Time to Grow Up!

Every time this current batch of the Arsenal team goes on to lose or draw a game from a winning position, pundits are quick to jump on the case citing a lack of maturity. How these players are not experienced enough to hold on to the lead. How their tender years have allowed the game to slip their grasp. The Arsenal fans are more than gullible enough to buy the hype up from these pundits whose only job it seems is to wind up the fans. With the January transfer window approaching, it is no doubt the likes of Alan Hansen, Gary Linekar, Martin Samuel etc will once again be paid overtime to churn out articles on why Arsenal will not win the Premier League due to their lack of depth. That Arsenal needs to buy in order for them to compete and other nonsense that they can come up with. It is high time Arsenal fans stop buying up the inflated hype covered materials from these doom merchants and trust their manager, Arsene Wenger. In short, it is high time Arsenal fans stopped crying and grew up.

For the best part of the twelve years that I have followed Arsenal, I have witnessed incredible highs (The Invincibles, The Third Double) and stupendous lows (Champions League Final, UEFA Cup Final). My earliest and to date most grievous disappointment would be the loss on penalties to Galatasary in the UEFA Cup Final. It was the first time I had truly felt a huge sense of loss due to my chosen football team. Seeing my disappointment, a much experienced Gooner taught me three golden rules. I do appreciate what he had taught me and every time since I always let the moments I share with Arsenal pass with a cause for optimism. I would always look forward to what the next year will bring instead of reflecting on the year that was. The golden rules were:

1. It is ultimately the manager who will decide what is best for the team, not You.
2. There will be many teams competing for the same trophy, and there are 101 factors that ultimately decide who wins.
3. Come next season, the previous season will be nothing but a statistic.

Those three rules have allowed me to develop an intense passion for Arsenal Football Club but it had also, over the years, given me perspective on all things Arsenal and sometimes let me analyse the situation from an outsider view. When I see some blogs whining about why Arsene Wenger should spent money, why Arsene Wenger should buy this or that player, I privately cannot help but laugh out loud. The reason, see rule 1. When we I also see the pundits giving their “verdict” on a club’s stature, I cannot help but privately laugh out loud. The reason, see rule 2. I also enjoy a good private laugh when I see fans of clubs dwell on old glories, some fans stuck forever in 1961. The reason, see rule 3.

I, however, am deeply frustrated by the ignorance of some people who refuse to analyse my beloved club from a critical perspective and thinks that their opinions are the ones to end all opinions. Their attitude is questionable. I, as a fan, cannot do more than hope for the best of my chosen club, Arsenal FC. I cannot say Arsene Wenger sign up David Villa or Lionel Messi or Lorik Cana, in some people’s cases. I understand my place, and it is definitely not to tell the club what to do. I know that even if I did, it would certainly fall on deaf ears. That is something, a majority of the Arsenal fans do not understand.

The current batch of the Arsenal squad has been labeled inexperienced and immature, even babies by some. However at such a young age to perform at such a level in front of tens of thousands of people week in week out, you need maturity that belies your tender years. Therefore maturity is something that this squad has shown in abundance. No, it is the fans that are lacking maturity. The fans are the ones that need to back the squad, back the club. Not tell it what to do, how to run itself. It is high time, the fans of this football club let go of the cradle that is the English media and Grow Up!

Cesc Fabregas, Unleashed!

Arsenal 3 – 0 Aston Villa

Arsenal captain, Cesc Fabregas, showed once again why he is the best central midfielder in the world. Putting in only a 27th minute shift due to lack of match fitness, he still managed to score two goals that changed a game poised to end in a stalemate. The starting line-up resembled the one predicted in the match preview, with Denilson finishing off the midfield trio. Cesc Fabregas was fit, but on the substitutes bench as Arsene Wenger was cautious with his captain.

The game itself started off in a high tempo. An early free kick from Samir Nasri into the Villa box saw a Thomas Vermaelen test Brad Friedel and the ball went beyond the far post. Seconds later Abou Diaby spun past his marker on the edge of the box and squared for Eduardo. The Croatian turned his own man expertly but his shot was tame and went straight into the hands of the American goalkeeper. Villa had their chances with an Ashley Young shot deflected off Bacary Sanga and looping wide. Denilson had a chance from dangerous free kick postion. His confidence high after that goal against Hull City. On this occasion, however, his shot hit the wall with a Sanga rebound that flew inches high. Half-time came with the scores level at 0-0 with neither side being clinical despite carving out few chances.

