Known Knowns
Referee: Mark Clattenburg. Arsenal last five games with Clattenburg: P5, W5, D0, L0. Cards: 20Y, 3R (Boyata, Wheater, Squillaci). Two penalties (Arsenal, Arsenal). Chance that a center half will get a red card for “denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity”? 7/5
Injuries: Arsenal: Diaby, Wilshere, Rosicky, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Miyaichi, Sagna. Wigan: Boyce (possible), Alcaraz (suspension for spitting).
Stats you will hear repeated often: Arsenal have only taken one point from their last two away games to Wigan. Both the loss and the draw happened when Arsenal conceded goals in the last 10 minutes of the two games. Arsenal have the best record coming from behind earning 7 points from losing positions in their last 4 games. If van Persie scores it will be his 40th goal this calendar year (record?).
Stats you will not hear: Wigan lead the league in dribbles per game on home turf (10.7). Wigan are third in the league in hoofing long balls at home (73 per game). Wigan lead the League in fouls per game (13.8) and are third in cards per game at the DW. Wigan have only scored 8 goals in all 6 of their home games.
Arsenal away: The Gunners are 19th in Aerial duels won per game on away days. Arsenal are second in tackles per game (18.7) and 4th in interceptions (18.5). Offensively, Arsenal lead the League in shots on target per game on away days (7) and are third in overall shots per game (16.7). The Gunners lead the League in through balls per game, are second in possession, dead last in long balls per game, and second only to City in short passes per game.
Known Unknowns
A reporter from Wigan gave Arsenal supporters some insight into the Wigan plan of attack on the dot com this morning. Basically, Wigan play a 4-5-1 with Moses left alone to create up front but what Martinez has been experimenting with is a 3-6-1 and Paul Kendrick from the Wigan Evening Post hinted that Wigan might try to overload the midfield with 6 players against Arsenal.
This is a tactic that Borussia used against Arsenal and the first time it worked. Arsenal were overrun and outpassed in midfield at Signal Iduna Park as the bees harried and outworked a hapless three man Arsenal midfield.
In the return leg Borussia tried a similar tactic and Arsenal were ready for it with quick ball movement and by utilizing Koscielny on the right and Santos on the left to help bring the ball up into the midfield and in the attack. My beef that day was with Ramsey as I thought he tried to hide up front and left Arteta too isolated in midfield. These games where the opposition flood the midfield are where you need your attacking midfielder to stay a little deeper and provide an outlet for the holding mids.
If you end up seeing Arteta dribbling out of trouble, between multiple defenders, too often then you will know that Ramsey isn’t helping out enough in midfield.
Meanwhile, the game will in all likelihood be very compressed in midfield and the temptation for Wigan will simply be to hoof forward and see if Moses can split the red sea.* With Arsenal 19th in aerial duels and Wigan third in hoofing long balls I have no doubt that Arsenal supporters will have hearts in mouths on no less than (say) three occasions.
Personally, I would be tempted to play a back line of Koz, Per, Vermaelen, and St. Andre with Santos allowed to roam forward. I would take the unusual step of using Koz or Vermaelen to mark Moses or Di Santo out of the game. This is probably because whenever I see a team adopt foolishness like 4-5-1 or 3-6-1 I think that the threat is easily nullified by marking the shit out of their 1. Koscielny is Arsenal’s best aerial defender having won 23/30 duels while Mertesacker (8/18) and Vermaelen (10/21) are still struggling to find the ball with their heads.
In attack Arsenal should look to do what Wigan wants to do to us except with a little more quality. Gervinho and Theo will need to put in a full shift in both midfield and as an outlet for Arsenal’s attack. Both wing players will need to do their shift providing an outlet both in terms of neat passes in the middle of the park and good crossing in to their opposite and the goal-hungry Robin van Persie. Moreover, there’s no shame in lobbing balls over the top for those two to run under especially if Wigan wants to pack the midfield.
