Champions League Second Round First Leg

Wednesday, February 17^th (Live on ITV)

Estadio do Dragao. Kick off 19.45.

By Joe Finegan

Arsenal Premier League title ambitions were rekindled by winning last week when Chelsea and Manchester United both dropped points, but they still have some work to do. The Champions League gives them an opportunity to take their mind off the domestic championship but in Porto, they are facing quality opposition.

Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger has stated this week that a clean sheet is a priority for their trip to Portugal but while it is important that they play well defensively, they must go forward well. It appears that Wenger would be happy to plunder a 1-0 lead going into the second leg of this tie at The Emirates in three weeks.

It’s no secret that Arsenal are finding goals slightly difficult to come by recently compared to their early season goal fest. However they have only failed to score twice in recent weeks; against Aston Villa and Chelsea. This perhaps is not too bad considering their last four games were against top opposition (and Liverpool). The previous time they failed to score was away to Olympiakos in early December.

Porto defender Bruno Alves has stated in the English newspapers that the key to stopping Arsenal is to stop Cesc Fabregas. That will suit the Gunners just fine because with players like Arshavin and Nasri and Rosicky floating around, Arsenal will always cause defenders problems.

At the other end of the pitch, Porto striker Rademel Falcao has been a revelation since his move from River Plate last summer. Last season in Argentina was the 24-year-old’s most productive yet, scoring 13 goals in 32 games. This season, he already has 17 goals in just 24 games. He could be the main obstacle to Wenger’s side keeping the clean sheet that would aid their Champions League progression.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal’s injury list has shortened in recent weeks. Long-term absentees remain Gibbs, Van Persie and Djourou. Others with niggling problems are Song and Arshavin but both should be available for selection.

VERDICT

Porto are unbeaten at home this season and have conceded eight goals in 10 games at the Dragao. They are averaging 2.3 goals scored in their home camp compared with Arsenal’s record of 1.9 per away league game. However, Arsenal are always liable to concede away from home (16 conceded in 13 games) so the stats are pointing to a low-scoring game.

RECOMMENDED

CORRECT SCORE 1-1 7.0 (BETFAIR)

OVER/UNDER 2.5 GOALS Under 2.5 goals 1.69 (BETFAIR)

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Premier League

Sunday February 7^th. (Live on Sky Sports)

Stamford Bridge. Kick off 4pm

By Joe Finegan

It’s first against third in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon but both these sides have major negative values attached to them. Chelsea are suffering the whole Terrygate affair while Arsenal are not coping too well with this stiff test of games being fired at them.

Even though John Terry has been relieved of his England captain duties, he will still lead out Chelsea to face arch rivals Arsenal in Sunday’s big match. Terry, a superb centre-half, will not let off the pitch antics disrupt his on-field performance. Expect another top display from John Terry.

Since their 3-0 win at The Emirates last November, Chelsea have hit a slump of sorts, only gaining 19 points out of a possible 30 available. Blue’s boss Carlo Ancelotti has been study his team’s tactics from that November victory in order to gain his side valuable three points in the return encounter.

“We are working to repeat the same result,” he said. “Also Arsenal want to change the game and want to change their performance but we played the right way, we want to do the same because we can have the possibility to beat Arsenal. Tactically we did very well, because Arsenal has a very good quality in the midfield, fantastic players with strong quality when there is no space, Fabregas, Arshavin, Nasri, so we don’t give them the possibility to play easy. It is important to put pressure in our midfield, don’t leave the space to play.

“It’s a different way to play, they use a lot of midfielders to have control of the game and Arsenal score a lot of goals.”

While the Chelsea side may adopt a physical approach in their games, Arsenal tend to rely more on skilful, quick and slick passing. However, Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger is not afraid of his team of youngsters getting muscled out of the game, he is wary of his team facing Chelsea with the right attitude: “I know this team wants to do well but because they haven’t won [games against Chelsea or Manchester United] yet they have made it harder in their head than it really is. When we get close to winning, we play with the handbrake.

“But I know the team is mentally strong and dedicated. I see them every day and I wouldn’t defend them if they didn’t have the right attitude. But they do have to find that final part to win the big games.

“Last year, with the same team, we didn’t really lose big games. Before we went to Manchester United in the Champions League we didn’t lose a game between November and May. This year we have lost them but we have to bounce back quickly and show everyone how strong we are.

“I know how much the players need these kinds of wins to finish the development of the team.

“When you play at home in a big game you want to win. You end up frustrated because you know it’s not because the players don’t want it. It’s just because they miss the final push.”

TEAM NEWS

As has been the case all season, Arsenal’s injury list is one of the longest in the Premier League. Long-term absentees Van Persie, Gibbs and Djourou are still out, as is Eduardo (hamstring). Abou diaby could return following a calf problem. Striker Nicklas Bendtner is fit and ready to play, as is veteran centre-half Sol Campbell, who is in the squad.

