PREVIEW: Malaysia XI v Arsenal

First things first, before I get on to any kind of match pre-match build up. Arsenal have finally confirmed the capture of Gervinho, subject to a regulatory process. So we get another striker/winger who has plenty of pace and tricky. If anything this is a boost to the squad as it brings a new exciting face to the changing room. It should also push Theo Walcott to perform at an even greater level. I’m tempted to leave it at that for Gervinho as he hasn’t been fully unveiled yet on Arsenal.com. When the player does sign, I’ll be sure to write about him.

Match Preview

Malaysia XI v Arsenal
Pre-season Friendly

Bukit Jalil Stadium

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Kick-off: 13:45

So Arsenal have headed out to Malaysia to kick off their pre-season matches. They have been training out in Malaysia in temperatures of 30’C, along with humidity of 80%. That is sure to help make the players even fitter than their previous outings in pre-season in Austria.

The team that has flown out to Malaysia is quite a strong squad, although on a competitive scale this match isn’t important at all. It’s all about fitness first as becoming match fit is vital in order for the squad to maintain an extended good run of form into a long hard season in the Barclays Premier League.

There are a few big names in the squad with the following to choose from:

Goalkeepers:

Wojciech Szczesny, Vito Mannone

Defenders:

Sebastien Squillaci, Johan Djourou, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson , Laurent Koscielny , Armand Traore, Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna

Midfielders:

Samir Nasri, Alex Song, Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Denilson, Aaron Ramsey, Emmanuel Frimpong

Forwards:

Robin van Persie, Andrey Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Marouane Chamakh, Ryo Miyaichi, Carlos Vela

What of the opponent, you may be asking? Well it’s a national side we’re playing and it’s going to be a select eleven or squad for Malaysia. They haven’t got many well-known football stars, however the East Asian national teams tend to have a high work ethic and I’m sure that our players will be given the run around.

As it’s our first game the players will be rotated quite a bit and we may see a strong team first half and more squad players in the second. It could also be as mixture of first teamers with squad players. Personally Arsene should try and start with his strongest team possible and even try out Ryo Miyachi, who is a very promising youngster that we all wish can stay with Arsenal for the upcoming season.

So to keep things short, here is the team I would like to see start the match tomorrow:

Arsenal

Szczesny

Sagna           Djourou         Vermaelen     Gibbs

Song             Wilshere

Walcott         Nasri            Miyachi

van Persie

Prediction

Malaysia XI 1-4 Arsenal




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Possible Signings This Summer?

I'm sure every 'Arsenal' website has mentioned about who we should sign in this years summer transfer window. Well who we'd like and who we're likely to get are completely different. Unless you do want the players we're linked with, then that's fine.

At Our Arsenal, we believe there will be several ins and outs for the squad this summer (if you can call it that with all this rain!). Two players most likely to go, although it seems there's not a huge demand for them, are Brazilian Denilson and Denmark's number one striker Niklas Bendtner.

But what us Arsenal fans want to see after a huge downward slope to the end of the season are new signings who will give us that extra push. The players Wenger and the backroom staff believe to be are these three:

• Gervinho (Lille - Auxiliary Striker)
• Christopher Samba (Blackburn Rovers - Central Defender)
• Gary Cahill (Bolton - Central Defender)

I would go as far as saying Gervinho is a quick nippy player who Arsenal could benefit from as he had success playing in the right of a front 3 this past season. But as we all know we need that big, strong no nonsense defender like we had in Sol Campbell (who made a difference for half a season in 2010).

This is where the news that Samba could be close to signing for Arsenal is a sweet melody to the to ears. He has tonnes of Premier League experience for a team that, with due respect, probably gets their defense tested all the time. Standing at 6 ft 4 inc, that is one hell of a player to try and out jump. Also his age of 27 years is probably right as he could easily last a few years at Arsenal to a high standard. Did anyone also mention he's a beast! That physical presence is vital to Arsenal.

Wearing an Arsenal shirt this upcoming season?

Cahill of Bolton has been linked with our club for as long as I can remember now. Whispers are flying through the air that we'll be also signing him along with Samba. Where would this leave Koscielny and Djourou? Two players who have had there mistakes, but have been solid for the most part, especially Arsenal's number 20. Could this mean a move for Vermaelen to left back with Clichy on his way out? We will have to wait and see.

So if the Gervinho transfer doesn't go through, there isn't much to get upset about, as we have a lot of attacking players already. However if a defender (a position we know is all but strong) is not brought with the calibre and assets someone like Samba has, just call it another season of fustration.. in defense and lack of trophies.