Clattenburg is a hard ref to judge, he tends to let people get away with really strange fouls (Adebayor stamp on van Persie) but in three of the last four Arsenal matches he’s refereed he has shown a red card to the center half for the last man foul. Given that both teams will be looking to exploit space behind the defense I wouldn’t be at all surprised if one of the two teams gets a Clattenburg special. In the last 4 years Per Mertesacker has only had 4 yellow cards and 1 red card. I wonder what the odds are on a red card for him from Clattenburg?
In the end, this should be a fairly open game and could even turn into a high scoring affair a 3-2 or something, likely with some drama at the end. We could also see a cameo from The Ox™ as Arsene Wenger has been saying that he might be ready to be moved into the Arsenal first team. Either way it should be a good game and with the entire Arsenal starting lineup well rested I expect that the Arsenal will come out gangbusters and look to put this game to bed. As many others have already said, this is the kind of game that Arsenal need to win if they have any hopes of making a top four finish.
Unknown Unknowns
What did I miss?
*You’re welcome, that joke will now be repeated ad nauseum should Moses score.
hmmm,
u could have shortened this preview in couple of words –
Wigan are so bad that the only team they can beat is Blackburn and even them they have beaten with the worst defensive play since Arsenals trip to Old Trafford.
Wigan are so bad that even your local pub team would have a chance. Any club where Franco di Santo (only player that makes Chamack look like a natural goalscorer in Premiership) is main striker is doomed to fail.
I expect nothing less then a victory, and a resounding one. Especialy if Wigan plays 3 at the back, because i am of the opinion that a) Wigan didnt have the time to practise it that much, b) u really have to have good defenders with great anticipation of play and understanding – Inter case in point, 2 defenders that were beasts year and a half before in 4 man defence sudenly look like a pairing of cygan and silvestre….
Arsenal 3:0 Wigan
P.S.
Is it just me or is there a large bunch of really bad teams with crappy defence in Premiership. Except Newcastle that suprised me alot with theirs defensive last man standing aproach, all other teams below 7th defend really bad.
@brkimarin, i was reading this comment whilst drinking a cup of coffee and at the precise moment I read “a) Wigan didnt have the time to practise it that much” I chuckled out loud. problem was, I had coffee in my mouth, and this was spat onto the laptop I was working from, and now its keyboard has gone funny. just thought I’d let you know.
@jaymin,
1) I am very very sorry for your keyboard, i hope u will be able to detach it and clean
2) Arsenal will win vs Wigan, because Wigan is really bad, team is much more experienced then before (read less oscillations in performances), Fulham is a much better team at defending then Wigan, and has better outlet in Zamora. I mean, would u rather play vs Di Santo or Zamora?
Wigan defence is naive and will play in unfamiliar formation. (if they play 3 in the back and 6 in the middle)
This season Arsenal maybe don’t have a single player that will unlock defense, but i believe that midfield is much more balanced and is populated with players that can change an approach that isn’t working. I hope at least xD
I don’t look down on Wigan, i am just trying to be objective, Wigan is a really bad team, and we are playing really assured in defense and only thing missing is more profligacy in front of goal (except Van de man)
If they put 3 players on Van de man, then u would hope that Gerv and Wallcot step up, with that much space open for them, u would hope that enough common sense would prevail and we tore them a new one on the wings.
I stick by my prediction
I doubt that Oxlade will be in the squad, Wenger’s taking it slow with him, probably wise considering that the entire English media will hype him up as a certain starter for Euro starter if assists, or dare I say it, even scores a goal in the league.
@feygooner, Euro 2012*, not Euro starter. Also there should be a “he” after the first if.
I take this as the signal that I should go to bed.
Well, seven points from twelve over the last two seasons against a team which finished 16th in the BPL in each of those last two seasons is a pretty poor return. I hope that the team are constantly being reminded of the single point gained in the last two games at the DW. That, combined with a rare full weeks rest for most of the starters, should be enough motivation for the players to come out aggressively and try to put this game to bed in the first half. Resting players isn’t just about finding games in which you can afford to omit them from the starting lineup. It can also be about getting the job done early, and being able to substitute key players early. I know all the caveats about no game in the BPL being an easy game and our results away vs Wigan prove that, but really, for a team as good as Arsenal’s, there ought to be some easy ones and I’m hoping this is one of them.