Chelsea will be without Bosingwa, Belletti and Essien but welcome back Mikel and Ashley Cole to the fray.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

In the last 11 meetings between these sides since 2005 (excluding neutral venues), Chelsea have been the overpowering force winning seven encounters. Arsenal have won just twice, and there have been two draws. However, their last clash at Stamford Bridge saw Arsenal grab a 2-1 victory. Before that, their last win there was in 2004. With Chelsea’s home form so solid, and Arsenal’s away form this season a little inconsistent, everything seems to point to a home win.

VERDICT

It might not be pretty for Gooners at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon but on the positive side from a punting perspective, there will probably be a few goals as both sides love to attack.

RECOMMENDED

OVER/UNDER 2.5 GOALS Over 2.5 goals 1.93 (BETFAIR)

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Premier League

Sunday, January 31^st

The Emirates. Kick off 16.00

By Joe Finegan

This is a massive game in determining the destination of this season’s Premier League title. Currently, the Gunners are a point behind United, who are a point behind Chelsea.

Arsenal have a shockingly difficult series of matches to come (Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool) and will need to take maximum points from those three games to boost their title chances.

Being plagued by injuries will not help Arsenal’s cause, nor will the possible return to the fray for Sol Campbell, the 35-yer-old veteran being touted as the man to stop 24-year-old Wayne Rooney. After so long away from top-class football, surely this is not the game for Wenger to give Campbell his first home start since his return to the club. Arsenal’s defence has been slightly suspect this season, and the absence of Vermaelen, and the possibility of Campbell’s inclusion, must be delighting Alex Ferguson.

Arsenal have been playing well in the league lately. Despite a scoreless draw with Aston Villa midweek, they have gained 23 out of a possible 29 points available to them over their last nine games, thrusting the Gunners into the title race and they even topped the table for a short time last week.

Manchester United have been distracted by their high-profile League Cup semi-final clash with rivals Manchester City but have maintained their charge for the 2009-10 Premier League title by winning four of their last five league games, scoring 16 goals.

This will be a big test for both clubs in the battle for the championship and both clubs know that defeat will be very costly indeed. Manchester United have the second best away record in the league and are very capable of avoiding defeat at The Emirates on Sunday.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Traditionally, United have done quite well at Highbury/The Emirates. Even though they haven’t won there in the league since 2005, since then they have gained two draws and a European Cup win there last season. Arsenal won this fixture last season thanks to two Samir Nasri goals.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal have been hindered by a long injury list this season. It got worse for them this week with the news that influential central defender Thomas Vermaelen will be missing from this game. He joins Van Persie, Merida, Gibbs, Djourou, Diaby and Eduardo on the sidelines. Sol Campbell could make his first start for the team at The Emirates, and Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue have returned from Africa. Samir Nasri is also available for this game having recovered from a hamstring problem.

Manchester United have no fresh injury worries. Hargreaves is not far away from resuming full training while John O’Shea may not feature again this season. Ferdinand is suspended but Vidic will take his place having recovered from a nerve problem in his leg.

VERDICT

This is a difficult game to find some betting value for Gooners. On the field, it will be a tough game for the Gunners, especially without Vermaelen and considering the form Wayne Rooney is in. It will be an open enough game and both sides have enough attacking flair to hit the back of the net. Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is playing out of his skin lately and Gooners should have a small bet on him to be first goalscorer.

RECOMMENDED

ARSENAL TO SCORE IN BOTH HALVES 3.95 (BETFAIR)

BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE Yes 2pts 1.6 or bigger (BETFAIR)

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Premier League

Wednesday, January 27^th.

Villa Park. Kick off 19.45

By Joe Finegan

What a massive couple of weeks this is for Arsenal. The Gunners have five enormous, season-shaping games approaching. After this Villa clash, they entertain Manchester United, followed by a trip to Chelsea before hosting Liverpool. Then, they’ve to travel to Porto in the Second Round of the Champions League. This is definitely a season-defining period for the Gunners.

Villa have been enjoying a terrific season so far. They beat Blackburn 7-4 on aggregate to reach the final of the League Cup and are currently just two points away from fourth place in the Premier League. They’re also into the Fifth Round of the FA Cup with an impending and winnable tie against either Wolves or Crystal Palace coming up in just over two weeks time. However, their cup exploits have detracted from their league form. In their last league match they had a scoreless draw with West Ham. Before that they lost two on the trot to Liverpool and Arsenal (on December 27^th). Nevertheless, the did win their four Premier League games prior to that Arsenal defeat.

