Walcott will be better than Ronaldo. Plus the goals against Sparta on video

By 1970’s Gooner

It was an easier contest for Arsenal than originally anticipated.

Part of the reason was that Arsenal approached this game professionally and gave it the respect it deserved. There was commitment from all the players and a desire to excel in everything they tried to do.

The other reason is that Sparta did not play rough or try and intimidate the young Arsenal players. They probably learned their lesson from the first leg.

They also did not play that defensively as they needed to score if they were to have any chance of getting anything out of this game.

This approach resulted in more space being available for Arsenal to exploit which they duly did. Mostly from Walcott who has really improved this season.

His penetrative and lightning fast runs did give Arsenal real width last night.

He is beginning to remind me of Man Utd’s Ronaldo a few seasons ago when he did everything right but for the crosses. Once Theo corrects this he will turn out to be a better player.

Rosicky was not as penetrative but he did get the goal.

Arsenal’s six of the nine goals scored so far in all competitions have come from midfield players.

This is a real improvement and what everyone has been crying out for: goals from midfielders.

The pairing of two similar central midfielders, Gilberto and Diaby did not really work as neither of them is creative enough. When Fabregas came on Arsenal had more flair and technique.

Similarly RVP’s pairing with Eduardo did not work. RVP needs to play off a front man and so does Eduardo. The latter's first goal for Arsenal a typical fox in the box approach as he connected to Denilson's low cross from the right.

His cut back for the Fabregas goal however was first class. He does need more games to settle in however. More than we think.

Overall a good work out for the team as they prepare themselves for the more difficult task of beating Portsmouth at the same venue.

You can watch the goals and highlights on the video but I don’t know how long they will be available.

Arsenal Vs Sparta Prague: Will Arsenal shoot itself in the foot?

By 1970’s Gooner

Arsene Wenger has said that two legged ties are usually won in the first leg. This is of course a very true statement as rarely a team that accomplished an advantage from the first leg finds itself not going through.

Unless of course it shoots itself in the foot.

This can usually arise through two ways. The club “lulls” itself into a false sense of security and therefore fails to give the tie the seriousness it deserves. Or the players get stuck into that “in between” state of mind which comes from not really having to win the tie.

This is the danger for Arsenal tonight when they meet Sparta Prague at the Emirates, leading 2-0 from the first away leg.

Sparta Prague have really nothing to loose and this state of mind often liberates players and allows them to express themselves without real fear of failure. If they score the first goal then the jitters set in and it becomes anybody’s game.

On the other hand the team in the lead from the first leg may try to get through the tie without exerting itself too much as there is an important League game coming up anyway in a few days time.

This state of mind was not evident at Anfield last night as Liverpool had only a one goal advantage from the first leg which made them vulnerable if they had conceded first.

They also had quite a few, shall we call them “fringe players”, who had something to prove to Benitez. Players like Crouch, Benayoun, Leto, Hyppia and others subject to the rotation policy.

The outcome of this particular tie therefore will depend more on how Arsenal mentally approaches the game rather than the employment of any specific tactics, formation or team selection. Although these are of course significant too.

The players will have to do a professional job, play their normal game and go for the win.

Getting that first goal will be vital as the opponents heads are likely to drop after that. Overcoming a three goal deficit will be insurmountable even for above average teams (which, having watched the first leg, Sparta is not).

On the subject of team selection: Does Wenger rest some of the key players and give games to players returning to the squad?

The sports writers of the national newspapers seem to think so as some, in their “probable” starting eleven, have RVP being rested or similarly Adebayor.

Others have Gilberto rested or starting at centre back. Flamini is at right back or midfield or rested according to which paper you read. Fabregas is rested and Diaby coming in. Others have Fabregas in…..In other words they are all confused!

Wenger will have to take this game very seriously as there is the factor of complacency creeping as explained above but also the (financial) cost of failure may prove too onerous for Arsenal Football Club to bear.

So he is not likely to take too many chances and will try to keep as close to his first team selection as possible barring injuries and fitness.

The two positions he has to make decisions on are the right back and centre back.

The choice at right back is between Hoyte and Flamini and he may go for Hoyte although Flamini perfomed very well against Man City. Wenger has belief in his players and he likes to show it to them for obvious reasons.

At centre back the choice is between Senderos and Gilberto. Does he go for an experienced but unfit player or does he give Senderos his chance?

But I think we will have to wait and see what Wenger decides.

It appears however that there is more strength in depth in this squad; much more than many people think.

Prediction: Arsenal do not shoot themselves in the foot. Home win. 1-0


Sparta Prague team news: Repka is a lot better and travels to London to face Fabregas


Fabregas has added a “Peter Storey” attitude to his vast arsenal of talents

Sparta Prague team news: Repka is a lot better and travels to London to face Fabregas

By 1970's Gooner

The news coming out of Prague is that Tomas Repka’s knee is a lot better. The swelling seems to have eased and this allowed him to be included in the squad that travels to London.

The Czechs are taking this game very seriously as Pavel Horvarth has postponed an operation so that he could also take part.

If Repka starts the game at the Emirates on Wednesday, all eyes will be on him and young Fabregas after the two clashed in the first leg.

It was Fabregas’s tackle that finally forced Repka out of that game and in a way helped Arsenal towards a fine 2-0 victory.

Repka was not included in the squad that were winners 4-1 away at Viktoria Žižkov last weekend.

The other team news coming out of Sparta is that their most influential player, Pavel Horváth, has postponed an operation so that he could take part in the return game at the Emirates.

He is considered to be Sparta’s creative player in midfield.

He started the game against Viktoria Žižkov but was substituted in the 75th minute. He scored the second goal from the penalty spot.

The other scorers for Sparta were Kisel, Abraham and Došek with another penalty.

