Arsenal vs Burnley preview: Forced rotation for Wenger? Plus favourite line-up
It’s been almost a week since we won at Stoke, moved closer to the top and witnessed the horrible injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey. Sometimes you just have to move on and with Burnley and Porto paying a visit to the Emirates in four days, you simply cannot relax for a second. In mid-week, both Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela scored nice goals, which is always nice to see, especially for Nick who – unlike Carlos – is part of the squad and ready to impress with his club as well.
Burnley
19th in the table, Burnley are yet to win on the road and lost 13 of their 14 played games. Their only positive result away from home was against Manchester City in a 3-3 thriller so on paper, this should be an easy game for the Gunners, reason why it would be nice to see some new faces out there, especially since yes, Porto are only a couple of days away and that one will be much, much tougher.
Having said that, it would be nice if we could register a big win which would see us leapfrog Chelsea on goal average, remember Ancelotti’s side will not be in action in the Premiership this weekend as they will face Stoke City, in the F.A. Cup.
Favourite line-up
With the Champions League game on Tuesday, I believe some players will be rested and I would give a rest to Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri, knowing that both Emmanuel Eboue and Andrey Arshavin are perfect replacements.
Eboue – Vermaelen – Silvestre – Clichy
Denilson
Rosicky – Fabregas – Diaby – Arshavin
Bendtner
William Gallas is yet to recover from injury and news of today say that even Sol is ruled out so I’m afraid Mikael Silvestre will have to play at the back. Same emergency situation in midfield with Alex Song suspended and poor Aaron out for a long time. Luckily, Abou Diaby is back and he’ll surely be joined in midfield by Denilson, also back from injury.
Pre-match Interviews
It will be interesting to see how harsh tackles will fly during the game after last week though according to Burnley defender Leon Cort, the away team will not be shy to use their physical presence against the Gunners.
He said:
We are going to go there and still throw tackles in because it is a physical game and we are fighting for our lives. I don’t believe anyone goes there to kick them. People know that when they play against Arsenal they have to get in their faces and stop them from playing.
Maybe Arsene’s done it for a psychological advantage. Quite a lot of his players are small and move the ball a lot quicker so there are going to be a lot of mis-timed tackles
Not a direct reply to the above, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has absolutely no problem when opponents get physical. Speaking before the game, the Frenchman revealed he loves the commitment of the English game, as long as it is played fair.
He said:
I am sitting here like I am in a tribunal. What do I have to defend? Is it a football game or something else? I can understand people want to be committed against us, and I have no problem with that.
I love the commitment of the English game. I don’t want to change that and it makes the game even more attractive, but high commitment demands fair intention as well.
The Gunning Hawk Coverage
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I just hope we win and that ManU loses again =) As you said Chris, this should be easy in the paper, hope it doesn’t turn out into a horrible surprise. A shame that we’re not going to be able to see my “paisano” Vela, since this is an “easy” team. Though, I don’t know if he is in England, since Guardado is already in Spain. Do you know if he has already arrived to England Chris?
Oooh! And by the way, next “El Tri” match is against Norht Korea, agian without “europeans” just to see this mexican striker that is on fireeeeeee! 3 goals in 2 matches for the National team
The match is going to be in March 17, Wedensday i believe.
Can somebody explain me : Is Alex Song suspended for the match with Porto or the suspension applied only to premier league ?
Alex will play against Porto.
if we can kill them off before half time i’d probably opt to take diaby off then. we need him firing on all cylinders for the porto game.
speaking of porto, it’s either gonna be a glorious night or a night that really knocks the stuffing out of us. here’s hoping for the former.
chris why dont u like nasri he is a very good winger, i would choose him over rosicky any day.
Chris, what about Sagna starting at RB? I think it’s important to keep Eboue fresh ahead of crucial encounter against Porto. Arsenal needs his pace and creativity and to add more attacking vision.
I am thinking Arsharvin will shine with Bendty up front
could not agree less with the formation you’ve given in, what i think you guys have missed is that we have to rest a few players for the crucial game on tuesday against porto fc, which we wil l need our big boys to step up and deliver big time so i agree with chris, its nothing against the players its just that we have to rest the players, so heres my formation:
______________________________almunia_______________________________
______eboue____________vermaelen______silvestre____________clichy______
_______________________________denilson______________________________
________________________cesc____________diaby________________________
______rosicky____________________________________________arshavin______
______________________________bendtner________________________________
subs: __fabianski__sagna__bartley__traore__walcott__eduardo__nasri__
the same as yours chris just in the 4-3-3, don’t know why you’ve opted for the 4-5-1 plus were at home, lol. Anyways gonna go for an arsenal 3 – 0. with diaby, cesc, bendtner all scoring.
We need to kill off the game by half time so as to rest key player but dont underestimate an team in the EPL its the best league in the world Come on you Arsenal
The minute we changed to 4-4-2 against Stoke, we scored twice! Its about time to let opponents donno what hit them and roll over.
we were also a man up though.
I have nothing against Samir, Jack, quite the opposite, I currently prefer him to Andrey, that’s why I want him fresh for Porto.
As for Bacary, Hash, I think it’s pivotal for us not to concede goals on Tuesday so I want Sagna to be fresh for Porto
I dont like the idea of using knew faces wenger tried that sevral times this and it does not work
Would this be a good match to get Eastmond some more playing time? or is he not fit?
I think it would be better to leave Diaby on the bench and bring in Eastmond to partner Denilson just ahead of our back. We need Diaby fresh for Porto, 50/50 with Diaby usually means he hobbles off for another week or two.
I’d leave Arshavin on the bench too, again we need him for Porto, both these players can come on for cameos in the 60 minute or sooner if we’re behind.
I’d play, this formation
———————————–Almunia———————————————
—-Sagna——-Silvestre—————Vermaelen————Clichy——–
———————Eastmond————-Denilson——————————-
———————————Fabregas———————————————-
———————Walcott—————–Eduardo——————————-
—————————–Bendtner—————————————————
Yeah it’s a strange formation, but both Walcott and Eduardo are severely lacking in both game time and confidence a match at home against Burnley would be the best oportunity to get them in the game and get them a few goals. Eastmond has been impressive in the holding role and we’ll need two holding players in front of our defense if Silvestre is playing, to take the pressure off and let Cesc get to where he is most dangerous. The big plus for us is that Song will be rested for Porto, we shouldn’t take a risk with Diaby, a midfield three of he, fabregas and Song has been great for us and will be the undoing of Porto especially with Arshavin to return, Nasri rested, Vela in scoring mood, and the impressive form both Rosicky and Bendtner are starting to show.
Sagna should play right back and then move over for Eboué when we play Porto.
I just want to add, pay close attention to Denilson tomorrow, watch him for an entire match and you’ll see beyond the odd mistakes he makes, he’s a very good player, he keeps things simple throughout. He can’t hold off players like Song does so he plays good quick balls 99% of which are successful (unfortunately the other 1% have often led to goals), his positioning is first class an his awareness is also excellent. He’s very good at intercepting and stealing balls from the feet of opponents, all these traits are easily missed because they’re subtle unlike Song who trundles about kncking over players and standing firm, Denilson doesn’t get the recognition he deserves for the quality he brings to the team.
at least someone here besides me appreciates him
Well said bro!! but you know the 1% you said that he loses and they lead to goals. . .. . .normally kill us off
Be that as it may, I would like to see him score another goal
I hope WENGER reads this blog cause u guys are great whn it comes 2 picking our 1st eleven. I’ld go 4 Aluminium…Sagna…Verminator…Silvestre….Kelechi….Fabrepass….Eastmond…Denilson(mumu)…speed Freak…B52… Russian Assasin. I prefer eastmond 4 cover cos Denilson is not going 2 fight 4 balls like song. Eduardo will come 2 replace Arshavin in d 2nd half.
the formation that Wenger will pick tomor is:
————Almunia————–
Sagna–Vermalen-Silvestre–Clichy
————Denilson————-
Fabregas—————Diaby
Rosicky——Bendner—Arshavin
Walcott will surely play in the second half,or maybe in the first one it depends on how wenger wants to use his pace.
Anyway my line up would be.
————Almunia———–
Sagna–Vermalen-Silvestre–Clichy
————Diaby—————-
Fabregas————-Nasri
Walcott—-Bendner—-Arshavin
I think Walcott should play 90 min. He needs a full game and against Burnley is a good oppurtunity for Walcott and Wenger to try taking the best from a player that we love and want to shine again. Well i red some coment about resting some players for Porto. I think we are in a part of the seasen that makes the idea of resting players unaceptable. We need to be sure of wining every game till the end, so we must play with all our best players. Neverminde Porto or CL. We will against Porto thats for sure, but wining the CL is very difficult and the chance of doing it is less then wining the EPL. So we have to be sure of wining wining games for the tittle then if we have a lucky drow we can do it even in the CL.
Guys. It seems you guys have forgotten that Arshavin just came back from injury and he played 90 mins against hungary in the mid-week. I will prefer wenger to start Nasri and rest Arshavin.
I’ll go for
————————————————————-Almunia—————————————————————
Sagna—————————–Silvestre——————————–Vermaleen—————————–Clichy
—————————————————————–Diaby———————————————————————————————————Fabregas—————————–Denilson—————————————
—————————————-Walcott————————————Nasri—————————————–
—————————————————————–Bendtner———————————————————-
Rosicky also needs to be rested for the Champion League game which I feel he would be vital cos of his experience.
Did he really?
Wow, returning from injury and given 90 minutes. If Vela was available, I would have gone for him but maybe you’re right, 45 mins for Samir and 45 for Andrey makes sense.
he didin’t play the whole game. he was a second half substitute
Well,we Arsenal fans worldwide ha ve d same better formation like our prof(Arsene Wenger) whether resting or not we are winning the 2 matches,cos dis small but mighty men are determined 2 win d EPL or better still Champions League 4 us faithful Gunners fans
I dn’t want to believe we should rest our players, this is not the period we rest players. The two competitions are equal of importance, let us put our best
where is Merida in all of this… i think this kidd will leave if he is kept being left out in all of this ramsey out, song out, diaby 50-50, walcottt mind aint here, and still Merida… to be honest i think he will leave summer if wegner keeps ignoring him
nobody wants him gone at all, its him that doesnt want to stay he was given a contract just before the january transfer window he hasnt signed it yet what do you expect then, similar to flamini however he wanted more money.
Messi, I already kindly asked you to keep it clean.
Fran is a young talented player who cannot afford to stay on the bench. He’s no longer 16, he’s 20, reason why he wants to play.
Just like Aliyu said, this is not the time to rest players. Am in support of the very best playing today. Please Fran should remain where he is. Next season would be better for him.
We are the arsenal, an easy win for us if we dont rest key players. 4 – 0 my prediction
Chris
I was wondering what you thought about playing a bartley in cb instead of silvestre? I know he is young, but from what i’ve read, people are saying he could be another sol campbell. I know he lacks experience and it would never happen, but i am terrified when i see silvestre on the pitch.
I don’t want to sound harsh but we will have in Almunia, Silvestre and Denilson three players who, if having a bad day – they can damage us. I’m not saying Kyle Bartley is the answer but only in our dreams Arsene will prefer Kyle Bartley or Craig Eastmond to other players, even if this is the perfect game to test things out.
it always worries me when denilson is playing in the first hour of the game,i d prefer diaby’s strength and commitment anytime.
As Chris has pointed out Burnley have only taken one point out of forty-two away from home, they are also conceding an average of over three a game, this is a match our back-up players such as Denilson should be able to handle easily. I’m usually a cautious person but today we should certainly score four or more, we’re an attacking team and we should be able to match or beat the average the number of goals they give up on their travels, and as to Denilson well he’s due a good game and this is the sort of opposition that he should thrive against.
This game & any game until the end of the season is for you Aaron!!!
We love & support you, be strong & recover well.
Am I wrong or this is one of the rarest times you choose Denilson in yr favourite line up Chris?
I would rather have Eastmond as a holding MD & Merida at the lift MD if Diaby aint 100% fit.
Although we must not underrate Burnley, we shouldnt risk Diaby & throw him back to action earlier cause we cant affoard losing him again especially at midweek CL.
I would play Walcott & Bendtner (starting to get back to good for; saw the great header with Denmark?) alongside Nasri. Also i would giveEduardo, Arshavin & vela 30 mins to play in the second half if possible (saw Vela’s beauty against new zeland?). About Denilson i think he could be a great player only if he starts to fight & run the pitch. as long as he keep jogging there AW must let him warming the bench & thinking about his annoying attitude ….
Almunia
Eboue-Vermaelen-Silvestre-Clichy
Fabregas-Eastmond-Merida/Diaby
Walcott-Bendtner-Nasri
Subs: Fabianski, Traore, Sagna, Denilson, Arshavin, Vela, Eduardo
we must win & we will win. With the exact of 4 goals margin we will be at the top of the league. even if it’s gonna be for hours only, its very important & a big pshycological edge.
I’ve seen Denilson play well this season, namely in the first games of the season so in a way, I’m still hoping he can pull a Diaby and prove me wrong.
He’s yet to do it, that’s the problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgpudz8nta4
What i would give to have Hleb back playing @ Arsenal
The great years
Bearing in mind the Champions League match against Porto, I will not want to risk Diaby. I strongly believe Denilson, Merida and Fabregas can do the job in the middle of the pitch.
Silvestre is a greater treat than the opposite attackers, and I pray to God that Sol or Gallas can recover before the match against Porto or else…
I believe the team selection for Burnley today will be strongly influenced by the players appearance in the internationals midweek.
Here is my line up followed by comments:
———————————————————ALMUNIA—————————————————————–
SAGNA—————–SILVESTRE———————————–VERMAELEN———————–CLICHY
——————————————————–DENILSON—————————————————————-
NASRI——————-FABREGAS———————————–DIABY—————————-ARSHAVIN
——————————————————-BENDTNER—————————————————————-
The back four pretty much picks itself, although it will be tight between Sagna & Eboue for RB.
They both played 90 mins midweek, but Wenger will prefer Sagna’s more defensive quality due to Silvestre having to come in.
In midfield, Arshavin played 45 mins for Russia so i think will slot straight back in. Again, I think a toss up between Rosicky and Nasri, but Rosicky played 66mins for Czech Rep and Nasri did not play for France – so will slot in.
I’m not sure if Diaby or Denilson will play that holding roll although as Diaby is coming back from injury and has more going forward i think he will get the nod for the advanced midfield role.
Bendtner picks himself up front right now and can do more from set plays.
Please comment………..
Hey guys,
Does anyone know where I can watch this game online??? Plzz..
http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2010/03/06/arsenal-vs-burnley-watch-it-live-streaming-links-2/
Oh, cool! Thanks man!
Just heard Walcott is starting today
Team line up coming in a mo.
Rosicky starts, Sagna on bench
Here’s the team:
ALMUNIA
EBOUE SILVESTRE VERMAELEN CLICHY
DENILSON
WALCOTT FABREGAS ROSICKY NASRI
BENDTNER
NO ARSHAVIN, NO DIABY!!
Yup, this is being discussed here
http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2010/03/06/arsenal-vs-burnley-team-line-ups-half-time-thoughts-and-match-chat/