In contrast, Arsenal haven’t had the distractions of a League Cup run which has been to their advantage. They haven’t lost a league game since the Chelsea defeat in late November and reached the summit of the table last week despite all the pre-season knocking before Manchester United reclaimed top spot on Saturday. Sunday’s FA Cup exit for the Gunners can only enhance their Premier League aspirations, beginning with this tricky tie away to Villa.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Aston Villa haven’t beaten Arsenal at Villa Park since 1998. Dennis Bergkamp put Arsenal 2-0 up before half-time that December day before Julian Joachim got one back. Dion Dublin then banged in two more to give Villa a 3-2 victory. Since then, Villa Park has been a happy hunting ground for the Gunners, winning five and drawing five. However, this is an improved Villa side on previous years.

TEAM NEWS

Villa have niggling doubts surrounding the participation of Emile Heskey, Richard Dunne, Nigel Reo-Coker, John Carew and Wilfred Bouma in this game. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s injury list keeps getting longer. Djourou, Van Persie, Gibbs, Diaby, Merida and Nasri will all miss this match. However, Sagna, Wilshere and Bendtner may have made sufficient recoveries to be considered for selection.

VERDICT

Their home form has been pretty solid this term, only losing to Liverpool and Wigan (on the opening day of the season). The Gunners’ away form has been slightly inconsistent, and with the injuries they have to contend with, perhaps a draw would suit Arsenal, especially with the fixtures they have approaching.

RECOMMENDED

MATCH ODDS Draw 3.5 (BETFAIR)

OVER/UNDER 2.5 GOALS Under 2.5 goals 1.95 (BETFAIR)

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FA Cup Fourth Round

Saturday, January 24^th

Britannia Stadium. Kick off 13.30

By Joe Finegan

Stoke’s form has been incredibly in-and-out this season, portrayed by their mediocre 11^th placing in the Premier League. Their home form has been fairly solid and it will be vital to their survival in the Premier League to maintain that source of essential points. In their last game, they were quite fortunate to bag a late equaliser against Liverpool, but before that they almost threw away a three goal lead against Fulham but hung on for three points.

In the FA Cup Third Round, they went 1-0 down to York but rallied well to win 3-1. Before that game, they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat by Birmingham. Quite remarkably all those games were all at the Brittannia Stadium. Sunday’s game against Arsenal will be Stoke’s fifth home game in a row.

There is no doubting that Stoke’s solid home form is vital to their success, but in a cup game anything can happen, and with a buoyant Arsenal squad visiting Sunday lunchtime, Stoke’s home resilience will be put to the test.

Arsenal are now unbeaten in their last nine games, stretching right back to their 1-0 defeat away to Olympiakos at the beginning of December. In those nine games, the Gunners have bagged 24 goals, a ratio of 2.6 goals per game.

It may sound strange, but this FA Cup game may not be taking preference in the mind of Arsene Wenger. The Gunners have five enormous, season-shaping games coming up after Sunday’s match. Next Wednesday, they are away to Aston Villa, followed by a home game against Manchester United, followed by a trip to Chelsea before entertaining Liverpool. Then, they’ve got to go to Porto in the Second Round of the Champions League. Is it possible that Wenger may rest a few key players for this FA Cup game with Stoke? He has stated that he may “shuffle his squad” for this game, but no matter who brings in, the starting XI should be strong enough and skilful enough to cope with a moderate Stoke team.

TEAM NEWS

With Wenger hinting that he may use some fringe players for this game, Sol Campbell could be in line to play for Arsenal for the first time since the 2006 Champions League Final.

At the moment, Arsenal have the longest injury list in the Premier League. Apart from long term casualties Djourou, Van Persie, Gibbs and Bendtner, Wenger also has to contend with injuries to Sagna and Diaby for the next couple of weeks. Others keeping the physio busy are Merida, Ramsey and Wilshere but Walcott’s appearance as a substitute last Wednesday was a welcome sight for Gooners. It is also reported that Nasri has a hamstring strain which will keep him out for a least two weeks.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis will be hoping that long-throw specialist Rory Delap will have recovered from his groin strain suffered against Liverpool last week. Definite outs for Stoke are James Beattie and Amdy Faye.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Interestingly, Stoke have a pretty good record against Arsenal when playing at home. Last season’s league clash was the first since 1985 when Stoke won 2-0 and finished bottom of a 22-team First Division. Since then there have been three meeting at Stoke: one home win, one draw, and one win for the Gunners. The most recent was last season when Stoke won 2-1.

VERDICT

Despite the threat of a squad shuffle, Arsenal still have the strength and quality to overturn a plucky Stoke team. Stoke will be aiming to utilise home advantage to the max but the away side should just be able to step it up a gear to avoid a replay.

RECOMMENDED

MATCH ODDS Arsenal to win 1.96 (BETFAIR)

CORRECT SCORE Arsenal to win 2-1 9.6 (BETFAIR)

OVER 2.5 GOALS 2.1 (BETFAIR)

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Premier League

Wednesday, January 20^th

Kick off 19.45. The Emirates.

