Showing posts with label Match Preview. Show all posts

Arsenal Vs Norwich Match Preview

18th October 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend 



Premier League leaders Arsenal welcome Norwich City to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal (5-1-1) come back from the international break full of confidence, having enjoyed a terrific start to the season. The Gunners' 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion last time out was the first time they dropped points since the opening day of the season, and the arrival of record signing Mesut Ozil is being credited with transforming the mood at the club.

"Of course, it's a big responsibility to spend that amount of money," explained Wenger. "But I feel comfortable with it because we had the money to do it. Before we couldn't have done it because we didn't have the money available. It's as simple as that.

"I had a huge sense of responsibility when we built the stadium to get the club through it without going bankrupt. The first years were difficult, and also explained why we lost some players. Now we are in a more comfortable financial position, I - more than anyone - want the great players to play for Arsenal Football Club. If we have to spend the money to do that, I will spend the money."

Chris Hughton's Norwich (2-1-4) also invested heavily in new players over the summer, but their squad has shown signs of taking time to settle in the early going. Three defeats in the last four league games have left the Canaries in the bottom three going into this fixture, but at this early stage of the season, Hughton's side is only three points outside of the top half and chief executive David McNally this week urged the fans to remain patient.

"I think we're not in the position we deserve to be given the performances," said McNally. "We would like to have more points. I'm not happy about being 18th; I'm embarrassed by it. So I'm sure lots of supporters feel the same way and we will do everything we can to support Chris (Hughton) to get up the table as quickly as possible, and to stay and remain up the table.

"One point would've moved us up five places at the weekend; a win and we may have been on the cusp of top half. So it's very early days. This time last year we only had three points, so year on year there is a distinct improvement."

Arsenal won 3-1 against Norwich at the Emirates last season, but a lone Grant Holt goal was enough to earn the underdogs a win in the return fixture. Norwich have scored at least once in each of their last six Premier League meetings with Arsenal, but the Gunners have bagged at least three in their last three home games versus the Canaries.

Norwich have failed to score in seven of their last 11 away matches, managing just six goals in total in those games.

Arsenal's tally of 16 points is their best start to a Premier League season since 2007, and Wenger's outfit are the only side to have scored in all seven of their league games. Arsenal are in a terrific run of form stretching back into last season, winning 13 of their last 17, and losing just once.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal :
Theo Walcott (abdominal strain), Yaya Sanogo (back), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), About Diaby (knee), Lukas Podolski (hamstring) are the players out of this encounter.

Norwich :
Norwich have doubts over Anthony Pilkington (knock) and Elliott Bennett (knee).

3 points for Arsenal will ensure the team go into Tuesday's champions league game against Dortmund in positive spirit.

ArsenalSupremo Prediction : 3 0 COYG

Sunderland vs Arsenal Match Preview

Published 13th September 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend


Arsenal will be able to call upon record signing Mesut Ozil on Saturday when they travel to the Stadium of Light to play Sunderland. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal (2-0-1) started the season in disarray, with a lack of transfer activity providing the backdrop to their opening weekend defeat to Aston Villa. However, less than a month later, it's all smiles at the Emirates.

A Champions League play-off win over Fenerbahce came alongside back-to-back league wins - including a 1-0 victory against north London neighbours and closest rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The addition of German attacking midfield star Ozil from Real Madrid, though, was the highlight of the summer - not just at Arsenal but in the whole of the Premier League, and the number 11 is looking forward to getting out on the pitch with his new teammates. "I will have wonderful years here," said Ozil. "Hopefully I will win many trophies and stay healthy and this is what I look forward to. I am in the strongest league in the world and have to prove myself here to continue developing.


This is why I am at the right club. I cannot promise to win trophies, but I can promise that as a team we will give our all to win trophies. "Arsenal is a very well-known club, a very successful club with very young players, and the young players develop very well here. This was one of the reasons why I chose to come here, I want to continue to improve myself. I am really happy to be here under such a great manager. That was most important for us, what he (Wenger) thinks about me, what his plans are with me. I decided to come to Arsenal because I have the trust in this familiar environment." Paolo Di Canio's Sunderland (0-1-2) have just one point from their opening three games.

However, the Italian has brought in a host of new faces to the squad since being appointed in March, and one of those new players, Ki Sung-Yeung, is looking forward to this challenging match. "It's not easy to play against the big teams," said the midfielder, who is at Sunderland on a season's loan from Swansea City. "I played against Arsenal four times last season, including the cups, so I know them well. They are a good side, one of the best in the country, but we are at home and looking to win.