11 minutes into the second-half, Arsene Wenger brought on captain Cesc Fabregas for the efficient but ineffective Denilson. Wenger revealing in the post-match interview that Denilson had suffered a knock on his back. Fabregas breathed life in the game linking up well with Andrey Arshavin. The latter set Eduardo away on the left and, as Luke Young waited for Friedel to claim, Fabregas nipped in. He slipped the ball to Eduardo but the Croatian’s goal-bound shot was hacked clear by Cuellar. The deadlock was broken 25 minutes from time. A  surging Fabregas run drew a foul 22 yards outs. He picked himself up to take the resulting free kick. An exquisite curling effort that beat the wall and Friedel’s hand. 1-0 to Arsenal!

Villa began to press, and this led to Arsenal’s second goal. Armarnd Traore intercepting a Villa pass deep inside his own half and launching a diagonal ball into the Villa half. Walcott latched onto the ball and ran down the right flank. Sliding the ball into the path of Fabregas, who had charged through the centre at full pelt. He barely broke stride to slam the shot past Friedel and double Arsenal’s lead. 2-0 to the Arsenal!

Running at full stretch to score the second goal had aggravated his hamstring injury and Fabregas has to be replaced by Aaron Ramsey in the 84th minute. He spent only 27th minutes on the pitch, and yet that was enough to turn the tide of the game.

Arsenal was not done yet as Abou Diaby, with another impressive shift, received the ball in the halfway line before jinking his way past the Villa players and putting in a sumptuous curling effort in the left hand corner. 3-0 to Arsenal! It was game over by then for Aston Villa. Arsenal had established their title credentials at the end of this game and Villa’s Top 4 status will depend on how they respond to this defeat.

Man of the Match – Abou Diaby

Match Referee – Phil Dowd

Match Preview: Aston Villa

Venue: Emirates Stadium

The corresponding fixture provided one of the biggest upsets last season. A Clichy own goal and a counter-attack strike from Gabriel Agbonlahor sealed Arsenal’s fate in that fixture. This season both teams come into this fixture riding high. Arsenal recorded their eleventh win against Hull City last weekend while Aston Villa grinded a 1-0 win over Stoke, their tenth. In the league table, Arsenal lie ahead of Aston Villa in 3rd place on goal difference, having played a game less. A win here for Arsenal will establish their title credentials, while a Villa win will consolidate their Top 4 place.

Team News

Arsenal go to the fixture with midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas a doubt. Arsenal fans would be hoping Fabregas will recover by the time the game starts. Arsene Wenger had the following to say,

“There is still an uncertainty about him. He was supposed to practice on Christmas Eve but he still had some pain in his leg. We did not get him out so we still don’t know if he will be available for the squad or not. It is 50:50.

“He is a very influential player and a great player too so I want him to be with us.”

Left back Armard Traore will be back from his injury. Having last played against Liverpool, this should be a welcome return for him. As most Gooners would much rather see Traore over Silvestre.

Armard Traore, Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Bacary Sanga plus Manuel Almunia should start at the back. In midfield, Alex Song and Abou Diaby could be set to start. Aston Villa being a physical side, Arsene Wenger is most likely to with his stronger players. The third spot will depend on Fabregas being fit or not. If not, Denilson should start.

Up front, it is likely to be Eduardo on the left, Arshavin in the centre and  Nasri on the right. Arshavin and Eduardo are likely to be Arsenal’s most potent goal threats.

Player to Watch: Aston Villa

James Milner. With the sale of Gareth Barry, Milner has been moved to centre midfield, thus exploiting his range of skills. With 4 goals and 8 assists Milner can cause havoc for the Arsenal defense and is one player Alex Song should keep a considerable eye on.

Arsene Wenger to Defend FA Charge

Arsene Wenger has stated he intends to fight the charge brought upon by The F.A. The fracas started with Samir Nasri threading on Richard Garcia‘s foot during the Hull City match at the Emirates. Labeling the judgement harsh, Arsene Wenger had the following to say,

“I think it is harsh but we will try to defend ourselves. I don’t think it was a major incident compared to what can happen in a football game.

“At the start, the incident was created by Nasri’s involvement but after that it was more players of Hull who were around it than Arsenal players. That’s why we will try to defend it.”

It is uncertain how The F.A. will react, with Hull City manager, Phil Brown, describing their charge as scandalous.

