Arsenal v Blackpool: the Phil Gregory preview « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. Supporting the Lord Wenger in all he does
By Phil Gregory
Blackpool are welcomed to the Emirates for our first home game of the season. The newly-promoted got an excellent result away at Wigan, though it’s quite easy to over-hype the result. Any 4-0 win, especially away from home is highly commendable, but Wigan seemingly did their utmost to help. A horrendous defensive wall accounted for two of Blackpool’s goals, while Kirkland didn’t really cover himself in glory. Admittedly defence and goalkeeping aren’t our strongest points either, but we won’t be anywhere near as charitable as Wigan were.
It’s tough to guess what approach to expect from Blackpool. Ian Holloway has been full of praise for Arsenal which is nice, but is most likely an attempt to heap the pressure onto us. Which to be fair, is exactly where it should be. Blackpool will likely look to attack us but even if they do ark the bus, they’re not a Stoke by any means so it wouldn’t be playing to their strengths. Hopefully it’ll be an open day with a few goals and a clean sheet.
With the return of the Premier League, we’re once again right back at the top of the injury league table with a concerning five players out injured and a few others not yet match fit.
Frimpong has done his cruciate in what is a massive, massive shame considering the progress he was making this season. Hopefully he’ll bounce straight back and this won’t cost him in terms of his career. Nasri underwent knee surgery (“three weeks” according to Wenger), while Denilson has recovered from an abdominal problem but needs another week of training.
Alex Song is back from a calf strain but given the Cameroonian is just back from injury. He’ll most likely be on the bench.
Ramsey and Bendtner are our long-term absentees.
Predicted line-up:
Almunia
Sagna Djourou Vermaelen Clichy
Diaby
Wilshere Rosicky
Theo Chamakh Arshavin
It’s a bit tricky to try and predict a line-up for this match. Koscielny is suspended but Djourou is back so it’s likely he’ll step in. At home versus the weaker sides, we often swapped Sagna for Eboue to give the Frenchman a well-deserved rest but also to exploit Eboue’s potency going forwards from right back. Arsène may well decide to do that, but I think it’s more likely he’ll stick with Sagna for the greater solidity offered especially when you consider Djourou is coming straight back from injury and may not be 100%.
Diaby continues filling in the holding role, while Rosicky comes in on the back of a very, very promising substitute appearance to replace the injured Nasri. Jack will also hopefully continue in the middle; he should find there’ll be a bit more space with Blackpool playing a more open game.
At home I expect us to be going with Theo ahead of Eboue, and let’s hope the England international can press on off the back of some promising displays. I noticed when he came on as a sub he looks to have filled out a lot more, a stronger core will help him with both balance and power and he doesn’t look like he’ll be bullied off the ball anymore.
Arshavin continues in his inside left role. The Russian wasn’t at his best at Anfield, and reports that he is still playing with an injury is very, very worrying. I’d much rather we take him out of firing line and do whatever it takes to get him fit and firing (for his sake and ours) rather than continue to get 50% from him. Perhaps Wenger will do that once we’ve got players like Fabregas and Van Persie back and firing.
I’ve gone for Chamakh to start up top. Robin may well have something to say about that after he played a good part of the 2nd half at Anfield, but most likely he’ll get the entire 2nd half with an eye on starting at Blackburn away. Cesc will most likely get some minutes off the bench. I’d really like for him to be fit for Blackburn away which is never an easy game, but we’ll have to wait and see on that front.
On the whole, it’s not the most balanced midfield I’ve ever seen, but at home we can get away with it. There’s some big players missing from the starting line-up (including our best midfielder and his next two deputies – only us!) but we should have more than enough to see off Blackpool. I wouldn’t want to be overconfident (Blackpool as a newly-promoted minnow club are just like Hull when they beat us 2-1 at the Emirates) but these sort of games are the ones we should be winning comfortably. However the first consideration is the three points, the second a clean sheet. After that, anything is a bonus. I’d be happy with three or four nil, while if we could make back up the goal difference on Chelsea that’d be great. 4-0 to the Arsenal from me.
I spoke briefly to the people from the Barclays Premier League official podcast on Thursday. Unfortunately they cut one of my answers when asked about Chamakh (“some people say he’s not got the best goals record, but he’s done far better internationally than Wayne Rooney ever has”) but you can listen to the podcast here , I think my part is just after two minutes in if you fancy a listen.
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Woolwich Arsenal – the history of the club from the fans point of view
Making the Arsenal – the book every Italian was reading by the poolside this summer.