It will be a very interesting game. "There's always pressure on the new boys, but I have to overcome that and show why I'm here." Sunderland have injury doubts over John O'Shea (ankle), Connor Wickham (knock), Craig Gardner (groin), Wes Brown (knee), Lee Cattermole (knee) and Phil Bardsley (ankle). Arsenal are without Lukas Podolski (hamstring), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Mikel Arteta (hip), Thomas Vermaelen (back) and Abou Diaby (knee), while Theo Walcott (ankle), Tomas Rosicky (hip) and Yanick Sanogo (back) are doubts. There was just one goal in the two league games between these sides last season - a Santi Cazorla strike in a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

The meeting at the Emirates ended goalless. The Black Cats have not won any of their last seven against Arsenal, losing four and drawing three. The Mackems have also failed to score more than once in any of their last 11 matches against the Gunners, and managed more than a single goal only once in their last 13 Premier League games.

Match Facts Via BBC

The Gunners have won six successive Premier League away games for only the second time. It is their best form since winning their final eight away matches in the 2001-02 season.

Olivier Giroud has yet score a Premier League goal outside of London, with 12 of his 14 strikes netted at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season - as many as they let in during the entire 2012-13 season.

Ex Gunner Paul Merson's prediction

I don't see anything but an Arsenal win here. Sunderland are struggling - they've got no kickers like Lee Cattermole in the team, and it's a nice place for Arsenal to go and play their football.

If you take away the great result against Newcastle last season, Paolo Di Canio's record hasn't been great and they need to get a result quickly - but I just don't think this is the game.

Mesut Ozil's arrival gives Arsene Wenger a decision to make. Who doesn't play? I expect Ozil to play as a number 10 off the frontman, with Theo Walcott buzzing around on the right.

It'll be interesting to see what Wenger does, and it wouldn't surprise me if he leaves Ozil on the bench for this game - but I wouldn't do that.

Prediction  0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle vs Arsenal Match Preview

18th May 2013 by Jeff @ArsenalTrend


Arsenal can secure Champions League qualification for the 16th consecutive season when they travel to play Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday. The Gunners (20-10-7) are currently fourth in the Premier League on 70 points, two behind third-place Chelsea and one ahead of Tottenham, who occupy fifth spot. Arsenal will take their place in Europe's elite club competition next term if they beat the Magpies. A draw and even a defeat on Tyneside would also be enough for Arsene Wenger's side if Spurs lose at home to Sunderland.

The Premier League have confirmed there will be a third-place play-off match at Villa Park on May 26 between Chelsea and Arsenal if the pair end the season with identical records. If Chelsea draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and Arsenal win by a one-goal margin at St James' Park, both teams would be level on points, goal difference and goals scored.

"We are in a position nobody expected us to be in," said Arsenal manager Wenger, whose side are unbeaten in nine Premier League matches. "We have our destiny in our hands, our fate in our hands and that's what you fight for in the game.

"It's a game that we now want to win but at least we fought back to be in a position where we are masters of our own fate. It shows that the job that the team has done is very good because they have improved throughout the season"

Newcastle (11-8-18) are in 13th place on 41 points and secured their top-flight future with a 2-1 victory at relegated Queens Park Rangers last weekend. Magpies boss Alan Pardew has insisted his comments made after the win at Loftus Road about not caring if Newcastle lose 4-0 to Arsenal on Sundaywere not to be taken seriously.

"I know people will have picked up on my comments about not caring about the result against Arsenal, which were, of course, a joke," Pardew told the club website. "It is definitely not the case that I would be happy for us to lose 4-0 against Arsenal on Sunday. I simply want our players and fans to be able to enjoy the game without looking over their shoulders.

"Even though we are now safe, we will be putting in the same effort that we would for any other Premier League game. We want to end the season on a positive, to finish in as high a position as possible and to give the fans something to cheer about on the final day of what has been a frustrating season. "

Newcastle will be without midfielder Moussa Sissoko, striker Shola Ameobi and defender Ryan Taylor, who all have knee injuries. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot serves a one-match ban after being given a red card at QPR. Arsenal playmaker Mikel Arteta is doubtful with a calf problem, while France striker Olivier Giroud is available for selection after completing a three-match ban.

