Sunderland-Arsenal Preview

Big, big match for us. Let’s hope we can get back on track and arrest what could be a worrying downturn in our season.

Sunderland
Recent Form: Very, very good. If the League started on the day O’Neill became manager, they would be top. We did beat them in the same stadium a weak ago, doe.
In-Form Players: James McClean and Stephanie Sessegnon
Pitch Quality: F—————————————————————————-

So tomorrow we return to the Stadium of Ankle Fucks Light to take on Sunderland yet again, this time in the FA Cup. Thanks to our 0-4 drubbing at the hands of Milan on Wed. (for those of you looking for a recap, here’s one: We sucked balls. The end. Move along.), the FA Cup stands alone as our most realistic chance at a trophy. So this match is pretty important, I would say. And thanks to the cataclysmic nature of our loss in midweek, a good result here would be vital in restoring lost hopes and confidences. The current squad we have is, without a doubt, pretty weak, not on its best form, and in dire need of reinforcing this summer. But fucking Birmingham City won the Carling Cup last year, and Portsmouth won the FA Cup a few years back. So what the fuck do I know.

Nothing!

Sunderland, under O’Neill, are a dangerous side. They are solid at the back and are proven, effective counter-attackers up front. They have James McClean, a dangerous winger who has sparked into life- and prominence- since the turn of the year. He scored against us last week, and he might as well score against us again tomorrow. Attacking playmaker Sessegnon has perhaps been Sunderland’s most consistent player and has all the makings of a big club player. He’ll be the one to look out for tomorrow, and mark efficiently. Thankfully, the world’s Greatest Striker, Nicklas Bendtner, is ineligible to play against us tomorrow and will not feature tomorrow.

Team news for us are a mixed bag. Per Mertesacker is out for the season, I’m afraid. The Stadium of Light’s pitch did it’s job and ‘Sack had to undergo major ankle surgery, and is now a doubt for the Euros. Laurent Koscielny, though, only suffered a minor knee knock and while he will miss out on tomorrow, he will be available next week. Gervinho is back and will feature tomorrow, while the Forgotten Hope, Carl Jenkinson, will be back in full training on Monday. Yay!

Here’s my pick of the team for tomorrow:

Szczesny

Sagna   Djourou   Vermaelen   Gibbs

Coquelin  Arteta

AOC   Ramsey   Gervinho

van Persie

Subs: Fabianski, Yennaris, Miquel, Song, Rosicky, Walcott, Arshavin

With Per and Kos out, expect to see Djourou and Vermaelen start tomorrow- they were both dire against Milan, Vermaelen shockingly so, but they represent our most experienced, most talented CB’s available right now- Miquel is a kid, and Squillaci is, well, Squillaci. Gibbs could sit this one out, given the pitch factor, but fuck Gibbs.

Only kidding- he annoys me on how often he gets injured, but he’s our only LB right now, and I’d rather see Coq in midfield. Speaking of Coq, I want to see him start next to Arteta. Song has been in poor form recently and needs to sit this one out- no one gets an automatic starting role in this team (except van Persie. And Kos.), but unfortunately Song has let the tenets of complacency and hostile arrogance seep into his game. On the wings, Gervinho should get a chance to get behind his AFCON nightmare by starting this one, and the Ox, who was lively against Milan, should also start. In the CAM role, it’s either Rosicky or Ramsey. I have no particular desire to see a famous person die, but Ramsey got good vibes from scoring last week, so what the hell. I just hope Sherrod Brown, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and Flea reside in underground bunkers tomorrow.

On the bench, Yennaris and Miquel should be put there as defensive backup. Song and Walcott need to be taught a lesson and benched as well. Walcott needs to really brighten up and start playing better- with Gervinho returning and the massive momentum and public support that the Ox enjoys, Theo could well lose the upper hand in his contract negotiations, his spot to the Euros, and hell, his first-team spot with us. Which is what he deserves, I would argue. But honestly, as much as I dislike him, I hope for the sake of the team that he improves and starts playing at a better standard. Arsenal need that he needs that, and Wenger needs that. Oh yeah, expect 2 out of Arshavin, Rosicky, and Chamakh make it to the bench as well.

Massive match for us tomorrow. A win, and the downward slide is arrested and we still have a chance to end the season at a high note, Wenger can keep his job (and the fans), and we still have a good chance of keeping Robin. A draw would work just as well. A loss, and we’re out of our last winnable comp, the critic’s voices grow even shriller and louder, and our poor run continues. We’re firmly in “Every game is huge” territory, and we can’t afford to embark on yet another run of panic form and downer endings.

I just the hope the pitch doesn’t eat anyone up. A draw is what I’m hoping for. Come on Arsenal!

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Category: Arsenal News