I hope you've all been enjoying the Christmas festivities. It's certainly been busy down at the Grove. Our draw to Villa yesterday has seen us fall further behind our "title rivals". Tomorrow sees Portsmouth, managed by ex-captain Tony Adams. It's a tough time for us with so many players out, but with the transfer window opening on Thursday, I suspect that Arsene will have to dip in to strengthen the squad.
Squad news is that Alex Song is doubtful and Johan Djourou is likely to miss out too. The starting line up should be:
| Almunia Goalkeeper |
|||
| Sagna Right Back |
Gallas Centre Back |
Toure Centre Back |
Clichy Left Back |
| Eboue Right Wing |
Denilson Midfielder |
Diaby Midfielder |
Nasri Left Wing |
| Adebayor Striker |
Van Persie Support Striker |
||
With the bench entertaining the likes of Fabianski, Gibbs, Hoyte, Wilshere, Ramsey, Vela and Bendtner.
Arsene has spoken on the team’s chances and said this:
“I believe we know we can play great games and have a great spirit,” he said. “We have what in England you call ‘guts’.
“We were very, very disappointed [at Villa] because we were so close and got caught back. But we have to show that we are strong and can recover quickly.
“There is one way for us to behave. We just have to keep going until the end of the season and see where we are.
“I know if I say now we can be champions you will say that I am crazy but I believe that we can be.”
Interesting words from Arsene and many people think that he is a little crazy with such a statement. But it’s clear we have the quality, but we do have a soft centre which haunts us every game. I really expect Arsene to dip into the transfer market come the end of next week. It’s a dangerous position we find ourselves in, we’re only 12 points above the relegation zone.
I’ll hope be back tomorrow with a proper round up of the game and a few other thoughts, but as the Christmas festivities continue, I’m being summoned elsewhere.
Come on you gooners, til tomorrow.]]>