Why write up the Arsenal’s chance?
Fans love to say the team will win 3-0 against weaker teams. However, I have learned to be humble. From the last game against Fulham, we have learned that the team is losing some of its shine and cutting edge. It won’t come back so soon after a week’s rest. It is not just physical fatigue but pyschological and mental too. Look at the Manutd team. After the spanking given to them by City 6-1, they do not look the same team as before. It is a credit to Wenger and the players that the team bounce back after the calamitous beginning this season. However, I do not think this away game IS AN EASY game, especially as the Arsenal do not have the habit of winning early NOW, not like the Invincible year. How often do we have a lead by HT?
Gervinho is losing his confidence. there is no evidence he is recovering that in the CC game. Ramsay suffers a dip in form which may or may not come back after a week’s rest. We can only depend on Song, Theo and RvP to score us goals; we have seen how without RvP, we played football and they scored the goals.
Wigan of course know that too. RvP will most probably be marked out of the game.
The pessimistic part of my self will predict a low-score draw tomorrow.
@DF, Oh come on. That’s no way to look forward to the weekend. Theo is going to torch the Wigan defence. 4 nil to the Arsenal with Theo bragging a brace, RVP scoring his obligatory goal and Gervinho breaking his duck
@nycgunner, bag not brag. but hey if if he bags it, then he can brag about it too.
@DF, Why play down their chances? I don’t think I’m over exaggerating when I say that we certainly have better players all over the pitch, a better manager, and better locker room morale. We are legitimate contenders for Champions League qualification while Wigan are currently in the relegation zone and have been just above there for the last two seasons. We SHOULD win this game. And the difference in quality between the teams means that we COULD win this game easily.
However, I’m also not naive or unrealistic enough to think that a win, let alone a blowout, is guaranteed. I’m well aware and fully expect that Arsenal will drop points this and every season against teams we should beat. I’ve always opined that football is a game of small margins. Just looking at the Fulham match, if we’d managed to take one of the five really good chances we created prior to Fulham scoring the games first goal we could be talking about a gritty, hard fought victory rather than a tired looking draw. I do expect us to win this game but I also have the humility to realize there’s no guarantee of victory.
Yes, let’s hope that Moses doesn’t plague us this weekend, or bring pestilence and famine. Indeed, let’s hope further that Van Persie can dine out on their poor defence, and Gervinho end his goalscoring drought. Maybe we can catch Moses on an off day, perhaps recovering from his exploits with a burning bush after parting the red sea. [Barf.] Will he punish us for worshiping a Golden Ox? Or will it be our Number 10 who delivers the Ten Commandments: Thou shalt have no other gods before Van Persie? Yes, I see a win for Arsenal, and a plea from Moses: “Let my manager go!”
Make it stop.
You could say want manna at their manor. Possibly!@Bunburyist,
My contribution today is a joke:
Moses was the first person to use Control-C as a shortcut.
Work it out…. lol
@London Calling,
Is it only me who did not get it
In other non arsenal related football news:
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Qatar-stole-its-artificial-cloud-idea-from-The-S?urn=sow-wp331
I agree with most – I think this is the perfect opportunity not only to grab 3 points but also to start working on our goal differential which we’ll surely need come April/May. But top marks to DF for his comments. If anything, Gooners should have learned some humility these past few seasons. I’m ready for anything.
How bad ARE Wigan? Steve Bruce was promptly sacked after the 2-1 loss. I actually quite like Roberto Martinez. He’s a huge admirer of our club and game and it’s clear has nothing to work with there. I’d love to see him in our system in some capacity. He’s better than his current record shows him to be.
com’n arsenal lets finish them off early for once and sub out the “red zone players” im hoping for a fair contest though with wigans record im not gonna hold my breath.
