West Ham vs Arsenal: How HAMful will Song be?

HAPPY SUNDAY GOONERS! another London Derby presents itself this afternoon, another scrumptious meal in the offing for Wenger to make it 401 league wins as well as 12th London Derby win in the last few seasons. 

 

All this confidence I owe it to the well deserved hard fought win against QPR at the Emirates on Boxing day! Thanks to Giroud's stupid act and Onuoha's theatrics, the Gunners were forced to play with ten jaded feet for a whole half an hour!

Alexis Sanchez had another memorable night, with his performances and hunger once again proving that class is permanent and compared to Ozil, the club's all-time record signing, the 26-year-old Chilean got more hunger for success. 

Even after squandering his first half penalty, Alexis, once again unlike Ozil (Vs Bayern) he neither lost his gold touch, priceless work rate nor his world class dribbles. As a result he ended up scoring the first goal of the match with a breath taking diving header, off Gibbs well timed cross in the first period.

Well what came off the press hours after Sanchez saw his weak penalty parried away by Green, is the man who helped the QPR shot stopper save the Chilean spot kick.

 VARGAS! yes photo evidence showed that Sanchez fellow country man Eduardo Vargas has been studying the Arsenal man quite closely, and standing behind Arsenal's defence, he apparently waved at the direction which Alexis was set to kick and viola! he was spot on!.

 Moving on swiftly, like I always rant in here, finally my activism voice was heard! Sir Rosicky finally got his nod against QPR and as they say; The rest is history. You would agree with me that the little Mozart has and will never lose his class. Yes, it's in his DNA! his vision, pace, game reading and vast experience made all the difference against QPR, playing alongside his 'class mates' Sanchez and the evergreen Santi Cazorla. 

Rosicky's winner came at the perfect moment. Though every single credit fell on Sanchez, whose solo burst almost from Arsenal's half bore the goal, the Czech  International's run from the heart of our midfield with 10 men, was without any doubt precious. 

 

 

He took the the risk to expose the midfield and it all paid off with a superb one touch goal to mark a fantastic comeback; his first goal since his venomous shot against Spurs, as well as making him the club's 11th league goalscorer this season.

 

Still moving on, today the mighty gunners travel to Upton Park to face big Sam's men, on a day which will see former Gunner, Alex Song face his former employers, having departed the club two seasons ago, to FC Barcelona.

Song who left the club as an integral part of the team, as well as at the pinnacle of his career, made 138 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals in the process.

The question however is: Will the 27-year-old ex-gunner return to HAM his former club?. Song who never quite found favour at Camp Nou, has been the Hammers' core pillar infront of the back four, since signing for Sam Allardyce's men in the summer for a one year loan spell.

 

The Cameroon international, will serve as a huge boost for West Ham after he was controversially left out of nation's 2015 AFCON provisional squad. His strong physique, tough tackles and quick passing, something which the gunners have largely suffered from since his departure, is some of the key attributes the West Ham midfielder boasts. Hoping and praying Flamini will step up his game and match Song's strengths.

West Ham will be looking to bounce back from their boxing day 2-0 away defeat to Chelsea; against Wenger's men, who have had shaky results on the road this season. We might have enjoyed superior spells at Upton Park in recent visits, but the resurgence which has seen the London outfit sit a point and a position above Arsenal, is not something worth overlooking. 

Wenger will travel knowing that three crucial points will help his side end the year on a high and at least oust his opponents on the log, with Saints who sit fourth his next opponents. A Theo Walcott double in four minutes and Poldi's strike were enough to see off West Ham the last time these two teams met at Upton Park, in a come from behind 1-3 win.

With the two Arsenal forwards having decent records against Hammers, I expect the hard headed Wenger to at least give the two a chance with the first team players having had just a day's rest. 

Giroud will start his three match ban today, and as a result this may see Welbeck move upfront with either Walcott, Podolski or Ox stepping into the flanks. 

Rosicky may keep his starting berth but Cazorla may certainly need a rest, having been an ever present figure in the team since Arsenal's 4-1 away win over Galatasaray. Well with Ramsey, Ozil yet to return, maybe Coquelin will step in but we need a strong lineup, which again depends on Sir Wenger.

Laurent Koscielny is another player whose services are widely missed, with Arsenal's defence not convincing enough especially with Per having forced to adapt to life without his French partner. However, Wenger gave the gunners slim reason to hope for his return when he stated that his condition was to be assessed before the match.

Match Facts:
 
Head-to-head

• Arsenal have won their last eight league and cup games against West Ham in all competitions.
• The Gunners have scored at least three times in each of their last five matches against the Hammers.
• West Ham have not beaten Arsenal since winning both meetings 1-0 in the 2006-07 season, triumphing at the Emirates Stadium in April 2007 and at Upton Park in November 2006.

