Nervous? Yeah well, maybe a bit. But hopefully the team will go into tomorrow’s game with a positive attitude. Yes, Manchester United are well ahead of us, but they have shown a vulnerable side too this season so there is everything to play for.
And we do have to go for it. We’re four points behind Chelsea now and share the same points total as Newcastle. Lose further momentum now and we risk getting cut off from the top four.
Squad news is not encouraging. We are still without any proper fullbacks and Arteta. Henry and Vermaelen are both doubtful, but may have fitness tests today.
So I guess were looking at a similar line up to the Swansea game only with Rosicky starting instead of Benayoun. I’m guessing that Rosicky didn’t start the Swansea game because he was still recovering from illness. Once he did come on we recovered a bit of midfield composure as hum can hold the ball better than Benayoun and passes well. Benayoun isn’t a bad player but he isn’t as versatile across the while midfield role.
My guess is that we will line up like this:
_____ Szczesny _____
DJ _ Merte _ Kos _ Miq
_______ Song _______
__ Rosicky _ Ramsey __
Walcott _ RVP _ Arshavin
Hopefully the improved work rate that Arshavin has shown in the last two games will lead to some better form.
Meanwhile we have a passing interest in some of today’s games. All our immediate rivals are away today. Chelsea go to Norwich at lunchtime, Newcastle to Fulham at 3pm and Liverpool go to Bolton this evening. All of these have potential for upset so let’s hope we can have a lucky Saturday to buoy everyone up for tomorrow.
A lot of talk this week about what it would mean for Arsenal to finish outside the top four with an apparent rift between Manager and Chairman. Peter Hill-Wood is a long way from understanding public relations and how to avoid creating the wrong media story, but I think that he was essentially talking about club finances when he said it wouldn’t be a disaster.
When Arsenal were raising the finance to build the new stadium they produced financial models to show that they could survive a situation where they were outside the Champions League. When you are borrowing millions you have to show lenders that you have looked into all the potential risks and show that even in the worst case scenario the debt can be repaid. So there wasn’t really anything new there, just Peter Hill-Wood putting his foot in it. Again, nothing really new there.
As Arsene Wenger said later in the week though, it would be a disaster in footballing terms. Robin Van Persie would surely be tempted away from Europa League football and it would handicap the quest for quality new players. The football Arsenal play over the next three months is going to be the most critical stuff for some time.
Come on you Gunners!
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