By Joe Finegan

Quite bizarrely, Arsenal and Bolton meet in the league for the second time in four days on Wednesday night. Arsenal won Sunday’s fixture 2-0, a game in which influential captain Cesc Fabregas was phenomenal.

Indeed, Arsenal are showing true championship-winning form at present. They are strong all over the pitch. Gallas and Vermaelen are a tower of strength at the back, the midfield is overrun with talent, in Rosicky and Arshavin they have two of the most creative flair players in the Premier League, and Eduardo is relishing his run in the side due to Van Persie’s injury. Perhaps Arsenal’s weak point is in goal, but that’s a topic for discussion elsewhere.

Super-fast slick passing moves in the final third of the pitch on Sunday was the undoing of Bolton. Arsenal are really playing gorgeous football at the moment. New Bolton manager Owen Coyle will have learned a lot about his team on Sunday and it will be interesting to see if he keeps faith with the same starting XI.

Arsenal haven’t lost in the league since Chelsea won 3-0 at The Emirates in November – nine games ago. They’ve scored 19 goals in their last eight games, a ratio nearing 2.5 goals per game. Bolton will have learned a lot from Sunday’s lesson, but expect Arsenal to keep that winning streak and free-scoring attitude flowing on Wednesday night.

TEAM NEWS

Bolton have no fresh injury worries following Sunday’s match.

Arsenal will have to manage without Walcott, Gibbs, Van Persie, Bendtner and Djourou. It is hoped that Denilson and Wilshere will be available for selection on Wednesday night.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Bolton haven’t won a league game at Arsenal since 1962. However, they did win there in 1994 in an FA Cup Fourth Round Replay. For the record, Alan Smith scored for the Gunners while McAteer, McGinley and Walker put Bolton through after extra time. There have been 27 goals in the last nine meetings between these two sides in all competitions, Arsenal winning all bar one win for Bolton and one draw. Pretty one-sided statistics there.

VERDICT

Everything points to a home win in this game and the odds on Arsenal (1.22) reflect this. To find the value in this game, you must look deep and look hard. On the basis that Arsenal will win, the game will contain three goals or more, and Arsenal will probably keep a clean sheet, a correct score punt on 3-0 to the Gunners looks about right.

At skinnier odds, have a look at Arsenal winning both halves.

RECOMMENDED

Arsenal to win 3-0 8.2 (BETFAIR)

Arsenal to win both halves 2.2 (BETFAIR)

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Premier League

Sunday, December 27^th, 2009

The Emirates, Kick off 13.30

This is a big test for the Gunners. Having faltered twice against Manchester City twice this season, once against Manchester United and once against Chelsea, Arsenal cannot afford to lose again to those clubs hovering around the summit of the Premier League.

Villa have been playing superbly lately and have already beaten Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United this season. The Liverpool and United wins were away from home so a trip to The Emirates won’t scare Martin O’Neill’s men too easily. Villa have won their last four games in the league, and a fifth isn’t beyond the realms of reality. Arsenal, while playing well, have been slightly inconsistent and could be vulnerable to a hard-working, talented team like Villa. The Gunners are unbeaten in the league in four games including a 2-1 win at Anfield.

While Arsenal’s home form is solid, so too is Villa’s away form. Both teams love to attack and both teams have fairly watertight defences. A cracking game on the cards on paper. Expect an open game with plenty of great football but few real opportunities. A low scoring game is on the cards.

TEAM NEWS

No real team news available yet, but there is bad news for Gunners’ fans in that Van Persie could be out for the rest of the season. Keep an eye on your newspapers for more on that one.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Arsenal haven’t beaten Villa in their three meetings since December 2007. Villa won this fixture 2-0 last term and there have been two draws. However, at the tail end of the 2005/06 season, Arsenal hit five past Villa, but since then Villa haven’t lost away to the Gunners.

VERDICT

Based on the theory that Villa will perform above expectations for this game and that will result in a tight and low scoring game, perhaps an interest in the game ending up in a draw will be profitable. Backing below 1.5 goals goes against everything that Arsenal have stood for this season, but in this game it might well be worth having a punt.

If you’re feeling brave, why not have that fiver your granny stuck in your Christmas card on a 0-0 draw?

RECOMMENDED

ARSENAL/ASTON VILLA DRAW 3.85 (BETFAIR)

UNDER 1.5 GOALS 4.4 (BETFAIR)

ARSENAL CLEAN SHEET 2.74 (BETFAIR)

CORRECT SCORE 0-0 15.0 (BETFAIR)

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Premier League

Saturday, December 19^th, 2009

The Emirates. Kickoff 17.30

How disgusted is Arsene Wenger that Burnley didn’t just roll over and play dead like wolves did against the Gunners’ Premier League rivals Manchester United? Burnley put up a tough display and were definitely helped by Cesc Fabregas’ injury just before half-time. There’s no doubt that Wenger is furious with Wolves for gifting United three points, but also with his own sides’ ineptness at putting away an inferior Burnley side.

