Arsene Wenger has revealed Arteta has a ‘minimal chance’ of featuring in Arsenal’s must-win final game away to Newcastle United this weekend.
The news will come as a blow for the outstanding vice-captain who has been a pivotal figure in the Gunners lineup this season. But Arsenal have depth in midfield with Wilshere able to step in, however his own ankle complaint will limit the time he can play for.
While Wenger will miss mr consistent in midfield, Olivier Giroud is once again available after sitting out the past three matches due to suspension. The Frenchman will struggle to get the callup to start however with Lukas Podolski netting a brace against Wigan this week, but he will certainly play a part in proceedings.
Wenger revealed the following team news in his usual pre-match press conference:
[On Arteta] For the weekend, we have the uncertainty over Mikel Arteta, who had to come off just before the end of the Wigan game with a calf strain. Honestly, his chances of being available are minimal. I have to be realistic and prepare for another solution.
[on the overall injury situation] Everybody else should be alright. There are no other real uncertainties.
[on Wilshere replacing Arteta] He is an option yes. We will monitor him until Sunday and I will make a decision very late over what I will do.
[on the significance of missing Arteta][For] one game, we will find the resources to do without him if we have to. I’m convinced we can because he was out for a while during the season and I played all sorts of combinations.
Arteta was out and we played Ramsey and Wilshere. A few times I played Coquelin, Diaby so we had a few combinations that could work.
Showing posts with label leauge table. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leauge table. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur: The implications for the top four race
The battle between Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal for a Champions League place could take a decisive turn on Wednesday night, what are the implications of the possible results at Stamford Bridge?
Chelsea's win at Manchester United has put them in an excellent position ahead of Wednesday's match against Tottenham Hotspur, with a win certain to see them finish in the top four. Here is a run-down of the implications for Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal of the possible results at Stamford Bridge.
Draw
For Spurs, drawing at Stamford Bridge would give them one significant advantage, in that Arsenal would have to win both of their last two games to be sure of finishing above them. Chelsea would still be two points clear in third with a draw, and four points in their last two games against Aston Villa and Everton would likely secure them that third position.
Spurs would almost certainly still have to beat Stoke and Sunderland to finish in the top four, but a draw at Stamford Bridge would pile far more pressure on Arsenal, who would know that any dropped points would put the Champions League place in Spurs hands.
# Team GP W D L GF GA PTS
Chelsea win
A home win will see the Blues four points clear of Arsenal and six points ahead of Spurs with two games left, and given their huge goal difference advantage over Andre Villas-Boas' side, they will be assured a Champions League place for next season. The win at Old Trafford has put a whole new complexion on the match, and Spurs and Arsenal might already consider Chelsea as secure in the top four, leaving them to go head to head over the last couple of games.
If Spurs lose, they will have to beat Stoke and Sunderland in their last two games, whilst also hoping Arsenal either lose one of their games against Wigan and Newcastle, or draw both, as the Gunners' goal difference is far better than Spurs'. A Chelsea win leaves Arsenal needing four points to finish in the top four, and realistically settles the race.
# Team GP W D L GF GA PTS
Tottenham Hotspur win
The least likely result is also the one that would blow the race wide open, as it would leave Spurs and Chelsea level on 68 points and ahead of Arsenal on 67. The result would see Chelsea and Spurs needing to win their final two games to guarantee themselves third and fourth respectively.
This is the only result that takes Arsenal's place in the top four out of their hands, and indeed the only one that puts real pressure on Chelsea's place in next year's Champions League.
# Team GP W D L GF GA PTS
3 Chelsea 36 20 8 8 ? ? 68
4 Spurs 36 20 8 8 67 36 68
5 Arsenal 36 19 10 7 ? ? 67
One final thing worth noting is that Wigan's FA Cup final appearance means that Arsenal could find themselves in fifth by the time they play them next week whatever the result on Wednesday night, as Spurs and Chelsea play this weekend. You would back the Gunners to win that game in hand whatever pressure they are under, but it will give Chelsea and Spurs a chance to test Arsenal's resolve if they can win their tricky away games at Stoke and Aston Villa.
Draw
For Spurs, drawing at Stamford Bridge would give them one significant advantage, in that Arsenal would have to win both of their last two games to be sure of finishing above them. Chelsea would still be two points clear in third with a draw, and four points in their last two games against Aston Villa and Everton would likely secure them that third position.
Spurs would almost certainly still have to beat Stoke and Sunderland to finish in the top four, but a draw at Stamford Bridge would pile far more pressure on Arsenal, who would know that any dropped points would put the Champions League place in Spurs hands.
# Team GP W D L GF GA PTS
3
|
36
|
20
|
9
|
7
|
?
|
?
|
69
| ||
4
|
36
|
19
|
10
|
7
|
67
|
36
|
67
| ||
5
|
36
|
19
|
9
|
8
|
?
|
?
|
66
| ||
Chelsea win
A home win will see the Blues four points clear of Arsenal and six points ahead of Spurs with two games left, and given their huge goal difference advantage over Andre Villas-Boas' side, they will be assured a Champions League place for next season. The win at Old Trafford has put a whole new complexion on the match, and Spurs and Arsenal might already consider Chelsea as secure in the top four, leaving them to go head to head over the last couple of games.
