THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2

Saturday, March 01, 2008, 3pm

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

By Richard Clarke



Arsène Wenger will welcome Aston Villa with open arms at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
You would think the Arsenal manager could do without a second game against a Second City side right now. Last Saturday's visit to Birmingham City cost him two points and the services of Eduardo, who suffered a fractured left fibula and an open dislocation of his ankle.
It made for a difficult week; full of recrimination and regret. Fortunately, some football will finally break out on Saturday - and a resurgent Villa are the ideal opponents according to Wenger.
"They are welcome tomorrow," said the Frenchman at Friday's press conference. "We know they require full concentration. At the moment that is what we want and what we need.
"It has been a difficult week because we have been deeply hurt by what happened on Saturday. But we have recovered and are ready to focus on tomorrow's game and we will get a strong response from the team.
"That is the number one priority and it is a good test for us tomorrow to see how well we can respond under difficult circumstances like that and to see how well we have recovered from it.
"I am quite optimistic. From what I have seen in training the team is focussed and ready to get the best out of our potential. We are determined as team to get what happened behind us.
"We have been deeply disturbed but I feel something has been deeply touched within the team and I am confident that will come out in the game."
The mood in training on Friday will have been lifted by the inclusion of Robin van Persie and Johan Djourou, who have been struggling with thigh and groin injuries respectively. However neither are likely to figure on Saturday or in Milan on Tuesday.
"Kolo Toure seems to think that he has a chance [for Tuesday]," Wenger added. "But it is a small one and he is definitely not in the squad for tomorrow."
"Tomas Rosicky is not back either. He got a bad kick in front of his knee and it affected his hamstring. For a while he had pain in the knee and the hamstring. He looks now to recover but he has no chance for Tuesday."
Therefore, for clarification, Alex Song (knee), Rosicky (hamstring), Toure (calf), Johan Djourou (groin), Van Persie (thigh) and Emmanuel Eboue (suspended) are all out for Saturday. Only Toure has any chance for Milan.
The sole returning player on Saturday is Abou Diaby, who has recovered from his calf problem.
After draws with Birmingham and Milan, three points is essential for Arsenal at the weekend. But Villa arrive at Emirates Stadium with utterly realistic Champions League hopes and their away record - W5 D6 L2 - suggests they have been tough to beat on their travels.
"You would say Everton, Man City and Aston Villa are the teams who can break into the top four," said Wenger. "I saw that after 10 games. Villa had a bad period but, for the last 10 or 15 games they have been on a very good run. We want to stop that and as well we keep our home strength going."
It has certainly been Arsenal's most emotional 10 days of the season but, looking beneath that, it might have been their unluckiest. A tug on Emmanuel Adebayor's shirt cost them a win over Milan while, despite all that went before, a highly-debatable injury time penalty did likewise at Birmingham.
To some, those results have shifted the sands of the season beneath Wenger's feet. But it is nothing that a win on Saturday and a score draw on Tuesday cannot cure.
The next two games have the ability to shape Arsenal's entire season.
 
fulham12082007_8.jpg
Wenger - Gallas is an outstanding leader






By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger has re-iterated his belief in the "outstanding leadership qualities" of William Gallas.
The Arsenal captain is under the spotlight after last week's game at Birmingham when he watched the home side convert their controversial injury-time penalty from the other end of the pitch.
The 30-year-old was perhaps a surprise choice to take the armband at the start of the season but, according to Wenger, has responded to the responsibility manfully. Though he did not endorse the actions of Gallas at St Andrews, the manager give his compatriot full support.
"Ideally he should not have responded like that," admitted Wenger at his Friday press conference. "But it was not to blame anybody.
"He is a guy who is highly committed and sometimes when he goes overboard he can respond like that. He's an explosive one [and] when he is fed up, he is fed up.
"We'll keep all [discussions about that] internal. We are a team who is the most consistent in the League and, as well, we are a team, because we are young, we don't know exactly how to behave to look really good. However we are, as well, maybe more genuine. I know William is not young but he has the commitment of a very young boy, believe me!
"His leadership qualities for me are outstanding, even if on that occasion he used his commitment in the wrong way. You want people in this job who care.
"What I hate the most in this job are people who are always nicey nice and behave well. But at the end of the day they cheat a little bit with their commitment. I prefer sometimes a guy who goes overboard without hurting anybody who cares about winning. That is William, he cares about winning."

FGL COMMENTS:
For once I will disagree with Wenger. Yes I'm a Gooner thru & tru BUT also a realist. No Arsenal captain in the history of the club has ever done such a thing. Wenger is no fool. He knows that by dropping Gallas or stripping him of the captaincy NOW will definately lead to chaos in our title run in. He will keep Gallas in for now - till we lift the BPL & CL - then ACT RUTHLESSLY in the off season and sell him.

Gallas was a problem child in Chelski and it was with trepidation that I learned of his swop to AFC. Wenger had tried to re-ignite his passion by giving him the captaincy but I feel that even when we win the BPL and or CL - it wont save Gallas from the chop.