West Ham

• The Hammers have won six of their last seven Premier League home games.
• They have kept four clean sheets and conceded just three goals in that run.
• They are unbeaten at Upton Park since August, when they lost their opening two Premier League home matches.

Arsenal

• Arsenal have failed to score in only one of their last 11 away matches in the Premier League - their 2-0 loss to Chelsea on 5 October.
• The Gunners have conceded five times in their last two away league games - with all but one of those arriving before half-time.
• With 10 goals and six assists, Alexis Sanchez has scored or assisted half of Arsenal's 32 Premier League goals this season.
• Ian Wright (14) is the only player to reach 10 Premier League goals in fewer games for Arsenal than Sanchez (17). 
• West Ham have won none of the last 12 Barclays Premier League games against Arsenal (W0 D2 L10), losing the last seven in a row.
• Theo Walcott has scored five goals in his last four Premier League games against the Hammers.
• Arsenal have won away at West Ham more often than any other team in Premier League history (10).
• Lukas Podolski has scored four goals in four Premier League games against West Ham.
  
  
  Team news: 

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud begins a three-match suspension after being sent off for head-butting in the 2-1 victory over QPR, but Laurent Koscielny could be back from a hamstring problem.

"[Laurent] Koscielny has a chance, he will have a test tomorrow," said Wenger. "He has a little chance. [Alex] Chamberlain has an even smaller chance.
"[Theo Walcott] was in the squad on Friday but it was difficult to bring him on when it was tight and we had to defend. He's not far away."

My predicted lineup: Szczesny Chambers, Per, Chambers, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Rosicky, Sanchez, Walcott, Welbeck

My predictions: Hard fought 2-1 (Cazorla, Sanchez)
@bryoshavin

Arsenal v Qpr: Will wenger make it 400 league wins?

Merry Christmas to you all, my ardent readers!! from me and the Arsenal family.!

Well so the ever busy and fun festive fixtures are back! this time even bigger and much interesting; compared to the big fixtures featuring Arsenal's rivals on the other end of the table.

The Gunners will have to endure a tough seven day fixture-piled week, with QPR tonight followed by West Ham on Sunday before Wenger's men travel to Southampton on Thursday next week. Let's first focus on the task at hand before I become embroiled in the upcoming fixtures.

It's gooners' favourite fixture! yes not because we play host to a team fighting relegation, but because it's another LONDON DERBY! which actually falls on BOXING DAY. Arsenal fans have enjoyed the traditional Boxing Day fixtures for years now, having only seen their team beaten once on 26 December under Arsene Wenger. If that's not enough, the Arsenal have not tasted defeat in their last 11 Premier League London derbies at the Emirates Stadium, winning eight of those games.

So with such a juicy stat, what exactly would be the 'rightful' reason for le prof to not make it 400 League wins tonight? No real reason could hinder the gunners from not only bouncing back from a disappointing last minute draw at Anfield, but from even ending the year on a high in front of the Emirates faithful; being the last home match before we usher in 2015.

Arsenal had one of the worst matches in a decade in the last outing at Anfield, being limited to just 36.5% possession is the worst news any Arsenal follower can swallow, considering our style of play and the vast attacking talents we have at our disposal.

Well apart from our poor showing at least Giroud again scored against a 'big' team and Debuchy gave me a reason to smile.

The29-year-old Frenchman finally scored his first Arsenal goal; what's more tantalizing is the fact that it was from a set piece!

Mathieu Debuchy became Arsenal's 11th league scorer this season, also joined his fellow new outfield players to find the back of the net after signing for the red and white.

Tonight either represents a perfect opportunity to enjoy the sight of our bench-bound stars; Podolski, Walcott and Rosicky hit the ground in what seems to be the perfect time for squad rotation, or either the start of the worst period for us, when the club's top scorer, Alexis Sanchez suffers from fatigue due to an unfamiliar Christmas fixtures.

To avoid a repeat of the stoke train station abuse, Wenger need to be cautious with his selection, leave alone his ever late substitutions; if he's to maintain togetherness and competitiveness in the squad.

The last time we faced QPR, we ended up cementing their relegation status after a fine early strike from the pacy Theo Walcott was enough to win the match, back in May 2013.

Charlie Austin maybe that striker I don't necessarily waste my team on, but when I look back at Per Mertesacker's foolish act which led to Skrtel's equaliser,
then I think the English forward might give me a tough time tonight.

Austin who has risen through the four English tiers, has become a household name ever since the season began. The 25-year-old striker has already hit 11 league goals, more than any English player this season, among them an impressive hat-trick against West Brom last week.

