Aston Villa Vs. Arsenal: Arsenal Preview

Arsenal travel to Aston Villa tomorrow to try and steady themselves and return to winning ways. The Gunners have been shaky of late and their record of late shows it. They have lost 4 of their last 6 games in all competitions, something which needs to be rectified if they wish pundits to recognize them as serious title challengers once again. Having lost last weekend's league match against Tottenham and their midweek champions league fixture against Braga it is pertinent that Arsenal win against Villa to restore confidence ahead of the next crucial champion's league matchup against Partizan Belgrade. The gunner's must win to progress to the knockout phases; anything less and their future would depend on the outcome of the other group fixture.

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: Villa Preview

Aston Villa plays host to Arsenal at Villa Park this weekend, and will be longing for crucial points that could vault them into the top half of the table. An injury depleted Villa side will be relieved by the return of both John Carew and James Collins from calf injuries, respectively. However, history is not on Villa’s side; The Midlands club has claimed only one victory in its previous 28 league clashes with the Gunners. One of the most interesting storylines ahead of the matchup is Frenchman Robert Pires’ first fixture against the team he served so well from 2000 to 2006. The 37-year-old had a prolific goal scoring record of 84 tallied in 284 total appearances for the North London club. It will certainly be intriguing to see if Pires can conjure up one last moment of magic, even if it be across the pitch from the white and red.

Sporting Club Braga Vs. Arsenal: Post Game

Fabregas asking to be substituted

Arsene Wenger and his men must look inside themselves and face the harsh realities of their current situation. After having thrown away three points on the weekend and spurned a chance to go top of the table, Arsenal let lowly Braga fight its way to a two-nil victory on decisive match day five of the Champions League. Two easily avoidable defensive lapses exposed the flat back four and now threaten to jeopardize Arsenal’s spot in the last sixteen. A far cry from the performance that led to a six-nil thrashing of Braga back in September, Arsenal looked lethargic, uninspired, and weak at the back.

Arsenal vs. Tottenham: Post Game

Kaboul scoring the winner

At what has been a fortress in past seasons, this past weekend Arsenal slipped to their third home defeat of the season. The Gunners lost 3-2 against their bitter rivals Tottenham, and it was the first time that Arsenal had lost at home to Tottenham since 1993, and it left Arsenal players and fans alike reeling. Arsenal started well completely dominating the first 45 minutes and rightfully went in 2-0 leaders at halftime courtesy of a goals from Samir Nasri, and Marouane Chamakh. Spurs came out rejuvenated in the second half, which combined with Arsenal's failure to get out of first gear, meant they were able to stun the Gunners with 3 second half goals. Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, and Younes Kaboul all notched goals for Spurs as they claimed a rare away victory against Arsenal.

Arsenal vs Sporting Braga: Preview

Reeling after its shock second half collapse against Tottenham, Arsenal looks to book its passage into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a win on match-day five five against Sporting Braga. Arsenal thrashed Braga 6-nil back in September, but will be lacking lots of offensive firepower; in particular, the absences of Robin Van Persie and Andrey Arshavin will be sorely missed. Masterful tactician, Arsene Wenger, has warned his troops not to be complacent ahead of the clash with the Portuguese outfit as they were when they dropped points against former striker Eduardo and Shakhtar Donetsk a fortnight ago. Arsenal heads into a particularly challenging stretch of its season as the winter break approaches, and the crucial three points and a spot in the last 16 gained from a victory today would surely ease Wenger’s mind.

Arsenal Vs. Tottenham: Arsenal Preview

It’s derby day tomorrow in north London as Arsenal take on their neighbors Tottenenham Hotspurs at the Emirates. Arsenal sit two points behind table leaders Chelsea, but with the blues’ form dipping of late, Arsenal will want to take 3 points from tomorrow’s game to apply pressure on the west London outfit. Chelsea have lost two of their last three, whilst Arsenal have done the opposite by winning two their last three. In what could prove to be one of the season’s turning points, it’s important that Arsenal show up with all the energy required to win a north London derby. Many of Arsenal’s diverse squad took part in this week’s array of midweek fixtures; Samir Nasri, Kieran Gibbs, Bacary Sagna and Cesc Fabregas were amongst some of the Arsenal players who represented their countries during midweek. All of these players must overcome their fatigue in order to compete at the highest level. One player who came from international duty with a little more than fatigue was Andrei Arshavin, who picked up a small hamstring injury in Russia’s loss to Belgium. Arshavin along with Tomas Rosicky (hamsting) and Jack Wilshere, who came off injured after 45 minutes last week, face late fitness tests to assess whether they will be able to take part in tomorrow’s fixture. Encouraging news from the medical side of things is that Robin van Persie played 45 minutes for the Dutch national team, and Theo Walcott, who is on the verge of regaining full fitness, clocked some time for the three lions this week.

Arsenal Vs. Tottenham: Tottenham Preview

The 147th incarnation of the North London Derby is set to be played tomorrow, and looks as delightful a fixture as ever. Arsenal heads into the weekend clash with full confidence at second place in the table, while struggling Tottenham looks to replicate its wonderful Champion’s League form domestically after having struggled at the Reebok before the International Break. Not having won on Gunner's soil since 1993, Spurs look to take three full points after its valuable win back in April at White Hart Lane when the clubs last met.

International break

With the Premiership on International break for Euro 2012 qualifiers; we eagerly await the Gunner’s clash with Bolton at the Emirates in a week’s time. On the fifteenth, Arsenal face Portuguese side Sporting Clube de Braga in its first Champion’s League fixture of the year. Check back later in the week for an in-depth preview of the two matches.

