Monaco vs Arsenal : The night Wenger gets to choose his real wife!

It's match day Gooners!!! yes the most anticipated European nights are again here with us and this time round, at the Emirates!

Who would believe the once lazy Giroud would reach half a century goals in an Arsenal shirt in less than three seasons? Of course I was one of his doubters, but just like many of you, he did nothing worthy of our mentions, when the likes of Podolski and Cazorla were praised back in 2012. Wenger released Podolski to Inter Milan and Wenger made the .. well the not so expected move. He extended the French international's contract to 2019, which has miraculously paid off.

Giroud made it 50 strikes against Palace in the weekend with a well timed poke to seal Arsenal's hard fought win, after Cazorla's early penalty put Wenger's men ahead. Among Giroud's goals, he boasts sumptuous ones sandwiched in between Liverpool, City and United's net all in a span of a single season after two seasons without a goal against the hotshots.

Tonight's match revolves around Wenger's reunion with his former side AS Monaco.

But as a loyal Gooner, who cares about his romance with the French side if he is not gunner deliver a win to cement his long-standing love affair with his former employers? The 65-year-old narrated how he fell in love with Arsenal when he dropped to the Highbury (Arsenal's spiritual ground) enroute to Paris as a Monaco manager, decades ago.

That tells you alot. It's more like a married man scouting for his wife's replacement even before getting engaged to her! So between the two clubs, who is regarded as le boss' real wife? the one he broke his engagement with after some years but still chases after him or the one whom he's been through hell and back for close to two decades? let him choose tonight! how? time will tell.

We know his will be an emotional night, but I'd rather see his tears flood Welbeck's match ball after another Champions League hat-trick than watch a wretched face marred by pain after an expected loss.

After being narrowly bundled out of the last couple of the 16 ties, Arsenal will be seeking to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in five years.

On the other side, the French giants who were managed by Wenger between 1987 and 1994, will be looking to inflict a tough night on us after qualifying for the knock-out stages for the first time in a decade.

The visitors are currently 4th in the league, 11 points adrift of leaders Olympique Lyon, having played a game less. While Arsenal are currently third with 12 points off Chelsea, making it an ideal Champions League tie pitting European giants.

The last time the two teams met, was in the summer in the Emirates cup where Monaco scrapped out a 1-0 win courtesy of Falcao's header. I am allowed to say that we are lucky he won't be able to fly from Manchester to play for them, though a special box would be reserved for him at the Emirates if he meets the price.

Monaco saw the likes of James Rodriguez, Hulk, Fredy Guarin and Falcao leave the club in the last couple of seasons, and you can imagine how dangerous they would be, coming to the Emirates tonight.

Monaco are solid in the back and dangerous on the break. To combat such a threat we should expect nothing close to our showdown at Etihad.

Monaco might surprisingly allow us the ball but it will require Coquelin's concentration and Ozil's vision to break down Monaco's wall.

Walcott never featured against Palace so I expect him to start on the flanks regardless of whether Welbz was Wenger's right man in his pre-match presser. Cazorla's dancing shoes needs more polishing since all our hopes will be on them on a night where Sanchez gets more kicks and Giroud has to work for ball touches upfront. All I know is; just like we battered Marseille, the same whip cracks tonight.
 

MATCH FACTS:


• While Arsenal and Monaco have never met before competitively, Arsène Wenger was in charge of Monaco between 1987 and 1994, winning Ligue 1 (1988) and the Coupe de France (1991). Wenger also took Monaco to the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup final, losing 2-0 to SV Werder Bremen.

• The teams played in pre-season on 3 August in north London, Monaco prevailing 1-0 with a goal from the now departed Radamel Falcao.

 • Monaco have lost only one of their six European home games against English sides, winning four, including the last two. The first such fixture brought an 8-0 triumph against Swansea City AFC in the 1991/92 Cup Winners' Cup first round second leg, still their record victory in UEFA competition; Wenger was at the helm.

• Monaco beat Chelsea FC 3-1 in their 2003/04 UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, and progressed to the final having come back from two goals down to draw the Stamford Bridge return 2-2.

• Arsenal have never lost away to a French side, recording seven wins and three draws. Their most recent trip brought a 2-1 victory at Olympique de Marseille in last season's UEFA Champions League group stage.


My predicted line up; Ospina,Chambers, Per, Koscielny, Monreal Coquelin, Cazorla, Sanchez, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud.