One thing I’ve come to love about Arsenal is our generous spirit. Like when a team is really struggling at the bottom, and desperately need points to keep their hopes alive, we happily oblige.
Many of our most perplexing questions can be answered in this way: How the fuck could we have lost to Blackburn? How the fuck could we only draw with Fulham? Etc. The answer: Our generous spirit.
Okay, it’s a shit theory, but doesn’t it make you less frustrated? Just a bit? No? No.
@Bunburyist,
To this day i have no idea how that Blackburn side has won, actualy i do, its called panic buys last day of transfer market and some atrocious defending.
I look at it this way, at least its never boring, u never know when some or other shity performance will come around. (true for arsenal squads of yesterday but this one is older, more experienced and has that edge) wich gives me hope that winning streak can continue at least until man city.
@brkimarin, How can you call them panic buys, and then commend the squad for being older, more experienced and having that edge?
@Shard,
easily,
it was widely reported Arteta and Beanny came without medical,
and u would call Park a calculated and scouted buy?
He literally came of the plane for lille to london. It was not that hard to get squad more experienced. I am saying there is an improvement regarding the experience of the squad.
Also i think that we could have bought much better last transfer window. Basically i am happy with what we got but it could be better.
@Bunburyist, I’ve thought it too. This season Arsenal’s charity is… Blackburn!
I could have sworn I read an article on the dot com about Wenger saying we need to take it slow with the Ox and that he has much to learn still.
What to make of Wigan. They try to pass the ball around I feel, and maybe this could work in our favour. I hope for a win, and if the Gods are kind (including Moses) then maybe we can get an early 2 or 3 goal lead and cruise through the game (or go on and destroy them, but I’d be happy enough with the first)
@Shard, Shard, Shard, Shard we win when he calls the game ..its not hard. la la (obviously its not finished but its beginning to show a little promise don ‘t you think?)
@GoonerTerry, LOL.. If the ‘he’ meant me, then I call every game an Arsenal win. Wish it were true though.
When did Alex play against Chelsea. ( see above) The Telegraph….. I am surprised…. you are beter than the Guardian ( the mistakes King). Enjoy your day everyone..hope we win.. Im off to Paris for the day by Eurostar.
@London Calling, OK you go off and leave us to do all the hard work…(0;
http://zidanesrazor.blogspot.com/
I am so wrong!
Not yet 30 min and the Arsenal is 2 goals up, within 2 minutes. TV got another header goal! consecutive scores…brilliant!
However, who would have guessed Wigan play our type of passing football? any team which try to arsenal us on the field will of course pay a heavy price….
3 points in the pocket already!
@DF, except er Barcelona…
I hate it when teams don’t play the way I predict. What’s Wigan trying to do? This is the dumbest game plan I’ve ever seen.
@Tim,
You have every right to be angry.
This is the second time teams/referees don’t follow your predictions.
Long may you & I be wrong!!!
@Tim, horrible. most gutless performance i’ve seen by a home team in quite a while
@nycgunner, Arsenal didn’t even need to mark their forward. He was hopelessly alone. Terrible for their fans, great for our GD.
4 NIL TO THE ARSENAL
4 NIL TO THE ARSENAL
4 NIL TO THE ARSENAL
4 NIL TO THE ARSENAL!!
scoreline makng me look like soothsayer right now. predic
@nycgunner, predicted for gervinho to score as well
was happy for him.he ran his ass off.great result
@nycgunner, That’s actually 1-nil-to-the-Arsenal x 4!!!
Well, as any good Arsenal fan, I can find the dark lining to any silver cloud, no matter how blindingly bright. What exactly has to happen for Arsenal to get a penalty? And why do you make three substitutions without taking off RvP, a player who only last week was in the “red zone”? Oh well, three points in the bag without too much drama. Next up, Olympiakos vs the Carling Cup side.
@Tee Song, to answer your question: because RVP was having a kick-about on the beach today and Le Boss has no intention of playing him against the Argonauts..
