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Sunday, 8 May 2011

Stoke City - Arsenal Match Thread

Stoke City – Arsenal Match Thread - The Offside - Arsenal blog

« Stoke City – Arsenal Preview | Home | Stoke City 3 – Arsenal 1 : Poor Gunners Deservedly Beaten »Stoke City – Arsenal Match ThreadBy: Martin | May 8th, 2011
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Lineups are in:

Stoke City Starters: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Whitehead, Delap, Walters, Jones Bench: Sorensen, Collins, Pugh, Diao, Carew, Faye, Shotton

Arsenal: Starters: Wojo, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Song, Wilshere, Rambo, Theo, Arshavin, van Persie Bench: Lehmann, Vermaelen, Rosicky, Squillaci, Eboue, Chamakh, Bendtner

No real surprises there for us — with injuries, the lineup card largely filled out itself. The only thing that is somewhat surprising is that Djourou passed his late fitness test and is able to start, which means we’ll have to wait a little while to see Vermaelen. But that’s great news — I have to say that watching Djourou hobble off last week against Manchester United, with his injury history, had me fearing for the worst, so it’s a huge relief to know that it was nothing serious. I wouldn’t completely rule out a late substitution appearance for Vermaelen if Wenger has a spare sub at the end of the match, either. At any rate, it’s still very good to have Vermaelen back suiting up for the first team, whether he plays or not.

This is a big chance for us to all but clinch a top 3 finish, and maybe even put some pressure on Chelsea for 2nd. Let’s get out there and do it.

Come on Arsenal.

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Some Related Stories:Arsenal – Stoke Match ThreadStoke City – Arsenal PreviewArsenal – Manchester City Match ThreadArsenal – Wolves Match ThreadWest Ham – Arsenal Match Thread

Category: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Premiership, Stoke City

Tags: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Premiership, Stoke City
Tweet « Stoke City – Arsenal Preview | Home | Stoke City 3 – Arsenal 1 : Poor Gunners Deservedly Beaten »SairaxUnited hammering Chelsea. I knew they would be better than Chelsea this season, bloody hell, it's the only thing I'll every get right in my life. Anyway, I don't care if Chelsea lose. We have a better shot at finishing 2nd and preserving some dignity (I know I know, but still). I'm used to United winning the title anyway. I'm never speaking to my Manc-loving cousin ever again though.
JGDjourou clearly wasn't ready for this game. All of the goals, he took some major part in them.
TV5, please. And a LONG talk with everyone over what it means to be an Arsenal player come the end of the season. This is inexcusable.BrentonwaltersWatching this without commentators is the only good thing about this game.
SJGgumbyWell, Jack just took away our moral high-ground. Oh well.
BrentonwaltersThis is fucking embarrassing.
SJGgumbyWhile I reeeeaaaaly hate losing to Stoke and playing this poorly, clinching top-4 yesterday makes it a bit easier to take. I'm also glad to see Wenger changing up the formation / team setup. We'll see if its effective or not - I'm guessing probably not, because I don't have much faith in Bendtner or Chamakh at this point based on their recent form, but glad to see that the old man still has some experimentation left in him.Georgedb1Can someone please get off a volley at the goal, instead of these limp dick passess to their goalie?thechaikid):Georgedb1Arsenal have lost their top 4 "aora" in the past 2 years because of our amazingly obvious weaknesses; teams used to come out on the field filled with worry as to how they could possibly manage to play against the supernatural power of a top 4 side. Now, clubs all the way down to relegation sides, know that all they have to do aganist the Arsenal is attack our shit defence, get a set piece or two, and they have at least 1 goal in the bag.

Manure has kept that aora, and it has allowed them be a medeocre side and still go undefeated for 20-odd games. They strike fear into teams even if they're 0-2 down, which forces their opposition shit their pants even when they're leading.

Chelsea has the same thing - its what has let them overtake us and challenge for the title when just a month or two ago they were firmly 5th or 6th and written off.Perry S.Arsenal in a heavy forward formation, been awhile.
SairaxI'm making my podcast debut today, guys! This isn't fair. Wah.
SairaxBloody hell.
JGI think I'm going to feel sick. I will devote any energy left after hoping Arsenal win the title next season to hoping Stoke get relegated next season.Georgedb1Don't hate stoke, its their fans that are idiots. Teams like Stoke are what makes the league interesting - yea they're rough, but thats up to the referee to stop. Every team has some fans that are idiots, Stoke's just seems to have more than their fair share.SairaxStuart Robson needs a muzzle. I'm thisclose to throwing my slippers at the tv.