My AFCvMON predictions: Arsenal 2-0 (Sanchez, Giroud)

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Palace vs Arsenal: let the Wenger-Pardew marriage flourish

As it has been for the recent past (with Spuds match being an exception) the mighty Gunners have managed to rake up maximum points and scrapping out important wins. Giroud's double strike in two minutes, shortly before the half hour mark was enough to see off giant slayers, Boro and book a quarter final berth at Old Trafford. The win meant that Arsenal are now through to the FA Cup Quarter Finals for the 11th time under Wenger.

It was all about acute fluency, the true meaning of Wenger ball and sheer class culminated by sexy soccer, in Arsenal's opener which every single player had a hand on it prior to Giroud's slick finish, courtesy of Gibb's sharp cut back down the left.


On the second goal, like Le Boss put it, we can credit it to both Sanchez and Giroud's sharpness and their reaction to a deflated Boro defense, which saw Alexis take a quick corner which the scorer had to outpace his markers to score a delightful volley to seal Arsenal's comfortable win.



Yes Giroud scored his 8th and 9th goals of the season in 16 starts and yes Cazorla's tiny feet were able to exude those rare magical moments which in most cases looked like the travelling fans had paid to just watch the wonder boy live on stage.

But Ozil was the star man! the German play maker, playing at a more central role on a day which saw Captain Cazorla deployed deep in midfield.

Ozil like never before, had more touches in our defense than on his preferred attacking sections. He was Santi's best helper assisting in defensive duties as well as putting the visitors into unwanted dancing routines with his powerful and skillful left foot. His performance was so good that Boro coach, Aikor Akaranka , Ozil's former coach at Madrid had to beg for his shirt, as a souvenir for his son! yes the genius is back and we are so blessed that his confidence is now at high levels especially when we need him the most!

Another star performer was Kieran Gibbs. The young England international impressed from the off and his great game reading once again served us right, earning him a well deserved clean sheet in the progress.


Gibbs showed real response after seeing Nacho Monreal running away with his starting berth, with a well laid assist and good forward forays! It is so tantalizing to see the once obvious starter embracing Nacho's competition and this will only be beneficial for the club in the long run!

Alongside Gibbo was Gabriel Paulista who was making his long awaited debut. His defensive displays were near perfect that no one even noticed his poor communication skills. HAHA. The two defenders played important roles which saw Boro wait till the 39th minute to register their first shot.

The serious faced Brazilian made a remarkable tackle after Arsenal's back four were caught sleeping and of course winning a yellow card on his first match in England wasn't a bad way to welcome the fighter.

Let the Wenger-Pardew marriage begin!

Alan Pardew, Harry Redknap and Moyes will go down as Wenger's best 'baes' with the trio having surrendered to the French man more times than the times he's had to surrender to Mou and Fergie combined. Pardew was Wenger's best customer whether home or away, the Gooners never quite noted the difference since it's something close to WWWWWWWW and above. 

A fact which saw Pardew himself call for the renaming of Emirates stadium to 'Arsene Wenger Stadium'. Yes clear revelation of how their marriage has blossomed since they first set eyes on each other.

On Saturday, Giroud has a huge chance of extending his commendable goal scoring form since it's a London derby, and the tall guy himself had the pleasure of scoring at will in the capital in his first two seasons. Should Giroud score, the goal will land him at the half century goal mark, having scored 49 times in his 107 games, racking up 27 assists in the process.

The last time the two teams met, Arsenal salvaged a last minute winner courtesy of an Aaron Ramsey goal in a come from behind dramatic win.

What's enticing is the fact that the last time we traveled to Palace, we painted the Palace red with goals from Arteta and Giroud winning us the match.

Will there be late drama at Selhurst with the re energized Palace team now looking better under Pardew? Will Chamakh haunt his former employers? well I have no reason to worry, numbers don't lie and we are getting the fourth spot this weekend! #COYG!!

TEAM NEWS: 

Arsenal have the privilege of welcoming Jack Wilshere back into the team after a month out following an ankle surgery. However Bellerin will have late tests to determine his availability while the good news is the Ox is back in full training and is not expected to play any part in our trip to the Selhurst Stadium.

MATCH FACTS:


-Arsenal have won seven and lost none of the last 10 meetings with Crystal Palace in all competitions.
-The Eagles have won just seven of their 29 Barclays Premier League home London derbies.
-The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 11 visits to Selhurst Park to play Palace in all competitions (W6 D5).
-Theo Walcott has scored seven goals in his last seven Premier League starts.
-Arsenal have conceded just five first half goals in their last 17 Premier League games and three of those came in one match (against Stoke City).
-Arsenal have won three of their six Premier League London derbies this season and all by a 2-1 scoreline. However, they have yet to keep a clean sheet in a capital clash.
-Only Swansea (12) have dropped more points from wining positions than Arsenal (10) away from home in the Premier League this season.
-Arsenal have won just one of 12 Premier League games after falling behind this season and that was against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season.
-Crystal Palace have won just three of their last 14 Premier League games at Selhurst Park (W3 D4 L7).