With Wenger suggesting Chambers (who had an awful outing) has hit rock bottom in his match fitness levels, I expect Debuchy to partner Per at the back again and maybe Bellerin could be called up to fill Chamber's spot.

At least with that we can all be assured of more attacks, less foolish mistakes and a solid defence.

Today represents a super day for this Arsenal star, who scored 16 goals last season, among them the FA Cup winner! He has had a shaky start to the season but his wonder strike against Galatasaray clouds all those weak moments. HAPPY 24TH AARON RAMSEY! too bad he won't be available tonight.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Arsenal have won three of the last four meetings 1-0, including both games last season.
• The Hoops were undefeated in their first six Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W2, D4) but have only won one of the next six (D1, L4).

Arsenal

• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League London derbies at the Emirates Stadium (W8 D3 L0).
• Arsenal have only lost one of their last seven matches in all competitions (W5, D1). 
• Arsenal have scored exactly one goal in eight of their last nine Premier League games against QPR, with the exception being the 3-0 win on Boxing Day 1995.
• They have only lost one of their 17 Boxing Day Premier League matches (W11, D5).
• Mathieu Debuchy became a record 20th Frenchman to score a Premier League goal for Arsenal against Liverpool last time out.
• Arsene Wenger is one win shy of his 400th in the Premier League era.
• Santi Cazorla has had a hand in five goals (three goals, two assists) in his last five league games.

QPR

• QPR have yet to earn a point away from home this season (P8, L8). 
• Harry Redknapp has only lost five of the last 18 Premier League games as an opposition coach against Arsenal (W3 D10 L5).
• They are the only team in the league who have yet to win on their travels and have only scored three goals away from Loftus Road.
• Harry Redknapp's side have conceded the opening goal in 13 of their 17 league games this season, more than any other side.
• Charlie Austin is the top-scoring Englishman in the Premier League this season with 11.
• Austin has scored nine goals in his last eight league appearances, all at home. 
• QPR have lost five successive Premier League London derbies and are winless in their last seven (L5 D2).
• Rangers have failed to score a goal on five of their last six visits

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Head-to-head league record: Arsenal wins 20, draws 12, QPR wins 12

TEAM NEWS: Rosicky, Ospina and sanogo are available. Koscielny and Bellerin close for Sunday

Wenger on arteta: "He's progressing well. He had a little set back and will not play before January" 
Boss on ramsey: "He could be back for Southampton"

Wenger on walcott: "He has been missed because he's a top-quality team player. He's as quick as he was"

Wenger on Ozil: "He'll be back at the beginning of January. He works very hard and is very focused"

My predicted lineup: Szczesny, Bellerin, Per, Debuchy, Gibbs, Flamini, Sanchez, Cazorla, Ox, Welbeck, Giroud

My prediction: Arsenal 2-0 (Giroud, Welbeck)

@bryoshavin

Liverpool vs Arsenal: Arsenal needs Thierry's '04 spirit

Another Arsenal DAY!!! Liverpool vs Arsenal; These are the fixtures I live for!

Whether they are on the slump or are breeding a new generation which will conquer everyone in the near future, I don’t care about Liverpool,  but these are the times when Thierry Henry’s 2004 spirit should envelop Gunners’ hearts.

Speaking of Henry, finally the King himself decided to hang his boots after a 20-year illustrious career. King Henry will forever be the best player to ever grace football, to many, living a legacy so unique that no other pair of feet will ever match his fete.

Henry made his bow for the Arsenal on a sunny day in August 1999. The young French forward, fresh from lifting the world cup with his national team, stepped into the famous Highbury Stadium with a dream to shine.

His was a dream carried by an untapped talent, but eight years later, he left a legacy that apart from him being idolized outside Emirates Stadium; he left a name that will forever be sung by generations to come.

His records are simply unmatchable and his 228 goals record will have to wait for a few more years to be broken.  

Henry who won 2 Premier League titles with the club, was one of the club’s key figures throughout his entire career with the club, most notably his contributions in Wenger’s famous ‘Invincibles’ title winning team in 2004. 

On a day like this, all I can recall is his iconic displays against Liverpool at Highbury a decade ago when Arsenal fell behind twice in a crucial tie which would go on to decide the title winners. Henry was considered a huge gamble when Wenger opted to start him, despite concerns that he had back problems. The gamble paid off and Thierry went on to spearhead his team to a memorable 4-2 win; in a match which saw him rack a vital hat trick.

All the best to the main man who made me fall in love with the red and white, I might not have 14 on my back but his prolific nature in front of goal will forever be my prayer whenever Arsenal got rookie players leading our line.

