Arsenal vs United (Prem) 3/28 [R]

[Sofabloke]

OK, very early I know and I shoulda left it to Motter - cos I can't do the fancy badges ;)

Some intersting news - the FA have given the game to Graham Poll much to Arsenal's annoyance (remember Henry having to be restrained). But then there have been persistent rumours he is a Chelski fan in which case he would probably favour the Arse. Who knows? He is one of those refs that likes to take centre stage occassionally so not best news for either of us really ...

My starting 11 to take to the Library would be;

............Ruud
............Ronaldo
Giggs Keane Scholes Ole
O'Shea Silvestre Brown Gary
............Howard

As it looks like Saha is carying an injury. But SAF has said that Carrol will get the 'next two or three games' - which I think is a mistake.

Arsenal for there part have said that Gilberto is unlikely to play as he will only just have returned from international duty.

Tactics wise, I reckon we have to go for the win. The prem is beyond us, but we need to try and stop them getting the record. Of the two games, the FA Cup semi edges it as it is our only chance of silverware - but you cannot choose so we should go 100% in both games.

My guess at SAF's team is;


............Ruud
...........Scholes
Giggs Keane P Nev Ole
O'Shea Silvestre Brown Gary
............Carrol

As he is superstitious when it comes to players playing well against certain teams and Phil Nev had a blinder against them last year. Plus I think it is going to be a bit feisty at the start, so Ronaldo may be spared until later. If we are not winning then bringing on Saha & Ronaldo for Ole and Phil is more the kind of substitution that may make a difference.

[Achtung]

Well Arsenal had a blatantly offside goal in this fixture last season, so they don't get to complain about officiating here. I believe the call from the commentator was, "that is offside... that is offside by a lot."

Anyways, this will clearly be the toughest test of the year, and I hope last week's performance wasn't a one-off. We'll need the defense to be on their toes if we want to keep Arsenal from striking early as they have done this season. I predict a fairly wide-open game, with SAF throwing everything at Arsenal. A win here would be nice, but of course we'd be the first to do it this season. Still, I think if anyone is capable of doing it, its our boys.

I just hope we don't see some kind of idiotic retaliation against Ole. If so, expect Keano to take no prisoners. Arsenal aren't much of a "forgive and forget" side (especially when we haven't done anything wrong in the first place).

http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1139473.jpg

[bigtoga]

SAF has said that Carrol will get the 'next two or three games' - which I think is a mistake.I was uhhhh unavailable to watch the match this weekend - how did Roy do? He did piss-poor the last time he was out there, I thought.

Maybe SAF feels that he's taken a oung player and put too much pressure on him. Leaving Tim-MAY out lets him settle a bit; makes him want it that much more.

Who knows tho this season with SAF. I just have to believe he is still the best manager in the game making great decisions. I think Howard is superior in every way to Carrol though...

[Sofabloke]

Roy had a good game, especially as according to the commentator he was 'playing through the pain barrier' which in earth language means he is carrying a small knock :)

He dispossessed someone in midfield with a sliding tackle which setup Ronaldos goal. So I don't think there will be any doubt he will be up for it against Arsenal, just gotta hope he doesn't overdo it and get injured for the second game.

[isolde]

[QUOTE=Sofabloke
My guess at SAF's team is;
............Ruud
...........Scholes
Giggs Keane P Nev Ole
O'Shea Silvestre Brown Gary
............Carrol

As he is superstitious when it comes to players playing well against certain teams and Phil Nev had a blinder against them last year. Plus I think it is going to be a bit feisty at the start, so Ronaldo may be spared until later. If we are not winning then bringing on Saha & Ronaldo for Ole and Phil is more the kind of substitution that may make a difference.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you. Hope Ole is fit to play. Last season Ole was the one who helped to score the first goal for United on important games, i.e. Rudd first goal against Arsenal and Real Madrid home game, Scholes goal against New Castle United, and this time helped Giggs to score against Spurs. Watching Giggs, Scholes, Keane, Ole working together at high level intelligence is what the football is about.

[Unorthodox Yank]

http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1139473.jpg

Good picture.
:cool:

[Achtung]

Good picture.
:cool:

Hope ya don't mind... I always get a kick out of clicking on your sig. ;)

[Unorthodox Yank]

Hope ya don't mind... I always get a kick out of clicking on your sig. ;)

ha..yeah, that smiley looks way more mean than i inteded it to. whatev.

I just think that whole incedent was the best moment of the whole season, for several reasons, not the least of which is that you could hear the refs discussing before they gave sol the red card.

I was actually thinking about taking it down. It seems kind of lame to still be living on that moment, especially with things they way they are now.

[Father Ted]

I hope we beat the Arse this Saturday so they don't break the unbeaten record. That would be a right old kick in the teeth to get that record against us. Why do I feel this well end up in a tie?

[prk166]

Any word on injuries Arsenal players may be carrying?

[soccerfan]

[QUOTE=Sofabloke]Roy had a good game, especially as according to the commentator he was 'playing through the pain barrier' which in earth language means he is carrying a small knock :)
QUOTE]

some interesting stats, and Note that SAF decision over Barthez and getting a new keeper was after some mistakes that ended Man U's dream in last years UEFA championship,.


Man U ,Barthez/Carroll comparison facts/stats months of jan-may 2003 premiership records only.

