemate, Ludogorets were taught a hard lesson at this stage. Arsenal broke away on the counter and Özil was able to spring the offside trap from way out.

2-3 to the Gunners! Come back almost done…...

   The whole goal, lets just say we were treated us to a Messi-esque goal, chipping the keeper first before dummying two defenders on the floor twice then slotting home with aplomb. Please watch the goal here …….in case you missed it. Özil has his critics but this was a thing of beauty that Dennis Bergekamp would be very proud. He got an assist and a goal, 7 goals now, i hope he is able to hit double figures in both this year.

   Game over and we see it wasn’t a routine win as some may have thought, Ludogorets are the Bulgarian champions so why would one expect that. It was a game that could have gone totally south with a bad loss, but the team turned it around which was very good. 10 points just like PSG who had a late winner at Basel but still top of group A. The November month of key games has started on good note. Lets hope the winning momentum is maintained in the league as well. From the whole Team, that’s it from us……..CIao

Sunderland Treat, Almost Tricky!

    Happy Halloween wherever U are especially for Man U fans. Yeah I know I keep saying this isn’t a Man Utd blog but one has to start asking questions about what is going on over there in the Red Manchester. Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and even Arsenal whom we all kinda wrote off after the first game which they lost, are all in the mix of “Contenders”. Well Mourinho led Man United sit in 8^th place (not bad) but 8^th points off the top with a +1 goal difference after 10 games can you beat that? Even Moyes and Van Gaal did much better at this stage when the bean couters came to take stock. Mourinho is throwng his usual antics, after being sent to the stands on Saturday, he has come out to blame every one but himself ,….as usual. I never liked him but he had done enough to earn ma respect and I am sure so many other people too but he is gradually losing it all. Why Henri Mikitharian isn’t able to get game time after such a high profile move is beyond me. Dortmund and Bundesliga player of the year last season or is Dortmund to Man U moves Jinxed? Kagawa …anyone?

Back to Arsenal on the quickie, 10 EPL games played 7W 2D 1 L, so Are we title contenders?? Not yet. I would love to be postive and i am being positive but not only is it early days yet, i do say so because we have a bit of a complacency about our play however good we are. We can take out most if not all teams if we stay focused and hungry,  but we seem to lack that killer instinct, that has always being our bane. From the last match against the Mack'ems here are 5 things we learnt, at least i did:

Gibbs Makes a Claim at a comeback.

Two wins in the EFL cup run as captain merged with an assured performance in his first start in league in which he got an assist for that crucial second goal against Sunderland tells a lot about his progress recently. His defending is looking improved and he is gradually working his way back into contention for a stating berth. Remember he also got a call up for the England squad earlier this month even though he did not play. Monreal we all know has been consistent up until this season where Iwobi has kind of left him exposed in games but if Gibbs continues his upward trajectory in improvement injuries allowing, he just might usurp our Mr Consistent who is not getting any younger.

Arsenal Like to do it the Hard way.

     I don’t know how many times immaa say this but I say it again, we seem to dislike the easy route. We got into the bossed it from midfield got ahead from a sweet stealing header by Sanchez after 22 swift passes… yeah death by a thousand passes, very beatiful. Then what? Kill of the game, naaah instead we took our foot of the pedal. Playing with Sunderland like it was a training session. We ought to have been at least two goals up if Ozil had been more clinical or if Iwobi hadn’t over run the ball after rounding the keeper. We played with style and lots of possession but no end product. 1-0 up is never a safe scoreline in games, we all know that so it was no surprise we conceded a soft penalty from which they equalized. Typical Arsenal, not this time though, the gunners they cranked up the gears with super sub Giroud doing in  an ‘8 Minute of Blitz’ what they ought to have done in 70 minutes. Arsenal seem to like it the hardway….not so good!

   

Sanchez shows the way but…

     Another man of the match performance but i still don’t agree with him up top. he sure is making a case for that to continue though as his goals are proving Wenger’s belief in that being the way to go. Well you can’t fault that, he is an energizer bunny full of running and always trying to make something happen. The way he out foxed Kone for Arsenals 1^st goal was just amazing. He left the Kone still expecting to head a ball that was already in the net. So what’s the “but”?  For all of Sanchez’s good to Arsenal his penchant for falling down every single time he is pulled or pushed or tugged will see him lose 50-50 calls for penalties like it happened in the match, also he needs to cut out his trying to influence the referee into giving a yellow card against the opposition. Come on bro, it makes you look like a whining pantsy and that’s very unsporting if you ask me. Great work ethic from a star player, he just needs to cut out those kinks.