Today's match might not have much hype compared to last season's first leg, when Arsenal's position at the top of the table only depended on the fixture at Emirates; hours after Chelsea faltered at Newcastle. Cazorla and super Ramsey's goals were enough to condemn Rodgers men who were on a hot winning streak. 

Months later, in February, the worst happened. Arsenal were shattered, torn and subjected to the worst first 20 minutes in their history, when Liverpool's unforgiving forward line left Arsenal with 4 goals in their bag, lighting up the famous Anfield crowd. 

Mertesacker disappeared, Koscielny lost touch and Monreal was still contemplating on the chance to get back to North London with the very first train after an embarrassing outing. Well thanks to our clueless captain, Mikel Arteta, managed to end the game with a 'respectable' 5-1 scoreline compared to pundits expectations before the break.

Fast forward and the month is December, Cazorla has found his dancing shoes again and Brendan Rodgers is no longer Kop fans' favorite. Liverpool may have lost over five league matches, but Arsene Wenger's side know the intensity of the game way before stepping to the Anfield tunnel. 

Arsenal enjoyed a long free week , healthy enough for the players after registering two crucial wins against Galatasaray and the mighty Newcastle. Liverpool on the other side never had the luxury of enjoying a rest but their 3-1 win over Bournemouth to set a mouth watering semi final encounter with Chelsea in the league cup,serves as enough booster thanks to Raheem Sterling's resurgence.

Santiago Cazorla managed to score twice on his 30th birthday while Giroud made it six goals against his national team mates, at Newcastle, in just 4 appearances. Cazorla once again, amidst criticism proved he is a fine wine which only gets better with time. His delicate chip from the edge of the box was world class and purely second to none. 

He followed it up with a superb easy chip from the penalty area to mark his D-day with an emotional and memorable fashion.

Arsenal's display was scintillating and much entertaining regarding the fact that they were passing the ball easily around, a side which was fresh from breaking Chelsea's 23 match unbeaten run. Bellerin stepped up the plate and his assist to Giroud was simply awesome, excellent way to cap a successful evening, after a poor show at Brittania Stadium.

Today's match will simply expose both managers to much stick and sheer criticism should one of them bite the hard sandwich of a three point loss. Wenger has always proved a hard nut to crack in the festive period, and Liverpool coupled up by a trip to Upton Park on Friday and another encounter with QPR, will serve as a realistic test to his record.

Brendan Rodgers, whose side lie on position 11, knows the value of each and every game, as they look to relive their season, after a successful run which they nearly won the premiership after a 20-year drought. Who will emerge victorious? well it will all go down to the managers' selection, as well as the tactics deployed, leave alone the players' confidence levels. 

KEY POINT: Cazorla is used to scoring against Liverpool but Sanchez make it a happy belated birthday after he turned 26 on Friday?

MATCH FACTS: 

-Liverpool have won just two of the last 14 Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W2 D7 L5).

-There have been four 90th minute or later goals in the last six Premier League meetings between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield.

-Liverpool v Arsenal has seen more hat-tricks than any other fixture in Barclays Premier League history (5).

-Last season’s 5-1 annihilation of the Gunners at Anfield ended a run of six home games without a win over the Gunners for the Reds (D3 L3).

-Arsenal have trailed in six of the last seven Premier League games against Liverpool at Anfield and come back to win two and draw three of those six where they fell behind.

-Mario Balotelli has had more shots (42 – inc. blocked) than any other player yet to score in the Premier League this season.

-Only Sergio Aguero (17) has had an involvement (goals or assists) in more Premier League goals than Alexis Sanchez (14) this season.

-Alexis Sanchez has scored (7) or assisted (4) 11 of Arsenal’s last 17 Premier League goals (65 per cent).

-After failing to score with his previous 38 shots this season in the Premier League (inc. blocked), Santi Cazorla has scored with three of his last seven in the competition.

-Liverpool had more points from their first 16 games of 2010-11 under Roy Hodgson (22) than they do currently in 2014-15 (21). Based on three points for a win, this is Liverpool’s worst -record after 16 games since 1964-65.

My predicted lineup: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs, Flamini, Ox Chambo, Sanchez, Cazorla, Welbeck Giroud

Predictions: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal (Cazorla, Sanchez)

@bryoshavin

Galatasaray vs Arsenal: Another loss would be 'understandable'

Well don't judge me by my title but by the mentality our super boss has inflicted to us Gooners. At least it's the least a United fan whose team played on a 'champions league night' for the first time in over an year, can expect from me.

