Previewing the Least Important Match of the Season, Plus Some Other Stuff

By: Homey | December 5th, 2011

carling-cup
Other than the games played in preseason, this certainly shapes up to be the least important outing of the season. We’re heading to Greece to take on Olympiakos in the final match of the group stages of the Champions League. But fortunately for us, we already have first place wrapped up, so there’s no need to wear out our main players in this one.

You can read the list of all 18 players on the traveling squad on the official website. I’m actually surprised to see names like Vermaelen and Santos on that list, but hopefully they won’t actually play. The dilemma for Wenger probably comes down to whether to give some work to veterans who could use extra work (Arshavin, Rosicky, Yossi, etc), or youngsters who could use some Champions League experience (Ozyakup, Eastmond, AOC, etc).
Olympiakos picture
I won't get into the details of Olympiakos too much, since we recently played them, and since I have other stuff to get to. They're currently sitting a point behind first place AEK Athens in the Greek Super League, and with a game in hand. You can also read the recap of our 2-1 win over them on September 28. But one thing I will mention is that they’re still right in the thick of it for qualification for the knockout rounds, so while this figures to be our least important game of the season, it may well be their most important. Currently, they have six points to Marseille’s seven. Dortmund still have something to play for as well, since they may at least get into the Europa League with a home win over Marseille. So my point is that not only do the Olympiakos fans and players have a lot to be excited about, but their chances of advancing are quite realistic.

What kind of lineup should we expect? Obviously, it should be even a tad weaker than what we saw in the Carling Cup last week. Here’s my stab at it:

Fabianski

Yennaris Djourou Squillaci Miquel

Coquelin

Ozyakup Rosicky

AOC Benayoun

Park

Bench: Mannone, Vermaelen, Santos, Frimpong, Arshavin, Eastmond, Chamakh

Obviously we at least know the 18 that Wenger will have to choose from, so it’s not super mysterious in that sense. And I have to think that Santos and Vermaelen won’t start. Beyond that, it’s hard to guess who exactly will start, and who will occupy a spot on the bench. I’m sure I missed a few of these picks.

Overall, I would expect a loss of about 2-0 in this one. Even a draw would be a nice surprise. But the good news is we can rest our main stars and leave most of them in London. Plus it’s good to see some young players get a taste of the big stage too.

In other news, while many of us are rooting hard against Man City, Man Utd, and Chelsea in the Champions League, Wenger doesn’t seem to be doing so. In fact, citing the stature of the Premier League and need to retain four Champions League spots, Wenger said it would be “catastrophic” if those teams didn’t get through to the next round. Hmmm… I dunno. I think the word catastrophic should be reserved for tsunamis in Indonesia and such. And besides, even though I’m not an expert on European coefficients, I think England is going to be quite safe with four spots for a while, based on a strong body of work over the last several years. So you hereby have my permission to root against any and all of our English counterparts.

Wenger also spoke recently about the upcoming transfer window, confirming again that he’s basically satisfied with his current squad, and that Almunia is expected to leave in January. Rumored target Lukas Podolski also said recently that he has had no talks with Arsenal. So all in all, I expect nothing of interest in January, but I guess I have to give these little updates of non-news as they come along.

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I would have you to be wise unto that which is good, and innocent concerning evil. Romans 16:19b.

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Category: Arsenal News, Arsene Wenger, Champions League, Preview, Transfer News and Player Movement

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Casimir

Don't we want the other EPL teams to get through in the CL? Wouldn't this make sense not only for maintaining the league's UEFA coefficient, but so that the other teams ahead of us have fixture congestion as well going down the stretch? It'll be tougher to fight our way into the top 4 or more if we're the only team that has extra mid-week games.
Homey_Mills

Well that's certainly Wenger's point of view. But it's hard for regular fans to root for the likes of those other teams who we tend to really dislike.
Casimir

Thought that way too at first, especially with the Manchester teams because it would be hilarious, but I'd much rather have them playing extra games down the stretch, with possibly long flights and stiff competition, then sitting pretty in the top two spots with time to rest.
Gigi_man

