Udinese-Arsenal Preview

By: jg | August 23rd, 2011

I don’t want to sound hyperbolic. I keep reminding myself that this is just a game- a simple and athletic form of entertainment meant to distract and please the masses from the day to day hardships of life. After a long, hard day at the factory, the conference room, the construction site, the school, or the hacker cave, everyone is entitled to sit down, grab a beer/juice/bottle o’ water/Faygo, sit down on the couch, and watch your favorite team engage in 90-120 minutes of some good old football/soccer. So getting whiny and doomy and gloomy and calling the End Times upon us because your favorite team has sold their best players and have failed to replace them with Eden Jesus-zard and have signed Carl Scape-kinson instead, I think people may just be, y’know.. overreacting. I mean, look at it in perspective, it COULD be worse. We could be Spurs.

poople

But, there is always a but, I can’t help but feel that this is different. This is ARSENAL, damn it, we are the GUNNERS. We went an entire EPL season undefeated. We were the first London team to reach the UEFA Champions League Final. We have made the UCL for 14 straight season. We were the club were Thierry Henry made his name. Patrick Vieira. Dennis Bergkamp. David Seaman. Ian Wright. Liam Brady. Martin Keown. Robert Pires. The list goes on. We ARE a top club, one of the best in England, Europe, and the World, no matter what any media hack will say about our status after selling Cescies and Nasri.

That’s why this match is so important. Because the result of this match WILL determine whether or not we will continue to be a top club or not. Falling out of the Champions League would be disastrous for Arsenal, in many different ways. First of all, the removal of that huge cash influx each CL qualification grants would eliminate any chance of Wenger spending any cash to get some badly-needed players, in order to pay for our current expenses (’cause Almunia’s wages are pretty exorbitant, you know!) That means goodbye M’Vila, goodbye Hazard, goodbye Cahill, goodbye Zarate… at best, we would be extremely lucky to get that 14 year Ethiopian kid living in D.C., and Scott Dann.

We would also be saying our goodbyes to Robin van Persie, Alex Song, Theo Walcott, Bacary Sagna, and others in the near future. The lack of CL football this season would go hand in hand with the lack of investment this season, which would make it very, very difficult to qualify for the CL this year, especially with a media-favorite Liverpool and Spurs still in contention for those spots. We’re the odds on favorite to finish in 6th, and not even that assures us Europa League football. Considering Van Persie’s, Song’s, and Walcott’s contract run out 2-3 years from now, and there has been no talk of contract renewals as of yet. If the situation occurs where Arsenal would not play in the CL next season, then there is every reason to believe that those players will seek to go to greener pastures, like Cesc and Nasri have just done. With the lack of a wealthy backer to ensure we can still compete as a top club, we would pretty much be ignored as a destination of top talent, and we would begin a long and difficult slide into decline.

I heard that Chelsea give you TWO pink ponies!

But not all has to be doom ‘n gloom. Think of it this way: we win tomorrow. We get that cash influx. Wenger does the sensible thing and buys 2-3 players to strengthen our team. They don’t necessarily have to be Eden Hazard or Gary Cahill, but you get the point. We make it to the top 4 spots, maybe even make a title challenge along the way. Hell, we even win one of the domestic cups this season. Sensing the renewed ambition, our best players sign long-term contracts to prevent the Cesc and Nasri stuff from never happening again (that is, until Douchelona come whining back for Miquel, Toral, and Bellerin). With FFP rules starting to nudge in next season, our economic power grows, we start buying better players, and our future gets brighter. Remember that I said that this match was important?

Of course, we do have to play tomorrow to win tomorrow. As it stands, we’re in decent shape. An Arsenal win, a draw, or a one-goal loss with away goals sees Arsenal through. A 1-0 loss sees the tie go to extra-time, where anything goes. A two goal loss, or worse, would see Udinese through. All we have to do is stay tight at the back, never lose focus, and take our attacking chances. Easier said than done, right?

