UCL Match Day 4: Arsenal v Shaktar Donetsk; Match Preview
They're Back!!!!
Yes folks, the UEFA Champion’s League Group stages are back. As if you needed any further evidence that this is a waste of time, you need not look any further than the Spurs v Inter match from yesterday. Spurs hailed it as their greatest night ever while Inter looked like a team that couldn’t be bothered. What should be interesting than is the approach of our Arsenal vs that of Shaktar Donetsk.
By all accounts and of course the requisite media punditry, the beating Shaktar took at the hands of Arsenal was an abberation. They’ve won 10 of their last 11 league matches and I believe held 9 of those to clean sheets. For their part Shaktar felt hard done in by the match and are fuming. Their manager, the mercurial Mircea Lucescu has gone on to say that it is the fault of the “Scandanavian ref.” Seems that Lucescu thinks Scandanavian refs won’t ever call a game against an English side. He goes on to say that in fact the refs have been kind to Arsenal throughout the group stages as the other 3 teams have multiple cards and Arsenal only have a few.
Either way Shaktar are sounding off to anyone that will listen that tonight in the Ukraine things will be different and Arsenal won’t be so fortunate to get 5 past them. There may be something to that as the Gunners don’t have a winning track record when the go off to the Ukraine. In all their travels to the former Soviet republic they have played 4 matches and lost 3 and drawn 1. Most recently, they were drubbed by Shaktar 3-0 in the 2000-2001 Champion’s League group stages.
Again this is a situation where the Gunners can’t be complacent with their success. They need to secure a win or draw to qualify for their 11th conesecutive trip to the knock out stages of Europe’s most lucrative club competition. They will do so while leaving some noticeable first teamers in London. Cesc Fabregas is staying home to give him some rest after a slight concern on his nagging thigh injury. Andrei Arshavin has an “infection” and Denilson and Song are also getting rests.
Our lads in red have been on their own run of form of late having beaten Shaktar, Man City, and Newcastle all rather soundly (13-1 total score in all three matches) and ground out a hard fought 1-0 win against a determined West Ham side. Even with those left at home, the Gunners have enough depth to provide a potent attacking option. The only decision is who comes in as the midfielder to replace Song? If it is a defencive choice, it could be Eastmond. If Arsene wants an all out attack he could add the impressive Henri Lansbury who was the star of the Carling Cup win over Tottenham. And while Marouane Chamakh has been a bear in the Champion’s League, I suspect he might come in from the bench which would make our front line: Walcott, Bendtner, and Nasri.
This match also marks the first time since the last match against Shaktar that Jack Wilshere can play. I suspect he will be raring to go with his new contract and a desire to prove he can with or without Cesc Fabregas on the pitch. Frankly, if he plays like he did against Chelsea, with purpose and directness, then I suspect Shaktar could have a long night of chasing the ball and chasing the Gunners.
This is a match Arsenal must absolutely put away early. Get two quick goals and take the Shaktar crowd out of it. Once you put it away, then play holding the ball all you want and rest on the fact you’ve secured your ticket to the next round.
How the Match Should Play Out:
While I would love this to be a sprint out of the blocks with the 2 goals I mentioned above, this will likely be one of those drawn out affairs where neither club scores till either late in the first or early in the 2nd half. Arsenal aren’t the best of travellers to regions like this and will likely take their time to get into the match. I suspect though the likes of Nasri or Wilshere in the lineup will be too much for Shaktar to handle. And the creativity they present should unlock another determined opponnent.
Players To Watch:
Arsenal: Theo Walcott hasn’t shown any signs that his early season form was a fluke. A similar performance today will only go further to showing that he has certainly turned a corner.
Shaktar: Eduardo He got a goal and a roaring applause from the Arsenal faitful after the win had been secured. Today he is on a mission to win.
Probable Starting XI:
Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Clichy, Squillaci, Koscielny, Rosicky, Wilshere, Lansbury, Walcott, Nasri, Bendtner
Shaktar: Pyatov; Srna, Chygrynskiy, Rakitskiy, Rat; Stepanenko, Gai, Teixeira, Eduardo, Willian; Luiz Adriano.
Injuries/Suspensions:
Arsenal: Vermaelen (achilles) Van Persie (ankle) Ramsey (ankle) Frimpong (knee) Diaby (ankle)
Shaktar: Fernandinho (leg) Mkhitaryan (infection) Jadson (foot)
Broadcast:
US: FSC (replay) 8:00 pm EST, foxsoccer.tv (live) 3:45 pm EST
UK: Sky Sports 2 1945 BST
Feeds:
www.atdhe.net
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!! www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
Shaktar: 1
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