BTW the kiddies cup pic here at the UCL when already qualified applies perfectly!
Priceless.
Benjamin Dockter

Frimpong will definitely start. He did the news conference yesterday, so he's pretty much nailed on to start alongside the Coq. It'd be nice to play a bunch of Reserves, but we have too many first team squad players than desperately need game time. I would say the lineup will be the same as yours except Frimpong for Ozzy and possibly Chamakh for Rosa.
Benjamin Dockter

Well, I totally called Chamakh and Frims, but totally missed the back four. Was not expecting that...
mattieo21

Heya Homey,
Just with Wenger stating that he is happy with his current squad....Are you or anyone else concerned with this statement? Do you believe it to be genuine? If we fail to make champions league this season it may hinder our prospects of getting established talent for the following seasons. Would Wenger not use this upcoming transfer period to sign players just incase we fail to make the top 4?

Also, what is everyones view on selling RVP.....Form of his career sure, but does anyone see us selling him? If 30 Mil (for arguments sake) is offered in Jan would you like to see Wenger accept? Not bad for a 28 year old?

Cheers and keep up the good work.

-Matt
Homey_Mills

Of course I'm concerned with that statement. And I would have written a little commentary about it. However, I'm gun-shy about how often I write anything critical of Wenger anymore, since I'll get bashed by a large segment of the readers here. Some think it's all I talk about. So if I can just report some news and leave it at that, then I'll try to do that at least part of the time.
Darren_V

Feel free to write what you believe/think Homey. Don't take the disagreements personally; people don't think the same and that's completely fine. The differences in opinion is what makes this place interesting.
brenton

He's still under contract next year, so there's no way we sell him in January. Unpossible.
mattieo21

Is it not a financial temptation though? Will RVP replicate the past 12 months next season? His injury record? Surely someone would put a bid through? What price would you sell him at?

Cheers
Nasty

No he won't. Look at robben. They are both very similar when it comes to injuries. If RVP lasts a whole season this year, he's gonna have injuries the next. If a 30 mil offer comes arsenal should be tempted to sell him.
Darren_V

Why does a fully fit season mean he will have injuries the next? That's an argument no one could ever back up by facts. You cannot predict the future based on another player.
Gigi_man

I think the team (seniors and juniors) will play loosely, so maybe nerves wont be in the way of a win,
In any case a game to enjoy without the usual (maybe it's just me) stress,
Homey u owe us a post on Liverpool and 5th and one on the FA draw :)
JG

Excited about seeing the likes of AOC, Coq, Miquel, and possibly Yennaris again. Arshavin will be handed yet another chance to prove he still has some fire left in the tank. Considering it's EPL games from then on until early January, where we play Leeds in the FA, this could be his last chance to prove himself at Arsenal.
Homey_Mills

Dangit... I knew I forgot to mention something. I was going to put the FA Cup draw stuff in there. Oh well.
Perry S.

2-1 Arsenal. Wenger is bluffing. He'll do whatever he thinks he needs to in January, which I still tend to believe means loaning/selling a player and buying one at striker. In Arsene We Trust...
bobjcanada

not that we don't need some tweeking, but the only way AW will bring anyone of note in, is if we get another huge embarassment (ie 2-8) at the end of the transer window.

we play Man U on Jan 22
LachlanS

Although I agree somewhat, I'm not convinced that we'll be bringing in a player of much quality. We do need one though.
Nasty

Ayew is the sound arsenal hopefully hear in January. And a hazard would be nice too.
Homey_Mills

I suppose I also could have mentioned that Fulham got a 1-0 win over Liverpool today with a winning goal by Texan Clint Dempsey. Nice work guys.
Nasty

Well done wenger. Even after loosing 2 key members of the team he managed to spend less than Kenny and still be above em. Genius.
Will

Beat me to it by literally a minute, Homey. Pretty solidly in 5th place now.
Nice article, but I'd be expecting more of draw. I think the young team could pull off a win if they fight as hard as they did in the Carling Cup, but as you said, there isn't much to fight for.