Morning all and welcome to a match day edition of the Goonerverse.
I am getting the typical match day jitters; a combination of nerves and excitement with a little bit of sickness. Whether the latter is self induced or a result of the two former I don’t know.
Either way we have a game of real football, a home tie against an opposition we are expected to beat. In fact, such was our last result last time out that I fear anything other than a comprehensive spanking of the Swans will result in the continued doom and gloom media portrayal we have been receiving. I personally would take the three points over anything but I would be lying if I didn’t say that the lift the fans received following the deadline signings will be diminished if the performance is drab and lacklustre.
Fear not though Arsenal fans, I can imagine a high intensity showing with all players trying to prove the doubters wrong as well as the new players hoping to show their value. I predict a high intensity game where by we will really put them under the cosh. They play a style of football that is likely to suit us in that they will try and pass the ball around. We all know that if it is a game of keep ball that there can only be one winner and the integrity of Swansea’s style of play should suit us perfectly.
Also this should represent a nice introduction to life as an Arsenal player for a number of the Arsenal players putting the shirt on for the first time. I just hope that this is the case and Swansea does not prove me wrong.
I expect two debutants as Santos is confirmed by Wenger to be a bit short. Lucky then that Kieran Gibbs has returned to fitness. I expect the starting XI to look a little like this: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscienly, Mertesacker (D), Gibbs, Frimpong, Ramsey, Arteta (D), Arshavin, Walcott and Van Persie. Subs: Fabianski, Djorou, Santos, Colequin, Benayoun, Chamberlain/Rosicky, Park Chu-Young.
Whilst Rosicky is the only doubt that may make the squad with a knock to the knee with Wilshere, Diaby (both ankle), Ryo (calf), Vermaelen (Achilles), Squillaci (calf), Song, Gervinho, Jenkinson (all suspended) all confirmed to be out.
On paper a fairly strong team, certainly considering what could have been without the transfers. In a weeks time that will look exponentially stronger with the return of Gervinho and Song from suspension with others *soon* to follow.
Frimpong is the least experienced player on the pitch but perhaps the one I am most excited to see. I have been impressed every time I have seen him at this level. I hope he can reign in some of that enthusiasm which has cost him dearly this season. I absolutely love his attitude, his commitment and his hair cut. He is quite quickly becoming an Arsenal favourite amongst the fans and a good performance today will ensure he remains within reckoning of the first team when all the players return to fitness.
In other news, Wenger plans a best selling thriller entitled “The summer from hell”. He has candidly spoken about the difficulty he faced this summer and how it was difficult for him to endure. All of this is well trodden ground so I will not bore you all with going over the summer dealings again. It is just interesting to hear Wenger justify the summer’s actions tosome extent in an attempt to finally put the criticism to bed.
"Honestly, I could write a book about the summer. I think it would quite be an interesting one. Not because of me but because of all that happened, it was quite unbelievable. And you would see that it was not as easy as it can look from outside.
"Of course I'm not the only one who controls things [in this situation]. It's the clubs who buy, the players as well, the determination of the players, because they change sometimes their mind as well."
Interesting also is the tone of hope that this has convinced some other players who may have doubted their Arsenal future to put pen to paper.
“…the other players could have been a little bit worried about our ambition when they see big players moving out and not big players coming in… When you are a big player the confidence you gain when you look around is about who is around you. It's important for a football player.
Finally he noted that having the uncertainty affected the team’s performances, but now that should all change.
“'It's like in a company. When you're half-in and half-out, it's not as good as if you're complete in. That happened at the start of the season. But in our job, like in any given job, you have to create some collective and you need everybody to be in on board and focused on it. If you don't have that, it's much more difficult.”
GoonerVerse.
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