Manchester United v Arsenal
Barclays Premier League, Old Trafford
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 12:45
Let’s take a look, first of all, at team news… with the long term absentees (Eduardo, Rosicky, Gallas, Clichy and Almunia) all unavailable, we’ll see a strong team / strong pool of players to select from.
Personally, I’d give Wilshere a run out with the rest of the team and play the strongest in every position to see how he fairs… but the following line up will probably be more appropriate:
Fabianski
Sagna – Toure – Silvestre – Gibbs
Walcott – Denilson – Cesc – Nasri
Adebayor – Arshavin
With the ability to move into a 4-5-1 with Arshavin dropping back into midfield if required.
Arsene has spoken on the fact that United could do a trophy acceptance and parade tomorrow, and how it will affect the players
“Of course it can inspire the players. These players will win and want to win but you have to accept as well, as we’ve said before, Man United at the moment is the best team. In sport, you have to accept that.
“They have watched us lifting the trophy as well. It’s part of sport, and England is famous in sport for the fair play they have shown and the rugby teams have created this idea. If a team has been better than us, and Man United has been better than us without a doubt, the whole season, then [you applaud it]. They played under pressure, Liverpool won the day before, the next day they come out and they believe they will win. At the end of the day, you have to say yes, you are the best and there is no shame to say that.”
You have to say fair play to Arsene for giving United credit. A win tomorrow would be a perfect tonic for us, but somehow I don’t see it happening. You could see during the Chelsea game, that there was no urgency after a goal done – even Arshavin said it was a weird game to watch, it seemed like a training game!
I’m sure the game tomorrow is the least important thing on your mind and I’m sure that there will be much more coverage on Arsene’s shareholder’s meeting very soon… but in the meantime, come on you Gunners…
And just one final thought… I’ve been informed of a little special 7 part series that The Guardian are doing in their paper starting this weekend… It’s a take on the “7 deadly sins”, and they’re doing a peice on Ashley Cole in relation to greed and Andrei Arshavin in relation to pride… here’s the full list:
16 May - Greed featuring David Beckham and Ashley Cole
17 May - Pride featuring Andrei Arshavin and Mike Ashley
18 May - Wrath featuring Craig Bellamy and Roy Keane
19 May - Envy featuring Bruce Grobbelaar and Danielle Lloyd
20 May - Gluttony featuring Mark Bosnich and Gazza
21 May - Sloth featuring John Terry and Ian Rush
22 May - Lust featuring David Mellor and Robinho
For those of you who want to read more, here’s the link.
And finally… here’s an interesting excerpt from a Sp*rs forum, kindly forwarded to me by a a fellow Gooner who has asked to remain anonymous:
My Nephew, (very young but bit of a saddo really) but nice lad has to have a operation on his foot so at mo is limping everywhere… see’s a footballer walk into a restaurant with his wife in Winchmore hill last night, realising who it was he decided to wait outside for him (thats what i mean by saddo) anyway after waiting around an hour and the player realizing that my nephew hadnt moved from the spot outside, the player walks out and my nephew ask for his autograph, the wife walks to the Car whilst the player signs his autograph and stands around for about 25 mins… yea thats right 25 mins talking to my nephew about football and his recent injury and just anything in general, my nephew is a West Ham fan (again like i said Saddo)… Anyway as my nephew hobbles off the player turned round and asked him how he was getting home and so my nephew says ‘im walking’ as it had started to rain… and this player turned round and said ‘dont be silly’ and offered my nephew £5 for a taxi…. Waited for the taxi to pick him up and continued to chat til it got there and only left when my nephew was in the car.
Now this guy was Eduardo… sounds like a bloody nice fella… apart from the fact he plays for the **** down the road!
Adios for today!]]>
