Epl 2012-2013

[DialSquares]

Arsenal's Lineup:
Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Cazorla, Arteta, Diaby, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud, Podolski
Bench: Koscielny, Martinez, Santos, Ramsey, Coquelin, Gervinho, Walcott.

that's pretty much the best offensive lineup we can have - maybe Walcott over Alex Chamberlain. Mertesacker hasn't done anything to cost us a goal so he is overdue....

Liverpool:
Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Allen, Sahin, Gerrard, Sterling, Borini, Suarez.
subs: Jones, Carragher, Shelvey, Downing, Henderson, Kelly, Coates.

borini has had so many chances and just been off - he'll catch up soon enough and actually produce for liverpool i think....i will count the number of times Suarez makes his 'cry like a baby' face. Seems like two lineups going for goals today...hopefully it produces some...i've watched 180 mins without a goal....GL - i like the over too but didn't bet it -

 

[Mattjb34]

Very impressive run so far! Got any leans for the 10am EST games?

 

[ARUKIDNME]

Great job by Arsenal. You won't here me say that too often. It's quite normal that a team that is making changes focus on the defense first and it seems that the Gunners are being quite stingy. Missed chances by pool, great goal keeping by Manone..........that's football. LOL

As for leans..........Man United Over 3, Newcastle ML. But I am not wagering here just my tipster choices.

I am wagering on La Liga and Portugal Primera matches today that I will post in a short while that will not lose.

I can give those plays a "Super Bowl Broadway Joe" Guaranteed Win!!!!

 

[rolltide]

you recovered from the beatdown last night?

 

[ARUKIDNME]

you recovered from the beatdown last night?

That was awful. I was hoping for a closer game but I knew going in that they would lose to BAMA. Congrats Bama Backers.

BAMA does look beatable but not by a BIG10 team. It's nuts how good the SEC is. I love watching SEC games....they are so entertaining.

Nice start to the season. Michigan is trying to convert Robinson into a Pro Style QB, but that's not him at all. I hope they got the hint last night. LOL

 

[rolltide]

Arkansas will be a really big test in 2 weeks...bama's secondary can be had for sure, just not by DR

nice job laying off of Newcastle. just sleptwalked through the first half

 

[ARUKIDNME]

WOW!

How stupid do Arsenal look now.

RVP will go down as the worst release that Arsenal have ever had in their history.

They will never, never live it down.

RVP will take United to the top of the table.

Spectacular!!!

 

[DialSquares]

perhaps a bit of a calm down is necessary....haha....

a) they were playing southampton
b) RVP forced himself out - Arsenal would have gladly kept him
c) they still got way more than he will ever be worth
d) when he gets hurt and misses 4-12 weeks tell me he is still a great signing
e) Podolski came back at least 3 times to help prevent a liverpool scoring chance - RVP would have been too busy yelling at one of his teamates for not passing it to him.

city will still win the EPL because Rooney will come back and disrupt the rhythm - they won't be able to play together. But Southampton had a chance to beat both Manchesters .. funny how teams can rise up like that and get trashed by wigan.

very impressive RVP day no question about it

 

[ARUKIDNME]

Dial I know how much you love the Gunners and I applaud you for that fact and the fact that you follow them intently sometimes blinds you to the facts. Now that’s not saying you are blind or wrong in your assessment; but others have a different POV.

For example, when Arsenal lost Cesc Fabregas, they adjusted their game to take more advantage of the flanks. Gervinho signed and they played what Wenger called the “three-striker” system. But while it sounded deadly on paper – it only forced creativity to come centrally; but traditionally Wenger likes to create from all over the pitch.
As such, Song’s passes and Van Persie’s movement became more important. This season, Arsenal has gone down a more pluralistic route and that should suit them. However, there isn’t that spontaneity.

Everything has gone through Cazorla so far and Wenger is pining for the returns of Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky. Arteta has become Arsenal’s Pirlo (in his role and status). Maybe Abou Diaby’s time is coming soon.

It was also quite clear for all to see that Song and RVP were hugely influential on Arsenal’s success; but as you constatntly elude to…….It’s not the end at all.
Song was great last season but he left Arsenal incredibly vulnerable at the back, evidenced by the 49 goals allowed………the most in Wenger's 16 years.

