With the state that we currently find ourselves in it comes as no surprise that Udinese’s goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has come out and mocked us, stating that he and the Serie A club are not afraid of the Gunners.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper said:
‘I’m not afraid of Arsenal, last year in the league we prepared well for games against the big sides and we did well, so you should always be optimistic. I know I am.’
In all honesty, I am concerned about this evening’s game because we will be without Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and possibly Jack Wilshere – needless to say our team will be weaker with these players’ absences. On top of this, Arsene Wenger himself will be serving a touchline ban as well, so tonight’s game will be a tough one.
I’m guessing Gervinho will take the strikers role tonight, but the question is, who will partner him? This may shock a few, but I think Nicklas Bendtner will get the nod over Marouane Chamakh even though the Dane looks set to depart the club soon.
Wenger had this to say on Bendtner:
‘In his interview Bendtner said he was gone, but I checked and he’s not gone at all! I promised I would let him go if he found the right club and that has not changed because when I make a promise I keep it. But if he doesn’t find the right opportunity he will stay and fight for his place like everybody else. He looks sharp in training.’
In the past not being afraid of Arsenal has come back to haunt a number of sides, and I sincerely hope that whoever plays for us tonight plays to the best of their ability and that we get the job done with a clean sheet and a few goals to boot – I dread to think what will happen if we come out of tonight’s game with a loss or a draw.
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I’d take getting knocked out of champions league to let this young side play in the europa league and concentrate in ensuring the champions league berth for next season. Plus its a whole load of new places to visit and drink in as the champions league has been the same now for years!!!
I am toataly happy with Bendtner partnering Gervinho. I rate the player, and when on form he’s very good. Chamakh is not good when he’s on form. Considering Chamakh’s age, this is a travesty. Bendtner is a strong lad and he bull-dozes his way through people. I like this style. It has a ring of Rooney about it. As for Udinese, I think we have nothing to worry about, and since the goalkeeper is mouthing off, it shows his team are worrying.
When a team isn’t worried – the players come out and say the opposite like, “Arsenal are a top team. We’ve got our work cut out here. We’ll do the best we can to cope.” When a team is crapping themselves, “We don’t fear Arsenal. They have no chance.”
Chamakh did pretty well last year when he was on form, the trouble is that he has been off form since before christmas.
I think the 2 games are just a formality. Their sporting director was quoted as saying via talk sport that their main objective this season was not to get relegated. So you tell me… Should we be worried?
Chamakh is very useless player,but i wll let you know that AW is not going to play Nich and Gervinho together since chamakh was bought buy AW i won’t say no to that since he doesn’t want accept his mistake by buying him.Nich is better than Chamakh too much.