Saturday, August 21, 2010

Easy Pickings

Whilst I appreciate that, in top-flight football, each team must be treated with respect, surely Arsenal can't look at anything less than three points today against Blackpool.

The points accumulated against the 'smaller' teams will form the foundation of our campaign. If we beat them comfortably and handsomely, it'll go a long way to a sucessful season. Struggle against them and drop valuble points, and Arsenal will struggle to make the top four.

Our next five games are against teams that either finished around the bottom half of the table or were promoted last season. After those, the team travels to Stamford Bridge. 16 points is the only acceptable tally to travel there with.

Blackpool will bring lots of energy and endeavor to the pitch today. Why wouldn't they? They're flying high after their 4-0 triumph at Wigan and come to the Emirates with nothing to lose. So firstly today we have to match their work-rate, then it should be a simple task of imposing our game on them and squeezing the life and, hopefully, a few goals out of them too.

As I finish writing the team has just been released. With Song partnering Vermaelen at the back and the irratic Diaby protecting them, Blackpool might just fancy their chances of grabbing a goal today. The frontline looks good with Rosicky and Walcott coming in for Nasri and Eboue. I'm disappointed that Arshavin has kept his place on the team considering his poor showing at Anfield. Hopefully Fabregas and Van Persie will only come on for match-minutes and not a match-winner!

I think 4-0 to the Arsenal is a realistic score although it could very easily be more.