The Soccer Blog: Shakhtar - Arsenal Preview

Wednesday, 3 November 2010

Shakhtar - Arsenal Preview

Shakhtar – Arsenal Preview - - The Offside - Arsenal Football Club Blog

« Match Highlights, November’s Here, Wilshere Getting Mad Paid & More! | Home | Shakhtar – Arsenal PreviewBy: Martin | November 2nd, 2010

Generally when a Western European power decides to invade the Ukraine, it doesn’t end well (see Napoleon, Hitler). Hopefully we’ll fare better than they did.

Tomorrow we head East to the Donbass Arena, one of the best stadiums in Europe. Constructed in 2009 at a cost of $400 million, it holds more than 50,000 spectators and I’m sure will be rocking for our visit. And they’ll certainly be looking to redeem themselves after we, frankly, embarrassed them in London a few weeks ago. And there’s quite a bit more than pride at stake, too — if they lose, and Braga can win in Belgrade, Donetsk will be tied for 2nd in the group, with 6 points. And even though they would still have the inside track, with Partizan still to play and hosting Braga, they would surely like to avoid that situation.

So they’ve got a lot at stake. For us, win and we’re in to the group stages, it’s that simple. And a win would also basically clinch a group win, since at that point it would take two losses by us and two wins by either Shakhtar or Braga, and the games would have to be lopsided enough that whichever of those teams won their remaining two matches passed us on goal differential. Very, very unlikely. So if we win this one, we’d be in the nice position of being able to rest our key players for the remainder of the group stages.

But I’m not so sure Wenger won’t think about doing that now anyway. Wenger in the past has not really shown any inclination to try to win the group instead of finishing 2nd, expressing the belief that the goal is merely to qualify, and that once that is done, we should prioritize other competitions until the knockout rounds start. And 10-11 points has always been good enough to get through in the past. I don’t relish the thought of leaving to the last match, but honestly, we have our easiest group stage fixture, Partizan at home, in the last match, and I’m very confident that if it came down to it, we wouldn’t have any problems dispatching them in that match.

I’m not saying Wenger will throw the reserves on the plane to Ukraine and say “Good luck, kids — send us a postcard.” He won’t. But he’s already said Cesc will not travel to rest his hamstring, and that Denilson, Arshavin, and Song face late fitness tests as to whether or not they will go. I say if there’s some doubt about their fitness, leave them and let them get a couple of extra days of rest.

So we’ll see. I won’t break down Shakhtar’s lineup — I did a bit of that previously in my preview for the last match, so check that out if you’re interested in a bit of a refresher on such things.

In terms of our lineup, I think a lot obviously depends on whether Song, Denilson, and Arshavin travel. And we should have some word on that later today, I would imagine — the club usually releases the player lists for these trips the day before, and travels with 18 players. But here’s my best guess:

Flaps

Sagna-Koscielny-Squillaci-Clichy

Song-Wilshere

Theo-Nasri-Rosicky

Chamakh

Bench: Wojo, Djourou, Eboue, Vela, Bendtner, Lansbury, JET

I think Lansbury and JET are probably the last guys to make the plane, and if Denilson and Arshavin are fit, they travel. I think the backline is pretty much set, although it wouldn’t be a stunner to see Eboue get a start. Wilshere will almost certainly start at one of the withdrawn midfield positions, and if either Song or Denilson is pronounced fit, they will start alongside him. I think Chamakh gets the start up top, although I personally thought he was dreadful on Saturday (for me, it was his worst performance by far in an Arsenal shirt). Either Nasri or Rosicky will start in the advanced “Cesc-role” midfield position, and I think the other one is probably likely to get a start out wide to the left assuming Arshavin doesn’t start. On the right, I have to think Theo is in line for start, and given his track record in the Champions League, he’s definitely the guy I want to see over there.

So that’s that. This is hardly a must-win, but it would certainly be nice to basically have the group won with two matches left to play. Some intriguing match-ups today — Spurs and Inter at WHL, and Valencia-Rangers. Man United travel to Turkey to play Bursaspor, while Barca travel to Copenhagen. Which doesn’t sound like much of a match-up, but Copenhagen gave Barca everything they could handle at Camp Nou a few weeks ago, so that could actually turn into a match. Tomorrow, I think our match, Milan-Madrid, and Chelsea-Spartak are the marquee match-ups.

Thanks to Sairax for doing such a spectacular job over the weekend when the guy who was supposed to come to my new house to hook up my internet . . . didn’t. I’m up and running now, but I’m not going to be able to watch mid-week matches until later in the evening (U.S. time), so I think Sairax will take the lead on most of those from here on out in terms of match reports and player ratings.

That’s it. Let’s go win the group. Come on Arsenal.

