AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
3 posters
AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Fingers crossed we can be at our best and get a win this time..........what are the chances?
http://www.oohtobeagooner.com/arsenal-handed-massive-boost-ahead-of-vital-saints-clash/?
http://www.oohtobeagooner.com/arsenal-handed-massive-boost-ahead-of-vital-saints-clash/?
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Well shame no Clyne as think out for 10 days, so wonder what shape team will take.
Could go 5 at the back with Toby at RB and Yoshida, Fonte and Gardos CB with Bertrand or
Play Yoshida or gardos at RB
or play Bertrand at RB with Fonte, Toby and Yoshida at CBs
Whatever the formation I still fancy us to get at least a point but hopefully all 3, will be a tough game as they have their first choice defence back however no Giroud and Welbeck is also missing I think. JWP and his set pieces could be key and think Pelle will be on the score sheet.
Could go 5 at the back with Toby at RB and Yoshida, Fonte and Gardos CB with Bertrand or
Play Yoshida or gardos at RB
or play Bertrand at RB with Fonte, Toby and Yoshida at CBs
Whatever the formation I still fancy us to get at least a point but hopefully all 3, will be a tough game as they have their first choice defence back however no Giroud and Welbeck is also missing I think. JWP and his set pieces could be key and think Pelle will be on the score sheet.
matty07uk- CHIEF MATCH REPORTER
-
Number of posts : 3461
Age : 68
Location : Locks Heath
Job/hobbies : Golf
Humor : The Simpsons
Registration date : 2009-07-11
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Hope you are right about Pelle scoring.......he seems to lose confidence quite quickly when he hits a lean patch. It would also be good to see Tadic return to form please.
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Pelle has worked well, the service lately has not been good and he has had to drop deeper to pick up the ball. As for Tadic think will be a few weeks before we seem a return to form, think the pace and physical nature of the game is proving more of a challenge but his ball over the top for Mane against Chelsea shows what he can do. Think will be a case of using him sensibly over next few weeks
matty07uk- CHIEF MATCH REPORTER
-
Number of posts : 3461
Age : 68
Location : Locks Heath
Job/hobbies : Golf
Humor : The Simpsons
Registration date : 2009-07-11
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Arsenal could well have 3 former Saints in their line-up tomorrow.....hope none of them are in scoring mood.
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Was all good until the last bit about Mane being "fearless", he clearly hasn't seen more than the Chelsea game!
matty07uk- CHIEF MATCH REPORTER
-
Number of posts : 3461
Age : 68
Location : Locks Heath
Job/hobbies : Golf
Humor : The Simpsons
Registration date : 2009-07-11
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Be fair Matty, Mane played well at Palace as well........that's 2 good games, the guy is on a roll!
Mind you he is now off to Africa just as he's starting to show what he can do, typical!
Mind you he is now off to Africa just as he's starting to show what he can do, typical!
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Well an excellent start to the New Year with a thoroughly deserved win against Champion league rivals and could have won by more with several excellent chances being missed, Pelle hit the post twice one shot cleared of the line and JWP had 2 great chances.
Saints went 4 3 3 with Alderweld playing Right Back, Gardos at CH alongside Fonte. Midfield 3 of Vic, Davis and JWP with Mane, Tadic and Long up front.
Slow start by saints with Arsenal knocking he ball around the pitch but saints had first chance with a ball played back by Tadic that Pelle headed back across goal but just hit outside of post and went out, goalie was nowhere just watching. Arsenal then went down the other end and sanchez worked his way across the penalty area and shot towards far corner of goal but Forster was down well with a strong push away. game had started as expected, we shoot, then you shoot. Next chance fell to Arsenal when ball was played back from the by line and Carzola with whole goal to shoot at hit it fairly close to Forster who made another decent save. Saints then took the lead with well worked goal and Mane again showed he has something different. Will not tackle to save his life but now 3 in 3 so no complaints. Davis had the ball on the left side and cut infield played the ball to JWP who knocked a long ball down left side by edge of penalty area. Mane had Kosceiney alongside him but somehow out muscled him. Szcczesny then charged out, to the side, realised couldn't get the ball and stopped. Mane turned inside and from outside the box and about 3 yards in from by line curled the ball back into the middle of the goal. Not sure if he just hit a cross or meant to be a shot but certainly looks a good goal. Mane seemed to have been hurt and came off a few minutes later. Saints nearly got that second when following a good move down the right the ball was played back for JWP just inside box but a bit like Carzola's earlier shot was to close to goalie.
Saints held out to half time with most danger from free kicks, again some arsenal players went down far to easily and another inexperienced ref who bought all their theatricals.
Not much in it with Arsenal always looking threatening with Chamberlain having a good game bringing the ball forward and Sanchez looking skilful but mostly kept out wide. Sanchez had another decent shot having found some space which Forster did well to save and within a minute saints doubled their lead. Ball knocked deep into the box, brought down by Davis who shot but goalie knocked away but fell to Tadic about 6 yards out on the left and he got his foot in to slide home at the near post. Could have had a third a minute late when ball fell to Tadic this time on right and his curling shot just went wide. Another goalkeeping mix up let in Pelle whose effort was cleared off the line, JWP was free square but a striker has to go for goal. Then JWP had a great chance following a neat flick by Pelle hitting the post and coming back for JWP but went for power and blasted over when easier really to score.