We all know Udinese will be dangerous. They have a great striker and talisman in Antonio Di Natale and a couple of great wing-backs in Isla and Armero. They also have a pretty sturdy midfield and a dees GK in Handanovic. They outplayed us last week, and we managed to scrape the win thanks to Wojo and Vermaelen. They will probably outplay us again tomorrow, and will have the full support of their home crowd to try and get an edge. They will be tough to beat. Thankfully, we do not have to beat them- a draw is enough!

On team news, the bad news is that we have a lot of players missing. As if you didn’t figure that one out. There was hope that Wilshere would be back for tomorrow, but on Wenger’s pre-match conference the boss said that Jack has had a setback and will miss this game, with no word on a possible return. Pretty worrying stuff, and I’m not the only one thinking this whole ordeal is eerily reminiscent of the Vermaelen situation last season. Let’s hope hope hope that isn’t the case. On the bright side, Wenger confirmed that Djourou and Traore are back- yay! Also missing due to injury are Gibbs, Koscielny (although he could play on Sunday), Squillaci and Diaby. Ryo Miyaichi started and got a goal for the Reserves against Wigan Reserves earlier today, so I’m not sure if he’s going to feature tomorrow. Samir Nasri has been left out- is he injured, or something?, As is Nicklas Bendtner. I wish we could keep him now, but I think his mind is fairly set up on leaving. A strange absence is Henri Lansbury, who played on Saturday. With Song and Frimpong returning from suspension, he’s back to being 4th choice CM, but you can’t argue we could have used the depth tomorrow, just in case.

Based on the team news, here’s my prediction for the lineup tomorrow:

Szczesny

HFP Djourou Vermaelen Sagna

Song Ramsey

Walcott Rosicky Gervinho

Van Persie

Bench: Fabianski, Miquel, Traore, Frimpong, Arshavin, AOC, Chamakh

Szcz between the sticks, Fabianski on the bench. Djourou and Vermaelen as CB’s (and Miquel as backup), which is very comforting if you think about it. With Traore back, I suppose we could see him start at LB, but Jenkinson was pretty solid as our RB on Saturday, and Sagna proved why he’s one of the best defenders in Europe by putting in a good shift at LB. Considering the magnitude of the match, I think Wenger might stick with those two- although I suppose he won’t risk putting Sagna out of position and just stick Traore in and hope he does well. We’ll see.

In midfield, my guess is that Song and Ramsey will start this one. I kind of want to see Frimpong, who probably has the record for having the fastest progression to becoming a fan favorite at Arsenal (seriously, check out his Twitter page), play, but his inexperience could come back to bite us in the end. He’ll probably make a great sub tomorrow if we’re defending a lead. Walcott on one wing, and Gervinho returns to the other. Rosicky is facing a late fitness test to play, but I think he’ll make it, and given Wenger’s reluctance to try Arshavin in the CAM role, I think the Czech will get the start. The little Russian and AOC (I really hope we get a look at him) will start from the bench. And up front, no one else than Robin van Persie- he has had a pretty disappointing season so far, but Chamakh is way worse. If there was ever a time to prove your mettle and leadership, Robin, then please do so tomorrow.

To repeat my intro: I am not trying to be hyperbolic. This is just a game. But to us fans, supporters, haters: this is more than a game, this is Arsenal. This game, in my humble opinion, has the potential to define the short-term and long-term future of this club. At the moment, we are on the precipice of being a top club, among the best in England, Europe, and the World, and being yet another one of those top-flight clubs, that won things long ago but are now in more modest heights. Mediocre. Average. Not Rich. Aston Villa. Tomorrow’s match will determine whether or not we climb back up the cliff and live to fight another day, or fall into the Abyss of Footnotes. Let’s hope that the players, the fans, Wenger, the Board, everyone associated with this club is up for it. We have to.

All together now… COME ON ARSENAL!