Some Related Stories:Arsenal – Shakhtar Donetsk PreviewArsenal – Shakhtar Match ThreadArsenal 5 – Shakhtar 1: Five-Star Gunners Demolish Woeful Donetsk as Eduardo Gets Storybook EndingChampions League Draw: It’s Shakhtar, Braga, and PartizanPartizan – Arsenal Preview

Category: Arsenal News, Champions League, Fixtures, Preview

Tags: Arsenal News, Champions League, Fixtures, Preview
« Match Highlights, November’s Here, Wilshere Getting Mad Paid & More! | Home | SJGgumbyI may catch heat for this, but rationally doesn't it benefit Arsenal for Spurs to keep progressing in the Champions Leauge? Extra matches to hurt their push for a top-4 league spot, and a higher coefficient for the Premier League to help guarantee we don't lose that extra Champions League qualifying spot. Granted, there's the risk of them gathering too much momentum and it carrying over to the Premier League, but personally I'm betting on a letdown this weekend vs Bolton.Darren_VAny day Sp*rs win is a bad day in my books. I don't really care about the add on effects, just enjoy the sight a spud losingFwei watch every arsenal game, in australia, and maybe its because ive had one too many beers or due to the fact that i have to wake up at times between 1am and 7am for games, but does it seem Diaby never gets injured on the actual pitch, rather just things we dont get to see than have to read aboutHomey_MillsIs nobody going to mention the big win by Martin's 2nd favorite team today, over Inter 3-1?J___VThis is not the inter that won cl last year, it's the one from years before that travels poorly and gets knocked out earlyDarren_VBenitez is a completely over-rated manager. His defensive setup was terrible. You would think he would've learned from the first match vs Sp*rs, but apparently not!GunAAI feel for him. He will now have to deal summer transfer rumors involving both Cesc and Bale to Barca.Gigi_manYeah, Chamakh didnt look too confortable at that game, I d give him a half. Arsha is good in Europe, but Rosicky has been on fire. I cannot decide my wished line up, but I trust AW in this type of game.
Although, I wish we could win the group and AW usually doesnt care, I hope that he sees it with carling eyes and get some quality. Not saying that our youngster arent quality but more likely experience in these games gets us the 1st place.
Man I dont know anymore what I am saying I am contradicting myself I think...my nevres start to betray me...I just want to win.

Come on gunnersssssssJGMore Arsenal news: Benik Afobe joins League One side Huddersfield Town for a one month loan and Nasri is named PFA Fans' player of the Month (not the official one that shows on the Wiki, I think.)J___VA win would secure top spot as goal difference doesn't count. It goes on head to head(unless they changed rules this year) so only way we couldn't top group is if brags win all remaining games & beat us by SEVEN.JGEveryone, please vote for Samir Nasri for player of the month at the EPL website!! He's currently leading but that stupid Hernandez of Man U is close! Let's get Nasri what he deserves!SairaxReminder to go vote http://www.premierleague.com/page/Home/0,,12306,00.html
Hernandez was leading! Clear your browser history to vote multiple times. We must get that little trophy to our brilliant little frenchman!SairaxTheo lost out to Scholes for the Player of the Month. Theo was leading for so long too! Let's get it for Nasri! :DMartinCesc, Arshavin, Denilson, and Song have reportedly stayed in London with minor knocks. I expect this means Eastmond will get the start in the true holding role, and Wilshere will play the deep-lying playmaker role and try to help break up the attack.JonathanIts a real shame frimpong got injured, I'm sure he would be getting eastmond's opportunities to play and with his big figure he could learn to boss the midfield.SairaxHearing just now that Diaby has also not travelledMartinApparently he tripped and fell down the stairs while boarding the airplance, hyperextending both knees. He's expected back in action by November 2014.

All kidding aside, it occurred to me after I wrote this that I excluded Diaby from my lineup just because, well, he's Diaby. I hadn't even bothered to check on his fitness, I just assumed he was hurt. Always good when preconceived notions turn out to be true, eh?Darren_VI actually half wondered if you were telling the truth until you said 2014.
2013, and I likely would've beleived itSairaxIt's actually quite worrying isn't it? Ever since the leg break he's had recurring injuries. Not to mention how much he was getting kicked, even just this season (Bolton, Chelsea, etc). Cesc's hamstring issue is also concerning. Hope it isn't as bad as it seemsDarren_VThat picture of the stadium is just simply awesomeSairaxHope we can clinch our spot in the next round now so we can have less worries and focus on the league. I know JET, Eastmond, Lansbury have all travelled because Jack just tweeted pics of them on the plane.
Let's get those 3 points!Homey_MillsI wondered if Nasri made the trip. I read earlier he had a minor issue as well. I hope we left all those guys home for this one.SairaxUnlucky Hitler!bade the goonermates note that we have song arshavin & denilson al doubt. anyway i wouldnt risk song or arshavin & give them a rest. the problem with diaby also sidelined & frimpong out for a decade, we have back jack the lad & we need another one at md to pair him. havinh in mind a front treple of walcott-bendtner-vela means we have enough space for both rosicky & nasri at the middle, or if denilson can play i would pair him with jack & nasri as playmaker.
fabianski
eboue-squillaci-koscielny-clichy
nasri-jack-denilson
walcott-bendtner-vela

subs: chezzer-sagna-djourou-lansbury-rosicky-chamakh-jetsthuck(Previously I was vHF; thanks, disqus!)

According to Polish press, Szczesny has conditioned signing a new contract on assurances of more first-time football.Homey_MillsI wouldn't mind if we treated this more like we're currently treating the Carling Cup. I'd certainly like to see Bendtner start, and wouldn't mind seeing some of Vela, JET, Djourou, etc. I know it's important for various reasons, but you still need to take the long view of things too. And it seems to me the next round is already assured.Elvigonzalesi would love to see arshavin tonights ..instead of rosicky...Perry S.I would love to see both. Arshavin is typically lights out in ECL matches...blog comments powered by Disqus

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Wednesday, 3 November 2010

Shakhtar - Arsenal Preview

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