Wolves Thread

By: Martin | November 7th, 2009

Lineups are in:

Arsenal: Starters: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ramsey, Diaby, Arshavin, Fabregas, Eduardo, van Persie. Subs: Mannone, Senderos, Rosicky, Nasri, Song, Silvestre, Eboue

Wolves: Starters: Hennessey, Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Stearman, Edwards, Henry, Castillo, Milijas, Doyle, Ebanks-Blake. Subs: Hahnemann, Kightly, Keogh, Halford, Jarvis, Mancienne, Maierhofer

Interesting that Song starts on the bench in favor of Ramsey. Ramsey is more skilled than Song, but not nearly the defensive presence. Arsene is either (a) just going all out on the attack today, banking on the fact that Wolves probably aren’t going to be able to keep up with it; or (b) just trying to prepare for January, when we’re going to be without Song, to see if Ramsey is a possible replacement for the month. I like Ramsey, but I have to say I’m skeptical about this–as I mentioned in the preview yesterday, we’ve been prone to giving up goals away from home, and Wolves will have some chances. I’d feel better having Song there to win and keep the ball in midfield. But we’ll see. Also noteworthy is Eduardo starting on the frontline.

None of the Big 4 clubs were in action this morning, but the other three members of “The Magnificent 7″ were active–Spurs and Villa both won, but Manchester City lost focus and gave up a late equalizer at home to Burnley. All three are now within 2 points of us, although we have a game in hand on Manchester City and two games in hand on Spurs and Villa. Let’s get out there and get those 3 points to put some more separation between us and them, and we can sit back and watch the Chelsea-ManU carnage tomorrow.

Also, not to get too preachy or serious, but it is worth reflecting for a moment on the meaning behind the poppies on Premiership clubs’ shirts today. They honor the soldiers who served in World War I, which was in many ways the bloodiest, most brutal war in history. Over 1 million men died at the battle of the Somme alone, over 8 million soldiers died in the conflict, and over 7 million more were permanently disabled. Many European countries lost 10-20% of their adult male populations. While the poppies are specifically intended to honor the British war veterans, we should remember all who died or served for the Allied Powers, who sacrificed so much to put an end to the age of imperialism and set the stage for the modern era of democracy and self-government. Okay, back to football.

Come on Arsenal.