Obviously, the key players this season are most likely to be Cazorla and Arteta, and it appears that they will be your engines going forward. Having said that, newly appointed captain Vermaelen and his partnership with Koscielney will be vital and has shown fruitful up to today’s match as Arsenal have improved their defending side hugely (Great job of defense against Liverpool, I was impressed and mentioned that above in another post).

With the loss of RVP, I feel it will have to be more of a team effort in terms of goals this season and this means that not only goals from Giroud and Podolski but Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Arteta, Ramsey and Arshavin. This is the BIG QUESTION MARK THAT I CANNOT ANSWER AND NEITHER CAN YOU MY GOOD FRIEND.

If Arsenal can solve the goal scoring void, they will be a force in the EPL. But for now RVP (The Face of Arsenal Last Season and many before that) is a god for Manchester United fans around the world.

 

[DialSquares]

there is no question i am bias - but crowning RVP 3 games in is a bit of an overstatement...hell Nasri looked like the player of the year 3 games in 3-4 years ago and he disappeared...wherever he went. I don't understand the love for Song either - he should easily be replaced with Cazorla and an injured free Diaby. Jack Wilshire eventually returning will help the team more than anything i think Arsene could have done (dempsey would have been nice)....if Giroud can start knocking some in i think we might see a nice duo between him and Podolski - Podolski actually impressed me a lot today - he definitely makes us better defensively and doesn't mind picking up the ball at midfield. I know Arsenal are worst off without RVP but a team that doesnt have 1 superstar and relies on a full team effort can produce a great team. (a better team really) I think for the last few years we relied too much on RVP and when he went down with injury - we suffered big time. We won't have that problem anymore even if Podolski or Giroud get hurt.

3 clean sheets and that's without Koscielney and Sagna. New style but so far same results (actually 4 points more than last year)...this time last year i was drowning my sorrows for a 8-2 thrashing. After southampton in two weeks we play in Man City and then vs Chelski...to me it will be more clear what type of team arsenal has....a defense minded side with 2 decent strikers and great side midfielders..or a lost team clearly behind the EPL elite. Top 4 is a near lock now....haha...i definitely don't fear Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle or Everton with this side.

i do respect your opinion though and understand what you are saying ... perhaps city runs us over but i would never in a million years suggest chelski to beat us at the Emirates.

ps i was so glad arsenal won because had we lost and then watch RVP net a hatrick including two late goals who knows what would have happened to my computer.

 

[roundrobin11]

perhaps a bit of a calm down is necessary....haha....

a) they were playing southampton
b) RVP forced himself out - Arsenal would have gladly kept him
c) they still got way more than he will ever be worth
d) when he gets hurt and misses 4-12 weeks tell me he is still a great signing
e) Podolski came back at least 3 times to help prevent a liverpool scoring chance - RVP would have been too busy yelling at one of his teamates for not passing it to him.

city will still win the EPL because Rooney will come back and disrupt the rhythm - they won't be able to play together. But Southampton had a chance to beat both Manchesters .. funny how teams can rise up like that and get trashed by wigan.

very impressive RVP day no question about it

I'm a supporter of the Gunners as well, and it is what it is, not Arsenal's fault he left. He did force himself out. That being said, it's hard to put a price on such a talent as RVP. Wenger got a great financial return for RVP but what did he do with the money? Same as always, nothing. No Cabaye, no holding mid like they had been discussing for so long, nothing. I appreciate Wenger's desire to win by building your own foundation then spending money just to improve upon his squad, not completely buy his team. But it's also why in this changing game Arsenal will be without silverware for another couple years until something changes. I hope I'm wrong but it was frustrating watching RVP walk out and no one coming in after his sale. Giroud has been less than impressive, but he needs time to adjust to the EPL, it's completely different than Ligue 1.

 

[ARUKIDNME]

I have a feeling the Gunners will be top 4 by the end of the season. If they can keep opponents from scoring.......their attackers will eventually catch fire. But for now I will look at each game as a strong under and go from there.

Roundrobin11.....tomorrow will be about Canada vs Panama for a Toronto boy like you and it should be a tough battle. 1-0 Canada or 1-1 draw.

Hope you catch the match.