Oh and we conceded from a set piece. Shock, surprise, etc.
Wolffyyeah that guy is a pain in the ass, I am about to listen to the game on mute.
Georgedb1forget the statistic miss goals due to the cross-bar - give me a statistic of where the fuck we would be in the table if we had successfully kept out HALF the fucking set piece goals in the leagueASDFCant believe that the Stoke trolls in the stadium are booing Rambo!!! Its really shameful.Fred JacobOR EVEN COME BACK AND WIN THE LEAGUE WHEN MANU LOSE THE LAST 3 GAMES AND CHELSEA LOSE THERE LAST TWO FINGERS CROSSED
ChrisOnly slightly less fantasy, but would it be treason to hope for a Chelsea win today (as under 'normal' circumstances in a ManU vs Chelsea confrontation a draw would be preferable).Then for ManU to implode under the pressure of facing FCB, Chelsea to nick the title, then for us to steam through for second and poor ManU to finish with zip-all ?
MartinNot treasonous, and if Chelsea win today they've got a really good chance of winning the league, but it's hard to see quite how we're going to finish above Manchester United -- they're playing Blackpool at home on the last day of the season, and I suspect that will be a steamrolling. All they need is 3 points in their final 3 matches to ensure that they at least finish even on points with us, and with their goal difference advantage, that will almost certainly see them finish above us in the final calculus.
SairaxYou were so close with the starting XI prediction!

Twitter has brought to my attention that we have 4 British players in the side today. Good stuff :)

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Monday, 2 May 2011

Arsenal - Manchester United Match Thread

Arsenal – Manchester United Match Thread - The Offside - Arsenal blog

« Arsenal – Manchester United Preview | Home | Arsenal 1 – Manchester United 0: A Measure of Redemption? »Arsenal – Manchester United Match ThreadBy: Martin | May 1st, 2011
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Lineups are in:

Arsenal: Starters: Wojo, Clichy, Djourou, Koscielny, Sagna, Song, Wilshere, Ramsey, Nasri, Theo, van Persie Bench: Lehmann, Squillaci, Arshavin, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh, Bendtner

Manchester United: Starters: van der Saar, Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Park, Rooney, Hernandez Bench: Kuszczak, O’Shea, Owen, Rafael, Berbatov, Valencia, Smalling

The big news for us, obviously, is no Cesc in the squad. Supposedly he picked up an injury in training yesterday, but there are also reports that he broke up with his long-term girlfriend of several years within the last few days, so there could be a mental/emotional component to it as well. Cue all the old school fans saying “Tony Adams wouldn’t have missed a game just because he had a bust-up with the missus.” Anyway, Cesc is out, Rambo is in, and it will be interesting to see how he does getting a start in that role against one of the best teams in the world. We’ve struggled to break down United in the final third the past couple of years, hopefully that will not continue today. Other than that, it’s exactly the starting lineup we expected.

Nothing too shocking from Manchester United, either. To the extent there is anything noteworthy, it’s that they are rolling out a pretty attacking lineup — playing Rooney and Hernandez together up top, and Nani, Anderson, and Park in midfield, send out a clear signal that they’re not merely going to try to soak up pressure and hit us on the counter (although they will almost certainly do that), but they’re going to come after us.

Also, this video, which appears to be legit, gives a pretty good view of what our home and away kits are going to look like next season. Home kit is good enough, but I really do think that away kit is one of the worst things we’ve worn in some time.

That’s about it. Come on boys, let’s try to pick ourselves up and give us something to feel good about going into the offseason.

Come on Arsenal.

***************

Don’t forget to follow the Arsenal Offside on Twitter for the latest news, links, and updates

Some Related Stories:Manchester United – Arsenal Match ThreadManchester United – Arsenal: Match ThreadManchester United 2 – Arsenal 0: Same Old Story as United Send Gunners PackingArsenal – Manchester United PreviewManchester United 1 Arsenal 0: So Much To Say, Yet What’s Left To Be Said?

Category: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Manchester United, Premiership