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Category: Champions League, Fixtures, Preview

« Nasri Departs, Arsenal’s Pile of Money Grows | Home | Udinese-Arsenal Match Thread »

The Curve

a.w stupid traning,please learn to shoting ball,a.w left arsenal.i love arsenal
Orion

I guess, there you go.
Orion

Wenger's talking all the time about mental strength. This is the time to show it. Come on Arsenal.
SJGgumby

Lineups are in I think:

Wojo

Sagna, Verms, Djourou, Jenkinson

Frimpoung Song

Gervinho Ramsey Walcott

RVP

Very interested to see what we look like with both Song and Frimpoung. Hope we're not too defensive.
Orion

Jenkinson is ahead of Traore. So, basically, a right-back who played a grand total of 13 professional appearances, 9 of which came in the League One, is ahead of our supposed back-up left back. At the left back position. Lovely.
SJGgumby

We also don't know how fit Traore is. Its one thing to be available to sub in an emergency, its another to start.
Orion

I'd still switch the full backs though. Sagna was awesome against Liverpool, wasn't he?
Perry S.

Yeah not to mention he hasn't really played much for us in recent history even when he was fit. I feel like Jenkins is probably the right choice regardless of health status for Traore.
Gigi_man

I wish I could have an average age of all of us here, because I might be too old for this: I cant focus on work!!!
I see Sohpie talks about school, I think I might double her age, what a shame!!
Well so truth be told; I am a nervous wreck and about to throw up.
Rico

24, roughly the middle for me.
Gigi_man

Ok, i wll write it here so no one notices...I am 38 fellas!!!
Orion

17, bitches.
Tee_sui

I'm ~21. working in a summer internship/co-op job right now. and I can't get any work done too.
TJ

20 years of age, I am.
Sophie

I think we're all nervous wrecks. Luckily for me, it is summer and I have nothing to focus on. Good luck to all you old working stiffs!
FredJacob

30
Perry S.

Old man Gigi and his ways of wisdom.
SJGgumby

So Fenerbache has been withdrawn from the Champs League. And its unclear whether there are other Turkish clubs who are free from this match-fixing schedule. So, even if we lose maybe we can back into the group stages?

I'd prefer to just not lose.
JG

Wait, what? For match-fixing? I assume that the spot would be given to the next Turkish club- spots are giving to countries, not club coefficients.
SJGgumby

I've copied the ESPN article below. Apparently the runner-up is also implicated, and I wonder whether UEFA would want to stay clear of Turkey altogether given the uncertainty. Who knows how they'd respond, but choosing the highest seeded club eliminated in the qualifying round doesn't sound like the strangest way.

Fenerbahce have been withdrawn from the Champions League this season, with the draw for the group stages less than 24 hours away.

According to a statement on the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) website, UEFA wrote to the federation on Tuesday to demand Fenerbahce's withdrawal, threatening wider disciplinary action against the TFF should they fail to do so.
The letter was forwarded to Fenerbahce, who declined to withdraw.
''In the face of this development, on August 24 an extraordinary meeting of the board of directors was held to discuss the threat of the Turkish Football Federation being exposed to severe disciplinary sanctions if Fenerbahce took part in the UEFA Champions League this season, and it was decided to bar them from participating,'' the statement said.
It is unclear how UEFA will choose a team to replace the Turkish champions, whose chairman Aziz Yildirim has been arrested following allegations of manipulation in 19 matches along with 30 others.
The Turkish league's start is already subject to a delay - until September 9 - until the Federation completes its investigation and runner-up Trabzonspor (also implicated in the match-fixing probe) have already been eliminated in the Champions League qualifying rounds.
Perry S.

I'm leaving work for this one.
Gigi_man

I am not....phisically, 'cause mentally I am gone hours ago!
Perry S.

Yeah, absolutely this match is bonkers. I'm at the pub now and just cleared my first gin+vodka tonic, its helping to put me at ease.
FredJacob

i was playing the same thing to go on site and them reach home early but bosses playing up in there you know what
Perry S.

I typically work remotely, but need to show my face once in awhile. With that said, my face has been shown, now the pub is expecting me shortly.
Gunner Fan

Mr. Perry. Pl be aware that alcohol consumption combined with the current form of Arsenal football, and televised matches can be VERY dangerous for your health. Hell, we may even start to look like those hard drinking Liverpool fans. Make sure you're walking to that aforementioned Pub.
Sophie

School hasn't started yet, but I've already rearranged one of my classes so I can watch Champion's League games. I just hope those include Arsenal...
Perry S.