However, Hull at The Emirates presents a great opportunity for the Gunners to return to winning ways immediately. Hull have failed to win away from home this season and have conceded 21 goals, hardly the form that will make Arsenal nervous. Arsenal’s home form has been pretty solid, losing only once in the league (to Chelsea) and scoring 22 goals.

With all the top sides in the Premier League expected to claim three points in their respective fixtures, the pressure will really mount on Arsenal if they fail to put away Hull with conviction.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Amazingly, last season Hull managed to win this fixture 2-1. Arsenal had a pretty torrid time – they relied on a Paul McShane own goal to get them on the scoresheet. However, Arsenal gained their revenge when the sides met in the FA Cup at The Emirates, with the same scoreline reversed. Before last season, there were no league meetings between Arsenal and Hull since the 1914/15 season. Not really recent enough for form purposes.

TEAM NEWS

Fabregas is out for up to two weeks with a hamstring injury. Long-term casualties Rosicky, Van Persie, Bendtner and Djourou are still out. Denilson should fill Fabregas’ midfield role.

Hull have no worries to contend with.

VERDICT

It’s fairly certain that Arsenal will win this but current odds of 1.23 wouldn’t tempt the greediest of punters. However, the likely format of this game will be that Arsenal will win and keep a clean sheet too. They will be trying to tame the Tigers from the first whistle so expect Arsenal to score early and maintain that advantage throughout. The Gunners should win both halves and make their pressure count by racking up the corner count.

RECOMMENDED

ARSENAL TO WIN BOTH HALVES 2.34 (BETFAIR)

13 OR MORE CORNERS 2.24 (BETFAIR)

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Premier League

Wednesday, December 16^th, 2009

Turf Moor, Kick off 19.45

Arsenal will come into this match on a high following their amazing turnaround at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool will be disappointed not to have reached half-time by more than a one-goal cushion, which eventually contributed to their unravelling in the second-half. However, take nothing away from Arsenal’s performance, they played brilliantly and are always a live threat when attacking. They have now won their last two league games to keep themselves right in contention at the top of the league.

Nonetheless, Arsenal can play better, and will improve. They’ve been ravaged by injuries all season but the plus side to that is that some of the younger fringe members of the squad are getting the opportunity to strut their stuff.

Burnley’s home record is quite impressive. For a team who were one of the favourites to be relegated before the season began, it is their home form that has kept the wolves from the door. Having already scalped Manchester United at Turf Moor this season, they will be hoping their home form again comes up trumps in their quest for Premier League survival.

However, their game against Manchester United came very early on and opposition teams visiting Turf Moor are little bit more clued in as to how capable Owen Coyle’s side are. None less so than Arsene Wenger. If he can repeat Sunday’s half-time rant before this game, then Burnley have no chance.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal have a slight doubt over Fabregas’ involvement. He picked up a slight knock in Sunday’s win over Liverpool. Denilson and Traore are definitely out, as are long-term casualties Van Persie, Bendtner and Rosicky, Clichy and Djourou. Silvestre and Eboue are expected to start.

Burnley have no fresh worries.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

No real form to go on here. The pair met twice last season, once in the League Cup at Turf Moor when Burnley won 2-0 (when four Arsenal players called Rogers, Lansbury, Randall and Bischoff played). Then in March this year they met again, this time in the FA Cup when Arsenal won 3-0 at The Emirates (they fielded a virtual full-strength team that day). The last league meeting between these teams at Turf Moor was in 1975. The match finished scoreless.

VERDICT

Quite a difficult one to asses. Burnley are very good at home, Arsenal are very good away. Arsenal are very good attacking, Burnley aren’t the best defenders in the league, but should give a good show. There won’t be too much between the sides. Burnley will be very motivated for this game, as will Arsenal. This one has draw painted all over it. If you must punt on Arsenal, bet on them winning by one goal.

RECOMMENDED

Match odds DRAW 4.6 (BETFAIR)

ARSENAL TO WIN 1-0 9.0 (BETFAIR)

ARSENAL TO WIN 2-1 9.4 (BETFAIR)

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Highlights from yesterdays 2-1 win over Liverpool:

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Whilst not wishing to be too negative after what, after all, has been a pleasant and generally unexpectedly fine  start to the season, the anticipated wobble – at least anticipated by a lot of the gooners I know - seems to have suddenly arrived.

Losing two league games back-to-back is hardly a disaster, but, along with the loss at City, it does set alarm bells tinkling if not yet actually ringing.

It’s all very well racing off the blocks in August winning games and scoring goals for fun, but as winter approaches and a lot of teams start to get stronger, you have to wonder if such a youthful and technically gifted side has enough depth, strength and strategy to compensate for other clubs getting wise to our game plan.

