Will Chelsea do us a favour and can we finally take advantage if they do?

On Wednesday, Chelsea host Manchester United in the Champions League, a battle that no doubt Old Red Nose will be desperate to win so will he today have that fixture in mind when he selects his side to play?

United themselves travel to West Ham for a tricky fixture, Chelsea take on a Stoke side who can cause any side problems on their day, while we of course at home to Blackburn.

Will we today, finally see an Arsenal performance to make us believe we have a chance to lift the Premier League crown?

Will the two-week break from our poor showings of late have done the players the world of good and today see them start all over with a new-found positive attitude?

5.30pm UK time will answer that for us.

The good news for us is that Theo Walcott, Alex Song, Abou Diaby and Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner have all been passed fit for today’s game, the bad news is Ramsey is out. Oh, so is Denilson.

Wenger has also confirmed that Almunia will continue in goal.

It’s highly likely we’ll need to be at our very best today as we are up against twelve men, Phil Dowd having been named the official for today’s game and we all remember what happened earlier in the season don’t we. He went on a one man crusade to make sure we lost at 4-0 advantage away in Geordie land only to gain one point from a match that we were cruising in…….

He made many a mistake in that game, we need to make sure we don’t give him the slightest chance to repeat that again.

Theo Walcott, who I have already said makes his return to action today is sending out the right message – we can only hope that he and the rest of his team-mates put in a performance to make us believe in what he believes…

Go Theo, Go Theo.....

I think this year we’ve got that experience that any failures from the past won’t happen again.

We need to win the Premier League.There is a confidence in the camp – and I believe we will be champions, I really do believe it.

I’m very confident, you’ve got to be. If you’re not confident, then there’s something wrong completely.

As said, Chelsea and Manchester United have tricky away fixtures today and you never know, points could be dropped. If they are, we must and I stress MUST, finally take advantage and make sure we get all three at home today. We have been given enough chances and we won’t get many more.

Over to you Arsenal, only you can do this and we’ll support you all the way as long as you start showing some heart and desire and real passion for the club that pays you….

That’s it from me for today, have a good one…..

241 thoughts on “Will Chelsea do us a favour and can we finally take advantage if they do?

  1. Erick says:

    Morning Rico, big day indeed a loss for both the Mancs and Chavs would be great but whatever happens we got to do win three points very vital

  2. Erick says:

    Rico I wouldn’t mind Mad Jens in goal but Al gets a chance again..would go for the same team Rico kill the off in the first half then a week rest

  3. agirlagunner says:

    Boo! I hope you’re both well. 🙂 Can’t wait to see our team. Interlull has never felt this loooong. Great to hear everyone’s back save for Rambo. And I really, really hope they’re match-fit. We have all our remaining games to win…

  4. rico says:

    Boo to you agag, what time are you at right now? Shouldn’t you be asleep 😉

    Bloomin internationals to blame for Rambo no doubt 🙁

  5. agirlagunner says:

    5:30 pm, rico. 🙂 Even I don’t sleep in this late. Silly, silly internationals. We wait again for Rambo to have a proper game. 🙁

  6. Erick says:

    Agag not yet still job hunting and doing my final Research project where is RA when you need him lol Howdy GG man three points mate and enjoy if your going to the game

  7. agirlagunner says:

    I’m sure you’ll find one that’s the right fit, Erick. And good luck with the research project! 🙂

    Hola, WATH. Careful you don’t down too much GG today. 🙂

  8. W.A.T.H says:

    Nope not really confident at all Rico, i need my team to give me and show me something to restore a little faith !! The GG is at the ready AGAG 😉

  9. W.A.T.H says:

    Erick your a mind reader how did you know I had some for brekkie…. Only cos AGAG poured one for me 😉

  10. agirlagunner says:

    Work’s okay, Erick. They hired a new one so my work’s been halved. 😀

    Have a little faith, WATH. We’ll win this one. And the succeeding eight games. 🙂

  11. agirlagunner says:

    Nothing like more GG to cure a GG hangover, WATH. 🙂 I’m sure you would know. That was a huge tumbler, I poured you and is meant to last you the weekend.

