BPL Game 22: Liverpool (H)

A home game in the league against Liverpool. An early kick off, so I have to wait to see if I close the gap on Man Utd, but here's hoping.

As you can see, I've decided to give a debut to Andre Schurrle. Also bought Davide Santon off of Newcastle! :) However, he wasn't fit enough to play.

Game!

Interesting first half, a few chances for both teams but it remains scoreless. Couple of times the ball is getting in from the right (Tello) onto Giroud's head, but it's the sheer class of Pepe Reina that is keeping it 0-0.

Neither Schurrle nor Giroud are having a fantastic game, so replaced them with the Ox and Podolski. Giroud's had a lot of chances, but keeps hitting the woodwork. Frustrating.

87m: Great ball from the through, helped on by Cazorla's head on to Podolski who beats "Mr Reliable" Jamie Carragher and scores! 1-0

AND THAT'S THE GAME! Thrilled we could pip it at the death. Brilliant.

FA Cup 3rd Round: Middlesbrough (A)

A chance again to rest some key players, but not too much so that I look or play complacently.

12m: Ox in the middle takes on the defence, and slides in Fellaini who kicks the scoring off. 1-0
32m: Failure to clear from the corner sees Emnes picking the ball up, runs unchallenged into the box and smashes it past Fabianski. 1-1
HT: Sub - Theo off and Tello on. Picked up another knock. FML.
79m: Freekick whipped in by Gibbs, picks out the Ox and he puts it past the keeper. 2-1
82m: Subs - Giroud and Cazorla on for Adem and Podolski
85m: the 2 subs picking each other out, Cazorla chips through for Giroud to beat the offside trap to put him one-on-one with the keeper, and there's only 1 outcome. 3-1
91m: Another long ball forward from Cazorla finds Giroud and its another goal. 4-1
FT! WOOP

January Transfer Window Shenanigans

We are in January! Taken our time with this one, but to be honest, we wanna get it write for the people reading our blogs. (Please check out my friends blog: http://portsmouthunderdogstory.blogspot.co.uk/ - it's my friends attempt to not only save Portsmouth from ruin, but to also rebuild).

Luckily, I'm still at Arsenal, and I've been asked to re-evaluate my expectations. Slightly arrogantly I have changed from a Europa League qualification through my position in the league, to a Title Challenge. It means that I get £36.5m transfer budget, and a £1.75m wage budget. YAY MONEYS! I aim to strengthen my strike options as Ademilson seems to be a little bit of a flop, but I'm not panicking. Didn't really expect him to perform brilliantly from day 1. Andre Schurrle (see below) is very unhappy where he is and I could snatch him, which would bolster my LAM position greatly, and even free up Podolski for the striking positions.

I have already signed young defender Doria from Botafogo:

And here is Andre Schurrle, a potential prospect:

-------------------------

UPDATE!!!
Absolutely delighted by this next signing...
For a total fee of £35m (£5m up front and £30 over 2 years), I have signed Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal!

BPL Game 21: WBA (A)

In this busy period, and with the game against Man Utd 3 days ago, I have been forced to make some changes to my team.

Good games for all the boys. Didn't start too brilliantly with some early chances going awry, even worse when Andre Santos tripped Lazovic in the box, allowing Peter Odemwingie to slot away the penalty in the 12th minute. Equalised soon after with Tello having a good chance, but being saved - only for Ademilson to strike home. Several chances both side of the half meant that it remained 1-1 going into the last 20mins of the game. However, Jack Wilshere seems to be in a rich vein of scoring form, as he latched onto Gervinho's cleared cross with a stunning right foot volley to make it 2-1 in the 77th. The generally positive game took a pinch of salt with the injury to Frimpong in the 82nd. A few corners were all that remained of the match. With that win, I am 2nd in the table still, with 2 points separating me and the leaders.

Other news: 1st of January, new window opens. Watch this space for more Transfer news!

BPL Game 20: Man Utd (H)

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Crunch game. Have to win this to stand ANY chance of challenging at the end of the season! If I win, I will go nuts.