Sparta is now lying second in the Czech League two points behind their arch rivals Slavia Prague with 10 points from 4 four games.

Sparta’s manager Michal Billic said in a press conference that it will be obviously difficult to reverse the 2-0 deficit of the first leg but they will certainly attempt to do it.


Fabregas has added a “Peter Storey” attitude to his vast arsenal of talents

Denilson runs the show but Fabregas does it again

Line up considerations for Arsenal plus prediction

By 1970’s Gooner

Arsenal have won all four of their matches against Sparta, each of which has come in the Champions League group stage.

Two seasons ago, a half-fit Henry marked his return from a six-week absence through injury to supply Arsenal’s goals in a 2-0 win in the group stage match in Prague, breaking Ian Wright’s club scoring record in the process.

The striking aspect of that game was the conservative approach adopted by Wenger who appeared to give a little bit too much respect to the opponents than was merited.

The system adopted was a rather timid 4 5 1 with the lone striker more often than not left isolated. It wasn’t until Henry was unleashed from the bench that the whole team was liberated.

Arsenal won their home fixture 3-0 with goals from Henry and two from RVP.

How Arsenal will play

I can see Wenger adopting a conservative approach again as this has served him well in the head to head counters with Sparta Prague. In addition this is an away tie and there is always the home game to come at, hopefully, fortress Emirates where things could be put right if need be.

There is also the need to accustom the players in treating this first European game in the manner that will be followed in the away games of the Champions League competition proper.

So a 4 5 1 formation is likely to be adopted

Judging by Hleb’s performance and crucial goal he scored against Fulham he will again play the withdrawn role behind RVP. Only this time he will be instructed to stick to that and not venture too much back into midfield crowding out playmaker Fabregas.

Rosicky and Eboue are likely to be trusted on the wings again although the latter was rather subdued against Fulham. However his defensive background will come in handy if Arsenal have to defend a lead late on in the game.

Diaby and Denilson have not travelled due to ankle problems. The players to travel include the same 16 which were picked to face Fulham, plus full backs Justin Hoyte and Armand Traore. The players on the bench against Fulham were Almunia, Senderos, Song, Walcott and Bendtner.

It is a pity that Diaby in particular could not participate as it is this type of players that have the qualities needed to protect the defence in those difficult European or indeed Premiership away games.

Nevertheless, according to our resident season ticket holder at the Emirates, Flamini put in a very strong performance against Fulham and the same will be required of him again.

Bendtner will probably be on the bench and ready to come on late in the game if need be. I can see him scoring if he comes on. He nearly did against Fulham.

Prediction

I don’t see many goals in this game as both teams will not want to risk too much lest they concede; especially the home team.

Arsenal will also be thinking about the difficult away encounter with Blackburn on Sunday, so if they go a goal up they will probably not break leather to add to it.

Away win. 1 - 0

Best odds at time of writing this post:

Arsenal win : 5/6 Bet 365
Draw : 5/2 Paddy Power
Sparta win : 19/5 Expect.com

Arsenal win 1-0 : 11/2 Bet 365, Better, Betdirect, Sporting Odds, Blue Square

Bendtner to score the first or last goal: 7/1 Skybet, Extra bet, Stan James
Hleb to score first goal : 14/1 VC Bet
Hleb to score last goal : 12/1 Bet Fred, Stan James


Part I: Sparta’s manager fears Rosicky

Preview of Sparta Prague Vs Arsenal. Part I: Sparta’s manager fears Rosicky

By 1970’s Gooner

Last season, Sparta became the first club to record a league and cup double in the Czech Republic since the country split from Slovakia in 1993.

For the first two games of the current season Sparta have one win against Slovan Liberec FC with striker Libor Došek scoring the only goal of the game. A goalless draw against Viktoria Plzen was the result of their second game.

In Tomas Repka, now 33, they have a captain who is accustomed to London, having played for West Ham United for five seasons.

The defender’s 12 yellow cards last season reflect his reputation in England, where he was sent off twice in his first three appearances in the top flight. He has not featured for the first two matches of the league campaign due to suspension, but will be back for this one.

Their creative and inspirational player is Pavel Horváth in midfield. He has not played in the last game which may mean he was rested for the Arsenal encounter.

Tomas Postulka, the Sparta goalkeeper, believes that Arsenal will be an easier proposition than they would have been last season.

“Arsenal are totally different to before,” he said. “Henry and Ljungberg have left and there are young players.


The Sparta manager Michal Bilic speaking to Czech internet paper “Sportonoviny” has identified the quartet of Fabregas, Hleb, Van Persie and Rosický as the players to look for.

The key, he implied, is not to allow space to the Arsenal players especially old boy Rosicky.

Rosicky started playing for the club at the age of eight so it will be an emotional return for him.

He won three league titles and the Czech Player of the Year award while he was there.

"It will be strange to go back, but I'd rather have played them in the group stage," said Rosicky.

"My brother played for Sparta Prague and my father played for Sparta Prague so it is a bit emotional".

Let’s hope that his performance is not affected.

Other outstanding former Sparta players include among others Petr Čech of Chelsea, Karel Poborský ex Manchester United, Pavel Nedvěd of Juventus and Jan Koller of Monaco.


AC Sparta Praha Fact File

Full name: AC Sparta Praha fotbal, a.s.
Nickname : Železná Sparta(Iron Sparta)
Founded : November 16, 1893
Ground : Toyota Arena, Prague
Capacity : 20,111
Chairman : Jozef Chovanec
Manager : Michal Bílek
League : Gambrinus Liga
2006-07 Gambrinus Liga, 1st


Ed: Part II which will deal with Arsenal will follow on match day.

Neither club nor family can confirm that Wilson Palacios is training with Arsenal