Arsenal vs Fulham 2013/14

since no has started the thread i thought i'd do for a change
from the bbc website MATCH PREVIEW

The alarm sirens for Arsene Wenger's reign will be screeching if Arsenal lose back-to-back opening league matches for the first time since the inaugural Premier League season 21 years ago. If they surrender as meekly as they did against Villa then Fulham can record successive opening Premier League victories for the first time.
But the Gunners reminded everyone that they're not far short of being a really good team when they won handsomely at Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday. Arsene Wenger has been overly-cautious in the transfer marker so far, but some of the criticism of him has bordered on the hysterical.

blah blah blah blah

Olivier Giroud will always be unfairly compared to Robin van Persie but his 19 goals from 49 games ratio is a decent return. He scored twice in the home game last season against Fulham, who've never won at Arsenal.
Martin Jol has significantly added bite to his midfield with the signing of Scott Parker. The loaning of Darren Bent is also sharp business. Fulham certainly have enough quality to stay up, although they will have to end their miserable Spring slump at home where they've lost their last four games.
But Fulham's opening win at Sunderland was flattering. The home side dominated possession and had 14 shots. The Cottagers won it with their only effort.
There is also a lack of pace in key areas of Jol's side. Theo Walcott, supplied by Santi Cazorla, can exploit that. It'll be tight and tense but I can't see Arsenal being beaten again.

don't really give a monkey's ass about fulham so i won't discuss them. i don't really see a change in tomm lineup from the winning lineup at fenerbache. the thing about having such a limited squad means your money is right on the dot when guessing who will be playing tommorow. a small chance that podolski could start but don't really see that happening, cazrola and walcot are too valuable to be dropped and giroud has been bang on target (2 for 2). so i'l bet my horses if i had any he will continue upfront
at the back sagna and mertesacker will continue their partnership, they showed a good understanding and did a good job last game, their pre-season partnership showed promise but their real test comes tommorow against stronger opponents. we know both of them are good defenders but defense is not a one man game so fingers crossed, they will be in tandem with each other. last game, i felt that the team looked quite knackered and many a times i noticed gibbs shouting for the teamates to come for the ball or help him with the defense. hopefully, this will not be the case tommorow.
everyones been shouting for new players to improve the team ( i am one of them) but that being said, this team has real quality players and when they click its magic, so heres to 3 points and a happy weekend

My predicted line up:

------------- SZCZ --------------

- Jenk -- Bac - Per -- Nacho --

------ Ramsey - Wilshire -------

------------ Cazorla ------------

Walcott --- Giroud -- Podolski

Bench:
Gibbs, Rosicky, Frimpong, Fab, Sanogo, Gnarby

There could be a bit more rotation that. I have put in Nacho as Wenger liked to play him in away games and Gibbs in home games last season. I wouldn't be surprised to see Frimpong, Sanogo or Gnarby in the starting line up.

Although this game is no more important than Fenerbache at home, in terms of having the best team out there.

PS. it's good to have the match details at the top of the match threads.

I think you meant to put Mert in Koscielny's place there, Kos obviously out suspended.

Otherwise perfect line up for away days, might still go for Rosicky ahead of Poldi though.

Don't think we'll see Podolski starting. Otherwise same team with Per in Koscielny's place obviously.

0-2, Giroud and Theo

Corrected it now. I meant Sagna in for Kos, rather than Per.

Rosicky has played 2 hard games, and took a couple of knocks. I suspect Wenger will rest him.

Cazorla hasn't played CAM for a while. I wonder if that shift is permanent?

In that case, Jack may play CAM with Frimpong coming in as holding mid. But a big question if Frimpong really is in Wenger's plans at all. I think he didn't even go on the Asia tour?

im very optimistic we will win 2-1 or 3-1 ... if not i just bought a bottle of whisky so happy days

Hi guys, has anyone got any links to this one please?

Thank you

Podolski does not like when Hangelaand touches him.

Another good move with Cazorla, Rosicky, Podolski, Gibbs, Walcott & Ramsey all involved.

what a goal from podolski! he's on fire today

surely he isnt going to schalke now?