Apologies for the lack of game commentary, was pretty much living each second! Vermaelen got sent off in the 27th for an elbow. Evra got booked twice in the space of 2 minutes so the advantage that Man Utd had was thrown away. Rooney opened the scoring in the second half (48m), my heart dropped. I thought it could have been the beginning of the end. But the boys didn't back down. First Fellaini latched onto a loose ball in the box and scored in the 51st, followed by a very tired Olivier Giroud in the 56th minute. It stayed 2-1. I danced.
This win brings me within 5 points of Man Utd, as we are already in the second half of the season. Newcastle, despite their 2 game advantage, are 10 points behind me.

BPL Game 19: Wigan (A)

Another away day, but now a trip to Wigan for the Boxing day festivities. With Coquelin injured for a long time, along with Arteta, I really have to think about who I want to play in that holding CM position until they return (unless they really impress and solidify the position for themselves).
However, I need to be quite clever with this one, as I have Man Utd 3 days after. So I'm thinking I'm going to have to rest the big guns. COULD be a risk, but what's the point in playing safe?!

Lets go!

Decided to balls to the "rest the big guns" tactic and went for a reasonably strong side, which worked as I won, but it means that Wilshere and Gibbs have picked up knocks.

Scores traded sides (1-0... 1-1... 2-1... 2-2) until Giroud decided that he wanted to be on the score sheet. It's his 2 goals that take me away from Newcastle and a little bit closer to Man Utd.

BPL Game 18: QPR (A)

Luxury of not having to make any changes! :D Man Utd also drew against Southampton so the gap is less, but I still need to win to gain the advantage.

Went down early to a Cisse goal, lost Coquelin to injury (6-8 weeks out with Knee ligament damage). HOWEVER, EPIC COMEBACK!!! Goals from Coquelin (before he came off) and Garmash (in the 93rd of 94m) secure the victory. Good stuff really.

BPL Game 17: Stoke (H)

A clear must win game against an opponent that can be a potential banana skin to many top sides. Lying in 12th, Stoke can beat any team on their day and I have to pick the best team I can to counter that chance.
Bring in, current golden boot candidate, Olivier Giroud.

Could be an interesting game. Especially as I've decided to go with Denys rather than Coquelin. And Santi on the wing...

Oh well, Game on!

18m: After the throw, Giroud finds himself with his back to goal, but he offloads to Fellaini, who cracks a shot off and brings out a fabulous save by Begovic for a corner. Nothing comes from it.

30m: Cazorla down the left, in to Fellaini and Shawcross fouls him. Penalty! Giroud makes no mistakes. 1-0

36m: Sagna in from the right to Giroud who escapes the defence. Shot parried by the Stoke keeper, but the rebound is pounced upon by Wilshere who smashes it home. 2-0

HT

56m: Injury to Wilshere. On comes Tello.

82m: Countered and it leads to a goal for Stoke. Jones puts it away. 2-1

Done. FT 2-1

BPL Game 16: Southampton (H)

Back to the league. Man Utd are 7 points clear with a game in hand, so looks like it could be a lot more difficult for me to win the league, but a good place in 2nd will be brilliant. Need to solidify that position though with a win over 6th placed fliers Southampton - who could go 3rd if they win and all the other teams above them lose.

Game on!

19m: Injury to Arteta brings Ramsey into the fray.
23m: Sagna dishes to the Ox and he delivers the cross to Giroud who "block tackles" the defender to score... weird. 1-0 me! :D
HT
87m: Sub. Bringing Jenks on for Sagna.
And that's a wrap. Stayed 1-0 and Bould says that we were lucky to get away with that.
Keeps the gap at 7 points, but Man Utd still have that game advantage.

UCL Game 6: Ajax (A)

As I'm through already, I think it might be cool to try out some reserve players... that are registered for the Champions League. However there isn't anyone that is really good enough to play.

GAME!
3m: Walcott bends in a cross from the right, Adem makes a challenge on the defender, and Fellaini grabs the loose ball and puts it in the net. 1-0
40m: Eriksen makes a break into the box, and passes to Rajtoral, who hits it hard so that Zieler can only parry it into the net.
44m: and to make matters worse, Koscielny picks up his second yellow of the day and is off. Decided to take Walcott off (not fully fit) and brought on Jenks.
47m: Corner bent in and put away by Sigporsson. 2-1 Ajax
50m: Gibbs takes it down the left and puts in a gorgeous pass for Adem, who breaks the offside trap and is one on one with the keeper, and takes it around him and puts it into an empty net. 2-2
85m: Cazorla whips in the corner and it's Djourou who heads home. 3-2
90m: Coquelin and Adem do a nice one-two which puts Coquelin in behind the line of defence. He cheekily then chips the keeper to make it 4-2 and the game is done.

