Arsenal v Spurs:North London Derby!

What Colour is North London?

ARSENAL DAY!!
That is the memo. What colour will the northern side of London be come tomorrow? Today the football world is set to witness one of the games oldest rivalry; it's the North London Derby! this is not only the Gunners biggest fixture in their calendar this season but one game which represents pride and passion for the red and white jersey, let alone the maximum points.
From banters to the painful facts behind this elephant fixture, the fans have always found a way to make sure it sinks into Spurs supporters minds that they have and actually will always be under our shadows.
Since Prof Wenger took over the reigns at the club, he's presided over 43 north London derbies in nearly 18 years at Arsenal; which he has gone ahead to win 21 and losing just six of those local scraps for supremacy.
A clear message and explanation why London is always painted red. Arsenal twice beat 5purs 5-2 in 2012,a day which saw Arsenal new signings Cazorla,Giroud and Podolski all register goals. Today Arsenal have three North London Derby debutants in Chambers,Sanchez and our deadline day 16 Million pounds signing, Welbeck who'll all probably be in line to start at the Emirates.
Tottenham have also witnessed 12 of their previous managers bite the dust whenever they face Wenger, the question is will Pochettino be their 13th cop to extend the trend? Last week Tottenham had it rough when West Brom out shined their expensively built team at their soon not to be their home turf, White Hart Lane. On the other side the Gunners got back to winning ways courtesy of their 0-3 win at Villa Park after a 3-minute goal blitz via Ozil who registered his first goal of the term, Welbeck with his first strike for the club and an own goal    which was as a result of Gibbs' hard pressing upfront and Sakho, was philanthropic enough to connect it past his custodian. Today's match represents a wonderful encounter for the neutrals and same as the fans, the manager too always has that nervy nerve ahead of the big showdown.
"You enjoy it after the game if you win," said Wenger, responding to a question about whether he actually enjoys these taught, tense fixtures.
"You feel suddenly on the Monday before the game that something has changed and you wonder first of all what has changed. Of course it's the tension before the derby.
"Before you have the tension and you have the focus to prepare and to give your team the best chances to win the game. That’s what you focus on. Satisfaction comes with the feeling that you have done a good job so let’s do a good job first." fast forward.. today's match like it has always been the case, has never been about a team's current form but the super bragging rights that comes along with it! Adebayor (former Gunner and one of gooners' most hated players) still plays for the whites, and as always he's been spirited every time these teams lock horns.
He has a decent NLD record but has only scored 2 goals against the gunners...well the boos actually works. Sanchez scored a sublime free kick  in midweek against Southampton in a game which they were bundled out of the capital one cup. The Chilean forward is in a superb form where he's registered 4 goals in his last 4 games for the club, in less than 10 competitive games for his new club.

Debuchy will be replaced on the right flank by Debuchy, Giroud by Welbeck upfront after the two were being sidelined for lengthy periods. With Wenger set to preside over his 44th NLD game, I expect him to put a strong side that will get Pochettino not only looking to beg for his job but for a new stadium out of North London to help quench the rivalry.

The last time the two teams met, Rosicky banged in a superb cracker after just 72 seconds, which cemented Arsenal's dominance over spurs after trouncing them in their previous two matches, in the league and also in the F.a cup. Szczesny capped it off by taking a million dollar selfie  ahead of the travelling victorious crowd.

MATCH FACTS:

*Arsenal have won 4 of their last 5 BPL games v spurs (two 1-0 wins and two 5-2 wins)

*Tottenham have won just one of their last 21 BPL games at AFC.

*Arsenal last failed to score at home to spurs in EPL in November 98.

*Since then the gunners have scored 38 times in 15 games.

*Tottenham have conceded 6 penalties in the league 2014 only MUFC have conceded as many.

*Arsenal took 25 points from their 10 London derbies in the BPL last season, (W8 D1 L1) and defeated Crystal Palace on the opening weekend this term.

*Adebayor has scored 10 goals in the NLD, 2 for Spurs, and 8 for Arsenal.

 I predict 3-1 win with Sanchez,Ramsey and Wiulshere to score. Welbeck,Ozil with the assists. 

@bryoshavin

Arsenal v Southampton: preview of the Capital One Cup 3rd round

Hello Family, how sweet that we have the mighty guns playing for the second time in a span of 3 days!
After we downed Villa and made it a walk on their park, Gunners host Southampton in this season's 3rd round of Capital One Cup fixtures.

Ozil had a scintillating match last weekend with a glorious show of what he's made of, after burying one and setting another in a 3 minute glitz filled match when Arsenal put three goals past Brad Guzan in a quick successive manner.

