[sbu_large_image] Preamble
4 February 2012 1577 comments
Mark Mark
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This morning’s stroll is a troubled one. Yesterday, The Sun ran with a story that suggested Robin Van Persie could be rested in today’s early kick-off with Blackburn. In the main, it was dismissed – a speculative scribble, produced without any real information or source to back it up. Or so we thought.

Late last night, Arsenal’s official site surfaced direct quotes from Arsene Wenger which raised the alarm on Van Persie’s chances of taking to the field against Rovers…

“I will rotate a little bit because many players have given a lot…[With Van Persie] the temptation is there…We are in a situation at the moment where he is the main goalscorer, so I will maybe have to build a team that works around him.”

The scenario is a serious one for Fantasy managers – Van Persie is clearly a top contender for the captaincy this weekend, despite drawing a blank at Bolton on Wednesday night. He dominates our Captain poll and, ironically, has even enjoyed a price rise in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game this week, as those late to the Dutchman’s party snap him up with their wildcards.

So will Wenger delivery a hammer blow by resting his skipper to the bench for the visit of Rovers?

Everything seems to suggest that Van Persie will start. Wenger is under pressure – a minority of the fans at the Emirates are turning, with murmurs of big bag related mini protests (Wenger is rubbish, apparently).

Having stemmed the tide of three straight defeats with the 0-0 at the Reebok on Wednesday, will Wenger gamble on going into the clash with Blackburn without Van Persie? Should he take such a risk and Arsenal go on to struggle in front of the Emirates dissenters – however much of a minority – the result would surely be catastrophic.

The calibre of today’s opponents perhaps gives Wenger the opportunity to ponder such a move, but let’s look more closely. Blackburn are unbeaten in their last three away matches and have scored in every one of their trips away from Ewood – they will be highly motivated by their fight for survival and have a set-piece threat that can pierce the soft Arsenal underbelly. They’ve already beaten Arsenal once this season – can they really be taken lightly?

Bizarrely, Van Persie himself has spoken out on the importance of today’s game and that defeat to Rovers earlier in the season, in the matchday programme…

“The game against Blackburn is a vital one in which to get our league form back on track. There’s also something we have to put right – our defeat up there in September was something that shouldn’t have happened in a million years. I still speak about it with the boys and in fact was talking with Mikel [Arteta] about it only a couple of weeks ago, because it was one of our most painful losses of the season and it still hurts to think about it…Blackburn are a good side, but we took the lead twice and missed clear chances before scoring two own goals and losing the game. It should never have come to that, and we don’t want to make any such mistakes this time.”

That really doesn’t sound like a player who will be prepared to sit back and watch his team-mates carry the can this afternoon. Van Persie is the leader of the team – he clearly wants to steer them to a win in this game and rid himself of the ghosts of the Ewood defeat.

Even if you assess Wenger’s options within his squad, it casts doubt over the logic of resting the skipper. Wenger has confirmed that Marouane Chamakh is out of the equation following his recent return from the African Cup of Nations. Thierry Henry, brought in to relieve pressure on Van Persie, has failed to ignite after his debut goal. In his few appearances so far, he’s done little to suggest he can step into Van Persie’s boots today.

That leaves the Arsenal boss with Ju Young Park (a player who has seen 8 minutes of league action) and Theo Walcott as possibilities, all proposed options that Wenger put forward yesterday…

“We have [Ju Young] Park, Thierry Henry, we have Walcott who wants to play through the middle – he has not done it.”

Walcott’s form is strong enough but he’s inconsistent and without any experience of playing as a centre-forward this season, having taken a backseat to Van Persie. Asking Walcott to carry the threat to Blackburn in a game that Arsenal surely have to win at all costs, would be a huge pressure.

Looking further, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin is a doubt with a knee problem – Arsenal were checking on his availability yesterday. Presumably, with Gervinho out of the equation at the African Cup of Nations, his absence would mean a start for Andrei Arshavin. Should that be the case, can Wenger risk having the much-maligned Arshavin in an attacking three with Walcott as centre-forward? It seems unlikely. Gambling on the form and chemistry of a front three of Walcott, Henry and Arshavin would be a huge, huge risk.

The press, despite being exposed to Wenger’s talk on Van Persie, have the Dutchman in their predicted lineups. Fantasy managers must surely do the same, put faith in Wenger and hope that, if for some bizarre reason he takes the gamble on Henry or Walcott, our auto subs and vice captain can compensate. The consolation will be, Wenger’s potential tinkering would surely undermine thousands of others. We’d all be in the same boat, waving our bin bags in frustration.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

  1. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Step 1: He starts.

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    1. lespaul
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      source?

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  2. super zlatan
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Afternoon lads

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  3. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Any1 tried to view the dream team....

    Ranger (inj) striker

    LOL

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    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      The dream team always scores highly 🙂

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  4. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Wenger is a No. 1 Fantasy Football Cock.

    He did the same over the holiday fixtures - wound us up over resting RVP, then started him.

    Obviously Wenger has RVP in his own FPL team and just tries to put the rest of us off.

