Nov 29
Team Predictions: Arsenal v Chelsea
William Gallas faces a late fitness test to determine whether or not he can play against his former club Chelsea later this afternoon.
The Arsenal centre back, 32, is still recovering from a swollen eye which he sustained in an accidental clash with team-mate Andrey Arshavin in midweek.
Speaking on Thursday, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted that Gallas is a ‘big question mark’:
“There is a big question mark about him at the moment,” said Wenger. “Today I cannot say that William Gallas will play, unfortunately. The ankle should be alright but the eye is still very, very, very swollen.”
There are more defensive worries for Arsenal as well. Kieran Gibbs broke his metatarsal against Standard Liege on Wednesday, and with Gael Clichy also out it leaves Wenger short of options.
Armand Traoré, Mikael Silvestre and Emmanuel Eboue can all play at left-back, but it’s none of their preferred positions.
England winger Theo Walcott still hasn’t completed a Premier League match this season due to injuries and some Arsenal fans have expressed their desire for him to start.
Eduardo was rested in midweek, so he’s expected to start upfront in the 4:30 kick-off.
Gooner Talk’s Predicted XI
Almunia
Sagna – Vermaelen – Gallas – Traoré
Song – Denilson
Fabregas
Nasri – Arshavin
Eduardo
Leave your views, score and team predictions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the game and don’t forget we’ll be posting Arsenal’s confirmed line-up and a match stream 15 minutes before kick-off – so stay tuned!
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Almunia
Sagna – Vermaelen – Gallas – Traoré
Song – Nasri
Fabregas
Rosicky – Arshavin
Eduardo
I hope TW does not start, he runs like a headless chicken. I prefer Wilshere if we really have to plays boys.
If we dont take our chances, we r dead.. Our main chance will come from Cesc and Denilson again.. the others just have to close the shop..Play it central, crowd it..and wait..wait…wait.. will go in
[...] Excerpt from: Team Predictions: Arsenal v Chelsea [...]
Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Vermaelen-Traore
Song
Nasri Fabregas
Walcott Arshavin
Eduardo
Walcott will be necessary to provide for Eduardo who needs the service just in front of goal, something he has not had so far.
Dudu does not need to score…he just has to link up play for the midfield to score..Theo on the bench please
What so Eduardo should become the midfielder and the actual midfielders become the strikers? Yes all our players can score but come on…
Aluminia
Song Vermalean Silvestre/Gallas Traore
Song
Fab Delnilson/Nasri
Walcott Arshavin
Eduardo
Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Vermaelen-Traore
Song
Denilson Fabregas
Nasri Arshavin
Walcott
I hope!!
——–Almunia———
————————
Sagna-Gallas-Verm-Silves
————————
———song———–
————————
——-Nasri-Fab——–
————————
-Rosic-Arshavin-Eduardo-
I’d prefer if Arsha starts upfront…atleast he can hold the ball up there and eduardo can do his stuffs on the left and still proach around…
Arsene offcial interview told LB only have 2 options, Traore and Eboue, I guess Eboue becuz it’s a big game, we need experience player.
Almunia
Sagna,Galls,TV,Eboue
Song,Denilson
Rosicky,Cesc,Arshavn
Nasri
Super Subs: Walcott, Eduardo, Vela
Denilson will 100% start, no matter what. I agree with your team Gooner Chris, except I think Eboue will start. Wenger has hinted at this and he obviously saw how “well” Traore played against Sunderland.
But if Gallas doesn’t make it, then I hope Song will be moved to defence. It will be a big blow for our midfield but don’t you think playing Nasri, Ramsey or Rosicky in midfield is a better option than Silvestre at CB? I think Silvestre will be his choice but I would feel a lot more comfortable with Song there. However, Song and Denilson should do great if they are able to play together behind Fabregas. Silvestre against Drogba and Anelka brings back painful memories (Silvestre against Torres, anyone?).
Nasri has infuriated me this season. I know he’s been injured but he needs to step up. He gives the ball away too often and is often so careless. He is a fantastic talent but he isn’t a match winner yet. I thought Nasri would be an automatic choice in midfield this season but now I actually prefer Denilson.
Ps. Don’t forget Ramsey on that bench. Every time he comes on he makes a difference. He’s a weapon just like Walcott and Vela.
Almunia
Sanga,Gallas(Senderos),Vermalen,Eboue
Song
Fabregas, Denislon
Nasri,Eduardo,Arshavin
We must be strong defensively. Eboue provides the option to be defensive and be able to attack, very technical and speedy.
Traore is still not matured enough to handle the experienced Ballack or Lampard.
we must win this one!
Play Eboue at right back,Gallas or Song,Vermaelen,Sagna,if Gallas fit,Denilson Song & Cesc,if not Denilson Cesc Nasri up front Arshavin Eduardo Walcott COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!
come on the arseenaaaaall!!!!
we cannot afford to lose today so at the VERY LEAST we need a draw, but a win is a must. does anyone know whether diaby is fit, just have a feeling wenger would put him in the front three for a bit of height against cashley. we need a big game from eduardo, hes been a bit disappointing recently and his finishing hasnt been at its usual best.
almunis
sagna gallas tv eboue
song
fab rosicky
whilshire nasri
arshavin
dont worry my fellow gooners red army will show every 1 watching today arsenal are serious title contender 3-1 arsenal. arshavin is guna step up his game and score first. arsene wengers red and white army
I’m sure it’s a 4.00pm kick off mate, ‘in the 4:30 kick-off.’
