Sunday, January 30, 2011

Gunners look to secure immediate passage

Arsenal will want to avoid another replay against lower league opposition when they welcome Huddersfield Town to Emirates Stadium on Sunday lunchtime.

The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United in the third round, meaning they faced a midweek away trip to Yorkshire. The same outcome again would add an unwanted additional fixture just a week before Barcelona travel to London for the first leg of the first round of the Champions League knockout stage.

Leeds United were, on paper, a much stiffer test and Huddersfield are not expected to be capable of producing a similar performance. The Terriers are well positioned for a promotion push from League One, currently sitting in third place and only behind AFC Bournemouth and an automatic spot on goal difference.

Managed by former Newcastle United, Sunderland and Fulham midfielder Lee Clark, the Terriers play some of the best football in League One but have a very average defence - something which will make it even harder to keep Arsenal's star-studded forward line at bay.

Though now considered to be one of the game's minnows, they were just the opposite after being formed in 1907 and winning the FA Cup in 1922. In 1923-24 they won their first ever league title and went on to become the first club to be crowned champions three years in a row - a feat only matched by Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United since. But they have not won a major honour since the league title of 1926.

Arsenal have obviously had much recent success up until 2005, and they will look to move a step closer to another Wembley date after securing their place in the Carling Cup final on Tuesday.

Arsenal player to watch: Andrei Arshavin
Russian playmaker Arshavin is going through troubled times at Emirates Stadium. A complete loss of form has seen him become the subject of the fans' frustrations after once being a crowd favourite. Arshavin needs to put his poor form, and rumours of a move away from Arsenal, to the back of his mind and impress on the pitch again.

Huddersfield Town player to watch: Anthony Pilkington
A creative influence with an eye for goal, Pilkington has already provided 11 goals and three assists for the Terriers this season. Chances are likely to be few and far between for the visitors, so Pilkington's excellence in shooting from distance could be a vital weapon.

Key battle: Marouane Chamakh v Peter Clarke
Huddersfield skipper Clarke will be charged with keeping Chamakh at bay with the Moroccan likely to return to the starting line-up with Robin van Persie rested. Chamakh has lost his form and not started a Premier League game this year, with his last goal coming against Aston Villa in November. Clarke, Huddersfield's Player of the Year last season, will be making sure Chamakh's scoring touch does not return.

Trivia
Herbert Chapman turned Huddersfield into a force in the early 1920s before leaving the club to manage Arsenal. He then led the Gunners to their first ever trophy in 1930 - beating Huddersfield 2-0 in the FA Cup final.
 
Source: Dale Johnson, ESPN Soccernet on 30 Jan 11

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