Tonnes and tonnes of questions have been asked about the battle between the two weaker members of the Big 4. As for us at The Arsenal Press, our main focus will revolve around our beloved Arsenal.
Pre-match Talking Points +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Are the Arsenal better-equipped than last season?
The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger talked about how well the Arsenal team are at the moment compared to last season. As he reckons, his team is better equipped this season as the players are one season more experienced and have grown up to be men now that they are 23, 24 years old.
Despite that, he strongly feels that there is a pressing need of new defensive signings as the team is seriously short of centrebacks in particular. He re-iterated what he has said last season about the need to sign new defensive players, saying,
"Let's not be fooled by the fact we are still short at the back and we still need to add."About the chances of Arsenal winning the Premier League, Wenger seems fairly confident and feels that the chances are bigger for his team now due to the increasing competition in the league at the moment.
"The guy who plays on Sunday will be No. 1."The goalkeeping position at the Arsenal has been the main topic in the media and the Arsenal blogosphere for quite some time now.
As reported on our blog in the Transfer Monger section yesterday, the Schwarzer saga is still hanging in the air without any realistic outcome although rumours are saying that there will be some developments in it. More about that later.
In Wenger's pre-match interview on Arsenal.com, he has touched on this topic. This is what he has to say:
"The goalkeepers are great, all ready to play. I just wait for my decision and you will get it soon."
He continued:
Therefore, from the four Arsenal goalkeepers (Almunia, Fabianski, Szczesny and Mannone), The Arsenal Press has always been putting our bets on Szczesny as he is always impressive in the main goalkeeping areas, i.e. command of area, reflexes, decision-making and shot-stopping."The guy who plays on Sunday will be No. 1. It is never for definite but it will be a consequence of what I have seen in pre-season."
However, Wenger has this to say:
"He has not played one game in the Premier League. I believe he has huge quality but I believe it would be a great gamble to play him. Man United play with a goalkeeper who is 40 years old and Chelsea with a keeper with seven years in the Premier League. You need experience at the back."That would leave us with Almunia, Mannone and Fabianski. But don't rule out Szczesny totally yet because Wenger can pull out a surprise at anytime.
The answer will be revealed in just hours.
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Excitement for Chamakh to be in the Barclays Premier League
Arsenal's new striker signing Maroune Chamakh has been pretty excited to play in the Premier League. So one would understand him being excited to feature against Liverpool so early in the season.
The Moroccan said:
The Moroccan said:
"I have been dreaming for a year of playing for a team like Arsenal against teams like Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United."He even believed that Liverpool will be under more pressure than the Arsenal to succeed this season due to their poor performance last season. He reckons that the Gunners had a good season finish third last season for an automatic berth in the Champions League.
However, we believe that the Arsenal fans want more than an automatic berth in the Champions League. Still, Maroune Chamakh could be the man to lead us to glory. Who know, right?
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Is Arshavin going to be the key again for Arsenal?
This is understandable as Arshavin has not been involved in the World Cup due to Russia's failure to qualify for the competition held in South Africa. Alongside World Cup "rejects" Walcott and Nasri, Arshavin has managed to complete a full and fine pre-season this time around.
Wenger mentioned:
"With his creative side he can be decisive, create chances and score goals. That is what you want from him."Occasionally seen as lazy, Arshavin is a rare type of player who could kill a team with just a flash of brilliance as he has shown particularly at Anfield last season and two seasons ago.
The Arsenal Press certainly hope for even more Arshavin brilliance in the upcoming clash against Liverpool!
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The injury room visit...
Long term absentees Bendtner and Ramsey can certainly be ruled out, while Djourou has only recently been added to that list, having limped off during a pre-season match, and will sit out for at least a number of weeks.Both Song and Diaby are still suffering from a calf injury and will not be fit for the Liverpool game, but Diaby and Denilson will be re-assessed again before the match and can still be available for the team.
As for the absence of key players, Fabregas and van Persie, they could still be included as Wenger is yet to decide on these two key players.
More on the game...
The Arsenal Press will be reviewing the game after the end of the match, providing post-match thoughts and opinions. Till then, keep it logged onto The Arsenal Press!
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