Arsenal beat Newcastle 7-3 at the Emirates Stadium in late December. Theo Walcott bagged a hat trick, while Giroud scored twice and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski also scored for the Gunners. Demba Ba netted twice for the Magpies who also got a goal from Sylvain Marveaux. The match was tied 3-3 after 70 minutes before the Gunners netted four in the final 20 minutes.

Newcastle have won just once in their last 14 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions, a 1-0 win at the Emirates in November 2010.

Arsenal have historically struggled at St James' Park, winning just 20 of 81 all-time visits. The Magpies have 40 wins and the sides have drawn 21 times.

This will be the 172nd all-time meeting in what has been a close fixture. Arsenal have edged it with 67 wins to Newcastle's 66 with 38 draws.

Jack Wilshere previews the game and says he cannot wait for the last game of the season. : 

“[The mood] has got to be one of excitement because we know that if we win, we're going to be playing in the Champions League or the Champions League qualifier at the beginning of next season,” he told Arsenal Player. “I think excitement first of all. When we get into the game, we'll see what happens. Maybe a bit of nerves will come into it.

“We watched Tottenham get the three points on Sunday and that wasn't ideal but then we picked ourselves up for the Wigan game and did what we needed to do.

“We did it in style as well. We scored a few goals and it's set up a really interesting last day. If we can play like that and take the game to them we know a win decides our destiny.


Head to head Facts via BBC

Arsenal won the reverse fixture at the Emirates 7-3 in December, with Theo Walcott scoring a hat-trick.

Two seasons ago, the Magpies were 4-0 down after 26 minutes. They were still 4-0 down with 22 minutes left but then staged an incredible fightback to earn a 4-4 draw.

Newcastle have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Arsenal (W1, D5, L5).
Four of the last five league meetings at St James's Park have been draws, with Arsenal winning the other.

Four Arsenal players have scored 10 or more league goals this season, more than any other top-flight club - it's only the fourth time in the Premier League era that four players from one club have reached doubles figures.

If only the second half of games counted, Arsenal would already have been crowned Premier League champions.

Mark Lawrenson BBC Pundit Prediction

"The way Arsene Wenger's side have finished the season is still hugely impressive.

I am backing them to beat Newcastle too, to ensure a top-four finish - although I don't imagine it will be a straightforward win."

Gordon @Arsenal_Supremo Prediction : Tough tough game but the fact that we need the three points and they don't will prove the major factor in Arsenal winning so I will go for a 2 1 away win the Arsenal. COYG!

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Arsenal vs Wigan Match Preview & Pre Match Press Conference

13th May 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend 


 The good news for the Lactics faithful is that Wigan Athletic will be playing in Europe next season. The bad news is they still might not be playing in the Premier League while doing so. Roberto Martinez and the Latics continue their high-wire act Tuesday at the Emirates, where they need three vital points at Arsenal's expense in their on-going bid to avoid the drop. Two matches now remain, Wigan (9-8-19) are four points behind Sunderland and five back of Southampton, Fulham and Aston Villa. The Latics, though, will try for a staggering double in the London area after upsetting Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday on Ben Watson's header in the 90th minute. 


It was the first trophy in the 81-year history of the club, which now must avoid the dubious distinction of being the first team to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season. For the time being, Martinez will savor the victory that again will put his name among circles of teams who may be in line for new coaches next season.

"Wigan Athletic is an incredible story,'' Martinez said. ``Paul (Jewell) started everything, getting the team promoted to the Premier League. Now it's eight seasons and now we need to make sure the ninth season is round the corner, because we need to use European football in our favour. "I mean, it doesn't matter who the manager is, there's a bigger picture than that.'' Wigan have five road wins in 18 matches this season but are trying to win consecutive matches outside DW Stadium for the first time since beating Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion last season.

Martinez's counterpart - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger - is familiar with FA Cup success, and his fourth title in 2004-05 is the last piece of silverware the Gunners held aloft. They have plenty to play for as well, entering this match two points behind Tottenham Hotspur for the fourth and final Champions League spot. Arsenal are unbeaten in eight league matches (6-2-0) on the bounce and rode Theo Walcott's first-minute goal to a 1-0 victory at already-relegated Queens Park Rangers on May 4.

The Gunners have conceded only one goal in their last four matches but been held to single goals in the last three. "We showed good concentration and in some situations where the ball was in the box, we didn't make a mistake that could have been costly,"

Wenger told the team's official website. "We didn't (concede) a penalty and were calm. We have improved a lot defensively." The Gunners, who also have an eight-match unbeaten streak at Emirates (5-3-0), are going for the double after winning 1-0 at DW Stadium on Dec. 22 thanks to Mikael Arteta's conversion from the spot in the 60th minute. Wigan won the corresponding fixture 2-1 last season, ending a six-match losing streak in league play in London and an eight-match skid there across all competitions.