That is noble of you. I hope for you, the sake of all of us Arsenal fans, and Arsene Wenger, that today something actually goes our way.
Rico

Our luck has to improve at some point................ I hope
FredJacob

off course the will
bobjcanada

I'm in the same boat; anxious and worried about this game; but not nearly as optomistic as some of you.

Failing to progress would be a disaster; making it more difficult to keep our best players, not to mention a pile of prestige. Losing out on the 20 million though wont change our ability to buy players as AW has lots of $ already and will not spend it, for whatever reasons we come up with.

Howvwe we've had lots of time to maon about the perilous state of affairs, and will have lots more chances should things not go our way, so for the moment....

LETS GO ARSENAL!!!!!
Homey_Mills

I haven't listened yet, but everyone check out Martin on the Arsenal Review USA podcast that just came out.
FredJacob

Press Conference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Rico

Wednesday morning, 9:15am at my desk and counting down the hours before kick off. T minus 10hrs and 30mins. Gonna be a long day at work.
A pleasant and up-beating read I thought. Raising the hopes of the mighty Gunners fans, well mine anyway. You say its just a game.... I disagree, its more than a game, it's our passion!, our team!, we spend hours on end reading and watching it, criticising it, cheering it, discuss it, betting on it, we'll even pay to watch it and in the UK we fight a hell of a lot over it.
(Especially Scottish old firm games. Rangers vs Celtic)

Come on the GUNNERS!!
RVP! RVP! RVP!
Andylowe14

If we go out of the champions league we will still be a big club.. i know it will be bad for this season and the current players who may think twice about resigning but tbh i think the players who are arsenals future are the ones who will resign even if we are not in champions league. If they are not committed enough to arsenal, their departure wont bother me. Look at frimpong and wilshere for example, both at arsenal from age 9. Both going to be a great midfield for years to come and love arsenal. And i can hardly see rvp leaving since he has confessed to not wanting to win a trophy with anyone other than arsenal, and he's captain. So enough of the doom and gloom. Our players arent all going to leave and we will always be financially strong.. emirates will always be full.... you're way too pesimistic
Casimir

Lolol Frimpong's twitter:
"@JackWilshere: Good luck to my friend @Nanas08 (mr Nasri) learnt a lot from him. World class player! Will be missed!"Pffffff comeon Jack

and before that:

@EmmanuelF4
Emmanuel Y Frimpong

Money is the Roots of all Evil

too funny
Perry S.

Haaa, its all good now, but I think he's going to be told to calm down on the Twitter banter.
JG

DEEEEEENCHHH
sofreshnsoclean

extremely well-said, you've got everyone hyped up for this; COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!
Gunnerson

Jesus, this is huge. I am so fucking anxious right now its sickening. Sandwiched between games against Liverpool and United, likely our most important game of the season, and we are going in it unprepared. We are fucking bonkers. Though I do have a feeling we will pull through. We have to pull through. Come on you underrated Gunners show Europe who we fucking are!

You are a solid blogger, jg... keep it up.
Guest

If i was Venger i purchase one of this players:
1: Subotic hummles howedes
2: Gotz mvila or Fc porto pereira
3: Hulk cavani falcao or lavezzi
Bertrand

Subotic or Hummels > Howedes
Gotze or M'mvila = top quality, although different type of players.
3) all good

Falcao is at Athletico though.
Guest

It is a football game. Arsenal may won and also may lose. I don't think that if Gunners lose will be the end of the world. After all they have a great team of youth which need time to improve. Venger have to make risks in transfer in studied way to improve his squade this season.
To won the premier ligue: Defending verry well+ won matches in home+ negociate matches outhome especially with: ManU, Chelsea.
Venger must understand that playing well is not all the thing but the three points even if we are wors on the peetch are more important.
Ultra Defending againt great teams ManU Chelsea Barca Real ... and do all the work against teams equal in level such Man city and Liverpool and Totenham ... we must believe that Arsenal is not that verry great team but it is verry respectable and not trying to overmake it and that is tha mistake last season.
If Arsenal was playing realistic football (not over doing) thay might be champions. Like ManU they play what they can not over doing, defending when it is necessary and negotiate game after another.
Martin

