Borussia Dortmund Vs Arsenal Preview

Arsene Wenger will be sending vibes to the team tonight

Today marks the start of our Champions League campaign. There is already talk of Arsenal winning the CL!! Well, I may be a big fan of Arsenal, but winning the CL? Lets dream bout that if we make it to the final. for now, let's focus on getting 3 points first.

Arsene Wenger will be sending vibes to the team as he is banned from the bench following a stupid 2 match touchline ban. I wonder how he'll do this....?

Injury news
Aaron Ramsey has joined Wishere, Diaby, Vermaelen, Rosicky and Squilaci in the company of the AMM... He apparently did his knee or his ankle depending on which article you read from the Arsenal official website. It makes me suspect he may just have been rested for this one to spare him for the next league game...

Players back from suspension
Alex Song and Gervinho are back in the squad after their suspensions for various misdemeanors in the league. Song I think has been a big miss in the team and his return definitely improves our midfield. His presence allows Arteta to play further forward.

The team and tactics
I don't expect much change to our tactical formation. Arsenal seem to play only one way; keep ball. With the loss of Fabregas, we seem to have lost the ability to hold on to the ball for long spells. But I think it will come back soon.

I expect us to go with a 4-2-3-1 system for the game tonight, perhaps Ju or Chamakh may come in in the later stages of the game to provide some forward impetus, especially if we are chasing the game. Then we'l be switching between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3.

I think the team will be:
                             Chezny
Sagna     Mertesacker   Koscielny    Santos
               Song          Arteta
         Theo          Arshavin     Gervinho
                           Van Persie       

Song will sit deep, allowing Arteta to push slightly higher, behind the front 4. If we are really under pressure then Arteta will sit deeper, next to song and hope to release Theo and Gervinho with long through balls. Chamakh can also came on and give us something different in the air.

A good start is very vital. If we can keep it tight for 20 minutes, then I think we have a very good chance of coming away with atleast a point. We must keep the ball and use it efficiently. I expect us to win. I'll take a punt on 2-1 in favour of Arsenal. But it could end in a 2-2 draw...

Come on Arsenal!!

ARSENAL WIN WHILE LACKING A LOT THE SHARPNESS

Arsenal 1-0 SwanseaArshavin (40)



Well, we won. I must be honest, I expected more than was delivered by the team. But we won and that wat counts. If we pick up another win in the league, suddenly things will be looking different and so too our league position.

If ever Arsenal lacked a little bit the sharpness, against Swansea we lacked a lot the sharpness. In fairness, the team team havent had time together as they were all away on International duty. The new recruits did ok, Mertesacker looked assured, Arteta showed flashes of brilliance and Benayoun moved the ball around a bit when he came on.

Our overrall performance lacked cohesion, especially in the second half when we started to look tired and nervous. Swansea could have equalised on two occasion but their first attempt was saved on the line and the second was ballooned skyhigh at point blank range.

Chezny was great. I love his confidence and attitude. This boy will go far as a keeper if he carries on.

Our front three showed better movement up front, but there is still room for improvement. Arshavin looked lively, full of energy, tackling and he scored a very difficult goal after the Swansea keeper Vorm fucked up.

You can find the match report here.

Other thoughts...

We need to move the ball quicker and attack at speed with more forward runners. Players were taking a touch 2 many before passing the ball. Other times a player runs forward and there is no or little forward running in support...

Marouane Chamakh looked dangerous when he came on. Perhaps the addition of new signings has been a wake-up call for him. Competition is a very good thing in any team.

Koscielny was my man of the match. He didn't do anything wrong to a point where he was almost anonymous. He blocked a through ball that would have most likely resulted in a goal for Swansea.

Gibbs did ok, but he doesnt convince me as a left back at this level, yet. I think he still needs to play second fiddle to a more established player. Granted he is lacking match fitness, but still... He was being tormented by the Swansea winger, agaisnt better opposition, he will be exposed, badly.

We need to practice more on set pieces; corners, free kicks- we never look dangerous anymore these days... when last did we score a free kick?

The team looked tired towards the end. I suspect twas a combination of physical fatigue and lack of confidence. But with more time together on the training pitch, they will gel. There is only one way for Arsenal now and that's up.

Song and Gervinho will be back for the next game. After that, all things being equal (at Arsenal? hah!) , Wilshere, Diaby and Vermaelen will rejoin the fold in due course. If we continue winning 1-0, suddenly we are in the title race proper.... Just the goal difference bothers me right now. Let's give somebody a real pasting to fix that. Then the confidence will return faster.

So, 3 points in the bag, next up Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League... Upwards we March!!