No time for afternoon tea at the Palace with Chelsea coming to the Emirates!

Defeat isn’t fun. Especially when you have the media looking to jump on even the slightest stutter in our blistering run of form this season. We didn’t play our best football against Dortmund, sure, but their goal was totally against the run of the play and when Chelsea did the same on their route to Champions League glory, I don’t remember the press saying then that Bayern or Barca weren’t up to that level. 

Anyway, rant aside, we have two more big games to preview for you in the shape of Palace and Mourinho’s Chelsea. The boys had so much to say this week that I didn’t even get a word in edgeways, so enjoy . . .

More of the same please chaps!

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 Team-Player-Tom

With day light emerging at the top of the table it’s a wondrous thing to be a gooner at the minute. ‘That goal’ against Norwich seemed seven years in the making – gorgeous two touch interplay culminated with a delightful flick and finish. It was a sequence to satisfy even the most stubborn supporter and wry smiles from the Norwich faithful were even more proof in Delia’s pudding. 

Taxi-For-Maxi

I think enough has been written about Wilshere’s goal. Safe to say for a neutral it brought a cheer. With the games coming thick and fast. I think I’ve spent more time on the BackPageBanter sofa than my own in recent weeks. As for Arsenal, I don’t think they could have asked for a kinder fixture to get back to winning ways after an unfortunate turn of events on Tuesday night. A beleaguered Crystal Palace, devoid of any confidence or a manager after the trouncing by Fulham, welcome a team they have only managed to take five points from in the last 8 meetings.

Team Player Tom

I’m just grateful Flamini is back for the next run of games. While his injury didn’t affect the Norwich game, he was sorely missed against Dortmund and it’s fair to say my fondness for the Frenchman grew in his absence. Whilst a struggling Palace team in managerial turmoil may seem the perfect chance to rotate some big names, I think Wenger should stick with a strong 11. After a loss, players like Ozil, Giroud and Ramsey will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways and depriving them of a spell at Selhurst may do far more damage than good. It is also worth considering that while a second string team should be capable of getting a victory, the number of points on offer is always three, whether playing relegation battlers or championship contenders – any dropped points on Saturday will no doubt be rude come count up time in May. 

Nick-A-Win 

The canary’s cage was certainly rattled last weekend and a full strength team got the business done almost effortlessly in the end. Giroud especially is crucial to Arsenal’s momentum, proving he is not only a goal scorer but provider! He has been directly involved in 12 goals for Arsenal this season, scoring 8 and assisting 4 in 14 games this season! He’s fast becoming the complete striker and compliments the attacking players behind him. His understanding with Mesut Ozil is already top-notch and both have to start on Saturday for me. 

“I want five this time lads!”

Taxi-For-Maxi

I’d be lying if I said I thought Saturday wasn’t a dead cert no matter what side you put out, but then again football’s a funny old game (I return you to page one of the Premier League fixture list). Could you really put it past Mr Chamakh to score a smash and grab winner at the death? Stranger things have happened! Like that time I was mugged by a man dressed as a clown whilst coming back from the circus. Bizarre…  

Palace’s best bet is to get the exciting wingers Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon on the ball as much as possible to feed whoever leads the line – whether that be goal king Kev Phillips, Premier League rookie Dwight Gayle or your old friend Chamakh. Bolasie made his first Premier League start vs Fulham and has the potential to excite and cause the full backs real issues.

Nick-A-Win

Bald eagle Holloway departs and leaves Wenger licking his lips at a potential goal difference boost! With bonfire night not too far away now I predict the sparks will fly with Cazorla to the left Ozil to the right and stuck in the middle, Giroud! Did you know boys that 8 different Arsenal players have scored in the Premier league this season; no side in the league have had more individual goal scorers!

I’ll be your savour boss!

