Right... its great to be back on the beat after a short absence from this forum. Hope everyone is doing ok. Its hard to imagine that there's actually a transfer window open right now, such has been the silence in terms of business across the big guns not only in England but across Europe.Although its a generally accepted fact that the January transfer window is one of the hardest to do business given its short span, this particular one has done little to change that assertion. Apart from the Mata deal that looks to be moving to completion, every other thing has been mostly speculation and little in terms of concrete followup. Its also been quiet from the Arsenal camp transfer-wise (surprise, surprise) and earlier today, the boss was his usual reticent self when quizzed for clues on possible signings. If you ask me, i really don't know why these reporters even bother asking him anyway. In my opinion, the ''wait and see'' approach has proven to be the best strategy when transfers involving Arsenal are concerned. Any other method to squeeze info from Arsene is nigh on impossible.
But lest i digress, We have a game on Friday. An FA cup fixture against Coventry city. The League one outfit are not new to the Emirates, they paid a visit early last season and were dealt a 6-1 defeat in the then Carling Cup. This season, they can be found right smack in the mid-table regions of their division and in decent form too beaten only once in their last 11 games this season. I admit i'm struggling to write in volume about Coventry, as i know next to nothing about them. But as their captain Carl Baker has described it , this is a game they intend to give everything to make their fans proud and also progress to the next round. Wishful thinking you might be tempted to say, considering our recent form and record in the league this season. However, the memory of Blackburn and Bradford from last year who ended our cup dreams i.e the FA and Carling Cups must not be forgotten. The boss will be wary of those two awful experiences repeating themselves and will likely name a strong squad having some first teamers mixed with fringe/youngsters looking to impress. I expect Coventry to sit deep and try to frustrate us early. They won' t be looking to go toe-to-toe with us because technically we are from another planet compared to them, and will eat them up if they throw caution to the wind and try to come at us.
Team News from our camp is encouraging. Bendtner is back from injury, Ramsey and Arteta are not too far behind, including Sanogo. For squad depth, this is welcome news. Particularly because the second half of the season will see difficult games occurring in alarming regularity hence the importance of having as many bodies in the squad as possible ready to contribute. Oxlade chamberlain is still in the mix, and might start on the right side of the attack with Ryo on the left channel. Gideon Zelalem has impressed in Training this week and will likely get the nod to feature alongside Rosicky and Flamini. The back four will definitely see the captain Vermaelen in the team to be paired with Either Mertasacker or Koscielny. Who plays up front is a little more difficult to predict, due to the amount of fringe candidates who are itching to play and are due a game. Popular assertion would be for Podolski to start alongside Bendtner, whilst Giroud stays on the bench. Don't be surprised if Park chu young is given a chance to play also, his attitude and application in training has been commended by the boss severally and who knows...he may be rewarded with playing time come Friday.
Our possesion game coupled with its quick passing around the box ought to slice the Coventry Defense open at will but its necessary that the sell-out Emirates crowd support the team fully to make short work of the visitors, so they can all return home after their Friday exertions at work...here's to a smooth passage to the 5th round, with no injuries....c'mon Arsenal
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