Arsenal will feel a little pressure tonight being the team to play after the weekend but I think Everton losing could apply some good pressure rather than nervous pressure. Well that is the hope at least. I will be looking at how we start the game because in these types of games our start is often a good indicator of how the game will go over the 90 minutes.
The big news which isn't really news because not a great deal has changed but Arsène has given his clearest indication that he will sign that new contract with us for a further two years which I am pleased about I must say. What I believe we need is stability and continuity. We will already have to make a few changes to the squad given that the likes of Sagna, Vermaelen and Fabianski are more than likely off so the idea of a new manager, possible changes to back room staff at this stage seems like too much work in such a short space of time. A few people have suggested that Arsène could call it a day if we do not beat Hull City in the final of the FA Cup. That it will be time to hand the reigns to someone else. That it will be time for a new approach.
After a few years sabbatical, Begkamp eventually did his coaching badges and has seen his career rocket; originally starting with the Netherland B team, Bergkamp returned to Ajax where he went from coaching the U12’s to assistant manager alongside Frank de Boer within 4 years. He has played at three of the biggest clubs in the world with differing styles, firstly playing total football at Ajax, before having a somewhat difficult spell at the tactically adept Inter Milan before finally moving to Arsenal, where he was allowed freedom to play his preferred languid style of attacking football. Now back at Ajax, one of the great school’s of football, his Ajax team are playing some truly scintillating football. I’ve witnessed many footballers in the past who have decided to rush their badges and take on a task that their ability simply couldn’t match, Tony Adams springs to mind as well as Roy Keane; but it seems Bergkamp was cautious in his approach, taking time out of the game before deciding to pursue his badges. His sabbatical may be the reason I like him so much, he has taken the time and consideration to think about his future and it seems he is sure with what he wants to do.
Abou Diaby divides opinion like nobody else at Arsenal. There are some who think he is a special talent and there are those who believe that he is overrated, lazy and a liability. I think the negative perception of Diaby is a little unfair at times. He is often accused with criticism that he does not pass the ball quick enough or that he dribbles into traffic. Similar things have been said of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott not so long ago. Ramsey was accused only last season of taking too many touches on the ball and Walcott was known to run into traffic. The difference with them and Abou Diaby is that of age but whether you are a young player or an experienced one, all players need games, momentum, and continuity. Without that players will make errors. Abou Diaby has spent most of his pitch time in the last few years trying to catch up and regain match sharpness while others around him already have it.
It was only last season (or was it the one before that) that I thought Rambo could prove to be Mikel Arteta's longer term replacement. Remember when Arteta picked up an injury for a few weeks and Ramsey filled that role very well. In fact I vaguely remember that being the time where he started to simplify his game a little. He was taking a little too much time on the ball before that and made mistakes but playing as the deepest midfielder he was moping up, keeping possession and ultimately that might have done him some good.
player clearly benefitting from these returns is Lukas Podolski who once again displayed his deadly finishing to seal the victory on the day. It’s now four goals in a week for the German and the fact he is finding his shooting boots at such a crucial stage of the season is something we can all be thankful for. Starting once again in a wide left position, Podolski again netted both goals of his brace having drifted infield to positions one might expect a centre forward to take up. Surely this fact alone is enough to pour scorn on the continued accusations that he ‘lacks movement’?
Oxlade-Chamberlain looked very bright when he came on I thought. It looks like the rest has done him some good as he looked sharp and very dangerous out wide. I must say I still don't see him as a central midfielder right now, he looked best when he doesn't have the responsibly of the heart of
It was great to have them both back in the team. I was a bit worried about Özil coming straight back into the starting lineup but he seemed to cope ok & the big advantage of getting the job done early is that you can rest players earlier than normal. Both Ramsey & Özil drive the team forward. Having two players who look to move forward whenever they get the ball, rather than passing to the nearest unmarked man, makes a huge difference. They both played through the lines & opened up space, and took up positions between the lines when others were on the ball. It gave us so many options that we haven't had for a while. They also released Giroud into the channels on a number of occasions & he looked happier to make those runs with players in the team
Ok, posting a preview minutes before the line up was to be announced was a schoolboy error, I blame sleeping in for my mistake. I got the team all wrong, quite surprised about a few of the selections but hey. Mesut Özil and his silky through the lines passing goes straight back into the team along with superman Aaron Ramsey. I bet those two have a very high win percentage when playing together.
Nacho Monreal is back available for selection but I wonder if Thomas Vermaelen will continue at left back following his good performance against West Ham. He might be the ying to Lukas Podolski's yang. Vermaelen is not a natural box to box full back instead preferring to play closer to his centre back. Maybe this allows Podolski to luxury of playing in his favourite little pocket of space to the left of the penalty spot, wondering around until a ball falls his way for him to spank into the corner. The system make require tweaking but maybe that is the best way to get the best out of Lukas Podolski from now until the season end.