Bolton Wanderers vs Arsenal Last Minute Preview

Team Line ups:

Bolton: 4-4-2

Manager: Owen Coyle

Substitutes: Bogdan, Petrov, M Davies, Klasnic, Rodrigo, Cohen, Wheater

Arsenal: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Arsene Wenger

Substitutes: Lehmann, Ramsey, Squillaci, Arshavin, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh

Latest News:

As it stands, it is half time at the Reebok Stadium and the home side have taken a 1-0 lead via a Sturridge header from a corner. Despite dominating the possession, we've struggled to create clear cut chances; the only time we came close was when Fabregas hit the woodwork from a long range shot. Whereas, defensively, we haven't been solid and Szczesny has had to make two good saves plus Song had to bail us out from a very uncmfortable situation.

Bolton are defending resolutely and it won't be easy to breach their defence. A moment of individual brilliance seems the most likely way for us to grab a goal. If we still fail to open our goal account by 70 mins then I hope Chamakh is brought on and we pump some balls in for him. Although this is not the Arsenal way, we need to get back in this and tight now, needs must.

The second half is starting, and I'm off.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal Last Minute Preview

I haven't been able to give enough time to my blog of late due to several pressing concerns. And I have really sucked at what I have been supposed to do during this time. But nevertheless, I have been on the mend and I've been cleaning up the mess I've created in my blog, and though there's still some way to go while I fuuly clean it up, I hope I am able to give justice to this blog.

Okay, enough of crapping around. It's derby day and we visit the Lilywhites in search for revenge and crucial three points to cut the gap at the top after Man United slipped up at Newcastle in a 0-0 draw yesterday. 

It is half time now and it has already been a pulsating half and we're leading by 3 goals to 2 at the break. Bale has been substituted the second half is on the way. I'm off!

Team line ups:

Tottenham Hotspur: 4-4-2

Manager: Harry Redknapp

Substitutes:  Cudicini, Bassong, Sandro, Kaboul, Pienaar, Lennon, Defoe

Arsenal: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Arsene Wenger 

Substitutes: Lehmann, Gibbs, Squillaci, Ramsey, Wilshere, Arshavin, Bendtner.

Tactics:

Goalkeeping/Defence: Manuel Almunia starts today after injuries to THREE of our goalkeepers. ALthough he has done okay so far against Barcelona and Man United, West Brom will look to target his weakness against high balls today. With Djourou also out injured, the goalie and the defence really need to be on their toes as West Brom will most likely go the aerial route to trouble our defence. We need to be alert from set pieces and corners, and we should mark their midfield tightly to prevent balls behind the defence.

Midfield: Aaron Ramsey makes a first start after coming back from his injury. Hope he is good enough to start and is able to keep the midfield ticking. Denilson starts today in the absence of Song and Diaby and I really hope he puts in a good performance today. Wilshere will be another key presence in the midfield to provide the vital link between midfield and defence.

Attack: Robin van Persie and Nasri have gone quiet in the past few games and I hope they find their goalscoring form today. Arshavin should look to keep up his performance and I look forward to goals and/or assists from the talented Russian.

Final Prediction:

A tight 1-2 win for Arsenal.

Arsenal vs Liverpool Last Minute Preview

And so we welcome the Merseysiders for todays match. They have put some good performances since Kenny Daglish has been in charge and they will be fired up having beaten Manchester City 3-0 last week.

Having snatched a  last gasp equalizer against them the last time we met, we need to give it our all if we are to bag 3 precious points today. Meanwhile, they have acquired Luiz Suarez and Andy Carroll for big money and they have been causing problems for defences with their contrasting styles. We need to handle Carroll from all kinds of aerial threats that he can pose, from corners and set pieces. We still remember the solitary goal he scored against us which consigned us to defeat when he was a Newcastle player and we would do well to avoid any of that.


Team news is that Alex Song, Johan Djourou and Wojciech Szczesny all return for today's match although Song has only made it to the bench and Sagna is still unfit to play.


Team line ups:

Arsenal: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Arsene Wenger 

Substitutes: Lehmann, Squillaci, Gibbs, Song, Arshavin, Chamakh, Arshavin

Liverpool: 4-4-2

Manager: Kenny Daglish

Substitutes: Gulacsi, Robinson, Shelvey, Kyrgiakos, Rodriguez, Cole, N'gog

Blackpool vs Arsenal Last Minute Preview

Team Line ups:

Blackpool: 4-3-3

Manager: Ian Holloway

Arsenal: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Arsene Wenger

Well, I've started my post late again, and so this is a half time analysis cum preview. Arsenal have taken the lead by 2 goals but you could wonder if we'll have to pay for the chances we missed.


After a string of three disappointing draws, Arsenal have fallen 10 points behind league leaders Man United. It's make or break time now and we better pick ourselves up now and go on a strong form till the end of the season.

The biggest surprise in terms of team news is that Jens Lehmann is starting today in place of Manuel Almunia. Theo Walcott, Alex Song and Bakary Sagna have also missed out and Diaby and Eboue are in the starting line up.

Blackpool came out all guns flying and we were finding it hard to keep the ball. Yet we have conjured up a few good goalscoring chances and we've done well to take two of them. It was a really fast paced first half and we have struggled to find our passing rhythm. We would do well not to take the foot off the gas and take our chances clinically.


Well, here comes the second half and I;m off.

Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers Last Minute Preview

After a rather arduous and tiring international break, we welcome back regular club football today. So, here we are, nine games to go and if we win each of these matches, then we will win the title come May. It's that simple. And at the same time, being an Arsenal fan, I know it's not gonna be in any way simple!

Today we host a stuttering Blackburn side who have got themselves a new manager and a relegation battle since the last time we played them. Big Sam may have gone but that should not in any way give us reason to underestimate them. The players are still the same and they will know our strengths and weaknesses the same way we know theirs. And three points today is vital if we are to have any chance of getting a shot at the title.

The good news is that we are welcoming back several of our first team members after their injury layoffs. Cesc is back, Song is back, and so are Theo and Diaby. So altogether, we have a stronger side on paper than in our last match against West Brom. Not to mention that Jens Lehmann has come out of retirement and has been signed as an emergency standby with three of our four goalkeepers getting injured.

Team line ups:

Arsenal: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Arsene Wenger 

Substitutes: Lehmann, Diaby, Fabregas, Rosicky, Eboue, Chamakh, Bendtner

Blackburn Rovers: 4-5-1

Manager:Steve Kean

Substitutes: Bunn, Dunn, Rochina, Mwaruwari, Roberts, Hanley, Diouf

Tactics:

Goalkeeping/Defence: After conceding two soft goals against West Brom, the pressure is on Almunia and the defence to put in a good defensive shift as Blackburn will definitely look to capitalize on our defensive lapses. We really need to defend well from corners and set pieces today. We seem to concede easy goals far too often and I hope we pass our defensive test today.

Midfield: Song returns after a gap and he is a welcome presence in the middle. Hope Jack is able to carry his good form today. Samir Nasri gets the chance to play in the central midfield role today and I'm really looking forward to seeing him play there today. He is really due a goal and hope he scores one today.

Attack: Robin van Persie has survivied yet another injury scare, when he was substituted in the international break, and hope he continues his goalscoring form. Walcott also makes a return and hope he makes a good impression today. Arshavin has blown hot and cold, and we need him to fire today. We should take our chances clinically as and when they come.

Subs: I'd bring on Cesc, Chamakh and Diaby/Rosicky.

Final Prediction:

A scrappy 2-1 win for Arsenal.