Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
Apr 7, 2010
Lionel Messi is better at soccer than you.
Yes, we know it's been a while since we posted. Life intervenes. We hope to get back in the swing of things soon.
Tags: Arsenal, Barcelona, Lionel Messi
Oct 28, 2009
Arensal v. Liverpool
Last Cup Match:
Arsenal 2 - 0 West Bromich
Liverpool 1 - 0 Leeds United
Stakes: If there was ever a cup game that means nothing, this may well be it. The Carling Cup is the lesser of the two league tournaments in England to the F.A. Cup and as a result, teams tend to focus less on it than they do their other matches. It often ends up being a chance to give the reserves some first team action. Of course that happens most frequently when facing a lower division side. Things may be a tad different in this match up between two of the big four clubs.
Thoughts on the Opposing Side: This. Period.
In all seriousness, Arsenal is a side I considered rooting for because Wenger reinvigorated the career of Thierry Henry back when he was just a talented young player having trouble finding a place anywhere. I have nothing against them, though it's hard to figure out who exactly will be in today. The soccernet preview mentions a mix of youngsters and veterans. Mexican Carlos Vela will be in action, which as a fan of the US team, I'm interested in. Always have to see what the enemy is up to.
(Note, I didn't make that GIF. But it's amazing.)
Questions I Have: No Gerrard again, but how does Rafa treat this? Will he throw out his best lineup available with Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun? Or will we see a lot of youngsters like David Ngog up front and Jay Spearing in the mid. There are pros and cons for each. Fresh off a huge win over Man U, a win over Arsenal would certainly silence his critics for a while. Arsenal's mix of young players and veterans is likely better than Liverpool's who have had struggles finding depth in their youth and reserves.
On the other hand, it's not a league game and this isn't the F.A. Cup. Maybe you play Benayoun and Kuyt, but do you really want to risk Torres in a lower stakes tournament? The win would be nice, but it will be forgotten quickly if Torres reinjures himself and Liverpool tumbles in the table as a result.
I do expect to see Ryan Babel. Alberto Aquilani, the Xabi Alonso replacement will see action, but Rafa says he will not start.
Will I Be Watching: Probably not intently, if at all. I'll follow the gamecast for updates though.
Expectations: If Torres is starting, then Liverpool stands a good shot at going through. It will mean they are serious and intent on winning the game. If the Torres isn't in the starting XI, I expect the Arsenal mix of reserves and starters will prevail over the Liverpool group, especially at home.
Liverpool 1 - 0 Leeds United
Stakes: If there was ever a cup game that means nothing, this may well be it. The Carling Cup is the lesser of the two league tournaments in England to the F.A. Cup and as a result, teams tend to focus less on it than they do their other matches. It often ends up being a chance to give the reserves some first team action. Of course that happens most frequently when facing a lower division side. Things may be a tad different in this match up between two of the big four clubs.
Thoughts on the Opposing Side: This. Period.
In all seriousness, Arsenal is a side I considered rooting for because Wenger reinvigorated the career of Thierry Henry back when he was just a talented young player having trouble finding a place anywhere. I have nothing against them, though it's hard to figure out who exactly will be in today. The soccernet preview mentions a mix of youngsters and veterans. Mexican Carlos Vela will be in action, which as a fan of the US team, I'm interested in. Always have to see what the enemy is up to.
(Note, I didn't make that GIF. But it's amazing.)
Questions I Have: No Gerrard again, but how does Rafa treat this? Will he throw out his best lineup available with Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun? Or will we see a lot of youngsters like David Ngog up front and Jay Spearing in the mid. There are pros and cons for each. Fresh off a huge win over Man U, a win over Arsenal would certainly silence his critics for a while. Arsenal's mix of young players and veterans is likely better than Liverpool's who have had struggles finding depth in their youth and reserves.
On the other hand, it's not a league game and this isn't the F.A. Cup. Maybe you play Benayoun and Kuyt, but do you really want to risk Torres in a lower stakes tournament? The win would be nice, but it will be forgotten quickly if Torres reinjures himself and Liverpool tumbles in the table as a result.
I do expect to see Ryan Babel. Alberto Aquilani, the Xabi Alonso replacement will see action, but Rafa says he will not start.
Will I Be Watching: Probably not intently, if at all. I'll follow the gamecast for updates though.
Expectations: If Torres is starting, then Liverpool stands a good shot at going through. It will mean they are serious and intent on winning the game. If the Torres isn't in the starting XI, I expect the Arsenal mix of reserves and starters will prevail over the Liverpool group, especially at home.
Tags: Arsenal, Carling Cup, Liverpool, Match Day
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