Probably Arsenal's most important match in years. Come on Arsenal.
Bertrand

I think we need an article on why exactly our players get injured so much.
Gigi_man

Great idea!
JG

Our medical staff are quite a bit dense after failing to properly understand the "don't rush players back from injury, they'll only get worse" memo. SENT OUT 3 YEARS AGO.
Andylowe14

yea but sometimes the injuries are unrelated to each other.. i think its the same at all clubs we just dont notice it so much. and we dont have the same strength in depth to get away with it.. compared to for example man utd who can play jonny evans and phil jones when rio and vidic are out.. its as if their injuries dont affect them. but if we lose vermaelen.. its catastrophic
Gigi_man

Depth=key word
Homey_Mills

I'm more handy with the calculator than anything else. I hope one of our other bloggers can answer this one.
Orion

Excellent read; you managed to get my hopes up, which in the current pessimistic mood I'm in, is quite the task. Can't wait for the Arsenal to qualify for the CL group stages, get a substantial load of money, Wenger gets us three or four reinforcements and we challenge for the title. And Arsenal Football Club's fans live happily ever after.
Andylowe14

i dont know why u think qualification for the CL means wenger is going to spend loads of money... we always have qualified so its not like it will be an unexpected influx of money. He will spend anyway whether we qualify or not.. the logic being, finishing 4th for next season is worth just as much as CL this season, so we need to strengthen our team to do that either way
Orion

When we approach a top quality player, it sounds much better if we had the opportunity to play Champions League football until February, don't ya think?
Gunners Fan

No doubt. But you indicate the group stage funds are needed and will be used for the acquisitions. We have plenty of funds from player sales, it's not being used. The board is not willing to pay the really top players the City/Chelsea rates or transfer fees, so we won't get them. United, City, Chelsea, Barca, Real can all promise CL and a realistic chance at titles, so big disadvantage. Then there's Arsene's ego, not inclined to go after/pay proven really big talent. Arsene would rather find 5 talented guys, coach them and develop one into a world class player so that we can sell him for big fees and keep the board happy. We'll get some talent, just a question of when and how good. None of this is NEWS to any of us, just sayin!
Orion

Its not about the money per se, more about the grandeur and reputation that the competition brings. Also, there was a report this week that Wenger does want to spend money, but the board won't budge on the wage structure. Don't know if its a hoax, though.
Gunner Fan

I place blame for the current state of affairs squarely at the feet of the board and owner. Wenger is just a minor player and has to take the shite from us fans and the press. It is the boards decisions on spending, salaries and transfer fees, Wenger plays a minor role.
Homey_Mills

Challenge for the title? I'll have whatever you're drinking.
Orion

Its a mixture of drugs, alcohol, and JG induced optimism.
Gunner Fan

Yea, JG is good. But, you are too Homey. Don't feel inhibited about throwing down your AW opinion. Your thoughts and feelings on that are as important (irrelevent?) as anyone elses. and don't overlook your good fortune that joel griffiths is in your camp. minor suggestion. don't fuck with joel!

Let's whip us some Italian Arse!
Gigi_man

I just felt butterflies in my stomach.
There is one thing called "garra", and then there is the tech stuff. Is Wengy capable of playing Chess with them? I mean there is nothing wrong with playing a team at their game,
Fingers crossed, come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
carvivlie

Can't sit back, have to push forward and defend with our lives. These are the places where big teams show why they are. Arsenal will prevail.
Homey_Mills

Why is there a yay for Traore coming back? Is that good news? I really wish we'd still get a solid LB, even though I'm sure it won't happen. Gibbs is back to his usual injured self again.
JG

More of a yay on Djourou coming back and just overall injured players returning from injury.
Andylowe14

i thought it was ironic that we have lost wilshere but we're celebrating the return of traore. lol
Felegy

I feel a mid day sickness coming on tomorrow.....it's that important!