BPL Game 15: Sunderland (A)

Really need this win. Manchester United are 7 points clear of me and I need to close the gap.

KO

15m: Sessegnon tackled by Garmash, collected by Wilshere in the box and he scores 1-0

60m: Poor defence allows Sessegnon to give it to Connor Wickham, and the young striker knows how to get it done. 1-1

65m: Beautiful counter from a Sunderland corner. Sagna clears to the Ox< who bends in a cross for Giroud to head home. 2-1 -- Sub = Carl Jenks is on for Vermaelen.

85m: Subs = Lukas and Coquelin on for Giroud and Frimpong

Ball game. Finishes 2-1. Only 4 behind Man Utd, but they have 2 games in hand.

BPL Game 14: Fulham (H)

With only 5 points between me and Manchester United, but only 2 ahead of Manchester City. So gone for a good team, but had to rest some key players.

GAME ON!

Bore draw. 1-1. Berbatov and Cazorla are the scorers.

BPL Game 13: Aston Villa (H)

With Manchester City playing the early game, and losing, this game would see me go second if I win! Gone for a strong team, bearing in mind the tough rigours of midweek European football.

We've seen this line up before, and it does well. Decided to go for Andre Santos as left back, over Kieran Gibbs. Frimpong has been doing well in training so decided to reward him with some game time.

KICK OFF!!

9 seconds: I get a freekick. Wilshere goes down after an early challenge. Knocked wide to Sagna, on to the Ox and crosses in for Giroud to get his head to the ball. Goal. Clocked in at 48 seconds. 1-0

8m: Long ball, gets to Giroud. He passes to Wilshere, who slides in Frimpong who is clear through on goal. Doesn't disappoint and buries it in the bottom left corner. Dench. Leave it. 2-0

29m: Fabian Delph runs across the outside of the box, and then bends a run into the box, and scores. 2-1.

41m: Corner. Drills across to Wilshere, who flicks on to Giroud to score his twelth of the season. 3-1

75m: Substitution. Podolski on for Giroud (condition down to 70%) and Arteta is on for Frimpong.

FT

Brilliant game. Great performances by all the players, and I'm up to second! Bring on the title challenge!

UCL 5: Red Bull Salzburg (H)

I'm already through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, but I still think it's best to go with the regular side, to get them match fit etc.

20m: Wilshere slides the ball into the box for Coquelin to get onto, and he doesn't disappoint. 1-0

25m: Fellaini intercepts the pass, and knocks it to Wilshere. He crosses in for Coquelin, but Douglas (Salzburg centre back) tackles him, but the ball falls to Cazorla who smashes the ball home. 2-0

38m: Referee gives Salzburg a freekick, Lindgren passes to Douglas, who offloads to Cristiano who scores. 2-1

HT

48m: Sagna heads to the Ox, passes to Coquelin, who gives it back to Sagna, and he swings the cross in... but it's in the net!!! What a goal! 3-1

53m: Sekagya pushes Adem in the box, and the ref gives the pen. Wilshere steps up and knocks it home. 4-1

FT

Another good win for the team. This time I actually congratulated them on it. I think I'm getting the hang of these Team Talks now... lol. Top of the group and sitting pretty.

BPL Game 12: Everton (A)

This game didn't crash, but I didn't bother with the match commentary so decided just to post the final report and give you, the reader, a brief description of the game.

To be honest, it was a poor game. Both sides had goals disallowed for offside, but in the 96th minute (there was only supposed to be 3) Podolski was in the box and I was praying for him to score. Instead, he gets fouled and the ref gives a penalty. JOY! Lukas steps up and scores. Told the team, cautiously, that I wasn't too happy with it, that it was a bit of a let off. Mixed reactions. The game tells me that my team never looked like losing and controlled the match. In a foul game (there were 29 in total), my team DID come out on top. Phew. Still 3rd in the league... thus...

