Gooner Talk

Montpellier fans are suggesting that Emir Spahic could have said his final goodbyes to the club after the defender refused to rule out leaving the Ligue 1 side last Wednesday.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been heavily linked with a move for the 29-year-old, who has only spent one season at current club Montpellier.

The Bosnian international was the only Montpellier player who threw his shirt waved to the crowd after Thursday’s Europe League defeat to Györi ETO, prompting the club’s fans to question why their star man seemed to be saying his ‘farewells’.

An unofficial Montpellier site said:

“Is he really in contact with Arsenal? His lack of formal response to reports on Wednesday, as well as his gestures towards the crowd make his departure look inevitable. We’ll find out in the coming days what could be a big disaster for the Montpellier defence.”

Spahic missed Montpellier’s win over Bordeaux tonight due to suspension, with supporters suggesting that he may leave before their next game against Caen on the August 22^nd.

Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has revealed that he has developed a “hard skin” after being on the receiving end of criticism for his errors in goal last season.

The Gunners’ back-up shot-stopper was criticised for a number of high-profile errors last season when deputising for Manuel Almunia, who was then currently sidelined through injury.

However, Fabianski, who conceded 3 first half goals against his former club Legia Warsaw yesterday, admitted that he’s now put those mistakes behind him.

“Last season I was severely criticised, because of the mistakes I made. I am already immune to bitter words. I think I now have a hard skin, it was difficult for me, but I endured by focusing on the fact that there will be better opportunities ahead. Now I look towards the future with optimism,” Fabianski told the Polish Press Agency.

When asked about who will be Arsenal’s no.1 next season, the 25-year-old seemed to suggest that Arsene Wenger has already formulated a kind of rotation policy for the new campaign.

“It seems to me that to some extent, our coach has established a basic composition for next season and we plan on working based on that.”

Anfield is where Arsenal will begin their Premier League duties this time next week and Fabianski believes that the defence needs urgent improvement if they don’t want to see a similar scoreline to yesterday’s 6-5 friendly win.

“Over the next few days we have to concentrate a lot more in training, if we are to improve our defensive game. It doesn’t matter whether we play against Legia or Liverpool, such errors would not be repeated.”

Arsenal fought their way back from 3-0 down to thump six past Legia Warsaw in a hugely entertaining, if somewhat defenceless, encounter.

The North Londoners found themselves three goals behind after just 37 minutes thanks to some truly woeful defending. Then goals from Marouane Chamakh and a brace from Emmanuel Eboue put them level before Kieran Gibbs made it 4-3 to the Gunners.

Legia got themselves back level before late goals from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Samir Nasri won the game for the north London side before the Poles once again scored leaving Wenger with some serious questions to ask of his first team back four. 

Arsenal’s Starting XI & Subs

Fabianski
Sagna – Koscielny – Vermaelen – Clichy
Wilshere – Frimpong – Nasri
Walcott – Chamakh – Rosicky

Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Nordtveit, Eboue, Lansbury, Emmanuel-Thomas, Vela.

Post-Match Reaction

“Legia played a game with good commitment. They started better than us and played well going forward. It was good preparation for us, Legia were dangerous going forward. In the end we won 6-5 but it was an enjoyable game,” said Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger has opted for Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong in midfield for the Gunners final pre-season friendly against Legia Warsaw.

The duo have impressed throughout pre-season, most notably in the Emirates Cup where particularly Wilshere drew plaudits from many watching Arsenal supporters.

On the goalkeeping front, Lukasz Fabianski is handed a start against his former club while Marouane Chamakh is supported by Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky up top.

Fabianski
Sagna – Koscielny – Vermaelen – Clichy
Wilshere – Frimpong – Nasri
Walcott – Chamakh – Rosicky

Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Nordtveit, Eboue, Lansbury, Emmanuel-Thomas, Vela.

Probable squad to face Legia Warsaw tomorrow:

Goalkeepers: Fabianski, Szczesny.

Defenders: Sagna, Clichy, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Nordtveit.

Midfielders: Eboue, Wilshere, Frimpong, Emmanuel-Thomas, Lansbury, Nasri.

Fowards: Chamakh, Vela, Walcott, Rosicky.

Arsenal play their final pre-season friendly tomorrow against Legia Warsaw. Less than a week later, the real stuff begins as the Gunners’ travel to Anfield for their Premier League opener at Anfield.

Arsene Wenger’s side have had a good pre-season thus far, winning 4 out of their 5 games, but more importantly the new signings, Chamakh and Koscielny – and younger players – Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong, have impressed.

However, the defensive frailties of past seasons were evident once more in the Emirates cup and this is a genuine concern ahead of the new season.

The match is also seen as a sort of testimonial for former Legia ‘keeper Lukasz Fabianski, who has been talking about his return to Poland.

Fabianski said:

“For a very long time, I thought about the possibility of such an encounter, this for me will be an important event. I hope they won’t cry. I am very happy the Legia fans are returning to the stadium, this is an important game for them.

“I can not wait for the hot atmosphere they are about to create at home.”

Gooner Talk’s Predicted Starting XI

Fabianski
Sagna – Djourou – Vermaelen – Clichy
Wilshere – Frimpong – Nasri
Walcott – Chamakh – Arshavin

You’ll find the confirmed starting line-up on Gooner Talk when we get it tomorrow afternoon.

What side do you think will play? Let us know your team predictions in the comments section below!