Let’s dispose of the chitter-chatter today and get straight in to the injury news. William Gallas has suffered a setback in his calf injury with the club describing him as being “back to square one” after admitting that they rushed him back. That Arsenal rushed him is not really a surprise, the other options at center back are Silvestre and Campbell. Silvestre is unconvincing at best and Campbell, while still a massive talent, is incapable of playing more than once a week. Any further injuries in that position could really put a dent in any hopes of winning a trophy this year.
There was an interesting exchange when Wenger was asked about Gallas’ contract negotiations. Wenger said that he’s meeting with William’s agent this week and if you remember, he’s previously said that Arsenal might break protocol and offer Gallas more than one year. He seemed to have pulled a 180 on that when he said “I am very resolute. Usually we always offer a one-year contract for an older player.” I’m not sure what he means there or if he has a replacement lined up already but it seems like Gallas could be on his way out.
Cesc, meanwhile, has a “small, small, small” and “grade one” hamstring pull which makes me really nervous. Last time I heard Wenger say that exact phrase Eduardo ended up sitting out a whole month. Dudu’s available today and that’s good, surely, but that Cesc has had a recurrence of his hamstring injury at this critical juncture of the season could be a real problem. Interestingly, after tonight, Arsenal have a month-long string of “easier” games before we face Tottenham at Wet Fart Lane. Could Wenger rest Cesc for that month?
Song, Diaby, and Campbell are all passed fit for the match tonight. I know a lot of people want to see Nasri in Cesc’s spot but I think Wenger will play Diaby there and put Nasri up front with Arshavin and Bendtner. Funny thing, too, Arsene will likely play a midfield three of Song, Diaby, and Denilson with Song squarely in the holding role, Diaby in the advanced role and Denilson in the very middle. What’s funny is that last year I remember thinking how much Denilson was going to be Cesc’s replacement and now it’s clear that he’s just not.
I’d even bet that some of you are eagerly anticipating Diaby in the attacking role. Diaby is 6/1 to be the first goal scorer and I might just put a pound or two on that.
Wenger has cover at right back with both Eboue and Sagna healthy so which of those two he’ll use is really up to him and will signal his intent: Eboue is more of an attacking full back and Sagna is more defensive.
A 1-0 win sees us through easily to the next round but any goals conceded will be a cause for grave concern since it means we have to score three or more to go through. Thankfully, Ladbrokes thinks the most likely scoreline is going to be 1-0 to the Arsenal and have it up at 11/2.
A 0-0 draw would be a huge disappointment and I have to think that’s highly unlikely. Yes, we are missing our leading scorer (in both the Champions League and the Premier League) but we have 10 other players in the squad who have scored in this competition. As you all already know, Arsenal spread the scoring around so I’m pretty confident we will get a couple of goals.
If we can work the ball around the way we did against Burnley and get some more of those deadly final balls from the wings, I have no doubt the goals will come. Like I said, I see Diaby getting the first, that in turn will open the game up as Porto will have to attack and should let our other creative players have more room to work.
A final score of 4-2 seems so unlikely given the history of the two teams and is a 40/1 bet but the thing is that I am very concerned with this team’s ability to keep a clean sheet. They have only managed 2 clean sheets in the last 10 games and given the sloppy way we concede goals (like the one against Burnley) I can’t be too confident that we won’t be breached.
Arsenal reportedly didn’t practice penalty kicks and I have to say that it would be a huge shame if the game ended 2-1 and we weren’t prepared. What are the chances the game will end 2-1? 8/1 according to the bookies, the second most likely outcome along with a 0-0 draw. Clearly the oddsmakers rate us to win but only by a hair.
Tonight’s official is Frank de Bleeckere and he’s been in charge of quite a number of high profile World Cup and Champions League matches in the past. From his history he’s not afraid to use yellow cards early in games to keep the match clean and that should be to our advantage. In Porto, Jesualdo Ferreira sent his team out to break up Arsenal’s play by rotational fouling on Cesc. If the referee chooses, he could stop that tactic and force Porto to play. That would be to everyone’s advantage, really. No one wants to see a 0-0 draw punctuated by dozens of tactical fouls. Well, no one apart from the dozen or so Porto supporters who will be at the match and Jesualdo Ferreira.
That’s pretty much all I know. I’ll be heading out to the Famous Cock (it’s a pub right outside the Highbury and Islington tube station) around 6pm GMT and it would be nice to meet up with some of you there and we can walk to the ground and get in a little early. REDaction is calling for all supporters to be in the ground early and get the atmosphere rocking, I’m bringing both the video camera and the still camera and hopefully the stewards will leave me alone tonight.