BPL Game 11: Manchester City (A)

Again, my game crashed (seriously, not deliberate!) and luckily, I won again.

UCL Game 4: Lille (A)

Decided to rest some key players as my next game is against Manchester City, away. Bearing that in mind, here is the line up!

A draw and 2 convincing wins puts me top of the group with 7 points with Lille and Ajax both on 4. This win would effectively put me clear into the next stages.

The game itself crashed for me and carried on. This is the final report.

Match Day 10: Tottenham (H)

Big North London Derby game at home! OOSH!

Here is how the team is lining up. Decided to keep Tello on the left there (even though he really is a right sided winger...). Pretty strong team, but needs to be to counter the threats of Baines and Bale down the left (my right..)














Let's get this game on!!!
13m: Tello with a screamer from 30yards hits the underside of the bar but not in, Giroud on hand for the rebound. Easy tap in. 1-0 Arsenal.
21m: After winning possession, Fellaini knocks it wide to the Ox, he easily beats Baines and smashes a cross in, only for Giroud to head over the bar. Getting close!!!
22m: From a goal kick, Szczesny passes to Mertesacker, who dillydallies with the ball. Easily dispossessed by Adebayor, who shots and scores. Bugger. 1-1 -- Claims of hand ball... dubious?
Half time: Told the boys to keep it up. Fingers crossed they'll keep going and get the win.
68m: After some speculative long shots that have gone close, Tottenham launch a counter and Huddlestone sends it wide.
71m: Despite having good games, I think it's time for a change in midfield. Garmash (7.1 - 73%) off for Wilshere. Tello (6.8 -- 75%) off for Wellington Nem.
Full Time. It stayed 1-1. Bit disappointed as they only scored through our error.

Judging by the player ratings (below), both keepers didn't perform too brilliantly. This draw means I drop to 6th. But I didn't start the day at 3rd, I apparently rose up from 7th... Other results around me meant that I dropped. Onwards and upwards.

Match Day 9: Swansea (H)

After suffering defeat to Swansea in the Capital One Cup, I will not be taking my chances this time around. With most of my key players available for me, no doubt they'll be on the pitch, challenging everything!

Here is the starting Line up! As you can see, a lot of changes from the mid-week team, but that's because they're knackered! Still have a lot of faith in this team to succeed!



























HERE WE GO!!!
1m: Straight from the off we have a corner. Nothing comes of it though...
4m: Long ball straight to Vorm, foolish Garmash. Ball goes out to Pablo H, and he delivers a cross, a bit too close for comfort as it nearly goes in! Szczesny parries for a corner... wiped in by de Guzman, cleared by the defence!
35m: Brilliant passing by Diaby, gives it to Denys Garmash, draws the defence to then slot the ball between them to Adem, and drives it in low from 20yards. GOAL!!! 1-0 (Up to 3rd!)
42m: Foul by Nathan Dyer on Sagna. Freekick slung in by Arteta, and Diaby outjumps everyone and heads it past Vorm! 2-0
HT! Despite Diaby playing REALLY well, I'm going to have to bring him off at some point! (Condition down to 66%). But not yet. Sending the boys back out with a passionate "Delighted" and bring on the 2nd half!
81m: Time for that sub. Diaby coming off for Podolski, moving him to the left and putting the Ox into CAM. Also giving Arteta a rest, switching him with Garmash, then bringing on Coquelin to replace Mikel. Told both subs that there is no pressure on them.
91m: Late Swansea corner doesn't go to plan, ball comes out to Williams who sends it back in, a lot of bobbling about and it's finally put in by Graham. But it's nothing more than a consolation goal. Full time: 2-1

Post game stats. Shows the boys had a good game. Subs came on too late really to make any impact, but they still did well in my eyes!


This win puts me in a commanding 3rd position. 1 point clear of 4th (Tottenham - 2 games in hand). Bit off the leaders. Man U are 5 clear of me, and City are 4 clear. Both with games in hand. This may mean that I have to really bust a gut to win, and then relax when they play their extra games later on.

Match Day 8: West Ham (A)

Apologies for the lack of post. Here is the match stats for this game.