Slightly uneasy as you think when you miss all these chances could come back and haunt you but despite some neat runs and corners saints defended well, Gardos went off to be replaced by Yoshida who went RB with Toby in at CH and that tightened up the defence. Arsenal won a free kick on edge of box and appealed for penalty and red card, was neither for me and it was a foul, but Gardos got a yellow card. Free kick ended up on top of net so not far way and Forster never moved.
Saints saw out the last 10 minutes without to many clear chances on our goal. Wanyama winning lots of 50/50s and Davis and reed who had come on first half when Mane went off, chasing down everything.
Despite Wenger moaning about the ref saints fully deserved the win and could easily have been more. Also achieved without Schneiderlin, Clyne and Cork, Man U next and no reason why we cannot get a result there,
Forster 8 made some good saves but still rooted to his line but a clean sheet deserves a high score
Bertrand 8 a lot of effort from Bertrand and solid at the back
Gardos 7 did okay, not overly comfortable when we play it around at the back but happy enough as Yoshidas back up for next few weeks
Toby 8 did okay at RB but didn't like to get forward to much, solid when at CH.
Fonte 9 thought he was immense today, loads of blocks, headers, tackles a real inspiration
JWP 7 took some time to get into the game and missed a couple of good chances but linked well with davis
Wanyama 8 back to his best, bossed the middle of the park and not easy as on a yellow from middle of first half.
Davis 8 best game for a few weeks at the heart of everything and had a hand in both goals.
Tadic 7 took his goal well, nearly got another but his first half performance was not great
Mane 8 I think as he scored he deserves an 8 , about the injury but suspect was not that bad. he does present a threat as so unpredictable.
Pelle 7 worked hard, try's to many flicks at times but hit the post twice and one cleared off the line so another day a hat trick.
Subs
Reed 8 another excellent display for around an hour, never stopped running and closing down.
Yoshida 7 did a good job when he came on at RB
Long 6 not on for long but did enough to run the clock down.
So no doubt Wenger will moan how unlucky but watch Motd and look at the chances we created and any neutral will agree we fully deserved the win. Size of squad will be an issue to stay in top 4 as we simply don't have the quality other clubs have on the bench but the team spirit is something we do have to match anyone
Saints went 4 3 3 with Alderweld playing Right Back, Gardos at CH alongside Fonte. Midfield 3 of Vic, Davis and JWP with Mane, Tadic and Long up front.
Slow start by saints with Arsenal knocking he ball around the pitch but saints had first chance with a ball played back by Tadic that Pelle headed back across goal but just hit outside of post and went out, goalie was nowhere just watching. Arsenal then went down the other end and sanchez worked his way across the penalty area and shot towards far corner of goal but Forster was down well with a strong push away. game had started as expected, we shoot, then you shoot. Next chance fell to Arsenal when ball was played back from the by line and Carzola with whole goal to shoot at hit it fairly close to Forster who made another decent save. Saints then took the lead with well worked goal and Mane again showed he has something different. Will not tackle to save his life but now 3 in 3 so no complaints. Davis had the ball on the left side and cut infield played the ball to JWP who knocked a long ball down left side by edge of penalty area. Mane had Kosceiney alongside him but somehow out muscled him. Szcczesny then charged out, to the side, realised couldn't get the ball and stopped. Mane turned inside and from outside the box and about 3 yards in from by line curled the ball back into the middle of the goal. Not sure if he just hit a cross or meant to be a shot but certainly looks a good goal. Mane seemed to have been hurt and came off a few minutes later. Saints nearly got that second when following a good move down the right the ball was played back for JWP just inside box but a bit like Carzola's earlier shot was to close to goalie.
Saints held out to half time with most danger from free kicks, again some arsenal players went down far to easily and another inexperienced ref who bought all their theatricals.
Not much in it with Arsenal always looking threatening with Chamberlain having a good game bringing the ball forward and Sanchez looking skilful but mostly kept out wide. Sanchez had another decent shot having found some space which Forster did well to save and within a minute saints doubled their lead. Ball knocked deep into the box, brought down by Davis who shot but goalie knocked away but fell to Tadic about 6 yards out on the left and he got his foot in to slide home at the near post. Could have had a third a minute late when ball fell to Tadic this time on right and his curling shot just went wide. Another goalkeeping mix up let in Pelle whose effort was cleared off the line, JWP was free square but a striker has to go for goal. Then JWP had a great chance following a neat flick by Pelle hitting the post and coming back for JWP but went for power and blasted over when easier really to score.
Slightly uneasy as you think when you miss all these chances could come back and haunt you but despite some neat runs and corners saints defended well, Gardos went off to be replaced by Yoshida who went RB with Toby in at CH and that tightened up the defence. Arsenal won a free kick on edge of box and appealed for penalty and red card, was neither for me and it was a foul, but Gardos got a yellow card. Free kick ended up on top of net so not far way and Forster never moved.