Rivals View: Aston Villa

One of the most important game in Arsenal’s calender. One of the most important game in Aston Villa’s calender. Arsenal vs Aston Villa at the Emirates promises to be one of the league’s most defining match this season. Gunner Nation catches up with The Villa Blog and Vital Aston Villa to bring you this exclusive Rivals View, which is going to be a regular column before every match.

Gunner Nation (GN): Villa has been on terrific form this season. Do you think the players have carried on from where they left off last season?

The Villa Blog (TVB): Yes to an extent, but I think the impact of the new additions in the summer and in particular the strengthening of the defense with Dunn, Collins, and Warnock and the Massive improvement of Cuellar, has been the most important factor.

Vital Aston Villa (VAV): No, we left off very badly, well to be fair we rallied in the last few games but we basically crashed from February onward. We seem to start this season in a similar vein of form with a no show against Wigan but have since remedied that and beaten Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United so things seem to be on the up and up. What we need to do now is make sure there aren’t anymore winter slumps. We have more strength so I’ve got everything crossed.

GN: This must be one of Villa’s most important games of the season. Is the squad mentally prepared for the task at hand?

TVB: Without a doubt, we have the confidence after beating Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd away this term and of course haven beaten the Gunners in this fixture last season. Plus we have been picking up 3 points against the mid-table teams of late, which was something of a problem for us earlier this term and after good results against the “Big 4” I think Villa are in great shape to have a real go on the 27th. We are a very good away team to boot, great defense and great counter attacking means this fixture suits us well!

VAV: I think – cliché warning – that every game is important. We beat Man Utd away and then went up to Sunderland which was a massive banana skin. We won and then faced Stoke at home, that could have ruined the hard work but again, we managed to grind out a result. The Arsenal game is important in as much as it would be lovely to see us beat all four of the so called Sky Top Four to really push us onward and upward and also keep us in and around your points tally and to keep Liverpool below.

I can see no reasons why we’d not be mentally prepared and up for it, especially after last seasons win at the Emirates. I had tickets and ended up in bed with flu.

GN: Describe the strength in depth of the Villa squad? How has Villa’s new recruits worked out?

TVB: As mentioned earlier, the big difference this term from last for us has to be the strengthening of our squad with competition for places all over the pitch, something we lacked last season. All the new boys have settled in well and with Downing now getting close to full fitness we have received an extra boost in midfield.

VAV: We’ve built slowly but fairly surely. There are options in our defence which is great, we are so strong at the back now. Richard Dunne has turned into a great buy, as has James Collins who we nabbed from West Ham. Knew nothing about him before he came but he has been superb. Warnock is also a solid signing and Luke Young on the opposite side is now fully fit and on fine form. Midfield is looking good with Young on the one side and Downing on the other. That has meant a change for James Milner and he is looking a total diamond in the centre, this lad is going to be a Villa and hopefully England legend.

GN: It is safe to say Liverpool seems highly unlikely to grab the last Champions League spot. It is down to Villa, Man City & Tottenham to fight it out, who do you think will prevail and why?

TVB: You can never rule out Liverpool, but I think Villa and Spurs have a better chance this season than City. Too much turbulence off the pitch and in the dressing room and now with the departure of Mark Hughes, it may have disrupted their chance of a Top 4 finish this season.

VAV: Maybe two of those will break the top four? I’d hate to see Man City do it, purely because they are trying to buy the league much like Chelsea before them and I don’t respect that. Then again, if the Spurs did it their fans would be unbearable! So all in all, got to be Villa. We are a good club, great history, founders of the league may I remind you all and we have owners who show great respect to the club and the league. What I’d call a proper club.

GN: Finally, last seasons corresponding fixture was a huge upset, don’t get me wrong, you guys deserved it, but it was an upset nevertheless. Match prediction this time around.

TVB: 2-1 to Villa. Hopefully the fabulous Cesc is still out and so is Heskey, with John Carew starting up front for us. I think Arsenal may score, not an easy job these days against Villa with 4 clean sheets in a row now. But If Dunn and the rest can control Eduardo and Arshavin then we stand a reasonable chance of getting a result. Hopefully in future this will not be seen as an upset!

VAV: I’d take a draw but will be gunning (you see what I’ve done there, I really am so clever) for a 1-0 win, don’t care how scruffy a game it is, just want those points!

Well thank you guys for giving your time and sharing your views and best of luck to Aston Villa for the game on Sunday. Interesting to see both predicting a Villa win away from home. Arsenal fans certainly hope that is not the case. It will certainly be a very exciting match and will establish the third contender for the title.