Tags: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Manchester United, Premiership
Tweet « Arsenal – Manchester United Preview | Home | Arsenal 1 – Manchester United 0: A Measure of Redemption? »TJWe have 10 points against the rest of the top 4, versus just 4 points against 11th, 12th, and 14th.TJIf only we had more than 1 point against W.B.E, Newcastle and more than 2 points against Sunderland, we'd be in good shape.MarloneiousWE SHOT THE BALL!!!!!!!!!!!! WE WON!!!!!!! YES!!!colombian-gunnerAnd then it happened...we played the arsenal way, beat manU, i screamed like crazy and woke everybody up...they needed it more than we did...bad thing it now either them or chelsea...damn!Fred JacobI think i really hate Man U more than Chelsea, so good luck to themJGGreat game today. It was supposed to be the win in which we took 1st place and walked on to the title, but what the hell. Great win.
Couple of thoughts:
-Ramsey. Step up. Is he getting his pre-injury form back? I think so.
- Djourou's injury which led to the Squillaci sub had me heaving, but the Frenchman probably saved his Arsenal career today with an assured display. Still, TV5 for the last 3 games please.
- Was Arshavin possessed by Tony Adams or something? Hounding every United player, going for every ball, and above all, making some slide tackles that brought tears to my eyes. He does care!
- Szcezsny is world class, full stop. If there is one worry we have resoundingly resolved this season, it's our keeper troubles. The guy is a G.
And so 3rd is assured, with another season and transfer window to ponder upon. But this match gives me hope.Georgedb1One Nil to THE ARSENAL!!! Now if Chelsea can run Manure over, the victory will be complete. My motto has always been "The Arsenal, and if not them, then anyone but manchester united."thechaikidYES A WIN :D
ARSENAL BEATS MANCHESTER UNITED
AMAZING AMAZING WIN -going all jump and crazy and everything else that super excited people do-SairaxYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!ASDFIt was to be chocolate while crying in fetal position if Arsenal lost...but what now? Chocolate while hysterically jumping up n down? Jokes apart YYYYYAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!SairaxYeah I'm thinking of still incorporating the chocolate :PJGMake sure it's dark! Good for the heart so you can do this again next season when we beat them again!Georgedb1Not only have I called Szczesny out, but he is fast becoming one of my favorite Arsenal players! What a goalkeeper!Fred JacobHope Wenger never plays Squizz again he in a real mess, would prefer MiquilSairaxOoh was that a pen? Looked like Clichy caught Owen :SSairaxThink it was. Eek. So Martin's theory that ref's aren't biased, they just suck, is looking more accurate!Georgedb1There is plenty to feed the conspiracy theorists this weekend - people are saying that this whole weekend was fixed to make ever last game matter, I dont buy into it but its there. Especially the Chelsea game, 2 goals, none legitimate.SairaxFor the love of god SHOOOOOOOT!!!!!!Fred JacobWhat the hell Arshavin doing he cant even control the ballOrion_saidwiseguyDon't lay a finger on the guy, man. He was like, awesome.Fred Jacobdude his attacking was horrible, his defending was great am i asking to much to see him attacking and defending greatUcrashedmyplanelay off. he was probably told not to leave arsenal open to the counter as much, so instead he passed the ball up and hounded the ManUre players like a madman. Awesome job today for ArshavinPerry S.Thank you for doing my job of backing Arshavin, today.Georgedb1Djourou out and Squillachi in... Manure are going to get an entire 3rd half for that delay.TJDouble like.TJuh oh.Georgedb1HOW SWEET IT IS!Orion_saidwiseguyRAMSEY :DGeorgedb1Ok so its very obvious that Manure players and the ref have been following the NBA playoffs very closely, and it looks like they've come to play some basketball this SundayAMapsWhatever happened to Nasri?Orion_saidwiseguyHamstring.thechaikidim loving arsenal. great passing. good possession! and some great scoring chances (:!
they are trying very hard :D
that ref is lousy (he stopped two passes -___-). but what can you do? refs are refs.
we have to keep this up the second half and actually make goals.Fred Jacobguess we are literally playing against 12 menKCMan that ref is shocking...Georgedb1again, love our passing, its like training day, but there is no edge to it... Manure thread through 1 pass and we almost shit our pants.

The way to play against Arsenal is to let us run around and tire ourselves out and then do whatever you like to our defense. The way to stuff it in their faces is to take the many chances we create, but obviously we miss so much of those that the other teams don't mind letting us carry on any which way we like.SairaxTo be fair, they are playing very tight in the back and it's difficult to penetrate such a defense, but they are trying.SairaxThat was SUCH a handball in the box by Vidic!!SairaxI would "like" my own comment if I could. That was deliberate, and could have been a red.third eyeDeliberate, yes, but did he touch the ball? No. So it's the end of it and Rooney got yellow carded unjustifiably, byt the waySairaxThen why did we get a corner?Fred JacobNah Rooney card was just how can you kick a ball into another players face that's just stupidFred JacobI love the new away kit YeaFred JacobGo ArsenalSairaxFor anyone who thinks we have nothing to play for, if we lose, we'll be only 5 points ahead of Man City who would have 2 games in hand (though they are playing after us today). CL spot not a certainty.SairaxI'm still a bit sleepyblog comments powered by Disqus

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Sunday, 8 May 2011

Stoke City - Arsenal Match Thread

Monday, 2 May 2011

Arsenal - Manchester United Match Thread