Arsenal show they have Quality in Depth

     1-1, game all square, Giroud comes off the bench and scores 2 good goals with his first two touches easing off the pressure on the team while sending the gunners to the summit of the table albeit briefly. That’s a rarity in past seasons. We usually have a starting 11 that’s solid with Giroud leading the line with no extra goods in the tank, but not this season. In Defence Midfield and Attack, this gunners boast of better replacements than before which can only be   good for the Team. Elneny has held forth well even though Ramsey is back an Xhaka has served his last match ban so Arsene has some decisions to make. We have so far coped without Welbeck, Giroud, Ramsey and Perez although it must be said that we don’t have an adequate replacement for Santi who has picked up a knock…still there is an improvement in the squad depth quality wise.....now that is good!

November can be defining Month.

     On paper, Arsenal have two tough league games in November, away at them Tiny Tots who are thus far unbeaten (Wont it be nice to hand them thei first defeat of the season) but have stuttered with two consecutive draws draws and then at home to Man Utd, sandwiched in between will be . Now Man United isn’t the worry but the Mourinho factor may still be. Arsene still owes him a beating in the league. The BIG question is can they beat these two teams now?? 6 points would be a dream come true, 4 points from those two games will be good a 2 points will be bad and anything less would be really terrible. If you add Ludogorets and PSG in the UCL and Southampton in the EFL cup then you get the picture. Not that I have underestimated Bournemouth cuz there are no easy games in the EPL these days.

   All in all, a good day out with 3-points in the bag although no clean sheet. Liverpool is looking a threat now ooo, or is it me? For us, here is hoping we dont have our hitherto terrible November run in the league while successfully being able navigate three tricky cup games both home and away with good results. I believe proper management of his players will be very critical to such success. Finding the right balance will be tricky no doubt but rotation is very key. Anyway thats it from me.......... Ciao

Sunderland Trick Or Treat??

     

Arsenal Train Ahead of Sunderland Courtesy Arsenal.com

Fresh of the back of a midweek win against Reading, the Arsenals Train grinds down for a quick stop at Sunderland this Saturday in an early kickoff, it’s been a bright rebound for the gunners since the season kickoff defeat at the Emirates, Unbeaten in 8 league games so far and 13 in all competitions. The form book is definitely with Arsenal despite the slight stuttering performance of late. On the other hand, the stadium of light has been anything but bright since the start of the season, no wins in 9…hopefully 10 matches, only 2 points from two draws. it’s like Halloween has well and truly made its home there darkening any potential reasons for light. Their last two games saw them put up spirited fight against West Ham and then Southampton in the League cup but still ended up losing by a lone goal. That has been the story of David Moyes team so far, conceding late goals and throwing away hard to come by leading positions. I for one don’t think David Moyes has helped his case, going by some of his unsavory comments has made recently. When your coach says:

“Ultimately you have to have good players on the pitch and at the moment we are not getting good enough players on the pitch. We need to get a better team it’s as simple as that. We need to get a team which can give us results”…

Quite harsh if you ask me, he basically says the current players aren’t good enough to get them the results he needs. That’s some curious way to motivate ya players to play for you…..ask Mourinho he is a specialist in blaming his players and everyone he could but himself. Having said all that Defoe is still a threat @34 and Arsenal has kinda staggered over the line in the league of late too. We narrowly beat Burnley, then Stalemating at the borough hurdle last weekend. It’s not been the vintage Arsenal we have come to start enjoying of late, maybe due to the number of games coming in thick and fast are beginning to pile up. There was that missing bit of our “special zip” in our last game against Middlesbrough. 

   Our Injury list has added Perez into its scalps with him being out for about 6weeks due to an ankle injury from a nasty tackle by Reading’s Gravenberch while there are doubts over Walcott, Nacho and Santi, who are key men. On Perez, I am sure the young man is gutted by the setback just when you sensed he was starting to get some game time. It’s not all bad new though as we have Giroud back and Ramsey is on the cusp of returning fully. The Beauty of this scenario is it gives Wenger food for thought. Does Giroud come back to spearhead our attack or does Wenger continue with what’s worked thus far, Alexis up top or do we just go with both as a front two? Whatever the answer is, we have some form of competition for starting berths and this new fight for places is good for the Gunners. Arsenal has so far been without Ramsey, Giroud and Welbz yet we sit joint top, granted that its early days, but, you have to admit the times are looking much better than what we used to have…….Giroud as our only strike option, without quality backup. Now Iwobi is emerging, even Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted saying he had been impressed by the young lad. Will the Ox also look at Walcott and fire up his guts for glory by becoming more consistent? Arsene claims his problem is within himself, a fragile confidence it seems. Whatever the team we are putting out, I hope we get the treat end of Halloween by claiming 3 points. If  you look at Sunderland, they seem to be currently in a rut that I would want Arsenal to take advantage.  A win for the us, add another clean sheet and use the chance to rack up our “goals for” column cuz that might decide places later on in the league. The predicted line is below depending on injuries prevailing.

