Arsenal Vs. Newcastle - Tonight

[PicturePerfect]

Well, it's been a week filled with controversy and hyperbole and right now, I'm not really bothered by that. All I'm looking forward to is the game tonight which could prove to be a cracker and after Sunday's 'incidents', a good game of football is what Arsenal need most. I'm sure even a single yellow card will have the media scrutinising Arsene, the player and the club but I hope we can go out there and prove a point.

AW said this on tonight's game,

"It is dangerous to underestimate Newcastle. We know they are not in the right place in the Premiership with the quality they have. There is no issue of us underestimating them on Friday."

He's right. Newcastle are going to be a tough nut to crack and whichever team wins, I think it will be by the slightest of margins.

Bergkamp won't play today. He has a leg injury. Possibly something to do with this. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39363000/jpg/_39363786_bergkamp.jpg) Considering, earlier in the week, Wenger said he would be tempted to play Aliadiere, this could be his chance. I hope he does play. He's an exciting talent and he deserves it after Jeffers loan.

Post your thoughts here and later we can have some post-match banter.

[fordfocus]

I think that arsenal will win the game not only because it's a better team but also cause newcastle doesn't play the ball they did last year (for how long more? I wonder)

[fordfocus]

nice picture. showing what great players have to deal with in a game

[jag87]

Well done phil neville for that tackle! Bergkamp is completly useful! Did he do anything on sunday? Knowing my luck, he'll score a stunner tonight!

[Zygalski]

How can Dennis score tonight if he's not playing?

[PicturePerfect]

That was one of the most confusing posts I've ever read.

I think someone broke into Dad's liquor cabinet. :)

[PicturePerfect]

Well, 3-2 to the Arsenal. We had a great start and it paid off with that tap-in from an awkard angle after Bramble, initially, had cocked-up. But Vieira's departure saw some really good attacking football from the Toon which led to the equaliser, from Robert, and a good spell of pressure till half-time.
Iffy performance from both defences which was the cause of the amount of goals, really. The 2nd goal a clear example of that, Gilberto heading home unchallenged after a Pires free-kick caught Newcastle off guard. Just as Arsenal were beginning to relax came Bernard's goal - Newcastle coming back from behind for a second time in the game - which he finished quite superbly. Credit has to be given to the passer (Robert, I think), whose through ball was timed to perfection.
8 minutes later saw one of the most baffling incidents I've ever seen in football. A cross from Pires into the box which was set to land somewhere in the middle of two Arsenal players, quite unexplicably, illegally (hand) fondled with in blatant view of everyone by Jermaine Jenas which awarded the Arse a great opportunity to take the lead from the spot. Henry stayed calm and fooled Given into a dive to the right while calmly chipping right down the middle, putting a seal on his already wonderful performance.

Injury worries seem to be aplenty for us after the game, but, hopefully, they should be cleared up before that flight to Moscow.

[jag87]

How can Dennis score tonight if he's not playing?

sorry fellas. I didnt know that Bergy wasnt playing!