  12. W.A.T.H says:

    AGAG, that tumbler was the size of a thimble stop exagerating….!

    I’m off too, things to do ppl to annoy and then down teh pub, you all have a good day and will chat soon..!

  13. Steve Palmer says:

    Morning all,nice one rico,
    Well today is not about other peoples mistakes, and doing us a favour, its about secureing our own destiny and getting the three points, to many favours have been given to us, only for us to give them back. i dont think we have a chance with this team, of winning the league,my mind is set. Almunia in goal, just about sums our team up. if he should get injured we have slippery hands Leyman to slot in, goes from bad to worse. Now i’ll try and think positive and try and believe we can at least win three points today, afterall we are at home. No Denilson to mess things up, Theo’s back ringrusty but talks a good game. Robins poor knee will probably start acheing after ten minutes. Cesc’s Hammy will be on Cesc’s mind, so dont expect any heroics. Alex must be biteing the bit, lets hope he doesn’t overdo it. Not heard a great deal about Nas so probably sit this one out,But good news Diaby is ready to bale out of a few tackles after a bit of a rest. Yep feeling realy positive today Wenger will leave the subs late just as well nobody to come on anyway. Yep three points in the bag then.

  14. rico says:

    Too right Steve and no more injuries – then lets get JD back for the last couple of games to give us another boost – maybe even Chez will be back too….

  15. rico says:

    What do you guys make of the Leighton Baines rumour??

    Looking more likely to be true about Clichy going as each day passes….

  16. Will says:

    i see both Man Utd and Chelsea winning today, they have experienced players who are used to the sharp end. We don’t and we are relying on talent alone. Is it enough?

    Al
    Sagna Squilli Kos Clichy
    Cesc Song Jack
    Theo RvP Nasri

    I would go with that team as well Rico.

  17. rico says:

    Great minds Will…. 🙂

    Got to pop off for a bit, flowers required for Mothers Day – don’t forget you boys 😉

    Back shortly….

  18. Osi says:

    StevePalmer apart from goalies who else is on the injury list? Don’t say Denilson, I hope he recovers and stay practicing with reserves. Are you sure Song is fit for this match?

    I agree with Will’s lineup and Nasri and VP must up their games.

    I can’t see ManU winning today, not sure about Chelsea and Arsenal win though.

    Any news of DJ?

  19. Osi says:

    I’m looking forward to this summer already, I’m really loosing patience with this lot and their chances of winning the league so I hope Arsene buy some better players if money is not an issue.

  20. Will says:

    Morning Steve.

    I have no idea but I am hoping either Wenger or someone close to him see’s sense and gets rid of the dross and brings in the players EVERYONE knows we need to really challenge.

    If not, I think we all have the answer as to what Arsenal want.

    Just found out that Man Utd start the next 3 game before us giving them an advantage. How the FA loves us.

  21. Steve Palmer says:

    Osi, JD, vermaelen i believe Gibbs is still injured. Frimpong, JD could be back for the last two or three games of the season. Frimpong out till next year, Vermaelen out till next year.

  22. Steve Palmer says:

    Funny you saying that Will, i have noticed that for the last few seasons, usually at the start of the season as well

  23. Steve Palmer says:

    Just listening to the tele about the fair play rule. I’m wondering whether Wenger has been saveing his spending for when this rule comes in, as a club with highest profits would be able to buy more players than others, the likes of City and Chelsea Utd with losses would not be allowed to spend. does anybody know anything about this.

  24. Osi says:

    Steve Palmer I believe that Wenger was saving for big signings this summer. I really don’t agree that Arsenal should buy some of the rubbish players we’ve been linked so far. I just can’t list all their names here but they obviously not better than ours. We need to buy some really proven, talented, good performers and injury free players. One big name for every position would be fine. defence, midfield, forward with some of our forwards exiting.

