Football this weekend – the inevitable (but restricted) Untold preview « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News, supporting the club, the players and the manager
By Arun
Week 35
This one will be a quick and short preview due to my exams which are beginning on Monday and time comes at a cost during such ‘difficult’ times.
Taking a look back at the past week, Young dived again and set Man U on a route to a victory after Man C won comfortably earlier on Saturday. We lost a game which was played only for 57 minutes (courtesy: Walter) and more importantly, lost Arteta for the rest of the season.
Let’s get straight into what can be expected as we arrive at the weekend:
1. Arsenal v Chelsea (Saturday- 12:45)
Chelsea will be on a high after beating Barcelona without conceding and having booked a Cup final on Sunday (here, the efforts put in by Atkinson deserves a special praise). But Chelsea must be tired after the game against Barca. And this is what is going to be our key for beating them and Dean. It’s vital not to concede early as then Chelsea will just simply park the bus. If we score early then we will force Chelsea to attack and we might be able to create more chances.
Arsenal has won the last 2 meetings between the two and each has won 2 of the last 5 meetings at the Emirates. Chelsea has been in good form since RDM took charge, mostly due to the efforts they put in the defence. With Totts in bad form and Newcastle having difficult games, Chelsea may have a very good case for the 4th spot.
If Chelsea decides to attack us, I am sure that we will be able to beat them but if they decide to allow Arsenal to come and attack them, it’s going to be a difficult game for us. As I pointed out before, the tiredness of Chelsea might have a huge role to play and so I think that we will be able to nick this one.
We have scored in our last 16 consecutive home fixtures, and were the first team to score five against Chelsea at their ground in 18 years.
2. QPR v Tottenham (Saturday- 17:30)
Tottenham’s trophy hopes came to an end on Sunday. If they fail to beat QPR, they may very well lose their fourth spot too. QPR are just outside the drop zone and badly need points to avoid the real threat of relegation. Both teams have managed to get only 6 points of the last 18 possible. QPR are unbeaten in their last 4 home games and have won 3 of these.
Due to their first season in the league since 1995-96 season, there aren’t many stats available for this tie. I will be hoping for a QPR victory as they help in the keeping the totts away from us.
Adebayor holds the record for the most off sides this season (47), and QPR hold the record for the most red cards with seven.
3. Man U v Everton (Sunday- 12:30)
Everton lost to their rivals for a shot at FA Cup ending their streak of six consecutive wins in the FA Cup semifinals. They have been doing good in the league recently with 3 wins out of last 4.
But Man U will be too big a task for them having lost on their 5 previous visits to OT. If Rednose XX is to be accomplished at their rivals, they must win this one and are definitely going to do it. Whether they will require the help from the referee remains to be seen.
Looking back over this season and the last two guess who has “won” more penalties than any other player? Ashley Young – 9. On a sad note, Man U scored in their last home game meaning that they now hold the record for the most consecutive home games scoring, with 47. The previous holders were… Arsenal.
4. Wolves v Man C (Sunday- 16:00)
Man C may lose the title chance this week if they lose at Wolves and Man U win their early kickoff. But Wolverhampton are at the bottom and Terry Connor knows that he is riding on a sinking ship. Wolves have lost 7 of their last 8 games and may very well be doomed if the results go against their way. It’s going to be a big blow for the Wolves as they prepare to witness the end of their 3 year stay in the league. Wolves may be relegated this weekend if QPR beat or draws with Tottenham and a Man C win will then mean that they are relegated in front of their own fans.
Out of the last 5 PL meeting between the two, Wolves have won only 1 but I only see sad scenes at the Molineux Stadium on Sunday as Wolverhampton Wolves become the first team to be relegated this season.
Wolverhampton or on the edge of 17 home games without a clean sheet – a record. Man City are heading towards an all time record for goal difference in the Premier League.
Sorry for being writing this very short piece but it’s all I can do at this moment. Let’s begin the weekend by beating a tired Chelsea and then expect the rest of the results to go our way.