I expect a comfortable win. But complacency is out of the question as this is the type of match we can't take lightly. Here's my guess at our starting lineup:- Seaman Lauren, Keown, Campbell, Cole Wiltord, Gilberto, Vieira, Pires Henry, Bergkamp Prediction: Arsenal 2 Birmingham 0
After some of the starting lineup having a nice rest during the FA Cup tie last week, you would expect a refreshed squad to be focussed for the stretch run . . . time to get into form and bring home more hardware. I think the EPL is Arsenal's to lose - they just need to play consistently and keep the chasers at bay . . . FA Cup . . . any team can win on any given day so we'll see what the Gunners can do . . . I'm really excited about the Champion's League - time for Arsenal to prove that it's one of the Europe Elite . . . a Euro Cup win at Old Trafford would be most excellent!!! It sure would be the Theatre of Dreams (for Gooners this year heh heh)
If we are to win the championship this year, we need to go to places like Birmingham and get the points, a bit like we did against West Brom a couple of weeks ago. We didn't play particularly well at The Hawthorns, but stuck it out and got the win. The players will have to be focused as Brum are down near the bottom and fighting for their lives, so we'll have to be on our game from the start. A few clean sheets starting about now wouldn't go amiss either!
A win against Birmigham would definately be good (as are all wins), and I'll certainly be watching Kirovski. We need all the points we can get for the EPL. I think we'll really get a time to shine in the Champs League. Vive le AFC! OPArsenal
Aaahhh, a little dwink PBP. I truly look forward to it. Does anyone know if Birmingham has online audio? After all the hilarity the (West Ham? Boro?) announcers provided, I kind of want to listen and see how other clubs feel as the noose that is Arsenal tightens around their neck.
v Birmingham I actually expect the Gunners to run up a good score here. The Team has been rested, Ljungberg and Cygan are fit again - almost a full squad. I glut of forward options - Henry/DB10/Kanuuuu/Jeffers/Wiltord/LjUngberg........... = coming good!!
Ljungberg, Parlour and Vieira miss out on the Birmingham trip. I'd like to see Gio get a game in centre midfield, he's looked pretty good in the last few games and capped it with a fine goal against Chelsea. http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcon...e&type=com.sportapps.news.NewsItem&id=3440591 Irelandboy, I appreciate your enthuisiasm, but expecting us to run up against a good score is a bit optimistic. Birmingham have been pretty tough to beat and Bruce will have them up for it against one of his old rival teams from his United days. A 1-0 win would be just fine by me.
.. Birmingham have lost their last 3 3-1, 2-0, 2-0 and are on a real low ebb at the minute. Arsenal a focused now that this is the top end of the run-in. My faith is unflappable!
Rested yes, but are we off our rhythm? The first team hasn't played together in a little while now. I fear that they'll pack it in and we'll get a score in the 70th minute to put the game away.
Birmingham are tenacious if nothing else, but I agree with the Irish fella. And I can't wait to see (if a dwink PBP counts as seeing) Kanu back in action. There's something I like about that guy... Say what you want, but I'm thinking two-nil to the Arsenal. And I can't wait 'til we play the 'Boro, 'cause it seems like everyone but us is pulling for them. Vive le AFC! OPArsenal
Vieira is out. So I'll change my original midfield selection:- Wiltord, Gilberto, Gio, Pires. I believe Gio will get the call over Edu because of his recent form.
Have you watched Kanu play recently?? The quicker he is sold the better in my opinion. And is he injured? I would have expected him to play against Oxford, but he wasn't even on the bench.
So whats the deal with Ljungberg, does he have mono or something? He has been since before Christmas.
With PV4 out, this will be a good chance to see Gio/Gilberto in midfield again. I think that's a good attacking/defensive match-up. Hope AW agrees.
Sorry, for BCFC audio you have to pay for "Blues World". Though it looks like Capital Gold on-line will be carrying it. It's going to be the London and Sussex version of capital gold, so they're likely to be Arsenal fans, but who knows. http://www.capitalgold.com/webClient?guid=20051&pageNum=7
For future reference, Capital Gold or their sister station XFM carry all Arsenal games, so I suppose they should all be available on their website. Just to save you all a bit of searching.
I always write the preview, Rick does the predictions but I dont think he could have read my mind better. If we play our way we win 3-1 but with our lack of effort or lack of inspiration it may be to the bitter end.
I think Capital Gold goes silent during Arsenal matches. I think the only way to get Arsenal audio is to pay the fee to Arsenal or get a feed from the other club, which does not appear to be an option here. We may be out of luck. Does anyone know where Jeff Lancaster is? Is he still stateside? 2-1 to the Arsenal is my prediction.
I'd just like to know what's been up with him the whole season. We've hardly seen him at all!! Injured for six weeks, comes back for two matches and then injured for another eight weeks seems to be the pattern. Vexing to say the least.
Well at least he'll be well-rested for the rest of the year . . . but I must say that Freddie's injury troubles are ermmm . . . troubling. No matter . . . Arsenal's got some depth . . .
Looking forward to the match. 11:00 start is late enough that I can order lunch without feeling a little foolish. (Asking for french fries at 10:45 at my local PPV-carrying bar always seems weird... must be even weirder for those fans farther west!) I predict a repeat of the season opener, with the Gunners getting a comfy 2-0 win against a solid but uninspired and unlucky Birmingham side.