[Archived] Arsenal Preview

[Dan]

Reminds me of seeing Sam training with Newcastle at St James Park, Sam had a megaphone and was bellwoing out orders

"F**king Hoof it Chris!"

[Baz]

My link

A fairly balanced article from the Gooners side of things.

[Mr. E]

This is a feature that I think always motivates us, and is usually a cracking game. Hopefully Fabregas and Van Persie don't pop out of their hospital beds just for us, but even if they do, we can still stop them.

Expect a real battle tomorrow.

[92er]

Not to pick on this post in particular TCO, but I can't agree with this at all.

If Keith Andrews had put in those performances I reckon there would be the usual uproar. Jones completed one pass in the entire game against Everton!

I did think he was very effective against Cahill and snubbed him out in a way I have never seen by a Rovers midfield player.

[47er]

"F**king Hoof it Chris!"

Give it a rest.

[Hughesy]

Get into them, and fook them up.....Oh and beat them too Boys!

Will be interesting to see if the ref sides with the laws of the game or with Wenger tomorrow....Who is the ref?

2-1 Rovers

[Scotty]

Jones is a centre half and they don't make good midfielders. One of the better ball playing centre halves, Rio Ferdinand can't play midfield very well, so Jones has no chance.

As usual everything has to be black and white for you. No shades of grey.

Jones did an excellent defensive job against Everton and helped stifle one of the best midfields in the Premiership. He also showed decent touch and technique at times and ran a long way with the ball on more than one occasion. Do I think he'll go on to become a new Platini or Xavi - no. But he can do a job as a holding midfielder who protects the back four. And he should only get better at it as he gets older.

[Ianrally]

Get into them, and fook them up.....Oh and beat them too Boys!

Will be interesting to see if the ref sides with the laws of the game or with Wenger tomorrow....Who is the ref?

2-1 Rovers

Chris Foy........not my favourite but also not my nightmare

[Amo]

I'm glad Whinger has come out with those comments. It shows that he's worried about today's game and knows his team will be in for a dogfight. I don't think the ref will appreciate being put under undue pressure by his comments, either. Let's hope our lads show up today and give them what for!

[philipl]

We are well capable of getting something positive from today's game and I feel it might be important that we do.

[Baz]

We are well capable of getting something positive from today's game and I feel it might be important that we do.

I agree Phillip, after todays game we have 2 home games in the next 2 months.

Todays game will be tough and I reckon we need to get the first goal to get anything out of the game. Lets hope the ref isn't pro-Arsenal.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Has anyone seen the picture used on the Sky Sports website to advertise the game?

Talk about portraying us as thugs or bullies...

Van Persie on the deck, looks like the other le arse players are in pain. Also looks like Sam is laughing at Van Persie being injured.

[Amo]

Has anyone seen the picture used on the Sky Sports website to advertise the game?

Talk about portraying us as thugs or bullies...

Van Persie on the deck, looks like the other le arse players are in pain. Also looks like Sam is laughing at Van Persie being injured.

And the 'Arte' in 'Arte et Labore' is conveniently obscured.

[Ozz]

Don't forget the secret message about Paul being dead too.

[philipl]

Come on the BAD GUYS

[Bobby G]

I would hope the players are up for this. One of the games which has become more and more important for me with Whinger's every comment about us over the years.

[rovers1995]

Alan Judge?

I suspect it was Josh Morris

[modes98]

I suspect it was Josh Morris

Is Josh Morris irish then? Can't get on official site to check.

Surely doran or judge are the 2 that fit the irish and on the bench category.

[SergioPeter89]

Both Mame and Kalinic is starting!

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Looks like Niko and M Diouf up top today, bold selection from Sam considering the opposition but it will be good to see Niko get some proper support.

2-2. Van Persie will grab at least one.

[Tom]

Kalinic and diouf both start, risky but let's hope it pays off.

Olsson and nzonzi on the bench as well weirdly and grella starts.

[Bobby G]

Mame and Niko up top. A bit exciting and very scary too. Hopefully we keep them occupied at the back, but will our midfield cope?

I can see Mame playing a bit wider on the right though to retain the 4-3-3 shape.

[Messi422]

any starting lineup? The matchblog in offical site linked to the Rovers player.

[Amo]

ROVERS: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, E. Diouf, Jones, Grella, Pedersen, Kalinic, M. Diouf

Substitutes: Bunn, Olsson, Chimbonda, Emerton, Dunn, Nzonzi, Hoilett.

ARSENAL: Alumnia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Clichy, Diaby, Fabregas, Walcott, A Song, Arshavin, Van Persie.

Substitutes: Fabianski, Eboue, Gibbs, Rosicky, Wilshere, Vela, Chamakh.

[Balwer]

Jones starts ahead of NZonzi in midfield? Interesting.