Despite some great score lines, there have been cracks appearing at times and, let’s face it, the games we have won to date have been against some fairly week opposition (the Totters aside) and as soon as we came up against better teams, we have been left wanting. Lest we should forget, when we beat the Totters they were without Defoe, Lennon andModric - arguably their three most influential players - and if you think about it, how would we have fared had we similarly been withoutCesc and RVP?  The result may well have been different, especially as it was these two who got the goals.

It was the Carling cup game however, that highlighted for me just how lightweight the squad actually is.

I think a lot of gooners feel that Arsene did them a bit of injustice when he failed to have a stronger bench the other night. By all means we want to see the youngsters have a go, and love it when they wallop other Premiership teams, but just like Manure and theChavs do, it might be sensible to have some first teamers ready to come on and try to save the game if needed. It might be OK to have a bench of reserves in the early stages of the competition, but surely not when the next round is a two legged semi-final. Indeed, a lot of us felt that this could well have been our best chance of a trophy this season.

But when you think about it, even if we had put the whole first team squad on the bench, who actually could have come on to save that particular game other than perhapsCesc?  Eduardo? Nasri? Denilson? Almunia ? Its only when you realise that we probably could not have altered things much, that you begin to see just how thin the squad really is. Yes we have certainly been hit hard with injuries, but we are not the only ones andArsene more than anyone knows that injuries will happen.

Yes, I have to admit to being a bit of a pessimist right now, but I feel that the visit to Anfield next week is going to be another big test for this team.

I just hope we can pass it with flying colours.

Meanwhile there is the small matter of three points tomorrow against Stoke.

Failure is not an option if we are to keep the bells quiet.

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Premier League

Saturday, December 5^th, 2009

The Emirates. Kick off 15.00 GMT

Arsenal’s form has dipped during their last few games. They cruised into November beating Spurs, Alkmaar and Wolves all quite comprehensibly but then got beaten 1-0 by Sunderland in a game they dominated. They regained composure against Standard Liege in the Champion League to win 2-0 (when they should have won by a lot more) but have since slipped up more drastically. A 3-0 drubbing by Chelsea was followed by the same scoreline in the League Cup midweek by Manchester City.

However, this game is the ideal spring board to get Arsenal’s season back on track. Expect the Arsenal goal machine to reignite in this game after two scoreless matches.

Stoke have not been having a disaster of a season by any means. Their home form has stood up remarkably well and has been a considerable factor in their mid-table league position. They have won the games they would have expected to win at home while only losing to Chelsea and Manchester United.

In contrast, their away form has been close to disastrous. They have won just once on their travels (at Spurs), have drawn four games, but have lost just twice. If Stoke can play to their strengths and put in a game of the season performance, they may get away with a draw. Arsenal’s firepower should be too much for them to contain, even an under-strength one.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The clubs met in a league encounter for the first time since 1985 last season when miraculously Stoke beat the Gunners 2-1. However, in the return leg at The Emirates, Arsenal gained vicious revenge by thumping their opponents 4-1. Before last season, there were only four cup meetings between the sides in which Arsenal never lost.

TEAM NEWS

The good news for Stoke fans is that Theo Walcott has been ruled out of this game with hamstring trouble and Alex Song is suspended. Van Persie, Clichy, Diaby, Bendtner, Djourou and Gibbs are all absent too but Sagna returns after an ankle injury.

Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross faces a late fitness test and will definitely be without Whitehead, who is suspended.

VERDICT

Arsenal will be anxious to return to winning ways and the fear for Stoke is that their team may suffer the consequences of the Gunners not finding the back of the net for over 180 minutes. However, 1.30 (or shorter) about a Gunners win is hardly a tempting price. The problem with this game is that we all know Arsenal are going to win, and we know there will be goals. But so do the bookies. How to get some money out of the game is the key.

We know Arsenal will score, and we know Stoke should find it difficult enough to breach the Gunners’ defence. With a home crowd behind them, Arsenal should start the game firing, especially after their last two results.

Providing Vermaelen and/or Gallas start, have a punt on either of them scoring at anytime during the game. Their aerial ability will scare the Stoke defence, especially if they are without Shawcross.

RECOMMENDED

OVER 3.5 GOALS 2.6 BETFAIR

ARSENAL TO KEEP A CLEAN SHEET 1.95 BETFAIR

ARSENAL TO WIN BOTH HALVES 2.64 BETFAIR

VERMAELEN/GALLAS TO SCORE AT ANYTIME 6/1

***Please bet responsibly. Only bet with money that you can afford to lose — not your food kitty or rent/mortgage***

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CARLING CUP QUARTER FINAL

City of Manchester Stadium

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2^ND, 19.45GMT

After Sunday’s thumping by Chelsea, Arsenal will be gunning for glory tonight in what could be their best chance of silverware this season. However, Wenger has insisted he will stay loyal to his youngsters which sways advantage towards a draw-happy Manchester City.