Giroud off, Monreal on. Pretty decent performance from Giroud today

Yay! A win! But hopefully this doesn't change the fact that we still need a few quality signings...

A very good win away from home, made it look very easy when it really wasn't. Everyone had solid displays and Sagna and Mertesacker were really good. As I said in the other thread, we have a very good team but not a very good squad, just need about 3 additions to be able to deal with a long season.

Tony Adams seemed quite critical of our open style of play in the post-match analysis.

He's right though. Doesn't matter how well the team played as a whole, there were times when Fulham looked like they could counter well and teams easily find space against us. Other than that, solid all round away win. Like Vanig said, made it look very easy when really it wasn't. Still need a couple of signings! Oh and I hope Podolski stays, he's a really good attacker and a very good part of the team. We're after a striker, makes no sense to sell one unless it's Bendtner

Marko Maksimović wrote:He's right though. Doesn't matter how well the team played as a whole, there were times when Fulham looked like they could counter well and teams easily find space against us. Other than that, solid all round away win. Like Vanig said, made it look very easy when really it wasn't. Still need a couple of signings! Oh and I hope Podolski stays, he's a really good attacker and a very good part of the team. We're after a striker, makes no sense to sell one unless it's Bendtner

Speaking of Bendtner, how big an idiot is he? He wants to go to a big club, doesn't want to take a pay cut, and wants to play regular football. On the other hand, Arsenal are in need of a striker and are already paying his ridiculous wages, why can't he shine in training and win his spot back. He can compete with Giroud, he is very similar to Giroud anyway, although not as good. What an absolute moron.

Vanig Bostanian wrote:

Marko Maksimović wrote:He's right though. Doesn't matter how well the team played as a whole, there were times when Fulham looked like they could counter well and teams easily find space against us. Other than that, solid all round away win. Like Vanig said, made it look very easy when really it wasn't. Still need a couple of signings! Oh and I hope Podolski stays, he's a really good attacker and a very good part of the team. We're after a striker, makes no sense to sell one unless it's Bendtner

Speaking of Bendtner, how big an idiot is he? He wants to go to a big club, doesn't want to take a pay cut, and wants to play regular football. On the other hand, Arsenal are in need of a striker and are already paying his ridiculous wages, why can't he shine in training and win his spot back. He can compete with Giroud, he is very similar to Giroud anyway, although not as good. What an absolute moron.

Because he's a MUPPET

It's a really good sign when someone like Podolski can come in and play with such effect. Other clubs like Barcelona and United have this, when players like Pedro and Hernandez can come in be effective.

Unfortunately, we really only have a couple of players at the moment that that can happen with, due to a lack of numbers, but it is still a good sign. Much better than making a sub or bringing in a player weakens the team like previous years.

I agree that we made it look a lot easier than it was. Particularly in that weather when you can easily right it off as a 0-0 or 1-0 (like most the other games).

Meshaal wrote:Tony Adams seemed quite critical of our open style of play in the post-match analysis.

We really miss Arteta in this respect when he is out.

I was actually getting pretty annoyed with Adams negativity, 2-0 up (could have easily been more) at HT, and he was still going on about being vulnerable and exposed, saying things still look dangerous. I was annoyed all the way up until Bent scored to make it 3-1, then you understand Adams concern as a fan, biting my nails till the end.

Good win, but amazingly STILL nerve racking and frustrating.

ArseHenry wrote:I was actually getting pretty annoyed with Adams negativity, 2-0 up (could have easily been more) at HT, and he was still going on about being vulnerable and exposed, saying things still look dangerous. I was annoyed all the way up until Bent scored to make it 3-1, then you understand Adams concern as a fan, biting my nails till the end.

Good win, but amazingly STILL nerve racking and frustrating.

That's the nature of football? Same for every fan of every team except for the eventual champions?

To an extent Jonathan, not nearly as much for your United and Chelsea's I feel. They seem to be able to close out a game where they lead by 3 relatively easily...

Chelsea won quite a few at the death last season.

I remember the season before we had a period in January and February where we kept coming from behind to win. Was brilliant!

I know what you are saying, we are a nerve racking side to watch.