  25. Steve Palmer says:

    Osi, i must agree, although bringing through youngsters can save absolute fortunes, we have to have experience as well. Certain posistions we are weak in, should be filled with hardened profesionals. Arsene Wenger has been a great ambasador for us, but appears to be lacking the vision he once had. See a problem and attempt to rectify it, if this is done as the problem arrises, should keep the expence down. i am no expert but thats how i would try and solve it. Arsene leaves it to cure itself, is he wrong, afterall we are still second in the league with only a handfull of games left. Fans love him for what he has done, and if people are happy with past glory so be it, but for myself i want success every year.

  26. Osi says:

    Steve Palmer you said that Arsene “appears to be lacking the vision he once had” in terms of buying quality and assessing the quality of his team. I really do agree that He should have bought better players three or two of them, but at the same time I am not convinced of some of the players who are said available. The ones I thought would improve us are really expensive, and I’m not sure whether the club has the finances to buy them.

    penalty for West ham

  27. Will says:

    Steve, think about it. If we win the league this year, we will be stuck with Almunia, Squil, Denilson et al. Do we really want that?

  28. Steve Palmer says:

    I would be ecstatic if we did Will, but do i think we deserve it, no. Many people have stated that winning the league is a reflection of consistencies in the season, and if i am honest this is a season i would like to forget.

  29. Osi says:

    ManU the team we’re told they have a good group of defenders and ability to organise their defense can’t keep a clean sheet.

  30. Osi says:

    When I look at the premier league small clubs like West ham, and Bolton, Stoke, Westbroam and others I see they all have very good strikers who can score against any team. So for me the premier league quality (overall quality I should say) is better than seasons before. The gap in quality is narrowing in favour of small clubs. We have three teams in the quarter finals of the CL with Arsenal being beaten by the best club in the world so that is not bad at all for a league lacking consistency.

  31. Will says:

    Thing is, Man Utd, City and Chelsea will buy big in the summer as they have all been poor this season. If we win the league, Wenger will say his faith in these players is vindicated and he will stick with them.

    If we don’t win the league, the fans and board will have every right to question his tactics and say, we need A,B and C.

  32. Osi says:

    Is the lack of consisency of big clubs down to the quality of/or lack of in the premier league?

    I’m waiting for your opinions guys.

  33. Steve Palmer says:

    Man U have had an ageing defence and midfielders to and i believe that has made them a bit vulnerable this season, but although ageing they are experienced profesionals, and probably have enough to see out the season, new player will be a definite for next season

  34. K-TR7 says:

    Hi all.Don’t pop the champagne just yet,you never know whth the bloody mancs.we have also not yet played.

  35. Osi says:

    I think it’s more about the reputation of Vidic as a hard man with great defensive abilities that play on refs. minds. You know when everyone (media pundits, fans, writers) say hes the best that will definetly make refs. give him benefit of doubt more than often. Also it is true that playing for ManU helps.

  36. rico says:

    Osi –

    I do, depends on the hammers though, if they want to survive in this league they won’t throw away this advantage….

  37. Osi says:

    A clear sending off offense rico, but you know the reputation and his club. What annoys is not the fact that he got away with so many punishable offenses but that our defenders especially Kos/Song were punished harshly for much lesser offenses.

  38. agirlagunner says:

    When in doubt, the refs make a decision in favor of the Mancs. All the time. Pfft.

    Steve, that’s me trying to rein it in. 😉

  39. Osi says:

    West Ham looks like a mess right now, they’ll be luck to win or draw this one if they play like that in the rest of the match

  40. rico says:

    Will,

    Once you wouldn’t watch Arsenal play, may I suggest you stop watching Manure 😉

    Guys, Steve said it a lot earlier, let’s win this by winning, not by relying on others – a west ham win would have been nice and fergie had to bring on his big guns to do it..

    again a ref made a bizarre decision not to send of vidic, that is what has saved the mancs…

  41. rico says:

    It is agag but we should be used to it now – credit to mancs for fighting back, shame on the Ammers for letting it go, they will still be in the relegation threat and no wonder…

    all i can say is lets go get Parker on the cheap when they go down 😉

  42. Osi says:

    Rico I don’t agree with you in saying not relying on others. Every club including ManU and Chelsea are relying to others to drop points otherwise they wouldn’t have chance to win. Also Fergie didn’t change the game Rooney + West Ham have changed the match. I didn’t see any magic from the big man. Ref. also did help a little bit.