Went up 2-0, then conceded, then scored again, then conceded. Pretty good win for me. I now lie in 7th.

This is the league table, as of the 23rd of October, 2012

UCL Game 3: LOSC (H)

Great start to the game. Went with pretty much the same team that I could against West Ham.


24m: After a mishmash of possession, Fellaini pounces on the clearance of Balmont, unleashes a volley and BOOM!!! First goal for Arsenal! 1-0
27m: PENALTY!!! Chedjou trips Cazorla in the box. Up steps the Premierships top scorer, and mine for that matter. And you know what? Goalie saves it and it goes out for the corner! Should be 2-0...
33m: Great shot by Giroud saved by Landreau, but only as far as Wellington Nem, bangs it in for 2-0! :D
45+4m: ANOTHER PENALTY!!! This time Beria upends Nem. Giroud steps up again, but this time he scores! :D
Half Time: 3-0! Passionately tell the boys I'm happy and let's get cracking with the second half!!!
52m: Some good possession by Lille, capped with a goal from de Melo's pass to Balmont who scores. 3-1
62m: High scoring game this one. 4th Goal, 4th different scorer. This one is a lovely corner into the danger zone, and it's Per Mertersacker who gets his head to it!
69m: Decided to make all my subs in 1 go. Mertesacker, Wilshere and Gervinho off - Ox, Jenkinson and Denys on. Need to keep them fresh(ish) for big clash against Swansea on the following Saturday. Can risk Giroud because he seems to be fit for pretty much every game, and I plan on using Podolski!
72m: Kalou scores from a penalty. 4-2. This is my 3rd ChampLeague game and the first one I've conceded in!
Full time: Great win for the boys. Very happy! Keeps me top in the group! :D

Somehow, Balmont got man of the match...

Match day 7: Reading (A)

Seems I don't have a game for like 2 weeks so decided to go for full team against a weaker Reading. This paid dividends when the boys pulled off a 2-0 victory, and Reading got a man sent off too. This win takes me up to 9th.

UCL Game 2: Ajax

Had no hope going into the game so didn't really bother. Sorry.
However, I won 4-0! HELL YEAH! Naxto Monreal injured, Santi Cazorla didn't play too well. Garmash scored a screamer, Wellington Nem got his first 2 goals, and super sub Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got the other goal. Amazed and thrilled. Also, they had a penalty - and missed.

Match Day 6: Norwich (H)

Well this is the line up for my game against Norwich. I'm 11th, they're 15th. Not that that matters. Not going into this one with any sort of expectation. Fuck knows how this will go.

15s: yeah, that quick. Foul by Koscielny.
33m: Koscielny launches ball forward for Giroud to get on the end of. Header goes wide. Giroud offside anyway.
45m: Gervinho passes to Arteta, he then slots a lovely ball through to Santi Cazorla and the Spaniard scores his first Arsenal goal! YES! 1-0 Arsenal
75m: Norwich equalise due to poor defending. Hint of offside.
That's how it finished. 1-1. Can't even beat Norwich at home. Any ideas are welcome

Capital One Cup 3rd Round: Swansea (A)

Here it is, first foray into domestic cup action. In real life, we all know that Bradford knocked out Arsenal en route to their defeat to Swansea at Wembley. But, this is Football Manager. I could knock out Swansea here and now and win the Cup for myself!!! :D

Here is my starting 11 and subs. Again, it's a week match so resting some key players, but gives a chance for the younger ones like Tello, the Ox and Ademilson (I may just call him Adem. So much easier to remember).

Well, Let's get a show on this road to Wembley!!!
The Swans line up with Michu and Danny Graham (remember, this is the original update [I think] so no January switch for Graham). Also, no broken leg for Neil Taylor, and for some reason, no Chico Flores... but De Guzman and Jazz Richards are their midfield partnership with Routledge and Pablo Hernandez on the wings. Vorm in Goals.
Bould with the team talk: Go out there and impress me. No reaction.