City are on an incredible run of seven consecutive Premier League draws. Their only win since late September has been a 5-1 walloping of Scunthorpe in the previous round of this competition.

City boss Mark Hughes knows his job could be in jeopardy without putting something into the trophy cabinet and the League Cup could provide his best opportunity to do so. A full-strength City side will aid his cause.

From a betting perspective, it is always a tricky task to gamble on one of the top Premier League sides in this competition because strong, experienced teams are rarely fielded. Arsenal will follow suit tonight, therefore it is probably wise to side with City tonight.

TEAM NEWS

Wenger has already stated that a full-strength team will not be picked tonight, giving all those talented youngsters the chance to shine a big stage. There is no doubt there are some fantastic players at his disposal: Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Merida, Eastmond and Bartley. Experienced defenders Senderos and Silvestre are expected to start too.

Manchester City have no major injury worries to contend with. Gareth Barry is carrying two slight injuries but is expected to feature.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The pair have met 18 times since 2000 with Arsenal holding the upper hand by far. They have won 14 times to Manchester City’s three. There has been just one draw. Incidentally, the clubs met in the Third Round of the League Cup in 2004, with Arsenal running out 2-1 winners thanks to a late goal from Karbassiyoon.

VERDICT

Unfortunately for Gooners reading this, I’m not too confident about Arsenal’s chances of success tonight. An under strength team against a team eager for success is enough to prevent a punt on Arsenal. However, on a positive note for Gooners, the game should be open with plenty of chances for both sides who are great going forward. Expect both sides to score. Eduardo, if he starts, is overpriced at around 7/1 to score first.

RECOMMENDED

Both teams to score 8/11 (BLUESQ)

Eduardo to score first 7/1 (BETFAIR)

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Gooners - publish your support for Arsenal and support Arsenal Review on Facebook by becoming a fan. Much appreciated

Register your vote above. I think the answer should be pretty obvious but I’m curious to know the exact proportions of votes. The 4 choices are:
Denilson: If anyone follows me on Twitter (here and here), they will know he is my favourite Brazilian in the universe. Against Chelsea, Wenger let Song go off at half time and kept Denilson on in the defensive midfielder role so he has a strong case for your vote.

Song: Our man has come on very well since the turn of 2009.

Diaby: Perhaps not really a defensive midfielder at all, but I am curious to see if anyone feels he can fill this role.

Nasri: In the past we have heard Nasri could potentially fill this role which eventually was dismissed by Wenger but again I am just asking your opinion.

I don’t want to distort the results in anyway by saying who I feel is the best man for the job in the long run, but if you vote quick enough before everyone else you may get to see who I voted for

Now off for afternoon tea. How British am I ay?

Good day gooners.

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Plus - publish your support for Arsenal on Facebook by becoming a fan.

Sitting in a Stratford pub of die hard Arsenal fans, I found it somewhat ironic that I had managed to place myself next to seemingly the only Chelsea fan in the venue however, upon further questioning he revealed that Chelsea was actually his second team, West Ham being his first seeing as that was where he lived and Chelsea being…blah blah blah. I think it suffices to say that his loyalties and credentials as a fan were questionable at best which enabled me to tolerate his persistent goading throughout the game calling Arsenal cat orifices! (Transpose cat & orifice for other words of less ambiguous nature but similar meaning).

Anyhow on to the match itself and as usual, I began the match with the usual sense of optimism rather than outright confidence that I’ve lernt  to adopt over the past 5 years against the top 4 sides, barring Liverpool. Even when the first 11 squad side by side comparisons were shown it still remained in my mind a realistic possibility that we could earn and achieve something from this match taking into account that we possessed the home advantage, what seemed like, from the confines of the pub, a fantastic Emirates atmosphere and an Arsenal side coming from a confident but controlled champions league performance. Although it must be said, arguably, not one player in our match day squad would have made it into their first 11, Cesc included (if they can have Deco come off the bench then they could get by without Fabregas), and that my friends, is not an issue that can be ignored. What followed then, came as a massive disappointment but of little surprise when the events that occurred on the pitch were the equivalent of 2 brothers playing football with the older, stronger, bigger brother allowing his talented, younger, smaller one to have the ball in areas of little danger proceeding to muscle his younger brother off the ball as he gets closer to goal to run off with it and bang it straight into the back of our net. As crude as this thinly veiled metaphor is, the sad thing is that is exactly what happened on Sunday.

We started brightly and continued to play well with the ball around the midfield area, yet as time went on that feeling of dreaded inevitability crept in as it was clear that for all our attractive football, and yes it was very nice to watch with there being noticeable comparisons with Spanish league champs Barca, we lacked that incisiveness that saw us concede 3 and score none while Barca win their equivalent important match up against, like ourselves, supposed title contenders. Up front we were ineffective with the old cliché phrases used to describe us rearing their ugly but truthful head. “Same old Arsenal trying to walk it into the back of the net…Fantastic football but easily bullied…an illogical defiance to simply pull the trigger.”