  43. agirlagunner says:

    rico, WH were poor in the second half. They collapsed in so spectacular a fashion, it felt for a moment like I was watching our club.

    Seriously though, these refs should be reviewed, too. And penalized for major gaffes.

  44. rico says:

    Osi – you may have got me wrong – i want them all to drop points and any help they give us, all the better…

    What i’m saying is, the league is there for us to win, win the game in hand, beat the mancs at home and win the other seven..

    what message would that send out to everyone, how would we fans feel to know we had won it by winning nine games on the trot, beating the dippers, the mancs and the scum down the road along the way??

    would that not just be the perfect way to become champions??

  45. Osi says:

    Oh yea Rico I agree with you on that front. We should win our matches to win. But, at the same time ManU are not odds on beating everybody so there come my optimism in relying on others as well. To be clear I don’t want our team to rely on others.

  46. kelsey says:

    it certainly would rico,however if chelsea get any sort of result today before we play we have the added pressure of making up 8 points on united and have chelsea breathing down our necks.
    we have just got to win today for starters.

  47. Osi says:

    |Rico also the fact that Chelsea has hopes in winning the thing makes it interesting and more likely for United to drop more points.

  48. Osi says:

    Kelsey I like Chelsea to win today to put pressure on our team to win big and give Chelsea fire to beat United.

  49. kelsey says:

    sorry Osi, don’t agree.If chelsea win or not we have the destiny in our own hands.I want to see us come out fighting,not like the cc final. we have to have all guns blazing from the off.

  50. rico says:

    hi kelsey, glad to see you back 🙂

    i’m hoping the only kind of result they get is on the injury list kelsey 😉

    to be honest though, if we can’t win in ourselves, we really don’t deserve it do we??

    how many chances have we been handed? Why couldn’t we take advantage of those chances?

    We all know the answer, we don’t have the right mix of players…

  51. rico says:

    Osi – i want the Chavs to win as much as want a Migraine!!

    I hate them, they run in debt and the whole set up is wrong….

    I hope Stoke stuff them good and proper and i also hope the game is dirty, hard and with a few red cards…..

    No long term injuries of course, just enough to finish this season off….

  52. Osi says:

    Kelsey I agree with you in saying we have our destiny in our own hands, but I believe if Chelsea believe they have a slight chance in winning the thing they gonna take it, and that will only be bad news for ManU as they’ll be playing a revitalised Chelsea team. We don’t play them again so that’s good news for us. However, if they loose any more points they’ll be demotivated and will focus on CL provided they win against ManU. that’s my point. It’s analysis not only a hope.

  53. rico says:

    Hey Lee,

    I wouldn’t put any money on us winning later but, i am a tad more optimistic with the return of our injured few 🙂

  54. Osi says:

    Rico lol a Migraine is less hurting than Chelsea, but not this time. I’m not worried about them I’m more worried about United So I think anything that puts pressure on United is good for us. If a Chelsea win give them motivation to continue believing then I wouldn’t mind them winning all their remaining matches until they play ManU in the league.

  55. Osi says:

    K-TR7 I think we have VP who has nothing to learn from Rooney, but the problem is that we don’t create as much scoring opportunities as we used to. VP didn’t have many chances in the last few games. We have big problem (attitude problems)in the team that should be rectified quickly if we want to put in a winning run.

  56. rico says:

    I am more worried about the Chavs knocking us back into third Osi, we don’t want or need that…

    Or even 4th if we dont get a grip….

  57. Osi says:

    What difference between 3rd and 2nd? If we fail to win the league I wouldn’t worry whether we’re 3rd or 2nd Rico.

  58. Osi says:

    Rico I don’t think we’re so bad to end up in the 4th place. If we do that then I’d sell a 2/3 of the team. I swear.

  59. agirlagunner says:

    KT, howdy? Fair play to Rooney, he knows how to take his shots. I still hate his guts though.