Kick Off!
10m: After some sloppy possession by both teams, the boys are stringing some passes together nicely. Results in the Ox getting into some space, sprints into the box, only to have his shot saved by Vorm.
12m: Corner, Jenkinson header at goal, Vorm saves, ball is cleared.
45+2m (should only be 1m of extra time...): De Guzman standing over the ball. Goes for goal from 25 yards +, thought it was going over, and boy was I wrong! Dips in at the last moment. 1-0 Swansea. Half Time team talk changed.
HT: 1-0
56m: Players standing still, allowing Swansea to pass and move freely. Graham makes it 2-0. Seriously F*cked off right now
73m: Subs. 3. Santos, Tello, Adem off. Giroud, Nem and Emre Can on.
FT: 2-0. I lost. fuck

Match Day 5: Chelsea (H)

Unfortunately, my internet died a death which meant that the game was simulated. All I know is that I won 3-2, and here is the generated match report:

UCL Game 1: RB Salzburg (A)

This is a must win game. For me to gain any momentum, EVERY GAME IS A MUST WIN GAME!!!
Depressingly, I may have to rest a few big names, purely because my next game is against Chelsea at the Emirates. Not take anything away from Salzburg, but I'm going to expect a victory. But I need to make sure that complacency isn't an issue. Considering this, here is going to be my starting 11:

As you can see, I'm pretty limited on the players available due to the Sunday fixture (this is Champions League football, therefore mid-week). Tello has played well enough for a youngster (that and he's the only other option for a winger in good condition) and he's joined by Gervinho. This also means a start for Coquelin and Ramsey. I've also decided to start with this formation too, as I think it'll sort out that midfield area and add to the playmaking roles. Szczesny returns in Goal after a lacklustre performance by Ron-Robert Zieler. Ademilson is the only other striker. Wellington Nem and Walcott played for the reserves team after coming back from injury, so they don't feature.
Going to go all out attack, so hopefully an aggressive "Expect a win" approach works.

First half is quite poor. Nothing happened. Well, a few cards, but that's it. Got Bould to take the overall and individual team talks.
74m: Only highlight so far... I'm making a substitution. My god this game is boring. Ox on for Tello, Ademilson for Giroud.
89m: Monreal replaces Gibbs
FT. Thank goodness. No goals. No real action. A bore draw. The game said that, not me. Impressive. Calmly told the players that it wasn't good enough. May call a team meeting to sort the buggers out!

Just terrible.

Match Day 4: Newcastle (A)

Another away game, another Northern battle. Decided to mix it up a bit, putting Fellaini in the centre with Garmash, and having the OX on the right.
Going to make sure that I expect a performance rather than pander to the fans. The players tend not to be fully up for it if you say "do it for the fans".

Also, start for my new striker Ademilson, Monreal starts on the left. But notice, Chamakh plays against his former club. Let's hope that selling him doesn't come back to haunt me.
Assertively tell the players that I expect a win, only responses are "confused". Hmmmm...

Lets Go!

19m: Despite being up for the game and playing well, the ball falls to Chamakh who slides the ball that unlocks the defence, Papiss Cisse on hand to score. 1-0
Half Time: Uneventful first half really... other than the goal. Told the team that I want something else in the second half, and a generally all-round positive "fired up" look. Mertesacker looks to have switched off... He may come off later...
58m: Wrong German coming off. Podolski forced off with an injury (JOY(!)), Cristian Tello going to replace him, along with Giroud replacing Ademilson. Not the greatest debut, but to be fair, he is young.
61m: Cassani plays it to Zieler, and foolishly he passes it STRAIGHT to Papiss Cisse, who punishes the young keeper's error. 2-0
78m: Giroud scores the Penalty. Fight back occurring!
And that's how it ended. 2-1 to Newcastle. Steve Bould's advice of saying that the lads were unlucky taken, only Mertesacker didn't really respond. He finished the game on a 7.0 rating - by far the best player for me today. Unhappy. Evidently wrong to swap Zieler for Sczezny.

This is how the table looks now. (apologies for the sizing, This is the best way I can get it):

Competitions!

As Arsenal are in a few competitions, I thought it'd be best to keep you up to date with them. Obviously, I'll do match reports where I can, but I'd like to give you a quick update on where I am in certain comps!


UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!!
Hell yeah we are!!! As a first seed, this means that I will miss the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, etc. So! The tables. First pick and into group G along with Ajax, FC Red Bull Salzburg and Lille. Not a truly difficult box, but still need to win as many games as possible to avoid becoming 2nd.

