Quick Pompey preview – Injuries – Why Chamakh could still arrive
Alright all,
we host Pompey today for the first home game of the season in our new Arsenalised stadium. There is a chance the team could remain the same for the first three games of the season, I’m expecting an unchanged side of:
Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Denilson, Fabregas, Arshavin, Bendtner, van Persie.
The squad though, is fairly light. Walcott is going to be out for the next month, as is Carlos Vela, Nasri might not be back until about November time and Rosicky’s fitness is about as reliable as a gambling addict with a wad-full of notes.
Gael Clichy has spoken to the Mirror about the squad and the start to the new season, its a good read. He talks about the barney that Vermaelen and van Persie had a few seasons back in the Amsterdam tournament, it was rather humorous.
There have been stories flying around about Chamakh staying at Bordeaux etc. etc. but I still think its possible that he can arrive. Wenger holds his nerve in deals and I wouldn’t bet against him giving Laurent Blanc a ring on deadline day with a take it or leave it offer for his frontman. It will be his last chance to get any cash for him.
Back to the game, and I think we should win this quite comfortably; but, it will be a big test as Portsmouth will be sitting behind the ball trying to stifle our play. Wenger has brought in the 4-3-3 formation to help against teams that will come to the Emirates and just get men back behind the ball, it means less dilly-dallying around playing pretty passes on the edge of the box and playing the killer ball quicker.
I’m going to be watching the game today and I’m pretty excited, its the first home game of the season and the good start will mean that they will get a rousing reception. Hopefully they will be entering into a sea of red and white with all the free scarves that have been put on seats by volunteers.
The fans should be more supportive this season in my opinion, last season some of the things that happened were ridiculous and it was very un-Arsenal-like. Lets get behind the boys.
COME ON YOU REDSSSSSSS
Ive got places to be, more tomorrow.