We bloody lost to Stoke! 3-2? I don't care it would have been 4-0 by the hour mark but thanks to the linesman whose, devastated face clearly spelt 'Arsenal fan' on him. He had to overrule the clean goal just to spare the poor boys some extra stick.

Why I think a 2-0 loss would be understandable? Yeah after releasing the squad 24 hours early, what more can an Arsenal fan expect from the French coach after the final whistle? "we played well, you can not question the players' mentality and the hunger. " The usual dose of playlist from Wenger himself.


Wenger himself said minutes after he secured the last 16 stage that he doesn't view tonight's match as important as the ones ahead of us.

 Well I won't judge him, in fact not when coming from a mediocre coach who only enjoys being the follower to the big guns rather than the leader. The fans reactions at the stoke railway line clearly gave him a taste of the bitterness he's invested in us.

Watch video below:

The good news is Arsenal will be welcoming Mathew Debuchy back into the lineup after a lengthy absence on the treatment table.

But the question is, why is Wenger too eager to rush him back into the first XI even before assessing his match fitness via the U21 side?

Remember he did the same with Walcott and Koscielny, whom he played for 90 minutes in two consecutive matches. Where are they now? has Wenger lost the plot? why all these desperation?

Sanogo, the guy who miraculously found his dusty scoring boots against Dortmund, few weeks back, will be leading Arsenal's attack line alongside the two most underrated Strikers in Wenger's head; Campbell and Podolski.

Be ready fans, that would be the perfect blend of football pudding, where speed meets venomous and hunger, with Sanogo obviously being the student of it all, as Campbell and Poldi still the show against the Turkey hosts.

If Dortmund who are 5 points above their opponents, and playing at one of the world's toughest stadiums, lose to Anderlecht and Arsenal happen to pull the unexpected against Gala, then Wenger's ego will see him qualify as group D's outright winner! and yeah the next thing we hear is there's an improved deal on his table even before he jets back home.

Fair enough, Sanchez and Cazorla deserved the rest, but so did Ramsey! why was the Welshman included in the squad even after his performances have been begging for a rest?.

 Rosicky's absence however remains the key pointer. He's probably one of the most humbled footballers; he has to suffer everyday in training, break all the sweat and at his age (34) he can't even be afforded a spot on the bench leave alone the starting lineup, even on the night where key players enjoy the match behind their TV's.

Why the heck did Wenger extend his contract then!!

With Sanchez winning us a couple of matches with his extra work rate, i'm dying to see which rookie will fill the boots of the 'bull'. Ramsey? maybe, Flamini? nop! Ox? seems likely.



What I'm afraid of is a repeat of what we did against poor Anderlecht at home should Wenger opt for the likes of Zelalem and Akpom at the interval; just because the Gunners have a one goal advantage lead.

I'm done with all the bashing, I remain confident Arsenal will pull through in the upcoming busy Christmas fixtures.
 

Team to face Gala tonight:             







                              Sczesny,
               Debuchy, Per, Chambers, Gibbs
                           Flamini    Ramsey

                               Chamberlain

                       Campbell   Sanogo   Podolski

My predictions: Oh God no... not today

@bryoshavin

Arsenal v Southampton: Wenger's first step towards silencing his doubters

Yes I am not excited we've won twice in a row, in fact am not surprised at all! to be honest that is simply one of the reasons I joined the #WengerOut bandwagon, like I had originally promised.

Arsenal is a big club and so what? we are expected to be winning, if not all 38 games in a single campaign then at least not lose! Wenger once gave us a taste of that, via the invincibles; something yet to be matched by any other English team.

 But I certainly think he's ran out of the same gusto and oomph that got us the last league title, 10 years ago.
We put up a scintillating and heart warming performances against BVB, two and a half days later we almost did the same but despite our low key performances in the second period, at least we managed to scrap out a deserved away win at West Brom.

Cazorla, to be specific is slowly picking up from where he left at in his debut season, where he managed to score over 10 goals, coupling them up with a few more assists.

The little magician, showcased his class against BVB bagging both assists on the night (Setting up Sanogo and Sanchez), repeating the same fete on Saturday with an exquisite lay off, following a superb run on the left flank. 

An ardent Arsenal fan wouldn't be surprised since the 29-year-old Spaniard was frustrated after Wenger left him on the bench against United, a fortnight ago. That's what he's made of and we should expect more of that once Wenger consistently plays him in the middle and not on the flanks.
Sanchez who's on his 14th goal of the season in just 15 games, has more than silenced his doubters (if only there were any). Manchester City, Burnley and most recently BVB, his well crafted goals are nothing but sheer class.

 Alexis, branded the 'bull' by Arteta for his unquestionable work rate, has surely done everything we ever expected from him, in fact he's surpassed our imaginations.