Group A: Anderlecht, Partizan, FC Porto, Schalke
Group B: Valencia, AC Milan, Gladbach, Celtic
Group C: FC Nordsjaelland, Galatasaray, Man City, Real Madrid
Group D: Olympiakos, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Dinamo
Group E: Benfica, Bayern Munich, Malaga, Udinese
Group F: Montpellier, Juventus, Zenit St Petersburg, Barcelona
Group G: Ajax, Arsenal, Red Bull Salzburg, Lille (LOSC)
Group H: Shakhtar, Chelsea, Dortmund, FC Copenhagen

Capital One Cup (League Cup):
Swansea v Arsenal -- 3rd Round

FA Cup Sponsored by Budweiser: Yet to be picked.

Transfer News

In the top 16 transfers in the Premiership:

As you may see, Fellaini's transfer to me cost the most (£26.5m) followed by Chelsea's acquisition of Stevan Jovetic, along with Adriano and Newcastle's French winger Hatem Ben Arfa. Tottenham have signed the left back Leighton Baines, while Manchester City have bolstered their midfield with Kaka.

Match day 3 - Liverpool (A)

Big 3rd game for me. Liverpool's second. At the Scouse Cauldron, Anfield. Obviously Luis Suarez is the biggest threat to my team, but it would be foolish to completely ignore the rest of the team.
No Theo or Wilshere for me, but Liverpool are without Joe Allen, Nuri Sahin and Martin Kelly.
Liverpool 5/4 (favourites).

As you can see, I've decided to start Fellaini in the CAM position, pushing Cazorla out to the right, even though he'll still be an advanced playmaker. Suarez the threat, but a return for Vermaelen means that my defence is bolstered. Shelvey, Gerrard and Leiva in the middle for Liverpool could be tasty.

Kick Off!
26m: Good possession and some physical defence, but Gerrard gets a look at goal and buys his ticket, and wins the raffle. 1-0 Liverpool.
27m: Immediate response. Great passing work by the boys and a lovely pass from Cazorla to Giroud gets him in some space, and finishes with a cheeky chip from 25yards. 1-1
47m: Suarez sucks in 3 players and dishes to Joe Cole, a low pass across goal (no reaction by keeper or left back) means that Stuart Downing gets in and puts the ball into the net. First goal for him at Liverpool. 2-1
Half time. Assertive: Show me something else. Positive reaction.
71m: Sub. Koscielmy picked up a knock earlier so taken him off for Djourou, and Arteta hasn't been too great so replacing him with Ramsey.
86m: Final Sub. Fellaini needing a rest, Tello on.
Full Time. Stayed 2-1. Not thrilled with it if I'm honest and told the team so. General positive response but need to do better next game, regardless of opposition. Wanted this one but wasn't to be. This result pushes Liverpool to 5th, and drops me to 11th.

Match Day 2 - West Brom (H)

First home game of the season, and (no disrespect to WBA) I expect a win. Considering the performances of the last game, I've decided to shake up the team a little. Nothing major, just rewarding those who played well in the Man Utd game.

As you can see, I've rewarded Jenkinson with a start at RB, moving the experienced Cassani to left back (he can play either side). Also, Walcott retains his starting berth, but at AMR rather than striker, where Giroud starts instead. Decided to give Cristian Tello a start at AML. Podolski on the bench if needs be. Assertively tell the players that I expect nothing but a win, and away we go!!!