The first goal was a sweet scenario to watch trickling fro our defence, a few touches in the centre of the park before the travelling fans were on their feet in ecstasy.  Per picked Szczesny's ball and found the Ox who wasted no chance and squared it Danny's way, before he slipped the ball behind the Villa defence for Ozil to slip past Guzan in in the 32nd minute in a one on one encounter; something which he later explained he had to be "ice cold" to score his first goal this season, hence becoming the club's 6th player to score in the league.

The World Cup winner was rejuvenated and he indeed returned the favour to Danny after he became the England International's goal architect, 2 minutes later. Passes later, Cazorla who had been quiet all through but effective, picked Ramsey and the Welsh captain put Ozil through down the left wing between Welbeck's feet. Ozil drove the ball towards the edge of the box and he put in a low cross for the onrushing Welbeck to smash the roof of the net and make it 2-0 as well as the 7th Gunner to find the net this season.
The third goal came as a gift courtesy of Villa's Cissokho in the 36th minute. The former Liverpool loanee put the ball into his own net after Gibbs' teething pass across the goal, after the young full back collected a rebound. The match also saw Wenger's men set a new record, becoming the first team to score 3 goals in 3 minutes, another is Arsenal completed 734 passes at Villa Park which is he most by any away team in the PL since Arsenal at Wolves in April 2012 (747 passes).

Fast forward:
Today we host Soton in a match which as always will see Arsenal thoroughly rotate his squad and hand starts to some rookie players as well as those who've been suffering on the bench.
One of the players set to benefit from such rotation is Ospina and Abou Diaby.

"He is a giant, mentally," said Wenger on Diaby. "To do what he has done, coming back every time from the severe injuries he has had, deserves a lot of respect.
"He played 90 minutes for the under-21s last week and will play against Southampton."
With that settled, that should leave us wondering who the French man will partner in the midfield. The likes of Rosicky,Podolski,Gnabry are the top bets to feature in the game with either Campbell or Akpom upfront.
In defence, Bellerin might start on the right wing and while Chambers,Hayden and Gibbs could also share the remaining slots.  

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 10 matches against Southampton in all competitions (W6, D4) since losing 3-2 at St Mary's in the Premier League in November 2002.
• This is the fifth time the sides have been paired together in the League Cup. Arsenal advanced on all four previous occasions.

Arsenal

• The Gunners' last domestic defeat at the Emirates was their 2-0 loss to Chelsea in the fourth round of last season's League Cup.
• Arsenal have won nine of their last 11 home League Cup ties, scoring 29 times, with their only defeats coming against Manchester City in 2011-12 and Chelsea in 2013-14.
• They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine matches in this competition, a sequence that began with defeat to Birmingham in the 2010-11 final.
• The last time Arsenal failed to advance to the fourth round of this competition was in 2002-03, when they were eliminated by Sunderland. 
•  

Southampton

• Saints have reached the fourth round of this competition in each of the last three seasons.
• They have scored exactly two goals in each of their last three third round matches.

@Bryoshavin

Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Match facts and injury news

Good afternoon Goner Family, It's Arsenal weekend! shake off all the anger and discouragements the gunners 'might' have caused you during the week, and let;s be optimistic the tides will turn today!
I personally am deeply hurt by the fact that we on game week 5 and we yet to make it more than a single win in the league. The manager as well doesn't look convinced of our performances especially after the 2-0 loss to German heavy weights, Borussia Dortmund in our first Champions league, group D game on Tuesday.

Despite it being the team's first loss since April, what was evident is that we were a totally different team compared to the side that showed resilience against City last weekend.
 Zero concentration,naivety,poor passing, disastrous finishing and mediocre  performance in general.
Seems like Podolski wasn't the only one to lose a thing when he lost his shin pad, but the whole team lost respect from their fans in Germany, especially after our three World cup winning stars put up below par performances.
Today we face Villa, this season's most surprising team so far at the Villa park; a team that has already collected 14 points, 8 better than their opponents.
The villans have three wins and a draw in their opening four games of the league campaign. Under their new management, the 2nd placed team have found form with their new counter attacking style courtesy of Roy Keane, Lambert's understudy. Gunners have been vulnerable not only on set piece defending but also on counter attacks-which will again be tested today.
The last time these two teams met, Two goals in the space of 59 seconds from Wilshere and Giroud sent Arsenal back to the summit of the Premier League with a hard-fought victory at Villa Park, in January.

It was a nervy match especially towards the end after Benteke had marked his return to the team with 76th minute diving header goal.
Benteke is set to miss today's match with a calf injury together with his captain, Ron Vlaar.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal will begin life without Debuchy and Giroud after the two Frenchmen were ruled out for up to 3 months each with respective injuries. Walcott is back in training after a lengthy layoff while Gnabry is still recuperating from his knee injury.