-Palace form in Premier League: DWWLWD

-Arsenal form in Premier League: LWWWLW

Twitter/IG: @bryoshavin

Arsenal v Boro: 5 reasons why we should field our best XI

Maybe this will be one of my shortest blogs, and probably one of the most straight forward writing when it comes to pre-match previews. hehe.

Yes we won against Leicester, and yes no matter how badly we did it, we at least managed to scrap a shoddy 2-1 win against a bottom placed Leicester side, moving us just a point towards our annual 'goal' the top four trophy, according to Wenger.

Despite me predicting a 4-0 win for the Arsenal, at least two of my predicted goal scorers, spared me the blushes. Laurent Koscielny scored Arsenal's opener from a Mesut Ozil delivery, to make it three goals in the league for the French international.

Koscielny's goal was not only a step closer to his annual four goals for the club, but it meant that the club now has scored more set piece goals than any other premier league side this season, with 14 goals, a fete which I can't remember the last time we came close to achieving. It also meant that the now revitalized Ozil, has now netted thrice and assisted twice in his last four games in all competitions.

Theo speedster Walcott, scored Arsenal's winner, but the manner which he buried it, was exquisite and breathtaking. After Mesut went for a long range shot, something which surprised many, Theo sprinted from the center of the park to volley in, Mark Schwarzer's rebound, to make it three goals in three starts as well as a remarkable 7 goals in his last seven matches for the club.

The FA Cup magic is back this weekend, and Arsenal continue their cup defence against division one side, Middlesbrough. After a scrappy 2-3 win over Brighton over a fortnight ago, Wenger's charges look to extend their unbeaten home run in this competition to 40 matches, having lost just once at home in the last 40 home cup matches.

I believe Boro will be a hard nut to crack, given their recent impressive run both in the cup and in their league. Firmly holding the top spot, Aitor Karaka's men look more focused than ever and this match will definitely be another big match for them, a reason I believe Wenger shouldn't undermine them.

1. Aitor Karanka

Boro's manager, worked as assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, and has taken just 15 months to turn a club that was in danger of dropping into the third tier into one capable of competing with the best sides in the country. Well Prof, having a manager who used to coach one of the biggest clubs in the world facing off with you, it's surely a big reason not to put up a second tier side.

2. Boro are on top of the second tier league and are not looking like a side ready to let a perfect chance of bouncing back into the top tier division, slip. They actually ousted City 3-2 from the competition, after coming back from two goals down to surprise the champions in their own turf. Well would you rather have Cazorla sit out the match all in the name of cushioning him ahead of our tight league fixtures, or have him break his ankle, scoring a wonder goal to send us into the cup semis?. So With the cub looking to end a six-year absence in the league, expect nothing less of a battle when both teams square out at the Emirates.

3. Arsenal really need its best troops out into the jungle, not just for a win but also to rebuild our confidence after two poor outings, since Villa's demolition. With Ozil and Walcott slowly clicking, a few more matches together with Cazorla by their side, will help build an unbeatable side, and as a result, the reserves will have no chance but enhance a strong and fierce competition for places, with the champions league on the horizon.

4. Wenger hinted at starting Arsenal's latest acquisition, Gabriel Paulista against Boro, a decision which I totally support! for those who have watched the 24-year-old centre half, his quest for glory, concentration, top drawer attitude and pace off and on the ball, know what Arsenal fans are set to enjoy once the Brazilian hits the ground running. Wenger said Gaby's language barrier has been the reason why he is yet to start the former Villareal man. Maybe he can finally communicate with his fellow squad members, guessing from Wenger's 'promise' of starting him. All I hope is that he will be playing alongside the experienced defenders, if we are to down the giant slayers.

5. Another reason I think we should line up our best numbers is cause, I don't expect Wenger to rest players in favor of the Champions League which is a fortnight away, and field a weaker side in the only competition which we stand a huge chance of not only retaining, but a chance to make it a record 12th trophy. I'd rather have a weak Arsenal side in the cup's semi finals than a strong dreaded XI against Palace next weekend.