 

[roundrobin11]

I have a feeling the Gunners will be top 4 by the end of the season. If they can keep opponents from scoring.......their attackers will eventually catch fire. But for now I will look at each game as a strong under and go from there.

Roundrobin11.....tomorrow will be about Canada vs Panama for a Toronto boy like you and it should be a tough battle. 1-0 Canada or 1-1 draw.

Hope you catch the match.

Yes, I'm a writer here in Toronto, I'm covering the game so I'll be up in the press box trying to contain my excitement if Canada were to pull it off somehow; although a draw seems more likely.

Canada were gifted an easy path into the Hex, if they squander it and fail to finish top 2 in this group with Honduras, Panama and Cuba it would be a shame. Coach and many of the players already calling it a "must win" game. Pressure in on the team and we know how they have failed to handle pressure too well in the past.

 

[ARUKIDNME]

I'm with the media too. I'll be on the field during the match with the CSA. LOL. Send me a private message and I'll say hello in the press box before the match.

 

[DialSquares]

i didn't know I was talking to media celebrities...and the fact cocktail owns horses maybe i should do more with my life...i do own a 2011 Dodge Ram 4X4 and a pretty sweet canoe. For me this is Canada's biggest match since the final of the Gold Cup all those years ago....by far our best chance to get to that final group phase and a win here would be huge. tough to win in hondurus and in panama so a draw/lose here and it curtains.

i like the squad - i wonder if we can make it to the final phase certain youngsters will decide to join the country they were born in and not a bigger club. Very frustrating part of our development when some of the bigger players join England and Holland. can't blaim them - kinda like leaving Arsenal for the bigger clubs that pay well. Canada and Arsenal - what was i thinking. ...

 

[ARUKIDNME]

Dial the Cuba match in October should be a win for Canada. I hope it's snowing hard so there will be retribution for the shabby conditions Canada faced in Havana. But we must remember hat it's not Europe it's CONCACAF. OCEANA is in the same boat as a conference.

But I agree, it is a must win as Panama is the strongest in the group. Then Canada has to steal a draw in Panama.

Dial, if you can drag your Asenal loving ass down to Hogtown for the next round or next match give us a shout.

Stay classy!

 

[DialSquares]

snow in early october might happen in Timmins but not Toronto...i am moving (eventually) to North Bay at least for the winter - if i manage to leave prior to October i could see myself going to the Cuba match. I need to do about 85 things before i can leave so i probably won't be able to leave til november. But if we can make it to the next round it is a guarantee..2 hours til kickoff...i was tempted on the over 2 but Panama might have Canada's plan of draw in Canada and win in Panama....and i'd hate to cheer for a 3rd goal and Panama gets it.

I wish the country got behind the team but maybe we need to qualify or make a nice run this time....have a good time at the match.

 

[ARUKIDNME]

The Canadians will shut them out! 1-0 (S. Jackson 80' min. mark)

But what do I know. LOL.

It's all about the goalkeeping (Hirschfeld or Borjan) either will play great tonight.

Leaving now need to be there for 6pm.

Cheers!

 

[DialSquares]

10 minutes in and I regretted not going there....must have been nuts esp when we scored....i guess we had the better chances but i really don't think we deserved it and a display like this against mexico and USA we might be toast. Just nice to be half way through the round and we still have a shot at the hex. I wonder if the last few minutes will carry over to the tuesday match....playing keep away with the ball is a non-Canadian thing to do but pro-CONCACAF. Nice win - 1-0 in the 77th and not jackson but damn you called that match pretty accurate.

Now draw Panama, beat Cuba and maybe one more result in hondurus...

 

[ARUKIDNME]

It was a rough match and the Ref looked like he was losing control at times. A shame about the goal post stopping an early goal when the Panama keeper was clearly beat on the header.

It's their 1st match together in 2 months, I saw a lot of confusion and even some on field finger pointing and arguing among the Canucks. It got better as the match went on.

It's a blessing that they got this win and are heading south for the rematch. It should be a draw in Panama and I believe that's what they will be playing for when they set their strategy in what will be a heated match in a hostile environment.

It's shaping up well for advancement.

On a side note: the women's national team autograph session was botched and it could have gone smoother. All in all nice to see a Bronze result.