‘Brum preview – WE’RE ALL FRIGGIN’ DOOMED
Look, someone had to say it – it might as well be me.
I’m really, honestly, terrified going into this game. Birmingham come to the Emirates with a fearsome reputation, playing an awe-inspiring mix of physical football with scintilating flair, led by the admirable stewardship of Alex Mcleish.
And let’s face it, Arsenal’s record at home has been shocking so far this season. We are only averaging 4.5 goals per game and at this level, that is just not good enough. I know we’re leading scorers in the league, but it really does show how much we miss Adebayor.
With him in the side, we would have scored at least two more goals in the Premier League, and we could have just done with that against sides like Blackburn, when, at 6-2, the lead was looking a little shaky.
So frankly, by match’s end tonight, I really, truly, will take a 1-0. Three points is three points.
Anyways, I’m going to end the loony punditry there and explain myself – I’ve just finished a long Arsenal supporters’ club outing down in Logan where we teamed up against all the other supporters’ clubs of Brisbane in a big knock out tournament. We made it all the way to the semi’s, not conceding a single goal mind you, before bowing out on penalties to Celtic of all teams. And it was sunny. Very sunny. So my mind is cooked extra rare right now.
On with the team, and Clichy’s injury problems will see him replaced by the strapping young Kieran Gibbs, who now has a chance to really put pressure on the below-par Frenchman this season. One game should lead to two, and this is a kid I truly rate. I’m not alone either – we all took a shine to him after some stirling efforts last term, and hopefully he can pick up from where he left off.
In truth, I want to see Manone continue in goal (it’s only fair), but I reckon Almunia will slot back in, clearly under pressure. There are three goalies full of promise below him, and hopefully that will equate to one Lehmann and put Almunia back under the 07/08 pressure. It resulted in excellent performances from the blonde bombshell then, and hopefully he can recover from his funk this season.
Eduardo misses out on what would have been a daunting homecoming for him, as does Diaby – which means we may see quite a young midfield take to the pitch today. Im backing Ramsey to make a premier league start with both Merida and Wilshire eager to come on later.
Of course, we could easily see Rosicky fall into the centre of the park with either Emmanuel Eboue or Theo Walcott making a start in the advanced position, we’ll just have to see. Whatever the case, at least it demonstrates the sheer strength in depth we have in the attacking quarters of the field.
The rest of the side resorts to type. No such thing as a foregone conclusion, but if we don’t win this fixture, the doubts of last season will rear their ugly head once more. Frankly, I’ll be having none of that, so here’s to a committed perfomance that yields three points.
Right. I’m off to the Pig and Whistle, so any Brisbane readers out there thinking of a late night out, come meet with the rest of us between 11pm and midnight tonight for some banter amongst fans, a good beer on tap, and some fine fellow fans.
To three points! COME ON.
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Filed under: Arsenal, English Premier League
Great read,,funny funny stuff.
Come on you gunners
I’d love to come, but how the hell do I get home to Vickie Point.
Good stuff, my brain-fried friend. With the full injury list now known, I was kind of expecting Rosicky to start in the middle with Cesc & Song and Theo getting his first starting run out of the season. Ramsey doesn’t normally play with Cesc, so often being his late game replacement, but that would be an interesting way to go as well. I’ve seen several blogs put out the same starting XI, but then again I’ve seen Rosicky up front with Diaby starting along side Cesc as well in one blog. So…we’ll just have to wait and see what Le Boss has in store for us.
Whatever XI we run out, here’s hoping Gibbs plays a blinder & the midfield keeps Birmingham harrassed all match long and a clean sheet from Ol’ Skunk Hair. I think we’ll see some solid football today and a going-away win for the Gunners.
On a side note, I fully expect Sunderland to spank a Garrard & Torres-less kop today to send Rafa into a fit of self loathing which will lead to him sitting in a dark closet petting a hairless cat, mumbling about the delicacies of goat cheese.
Englishmik – I struggle to get back home to north-side via public transport, so often I keep a bit home for the taxis. They’re right outside the pig after the game.
SKAGooner – Diaby’s crocked, so he won’t start, that much we know. I put Ramsey in there because it is Birmingham, which presents a chance to experiment. Having said that, I think Theo is in need of game time, so maybe it will be Rosicky alongside Cesc.
Either way, I’m confident, now that the night sky has appeared and there’s no sun to harass my neurons.
Yeah, I think it was a couple days ago that I saw Diaby in a potential starting lineup, so the blogger may not have known that he was going to be out today.
It would be interesting to see how Ramsey & Cesc pair up, I agree. It would take some pressure off Ramsey to run the whole offense while at the same time giving Cesc an opportunity to do some different things. In effect, it doubles the potential creativity from central midfield if he and Cesc switch off now and again.