#SeasonOpener #COYG
Posted by Resident Blogger : SimonSEEZ
Finally dawn of a new season, first real action we’ve had in months. There are few things I look forward to every year, start of the year, Christmas, Mrs Seez birthday and Start of a new season, there is something with the beginning that fills one with joy, hope and expectations. For Gooners, not sure we are feeling any of those three right now, but anyways the season is here and with one voice lets scream COME ON YOU GOONERS…..WE SUPPORT THE GREATEST TEAM IN THE WORLD!!!! Eminem imitation ‘Snap back to reality’ .
ARSENAL
We play Villa today and the last time we lost at home on opening day was against Conventry 20years ago, hopefully that run extends today. This summer has been by many standards a shipping out period for Arsenal with 17 players leaving and one new Signing, Yaya Sanogo. While most of the deadwood really needed to be shipped out, it was just as important to have quality back in the squad, whats the point making spaces with no one to fill them. This summer almost every senior Arsenal player has made a remark or two on why we need to bring some big name into the club and with links all summer to players like Suarez, Rooney, Fellani, Gustavo, Higuain, Julio Cesar, etc why we still haven’t got anyone in is a question that can render your mental processing ability in total state of disrepair.
The manager stated in his press conference yesterday that we are still in the market pointing out we have 18, now 17 days left before the window shuts down.
“I don’t disagree that we are a bit light at the moment,” Wenger said. “We are looking to strengthen our squad. We’re looking more for quality than for numbers. We would like two or three players, if possible more. [But] it’s not a question of spending money, it’s a question of buying the right players. ‘ ————— am sure he reads this from same script every year yea??
Speaking to Arsenal.com
We are active. We are in a situation like Manchester United, like Chelsea, where everybody expects signings and at the moment not a lot has happened. There are 18 days to go, so that is a long time in the transfer market and we will be active.I cannot certify what the number [of players coming in will be] but we will be active until the end, that is for sure.
The squad is thin and most importantly my player for last season is out for 6weeks. Mikel Arteta, such a beauty, he is our anchor, his absence in our team is a huge loss. The cover he offers the back four, his passing ability and the calmness with which he carries out his duties ensuring stability in the whole midfield area is irreplaceable in the team, but Mikel is 32, did we really expect him to play all season long? This hurts more when you realise we just missed out on Gustavo. Thomas Vermaelen, Nacho Monreal (both back) and Abou Diaby (knee) will definitely miss the game while Bacary Sagna (ankle) is a doubt. SAGNA?? Our Centre back backup? Ramsey hopefully would have recovered from his knock.
“Vermaelen is out; Monreal is out; Arteta will be out,” Wenger said. “Monreal will return soon – the others are a bit longer.
Hopefully we would put up a team that will be good enough to beat Villa, the squad is so thin, I hear Frimpong might even make the bench. Looking forward to Santi , Koscienly and Walcott in this game. Theo had an excellent pre-season and his goal against Scotland should put him in excellent shape for this one. Santi scored and set up a goal for Spain at Midweek and Kos The Boss well is just the greatest defender that ever lived.
ASTON VILLA
The only important transfer business for Villa was Benteke (19goals last season) deciding to remain with the club this summer after initially handing in a transfer request. Lambert has been active in the transfer window thou, bringing in Jores Okore, Aleksandar Tonev, Antonio Luna, Nicklas Helenius and Leandro Bacuna to bolster the depth of his squad. Villa were dragged into the relegation battle last season and that is a fight they don’t want to have this season and Lambert with his young group of players now have an extra season of experience in the league and they bring that to the Emirates this season.
Injuries to Charles N’Zogbia (Achilles) will not feature. Yacouba Sylla (ankle) and Chris Herd (calf) are also rated as major doubts.
PREDICTION.
Arsenal squad is thin but there is no reason why we shouldn’t take Villa at home so I’ll go out and predict a 3-1 victory. A clean sheet would be good for confidence thou but with Benteke in the side Villa will always be a threat.
Match Officials for the day.
Referee: Anthony Taylor. Assistants: H Lennard, M McDonough. Fourth Official: A D’Urso.
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