Back to the Premiership fellas, after a "difficult" game against Steaua Bucharest winning 1-0, inevitably securing us to qualify Champions League Knock-out stages. Now after a tiring away game from Romania, lads are back in England and we're up against an old foe.
So it's..
Brief Report on Previous Game - Steaua Bucharest Vs Arsenal
Travelling to Romania, up against a side plagued with inconsistency in their board issues and injuries to their players, Arsenal shown no mercy and braced themselves a convincing 1-0 win thus securing three more points. Sitting on top of the Champions League Group H with 6 points, perhaps inevitable for the qualification for the Knock-out stage.
Arsenal started out with complete domination against the Romanian Champions, pressuring them, only Arsenal failed to score. Steaua managed to counter -pressure, Arsenal however managed to overcome eventually. Cesc Fabregas was highlighted in the first half for his horrendous shot from six yards.
Robinson Zapata, Steaua's goalkeeper, almost carried the ball over the line as he stumbled back to catch Gael Clichy's deflected cross. While at the other half, Toure did his job clearing Nicolae Dica's lob.
In the second half, both sides create chances after chances, before Robin Van Persie broke the dreadlock on 76th minute with a superb shot into the roof of the net from Emmanuel Adebayor's cut back, securing Arsenal's ninth successive victory in all competitions.
1-0 win was indeed vital for the Gunners side and travelling back to London to continue their Premiership Campaign.
A Few facts on Sunderland FC
* Arsenal's highest attendance at Highbury came against Sunderland; a crowd of 73,295 watched a First Division game on March 9, 1935. The record attendance of our local rivals Tottenham Hotspur was also against Sunderland - On March 5, 1938, 75,038 fans watched the game at White Hart Lane.
* Arsenal legend Cliff Bastin scored his 178th and last goal for the Club in a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Highbury on February 4, 1939. Bastin is still third on Arsenal's list of scorers behind record goal getter Thierry Henry and Ian Wright.
* Arsenal legend Tony Adams made his debut against Sunderland on November 5, 1983. The Gunners lost 2-1.
Premier League History
1992-93 - Avoid relegation to Division Two by one point
1993-94 - Mick Buxton replaces Terry Butcher as manager
1994-95 - Peter Reid becomes manager with seven matches remaining
1995-96 - Win Division One
1996-97 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1997-98 - First season at Stadium of Light. Lose play-off final on penalties
1998-99 - Win Division One with a record 105 points
2002-03 - Break record signing with Tore André Flo for £6.75million. Reid replaced by Howard Wilkinson. Mick McCarthy takes over with nine matches left. Relegated with lowest points tally ever (19)
2004-05 - Win Division One
2005-06 - McCarthy leaves in March after just two wins. Kevin Ball appointed as caretaker. Relegated with new record low number of points (15).
2006-07 - Consortium headed by former hero Niall Quinn takes over. Quinn appointed as manager but sacks himself after four straight defeats. Roy Keane becomes manager. Win the Championship.
Current Premiership Standings
Still sitting up there on top of the league, mighty imprssive start of the season. Let's hope the Gunners an retain this position till may 2008 when we're formally announced.
After the comebacks of our games, where we tend to overplay, creating chances, dominant against the opposing team, we still lack that consistent finishing. However, in comparison of our new campaign this season than the last, we vastly improved.
Hence why I'm starting to feel optimistic ahead of this campaign, both domestically and in Europe. but, surely, we still plagued with injuries, players will leave in January for the African Cup of Nations, can we maintain to go all the way here?
Manchester United are breathing down our necks with only 2 points and 7 goal differences seperating both teams, despite we have a game in hand. I for one hoping this could motivate the players to be more alert in their games and treating all games vital for its three points. And against Roy Keane's Sunderland, it is NOT going to be easy.
Do we have the edge? We'll find out soon enough.
