Morning Gooners,Here we go, match day!
I can't believe how contrasting my feelings can be before two consecutive league games. As we approached the game against Utd a couple of weeks ago I was full of fear and dread. I knew we were outclassed and although I am a hugely optimistic gooner, the best possible scenario I could muster in my mind was holding out for a 0-0 draw and maybe, just maybe, getting lucky and stealing a sneaky 1-0 win. But as there was no football that weekend I guess we'll never know.
Today however, I just can't wait for the game to get started. Fresh new faces in the squad, the Nasregas saga finally behind us for good, and a new feeling of optimism and hope flows across the Arsenal camp even Arsene Wenger looked more like his old self in his press conference. Getting through the internationals with no new injuries and our players scoring for fun it's turned out to be almost a perfect international break and it seems to me that just about everyone connected with our wonderful club is ready to go.
A couple of guys that are not ready to go are Jack Wilshere and Thomas Vermaelen. Both players face a continued spell on the sidelines and won't be back on the pitch for at least 6 weeks but at least now we have a squad big enough to field a team that will put up a decent fight.
I have for a long time believed that one of the biggest issues with our players is that they are too settled. Players who are at the club from a very early age then break into the first team and such is Wenger's nurturing nature that by the time they get their chance they don't have the same hunger to perform and impress the manager that a player that is new to the club would. Mertesacker, Santos, Arteta, Benayoun, Park, AOC, Jenkinson and Gervinho all have that hunger and desire to impress and I honestly believe that difference will give us an edge for the remainder of the season.
On to the game. Swansea are a fantastic team to re-start our season against. They are weak in every department. They are yet to score a goal in the league and despite all their flaws they still play quite open football which should suit us perfectly.
Per Mertesacker should be the first new face we see at today's game standing in for the injured Vermaelen. Gibbs and Santos are both fit but Wenger has hinted he feels our new Brazilian may be just short of match sharpness so I'd expect Gibbs to get the nod to play at left back.
Frimpong returns from his suspension and will take his place in the holding midfield role he performed so well in against Liverpool. Frimpong's biggest problem at the moment is his inexperience and the rash decision making that comes with it. If he can control that today he should be very effective for us. He will also get opportunities to stride forward which he does with great power so I'm looking forward to seeing a couple of 'DEEEENCH' attacks. Arteta should be the next player to make his Arsenal bow today. The uncapped Spaniard will bring all of his creativeness and premiership experience to the table and today should be the first game of a successful Arsenal career. Everyone is excited about Arteta joining the club - if for nothing else it means that someone other than RVP can start taking free kicks - hopefully his debut will be one to remember.
The third midfielder of that trio should be either Ramsey or Rosicky. Rosicky has had a relatively rested international break whereas Ramsey played his arse off at Wembley against England so may still be feeling the fatigue. I hope it's Ramsey that enters from the tunnel as he and Arteta will be our first choice pairing in midfield for the next couple of months so the sooner they get their relationship going the better.
Walcott has been passed fit and Van Persie......wait for it....... has returned from Holland duties without a scratch on him, not a single broken bone, not even a bruise, nothing!! It looks doubtful that Park's paperwork will be sorted in time and even if it is done then the lack of practise with his new team mates will surely mean that a place on the bench is the best he will achieve. The only real question for our front line will be who joins Theo and RVP. For the first time this season we have options. Arshavin is most likely to start and this should be a game we don't need to panic over when it comes to his lack of defensive cover. Wenger may give yet another debut in the form of Benayoun or a full debut to Chamberlain both of whom will be desperate to get their chance to impress in front of the Emirates crowd.
My Line-up:
Szczesny
Sagna - Kos - Mertesacker - Gibbs
Frimpong
Arteta - Ramsey
Walcott - Arshavin
RVP
Yesterday saw this year's team photo finally taken and today marks the start of Arsenal's future. Arsenal football club must be looking for nothing other than a win against Swansea and I have a lovely feeling it could be a big one.
Today is not a time for negativity so I plea to anyone planning to take part in any protest, march or demonstration whether it be the 'Black Scarf' or otherwise please don't. Today is a day to get behind our club and our team and start our march FORWARD.
Until next time,
Goonerfish.
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