Arsenal will be reunited with one of their alumni when the Gunners face Shakhtar Donetsk of the Ukraine in the Champions League Group H campaign. Arsene Wenger's men will also travel to Portugal and face their doppelganger side Sporting Braga who also play in red and white kit. Then another trip to one of the former iron curtain countries to face Serbian side Partizan Belgrade.
Many would say it is a relatively easy group but Arsenal do not have a good record against sides from the former Soviet bloc. In fact they were beaten 3-0 against Donetsk in 2000 before a Martin Keown stoppage time header in the return leg at Highbury secured their trip out of that group. Then another thing to be vary about is former Arsenal players tend to do well against their former club, thus I really hope that would not be the case for Eduardo, who has scored three so far for his new club.
Followings are Arsenal Champions League fixtures:
15-09-2010 SC Braga (h)
28-09-2010 FK Partizan (a)
19-10-2010 Shakhtar Donetsk (h)
03-11-2010 Shakhtar Donetsk (a)
23-11-2010 SC Braga (a)
08-12-2010 FK Partizan (h)
In another development, ESPN-Soccernet reported the completion of Sebastien Squilachi's transfer from Spanish side Sevilla to Arsenal despite no announcement has been made by Arsenal.com. The addition is certainly a welcomed one by many Gooners as the defensive unit looks a bit lightweight after the departure of Sol Campbell, William Gallas, Mickael Silvestre and Phillip Senderos.
The tall French international will add reinforcement with his good reading of the game and man-marking skills even which would make up for his lack in speed even though the pace in the Premier League is a notch higher than it is in La Liga. Thus it will take a while for Squilachi to adapt to his new environment.
Another development in the transfer front is the availability of Newcastle defender Steven Taylor after the player fails to agree terms for a new contract with his hometown club. However, I do not see Arsene making a move for the English defender, especially with his defensive unit is already full with French speaking nationals.
The manager also calls for more protection for goalkeepers during set-pieces, especially corners when opponents have a specialist in obstructing goalkeepers from getting to the ball fairly. This is especially true when facing physical sides such as Bolton Wanderers and this weekend's opponent Blackburn Rovers.
Former custodian Jens Lehmann was the favourite among opponents to use this tactic as the goalkeeper could be easily provoked just by having a player standing in front of him. However current short-stopper Manuel Almunia is more stable in that sense. However after seeing how Stoke City scored against Sp*rs last weekend, Arsene feels more protection is needed against such unfair plays.
The trip to Ewood Park will see the return of midfielder Denilson from injury while Laurent Koscielny who was suspended against Blackpool should take his place alongside Thomas Vermaelen. Thus there would be some changes in the midfield with Alex Song is expected to take the role as the enforcer in front of the back four. If Cesc Fabregas is fit, then the skipper is expected to take his place alongside Tomas Rosicky which will see Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby dropping to the bench.
With an early kick-off time it will be interesting whether mad redo1 will place his butt in front of the telly or otherwise. Whatever it is, C'mon Gooners!
...
Many would say it is a relatively easy group but Arsenal do not have a good record against sides from the former Soviet bloc. In fact they were beaten 3-0 against Donetsk in 2000 before a Martin Keown stoppage time header in the return leg at Highbury secured their trip out of that group. Then another thing to be vary about is former Arsenal players tend to do well against their former club, thus I really hope that would not be the case for Eduardo, who has scored three so far for his new club.
Followings are Arsenal Champions League fixtures:15-09-2010 SC Braga (h)
28-09-2010 FK Partizan (a)
19-10-2010 Shakhtar Donetsk (h)
03-11-2010 Shakhtar Donetsk (a)
23-11-2010 SC Braga (a)
08-12-2010 FK Partizan (h)
In another development, ESPN-Soccernet reported the completion of Sebastien Squilachi's transfer from Spanish side Sevilla to Arsenal despite no announcement has been made by Arsenal.com. The addition is certainly a welcomed one by many Gooners as the defensive unit looks a bit lightweight after the departure of Sol Campbell, William Gallas, Mickael Silvestre and Phillip Senderos.
The tall French international will add reinforcement with his good reading of the game and man-marking skills even which would make up for his lack in speed even though the pace in the Premier League is a notch higher than it is in La Liga. Thus it will take a while for Squilachi to adapt to his new environment.
Another development in the transfer front is the availability of Newcastle defender Steven Taylor after the player fails to agree terms for a new contract with his hometown club. However, I do not see Arsene making a move for the English defender, especially with his defensive unit is already full with French speaking nationals.
The manager also calls for more protection for goalkeepers during set-pieces, especially corners when opponents have a specialist in obstructing goalkeepers from getting to the ball fairly. This is especially true when facing physical sides such as Bolton Wanderers and this weekend's opponent Blackburn Rovers.
Former custodian Jens Lehmann was the favourite among opponents to use this tactic as the goalkeeper could be easily provoked just by having a player standing in front of him. However current short-stopper Manuel Almunia is more stable in that sense. However after seeing how Stoke City scored against Sp*rs last weekend, Arsene feels more protection is needed against such unfair plays.
The trip to Ewood Park will see the return of midfielder Denilson from injury while Laurent Koscielny who was suspended against Blackpool should take his place alongside Thomas Vermaelen. Thus there would be some changes in the midfield with Alex Song is expected to take the role as the enforcer in front of the back four. If Cesc Fabregas is fit, then the skipper is expected to take his place alongside Tomas Rosicky which will see Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby dropping to the bench.
With an early kick-off time it will be interesting whether mad redo1 will place his butt in front of the telly or otherwise. Whatever it is, C'mon Gooners!
...
No comments:
Post a Comment