Almunia
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Eboué
Song – Denilson
Fabregas
Walcott – Eduardo – Arshavin
Predicted score: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Eduardo to score at least one, possibly Walcott to get one after terrorising Cashley.
Praying on Gallas being fit.
P.S. Chris where are your predicted scores, you used to get them right all the time!
Come on Arsenal!
i think that eboue will start at left back actually or maybe sagna and eboue on the right
Eboue has to play at right back and Sagna left back,we will be more solid defensively,i think Song and Vermaelen at CB,if Gallas out
Almunia
sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Eboué
Song – Denilson
Fabregas
Walcott – Eduardo – Arshavin
Almunia, sagna, senderos, vermaelen, eboue, song, denilson, nasri, fab, arshavin and eduardo. Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea Eduardo 28 and Senderos 68!!!!!!
im with goonertalks predicted line up, walcott & rosicky to replace nasri and arsharvin in 2nd half to keep the pace comin!
……………Almunia
Sagna…Vermaelen…Gallas…Traoré
…………Song . Denilson……….
……………Fabregas
……..Nasri………Arshavin……..
…………..Eduardo
I just hope Gallas is fit! If he’s not, I hope Senderos gets a chance instead of Mikael “Long Ball” Silvestre. Im going to assume Gallas is fit in my line-up.
_________Almunia
Eboue Gallas Vermaelen Sagna
__Fabregas_Song_Denilson__
__Nasri Eduardo Arshavin__
I dont think Traore is good enough to play against Chelsea, but I think Wenger will still choose him.
Unlike you its not do or die but for sure it is very important for the team spirit to win it
Almunia
Sagna-Gallas/Song-Vermaelen-Silvestre
Fabregas-Song/Nasri-Denilson
Walcott-Arshavin-Eduardo/Nasri
if Gallas is fit so I’ll favour Fab, Song & Denilson at the midfield & Walcott, Arshavin & Nasri up front. Nasri could help Silvestre who is the better possibility at the left in my opinion. Sadly, Vela is too soft (yet) for such a game.
if Gallas aint fit then I agree we should play Song who is capable of coping with Chelsea pair.
then play Nasri at midfield & there you have a room for Eduardo at the left wing.
Altough i like to see Eboue play (one of the most underrated lads) i rather see Silvestre at the left. He has the experience & the right leg to play there. especially when Deco, Jo Cole (still not in full run) & Ballack are not that fast runners.
I know I might be considered as an optimistic but i believe we’ll win it 3-1 with Fabregas, Arshavin & either of Walcott, or Nasri, or Vermaelen netting the Goals.
——————-almunia————–
-Sagna——Gallas——–Senderos–Vermaelen
—————–Song——————–
—–Fabregas————-Rosicky————-
——Nasri———————-Eduardo——–
——————ARSHAVIN—————————
We need experience, so i dont feel too good with Traore
Otherwise vermaelen can be in middle, and Eboue on the left
ur prediction is spot on gonnerchris
gallas and traore start. malouda didnt start for them
Arsenal team in full: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Song, Denilson, Fabregas, Nasri, Arshavin, Eduardo.
SUBS: Fabianski, Silvestre, Eboue, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Vela
we’ve got a team of midgets out there!!
Traore is poor! You can all moan and say “Get behind the team” but he’s not good enough. All he can do is prove me wrong though, so hopefully he manages to make it through the match without any mistakes.
i think eboue will start on the left.traore is too inexperience for that.
sagna gallas varmaelen eboue
go go ARS, the most important thing for to day is to “kill” M.Essen. I think so
We will win 2-1, Chelski will start opening the score with Drogba, and one of our two goals will be at set-piece (maybe Fabregas or Eduardo), the other one will be at penalty (Arshavin).
i think eboue will start on the left.traore is too inexperience for that.n for the rest its almost the same regular players.my prediction will be as below.
sagna gallas varmaelen eboue
song
cesc denilson
nasri eduardo arshavin
lets give a chance to eduardo to let him prove wenger that he’s a clinical striker as he used to be b4 his nightmare injury.n i prefer denilson to play in midfield is bcz he can defend well and join the the attack the next moment.for nasri lets hope he’s in form cz we we are playing home.and arshavin i think he can trouble chelsea’s defence with cesc assisting him.its either one of them will get the goal and vermaelen.my prediction 3-1 to arsenal.vermaelen(28),cesc(54),arshavin(83).lets hope my prediction will be accurate.go arsenal!!!!
Tough loss by our boys yesterday but one positive that came from the day was that Arsenal donated their days wage and raised money to go to Great Ormond Street Hospital! If you are interestedin donating please visit the Arsenal Be a Gooner Be a Giver web page, http://www.beagoonerbeagiver.org/