Wenger on Monreal: He will miss the game on Saturday. It's his back and it's always difficult to predict [the length of absence with those injuries], we don't really know. I don't think it will be long-term.
On Chambers and Flamini: We have [Calum] Chambers back because he had tonsillitis and wasn’t available. And everybody who started the game will be available again.

Flamini’s back as well because he wasn’t on the team sheet. He’s back and available.
 Wilshere: He's available too. I was wrong [after the Dortmund game], it was his left ankle and it was only a click that made him turn his ankle a bit, so he’s alright.

 
Referee: Mike Jones. 

MATCH FACTS

*Danny Welbeck has scored 3 goals in his last 2 BPL starts against Aston Villa


*Arsenal are undefeated in 28 of their last 31 matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.

*Arsenal have drawn their last 3 matches in the Premier League.

*Aston Villa have seen over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

 *Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League visits to Villa Park, winning eight and drawing seven.

*Arsenal haven’t been beaten Aston Villa in the BPL at Villa Park this century (in 15 matches)

 *Neither home side scored a point in these two fixtures last season with Aston Villa surprising Arsenal 3-1 at The Emirates on the opening day of last season whilst Arsenal beat Villa 2-1 at Villa Park.

*Aston Villa have created an average of 5.25 chances per 90 minutes played this season compared to Arsenal’s average of 12.50.

*Villa have beaten Arsenal just three times in their last 11 Premier League attempts.
All the best to Arsenal today!

My predictions: 2-2 (Welbeck,Sanchez)
 









@bryoshavin

Arsenal 2-2 City: 5 talking points from the exciting match

so the weekend's super fixture finally took place and as expected; there was plenty of negatives and positives that were drawn, live alone the sheer entertaining match at Emirates stadium.
Welbeck obviously stole the limelight before the kickoff since he was making his Gunners bow after his 20M euros switch from Old Trafford.
 The young England international looked set and motivated to prove his former employers wrong and probably nail the centre forward position. He never disappointed and almost got the gunners faithful in ecstasy when his deft effort rattled the bar after he collected a loose ball inside City's area.
Pellegrini's men headed to the Emirates on the back of a shocking 0-1 loss to Stoke City a fortnight ago.

Wenger stuck with Ozil on the flanks and opted to leave Cazorla, probably with Tuesday's match in mind. Jack proved why the manager has always been on his side after a superb evening characterized by sharp forays, accurate dribbling and world class performance in general.
Wilshere was at the end of a fantastic team goal after he looped a ball over the already swept apart Hart, into the back of his England team mate's net.
The young midfielder then set up Alexis well crafted goal with a headed pass to make it 2-1 before Demichelis rose high to condemn the gunners to a 2-2 draw.
Below are the 5 talking points from the match:
1. Zonal marking not our thing.
The gunners have always been facing the sticks from the fans as well as from the press. reason? the obvious cheap set piece goals they normally concede. Since last season we had the same problem before the defence marshaled up and Szczesny collected the golden glove at the end of the season. We've already conceded 4 goals from set piece positions, from Everton,Leicester,Palace and City!
2. Ozil still on WC Honeymoon
Yes he's the club's record signing and yes last season was his chance to familiarize himself with the league. But till when? the world cup winning maestro can't complain of being deployed out of his favoured no.10 position. he played on the flanks in his entire World Cup outing and to my surprise he flourished! then why not inject the same zeal and hunger when donning the red and white? I think it's time Wenger shows him the bench and see what happens.
3. Arsenal were lucky not to lose 4-3
I am sorry if you think am dreaming but if you actually followed every minute of the match probably you;d agree with me. Yes we drew 2-2 but were it not for lady luck's Arsenal preference, Dzeko and Kolarov's late efforts hitting the bar; and Danny's first half's failed magic, then by the 90th minute we would have recorded a 4-3 loss!
4. Danny has a bright future with Arsenal
When you read all the regrets off the United family's lips, then you'll discover Wenger struck gold in Welbeck's deal. The boy looked sharp from the onset and despite him only sharing a few days of practice with his new family, Danny stepped up and showed his worth. From his defensive displays to his attacking talents both from the flanks and upfront, danny will surely scale greater heights under Wenger's watch, just like he did with Henry over a decade ago.
5. Wilshere needs more criticism!
It was evident on Saturday that Wilshere was super ready to pick up from where he left from 2 years ago before his infamous ankle injury. The young lad has been under very much criticism on his under par performances with the likes of Scholes 'advising' him to seek refuge elsewhere. The 22 year old surprisingly stepped up on a big occasion and delivered! when you look at his facial expression after he scored the equaliser, 'that's for you haters' it read.
Tonight Gunners play Dortmund away at Signal Iduna Park, and we all know how the story goes.....we take three points at their back yard and maybe we share a point in London. all the best to the gunners tonight and may Ramsey's header break the yellow submarine's hearts!!
@bryoshavin.