In my book, my choice of AFC captain should be:

1. KOLO TOURE
2. MATHEU FLAMINI
3. CESC FABREGAS

Close season sale candidates:

1. Lehmann
2. Senderos
3. Jourou
4. Gallas


Possible sale candidates (if they dont buck up)
1. Walcott
2. Hoyte
3. Bentner

remember ....ARSENE KNOWS
 
Last edited:
dont think cesc is capable of captaincy YET.he still has alot to learn and achieve.same goes to flamini.should give it to the old boys.abang lehmann can go back to germany la.pretty useless at arsenal.waste one sub space.
 
It's football my friend. And, the Emirates sure have a lot of empty seats before the final whistle was blown. Credit to the true Arsenal fans. They stick with the team and sang through the death. ANd that resulted in the goal although Villa certainly dominated in the first half. Hehe.
 
dotcomreport.jpg




Arsenal

Subs not used

Aston Villa

  • Scott Carson
  • Curtis Davies
  • Isaiah Osbourne 40
    yellowCard.gif
  • Martin Laursen
  • Wilfred Bouma
  • Gareth Barry
    yellowCard.gif
  • Craig Gardner
  • Nigel Reo-Coker
  • Zatyiah Knight 31
  • Ashley Young
  • Shaun Maloney
  • Marlon Harewood 73
  • John Carew
  • Gabriel Agbonlahor
Subs not used

  • Stuart Taylor
  • Moustapha Salifou
Referee

  • Mark Clattenburg

Match Report


Barclays Premier League

Emirates Stadium

Saturday, March 01, 2008, 3pm




Arsenal

1

Bendtner 94




Aston Villa

1

Senderos 28 (og)



By Richard Clarke

Nicklas Bendtner preserved Arsenal's lead in the Premier League with a vital injury-time equaliser against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Last week, a late, late leveller had cost Arsène Wenger's side two points on a nightmare afternoon at Birmingham City. Today, the Second City's other side arrived at Emirates Stadium armed with determination and a game-plan. They were simple tools but they seemed more than enough to pull off a fine win.
Arsenal were bright enough in the opening stages but they fell behind in the 27th minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor's cross was turned in by Philippe Senderos. Shaun Maloney rattled the woodwork just before the break and, though Arsenal improved in the second half, Villa were in an indomitable mood. Scott Carson did make a couple of decent saves but Manuel Almunia was forced into far more eye-catching action.
It seemed to be an afternoon in which insult would be added to Eduardo's injury. However, in the last move of the match, Gael Clichy crossed deep to the far post, Emmanuel Adebayor nodded down and Bendtner stabbed in a crucial goal from close-range.
With Manchester United beating Fulham, Arsenal's lead is now cut to a point but, after this game, perhaps they must be grateful for small mercies.
Eight days ago, a last-gasp goal made for a draw that felt like a defeat. This one did not really feel like a victory, Arsenal had not played well enough for that.
And in the cold light of day, this performance may be given as further evidence that Wenger's men are wobbling. However, a glance at the table will tell you Arsenal are still in pole position. Albeit only by the slenderest of margins now.
Despite its bitter finale, there had been much to like about Arsenal's second-half display at St Andrews last Saturday and so Wenger stuck with that side. Obviously Eduardo was absent and the manager started to fill the void by pushing Theo Walcott, scorer of both goals at Birmingham, into the attack alongside Adebayor. The fit-again Abou Diaby returned on the left and Alex Hleb switched to the right.
Villa arrived armed with three dangerous and different attacking threats - John Carew, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor - plus a burgeoning reputation in the Premier League. Wenger said he side need a mind-focussing challenge after last week's events, some of us would have preferred a 'gimme'.
The opening minutes were all Arsenal. Whatever the rights and wrongs of last week, Wenger's men had suffered after it. Their opening attacks this afternoon made you think they were going to make two wrongs (Eduardo's injury and Birmingham's penalty) into a right.
In the seventh minute, Adebayor's flick fell to Walcott who stole a yard on his marker and fired a low shot across the face of goal. Carson threw himself to his right to palm the ball aside.
Arsenal continued to pressure but, in the 12th minute, Villa showed their renowned pace on the break. Agbonlahor went clear and raced almost half the length of the pitch until he could see the whites of Manuel Almunia's eyes. However in doing that he had not spotted William Gallas. The Arsenal captain timed his sliding challenge to perfection.
Walcott was starting to make his pace count. On a couple of occasions he burst into the area only to be crowded out by a clutch of white shirts. However Villa were still having their moments. In the 20th minute, Agbonlahor muscled off Senderos and, had his pass reached Maloney more quickly, then the Irishman would have surely given the visitors the lead - as he had when the two sides met in Birmingham exactly five months earlier.
Still, the flow of the game was still generally with Arsenal. Midway through the half, a Fabregas corner was deflected out to Senderos. However the Swiss defender hacked the ball over the bar.
And worse would follow for the 23-year-old in the 27th minute. Agbonlahor, who was becoming a growing threat, teased his marker on the left of the six-yard area and his low cross was deflected home at the near post by Senderos.
Another cruel blow in a week filled with ill-fortune for Arsenal.
Suddenly Emirates Stadium was shrouded by anxiety - and it never really lifted before the break.
Villa would have to make two changes before the whistle. Nigel Reo-Coker made way for Zat Knight and then Curtis Davies was stretchered off and Isaiah Osbourne came on.
However the changes barely seemed to affect Villa. They looked comfortable and two minutes before the break, Maloney let fly from just outside the area. His rising drive may have crept in had Almunia not fingertipped it onto the post.
In injury time, Senderos redeemed himself by clearing Wilfred Bouma's dangerous low cross. The ball flew up the other end via Walcott and Adebayor's touch gave Fabregas an opening eight yards out.
Like Arsenal's performance in the first half, his chip was nervous and hesitant. Wenger's men went into the break looking anything but title contenders.
An early response was essential. Walcott did his best by stinging Carson's hands with a rasping near-post drive after only 25 seconds. However the revival did not last. Villa turned the screw once more and in the 54th minute Arsenal were indebted to Almunia once more when he expertly turned aside a low shot from Young.
Arsenal now had to force the issue and, with that in mind, Wenger brought on Bendtner. Almost immediately the Dane nodded a Fabregas free-kick over the bar.
At least the game was now opening up but there were chances at both ends. Clichy and Hleb had long-range efforts saved by Carson. In between Agbonlahor again bulldozered through only to shoot straight at Almunia.
O'Neill brought on Marlon Harwood and the former West Ham striker gave the Villa attack more of the same. He forced a decent save out of Almunia with 15 minutes left.
Adebayor nodded over then Hleb set up Flamini to sidefoot an effort over the bar however the visitors still looked resilient.
Wenger threw on his two Brazilians - Gilberto filled in at centre back while Denilson was in his usual midfield role. And, as the game entered the final 10 minutes, Villa were now penned back while Arsenal were prowling their half in search of an opening.
They banged on the door and, though energetic, they looked spent of ideas until the final nano-seconds of injury time when Bendtner struck.
 