Team Player Tom

Having said about putting out our strongest team in the League, it is also essential that Wenger stand firm in his youth policy for the League Cup. As we look back, the competition has been an excellent opportunity for developing players to gain vital experience – accelerating their progression physically and mentally. In all honesty winning it will do little to appease fans, especially if it comes at a cost of League or Champions League form. The squad is improving but still isn’t strong enough to fight on four fronts and it seems prudent to shift focus onto the big 3 and let the youngsters have a crack at Chelsea.

Taxi-For-Maxi

Chelsea’a visit to the Emirates provides a real mouth-watering encounter no matter what team is fielded. With the last 8 awaiting the winner surely both managers, despite the inevitable tinkering, will put a team capable of winning this one? 

Nick-A-Win

For sure we will need to rest players on Tuesday so the likes of Monreal and Vermaelen should be given a run out as Chelsea will also rotate! With players like Willian, Essien and co it will be a cracking cup tie! Luckily for us there is no Drogba to contend with who always scored against us in previous encounters and hopefully Flamini will play as in the seven he has done so far, Arsenal have won! I had an avid United fan say to me last night that he would be happy with League Cup… So it could be worse!

Some great games to look forward to chaps so sit comfy and enjoy the rollercoaster ride accustomed to with Arsenal! COYG!

Seeing double?

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Theo Finally Signs As Arsenal Look To Avoid A Whitewash

You can forgive me for thinking that Walcott’s new contract is the solution to Arsenal’s current problems. You can also forgive me for thinking that if anyone merits those sort of wages and signing on fee it’s our own academy legend, Jack Wilshere. Don’t get me wrong, I am glad Theo has chosen to stay – albeit slightly annoyed at the way this has dragged out, and, to be honest, still unconvinced he is the answer to our striking problems. Fortunately for our misfiring strikeforce on Wednesday night , our number 10 let his skill do the talking and propelled us into the fourth round of the F.A Cup with a volley the likes of Parlour and Cesc would have been proud of. The effort and spirit Jack has put in over the last two games is unlike anything I have seen from an Arsenal player for a very long time. Let’s hope it’s as contagious in our squad as that Nora virus that went around recently! We will certainly need effort like that on Sun if we are to get a result against the boys in blue. So on that note, I’ll let Jack’s volley launch us into our Chelsea preview!

Get scrolling Gooners.

Caught in the melee. The ref will need to be on his toes on Sunday.

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Tom S      12.35

Well boys, what a strange week we’ve had; there’s been the highs of Jack spanking an 84th minute winner past Vorm, the lows of Koscielny’s 8th minute rugby tackle at the Emirates, the unexplainable decision of Remy to go to the bottom of the league (based on a game of FIFA) and some first-rate comedy courtesy of Barton v Hamann lighting up the twittersphere. After no mid-week edition and a derby day looming I’m in the mood for some talking and can think of no better comrades than the two of you to help dissect the rumours, the tactics, the games played and the game ahead; backpagebanter back with a bang.

The city game was a disappointment that in all honestly was over before it began. Attempting 80 minutes with 10 men is a struggle in any scenario but against a strong city side determined to claw back some of the United deficit it was always going to be a futile task. Usually after a penalty save, especially one pulled off with such panache, there is an automatic optimism and swing of momentum. On Sunday, whilst warmly applauded, there was a sense it was really just a brief suppressing of the inevitable result. Walcott looked like a lost boy, understandable considering possession was low, but also worrying; throughout the saga that has been the Walcott contract renewal he has shown the fire and tenacity that has been missing from his game in previous seasons, prompting fans across the league to reconsider his value and potential. Now that his future is secure the danger of him slipping back to the inconsistency which haunted him previously is frankly alarming, especially amidst rumours of a £3 million signing on bonus!