Saints saw out the last 10 minutes without to many clear chances on our goal. Wanyama winning lots of 50/50s and Davis and reed who had come on first half when Mane went off, chasing down everything.
Despite Wenger moaning about the ref saints fully deserved the win and could easily have been more. Also achieved without Schneiderlin, Clyne and Cork, Man U next and no reason why we cannot get a result there,
Forster 8 made some good saves but still rooted to his line but a clean sheet deserves a high score
Bertrand 8 a lot of effort from Bertrand and solid at the back
Gardos 7 did okay, not overly comfortable when we play it around at the back but happy enough as Yoshidas back up for next few weeks
Toby 8 did okay at RB but didn't like to get forward to much, solid when at CH.
Fonte 9 thought he was immense today, loads of blocks, headers, tackles a real inspiration
JWP 7 took some time to get into the game and missed a couple of good chances but linked well with davis
Wanyama 8 back to his best, bossed the middle of the park and not easy as on a yellow from middle of first half.
Davis 8 best game for a few weeks at the heart of everything and had a hand in both goals.
Tadic 7 took his goal well, nearly got another but his first half performance was not great
Mane 8 I think as he scored he deserves an 8 , about the injury but suspect was not that bad. he does present a threat as so unpredictable.
Pelle 7 worked hard, try's to many flicks at times but hit the post twice and one cleared off the line so another day a hat trick.
Subs
Reed 8 another excellent display for around an hour, never stopped running and closing down.
Yoshida 7 did a good job when he came on at RB
Long 6 not on for long but did enough to run the clock down.
So no doubt Wenger will moan how unlucky but watch Motd and look at the chances we created and any neutral will agree we fully deserved the win. Size of squad will be an issue to stay in top 4 as we simply don't have the quality other clubs have on the bench but the team spirit is something we do have to match anyone
matty07uk- CHIEF MATCH REPORTER
-
Number of posts : 3461
Age : 68
Location : Locks Heath
Job/hobbies : Golf
Humor : The Simpsons
Registration date : 2009-07-11
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Thanks Matty, it's certainly been an excelent Christmas period for Saints, but squad size is a potential problem, particularly with Mane now gone for several weeks.
Pete from Oz- A VOICE TO BE LISTENED TO
-
Number of posts : 716
Location : Australia
Humor : Improving
Registration date : 2008-09-05
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
The Asian Cup which of course includes Japan, is just about to kick off down here in Oz. I wonder whether Yoshida is involved in this, hopefully not.
Pete from Oz- A VOICE TO BE LISTENED TO
-
Number of posts : 716
Location : Australia
Humor : Improving
Registration date : 2008-09-05
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Thanks for the excellent report Matty.
The Gardos incident looked a clear foul but it was outside the area. Gardos was somewhat lucky not to get a red.....and clearly the reason he was substituted was to avoid the risk of him getting a second yellow.
I agree he seems a competent player but he does seem to be a bit rash in his tackling.
Yes Pete, Yoshida is going to be away for some weeks.
The Gardos incident looked a clear foul but it was outside the area. Gardos was somewhat lucky not to get a red.....and clearly the reason he was substituted was to avoid the risk of him getting a second yellow.
I agree he seems a competent player but he does seem to be a bit rash in his tackling.
Yes Pete, Yoshida is going to be away for some weeks.
Re: AT HOME TO ARSENAL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY......
Yeah seeing the Gardos incident was a definite foul, from the Northam end it looked like he had knocked the ball forward but was Sanchez. That said Forster was coming out, he had knocked the ball way from goal and Fonte was also closing down so can see why ref did not give a red card, which was surprising as he gave Arsenal most things.
Think he needs a bit more game time to adjust to the pace and ferocity of the Premier League, Yoshida struggled originally but has improved as he has learnt more about positional play so think there is hope for Gardos, was good in the air.
Glad to see Yoshida has signed a new contract, a player that seem happy to recognise he may be a squad player but knows he will get a chance with injuries and suspensions.
Think he needs a bit more game time to adjust to the pace and ferocity of the Premier League, Yoshida struggled originally but has improved as he has learnt more about positional play so think there is hope for Gardos, was good in the air.
Glad to see Yoshida has signed a new contract, a player that seem happy to recognise he may be a squad player but knows he will get a chance with injuries and suspensions.
matty07uk- CHIEF MATCH REPORTER
-
Number of posts : 3461
Age : 68
Location : Locks Heath
Job/hobbies : Golf
Humor : The Simpsons
Registration date : 2009-07-11
Similar topics
» HOME TO ARSENAL
» HOME TO ARSENAL
» HOME TO ARSENAL
» HOME TO ARSENAL
» WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER NOW FOR 4 YEARS.....and it don't seem a day too much!
» HOME TO ARSENAL
» HOME TO ARSENAL
» HOME TO ARSENAL
» WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER NOW FOR 4 YEARS.....and it don't seem a day too much!
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum