Arsenal vs Man City preview: Welcome back Patrick and Kolo, plus favourite line-up
Four former Gunners facing their old team in what promises to be an intense afternoon at the Emirates tomorrow.
Seeing Patrick Vieira and Kolo Toure in different colours has always been a strange feeling and I hope they will be given a warm welcome when they step onto the pitch tomorrow. The same will probably not happen for Emmanuel Adebayor. You know, I always base my conclusions on facts, on what I see, and what I saw when we played them away from home was disgusting to see.
Now granted, I don’t know what happened in the background, whether he was really driven out of Arsenal by Arsene Wenger as he said, but for what he did in September, kicking his old team mates and celebrating the way he did, he deserves no respect.
As for the other two, I will never forget them. Going back to what we were discussing earlier this week, the hunger and the winning mentality, Patrick and Kolo were two who would have killed for the Arsenal jersey, especially the Frenchman and especially against Roy Keane’s Manchester United. Who can forget the fights between those two?
And let’s not forget Sylvinho, of course. Even if he cannot be placed on the same level of the other two in terms of how much he spent with the Gunners and how much he gave to the red and white colours, he could feature and that could mean 25% of City’s starting eleven made up of former Arsenal players. Bizarre isn’t it?
Manchester City
They simple cannot afford a defeat. After scoring six against Burnley, three against Wigan and five against Birmingham, they were stopped by Scholes’ late winner last week so they will try to bounce back in order to keep their fourth place dream alive.
Johnson, Petrov and Lescott are all set to miss out for Roberto Mancini’s side but Micah Richards is back after missing the last four games through a knee injury.
Favourite line-up
According to Arsene Wenger, Lukasz Fabianski will be a top class goalkeeper one day. The problem is of course that there are games to be played today before the “one day” comes and that will certainly not be tomorrow. Meaning, that we desperately have to go out there with someone who is not low in confidence.
Sagna – Campbell – Silvestre – Clichy
Eboue – Song – Diaby – Nasri
Bendtner – van Persie
Vito knows that with Wojciech Szczesny asking questions about a possible return, his future at Arsenal may be uncertain, reason why he would be determined to impress if called to start. Alex Song should be back in midfield and hopefully, Robin van Persie is fit enough to start from the first minute.
Pre-match Interviews
Speaking on Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger asked fans to behave and keep the club’s line of conduct. The Frenchman explained that what happened months ago is history now and everyone should focus on supporting the home team.
He explained:
We want to keep our line of conduct. No matter what happened in the first game, it is important that we have a positive attitude and encourage our players.
More than ever we will need the crowd to be behind us tomorrow and let’s focus on that. I expect everybody to behave well.
Funnily enough, Roberto Mancini said the same exact words, only that they were targeted towards the Togo man. The Italian, who was not in charge of Manchester City when that happened, explained how the striker should focus on his team, adding how last September’s celebrations were a “mistake”.
He said:
I remember the game against Arsenal. I watched it on TV. I don’t know why it happened but in that first game Emmanuel made a mistake.
On Saturday it is important that he only concentrates on City because Emmanuel is important to us when he is doing that. If he scores again I will be happy but it is important we don’t have another situation like the first one.
The Gunning Hawk Coverage
As always, tune in for team line-ups, streaming links, half time and full time reports, post-match thoughts, video highlights and what the press is writing. And of course, do contribute if you want to by making use of the comment box available at the bottom of the post as it’s always nice to hear your opinion. And as a final note, if you want to go one step further than just leaving a comment and want to have your articles published on our website, take a look here for more information.
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gd line-up but i would put song alongside campbell and eboue nasri and diaby in midfield and in attack rosicky RVP and bendter but i dont think manone will play altho i would prefer him to fabianski.
You’re right there. On Song at the back.
I agree.
Silvestre is freaking me out but I guess there is no other choice. We need Diaby and Eboue at their best tomorrow. Is this too much to ask?
Well, Jack’s “solution” could be an idea.
So, something like that?
Mannone
Sagna – Campbell – Song – Clichy
Walcott – Eboue – Diaby – Nasri
Bendtner – van Persie
I don`t think Eboue can play as CM only by the side. Its either Eboue or Walcott on the right side not both.
Yeah, Diaby and Nasri in the middle, Eboue isnt cut from the CM cloth, good player, but his talents are not suited for the middle of the park.
A CM should control the ball, the clock and the pulse of the game
rosicky instead of walcott bring walcott on at 70 mins
Damn. Old memories.
I was watching our victory over Inter Milan in 03/04 season. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKzkbMbTSPU for those who want to reminisce.
Man what a team, that was. I just don’t feel our current team has that communication, that vision any more. I might just be put off by our recent losses, but whatever. That team just looks leagues ahead. _That_ was The Arsenal.
Anyway, back to the point – I really wouldn’t start Diaby mate. He’s been absolute shite. I’d take Rosicky and give Vela a chance as a substitute. I believe he has immense talent unexplored by Wenger for reasons unknown – specially when we were dealing with immense injuries.
i agree about the legendary team you just got that feel about that team but you dont get that feel for this team and about vela he is just to weak physically very very weak
Good times eh?
About Vela:
Well then he shouldn’t be in our squad.
My point is – he’s extremely talented. Either his talent is usable for the Arsenal team from the perspective of the physical level in the EPL or we should sell him. There’s no point keeping him, then.
But I don’t think he’s too weak. His movement makes up for it anyway.
yeah good times and again vela.i no hes talented but when hes played in recent games hes looked out of his depth e.g west ham fa cup
Any players who only gets 15 minutes to play every other week is always gonna look off the pace.
With only 8, 10 or 11 minutes, he must try to go elsewhere, who considered him, AW, has not given him any chance, without any given reason… so, probably he will be missed in the future…
Yes , I think we will sell him , there is something going on between Vela and Wenger obviously. I mean he let Merida play against Wigan and not Vela. He`s leaving!!!
dont play diaby.
he has looked so poor in recent games.
the manager shoud bench him as to saying
“this is what you get for playing so poorly for a team like arsenal”
my line up: 4-4-2
mannone
sagna campbell silvestre clichy
walcott nasri song vela
bendtner van persie
with van persie playing as the second striker and bendtner the centre forward.
go gunners.!!
Oh man!!What a match!! Incredible Arsenal,Incredible HENRY(he should come back) and of course we should not forget that this team was certainly an AW team!!
but he is never gonna get more than 15 mins unless its carling cup and for whatever reason wenger is reluctant to play him
Song at the back, Nasri in midfield and Rosicky on the left. Walcott coming on in the second half. He rarely has a good game when starting from the first minute.
I agree. Walcott shouldn’t start.
He’s excellent as a substitute and lets just keep it that way.
As I see we all more agree that its better to start Song alongside Campbell in the defence. It would be much better solution because I expect fast counter attacks with Bellamy , Tevez and Adebayor in the attack and Silvestre is too slow to handle it. In the midfield I would like to see Diaby and Nasri , as wingers Rosicky and Eboue and in the attack van Persie and Bendtner.
So it would look something like this:
……………………..Mannone…………………………
Sagna…… Campbell ……Song ………Clichy
……………..Nasri………… Diaby………………
Eboue………………………………………Rosicky
…………..Bendtner……..van Persie……………
Lets win tomorrow and finish their dreams for the CL. And `cos I don`t have the luck to be on the Emirates tomorrow , make sure Adebayor dosnt feel as home. And of course a warm “welcome” to Vieira , Toure and Sylvinho
i know this question has nothing to do with tomorows game but can someone plz tell me whats is the name of arsenal song played before every home games at the emirates?
i think its called the wonder of you
Yeah, the wonder of you by Elvis Preisley. Great tune.
Ironic lyrics ‘i guess i’ll never know, the reason why, you love me as you do.’
Wenger and the arsena team shoudl ask themselves this sometimes when they witness the love poured from the stands for AFC
mannone
sagna, campball, song, clichy
walcott, diaby, nasri, rosicky
bendtner, rvp
subs fabianski vela silvestre troare eduardo eastmond merida
agree with the line up except silvestre…anyplayer is better than him…i prefer sacrifice song at the back then see silv there
I play CB or CDM for a county level club and will gladly offer my services for free, even pay my own train fare to get to London instead of seeing Silvestre at the back. You have only to ring me Arsene.
That’s the spirit
good man and i would happily be our keeper lol people say im pretty decent
We need Wojo back as soon as possible. If he is not our number 2 next season then Arsene has surely lost he plot.
Yep, I will most definitely be booing the retired Togonator from far away Chicago. Surely my boos will be heard at Emirates.
Sorry Cris for using your forum to fuel violence, but please for those going to Emirates, GIVE HIM HELL.
Arsene Wenger clearly asked fans not to be hostile in their reception to Emmanuel.
You know, if he gets booed, it would me two things:
1. What Arsene said fell on deaf ears
2. We’re not class
I think the best way to replicate to what he did is by silence, which can be golden indeed sometimes.
I don`t know , I think we should boo him. I know what Arsene said and you can`t expect him to say: boo him. He is a manager and you expect him to say something like that.
I wouldnt boo him if he didnt did the things he did in our first match. But now he deserves it. I think everybody will be surprised if we don`t boo him , `cos he deserved it. On the other hand I completely understand what you are saying , but we just can`t let go some things he did. HE IS NOT WELCOMED AND I THINK WE SHOULD SHOW THAT.
adebayor is simply a massive c*** and he deserves all the booes in the world. but even he can defend better than silvestre.
not expect too much from arsenal from this game,not because they lack of strength but mentality.
First off, I can`t see Wenger playing Van Persie for the whole 90 minutes.
My theory, and I say it for what therories are worth, is Arsenal will `park the bus` (as you guys say ) for the first half with Bendtner left like Aunt Sally up front. Early in the second half, Van Persie, Walcott and Rosicky will be sent on to up the pace and intensity.
Like all arm chair experts I`m probably a million miles from Mars.
It is an interesting theory, but I’m afraid parking the bus against Manchester City would be a big gamble.
They are on fire up front, having scored 14 in three games before United and with Wenger saying Alex Song is NOT a centre back, it means Silvestre will play.
That’s a big contradiction considering just about a year ago Arsene said his future was in the center of defense.
Strange comment by Arsene, Song has played well several times for us at centre back, he has played international football at centre back, he was at fault for the second goal against Barca but not the first which he had good position if Almunia stayed on his line.
What happens now if Campbell or Silvestre breakdown in the warm-up, does he move Song to centre back with this ringing endorsement in his ears?
We have played others out of position like poor Denilson but Arsene has never felt the need to comment on the club website about how he is not a defensive midfielder. Unusual form of man management going into a very important game.
I personally would leave song into his position with nasri if there isn’t any replacement from the reserve well Sylvester will have to do its going to be a hard match so iwould rather put on a fast pace team on
—————–[1]
Sanga -cambele- silvester- clyechey
—— Ebue -song -nasri
Rubin—- benthner— vela
But then this is my formation rosicky and wolcot at the 60th minute but then mr wenger might just have a different formation good luck to whomever is one
Play well and hope to win
Com on Arsenal
manone. cambel sagna(CB) eboue clichy(SB) nasri diaby song(MF) rvp b52 rosicky(ATK)
Yes, it`s a gamble Chris but I see it as two seperate 45 minute games. First one of siege second of counter attack. If we can go in at half time nil all anything could happen.
Even if we lose we`ve got to win some pride.
Nice line up!
on a side note… i know this isn’t “breaking” news but according to this article http://www.co.terra.com/futbol/europeo/0910/noticias/0,,OI4397004-EI14201,00-Asegura+Wenger+que+Carlos+Vela+es+sustituto+idoneo+de+Da+Silva.html
the release of Eduardo would be ideal for Wenger says he find Vela a suitable replacement and his loss would not be very missed, he is open to listen to Lyon offer and most likely will sale Eduardo During the summer trade!
hows about this?
………………………..mannone………………………….
eboue………..sagna…………campbell………..clichy
rosicky……….diaby……………song……………nasri
………………bendtner…………RVP…………………..
im thinking that they are gonna play ade and tevez up front, so sagna could use his pace to track tevez and campbell could use his strength to keep ade quiet and challenge him in the air. this would also allow us to put song in the midfield to intercept play and give us a physical presence in the midfield. the best part is . . . no silvestre!!!
thoughts anyone?
Nice formation as well.