Having a replay game added into a week already containing two big 4 (yes I’m sticking with it) games demonstrates exactly why a successful campaign requires a squad, not just a decent 11. Diaby returning should offer Arsene an option in the middle, but with Arteta out and Coquellin looking a little exposed, Abou has effectively become less of an option and more of a necessity. Given his tendency to take a tumble this is far from ideal, every time he goes into contact there is an unmistakable anxiety for the big man and you get the feeling the boys on stretcher duty may have done a slightly more strenuous warm up when he was named in the starting line-up!

In contrast, Wilshere is showing exactly why he has cemented himself as a North Bank favourite. His goal against Swansea was just the cherry on top of a world-class performance, dominating the game from the outset and proving that comparisons between him and other young English players (Cleverly, Rodwell etc.) are conversations not worth having. The only danger from him is that he’s getting to the dizzying levels that seem to proceed Gazidis taking players off to the market! Talking about the market, I’m flat out confused. If Wenger is playing mind games with his daily statements he may well be the master because I don’t think anyone really knows what he actually intends to do. If the window passes with no acquisitions he will be under huge pressure from both the media and the masses. Cavani would be an incredible signing and statement of intent, as would Higuain or Gotze, but it seems that whichever way this one is destined to play out, nothing will be decided prior to the magical last 48 hours.

So onto Chelsea, a good win in the locker midweek ensures team spirit is on the up with a jolly boys outing to Brighton in the diary. I would love to have a repeat of last seasons scoreline, maybe even a cheeky couple for Walcott to shut up the cynics like myself.. I’d quite happily eat that humble pie! So lads, it’s time for me to dust off my old sledge and take to the hills. Over to you for your thoughts. . .

An important presence in the middle of the park

Nick        14.02

 Well wrap up warm Tom because with snow sweeping across the country, Arsenal need to get active in the transfer market fast to avoid being frozen out! News just filtering in that Theo has finally singed da ting, so hopefully Wenger can now turn his attention to pulling off some top signings! There has been talk of Cavani and Zaha as you say Tom, both would certainly add some quality in attack, but the reality of Arsenal’s transfer activity is becoming too painful to even joke about. Diame at £3.5 million is the only player who I imagine is in our price range, but is it wishful thinking to believe Wenger even recognises Diaby is injury prone!

We go into Sunday’s game with a bit of confidence at least after a decent second half performance on Wednesday night. It was a game where we created plenty of chances but just lacked that final flourish, until a Cracker Jack from Wilshere that is! Chelsea meanwhile were faltering at home AGAIN and that can surely give us some optimism for Sundays clash. With the spanish waiter under pressure we have to take the game to them!

The return of Diaby has added some much-needed power in midfield, although we all rememeber the bizarre injury he suffered in the reverse fixture! Alongside Wilshere and Coquelin, the midfield had a nice balance with all 3 linking well. I do think Coquelin needs to be given more chances there. Cazorla on the left also looked a bit brighter after a few average performances in recent weeks. Wenger again had problems with his zip the other night but in terms of the football, Arsenal played with a higher tempo and plenty of zip themselves with Swansea rarely threatening our goal in the second half. It all builds towards another great derby clash in central London, and one where you feel Arsenal just might Nick a win, to name-drop myself! COYG!!

Two castaways looking to impress come kick-off

Tom       16.28

Well lads, my fingers are certainly starting to move a bit slower on the keyboard and looking out, the snow is falling heavier than Gareth Bale during 90 minutes of football. You do feel we are on somewhat of a footballing seesaw at the minute and Sunday’s game may again decide if we are elated or on our bums come the final whistle. Quite what Wenger has up those puffy sleeves to rescue our patchy squad is beyond me, but I will save judgement until Deadline Day (coming to a cinema near you!) I do love a London derby, especially one in which John Terry receives Diaby’s boot to his face and Torres spends more time running to the touchline to receive instructions than he does on the pitch. My prediction is a tight and hard-fought 1-0 to Arsenal, with that man Olly Giroud rising like a salmon to win a header with David Luiz and head it in off the bar. Too specific? Oh well. . .

Play for the badge on the front and the fans will remember the name on the back!

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