He's never threw in the towel even when Chelsea gave him the boots nor did he wither away when Wilshere infamously decided not to pass an easy ball for the Chile international to slot into an empty net.

Well the mighty Gunners today welcome third-placed Southampton, who already have collapsed in one of their tests, with Chelsea and United set to face them in the near future. But what the gunners shouldn’t forget is that the same Saints eliminated us from the league cup at Emirates, a painful result that eclipsed Sanchez's world class free kick.

Having sold a number of their first team players in the summer, Ronald Koeman has defied all odds by establishing a solid team whose solidarity has seen them catapult past United and Arsenal in the table, and just a number of points below City and Chelsea.

However today represents one of the oddest days for the likes of Ox and Chambers who'll be playing against the lads whom they've grown with for a large period. Despite all that we don't care, at least there won't be any boos to affect their work rate, in fact how I wish Walcott was fit and the three would be bombarding their defence in search for a goal, which would prove pivotal to the clubs.

The club enters arguably the busiest period in English football where teams have to abandon their families temporarily for a period of 15 days of nothing but football action, which normally is characterized by a minimum of 8 CRUCIAL games stretching to X-mas through boxing day to the New Year.

With that in mind, if Wenger really has the 'experience' which he continuously brags of, it's the high time he puts it to use. One way is by rotating his players wisely, not because January transfer window is around the corner but because he's clearly KILLING players' careers! This may actually be the best time toi unleash Rosicky, Campbell, Podolski and the likes of Bellerin and let them play for the club's colors if he means business.

Today's match brings about some bitter memories, when I dive into my Arsenal's anger list, vividly remembering that this fixture, last season served as one of our down falls, in our failed title bid. Remember Flamini's own goal denying us the maximum points?

Lord help us I can't stomach a similar display tonight.

MATCH FACTS:
 

• Southampton have only won two of their 37 league games at Arsenal (D12, L23).
• Arsenal are unbeaten at home against Saints in the Premier League (W11,    D4).
• Saints won the last game at Arsenal, a 2-1 League Cup victory in September, and have only lost one of the last four meetings (W1, D2).
• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games against Southampton (W5, D4). 
• Arsenal have only won one of their last five league home games (D3, L1).
• They are 11 points worse off than they were at this stage last season, when they were top of the Premier League table.
• Defeat in their last league home game against Manchester United ended a 23-match unbeaten league run at the Emirates.
• The Gunners have trailed in five of their six league home games this season.
• Arsene Wenger has only won one of his seven matches against Ronald Koeman (D4, L2).
• Olivier Giroud has scored three goals in his last two league games against Saints.
•  Danny Welbeck ended a six-game Arsenal run without a goal against West Brom on Saturday. 
• Olivier Giroud has scored three goals in his last two Premier League games against the Saints.
• Arsenal have attempted more shots (excl. blocked) from outside the box than any other Premier League side this season (70).
• Southampton’s three PL defeats this season have all come against sides that finished in the top six of the 2013-14 Premier League table (Man City,Liverpool and Tottenham). Arsenal finished fourth last season.

Southampton

• Southampton's tally of seven away league goals is the fewest among the Premier League's top-seven clubs.
• All three of Saints' league defeats have come against sides who finished in last year's top-six (Arsenal finished fourth).
• They conceded as many goals in Sunday's 3-0 defeat against Manchester City as they had in their previous 10 league home games combined.
• Nathaniel Clyne has scored in two of his last three meetings with Arsenal - the League Cup winner in September and an own goal in a 6-1 defeat two years previously.

My predicted lineup: Martinez, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny,Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Sanchez, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Giroud

My prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Southampton

@bryoshavin

Arsenal vs Manchester United: Arsenal's time to revenge the 8-2 debacle

The long ever boring international breaks, once again took toll. Well for the first time Wenger won't be groaning about how Roy Hodgson didn't protect his most valuable and fragile youngsters.

But again, how the hell was Walcott injured? I literally don't wanna think of it, more so whenever I recall that first minute goal he scored against Manchester United a while back.

Speaking of United, today represents one of the reasons I rush to mark my calendar whenever the English Premier league fixtures are out.

Manchester United's chickens are coming home to roost. Yeah I said that, i'm confident and convinced that today's the long awaited day when Van Persie's traitor ship sinks below Welbeck's red hot sea.

Why do I think Arsenal will pull off a great performance today? well lets take a trip down the memory lane; The year is 2011 August 28 and over half of Arsenal's first team players were out injured, while Fabregas and Nasri had moved on, that's exactly the same period when Wenger freely let go of Clichy and rely on Squillaci to take cover and dismantle any attacking threat from Rooney, young and Welbeck.

