I'm going with a 1-0 result for The Arsenal. BC play pretty tough defense that is why I have it as such a low scoring affair. Go Gunners!
2-0 to the Arsenal. This is a good setup to the big CL match next week. I think to get a result next week we need to win this one, if for nothing else, confidence.
I am not optimistic about this one for a number of reasons: * Suspensions will mean we field a line-up that is not used to playing together * Players will have their mind on the Inter game * We are never good after international break * Birmingham have a good defense * We are due for a loss I'll see how I feel in a week's time.
anyone else going to the match??? finally the boys comin to the midlands!! i'm stoked~! I hope there is no INTERNATIONAL hangover... phishy~
'fraid not, i was waiting for someone to make their minds up on going, by the time that got sorted out its now a sell-out.
With all our suspensions/injuries you would have thought that our midfield will be thin enough. But add to this the fact that Gilberto won't be back from Brazil until late Thursday or early Friday, so it's unlikely he'll play. So a midfield of Pires-Edu-Ljungberg-Wiltord is on the cards. Attacking for sure, but who's going to win the midfield battles against Robbie Savage? If Keown is fit I can see Wenger pushing Toure into midfield for this match. Whatever way you look at it it will be usatisfactory.
I think Edu is more than capable of handling Savage, although I'd feel more confident if PV4 were available. I also don't think moving Toure up will be of any benefit at all. I'd like Kolo to have as many games under his belt at central defense as possible so he'll be well versed in his role when during the stretch run. BTW, is this one of the games he is scheduled to "sit" for as part of his suspension? Works pretty neatly (in a manUre/Keane-o sort of way) if that is the situation.
Yeah, Vieira's suspended for this one anyway, so it does work out nicely. But I just remembered, so is Keown, so it looks like all-out attack from the midfield.
Thoughts: Birmingham have a sweet defense. Low-scoring match. Predictions: phishy, get your voice warmed up, 'cuz you'll be singing "One-nil to the Arsenal!" Depends on where the beer is from...
I have a strange feeling this won't be the nail-biting, one goal will win it contest, everyone here and elsewhere sees. I sense Henry will have a HUGE day-at least a brace(save some for the San Siro, Mate!)and either Pires or Freddie who are regaining top form we'll add a third. I do think we'll concede though, such is things of late...Birmingham(0)1, Arsenal (1)3. Remember they conceded three against United...
Very true, Martin, that bit about United. I'll be willing to up my prediction to 2-0, but any higher would be sweet. Sweet indeed. PS- The weather down here in FL finally turned cold!!! I wish it would snow, but oh, well... That said, this weather has me in the mood for some great football!
I 2nd that OPArsenal. I would love Arsenal to give the Blues a serious beating...like 3 or 4-0! 60's here in Chicago...warm for this time of year. Suppose to get chilly next week and snow too. OPArsenal, where are you in FL? My mother-in-law is in Delray Beach. We might be moving to either the Tampa/St. Pete/Ft. Meyers area OR South Florida.
No Vieira, Gilberto, or Parlour. No Lauren. No Keown. (And AW has expressed that he has no intention of recalling Volz from Fulham.) If we struggle to finiish what chances we create against Birmingham's staunch defense, we could easily go down 1-0 or 2-1. Instead, I'm going to call this a 1-1 draw, and hope that Henry and Pires prove me wrong with a big game effort.
Any tips on Powerball or at least the Connecticut Lottery? Seriously, I LOVE the scoreline you've gone for. I just don't trust the defence to keep it clean...
I agree with you. In fact...I'm probably a bit more pessimistic about this match. Honestly, I'll be happy with a draw, ecstatic with a win considering all the circumstances.
So who the hell plays in this match? In the back we have Cole, Cygan, Campbell, Toure? Midfield from: Edu, Pires, Ljungberg, perhaps Wiltord? Forward from: Henry, Bergkamp, Aliadiere, Kanu? So we have no subs.
i believe this may of been mentioned somewhere.. but i think moving Toure in the midfield, Cygan to CB, and Hoyte to the wingback position.. Hoyte Campbell Cygan Cole Toure Edu Pires Ljungberg Bergkamp Henry something of a makeshift but certainly capable of doin the job IMO.. it seems like ages ago since Paddy has suited up doesnt it.. what a massive boost (obviously) when he returns from injury~~~~~~
The way I see it: Lehmann Hoyte Toure Campbell Cole Pires Edu Kanu Ljungberg Henry Bergkamp Or replace Kanu with Bergkamp. Either/or. Or Arsene could play Paul Spicer, but then I think we'd all get a message from Satan asking if we could please turn up the heat...
Wiltord out. Interesting piece in the preview from Arsenal.com. from the site: Wenger has yet to decide his team for tomorrow's tough-looking task. In midfield it would appear to be Edu, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg plus one other. In the defence the manager has suggested two options, throw in Justin Hoyte, 19 on Thursday, for his full Premiership debut or moving the impressive Kolo Toure out to right back with Pascal Cygan coming in at centre half. Edu, Pires, Ljungberg, and one other. One other making his debut for the Gunners.