WBA Preview + Competition Winner
1 comment March 3rd, 2009
No league goals in our last four games. No league goals, in fact, in the month of February. But If there is any team capable of conceding goals to the bluntest attack since I attacked my brother with a spoon, it’s West Bromich Albion.
They’ve conceded a massive 51 goals already this season – the most in the league. If Arsenal fans ever think that Arsene Wenger sacrifices substance for style, they ought to take a look at Tony Mowbray. The bizarrely-accented manager’s principles are admirable, but few are envious of the results West Brom’s stylish play has brought.
Aston Villa didn’t only drop two points on Sunday. They dropped them from a great height onto a hard floor, smashing them into a million tiny pieces. And with that act of carelessness, the hope that had evaporated from me after Saturday’s match with Fulham was suddenly restored. Win tonight, and we’re breathing down Villa’s neck. And this time, after five games without a win (a fact no-one seems to have noticed), their nerve might just falter.
Our team news sees William Gallas unavailable through injury, with Johan Djourou set to come in alongside stand-in skipper Kolo. Ahead of that, I expect Andrey Arshavin to drop to the bench after playing 90 minutes on Saturday, with Emmanuel Eboue or Alex Song (with Denilson switching to the right) options to replace him. Arsene Wenger, however, feels Arshavin’s peak condition is not too far away:
“I believe that physically it will take him 10 more days. He says he felt much better than in the first game. You could see that he is not completely there but I am convinced he will have a tremendous influence on the game. Arshavin has a quick brain and he is many steps ahead of the game and even on Saturday he gave two great chances to Robin; one header and one that Robin tried to finish with his right foot – two great passes. He had two great chances himself too. When you can have that kind of impact on a game it is very positive.”
Upfront it’s likely to be Van Persie and Bendtner attempting to test the midlanders’ wavering backline. West Brom, meanwhile, will be deprived of on-loan Jay Simpson, who has been one of their best performers in recent weeks. This is a ground where Manchester United racked up a 5-0 victory.  Whilst we’re not at United’s level, three points oughtn’t be beyond us.
As you may recall, over the weekend we ran a competition to win a free six month subscription to ArsenalTVOnline, just by offering feedback on their free coverage of the Fulham match. Well, a winner has been plucked from the depths of my specially-constructed email account, and congratulations are due to Erik Jørgensen from Norway. The folks at ATVO have your details and should be in touch soon.
Everyone asocciated with Arsenal requires two things tonight: three points, and goals. Though if neccessary, I’ll take the former and accept the singular form of the latter.
Come On You Reds.