Well remember that? fast forward to 2014 22nd November, three years later and still Wenger is yet to make a resounding statement over the red devils, even when they had a music teacher in Moyes' name coaching them.

United are on a similar situation, where like we had Persie and Theo on that fateful day to rely on, they got Di maria and Mata and oh.. the old guard persie playing for the. Well how about a school of dolphin facing a herd of lions in form of Sanchez, Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere and Welbeck? pretty interesting huh.?

I believe I’ll only join the #WengerOut bandwagon, if we literally fail to punish United tonight. Van Gaal is a brilliant CV! his tactics and passionate stunts spell the ambition in the Dutchman. What I still believe is that if only Wenger changed a bit and deployed a different tactic in a number of games, not only during bigger occasions, we couldn't have lost points against Chelsea, Anderlecht and Swansea.

Why would you start feasting on an ice cream from bottom on your way up, while you could still attack the whole juicy piece from the top.? 4-2-3-1 is the ultimate answer whenever Arsenal comes to a kid's mind seated playing swansea against Arsenal on his play station.

It's time the manager employed dirty tactics and help win the fans' hearts, especially in these turbulent times for the club.
Danny Welbeck today hopes to line up against his former friends and family, whom some he's grown with for over five years. But who cares? the last time united beat us at home, this lad scored the winning goal soon after Van Persie had madly celebrated the equaliser.

We should expect him to forget all that at least for 90 minutes if he passes fit, and help his new classy family inflict a historic win against his former tormentors, of course a calm and collected celebration will guarantee him great reception from both sections of fans.
He has already scored five goals in 8 appearances for the club, two coming in the league.

Welbeck will obviously have a lot to bear tonight and at least give Van Persie an escape route, when all pundits shift their focus on the 23 year old England forward. having impressed in the International front, the manager will be hoping for a repeat of the same, against his former employers and silence Van Gaal, who has ever justified his move to sell him.

To be honest, Welbeck will have an emotional outing, and whether he hits the woodwork or misses some goal scoring chances, he faces an elephant in front of him, something which could work for us. If Ramsey keeps pressing forward and plays those sharp passes Sanchez' way, then we'll easily finish off United, hence give Flamini a great day on his 200th appearance for the club.

United defenders will be busy silencing Danny, but if we pass the ball towards santi and Ramsey way, then Danny will have a wonderful press conference after the game.
All I have to insist is, punish United! they took advantage of our rooky side and it's time Monreal,Chambers and Ox stepped up and did the same infront of our fans!!








Match facts:

 Arsenal

• Arsenal have dropped a league-high nine points from winning positions this season, as many as they did in the whole of 2013-14.
• Their two lowest points totals after 11 games under Arsene Wenger have come in the past three seasons (16 in 2012-13, 17 this season).
• Arsenal's four Premier League wins this season have come against teams currently in the bottom seven of the table. They last recorded fewer wins at this stage of a season in 1981-82.
• Alexis Sanchez has scored 12 goals in his last 14 matches for Arsenal in all competitions, including six goals in his last four Premier League appearances. 

Manchester United

• United have yet to win an away game in the Premier League this season (D3, L2). They have gone seven league matches without an away victory since beating Newcastle on 5 April.
• Sixteen points from 11 league games is United's worst return for 25 years. They had 14 points after 11 games in 1989-90.
• Juan Mata has scored four goals and set up two more in five starts against Arsenal in all competitions.
• Wayne Rooney has scored the joint-most goals against Arsenal of any player in Premier League history (10, along with Robbie Fowler).
• Robin van Persie has scored in five of the last six meetings between Arsenal and Manchester United, twice for the Gunners and three times for the Red Devils.

 My predicted lineup: Szczesny,Chambers,Monreal,Mertesacker,Gibbs,Flamini,Ramsey,Sanchez,
Cazorla,Ox,Welbeck

My predictions: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United (Cazorla,Sanchez)

@bryoshavin

Arsenal vs Anderlecht: Will the gunners falter on the least expected night?

Szczesny? check. Arteta? check. Confidence? double check. I'm just taking my notes dating from the last two games.The now buzzing boys have at least managed to cut a niche and register themselves among the winning teams, after winning three back-to-back matches; Anderlecht,Sunderland and Burnley on Saturday.
After finding it hard to at least work out magic in front of our opponents, Arsenal though enjoying the habit of leaving games late, have been able to restore confidence into the team as well as the fans, with a string of attacking flares in the attacking third. With Sanchez the architect, the engineering work has seen him work out a magnificent piece of art, reason no team wants to face the inform Chilean.

