Arsenal v. Aston Villa [R] Pre/Dur/Post Match Comments

[kanonier]

Competition: Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Date: Saturday, 1st March 2008
Time: 1500 GMT

Another tough test, but at least it's at home. Time for Walcott to step up to the plate – and time for Adebayor and Bendtner to make sure the hatchet between them is buried.

Van Persie... we could really use you man. Get healthy.

"Do it for Dudu."

[HomeatHighbury]

Things are getting serious now. Time to step up and just bury teams. We can't drop any points at home the rest of the way in.

[ShoogarTheBarbarian]

This is the stuff champions are made of...if not now then when?

[ZIAD]

Well we have a week to recover both mentally and physically before we play Villa and then onto AC Milan. I think AW should push RVP a little bit more and get him back in the team ASAP.

[ShoogarTheBarbarian]

Well we have a week to recover both mentally and physically before we play Villa and then onto AC Milan. I think AW should push RVP a little bit more and get him back in the team ASAP.

Losing Dudu is a HUGE blow, but I don't think that that is a mistake that we want to make...

[antifan]

This is going to be a long week.

[Gooner_for_Life]

Ade, Bendtner, and Theo are more then capable of getting the job done in this game. However RvP will be crucial to the run in and helping us win trophies. So there is no need to rush back RvP and risk him getting injured again. If this happens then i think we can kiss our season goodbye.

[Lamil]

I just wanna see us put teams away. That appears to be too much to ask from our boys as of late. I think we have the team to win this but sometimes I wonder if our youth is what makes us vulnerable. If we are behind we play with alot of passion but the second we get a lead we play on our heels instead of the balls of our feet. Is this AW calling for that type of play?? Being american I see our squad with a lead playing the dreaded "prevent defense" from the NFL.

[FLgooner]

I just wanna see us put teams away. That appears to be too much to ask from our boys as of late. I think we have the team to win this but sometimes I wonder if our youth is what makes us vulnerable. If we are behind we play with alot of passion but the second we get a lead we play on our heels instead of the balls of our feet. Is this AW calling for that type of play?? Being american I see our squad with a lead playing the dreaded "prevent defense" from the NFL.

I don't think it is so much a "prevent defense," really. Every match is a little different. Today was just a piss poor call by the ref. that gave the Brummies a VERY underserved point.

I honestly think we have one of the best counter-attacking sides in the world, so sitting back a bit suits us well to hit them on the break. Today was just a horror-show.

It's just been a really rough week. Let's hope that our boys can show further determination and run roughshod over the opposition from here on out. And boy do we need RVP and Rosicky back--and soon!

[ToBeAGooner]

I hope AW has the confidence to go 442 with Theo playing with Adebayor.

The Bendtner-Bayor partnership seems like it will never work, despite both of them claiming the scuff up is behind them, I still dont think they like passing to each other.

[kanonier]

Well, maybe it's about time we see Barazite start making the senior squad.

[TheArgonaut]

I think the fact that Ade and Bendtner don't like each other is only part of the problem when they play together. I think it is down to the fact that they are the same type of player. I can remember several occasions today where they were both at the same place, at the same time, trying to do the same thing. They both work better when they play with another striker that makes different types of runs. Eduardo and RvP (when he actually plays) are each different from Adebayor in their own way, that is why both RvP-Adebayor and Eduardo-Adebayor work as strike partners.

This doesn't necessarily doom the Adebayor-Bendtner partnership because similar players can work together (see Rooney-Tevez) but as you have mentioned their on-field relationship (or lack thereof) keeps them from talking things out, planning ahead and working together as a strikeforce rather than 2 individual Strikers.

Besides, I don't know if Theo is a viable answer up front right at this moment. With Eboue suspended and if Rosicky and Diaby are not fit for Aston Villa, Theo is the only player left who can play on the right side.

I think we'll probably end up seeing the same lineup next Saturday against Villa that played the majority of the game today. With Adebayor and Bendtner up top and Theo on the right wing.

[Rewinder]

I think the fact that Ade and Bendtner don't like each other is only part of the problem when they play together. I think it is down to the fact that they are the same type of player. I can remember several occasions today where they were both at the same place, at the same time, trying to do the same thing. They both work better when they play with another striker that makes different types of runs. Eduardo and RvP (when he actually plays) are each different from Adebayor in their own way, that is why both RvP-Adebayor and Eduardo-Adebayor work as strike partners.

This doesn't necessarily doom the Adebayor-Bendtner partnership because similar players can work together (see Rooney-Tevez) but as you have mentioned their on-field relationship (or lack thereof) keeps them from talking things out, planning ahead and working together as a strikeforce rather than 2 individual Strikers.

Besides, I don't know if Theo is a viable answer up front right at this moment. With Eboue suspended and if Rosicky and Diaby are not fit for Aston Villa, Theo is the only player left who can play on the right side.

I think we'll probably end up seeing the same lineup next Saturday against Villa that played the majority of the game today. With Adebayor and Bendtner up top and Theo on the right wing.

I agree completely.

[Dynamo and ArsenalFC]

really looking forward to this. im confident we will win for some reason. Nothing but total domination will sufice. We are still 3 points ahead, and almost to the finish line of the season. I'm confident we can get the job done and win the EPL.

[bostonf4lyf]

This eduardo incident will hopefully light a fire within the team. They all have realized just how fast things can change, and that they should be grateful for every minute on the pitch. I am looking forward to seeing how we respond.

[KevTheGooner]

This is going to be a long week.

I'm just glad we don't have a midweek game.

[Pogue Mahone]

I'm just glad we don't have a midweek game.


I'd welcome a midweek game, just to give everyone something to take their minds off of Eduardo's injury for a bit.

Villa seem to be finding their form again after a mild midseason slump, so this match should be a good one.

[And_ROOS]

I think this rest, with our injury list and weary players, is very much welcomed. Villa wont be easy, they want a Euro spot and a chance to screw with a premiership shot, we must play well to win.

[antifan]

I think this rest, with our injury list and weary players, is very much welcomed. Villa wont be easy, they want a Euro spot and a chance to screw with a premiership shot, we must play well to win.
Nah, we don't have to play well. We just have to score more goals then they do. Playing well hasn't done much for us in the last two games.

[Naushad78]

Please some early GOALS!!! That's all I ask!!!