The team has not lost a single premiership game in this period 17 games 13 wins and 4 ties.
Barthez started 12 games , Carroll 2 games in feb after an injury to Barthez and the last 3 games of the season .
Barthez last premiership game was a 3-1 win April 19 against Blackburn, but what did him in was the UEFA game On April 23 Man U played Real Madrid in a must win 2 goal deficit and Barthez gave up 3 goals in a 4-3 win but ending Man U dream. This was Barthez last game and deciding factor for SAF to seek another keeper.

Barthez record : 12 games-10 wins-2 ties-allowed 10 goals = 0.83
Carroll record : 5 games- 4 wins-1 tied-allowed 3 goals = 0.6

jan-march 2004
Howard record : 8 games - 3 wins-2 tied-3 lost -allowed 15 goals = 1.88
Carroll record ; 2 games - 1 win-1 tie - alowed 1 goal = 0.5

[Motterman]

OK, very early I know and I shoulda left it to Motter - cos I can't do the fancy badges ;)

http://mars.walagata.com/w/caledis/animal.png vs.http://mars.walagata.com/w/caledis/United.gif

:cool:

[Coach_McGuirk]

Any word on injuries Arsenal players may be carrying?

Parlour and Wiltord are out with injuries, but they could both be healthy as a horse and not play in this one, much less even be on the bench.

So, the short answer to your question is "no". Now, that could change tomorrow, depending on how close the Spanish officials call the Chelsea/Arsenal match.

[Acronym]

Wow, I think we'll win this one, if saha and Ruud start it could spell disaster for Cambell and toure. Hmm someone needs to put viera in his pocket :D

[phishy]

Wow, I think we'll win this one, if saha and Ruud start it could spell disaster for Cambell and toure. Hmm someone needs to put viera in his pocket :D


Acronym... dear sir.. what a surprise.. lol whats to say you'll spell disaster for Toure/Campbell when nobody has all year (Sans Martins/Cruz 'inter')?

[Acronym]

Acronym... dear sir.. what a surprise.. lol whats to say you'll spell disaster for Toure/Campbell when nobody has all year (Sans Martins/Cruz 'inter')?


I said before Arsenal only have 3 world class players; Henry, Viera, and Pires. The rest wouldnt make Real Madrids bench.

While i think we dont have class now in every position. If the following are on form make no mistake Arsenal and their defence will crumble.

1. Giggs
2. Keane
3. Scholes
4. Ruud
5. Saha

+ I think we can trouble the German keeper.

Now as far as I know we had the best defense till our back four took a hit, you remember? If you took out Campbell soup and that other dude, Arsenal would go poop faster than than an Englishman eating street vindaloos in Delhi.

OK wow, Arsenal are good this season, but as I witnessed against Bolton far from water tight at the back. While we've have had bad luck -- Arsenal have been lucky with injuries etc. And ref decisions fo sho.

Bout time the luck ran out imo.

Thanks Sir sounds good :D

May the best team win -- woot woot

[mixmastermatt]

ljunberg loves scoring against u guys - so does henry - oh he has some real beauts gainst u guys - some would say some of the greatest goals ever infact!

now u guys just LURVE to see things thru ur red and black tinted glasses - but shock horror - ur ********, and yes u do cheat and play dirty aswell - were on top form!

4-0 to us henry 2, toure and ljungberg witht the others!

[johno]

well, i guess EVERYONE's opinion should be heard, but sheesh...

cant blame u for the optimism on your part, but i certainly can have optimism of my own...

We will win... 2-1 controversial penalty call, Campbell fouling Ruud and getting red carded to boot... Chelsea break your curse on them and beat u in CL and Arsenal implodes, losing 2 out of 3 games Chelsea take EPL title...

ok, so not the most logical, but his post was not either..

[Mac_Howard]

I hope Alex will stick with what he had last week with Ronaldo for Forlan and Solksjaer moving alongside RvN:

.................Ole........RvN

<<<Giggs.......Scholes.........Ronaldo

........................Keane

O'Shea......Silvestre....Brown........P.Neville

.........................Carroll

Isn't Gary still banned?

But he may decide to defend in depth and omit Ole, play RvN alone up front and put Butt alongside Keane. There could still be enough threat up front to score on the break.

[Coach_McGuirk]

I said before Arsenal only have 3 world class players; Henry, Viera, and Pires. The rest wouldnt make Real Madrids bench.

While i think we dont have class now in every position. If the following are on form make no mistake Arsenal and their defence will crumble.

1. Giggs
2. Keane
3. Scholes
4. Ruud
5. Saha

+ I think we can trouble the German keeper.

Now as far as I know we had the best defense till our back four took a hit, you remember? If you took out Campbell soup and that other dude, Arsenal would go poop faster than than an Englishman eating street vindaloos in Delhi.

OK wow, Arsenal are good this season, but as I witnessed against Bolton far from water tight at the back. While we've have had bad luck -- Arsenal have been lucky with injuries etc. And ref decisions fo sho.

Bout time the luck ran out imo.

Thanks Sir sounds good :D

May the best team win -- woot woot


Point 1: You don't think Campbell could start for Real, what with the crap defense they have? Come on, man, give me a break!

Point 2: Even with Sol, Arsenal had still conceded less goals that manU.

Point 3: Arsenal getting ref's decisions? manU have been on the receiving end of more than a few "gifts" from the man in charge.

Point 4: As far as what you think, I think that if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle. That goes for me, as well, since I think Henry and Bergkamp will have a fantastic time driblling around those cones at the back you guys call a defense.