It’s been a week full of speculations and rumours, but it’s time to stop with all that crap. At least for a day. Liverpool is the game at the Emirates and it’s an early kick off, meaning we won’t have to wait too long. That’s the thing I love about 12:45 games, they come quick! Anyway, straight to football.
It’s never easy when you play against Liverpool and this game will be no different. They are a much stronger side than last year and with players like Suarez and Carroll we need to be at our best if we want to get a result. Steven Gerrard is missing for them and we have to take advantage of that. Unfortunately for us, our team is seriously wounded. Alex Song and Gervinho are banned, while Jack Wilshere, Armand Traore, Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou are all injured. You can add Abou Diaby to that, who has spent the entire pre-season in the treatment room and I haven’t heard any news on him getting closer to playing again. Tomas Rosicky will be rested, and Wenger says he’s carrying a knock:
“We will give Tomas a rest tomorrow. It is not a bad injury and he should be back with us on Monday but he is rested tomorrow. “
It does sound quite amazing at first that he needs a rest just two games into the season, but if he’s having some problems then it’s probably better to give him a break. We wouldn’t want to lose him for a longer period and from this perspective Arsene’s decision makes sense.
The real surprise came when the manager announced that Samir Nasri is in the squad and Wenger insisted he won’t hesitate to pick him if needed. Now that is unexpected. Just 48 hours ago he was reportedly on the brink of joining Manchester City, yet we may well see him playing for Arsenal today. One thing is certain – we are down to bare bones in midfield at the moment. Whether that has had any influence on Wenger’s decision to put Nasri in the squad or on the player’s eventual transfer, I don’t know. I suspect the Boss just had to stall the move for a few days, simply because there is no one else he can play there at the moment. If that is the case and if Nasri does start, then that’s a good step from him. As Matt Barlow from the Daily Mail said on Twitter, he could easily have faked some sort of injury or illness, which he hasn’t done, so fair play for that.
Let’s see if he plays and if he does, I urge Arsenal fans not to boo him. I know many don’t like him after everything that’s happened over the past few months and I agree that he should have kept his mouth shut about some things, but booing is the last thing that we need today. As long as he gives hundred percent I would have no complaints. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in no way defending him, but we’ve got an important game later and we all want Arsenal to win. And in the current situation, having Samir Nasri on the pitch would help massively. Abuse is never something pretty, but please show him some respect when he’s on the pitch for Arsenal. If he leaves then fair enough, do whatever you want, but while he’s still wearing the red and white shirt he’s part of our team and, as such, he deserves our support.
We’ll see what happens there, but one player who will play is Emmanuel Frimpong. He’s practically our only option in the absence of Song and this is a massive game for the lad. It is a big step up from the Reserves league to the top flight and we’ll certainly be able to see what he’s made of. What I’ve seen so far in pre-season has been promising. He’s physically strong, good on the ball and has the energy and commitment you would want to see from a player. He won’t be intimidated by the opposition and there’s no better stage than that for him to show what he can do. Let’s wish him luck and hope that he can play well.
What worries me is our back four. Wenger hinted about playing Carl Jenkinson on the left:
“Jenkinson did really well at left-back the other night [against Udinese]“
I have to say I’ll be surprised to see young Carl start the game tomorrow. Moving your best defender in Thomas Vermaelen to left back is a massive gamble though, considering the only replacement we have is Squillaci. Liverpool will be dangerous and we will need a big performance from Jenkinson, provided he gets the nod. He did okay against Udinese, but he had a few shaky moments in my opinion. Maybe the pressure of the Champions League got to him, but let’s hope he’s over that now.
A clean sheet will be important, but we’ll be looking to win that game and we have to be sharp upfront. Our new captain Robin van Persie will lead the attack and I wonder who he’ll have around him. If Nasri plays in the middle then I guess Walcott and Arshavin will be on the wings. He’s got to play Arshavin, hasn’t he? The Russian loves playing against Liverpool and here’s an interesting stat. Out of only 6 shots on target against the Scousers, Andrey Arshavin has scored 5 goals*. We also have the options of Ryo Miyaichi, who’s got his work permit and paperwork sorted, Marouane Chamakh and new boy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Considering our injury situation and all the players missing I think we’ll line up like this: Szczesny – Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Jenkinson (?) – Frimpong, Ramsey, Nasri (?) – Arshavin, Walcott, Van Persie.
That’ll be it for today, I’ll be back with another post tomorrow. The game is just a few hours away now and I’m starting to get really excited. Looking at the team now, I don’t think it’s that bad. Yes, it could have been better, but it is what it is and if some players are able to find that extra gear then we are more than capable of beating Liverpool. I can’t help but be optimistic.
To everyone going to the Emirates today, please don’t boo Nasri if he plays. Focus on supporting the team, they will need it.
COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS !!!!!!!!!!
*For more Arsenal related stats follow this guy on Twitter.