Subs:  Ospina, Giroud, Jenkinson, Rene Adelaide, Walcott, Ramsey.

Image Credit: The Uk Guardian

 Anyway I hope for a win whether by a lone goal or by a floodgate of goals, it dont matter. Dont forget to like comment and share,  enjoy the game wherever you are.....Ciao

The Ox In the Box Double Seals The WIn

     Did you know Arsenal has only won the League cup 2 times in it’s over one hundred year history, with the last one coming as far back as 1993? Did you also know that the EFL cup happens to be the only domestic trophy that has so far eluded Wenger since becoming Arsenal manager?  Just a historical recap on the English League Cup formerly the Carling cup now EFL cup. Arsenal got back to winning ways and gave Arsene Wenger a consolatory belated 67^th Birthday gift with a 2-0 win over Reading at the Emirates that saw them book a quarter final berth. Our first in about four years, tells you how terrible our run in the EFL has been in recent times. We started the game brightly, bossing the midfield possession with some quick movement and passing. Al-Habsi in goal for Reading, was called to action in the first ten minutes when Jenkinson got off a shot to test the waters after a sweeping move from Iwobi to Oxlade then Jenks. The game went on more like a casual friendly with a laid back tempo, a few scuffs here and there but not at that highly competitive level we normally get in the premiership.  Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 33^rd minute through Ox who I must say, based on his recent performances seems to be slowly working his way back to form, plus he is scoring goals ….hopefully I haven’t jinxed him with another groin or hamstring pull coming for him. Niles did a pirouette dance just outside Reading’s penalty box with some nifty footwork before getting of a shot that went way over the bar for a Reading goal Kick. AL-Habsi decided to go short by playing out from the back but his defender made a harsh of it as Perez closed him down the ball fell for Chamberlain who ran at the two defenders from the right edge before lashing a diagonal ball into the far corner of beyond the outstretched Al-Habsi.
   1-0 to Arsenal

I really don’t know what the sudden craze about playing from the back is in today’s football, what happened to safety first?  City , Liverpool, Barcelona all obsessed with this play from the back concept. Considering the fact that Jaap Stam, a former defensive stalwart is their manager, one would expect better but I guess mistakes do happen. Reading tried to respond but the half played out at Arsenal 1-0 up.

     Second half came, we continued to dominate but couldn’t quite kill of the game and that was a cause for concern. Giroud 60 came on as a 60+ minute sub, his immediate impact was a fine header from a free kick. Al-Habsi made a fine save with the follow up header from Gabriel also cleared of the line by Lee. Ox again interchanged some passes on the left with Willock and Giroud before getting off a fine shot for Al-Habsi to again beat into the path of oncoming Iwobi, who lost his footing for another wasted goal scoring opportunity. Arsenal know how to make opposition keepers look good with poor finishing but they were knocking on the door for the second goal. Iwobi again snapped of a curling shot that was tipped over the bar. Our second goal duly came from none other than the Ox himself in the 78^th minute from the ensuing corner kick. Rob holding managed to keep the ball in play from an over hit cross, he dazzled a defender away before making for the byline, his cut back found Giroud who chested down and teed up Oxlade. The Ox obliged with shot that took a deflection into the next. Al-Habsi was left on the ground deflated from the wrong footing. The rest of the match was seen out without fuss, but for a header on target that Emilio had covered Reading rarely threatened.