    Cock

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    1. Chewy Toffee
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      😆

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    2. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Lol

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    3. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Well the trick is - don't be so silly 🙂
      He did say he was only tempted, and that he is the only one scoring goals.

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    4. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      .. 😆

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    5. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Until Arsenal buy another half-decent striker, Wenger has no option but to start RVP. He was never going to be rested today.

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    6. Red_mist
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      I told you people yesterday that Blackburn are never shy of goals away and it would be suicidal to bench him.

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  5. villian-ty
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    My rival team is so weird
    Krul (Ruddy)
    McAualey Taiwo Simpson ( Walker Bassong)
    Silva Gibson Moses Nani (Bale)
    Rooney Aguero(C) Jelavic

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    1. Chewy Toffee
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Clearly an Evertonian

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      1. villian-ty
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 27 days ago

        hes A LIVERPOOL FAN

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    2. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Double toffees ❓

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  6. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Where's this news on Komps from then? This will be salt in the wound given I transfered him out for Skrtel last week.

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    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Is there a source to these kompany rumours?

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Eh?

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  7. Kagawa-san-mia
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    any news on the OX

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    1. Sz21
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      ox starts

      Team in full: Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie.

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  8. Forest4Life
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Cue RVP 1st half injury 🙂

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    1. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      watch your mouth

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      1. villian-ty
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 27 days ago

        +1

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    2. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      fuc* off

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    3. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      1st 5 minutes even 😉

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    4. tezzaboy7
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      F*ck you sir.

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  9. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Arsenal.com (arsenal) on Twitter

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  10. blue cheese
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Team in full: Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie

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    2. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      yesss the ox, cmon give me one goal, u had a great chance mid week

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  11. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Arsenal Team in full: Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie.

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Substitutes: Fabianski, Sagna, Ramsey, Benayoun, Arshavin, Henry, Park.

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  12. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Team in full: Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie.
    13 seconds ago

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  13. Demí
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie.

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Thank you Demi, I can go to the pub now. Any major injuries to Blackburn squad to cheer me on my way?

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      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 27 days ago

        Is it a pub with Norweigan satellite TV 😉

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 27 days ago

          I doubt it, managed. 🙁

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    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      4th...

      *shakes head*

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    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      I think I should have got Walcott ...

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  14. Matt_Baron
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Team in full: Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie.

    from arsenal twitter

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  15. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Team in full: Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie.

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  16. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie.

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    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Fabianski, Sagna, Ramsey, Benayoun, Arshavin, Henry, Park.

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    2. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      So by change things up he meant Sanga > Coquelin and Ramsey > Rosicky.
      Not sure I like the former

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  17. Matt_Baron
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Substitutes: Fabianski, Sagna, Ramsey, Benayoun, Arshavin, Henry, Park.

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  18. The Finnisher
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Never doubted it, although he could still get 2 points...

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    1. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      no problem, at least he starts and i'm comfortable

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  19. blue cheese
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Substitutes: Fabianski, Sagna, Ramsey, Benayoun, Arshavin, Henry, Park.

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  20. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    6 line up in a column, first time i see

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  21. Kanus hat trick
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    If vP hadn't started it would have had to be Vermaelen up front

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    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      or Henry... Don't know who would be the better option thou..

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  22. super zlatan
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Dear robin (c)

    Please go mental today. I need a greenie

    Love Zlatan

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    1. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Last time u did this he got 2 points....

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      1. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 27 days ago

        *said this

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      2. super zlatan
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 27 days ago

        I know. But today will be different!! 😉

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    2. Barry
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      +1

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  23. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Team in full: Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie.

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  24. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    What a start to the day! RVP & Oxlade both start. RELIEF!

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    1. Mr.KK
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      +42

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  25. FORCA INTER
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    fuc*k you wenger

    why i didnt listen my instintcs and instaed of belive in wengers bullshi*ts

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      To be fair, most of the Bullsh*ts was on here as it usually is friday and Saturday. 🙂

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    2. Gaffer
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      I'm kinda thinking the same thing. I better not regret taking the C armband off RVP

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    3. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Who exactly did you expect to play in his place?! Walcott? Park? No sympathy whatsoever.

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    4. Red_mist
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      I think Arsenal's FPL team must be really doing badly for him to dissuade us away from captaining him and now he got what he wanted.

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  26. Demí
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Anyone got the Arsenal team?

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    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Henry, Reyes......Mertesacker

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    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, van Persie.

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    3. King Eric, in America
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Top Secret. Very hush-hush.

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    4. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      We need no other. ( Unless you're not here or have a day off of course)

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  27. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Ramsey dropped, i'm right !

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      Yes - it was coming ...

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      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 27 days ago

        Hi there my worthy L5 Club opponent... 😉

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    2. threeputt
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      dodged a bullet there, bought koscielny instead, was thinking ireland to ramsey

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  28. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    http://www.hqfooty.com choose Channel 4 for the Arsenal game.

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  29. paraplygic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    And the snow starts in Manchester....

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    1. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 27 days ago

      After a moment of ecstasy

      KICK IN THE BALLS

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  30. Barry
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 27 days ago

    Yessssssssssss gewon RVP

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