Arsenal-Mania Predicted Line-up
Arsenal Substitutes
- Lukasz Fabianski
- Abou Diaby/Tomas Rosicky - (all depends who will be fit by Saturday)
- Lassana Diarra
- Nicklas Bendtner
- Gilberto Silva
Now, I'm tempted to place Flamini still ahead of Gilberto, unless Arsène decides to rest Flamster and feature Gilberto in the starting line-up. Flamini was superb once again in the Steaua game, and as much as I like Gilberto, I seriuosly can't see Flamini being dropped now. Eboue however, was poor in the game, but, unless Diarra can play replacing him, I can see him starting.
Fabregas in the Steaua game, was not at his best, but managed to overcome Steaua easily. Should've scored that goal, but I'll go easy on him. Hopefully he step up in form ahead of this Sunderland game. Hleb was solid, he was involved much of our created chances, though a tad inconsistent, but after that nasty blow against West Ham last week and still able to produce this game, I'm content and hopefully he can take it up aswell.
Defense was solid, highlighted to Senderos. He was immense. Absolute solidarity in the game. Outshines Toure's performance eventhough Toure had a decent game. More of these moments, pretty much our defense line is set solid. With Clichy making superb defending - though his problems are still his final ball. Both himand Sagna provide the attack quite well, and still producing great runs etc.
Upfront was slightly worrying, with RVP was quiet but superb finish from him eventually. Adebayor lacked the finishing otherwise he could've scored more than enough. Not a good game for both of them to be honest, but still RVP produced a great goal that csecured our victory.
Ahead of this game, we can see how Sunderland in terrible form and run of games, surely, they're looking atleast a point against us, so, them parking the bus playing 10 men behind the ball is inevitable imo. Our strikers upfront must really step up if we want a few goals going in this one.
Injuries still plagued us, not sure, when Gallas, Song, Diaby, Rosicky, Lehmann, and Edaurdo will be back. but despite the injuries we are still doing relatively well. Hoping we could cut down the casuaties if we want total consistency in the campaign both domestically and European stage.
So, COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!
2-1 win I'm hoping this time, but to befrank, any win for us, I'll be content.
So it's..
Brief Report on Previous Game - Steaua Bucharest Vs Arsenal
Travelling to Romania, up against a side plagued with inconsistency in their board issues and injuries to their players, Arsenal shown no mercy and braced themselves a convincing 1-0 win thus securing three more points. Sitting on top of the Champions League Group H with 6 points, perhaps inevitable for the qualification for the Knock-out stage.
Arsenal started out with complete domination against the Romanian Champions, pressuring them, only Arsenal failed to score. Steaua managed to counter -pressure, Arsenal however managed to overcome eventually. Cesc Fabregas was highlighted in the first half for his horrendous shot from six yards.
Robinson Zapata, Steaua's goalkeeper, almost carried the ball over the line as he stumbled back to catch Gael Clichy's deflected cross. While at the other half, Toure did his job clearing Nicolae Dica's lob.
In the second half, both sides create chances after chances, before Robin Van Persie broke the dreadlock on 76th minute with a superb shot into the roof of the net from Emmanuel Adebayor's cut back, securing Arsenal's ninth successive victory in all competitions.
1-0 win was indeed vital for the Gunners side and travelling back to London to continue their Premiership Campaign.
A Few facts on Sunderland FC
* Arsenal's highest attendance at Highbury came against Sunderland; a crowd of 73,295 watched a First Division game on March 9, 1935. The record attendance of our local rivals Tottenham Hotspur was also against Sunderland - On March 5, 1938, 75,038 fans watched the game at White Hart Lane.
* Arsenal legend Cliff Bastin scored his 178th and last goal for the Club in a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Highbury on February 4, 1939. Bastin is still third on Arsenal's list of scorers behind record goal getter Thierry Henry and Ian Wright.
* Arsenal legend Tony Adams made his debut against Sunderland on November 5, 1983. The Gunners lost 2-1.