    Osi, lots and lots of money. 😛 I’m suicidal by way of bankruptcy.

    kelsey, I’m not used to you penguin-less. 😀

  60. Will says:

    I love the way the FA have put pressure on us. Makes me think they don’t want anyone other than their cash cow winning the league.

  61. rico says:

    Osi, I’d sell 5/6 players even if we win the league…

    Almunia
    Bendtner
    Randall
    Eastmond
    Hoyte
    Denislon
    Diaby
    Rosicky
    Fabianski if we get Buffon

    have i missed anyone??

  62. Osi says:

    Rico, it’s good to go straight into the CL but for me that wouldn’t satisfy me at all. I’ll only be satisfied if win the league. No less.

  63. rico says:

    Will – i’m never sure if its better to play when alreay knowing the result – yes the pressure is on but at least we know we have to win and cannot get complacent…

  64. Osi says:

    Rico you said:
    “Osi, I’d sell 5/6 players even if we win the league…

    Almunia
    Bendtner
    Randall
    Eastmond
    Hoyte
    Denislon
    Diaby
    Rosicky
    Fabianski if we get Buffon

    have i missed anyone??”

    I hang on Diaby though and add Fabregas to that list.

  65. rico says:

    I’d only sell Cesc IF he asks to go…

    But Diaby is becoming a Rosicky, he is pretty crap and in any case cannot stay fit, how may weeks in our season has he been injured??

  66. K-TR7 says:

    We also need to start thumping teams.the mancs are scoring plenty of goals,we need to do the same.

  67. Osi says:

    K-TR7 hitting a woodwork is a mark of precision as well. It’s much better than sending your shots over the bar or shooting at the goalie as Rooney does so often. VP conversion rate is very high and he’s fit he’ll get even sharper.

  68. Steve Palmer says:

    If Wenger stays, then next season we will only see 4 changes, Almunia will go Leyman will go Vella will go Clichey will go, i dont believe he will buy anybody

  69. Osi says:

    come on Steve Palmer you must be joking. He knows the weaknesses of the team and will let go of some other players. It’s a matter of whether he has money.

  70. Osi says:

    K-TR7 we only must judge what we see and that we see says VP has 16 goals so far with as almost many appearances.

  71. rico says:

    Kt, good answer 😉

    Steve – i think we are in for a few changes this summer, i feel it in my bones….

  72. Steve Palmer says:

    the only time wenger will sell any of his babies is if they ask to go or he gets offers he will not move any players on. Maybe Arshaven as his age is against him, and if Myo can get a visa he can fit in there

  73. K-TR7 says:

    100% sure osi and most of them are absolute beauties.who can forget the goal he scored them in 05/06 at home when he came of the wing between two blackburn defenders to bend the ball into the top corner off the post?or in 06/07 when he turned their entire defense inside out to score?…

  74. rico says:

    Don’t forget Bartley Steve 😉

    Kt, best he start today then, we could do with a few goals ….

  75. kelsey says:

    all the loan players will go except lansbury.the clichy rumours are escalating as said earlier.
    i just can’t see wenger having a clear out of more than 2 or 3 players.
    eboue has just signed a new contract……help 😉
    I read on twitter that cesc has some family problems and have you noticed all the spanish players look miserable.cesc,torres,reina, are they all homesick (like merida)

  76. rico says:

    kelsey,

    that is intersting about the spanish – you must hear a lot out there ?

    i think bartley will stay and coquelin and i’m not so fussed about eboue as he’s decent cover for sagna..

    just cannot see barca offering the right amount this summer unless they throw a player into the deal…

  77. Osi says:

    Anyway we have enough good squad players but what we need is people with cutting edge at the top and three of them would be enough. However, that wouldn’t happen unless we got rid of some of players who failed to perform + Fab who wants out. Arsenal should stick with those who stick with us.

  78. rico says:

    Osi –

    disagree, our squad is weak, that’s why we have lost/drawn so many when the best ou injured, we may have a huge squad but after the first 13/14 they are poor – we have too many who are simply not good enough and they need to find a new club…

    Depth yes, strength in depth, no way imho….