                 TEAM NEWS: 

-Aaron ramsey out, Alexis Sanchez could be short. Jack Wilshere back in normal training

-Only George Ramsay (6 with Aston Villa) has won the FA Cup as a manager more times than Arsene Wenger.
-The Gunners have won 11 FA Cup finals, only Manchester United have won as many.
-Middlesbrough have won just two of their last 12 FA Cup matches against top flight opponents (W2 D3 L7).
-This is the eighth time Arsenal and Middlesbrough have been drawn together in the FA Cup, with -Arsenal winning five of the previous seven (once after a replay) and Middlesbrough two.
-Olivier Giroud has scored five and assisted four goals in his 10 FA Cup appearances.
-Middlesbrough’s last four FA Cup matches have all ended with a 2-0 scoreline in favour of the away team (two won, two lost).
-The Gunners have lost just one of their last 40 FA Cup home matches (W30 D9 L1) including the match v Sheffield United in 1999 that they offered to replay.

My Predicted lineup:  Szczesny, Bellerin, Chambers, Gabriel, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Rosicky,Ozil,Walcott, Giroud.

My AFCvMFC predictions: Arsenal 3-1 Boro. (Ozil, Walcott and Giroud).


COYG!!!



TWITTER/IG: @bryoshavin

Spuds vs Arsenal: MIND THE GAP!!

Will Spuds cut into Arsenal's rich vein of form?

North London is red! we did it again, Tottenham we did it again! Mind the gap! am on a chanty mood today, well it's the North London derby day! who cares about the rest?

Since time memorial, everyone knows that today's fixture is one of the most treasured, decorated derbies, not only in English football but also in the world. The reason is best known: Each of these teams will forever play for the pride of their shirts, for the North London bragging rights and it's in these matches where, heroes becomes villains while rookies also escalate into the legendary class, in just 90 minutes of football!

All in all, no matter the hype  that surrounds these fixtures, we all know who has held the mantle of pride and color; THE ARSENAL! .

From a 2 year old toddler to a 20-year-old man, none of them has yet lived to narrate Spuds dominance over the mighty Arsenal, not in class, trophies or even the fans' passion.

In fact the only story they live to tell is the harsh truth that: Arsenal enslaved the spurs minnows between March 19, 2000 and January 22, 2008 where sir Wenger condemned them to a record 21-match unbeaten run, well with a number of trophies won at their small, shady home turf.

Aston Villa massacre

Even when spurs 'attempted' to act classy with their failed twitter troll on us, we not only sparkled Emirates stadium with our 5-star performance, but we simply fired a stern warning to Eriksen fc. Didn't we?

Allow me to use the numerical '5' in my post match analysis: 5 wonderful goals against Villa, scored by 5 different players in a 5-star second half performance. Again, beware Tottenham.

Starting in his first EPL game in a long period, Ozil again produced one of his best and complete performances in an Arsenal shirt.

His clever flick to set up Giroud's goal was outstanding , not even the fourth officials expected that. A one touch display which saw Per select his German counterpart  before he released the now 'pacey' Giroud, is subject to a court hearing, because it's not allowed anywhere to tear up a struggling team in a split second!

Ozil not only set up Giroud, but the pair again worked their magic to repay each other's efforts, when Giroud chose to not pick Theo on the right , but settled for the charging Ozil down the left, and the result was an exquisite left footed goal, to make it two three goals for the club's record signing in all competitions, and his second in the league.

Despite a poor first half showing, Walcott, who was benefiting from Sanchez's absence, made sure he also picked up some needed confidence ahead of today's showdown.

Walcott who played a huge rule in the second goal, also was the engineer behind his own goal. Cutting down the left wing , Theo sliced the ball to Cazorla before the England international intercepted Cazorla's pass towards Giroud and he did no mistake with his well curved goal past the old guard, Brad Guzan to light up the Emirates roof in celebrations.
His was a paid gamble and a profitable risk which yielded astounding results, making it his second goal in two matches since his return.

Cazorla also turned from a provider to a scorer, thanks to Arteta's absence, which no Gooner is complaining. After Wenger opted to rest Giroud, his replacement in Akpom, took less time to impress, when he won a penalty courtesy of a clever run after collecting Ramsey's looping pass.
Cazorla who had earlier seen his effort denied by the bar, smashed an unstoppable penalty into the net, off Guzan's face to make it four as well as his fifth goal from the spot in six games.

Cazorla's goal not only killed Villains career but it ignited the midfield which was evident with the number of forward forays the players made from the middle of the park.

The little Spaniard wrapped up a superb evening with a superb assist, which saw 19-year-old Bellerin score his first senior goal for the Gunners, making him the 13th Gunner to score in the league this season in just 23 games.

Since Wenger trusted Cazorla in that No.10 role, the versatile double footed sensation, has scored or assisted 42% of the club's goals in 10 BPL matches. In that 10-match spell, Cazorla has completed more passes than any other Arsenal midfielder, creating 28 chances for team-mates. Only Hazard can better that figure during the same period.