If Spurs lose, they will have to beat Stoke and Sunderland in their last two games, whilst also hoping Arsenal either lose one of their games against Wigan and Newcastle, or draw both, as the Gunners' goal difference is far better than Spurs'. A Chelsea win leaves Arsenal needing four points to finish in the top four, and realistically settles the race.
# Team GP W D L GF GA PTS
3
|
36
|
21
|
8
|
7
|
?
|
?
|
71
| ||
4
|
36
|
19
|
10
|
7
|
67
|
36
|
67
| ||
5
|
36
|
19
|
8
|
9
|
?
|
?
|
65
| ||
Tottenham Hotspur win
The least likely result is also the one that would blow the race wide open, as it would leave Spurs and Chelsea level on 68 points and ahead of Arsenal on 67. The result would see Chelsea and Spurs needing to win their final two games to guarantee themselves third and fourth respectively.
This is the only result that takes Arsenal's place in the top four out of their hands, and indeed the only one that puts real pressure on Chelsea's place in next year's Champions League.
# Team GP W D L GF GA PTS
3 Chelsea 36 20 8 8 ? ? 68
4 Spurs 36 20 8 8 67 36 68
5 Arsenal 36 19 10 7 ? ? 67
One final thing worth noting is that Wigan's FA Cup final appearance means that Arsenal could find themselves in fifth by the time they play them next week whatever the result on Wednesday night, as Spurs and Chelsea play this weekend. You would back the Gunners to win that game in hand whatever pressure they are under, but it will give Chelsea and Spurs a chance to test Arsenal's resolve if they can win their tricky away games at Stoke and Aston Villa.
Friday, 26 April 2013
Arsenals hopes of finishing in a champions league place are looking slim. The table now stands with them in third with 63 points, Chelsea in fourth with 62 points and a game in hand and Spurs with 61 and a game in hand.
The problem is that Arsenal play the winners of this years Premier leauge, Man U. It is a must win seeing as Chelsea play swansea and Spurs play wigan. Arsenal have been showing good form so just because they are coming up against the winners of the leauge and their old super stricker Robin Van Persie does not mean that it will be a walk over. Arsenal have more to play for then most teams in the premier leuge as Arsene Wenger has never finished outside the top 4 in his time at Arsenal and that Spurs have finished behind Arsenal for about 25 years. Another big reason is that they are looking to get there 70million budget in the summer but that could only happen with a champions cup place.
Arsenal are still planning ahead with the fact that they are going to get there 70 million budget and talks with Fiorentina's striker Jovetic is looking promising. Arsenal are expected to go for an early bid in the summer transfer window.
It also seems like Arsenal will bow out of the race for Gotze seeing as Bayern have but in a 32 million bid for him and Arsenal are not willing to spend that much money.
The problem is that Arsenal play the winners of this years Premier leauge, Man U. It is a must win seeing as Chelsea play swansea and Spurs play wigan. Arsenal have been showing good form so just because they are coming up against the winners of the leauge and their old super stricker Robin Van Persie does not mean that it will be a walk over. Arsenal have more to play for then most teams in the premier leuge as Arsene Wenger has never finished outside the top 4 in his time at Arsenal and that Spurs have finished behind Arsenal for about 25 years. Another big reason is that they are looking to get there 70million budget in the summer but that could only happen with a champions cup place.
Arsenal are still planning ahead with the fact that they are going to get there 70 million budget and talks with Fiorentina's striker Jovetic is looking promising. Arsenal are expected to go for an early bid in the summer transfer window.
It also seems like Arsenal will bow out of the race for Gotze seeing as Bayern have but in a 32 million bid for him and Arsenal are not willing to spend that much money.
#
|
Team
|
GP
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
PTS
| |
1
|
34
|
27
|
3
|
4
|
78
|
35
|
84
| ||
2
|
33
|
20
|
8
|
5
|
59
|
30
|
68
| ||
3
|
34
|
18
|
9
|
7
|
65
|
35
|
63
| ||
4
|
33
|
18
|
8
|
7
|
66
|
35
|
62
| ||
5
|
33
|
18
|
7
|
8
|
58
|
41
|
61
| ||
6
|
34
|
14
|
14
|
6
|
51
|
38
|
56
| ||
7
|
34
|
13
|
12
|
9
|
61
|
42
|
51
| ||
8
|
33
|
13
|
6
|
14
|
43
|
44
|
45
| ||
9
|
33
|
10
|
12
|
11
|
43
|
42
|
42
| ||
10
|
34
|
11
|
9
|
14
|
40
|
47
|
42
| ||
11
|
34
|
10
|
10
|
14
|
44
|
52
|
40
| ||
12
|
34
|
9
|
12
|
13
|
47
|
54
|
39
| ||
13
|
34
|
8
|
14
|
12
|
33
|
53
|
38
| ||
14
|
34
|
9
|
10
|
15
|
38
|
45
|
37
| ||
15
|
34
|
8
|
13
|
13
|
30
|
41
|
37
| ||
16
|
34
|
10
|
7
|
17
|
43
|
60
|
37
| ||
17
|
34
|
8
|
10
|
16
|
36
|
63
|
34
| ||
18
|
33
|
8
|
7
|
18
|
37
|
60
|
31
| ||
19
|
34
|
4
|
12
|
18
|
29
|
56
|
24
| ||
20
|
34
|
5
|
9
|
20
|
37
|
65
|
24
| ||
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