It would be special to get some action shots of a famous 4-2 drubbing of Porto in the Champions League, wouldn’t it?
Diaby is 15/1 on Betfair for the 1st goal, now that’s good value
Tim,
Again, many thanks for your dedication and excellent write up. It would be assuring to have Gallas available, but someone will need to take the challenge.
If Sol is a doubt, Song could partner with Vermaelen and Diaby assume the DM duties. I would prefer Denilson make an appearance at the 89th minute, with Arsenal up 3 – 0.
If Sol can play, then the midfield of Song, Rosicky/Nasri, and Diaby would be interesting.
With the pressure of the evening, I’d prefer to see Rosicky in the Cesc role. He has the playmaking skills, experience, and leadership to handle the situation.
Definitely a big challenge for the Arsenal.
Go Gunners!
PS – Is there significance to the above photo? Last night’s lodging?
March 9th, 2010 at 6:01 am
Do you mean the phone box or the women on the fliers in the phone box??
March 9th, 2010 at 7:13 am
@Dan, Don’t we all carry family & friend photos when we travel?
March 9th, 2010 at 7:32 am
@arsesession, It’s a triple entendre…
Porto = port
the phone booth = a place to sleep of last resort
the women in the booth = a place to sleep of very last resort
March 9th, 2010 at 8:44 am
@Tim, the other angle about the photos is that you might have crossed paths with Cole and Terry; you know like guys who are into trading cards.
Kinda wished I’d coughed up the cash for this game but as it’s a category A game and I went on Saturday I couldn’t get away with that. If you’re eating after the game Tim, I could recommend Chompoo 155 Holloway Road. Thai food is better for you than most fast food available post match – the plutonium heated chips end up scalding the insides of my mouth.
The CB situation begs the question of why AW let Big Phil go. Re “pelanties”, IIRC, last season vs Roma the team didnt practice either, although better safe than sorry. I just want to see another 4-0 or more good old spanking. It will instill belief in the boys that they can do it without Jesus, will avenge the dirty hack-a-cesc of last match, and send a clear message to the world: Be afraid! Be verrry afraid! PS:Verminator will score 1st goal from a set piece.
If Bendtner can rebound from the weekend’s display, then I think we will roll over Porto. Otherwise, it could get very close as the book makers predicted
Aside from tonight, I heard some idiot pundit on FiveLive at the weekend suggesting that if Arsenal won the Premier League title it would be a “travesty” because they would have done so having lost each time to the other two contenders for it!
What a dick.
March 9th, 2010 at 6:56 am
I’m of the mindset that whoever wins it this year is a very tough team because it’s such a competitive year.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:33 am
@fourstar, Yet when United won last year under similar circumstances it was a wonderful victory for the Commonwealth
@fourstar, 1. Utd. last season is Ru Paul then.
2. Whats wrong with travesties anyway?
March 9th, 2010 at 6:57 am
@Yan, Quite!
Tim, for the first time (and probably last) I will be joining the prawn sandwich eaters in one of the boxes, so I cant make it to the pub first.
I really enjoy your blog, and hope London has found you well.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:34 am
@!ee, Oh wow, enjoy the came from on high, looking down your nose at the hoi polloi
Just kidding, I’m jealous!
tim
dont be… its as far away from the real football experience as you get… just had to see what it is like… just once..
post of you beering somewhere close afterward and I’ll ditch the stiffs and grab a beer.
Hello.
Agree about likely midfield – I think AW feels Nasri csn do more damage in the front three.
“Arsenal reportedly didn’t practice penalty kicks”
What Arsene said was they don’t practise them the day before – they DO practise penalties.
I’ll be looking for you on tv, allll the way from Michigan haha. Have fun timo!
Ps. Blood sausage? Ain’t got time for that hahha
SUPER NICK!
2x!
Arsenal strikers like to prove their critics wrong. When Waddle put down Theo, Theo got a good goal against Burnley. When everybody but Arsenal fans put down Bendtner, he got 2 goals against Porto. Though they are easy goals, simple tap in, they are still goals. Now Nasri’s 3rd goal is a gem….brilliant! This team without the spine is still a good team; but Porto is just like Burnley. They cannot travel at all!
NASRI!!!!!!!!!!!. WOW. The goal of the tournament
Eboue, a defensive replacement my asrse. Who knew that Eboue could do that.
4-0, deja vu Porto, eh.
Eboue playing CF
By Jove! tim, you lucky man–watching live a great Arsenal performance. Even Eboue got a rare goal, but his effort must be celebrated. You must tell us how the stadium boils. Even Arsene jumped up and down with clenched fists….Bellissimo!