  79. kelsey says:

    agreed rico, we have to off load so many of the nearly players and most on loan.how many have come through in the last 5 years. wilshere and gibbs (nearly)

  80. Steve Palmer says:

    Its not that they stick with us Osi, no one else wants them. If Barca still want Cesc after a season of injuries they must be mad, even hardened Arsenal fans are getting the hump with it.

  81. rico says:

    spot on kelsey – and gibbs worries me, he seems so injury prone – sad really as he looks darn good…

  82. Osi says:

    Rico everybody in the league is weak when they have the best out injured! We’re not in a league of our own, we just have to be better than rest, and as I see it we’ve better squad than Chelsea and United if we only buy three quality experienced players. that was my point.

  83. Steve Palmer says:

    3 players in our team this year have been worth their money, kosi, sangna, song, worked their socks off, although kosi started iffy he has stuck in there, whos your three

  84. rico says:

    Swamp Dwellers have drawn too which is good and the chavs are still 1-1….

    Come on you Gooners – you need three points today more than ever before…… well, in the last hour or so 😉

  85. rico says:

    good point Steve, also Botelho if he ever gets here and we still have Traore…

    we have far too many if, but and maybes…..

  86. Osi says:

    So what about the results of today for those of you who are worried Arsenal loosing the 4th place?

  87. kelsey says:

    united are no great shakes but have a winning mentallity, that’s where we slip up.
    do you blame the players or the manager or both.
    nevertheless i really expect us to win by at least 2 goals today.

  88. kelsey says:

    first ten minutes sublime then nasri gets an egg on his head and we start to falter. come on you reds.

  89. Will says:

    I am starting to become ashamed by this Arsenal team. It is like none of them want to win and they all look at someone else to spark them.

  90. kelsey says:

    don’t be ashamed. they will come good, need to get theo more into the game as in the first ten minutes,and waddle can go and f*** himself,talking about being biased

  91. rico says:

    Will, i think the Nasri knock did them – he should have come off….

    He won’t return in the second half – well, i hope..

    Almunia scares the heck out of me…..

  92. Joaquim Moreira says:

    A center forward quickly !!!! He must be on the pitch more or less at the 20 minutes!!! RVP isn’t in the pitch
    Nasri probably must come off

  93. kelsey says:

    Nasri should come off and bring on nic and then if we don’t score bring on chamakh as well for jack

  94. kelsey says:

    with almunia in goal it’s like “dancing on ice”. he is clearly shot, and i feel really sorry for him,but we should have got a loanee from somewhere.

  95. rico says:

    I haven’t got it in to post tonight guys and gals….

    we couldn’t win a pee up in a brewery, let alone this game….

    catch you tomorrow….

  96. agirlagunner says:

    The way our players were passing the ball around aimlessly, you would think they had a four-goal cushion… Oh, wait, we’re also known to blow that type of lead… An embarrassment to the shirt, one and all.

  97. Lee says:

    Will, that is a good result in the long run for us…. Surely the faking penny will drop!!!! We we absolute shit…

  98. Lee says:

    Goodnight everyone…..well it won’t be will it but, ho hum, we look good for another top four finish and that’s like a trophy,these past 6 yrs!! WTF is going on with our great football club??

  99. JonJon says:

    evening
    shite shite and shite some more..
    this was the game we were supposed to turn it round..this was the game where we were supposed to remember rocky..
    bollox to the lot of em…

  100. Will says:

    JJ, I have lost all desire for this season. I want it over now. I want someone to show Wenger where this squad is lacking and force him to buy.

  101. JonJon says:

    hi will
    i lost interest about two week ago…

    if wenger doesnt know whats wrong after 6 years then it doesnt matter if we get jesus to come in and tell him what to do he wont do it…

    personally
    i want the summer window to come and in the first two weeks i want the shite at the club sold and i want cahill
    parker
    hazard
    gamerio

    realistic targets and i want a few of the young lads like jet, lansbury, gibbsy, frimpong to be given a crack…real arsenal lads with real arsenal values i wanna see the next rocky come through the ranks…
    a lad who will play till he drops and not a lad who dont give a fuck unless hes collecting his wage

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