@Tee Song, I found that really odd too. Not just to rest RVP but also because our backup strikers badly need game time.
@ Tim: I don’t know what Arsenal have to do to please some people: at one stage in today’s game Arsenal were 0-2 up and Wigan had not touched the ball for 5-minutes – in fact we were at the time camped out in and around Wigan’s area – Gary Bertles (that pundit extraordinaire) blurted out: “You get the feeling that if Arsenal don’t get another goal now Wigan could score and then Arsenal would be under unnecessary pressure!” Feck me what a fecking genius..no wonder they pay him so much money for his insights. What price 7AM’s Tim 7azza could do a better job for less money?
P.S. I bet we beat our pass record today eh numbers guy?
@GoonerTerry, yes they did.
Gary Bertles had a Chamberlain ‘sighting’ today, oops that would be Coquelin. Amazing how some people can’t tell the difference.
@GoonerTerry, in fairness to Gary Bertles, I’d say he’s watched us lose from 2-0 up to Wigan before, and lose to Newcastle from 4-0 up.
@Eurazian, actually we drew the game with the Barcodes 4-4 (& we wuz robbed!)…anyway, I know what you mean. But that was all in the past thankfully. This team is of a different mettle don’t you think?
Haha, you are right it was 4-4. I guess it felt like a loss to me!
I do think this team is different, but it’s only a couple of months since Blackburn. It would be a little optimistic to believe we have totally shed our clusterfuck potential. We still waste too many chances, and it’s only a couple of games since Mertesacker had a Squillaci moment.
But I want to believe, I really do.
Dominant performance today by the team. Excellent all around display.
The defense looked solid. Who would have thought Kos is a CB.
Watch the game with the “AZGooners” at Robbie Fox’s Pub. Was a lot of fun. Shout out to the guys as well as Robbie Fox’s. When Coquelin came on we were all shouting for him to shoot.
Only one possible negative after a wonderful all-around afternoon. Is Song OK? COYG. Climbed to 5th place. Everton and Man City next…
Wigan turned out to be just the kind of team we needed for a Saturday kick about. No fuss, no muss (hopefully).
We found 3 new goal scorers today besides our usual no. 1 suspect. That was another + from this match.
Ramsey took a licking and kept on ticking. Another +.
Various referees today gave horrendous decisions today.
Let’s start with “The Mentalist” and the non PK call on Ramsey. The police were waiting after the match to arrest that defender on a charge of ‘grievous bodily harm’ as they say in the UK. Then he gives Song one of the lamest yellow cards you’ll see all year. Time for Clattenburg to drop down to League 1 neek week.
Stuart (phantom goal) Atwell gave Gary Cahill a straight red for taking down Scotty Parker for a DOSO. Parker is not scoring on a breakaway run from the half way line in his or my lifetime. Then there was Zat Knight who had Cahill’s back on the play. Atwell who was being ‘fast tracked’ to referee stardom should also be dropped for next week and Bolton should easily win their appeal.
Mike Dean should also be dropped for seeing an actual DOSO by David Luiz on Ba and not calling it. Luiz pretty much ‘calf roped’ Ba for the full 6 seconds in front of a deaf, dumb and blind Mike Dean.
Man City gave Norwich a lesson about what it is really like playing a team at the top of the league.
@ctpa, A mea culpa from Mike Dean this AM. Whoop dee do, says Alan Pardew.
Thought this was interesting ahead of Tim’s By the Numbers post:
From OptaJoe: 19 – Arsenal have taken 19 points from their last 7 Premier League matches, the same number as they took from the previous 18 games. Revival
@ctpa, nice touch (0;
If only Vela could score the ‘simple’ goal, he’d still be here.
http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,,15131_7354114,00.html
You’ve got to love Chris Kamara who is at it again. uh, Chris, Mike Riley has been retired for a few years now. That’s Stuart Atwell with the red card.
I won’t link to it but check the video of a lower league player being sent off because his penis was pierced. How the ref knew is my question but then he takes him in the men’s loo to confirm it and off he goes.