Today is Wenger's 700th BPL match in charge of the Arsenal, and what a better way to ice his achievement cake than with a super win over our bitter rivals, who have just watched us win titles, rip their stadium apart and take selfies in their white washed grounds as a living proof of how untamed we can be.

Wenger is a specialist when it comes to these small sides, and as a result he's overseen many spuds managers lose in his hands as an Arsenal manager in his 18-yer tenure.

Let's smoke them off Arsene! Talking of smoke, Wilshere stirred the Gooner community when he was pictured holding a shisha pipe, just months after he was involved in another smoking controversy.

"I have spoken with him about that (smoking) and he is not a smoker," Wenger said. "He is of course sorry for what happened, It is down to him to master his life." added Wenger when questioned over the issue. The good thing is that Wilsh hit back at the controversy with a video of him working his arse off in a bid to return to full training, something which may have cooled off the gooners.

Arsenal head into the derby at the back of a 5 straight wins, with three consecutive league wins,since new year's defeat to Saints.

Ooospina once again proved to be Arsenal's new legend in the making with his fourth straight clean sheet between the sticks as he looks to bring back David Seamann and Jens Lehmann's golden memories in Emirates.

His has been a clean slate, with only numbers speaking on his remarkable self. In the premier league, since Ospina started Arsenal have scored 12 goals and conceded NONE! that's 385 minutes without conceding. Numbers don't lie, sorry Szczesny though we'll miss our in form selfie taker at WHL!.


Spurs have also been on a superb form, well thanks to three free kicks by their team manager, Eriksen.  Mauricio Pochettino's men are in the Carling cup final and have already mounted a serious top four fight in the last few weeks, which has seen them lose just twice in 14 games. On the mightier side, Wenger's men have won a remarkable 12 times in the last 14 matches an early reminder to these guys that they should MIND the gap!  dear spuds, your dreams of finishing above us will forever be just dreams.

Quick recap: The last time these two teams met at WHL, Legendary Rosicky scored an unstoppable cracker inside the first minute to bring down the lane and the travelling fans, owned the place with their loud chants which served as a sour reminder of how they will never match the class we got, even if we fielded our third best team. Remember these?

They were lucky to scalp a draw at the Emirates in September, but let them be warned, City tried that, and they were made to pay for the lack of respect in the return leg. Walcott, the guy who scores at will against them is back and on a resurgent run, we all know what to expect. Remember this?

So today's match expect ruthless football, sweat and blood with Arsenal coming hard at Spurs.

Danny Rose injured Theo, he should just be lucky that Adebayor might start and take all the boos on his behalf, nonetheless, he will be in for it. Both Theo and Cazorla will do what they do best, wiggle inside Spurs box and score at ease!

If Rosicky gets just 25 minutes with Akpom upfront, then we'll easily paint London RED! again.

North London is red, and a certain we'll make it a mega win on Wenger's 700th game as well as extend our unbeaten run to sixth straight win in all competitions. #COYG!!!!!! #FOYS mind the gap!

TEAM NEWS:

-Sanchez is still out but according the boss, he is well but he doesn't want to risk him.
-Wilshere is a week away, but Welbz might make a shock return today!

My predicted lineup:

MY THFCvAFC PREDICTIONS: Spurs 0-2 Arsenal. (Walcott, Cazorla)


MATCH FACTS



Head-to-head
-Arsenal won 1-0 at White Hart Lane last season, courtesy of Tomas Rosicky's second-minute goal. It ended a five-match winless streak away at Tottenham (D2, L3).
-Victory for Spurs would represent their 50th league win in North London derbies. This is the 156th league meeting.
-Tottenham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 32 Premier League matches against the Gunners.

Tottenham

-Tottenham are unbeaten in their last six Premier League home matches (W4, D2).
-Their only defeat in nine league matches came away at Crystal Palace on 10 January.
-Spurs have scored 20 goals in all competitions this calendar year, the most of any Premier League side.
-Tottenham have conceded a league-high six penalties in the Premier League this season. Opponents Arsenal have won the most (six).
-Christian Eriksen has scored nine Premier League goals this season, the most by a midfielder.

Arsenal

-The Gunners are on a five-match winning run in all competitions.
-In 10 Premier League matches since the start of December, Arsenal have scored the most goals (23) in the division and earned the most points (22).
-Arsenal are looking to secure back-to-back away Premier League wins for the first time this season.
-Arsene Wenger's side have not conceded a goal in their last three league games, their best run of the season.
-Theo Walcott has scored four and assisted three goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Tottenham.

IG/Twitter: @bryoshavin