Arsenal will not sign anyone today. Today is all about the match against Udinese. The transfer rumour mill is largely focused elsewhere.
Despite are reduced team options, Arsenal should be strong enough to win. But the Udinese players will be pumped up for this one, believing that they have a chance to turn it around.
Last Saturday I imagine Kenny Dalgliesh told his players there wouldn’t be a better day to beat Arsenal. Udinese coach will have the same message to motivate his players today.
Arsenal will clearly have to absorb a lot of pressure, no matter how much they try to take the game to Udinese. Obviously another early goal would be ideal. It would disturb Udinese’s dream and leave them needing to score three. Here’s hoping.
Some fans have called for team changes to give Ryo Miyaichi or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a debut. Others have praised the spirit shown by Frimpong as he Tweets against Piers Morgan and Samir Nasri.
But Ryo isn’t in the squad and I don’t see this as the ideal situation the give Chamberlain his first start. There’s going to be pressure enough for the most experienced players.
Frimpong could start if Arsene Wenger wants to play with two holding players throughout. But doing that would surely send out a very weak signal. It would be saying that we have come here just to cling on. Well in truth we have, but another goal is the best way to do it.
So there are probably two key question marks over the starting line-up. Is Traore fit and does he go back in over Jenkinson? Is Rosicky fit enough to start?
On the second, Rosicky has to be truly fit. He struggles to make an impact over ninety minutes anyway, without playing with an injury.
It’s going to be a nervous evening. Whatever the outcome, Arsenal will dominate the sports pages and websites tomorrow. Either because the club is in the middle of the worst media storm it’s seen in years, or there will be a madly frothing transfer rumour mill, as everyone and their dog dives in to help Arsene spend £80million in six days! Let’s hope it’s the second.
C’mon Arsenal!