Premier League History
1992-93 - Avoid relegation to Division Two by one point
1993-94 - Mick Buxton replaces Terry Butcher as manager
1994-95 - Peter Reid becomes manager with seven matches remaining
1995-96 - Win Division One
1996-97 - Relegated from FA Carling Premiership
1997-98 - First season at Stadium of Light. Lose play-off final on penalties
1998-99 - Win Division One with a record 105 points
2002-03 - Break record signing with Tore André Flo for £6.75million. Reid replaced by Howard Wilkinson. Mick McCarthy takes over with nine matches left. Relegated with lowest points tally ever (19)
2004-05 - Win Division One
2005-06 - McCarthy leaves in March after just two wins. Kevin Ball appointed as caretaker. Relegated with new record low number of points (15).
2006-07 - Consortium headed by former hero Niall Quinn takes over. Quinn appointed as manager but sacks himself after four straight defeats. Roy Keane becomes manager. Win the Championship.
Current Premiership Standings
Still sitting up there on top of the league, mighty imprssive start of the season. Let's hope the Gunners an retain this position till may 2008 when we're formally announced.
After the comebacks of our games, where we tend to overplay, creating chances, dominant against the opposing team, we still lack that consistent finishing. However, in comparison of our new campaign this season than the last, we vastly improved.
Hence why I'm starting to feel optimistic ahead of this campaign, both domestically and in Europe. but, surely, we still plagued with injuries, players will leave in January for the African Cup of Nations, can we maintain to go all the way here?
Manchester United are breathing down our necks with only 2 points and 7 goal differences seperating both teams, despite we have a game in hand. I for one hoping this could motivate the players to be more alert in their games and treating all games vital for its three points. And against Roy Keane's Sunderland, it is NOT going to be easy.
Do we have the edge? We'll find out soon enough.
Arsenal-Mania Predicted Line-up
Arsenal Substitutes
- Lukasz Fabianski
- Abou Diaby/Tomas Rosicky - (all depends who will be fit by Saturday)
- Lassana Diarra
- Nicklas Bendtner
- Gilberto Silva
Now, I'm tempted to place Flamini still ahead of Gilberto, unless Arsène decides to rest Flamster and feature Gilberto in the starting line-up. Flamini was superb once again in the Steaua game, and as much as I like Gilberto, I seriuosly can't see Flamini being dropped now. Eboue however, was poor in the game, but, unless Diarra can play replacing him, I can see him starting.
Fabregas in the Steaua game, was not at his best, but managed to overcome Steaua easily. Should've scored that goal, but I'll go easy on him. Hopefully he step up in form ahead of this Sunderland game. Hleb was solid, he was involved much of our created chances, though a tad inconsistent, but after that nasty blow against West Ham last week and still able to produce this game, I'm content and hopefully he can take it up aswell.
Defense was solid, highlighted to Senderos. He was immense. Absolute solidarity in the game. Outshines Toure's performance eventhough Toure had a decent game. More of these moments, pretty much our defense line is set solid. With Clichy making superb defending - though his problems are still his final ball. Both himand Sagna provide the attack quite well, and still producing great runs etc.
Upfront was slightly worrying, with RVP was quiet but superb finish from him eventually. Adebayor lacked the finishing otherwise he could've scored more than enough. Not a good game for both of them to be honest, but still RVP produced a great goal that csecured our victory.
Ahead of this game, we can see how Sunderland in terrible form and run of games, surely, they're looking atleast a point against us, so, them parking the bus playing 10 men behind the ball is inevitable imo. Our strikers upfront must really step up if we want a few goals going in this one.
Injuries still plagued us, not sure, when Gallas, Song, Diaby, Rosicky, Lehmann, and Edaurdo will be back. but despite the injuries we are still doing relatively well. Hoping we could cut down the casuaties if we want total consistency in the campaign both domestically and European stage.
So, COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!
2-1 win I'm hoping this time, but to befrank, any win for us, I'll be content.