The sun is shining and it's been an interesting day in the World of Arsenal. As we looked at yesterday, we only have five games left until the end of the season, and in reality, with 8 points separating us from Villa in 5th and 6 points separating us from Chelsea in 3rd, it will be a monumentous task for us to finish either 3rd or 5th.
As a result, against Middlesborough this weekend, you'd really expect Arsene to rest some players in preparation for Wednesday big game. Winning is a habit and as much as I'd like to push on and really try and challenge Chelsea for the 3rd spot, in reality, I'd rather win the Champions League then finish 3rd instead of fourth.
Arsene gave us an injury update yesterday:
“From Tuesday night we are quite safe. We will rotate a little bit again but we have no major injuries from Liverpool.
“Manuel Almunia was in full training today and we’ll see how he responds. Djourou was in full training also so we’ll see how he is too. Both could come back into the squad. It is not enough training to say [for sure] yet we need 48 hours more. Emmanuel Adebayor should come back into the training on Saturday. He could be in the squad.
“But Robin van Persie is definitely out for Sunday and for Manchester United. Gael Clichy could be back for the second Manchester United game. He has a scan on Monday. We’ll go from there. He has a chance to be back in full training next week.”
So, as we’ve all thought and discussed, Arsene really should play a reservish squad against Middlesborough and reserve all the big guns until Wednesday. If it were my call, I’d play the following team against Middlesborough:
Fabianski
Eboue – Toure – Silvestre – Gibbs
Arshavin – Ramsey – Denilson – Vela
Bendtner – Eduardo
This will give a few key players a chance to rest and give us the performance of their lives away at Old Trafford. If we do play the team above against Middlesborough, then that will keep the following team ready for Wednesday:
Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Djourou – Gibbs
Walcott – Song – Cesc – Diaby – Nasri
Adebayor
Without Van Persie this Wednesday, I’m sure it will be a 4-5-1 formation, especially away from home in the Champions League.
And just when you thought the season was overwhelmingly frustrating, news has broke that Cesc Fabregas has been charged by the FA for the alleged spitting incident:
“Cesc Fabregas and Phil Brown have both been charged with improper conduct. Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Hull City manager Phil Brown have both been charged with improper conduct. The charges relate to matters arising from the FA Cup match between Arsenal and Hull at the Emirates Stadium on 17 March.
“Fabregas faces two charges of improper conduct relating to his conduct on the pitch following the game. One charge concerns his behaviour in coming onto the pitch after the final whistle, the second charge relates to an alleged spitting incident. The charges are based on submissions from Hull City and video evidence.
“Brown is charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute in relation to media comments made after the game concerning referee Mike Riley. Fabregas and Brown have until 12 May to respond.”
If you ask me, very much ridiculous by Hull and there is still a hope they will go down. That’s all I’ve got to say on that today – I may speak more on this tomorrow.
I’ll be back later with a look at what Bendtner has had to say about this season, but here’s to a good Friday evening and some interesting games tomorrow…]]>
