Charlton Athletic vs. Arsenal [R] Pre/dur/Post Match Comments

[Catfish]

Saturday, September 30
10 AM Eastern
Setanta Sports

The lads have run off 4 wins in a row and head to The Valley, where the Addicks are in agony.....tied for last place! I think this is the time to rest a few players and start Baptista. This is the kind of match that also should be attacked with an aggressive start to bury CAFC early. I'm guessing that maybe start Song as well.

My prediction: 4-1 to the glorious Arsenal; out of sheer boredom and lack of concentration the lads give up a late goal to give the home crowd something to cheer about.

Go on Gunners, go on!!!

[surfcam]

With Gallas most likely out, Djourou maybe not in, and Phil and Gael still out for awhile, the back line may look at bit shaky. Hopefully the midfield, which is in good shape right now, can control the match. I don't think it will be a walk in the park, but a 2-1 win sounds about right to me.

[Catfish]

With Gallas most likely out, Djourou maybe not in, and Phil and Gael still out for awhile, the back line may look at bit shaky. Hopefully the midfield, which is in good shape right now, can control the match. I don't think it will be a walk in the park, but a 2-1 win sounds about right to me.
You are right on with the injuries to the backline, but this is Charlton and I don't think they will make it past our midfield most of the afternoon.

[surfcam]

You are right on with the injuries to the backline, but this is Charlton and I don't think they will make it past our midfield most of the afternoon.

All it takes is a quick break and a mis-step by a defender for a goal to be conceded.

[Catfish]

All it takes is a quick break and a mis-step by a defender for a goal to be conceded.
Be positive, my man. Enough with the negative vibes...lol.

[phishy]

yet another team we should utterly dominate.
of course, if we play connolly at CB, that might give a glimmer of hope that hasselbaink or bent gives a proper scare. i can see us dominate possession, score a couple of goals, and watch charlton hoof the ball just to get it out of their end the entire match.

3-0

[mpeabody]

I'd like to see us go with a 4-5-1 to control the midfield and help out the defenders. Charlton's only win was 2-0 at home v. Bolton. I'd like to see what Connley can do paired with Toure.

[Catfish]

I'd like to see us go with a 4-5-1 to control the midfield and help out the defenders.
Not a bad idea, how about a 3-5-2? lol.

[shincan]

I wonder if Flamini will appear on the back line again? Or will Hoyte reappear? He's not my favorite player, by any means, but he did okay last night, no?

Maybe Djourou will be back--I haven't heard that his injury is very rough...

[kanonier]

So I saw Wenger did say Gallas will definitely be out for Saturday, but is there any official word that it will be Connolly filling in? If he plays, I think it will be his first premiership appearance.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

I don't expect to see flamini in because i don't think he can play CB, Hoyte should be starting on the left.


And I don't know much about this Connolly guy, anyone have so more info on him?

[surfcam]

Be positive, my man. Enough with the negative vibes...lol.

Not negative, just don't take any Prem side for granted. We should have stomped Villa and citeh, but instead we conceded poor goals. I think the team is much stronger now, but we've all seen it happen before.

I do think we will win, though I don't see a complete domination. The 3-0 win last week was a bit misleading as Sheffield United played well.

[GriffinGunner]

At this point I'm expecting the Arsenal defense to line up wearing little badges that say "Hi, my name is ______." :rolleyes:

Because of this the idea of bulking the midfield to aid the defense is not too bad, provided the team maintains its offensive fluidity. The overall movement and control of the midfield tempo is playing much like the days of Vieira-Pires-Llunberg etc. The more the midfield can flow the easier it is for Arsenal to feed the strikers, regardless of who's up front.

I also agree it can't hurt to rest 1-2 regulars, but in lieu of the above that rest might come in the form of the defenders sitting on the IL. Would now be a good time to spell Cesc, Freddie or Silva? (Because if not now then when?) Tough call at this point.

2-0, Gunners. Baptista (or Adebayor) and Rosicky.

[GriffinGunner]

I do think we will win, though I don't see a complete domination. The 3-0 win last week was a bit misleading as Sheffield United played well.

Well, more gutsy than well, IMO. Agreed that you don't want to take anyone for granted, though. Arsenal's failure to polish off the minnows has been one aspect keeping them from sitting with the other big fish at season's end past two years now.

[kanonier]

And I don't know much about this Connolly guy, anyone have so more info on him?

He's from London, he's 19, and he's tall. That's about all I know. He played in Bergkamp's testimonial game this year, and I think he's captain of the reserves this season.

[AfrcnHrbMan]

captain eh? Thats nice, so he has some potential. Too bad he plays a position we are superstacked in.

[Dooglas]

Id rather see o'cuereall back there to be honest, connolly is great but from what i saw of OCuereall in preseason his calmness on the ball will help a lot more for a shaky backline. play henry and rvp again up top, forwards who need to learn to link up better are these two, there is SOOOO much potential in this pairing, we need to give them games. play song in for gilberto, and play cesc till 60 and bring on baptista randall or flamini.

[gunner0007]

With out backline being the way it is (having to play some other CB) we MUST play Gilberto, if not I can see us losing this one. It will be intresting to see who AW puts at CB tho.

Id rather see o'cuereall back there to be honest, connolly is great but from what i saw of OCuereall in preseason his calmness on the ball will help a lot more for a shaky backline. play henry and rvp again up top, forwards who need to learn to link up better are these two, there is SOOOO much potential in this pairing, we need to give them games. play song in for gilberto, and play cesc till 60 and bring on baptista randall or flamini.

[Dooglas]

alright well maybe we can rest cesc for song? song looks pretty composed on the ball, hes definately improved from last season. and randall looks great to but hes 16 so... hehe.

[rojagooner]

He's from London, he's 19, and he's tall. That's about all I know. He played in Bergkamp's testimonial game this year, and I think he's captain of the reserves this season.
He also played in a few of the preseason friendlies in Austria. I don't recall seeing him show a whole lot but that was months ago.