Just Arsenal News

Selection headaches for Le Prof! by Jules

Finally, after a turbulent season in which Arsenal have oscillated between extreme highs – such as the victory in Munich and the double digit goal thrillers against Reading and Newcastle – to the dire displays against the minnows at the Lane, the no show at Old Trafford and the indefensible defeats to Blackburn and Bradford, albeit the former being on penalty kicks – it is fair to say Arsenal at present are in rich vein of form (touch wood). Thus, it is with open arms all those associated with The Arsenal will welcome the latest selection headaches in a variety of positions on the field, most notably in attack. .......Read the full article here

Tony Adams’ comments and the Ramsey debate by NS

Wenger said before yesterdays game

“We don’t plan for anybody. It is always the same – focus on our strengths and forget about your opponent.”

“There is nobody special that you least like to face,” he added.

“All players have different qualities.”

Tony Adams also said before the game on TV last night on Truesports (Asia) that Wenger makes no special arrangements for opposition tactics or how to deal with certain players.

Seeing as he played under Wenger for years, he should know.

At one time, United and Arsenal had the pick of players. Now, those days are long gone. .......Read the full article here

Arsene Wenger started off a massive ten days for Arsenal by seeing his side dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship side Blackburn Rovers. As usual the Gunners completely dominated possession without putting the ball in the back of the net, while Blackburn sneaked a freak winning goal towards the end of the game.

Wenger had made seven changes to the side that beat Sunderland last week with an eye on the midweek Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, but he had no regrets over the XI he chose to start the match.” No.” he said when asked. “We had 11 international players on the pitch at the start of the game. When we made the changes we were at 0-0.” .......Read the full article here

Wenger Believes In Mannone

Due to the established Arsenal Number One Wojiech Szczesny being ruled out with a rib injury for these past two weeks, and the lack of match fitness from Lukas Fabianksi after his injury, It has led to Italian keeper Vito Mannone taking his place between the sticks, keeping clean sheets in both games he has played in, against Stoke City and Liverpool.

The 24 year old first burst on to the seen back in 2009, making some fantastic saves in several intense games. Most notably his performance against Fulham, when his saves kept us in the game. Since then he has been left out the scene and has spent two seasons out on loan at Hull City.
Mannone is currently 3rd choice goalkeeper, however Wenger believes the Italian can push Poland International Szczesny for the club number one spot. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal are now just three points behind Chelsea in the coveted fourth place in the Premiership, so a win is an absolute must this weekend at Sunderland, but with the (perhaps more important?) Champions League tie against AC Milan coming up in midweek, Wenger will be considering his team selection very carefully.

Wenger has so far avoided resting Robin van Persie, but as he has Thierry Henry, Ju-Young Park and the now-returned Marouane Chamakh in the squad, perhaps it may be prudent to make sure that the Dutch international doesn’t get injured this weekend. .......Read the full article here

After that emphatic win away at Chelsea,we are oozing confidence at the moment. As Theo rightfuly said, I believe we can beat any team if we continue this recent run of form. With games against West Brom and Fulham coming up, I dont see it ending anytime soon.

The game against Chelsea also saw the return of our star defender – Thomas Vermaelen. Though he hardly played for five minutes, it was a huge relief to see him back on the pitch. So, now that the ‘Verminator’ is back, who should make way in the centre of defence.

Let’s discuss,shall we?

We have Koscielny, Vermaelen, Mertesacker and Djourou (you can forget about Squillaci). .......Read the full article here

Here we have another Guest Post about the Barcelona game, and Paul is not sure that Arsene Wenger put the right XI on the pitch at the start……

A wrong selection, A Star and An Awful Touch by Paul

Arsenal immortality beckoned for the self-proclaimed greatest striker in the world. Through on goal with the just the keeper to beat, Nicklas Bendtner showed what is becoming an all to regular occurence. With a shocking first touch he ensured that, one again, Arsenal failed on what is now becoming a traditional hurdle. .......Read the full article here