Game begins!!! Strating Pos: 13th

10th Min: Cazorla knocks it wide to his fellow countryman Tello, who takes on the RB Reid, beats him and puts in a stunning cross, Walcott (always looking for more action) takes the volley past Forster into the net. 1-0. Up to 10th
32m: Walcott screams down the wing to put a cross in towards Giroud, only for it to be headed away. However, it falls to Denys Garmash who unleashes a terrific shot, only to be denied by the cross bar. WBA clear the ball out. Still 1-0
41m: Some good possession by WBA and some lacklustre defending by the boys leads to a chance, but it gets scrambled away and results in my freekick.
HT: Still 1-0, looking pretty solid. Assertively told the boys to keep going, ALL look delighted! :D
73m: A LOT OF PASSING!!! Tempo suiting the players very well, with quick passing to feet and moving the ball around. Result? Arteta knocks it to Tello on the left wing and lo! he whips in a gorgeous cross for Giroud to score. 2-0. Up to 8th --- Tello causing ALL kinds of trouble for Reid.
83m: Good deal of possession paying off again, with the same result. Final play: Jenkinson plays a lovely one-two with Cazorla which puts Carl behind the defence and through on goal. Panic? Nah! He lifts it over Forster making it 3-0. Taking off Garmash (booked) and Arteta, both close to 73% condition. On come Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
FT: 3-0 victory and up to 5th. Told the players that I was delighted with their game, positive reactions. Told Tello (MOTM 9.0) that I was delighted with him personally, he looks to have switched off... Dafuq?!

All in all, a great game. Certainly one that I expected a result off, but still, a good 3-0 thumping! Good response from last weeks loss!

Match Day: 1 - Man Utd (A)

Here is the season opener against Manchester United. Not an easy game to say the least. In fact, one of the hardest of the season! It's at Old Trafford too so that's a bit of a problem.

Key players for Manchester United like Darren Fletcher, Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans could mean that I have a good chance of winning. However, threats like Rooney, RVP and the rest of the United squad are generally healthy and ready.

This is how the teams line up. Note that I have my loaned right back Cassani, no Vermaelen and Monreal (injured). Went for Walcott upfront as he is now a striker... wut... but whatever. Man Utd predicted favourites, and Mike Dean is the ref.

2mins - Nightmare start for Arsenal. Long ball by Rooney to Kagawa on the left and he blasts the shot past Szczesny. 1-0 Man U.
Half Time: Still 1-0. Kieran Gibbs seems to be lacking in match fitness, so needs to have a rest. Cassani switches to left back, Carl Jenkinson to right back. Gervinho on a rating of 6.1 so rather than keep him on, Walcott now goes to RAM and Giroud comes off the bench at striker. Told the squad that they're unlucky to be behind, general positive reaction.
54 mins - Equaliser. Great play by Walcott and Cazorla working the ball close to the Man Utd area, Santi knocks it wide to Jenkinson who puts in a cross to the penalty spot where Olivier Giroud puts the ball past De Gea into the bottom corner. Stunning goal.
59min: Manchester United corner delivered by Giggs, RVP gets on to it, and inevitably the ball hits the net. Manchester United take the lead again, 2-1.
86min: Time for a quick change (bearing in mind it'll probably not make a difference). Walcott finishes the game on a 6.6 and on comes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
93min: With the last move of the game, the ball is quickly sent forward, with a scintillating cross in, referee whistles. I thought it would be for a penalty right at the death. Alas, it was a freekick against Garmash (already booked) with only a warning (thank goodness!). Resulting free kick means that the ref can blow his whistle for full time.

Overall reaction: Full time team talk of an "unlucky lads" goes down well, many a positive reaction. More positives, Mikel Arteta got man of the match! :D. Balance of the match ratings shows that my players were equal to the Manchester United players.

As you can see, I never really had a clear cut chance, and Man Utd clearly took that chance. I lacked possession but made sure of the shots I had as opposed to the wasteful attempts by Man Utd.






Well, not a bad 1st game. Not too disheartened with it but still slightly rankles that I couldn't get the win. Onwards and upwards though. This result means that I now lie 14th in the English Premier League.

Formations & Tactics

These are my 3 formations that I plan to use. Basic 4 in defence, 5 in midfield, 1 lone striker, to utilise Arsenal's wingers (Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Santi Cazorla, Podolski, Walcott, Arshavin). I plan to use the first formation - 4231 - as it means that the 2 wingers (as Advanced playmakers) can help the central man sitting behind the striker. My 2nd tactic is the right-hand one, purely as a defensive formation. The middle one is just to cover all bases.

Here are the main tactics that I'm going to use. These have helped me win the Bundesliga with Dortmund, the Europa League and nearly the Premier League with Tottenham. Tried and tested method. Playing a more Direct style of football means close possession (similar to real life Swansea City's football). More freedom means more creativity, more chances. Players like Walcott, Cazorla and Ox-Chamberlain will benefit greatly from this.