Liverpool Vs. Arsenal: Arsenal Preview

Arsenal will travel to Liverpool this Sunday, hoping to kick off the new premier league season with a win. The Gunners, who finished third last season, have a tough opening fixture against a Liverpool side, who will be looking to prove doubters wrong after a disappointing season. Summer signing Laurent Koscielny is set to make his debut alongside temporary captain Thomas Vermaelen, in what could prove to be a baptism of fire for the young Frenchman. Morrocan Marouane Chamakh also seems set to make his Premier league debut.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Arsenal walked out 2-1 winners, with an own goal from Glen Johnson, and a superb strike from Andrei Arshavin. Arshavin could be pivotal in Arsenal’s gameplan, as the Russian has an impeccable scoring record at Anfield: 5 goals from 6 shots on target.

Liverpool Vs. Arsenal: Liverpool Preview

With the Premier League off to a bang yesterday, Arsenal vs. Liverpool at Anfield certainly looks to be the most intriguing fixture of the weekend. Liverpool looks to rebound from a devastatingly disappointing season, and again is in the hunt for Champion’s League football. With a messy takeover for ownership of the club in the works, Roy Hodgeson and his lads look for revenge after Arsenal’s double of them last term. The Red’s looked sharp in preseason, much of the credit deservedly going to new signing from Chelsea, Joe Cole. While his high wage demands were a setback in early negotiations, the two sides came to an agreement that surely suits them both well.

Season Preview

As Saturday signals the dawn of a new Premier league season, Arsenal will look once more to challenge for the top spot. Last year Arsenal proved they can challenge, but once again they fell apart like a house of cards during the home stretch of the season. Weak defence, and lack of offensive firepower left Arsenal lacking during the final hurdle. This year, however, they will hope they can maintain the strong form that they enjoyed for much of last season, for the whole season. Maintaining this form will be pivotal to Arsenal’s title hopes.

Transfer Watch

According to multiple sources throughout England, Arsenal are pursuing current Everton Centre Back Phil Jagielka. The Gunners have already had a 10 million pound bid rejected, and current reports are indicating that Wenger is getting ready to table an offer of 14 million pounds, but Toffees' manager David Moyes doesn't seem interested in letting go of Jagielka, who signed a 5 year extension to his current Everton contract in May. Should Wenger's persistence fail with Everton stories suggest he will turn to German World Cup star Per Mertesacker. Mertesacker, who stands at a mighty 6'7, thoroughly impressed in South Africa over the summer. It is thought a fee of about 10 million pounds would be required to acquire his services from his current club, Werder Bremen.

Summer Roundup

• Arsenal stars had a rather quiet world cup; however, two of the starting XI, namely Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, featured in the final. Fabregas was a substitution late in regulation and he created the winning goal, scored by Andres Iniesta, late in extra time. Robin van Persie started for the Dutch, and worked hard off the ball, even though there was a lack of opportunities for him and his team to score.
• Fabregas – The captain has been the talk of much transfer speculation this summer as he has openly stated that at some point during his career he would like to return home to Barcelona. Arsenal have already turned down an offer of 30 million pounds for him, but Barcelona may be ready to make another offer in the region of 40 million pounds.

Arsenal Vs. Tottenham: Arsenal Pregame

Pre game:

Arsenal travel to White Hart Lane on Wednesday looking to maintain their title bid. The first installment of the North London derby was won 3-0 at the Emirates by Arsenal, with two goals from Robin van Persie, and one from Cesc Fabregas. Arsenal look to be boosted with the possible return of forward Robin van Persie, who will be making his first appearance since November. The Dutch international has been out since the Netherlands friendly against Italy.

Arsenal Vs. Tottenham: Tottenham Pregame

Pregame Analysis:

Tottenham Hotspur look to avenge its 3-0 loss at the Emirates earlier in the campaign, and aim to level the score in the North London Derby on Wednesday. Harry Redknapp and his squad look to rebound from their 2-0 shock defeat at the hands of Championship bound Portsmouth in the FA Cup Semi-Finals.

Injury update

Arsenal physio Colin Lewin has spoken today regarding the current injuries in the Arsenal squad.

Lewin confirmed that Fabregas should be fit in time for Spain's world cup bid this summer, and he also dispelled rumors concerning media reports that had suggested Fabregas had sustained his injury prior to the Barcelona clash during the weekend fixture with Birmingham:

"The injury was certainly as a result of the tackle by Carlos Puyol at the end of the Barcelona game. There were some ill-informed media reports that the fracture was sustained before the Barcelona game and those reports, put simply, were untrue. He suffered heavy bruising in the Birmingham City game but to suggest that someone can run around for 85 minutes against Barcelona with a fractured fibula is just farcical" - Colin Lewin.

Marouane Chamakh Transfer News

Arsenal transfer target Marouane Chamakh has said, "It's practically sure," regarding his free agency this summer. The possibility of a new contract with Bordeaux seems to be non existent, as they don't appear to have the capability to resign him.
Arsenal have expressed profound interest in the French born Moroccan, and Arsene Wenger established his interest as early as August having said, "He is a player we were close to signing".

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog!

Here at Arsenal Talk we have two contributing writers: Ravi Popat & Stephen Lipton.
We aim to provide you with an indepth coverage of Arsenal FC, including news; full match previews, reports; and fan based opinion pieces.
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Ravi & Stephen