Arsene Wenger spoke to the media ahead of the vital game. Wenger on Wigan: "Both teams have to go for it, so it is difficult to know what will happen.It should be an open game. You could see on Saturday that Wigan have quality. They had a remarkable game. We want to be at our best. Both teams have to go for it on Tuesday, it's a huge game for both of us. Two months ago our destiny was not in our own hands. Today it is. So let's finish the job."


Match Facts Via BBC 

The Gunners are the form team in the division. They are unbeaten in their last eight league matches, earning 20 points during that period (W6, D2).

They have won all five fixtures against the current bottom three so far this season.

Arsenal must win their last two games to guarantee Champions League qualification. However, they failed to win either of last season's corresponding fixtures against their remaining opponents - losing 2-1 at home to Wigan and drawing 0-0 with Newcastle United.

There has been 65 goals scored at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this season, more than at any other stadium.

The club have conceded 22 goals at home this season, eight more than they have conceded away.
If Arsenal fail to get all three points against Wigan Tuesday evening at the Emirates, especially at this crucial time, it won't be an understatement to say the Gunners do not deserve the qualify for the Champions League.

Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system, it is now easier to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans around the world. You can now post a comment using your Social Networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest. Will we finish 3rd at the end of the season? What are your score predictions for the game? Will Arsenal make their 10 games without any competitive game count on Tuesday? 

COYG! We can do this!

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West Bromwich Albion vs Arsenal Match Preview

5th April 2013 by Jeff @ArsenalTrend


Arsenal will be looking to keep up their top four challenge when they visit The Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners (15-8-7) go into the latest round of Premier League games just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, but star man Theo Walcott has called on the team to work on their consistency to ensure future silverware. "If we get a bad result, you see a reaction," said Walcott.


"We shouldn't have to get a bad result and then perform well in the next game. It should always be there. The guys have got it. Mentally, they are very strong. It's realizing how we cope when we come back from those disappointing results. We just need to do it every week - it's as simple as that. "There's great potential there. We've had too much experience now to be challenging for fourth. We need to be challenging for the Premier League because that's what we want to be known for. We want to be in the history books… we need to win something now."


West Brom (13-5-13) are comfortably in mid-table, but remain with an outside chance of claiming a Europa League place, and goalkeeper Ben Foster has urged his team to finish the season strongly. "I think it will be a very big ask to qualify for Europe, but we've got seven games left with four at home and three away," said Foster.

"We know our home form has been very good so if we can get three wins from our four games we will be there or thereabouts. "Our aim is to reach the mid-50s. We're on 44 now and if we can pick up another three or four wins it keeps us in the mix, at least." Steve Clarke's West Brom have won three of their last six league games after a run of six without a win. The Baggies are the only team in the division to have an equal number of wins and losses (13), and are also on the same number of goals scored as goals allowed (41). Only the Manchester clubs have won more home games than West Brom's nine this season.

With just 14 goals conceded at The Hawthorns, the Baggies have the fourth best home defensive record in the league - behind only Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. The Gunners have won five of their last six and have allowed just four goals in that run - keeping three clean sheets. They have the best away defensive record in the league, with just 13 goals conceded in 15 games on the road. Arsenal won 2-0 when these teams met at the Emirates in December, with Mikel Arteta scoring two penalties after questionable decisions.

The Gunners have won their last three games against West Brom, outscoring the Baggies 8-2 in those matches, and haven't lost in four at The Hawthorns. West Brom have managed just one win in their last ten meetings with Arsenal. Arsenal's last game against Reading was relatively easy, at least that was evident from the overall statistics of the match, Reading were lucky to concede just four goals, however the game at Hawthorns won't be such easy, it will be a tougher test. It took a 'fumbling and floppy' Martin Fulop a very bad game for Arsenal to secure a 3-2 win last season, that game sealed 3rd place and an automatic Champions League spot, the Gunners may not enjoy such luxury of a bad goalkeeper from the Baggies, the team will have to be up for it from kick off.


Team News: WBA: West Brom have doubts over James Morrison (hamstring), but are without Grant Thorne (knee) and Zoltan Gera (knee) until next season.

