Champions League preview: Partizan Belgrade v Arsenal
The best way to get over a defeat? Try and win the next game.
That is what Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is hoping his players will do after their shock 3-2 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Serious questions have been raised about the way Arsenal lost, as their defence- if there was a defence- capitulated in the second half with most of the blame being pointed at goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
The Spaniard has been ruled out of the tie tonight with an elbow injury, but is this just a cover-up for his errors on the weekend? Wenger has been quick to put an end to those circulating stories. “No,” he said when asked whether this was the case. “[The ‘keeper] is always the easy target, the easy scapegoat. But we win together and we lose together even if people think he made a mistake on the second goal.”
It has been well documented that Almunia is simply not up to the task at the Emirates, and for those watching behind the goal where it all unfolded against West Brom, they must have felt sick. But Almunia’s understudy, Lukasz Fabianski hardly inspires confidence.
The saying “anything you can do I can do better” comes to mind when Fabianski plays. He’s shown that he is also not up to the task as Arsenal’s first-choice ‘keeper. The 4-1 Carling Cup win over local rivals Tottenham was spectacular, but the goal Fabianski conceded to Robbie Keane was another addition to the number of errors from the Polish international.
The Arsenal fans were crying out for Wenger to sign a ‘keeper in the summer transfer window and will be desperate for the Frenchman to bring one in when the January window opens. With the failure to sign Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer, Wenger may be regretting choosing to keep faith with Almunia.
One positive for Wenger is the form of Samir Nasri. The 23-year old has scored four goals in the last two games since returning from a knee operation. With the continued absence of club captain Cesc Fabrégas, Wenger will be pleased Nasri is immediately finding form.
Wenger insists his team will bounce back from the defeat and “regroup” for this match. “The whole squad was very, very low yesterday because we knew we had a good opportunity to win this game [against West Brom] and we didn't catch it,” Wenger said.
“We have to stand up for what happened to us. It is our first defeat of the season and I think we have to take a perspective and a distance with that. We have done extremely well since the start of the season so now we will regroup and play well.
“Yes [it is good to draw a line under it] because we gave a lot physically against West Brom and it was not because we lacked effort [that we lost],” Wenger added. “I think we rushed our game and we didn't respect the priorities in our game and that's why we lost. But we gave a lot and I believe we will have a good game tomorrow because we are a good team.”
Jack Wilshire is expected to start in midfield for Arsenal tonight as he was left out of the starting line-up at the weekend. The talented 18-year old has shown maturity beyond his years, making an impressive start to the season. After he conducted the Gunners’ orchestra in the Carling Cup against Tottenham, Wenger is hoping he can do something similar again.
Partizan sit top of the Serbian Super Liga, winning five out of their first six games but did lose 1-0 away to Shaktar Donetsk in their first Champions League group match.
Partizan striker Cléo has scored 11 goals in 13 games this season, and scoring in every one of Partizan’s six qualifying games to reach the group phase. He is relishing the chance playing against Arsenal.
“We're always watching the Premier League on television in Serbia and I like watching Arsenal. The way they play, it's almost Brazilian,” he said.
“It's a great style and I like the way Wenger gives opportunities to young players. I'm very fond of Fabrégas, [Andrey] Arshavin and the [Marouane] Chamakh guy. It will be an honour to play against these guys. After what they did to Braga, I'm a bit worried, but I think our supporters will make it difficult for Arsenal.”
The most significant Arsenal team news concerns left-back Kieran Gibbs, who he has been named in the 18-man squad after recovering from bruising to his foot sustained from the Tottenham game. It was first feared he had broken his metatarsal, but the inclusion of Gibbs reduces a slightly lengthy injury list, with Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Fabrégas, Aaron Ramsey, Thomas Vermaelen and Nicklas Bendtner all still absent. Abou Diaby played against West Brom, but hasn’t travelled with the squad.
Wenger is gambling on Arsenal to move on and get back to winning ways. A win in Serbia is what they need to regain their confidence.
Prediction: Partizan 1 Arsenal 2
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