Good god! A hat trick to Bendtner. Everybody is wishing him well! Now go and smash Hull this weekend, and get as many goals as possible, we need the goal difference on our side…
i think i saw tim on the fsc feed
Porto crushed.
timmmmmmmmm! man, that’s outstanding you got to be there for this. 5-nil to the arsenal!!! can’t wait to see your videos…
A fucking superb display, Bendtners unusually good finishing (that header aside)his usual strong display of winning headers and holding up the ball, Nasri magnificent, Rosicky Played well first half, Eboue his now usual solid self, TV5 brilliant, Clichy Solid, Sol a little shaky! Song superb! Almunia and Diaby solid enough. Arshavin faded in the second half but still superb. So many superb performances difficult to pick a man of the match, but I give it to Bendtner an excellent performance after his dissapointing display in the last game. B Munich squeeze through unfortunately, lets hope Lyon and Inter can do the same. Lyon in the next round would be nice. No new injury worries apparent a good night all round, it’s heating up nicely!
Bendtner, 4 chances, 3 goals. Well played son, well played.
Nasri MOTM!
There’s going to be some match report on here – what a game to have been at !
Now, let’s take apart the Orange man’s cloggers on Saturday.
So, who do we play next round?
March 9th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@Yan, The quarter final draw is on March 19. so far it’s only us and Bayern who are confirmed as being in the draw.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
@Chary, Thank U, forgot that there’s another draw
March 9th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
@Yan, No worries – my guesses for the other 6 teams are Real, Barca, Bordeaux, Seville and obviously the Milanese teams, although that is more a hope than anything else(i.e. the Chavs & Manks go out.)
March 9th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
I hope we draw Bordeaux, because I have not seen them play, and Wenger vs Blanc is mouth watering. Next of course is Barcelona, so that we can welcome Henry back to the Emirates…and win or lose, at least we have 2 good games, unlike games against Bayern, the Chavs or Manure…
March 9th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
@Chary, correction. It’s the ‘remaining rounds’ draw on the 19th. i.e.: includes semi’s too.
Lots of video, fingers crossed that YouTube doesn’t pull it
Nicklas Bendtner and hat-trick. Two things I never thought would go into the same sentence.
Nasri and Arshavin are just class.
“Bendtner is our Heskey. Except he scores, so maybe he isn’t.”
That result raises the heart of all Arsenal fans.
I can only imagine the celebrations, haha, have a good one!
Who wants a shot at Barca in the quarters? Yes please.
Heyyo everybody,
took in my first Arsenal match at a pub today, though it was in San Francisco. Cheers to the good man (Braylon? Maybe?) who chatted with me all game, bought me a pint, and showed me the real Gooner pub up the street. He was a fan of this site, it’s up for grabs, and the arsecast. Pretty cool how you can go to any city and find a thriving Arsenal community.
AND HOW ABOUT LITTLE LESBIAN SAMIR NASRI?
phenomenal. even tinkebell got one. brilliant.
let’s win ‘em both, yeh?
A well deserved victory after an excellent performance from all our players. This has been coming for some time! Now let’s hope we can keep injury free and build on this. Momentum is on our side. The win should give us more confidence and belief. An amazing goal from Nasri right after clearing a ball from the goal line. That window pretty much summed up his performance today – he was getting it done at both ends of the pitch. It was good to see the players huddle after the match even though Cesc was missing. It showed belief in each other as well as solidarity.
I am going to have to rewind Nasri’s goal and watch it a few more times..
Thank goodness, the counter attack has been reborn.
Life is funny, NB actually played better against Burnley outside of missing his chances and ends up with a triple play today courtesy of Arshavin and Eboue.
GO FIGURE.
Nasri and Vermaelen were spectacular. Eboue = super sub, Song = great first half, Diaby = great touch for a big man, Clichy = both brilliant and amateurish.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
@Caribkid69, Eboue super sub.. who would’ve thought that….
Well looks like the team knew you were going to be there Tim!!
Maybe they were making up for last years disappointment against Sunderland!!
What a performance!
Me thinks the Ref should be hired by the FA to teach our Refs down here how to referee & control a game; and not allowing thuggery in the guise of tough tackles.
A super well play Nasri.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:48 am
@LRV, I couldn’t believe how good the ref was. Yellow cards for cynical challenges, not booking Sol when he upended Hulk on accident. He kept the game from getting to the point where two footed lunges (and therefore broken bones) could even be an option. Everyone knew that skill and strength were going to win out, instead of a rotating of players kicking our forwards. Yeah. Wow. If this guy replaced Clattenballs in the FA rotation we’d be leading the league right now. I really think so.