ARSENAL: Nacho Monreal returns to the squad after knee injury concerns from last match, but Abou Diaby (knee), Walcott (groin) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) are all expected to miss out. Arsenal must continue with their record of conceding fewer goals away from home on Saturday if they are to have any chance of coming tops against WBA, considering Romelu Lukaku's exceptional form for the home team, he can take on defenders and punish any complacency in Arsenal's defense.

Opta stats

1. No team have scored more goals after the 76th minute of matches this season than Arsenal (15).

2.The Gunners are yet to lose a Premier League game that they have taken the lead in this season (W15 D2).

3. West Brom's pairing of Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley have made 32 blocks each this season. Only Ryan Shawcross (33) and Ashley Williams (42) have made more.

Arsenal must now forget their stroll against Reading and be weary of treas Europa League spot chasing Albions as they can pose on the day, or at least they will be aiming to want to secure their highest Premier League finish in history. Can the Arsenal soar high at Hawthorns and secure all three points?

Predicted Line Ups Via SkySports

Arsenal Vs Reading Preview

29 March 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend


Nigel Adkins will take charge of Reading for the first time on Saturday afternoon, when his new team visit the Emirates Stadium to take on Champions League-chasing Arsenal. Adkins was confirmed as the successor to fired manager Brian McDermott earlier this week, and knows he faces a tough task in trying to keep Reading (5-8-17) in the Premier League. The Royals are seven points from safety with just eight games remaining, but owner Anton Zingarevich is convinced he has brought in the right manager to take the club forward.

"Nigel is the man for the job. It's an important day for us, a really important appointment. I think he has all the right criteria, in terms of his CV and what he has been able to achieve. And the attractive football that he likes to play was one of the key factors for me. It's important for a manger to play attractive football - for the fans and for everyone who is involved."


Arsenal (14-8-7) are in the hunt for the Champions League places, and go into the latest round of matches just four points behind fourth-place Tottenham with a game in hand. However, the Gunners remain without Jack Wilshere, who is being given more time to get back to match fitness. "Wilshere's injury is not better or worse," admitted Wenger ahead of Saturday's game. "It was an inflammation of his (ankle) bone and we had such history with him, we are a bit more cautious than we would be with you or with me. We deferred a little bit his rehab by one week. We gave him one more week rest because it was wise medically to do it. "Honestly, it's very difficult (to predict when he will be back). I believe in two weeks on Sunday. That means not the next game; the game after. We will rest him when it is needed. He has regular scans and as soon as we have an alert, we will respect it no matter what is at stake."

These teams have played each other twice this season, with a staggering combined score of 14-7 to Arsenal over the two games. A sensational 7-5 League Cup win for the Gunners was followed up by a 5-2 win in the league, while seven different Reading players have accounted for the goals. Reading have lost five straight league games and have managed the least shots (270) and shots on target (97) of any club in the league. The Gunners have won four of their last five league games, keeping three clean sheets in that run. Arsenal have won all 11 meetings with Reading in their history. 

Cazorla scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture
TEAM NEWS: ARSENAL : Arsenal have injury doubts over Kieran Gibbs (illness), Theo Walcott (groin) and Bacary Sagna (knee) in addition to Wilshire, and Abou Diaby will be out until next season after tearing his ACL in training on Wednesday. READING: Reading's Jason Roberts is out with a hip injury, while Danny Guthrie (knee), Adam Federici (ankle) and Jimmy Kebe (groin) are doubtful.

Arsenal are currently the second best in-form team in the Premier League behind Manchester United, that moment must continue to mount pressure on teams ahead for 'coveted' top 4 place. Reading will come fighting with renewed vigor anchored by their new coaching staff and in two previous games this season, Reading showed they can cause Arsenal problems especially in the final third, and can score goals too. Arsenal will get opportunities in front of goal, no doubt, how they take them & early on in the game, will speak volume of likely outcome tomorrow. This is a game Arsenal should win, irrespective of any threat Reading may pose, any result short of 3 points, will be a set back. Can the Gunners coast home to victory against Reading after the international break ? Leave your predictions in the comments below winning score gets a shout out on Twitter!

Arsene Wenger Press Conference Click Here

Opta Facts on Arsenal Vs Reading

The two meetings between Arsenal and Reading in 2012-13 already have seen 19 goals scored
Reading have conceded more Premier League goals against Arsenal (16) than any other opponent
Arsenal are yet to lose a Premier League game that they have taken the lead in this season
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