Arsenal have the small matter of an away game with the spuds and a home game against Leicester City to get through first, both in the Premier League, and then we are back on the trophy trail. First up will be the next step of our defence of the FA cup won in a dramatic Wembley final in May and just 10 days later comes the home leg of the first knockout round of the Champions League.
And while Arsene Wenger has not entirely written off our chances of a late title challenge, the cup competitions are clearly the best chance of silverware for the Gunners this year. And with the team really starting to hit form and the squad being slowly filled out as the injury list dwindles, there is a real belief and momentum around Arsenal at the minute.
But, unfortunately, the same can be said of our two rivals in those cup competitions, Middlesborough and Monaco. Boro have not lost for eight games and Monaco have not lost in nine, and that is not the only similarity. In fact, the Gunners can expect very similar challenges from the Championship and French Ligue 1 teams.
It is clear that the success of both is based on a very miserly defence. Since losing to Ipswich in December, our FA cup opponents have conceded just one goal in the eight games that includes an away day at Man City. Our Champions League opponents have not even let in one since losing to Rennes at the end of November.
At least Wenger and his players will know what to expect and have shown that we can be patient rather than throwing everyone forward to chase a goal. But do not expect a goal fest, Gooners, and do not be surprised if these games are very tight and close run affairs. Just cross your fingers that Arsenal come out on top.
Not looking any further forward than Spuds on Saturday, and us taking our Man City game to them.
Winning that game is vital to maintain our momentum and belief.
One game at a time
COYG
Mertesacker : “southampton game was a wake up call” ………… Haven’t i told u mert…. Quit taLking
100% effort is all i expect us to give into the spuds game….. We gotta be careful and approach em with zeal……the spuds are much more dangerous this season than they were a few seasons ago ……nullify Kane….nullify eriksen…..nullify the whole team….CoyG!
Against Spurs, these players are guaranteed to start:
Ospina, Mertesacker, Koscielny, _________, Bellerin, Coquelin, _________, Cazorla, _________, Sanchez, Giroud
The 3 spots up for grabs will be competed for by Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott and (if fit) Oxlade-Chamberlain.
What’s your pick?
You forgot Gibbs/Monreal
when he’s on form monreal is miles better than gibbs. Gibbs is younger and more agile but monreal creates more chances than gibbs.
I thought of that… but I don’t see Wenger changing his back four in a crucial game.
Ramsey and Ozil will the start the game. Walcott and Rosicky will come later on from the bench.
Also I don’t know about Sanchez and Ox’ fitness. I hope they are both available
i think we will have the same line up except sanchez will start ahead of walcott if he is fit given the fact he is coming back from a long term injury and that sanchez is our man this season.
May I suggested ggest that all gooners turn off TALK SPORT at exactly 4pm Monday to Friday.It will not go unnoticed. If you have to listen whatever you do don’t ring the complete T*****t.
Haha stopped listening to that rubbish long ago….too partisan, too speculative, too much Durham! What a first class knob Durham is…,another completely outrageous article this morning. Was thinking what an insult to Alexis actually….Durham implying that he was unable to think about what he was doing until he got a week off. Personally think Alexis has shown he is 100% a gunner. As for Durham, I imagine most pros must loathe the guy.
with all due respect arsenal has nothing to fear from those fixtures.
as for the epl, arsenals only chance is if chelsea and city have the same lengthy injuries as arsenal did in the first half of the season.
Chuba Akpom will sign 4 and half years contract to stay with Arsenal.
Source BBC SPORT
V Spurs
Ospina
Bellerin Per Kos Gibbs
Ramsey Coq
Ozil Cazorla Sanchez
Giroud
My prediction Spurs 1 – Arsenal 2
Agree in the main but honestly cannot see how or why Gibbs would start.
Respect is due but at no time in our history should we be cacking it against Middlesbrough and Monaco, and certainly not now.
The old cliche – One Game At A Time!
Bring on the same focus, intensity and discipline like we showed at Man City and we will get the result. Walk into Wet Fart over-confident and we will pay the price.
This is not just a derby – this is the North London Derby and arguably one of the most bitter rivalries in football. This is more than an FA Cup final. This is about owning North London. This rivalry goes back 102 years (although the first derby was in 1921).
Ratchet up the passion Gooners…this IS A BIG GAME for us! COYG!!!