• The Arsenal

  • Arsenal v/s Tottenham Hotspur, Saturday 20th November, 12:45

We just HAVE to win this!!!!!!!!!!!

The video gave me goosebumps. Fantastic.

Destroy 'em yiddo cunts, I say!

I am feeling all kind of emotions about this tie already.

Wow, i didn't think i could be any more up for this, but after watching that vid...

Hopefully, we won't be hampered with injuries following the conclusion of the wretched international break. Maybe the time away will allow Cesc to sort himself out as well giving VP/Theo a bit more time to regain match fitness.

Will be crossing my fingers over Nasri/Wilshere.

Here's a question: who starts at CB?

Are you asking who we prefer to start with or who Wenger will start with?

I'd like to see Djourou and Koscielny personally, but I also think there's a point in not switching too many players. It depends a bit on the rest of the team I guess. If there are too many changes in midfield and up front I'd keep the defence the way it is to maintain some continuity. Otherwise I'd replace one of the centrebacks with Kos. Djourou would be nice to have around to deal with Crouch so I'd probably give Squillaci a well-deserved rest.

I'm pretty sure Wenger will go with Squillaci and Koscielny though.

Either Klaus (suspect Wenger will plump for Squillaci+Koscielny).

It's interesting really given Djourou's recent performances as he's really put himself in the mix and he on longer seems the inferior option; in fact I'd say I like all our CB options without exception (although as a footnote, Vermaelen is the only sure-fire first XI choice as Kos is still too wet behind the ears, Squillaci isn't quite well-rounded enough and Djourou is still something of an unknown quantity at 26 years of age).

At the moment, I'd favour Squillaci's experience but I'm struggling to decide who'd partner him.

Am I the only one who's been relatively content with out back four this season? I'm starting to feel that our defensive problems actually emanate from our midfield (this was certainly part of the story last season but seems a more prominent issue this campaign).

Isn't Koscielny suspended for another game (2nd sending off)?

He was suspended for Wolves and Everton.

He doesn't deserve to play anyway.

He's missed his two games Pep. I would stick with SS and JD personally. Think they've both looked extremely solid whilst playing together, and Djourou's aerial ability is sorely under-rated.

I'd like to see the same team that started the 2nd half against Everton.

Ah yeah, I forgot about the Wolves game!

hmm, selection dilemma!

I would go with Squillaci and Djourou too. We have looked much more composed and disciplined this season defensively. There have been individual errors which have cost us points but our organization is much better as long as the midfield has helped out.

I am more concerned about our attack at home right now though. Qs alluded to it earlier and he may not be off the mark in believing that we are not being able to match expectations at Emirates of taking the game at pace against to the opposition, parked bus or not. We are far too slow and for the pace at which we play we are also highly wasteful in possession when it comes to the final third. If we are opting to play and pass at the pace at which we do we are not being patient enough to find an opening then.

Tottenham pose a different challenge altogther and this is going to be a very close match i feel. We can't lose the ball like we do in some areas with the threat they possess wide. I just can't wait for this match, Saturday can't come soon enough. A good win may just be the tonic to get us started at home. Both teams will be up for it and we should be winning this, both in the context of where we are in the League and the pride at stake.

Captain wrote:

He doesn't deserve to play anyway.

Koscielny? What leads you to that opinion?

I think one thing is certain and that is with Modric/VdV as opposition, we need to pressurise more earnestly.

Klaus wrote:

Pepe: Nope. According to The FA he was to serve a two-game suspension after our claim for wrongful dismissal had been rejected: http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplinary/NewsAndFeatures/2010/Koscielny0911

My guess is that he got a second game's suspension for his second red card but they didn't add a third one when the claim was rejected.

His was a professional foul which calls for a one match ban instead of three, isn't it?

Like you said the second was because it was his 2nd red.

I think, what Klaus meant was that the FA didn't deem our appeal frivolous and as such the initial 1+1 game ban stood, without an extra game added to that punishment.

Don Pacifico wrote:
Captain wrote:

He doesn't deserve to play anyway.

Koscielny? What leads you to that opinion?

I think one thing is certain and that is with Modric/VdV as opposition, we need to pressurise more earnestly.

The fact that Djourou/Squillaci has been our best partnership so far this season. Easily as well.