Press and pundits are already sharpening the knives for Arsene … 0
Firstly I would like to wish you all a belated happy new year, may you have all the luck in the world and good health.
Now, we are into 2010 and a big year for the club. We kick off with an FA Cup tie against West Ham at Upton Park, they may be going through the mill at the moment both financially and footballistically but they will fight tomorrow and will have a very real chance of beating what will be a weakened side.
You just sense that if we do lose the papers and pundits will be focussing on the weakened side that we will field, despite our first team already being a weakened side with injuries and the African cup of Nations, Song will fly off to Africa after the match so I suspect he will play.
We may see the beak-up of the Vermaelen/Gallas partnership for the first time since the Carling Cup games with Senderos a possibility to start, if he passes a fitness test. Vela will probably get a start and Eduardo should start again to get some more match practice and hopefully boost his confidence again, Theo is out for a week or so with a torn side muscle…he just cant get fit can he.
One player I think is a cert to start is Aaron Ramey and he might just stamp his authority on this tie and if we progress he will be playing a massive part in any win, he is only just 19 but my word he has talent in abundance, pure quality and he is getting better with every game.
I would have a wager that Fabianski will get a chance in goal with Almunia being rested, Fabianski has looked as though he has improved so it will be interesting to see how he fares if he does indeed play.
I think we will just scrape through…. the game is a tricky one and when it was drawn I was apprehensive, especially given the easy ride that it seems other teams have gotten. It does seem that we will focus on the league this season and the next four weeks will hopefully involve a long run of wins and a couple of new players to freshen and strengthen the squad.
More later.
