HOME     I     CURRENT SEASON     I     CLUB DIRECTORY     I     HISTORY         SEASON ARCHIVE     I     PLAYER ARCHIVE     I     THE HAWTHORNS     I     WEBSITE
      OPPOSITION VIEW - ARSENAL Q&A


Ahead of Saturday's game at The Hawthorns, we caught up with Linus from the Arsenal website
Arsenal Vision. He gives his views on the Gunners' start to the season, Arsene Wenger, the Baggies and more. You can follow Linus on Twitter @arsenalvision.

The Gunners started the season in fine form, lifting the Community Shield with an emphatic win against Manchester City at Wembley. Since then however results haven't been great, not too many defeats but certainly not enough wins. How have performances been and is your current league position a fair one.

This time last season we were flying top of the table and would remain in that position for a long time until injuries took hold. Since then we've added the remarkable Alexis Sanchez as well as Danny Welbeck whilst replacing those who have departed with similar level players. So it has been rather puzzling to see us falter so far. We are certainly a better squad than last season but have not shown that so far. With new attacking first team players as well as important injured players like Özil, Walcott and Giroud, I think we've taken a while to find our attacking game. The good news for Arsenal fans is that we've shown signs of better understanding in the last two games. Hopefully we click from now on.
 
The Arsène Wenger should he stay or should he go debate seems to have opened up again recently, your thoughts on him and does he still have the backing of the majority of Arsenal fans?

It's still very much split. In my opinion the guy is legend who is building a new team. We have had a big boost in terms of sponsorship income in 2014 and that has coincided with the signings of Özil and Alexis. While Arsène has his draw backs, I'd be inclined to let him continue his job and try and do the best he can for the club. This idea that any Tom, Dick or Harry could come in and automatically jump above clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea who are all far superior in terms of spending power is naive at best. You can only overachieve that much by having a long term vision and building on something. Arsène is trying to do that.

Still confident of a top four finish for the Gunners?

Yes, absolutely. Even top three if we have a consistent second half of the season.

You're currently looking a good bet to progress to the next round of the Champions League, how far can you realistically go in the competition?

It's a tough old competition and we are likely to be drawn against one of the best teams in the world. So I wouldn't be surprised to see us exit at the first knock out hurdle. As defeatist as that sounds.

Arsenal's weaknesses? What or who should Albion be looking to exploit?

Sucking us in and then hitting us in the spaces vacated by the fullbacks. Try and isolate Mertesacker higher up the pitch with Saido Berahino. Also we've been poor at set pieces which I believe is one of your strengths.
 
Player of the season so far?

There is only one candidate. Alexis Sanchez. The guy is wow

Anyone been particularly disappointing?

Aaron Ramsey, only because of the ridiculous standards he set last season. He'll get back to his best soon I hope.

Prediction for Arsenal's season?

Top 3-4 finish, knocked out of the Champions League and hopefully an FA cup run but that is difficult to predict.

Prediction for Albion's season?

I think you'll finish mid-table and generally have a positive season. In Berahino and Sessègnon you've got goals and creativity. If you remain solid and organised you'll pick up plenty of points along the way.

Premier League Champions?

Chelsea *sicks in mouth a bit*

Relegated?

Burnley
Tottenham
Leicester City

Ok, maybe slightly tongue in cheek.
 
Prediction and thoughts on Saturday's game?

I am hoping you've caught us at a bad time for you. The performance if not the result against Manchester United last weekend followed by our best display and result against Borussia Dortmund in midweek hopefully means we've got our game together. I am going with an Arsenal victory. I think we will have a lot of the ball and you'll sit back trying not to allow much in behind you. You will look to exploit us on set pieces and as I said above on the break but I think the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis will drag you out enough for us to find the space to score the important goal. We shall see.



 

  HOME      CURRENT SEASON       CLUB DIRECTORY      HISTORY      SEASON ARCHIVE      PLAYER ARCHIVE      THE HAWTHORNS      WEBSITE  
 © www.albiontillwedie.co.uk unless otherwise stated