Sanchez who has 10 goals to his name, with just 15 starts for the club, among them being seven league goals in eight matches, has steadfastly established himself as one of the most talented forwards in the world. His work rate has forever been on every pundit's lips and Arteta has likened his tireless efforts to those of a bull.

Asked whether his team mates are surprised by Sanchez's superb run of form, Arteta answered, "I don't think we're surprised at the level of his performance,"
He found it hard in the first few weeks, but now he's found the confidence and level he needs."

"The way he is contributing to the team and the group as well is very good.It makes our job easier having a player in his form, scoring goals." the captain said, highlighting his joy in playing alongside the former Barcelona star due to his defensive contribution too.

"The way he looks after the players around him, the hard work he does is something we need to highlight. The goals and tricks and flicks are highlighted, but we need to remember the work."


Arteta added: "But he's a bull. He wants to go against the wall every time. He wants to get better and better, all the time. I'd rather play with him than against him."

The big question however is: will the Gunners falter at the door step on their way to the knockout stages?

Wenger's men welcome Anderlecht, a team they miraculously edged out with the final minutes of the game, a fortnight ago to Emirates. Arsenal needed Sanchez experience to help keep his team's hopes alive with a match winning performance. Gibbs scored Arsenal goal of the month for October, with three minutes left before substitute Podolski smashed home the winner moments later to seal a vital win at Brussels.

Wenger expressed relief after the final whistle but failed to highlight that indeed the match wasn't that type to inflict trouble for our team; had we capitalised on our numerous chances.
With a win all but sealing our spot in the knockout stages, while hoping that Dortmund; who have had a bad run of form in their domestic league won't lose against Galatasaray, these kind of matches give me chills more than when we are playing against Bayern with ten men.

Arsenal have had a tendency of faltering at this decisive moments in the past, just when we more than sure we've sealed our fate. Am simply hoping Karma doesn't catch up with us, in front of our esteemed, passionate fans. But all that could only depend on Wenger's selection.

Arteta and Flamini's partnership has worked miracles, with the gunners yet to concede since he two stepped on the pitch together this term.

 Contrary to last term's miss communication and poor reading of the game, the two make shift defensive midfielders have formed a solid defensive wall, which in return has given Chambers and Gibbs the freedom to dart forward and as a result, yielded two goals and an assist between the two full backs in the last three games.

Start Podolski, rest Alexis and let Ramsey and Cazorla enjoy the flow together! To be honest, Ramsey's inclusion on Saturday changed our tides, and with Flamini giving the Welsh man the freedom to roam around, Ramsey opened up Burnley's defence with his technical talent and super cordination with Sanchez and Cazorla, at the centre of the park.

With Ramsey now fully fit, he deserves a starting berth and if Cazorla can up his game tonight, I don't see why the woodwork rattling Podolski wouldn't score a double playing alongside the two!

 Podolski has endured much pain on the bench even with his satisfying performances, but it's time the manager gave him the chance to prove he really deserves to be left on the bench.
Good news is that Walcott is back to full fitness but before he can start to earn some few games under his belt, at least let Podolski kill these teams off.
sitting second in group D, I'm hoping the team will Diffuse Anderlecht and believe that we won't have another Gunner limping out; now that we are establishing ourselves both in the league and in Europe, after a rocky start to the season.
Most heart warming news today is that the club are set to open contractual talks with Walcott, and with the pacy England international set to have 18 months left  on his contract come December, this will be a major boost if the 25 year old commits past 2018.

  

                                       MATCH FACTS

*This was the first time since November 2003 (v Inter Milan away) that Arsenal have scored two goals in the final five minutes of the same Champions League game.

Only one of the previous 13 Champions League meetings between teams from *Belgium and England have been won by the Belgian team (11 English wins, one draw).

*No English side has failed to score in a Champions League game against a Belgian opponent before (13 games).

*Anderlecht suffered their worst defeat in Europe against an English side: 0-10 against Man united in the European Cup preliminary round in 1956/57.

*The Gunners’ joint-biggest win in Europe came against a Belgian team, beating Standard Liège 7-0 in the Cup Winners Cup in 1993/94.

*Lukas Podolski has scored in six of his nine Champions League appearances for Arsenal, including in four of his last five apps in the competition.

*Anderlecht have conceded a goal in 11 successive Champions League games, letting in 28 goals overall (2.5 a game).

My predicted lineup: Szczesny should start after serving his suspension with Chambers, Per,Monreal and Gibbs to defend him. Sanchez,Cazorla,Ramsey and Ox should control the midfield while Welbeck continue to lead the attack.

My prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Anderlecht (Sanchez,Podolski,Welbeck)

@bryoshavin