Wenger: 'We had a hangover from last week definitely'





Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa

Barclays Premier League

Emirates Stadium

Sat, Mar 1, 2008, 3pm






on the performance ...
"We had a hangover from last week definitely - you could see that in the first-half. We needed to dig deep to find the pace of the game. In the second-half we were a little bit better but lacked that spark. The reason we got a point today was the desire and the refusal to lose."
on the strength of Aston Villa ...
"Aston Villa were a difficult opponent who defended very well and who were sharp on the break. I must say they are a team with very robust players and you feel always they expose your defenders to the physical challenge - in a fair way but in a way that can be dangerous for you. They take advantage of every mistake. Up front, too, they are a handful.
"I must say that I was impressed by Villa. Until the last minute they didn't give us any space, or time on the ball and they are team who are very difficult to beat."
on the title race ..
"I believe the point we gained today will have a big impact on the Premier League, and staying top helps. You know you go through a spell like that and I believe that the point gained can have vital importance.
"For the observers we will not be favourite and Manchester United will be but I believe that we are top, a point in front, have just one game all season and me maybe in a bad spell at the moment but we will bounce back and I am confident we will do it. That point today can make a big difference.
"The momentum is with Manchester United so people will say they are favourites but of course for me Arsenal are favourites."
on Adebayor not scoring ...
"We want to be successful and it is important the responsibility is shared by the players and other players score. That is why I am not worried because if the team plays well Adebayor will score again."
on getting players back ...
"At the moment we need to get our players back. We have Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie who are out and in the context of today you would like to have those players with you and hopefully we can get them back very quickly.
He (Van Persie) might be in squad for Tuesday but certainly won't start. We will asses him on Monday morning."
on the reported 'Eduardo' chants by Villa fans ...
"You expect better from people who come to football stadiums. It looks that intelligence and stupidity can have no limits. Unfortunately stupidity has won."
 
Dime said:
dont think cesc is capable of captaincy YET.he still has alot to learn and achieve.same goes to flamini.should give it to the old boys.abang lehmann can go back to germany la.pretty useless at arsenal.waste one sub space.
Click to expand...

Lehmann & SENDEROS for MAN u :twisted:
 
But both Arsenal and United need to travel to Stamford Bridge. Lets say if both team lose, Chelsea will be topping the table. And we don't want that to happend don't we-.-
 
arsenal should have lost the f**king game.aston villa was the better team.dont push your luck arsene.you may know but not everything.
 
my my my dimebag - so much obsenities from you.... must be ed up Man U couldnt go top last nite huh?

well looks like Man u gotta wait...


and wait ....

and wait ....


then wait some more ...

B4

going top of epl again - IF they can ... that is...

For now; GUNNERS STILL TOp, BABY .. wooooooooo .....
 
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