Preview: Birmingham City vs Arsenal
Eduardo da Silva fittingly symbolizes this fixture, 762 days after a horrific injury which was followed by a terrific recovery.
The Croatian and Arsenal return to St. Andrews this weekend for the first time since when the former broke his leg while the latter broke its link with the Premier League title two seasons ago.
It should be a sentimental revisit but several factors have obstructed arrangements for what was to be the ‘Eduardo injury memorial’ on Saturday.
Hatchet-man Martin Taylor will not reunite with his victim after leaving the blues in January while Eduardo’s indifferent form means any participation on Saturday will depend on the charitable mood of his manager.
Aaron Ramsey’s recent misfortune has already given an unwanted remembrance of Eduardo’s nightmare and most significantly, Arsenal’s no-nonsense title chase means there will be no time to deal with emotions tomorrow.
Such is the seriousness of the Gunners’ title focus that even a glamorous upcoming clash with FC Barcelona will be overlooked at the expense of a result against Birmingham.
Expect an ‘out there to win’ side from Wenger on Saturday.
“I don’t consider Barcelona for the next game. At the back we need to be solid to win this game [at Birmingham]. We fight the whole season to be in there and this is a priority.” the manager said at his press-conference
“I believe my players are very intelligent and if we were distracted it would mean we were not [intelligent]. The best way to prepare for Barcelona is to win the game before.
“We have fought like mad until now to be in the position we are in. It’s ten months preparation, fight and work to be where we are in the championship so we want to take advantage of that and win the Birmingham game.”
Arsene Wenger is right, his men have indeed fought like mad to get where they are.
Less than two months ago, Arsenal football club was a sinking ship after resounding defeats to rivals but following a run of six straight victories, now just two points adrift of the league leaders, the Gunners are truly a rising force as far as the title race is concerned.
The next question for them now must be a ‘Birmingham’.
According to the dictionary of 2007/08, that term will be defined as a moment in a season when a steady title chase crumbles.
But the answer is; Arsenal have already faced a ‘Birmingham’ this campaign. That came four weeks ago at Stoke City where the Gunners emerged victorious despite all the drama which was wrapped around Aaron Ramsey’s broken leg.
Maybe Arsenal will just have to banish a second ‘Birmingham’ this season when they arrive at St. Andrews tommorow even with plenty echoes at the back of their mind.
THIS FIXTURE LAST TIME WE GOT FUCKED,(SORRY MR OSAE),HARD,….WE LOST OUR HEADS…WE SCREWED UP OUR TITLE RACE ALSO,TOMORROW WHAT A COINCIDENCE… WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION,ACTUALLY,THIS IS THE BIG TEST FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE.TO FACE OUR FEARS THAT DAY BILL WAS CRYING BUT TOMORROW I HOPE TO PASS THE TEST..AND WE WILL PASS IT, AS A TEAM,…UP THE GUNS…GO ARSENAL…
Excellent post.
Call me proud or arrogant for all I care because I smell certain victory at St Andrews tomorrow. Go Arsenal Go!!!
KIDZ MY FRIEND,UR DRUNK AS USUAL..LOL…..TOO FUCKING OVER-CONFIDENT,CALM DOWN MAN
Hey DKD, You get a “LEMON” for your comment towards, kidz. I’m not defending anyone, BUT every time there is something positive said from a fellow Gunner you race to throw them under the bus. I think you should calm down and grow up a bit. I like some of what you say here, but you tend to go overboard towards RL regualars. Speak your mind all you want, but come on man is all that Fuck this, Fuck that really necessary? I’m just saying you do what you want, though.
Cheers!
I have to agree with you here, kidz! I smell victory! We gathered ourselves quite well, when Ramsey got messed up! I think the boys are really focused here!
i dont know…or maybe ,someone should tell me that when i am jus joking around with kidz why have i upset u….ur also a friend of mine,arent we,is it so that i actually go over-board,with redlondon regulars,i dont know how…but maybe,i do,but only when they talk bull-****…like mr.osae on the arshavin article…i was completely joking around with kidz,thats why i added the “LOL”….i dont know why it upset u so much,loft,…but ill control my language,cause maybe its really not always necessary….thanx ,loft -for the advice,real buddy..
Hey DKD, don’t take it too personal fella! Of course we are buds!!! If I didn’t give a crap trust me I’d let you go on your way and you can do whatever you want man. I think you bring good comments to the boards! I am not upset at all! I think just sometimes you tend to overreact sometimes. I know we are from different countries, but where I’m from in order to get respect you need to give respect. That’s all I’m saying. If it was all joking than I’m out of line and I apologize my friend!
And for the ones who come and talk shit here all they do is try to take jabs at the site or directly at, Randy. …you can go ahead and destroy them! hahahahaha!
u have earned my respect,mate,thats what i like about you,u can really make a guy cheerful,….up the guns,mate..
A win here would do more than tack 3 points into the points column, it would means heaps of mental strength going forward.
If and when we win look for a new team to finish the season. I would be scared if I was facing the gunners. Lots of personal games coming up that mean a lot to these lads.
UP the Guns..
“But they’re difficult to play against when the lower teams go to the Emirates. It is such a big pitch and the way they play, it’s difficult for the lower teams to deal with them. Against the big sides they can lose those games because there is not a big difference between the big teams at all.” terry said this about the arsenal.
maybe hes right but am i justified in wanting to sock his face for this ??is terry hinting at the inferiority of the gunners here ?
Usama forces me to write a match preview but doesn’t even show up. 🙁
Hahahahaha!. Good old USAMA!
He does the same to me on match days.
Facebook convo (not exact words..haha)
Usama: Hey mate, are you going to be at RL today? I’m nervous about today’s match but I’m up for it. See you there?
Loft: Hey Usama! Nice to hear from you. Yeah, I’m going to be there, but I’ll be a lil late. I’ll def catch up with you and the rest at RL. See you later.
Usama: oh ok man. I hope you make it on time.
During the match while I’m on RL chat, USAMA is nowhere to be found!!! hahahahahaha!
I know what you mean, Randy Van Prosae! 😉
Hahahaha…hahaha…this is classic Usama. 😀
For all the rhetoric we all engage in – and it is fun – finally the game won or lost by 11 guys out there on the pitch. If Mr W gets the right balance and we have the right guys if they go out and fight and play like they are capable we will when against a tough fighting Birmingham. You Gotta Believe!! Gunners 2 Bir 0.How about one in each half. Lawrence J Beadle
LJB, thumbs up!
I am fine guys. I take no offense
Thanks Loft. It’s ok DKD.
Cheers!!!
Classic write-up sets the mood perfectly just what i wanted!!RANDY dont be dissapointed man!! i SHOWED up!! thanks for the preview!!
LOFT!!! sorry man i ask u to be at rl and then vanish!! my electricity usually goes!! load shedding. i have to watch the match on a ups and only a small tele works on it!!! im really sorry for that!! plus i myself get very angry and agitated!!!