Eduardo seemed reluctant at best to release a shot that wasn’t more than 12 yards away as could be said for others who got into shooting positions. Vela was equally unproductive and although maybe deserving of a pen or free kick at least, Chelsea had a couple equally valid shouts themselves. At the back we looked frantic at times with Cole punishing us twice and Anelka & Drogba bullied us all day long. Also before I continue can somebody please explain to me where the midfield was when John Terry…I repeat John Terry, was allowed to play a defense splitting pass on his weaker foot straight through the right winger, right back and centre back?

Back to the action, I frequently witnessed the blue strike force bringing down all manner of goal kicks and long 30, 40, 50 yard passes on their chest and worst of all, under pressure! I’ll admit it is somewhat unfair to use our wing backs on a strength based comparison with the beast that is Didier, however, nothing summed up the gaping chasm in strength when Armand Traore (who didn’t fair too badly) ran full steam into Drogba but ended up dominated, defeated, disheartened on the lush, green Emirates turf. I laughed at the time but simultaneously died a little inside. If I had had poorer eyesight I could have been excused for thinking I was watching a pre-rendered game trailer highlighting some overly exaggerated rag doll physics engine for the latest football game. After the game Arsene spoke again about mental strength but where was the physicality needed to compete?

In midfield came, in my opinion the biggest disappointment where we showcased for most of the match dominance but not superiority. Harking back to my earlier example of the two brothers playing football, we played nice football for extended periods yet achieved nothing apart from keeping the ball moving. To no surprise to me Denilson contributed little going forward or coming back. Song was “tactically” taken off after the half to make the midfield more offensive. After the initial 10 minutes Theo blended perfectly into a side lacking a cutting edge. Saying all this, what more could Arsene have done? Who could he actually have taken off and brought on that actually would have made a noticeable difference?

With the injuries that we have (and seem to have every season for whatever reason) my answer is no one. Credit to Arsene for realizing the seriousness of the situation for trying to make the change early for once but in the breath that I compliment Arsene on his tactical nous of when to make the change, I then negate it by criticizing the replacement itself. Out of the 3 changes made the only drastic change that was made was Alex for Theo to which I disagreed with anyway. Eduardo for Vela, Nasri for Rosicky, like for like and we continue on in the same pretty but frail fashion.

I haven’t even gone into the individual mistakes and misjudgments that cost us our 3 goals as they don’t merit any more than a passing (something that we do too much of by the way) mention. The saying trouble comes in three’s applies perfectly to the first goal. Denilson didn’t get close enough to the pace-less John Terry who slipped the ball through to Cole who should have been tracked by Arshavin, who was ball watching. Finally Gallas remained blissfully unaware of Drogba behind him who he left earlier to try and cut out the cross at the near post.

For the second, from a short throw to Anelka, two men were drawn to the ball including Nasri who left Cole unmarked to put in another good ball into the box. Gallas again compounds the error by mis-timing his block leaving a helpless Vermaelen to slice it into the back of his open goal as Almunia had also decided to come out and catch knee to waist high ball behind both his central defenders. Where’s the communication guys?

For the third Almunia places his wall to block off the right side of his goal. At the last possible second decides the wall is not good enough and steps in behind his wall and is promptly made to look a fool as Drogba slots in an easy goal into the far side where he would have been able to save comfortably had he stayed put. Also worth mentioning is that we had a goal disallowed in my view very harshly but not overwhelmingly surprisingly. All hope died at that precise moment as far as the team went.

In the end the score line didn’t bother me too much as defensive lapses and mistakes like that can, do and did happen but the manner in which we lost was far more embarrassing. Here you go gunners, you play around with the ball for a little bit and we’ll take it back and score when we feel like it. Chelsea yesterday, much in the same way Bolton used to under Allardyce laid out a formula of how to beat the Arsenal.

Sure it does help when your team is in form and your squad is full of experienced top level internationals but come on we’re meant to be title contenders not pretenders and should be able to put up a more convincing fight than we did.

Our game lacks and I’m sure many professional pundits will say the same, has lacked for a number of years now, a bit of variety. Don’t get me wrong I’m not losing faith in our boys, but the truthfulness in the statement is worrying. Wenger himself said we have a long time to contemplate over spending in January and although I am in no way an advocate of the Real Madrid, Chelsea and more recently Manchester city model of acquiring a good team neither, should we continue on the other extreme end of the spectrum buying very little and winning titles and trophies even less so. In Arsene we trust but please Arsene, don’t ask for any more patience as we’ve been patient for nearly 5 years and it’s been a long time to wait!

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