     So what’s to be read into this match? Nothing really, we won, into the last 8 for the first time in 4 years, we had another clean, our sheet 6^th in our last 8 matches. Just another good day at the office I would say plus the opportunity for the young guns to play another 90 minutes. I like Maitland Niles in midfield very impressive again. Paired with ElNeny behind Iwobi, he was very tidy in possession with skill to get out of tight spots. ElNeny also played well too, he broke up play and got our balls to the wings very nicely. I would have loved to see more from Jeff, he has that next BIG thing tag but I am yet to be wowed like other Arsenal fans, he has time. Iwobi, a class above the other young stars, why not when he plays regularly with the big boizzz, he just needs to improve his finishing to become worlds class. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Man of the match, got us going on the wings, combined well with Jenks and gave us two fine goals on either half of the match. I hope he continues to progress, he is power and skill combined but highly inconsistent…..so can he finally kick on this season? That's the BIG question, he doesn’t have as much time to prove himself though. Our defenders did their bit too, not stretched much by the opposition, tougher tests await them. All in all, a good run out for the young gunners with Gibbs captaining us to another win and I hope We go all the way to win, yeah I can dream cant I?? Till the draws for the quarter finals are made, I see Man United have won against city…..guess you cant have it all, here’s my salute to the boiz…..Ciao 

Arsene's Party Pooped With Borough Stalemate

    So how did that go?? Well Arsene had to settle for communion wine (Heard he is catholic or was) instead of the champagne we planned. Middlesbrough came with a plan and stuck to it, they got that point they came for, might have been all 3 if not for Cech and the woodwork. Full credit to them, you cant fault an oppositions work ethic when its industrious even if it means sticking a twist into ya cruise control. Arsenal did not have a plan B to borough's organisation at the back, hence could not break down a resolute defence. We mentioned it before that while they have lost games, they have only lost one by more than a goal margin and that was telling if you asked me. The game started with Arsenals usual style of trying to overwhelm the opposition with some sleek movement of the ball which was good to watch at times. The flow however didn’t deliver this time as they stayed compact and organised. For all our more than 75% possession in the first 20 minutes we never caused Valdes any sort of concern in their goal. Lots of possession little penetration!!! Özil seemed a little jaded and Walcott didnt have that verve he has shown in recent weeks, or could it be that we missed the ambi-dexterity of Santi in midfield. He gives arsenal more penetration from deep with his incisive passes, no offence to Elneny and Coq but none of them come close to the Spaniards nifty or craft. 

Image Credits: Arsenaldotcom.

    Arsenal's initial dominance waned as the first half wore on then Middlesbrough settled into the game and started to turn the tide. It just wasn’t happening for the gunners, what was more worrying was that Cech was the busier of both keepers coming up with a double save in the first half just to keep us in the game from Traore and Negredo …first, then Gaston Ramirez stuck the post with a sweet free kick that left Cech almost tearing his own net as he tried to reach the ball, thank God it missed the target [top right corner it was headed]. Cech was again quick to save from a far post header by Ramirez. Cech was really our man of the match with these saves. We had our own moments but our final balls were a bit too short or too long, summing up our frustrating day at the office. Ozill and Alexis both struck freekicks into far far row Z and Victor Valdes safe punch respectively. Middlesbrough went into the half with their tails up. The second half was a bit tame from borough with the same approach, stay compact and hit them on the break. The gladly let us have the ball to dominate possession without us penetrating their banks of four. Arsenal brought on Perez and Ox for Neny and Iwobi but the closes we came to a winner was an Özil goal that was rightfully disallowed for offside. Arsene Wenger said post match which captures the mood nicely.

“We had a lot of the ball but that’s not enough to win games., it was a frustrating match”match

not so good but a point is better than none. Put into context the fact that Man United got tanked at the bridge and all top 3 drew at the weekend. Not so bad then, 2 points dropped but still joint top of the table......glass half full init??

    We welcome Reading at the Emirates tonight in an EFL 4th round cup tie, after our performance this past weekend, it’s a bit foolhardy not to thread with caution while expecting us to still do enough for a win. Its understandable that we will be rotating a lot for this match, after all its our 4^th game in 8 days, that’s a lot. Jenkinson is back while Oliver Giroud is a possible feature as he returns from his mysterious toe injury that’s kept him out of the team this long. Ramsey is totally out as is Danny Wellbeck. I expect the same Team that beat Forrest last month to take to the pitch, without Xhaka who serves his second match ban while Akpom sits out due to an injury.... hopefully they can do the business by getting a win to keep us still unbeaten……Consolation for Wenger too. My line up will see a couple of changes:

Subs: Ospina,Jenkinson, Giroud, Wilcock, Zelalem, Bielik, Macey.

  Anyway thats it from the me, hope you enjoy the game wherever you are, do share the post.....Ciaoo