It’s that time of the season that everyone hates… the International weeks. We’ve just started a very exciting (be it semi-controversial) new Premiership season, where despite the loss at Man United, we’ve started well. Then suddenly there is an International break, a few meaningless games and a round of injuries… site Johan Djourou…
Another worry is of course, the fitness of Andrei Arshavin, who mentioned that he was not 100% fit at the start of the season as well as carrying a groin injury – something he’s apparently had since the beginning of the season. But we’ll see on Wednesday if he does play against Wales – which will be another indicator of his fitness.
Good news on the injury front is that Theo Walcott should be back in contention this weekend against Man City. He has had a series of body injuries since his exploits during the summer, but I’m very glad to hear positive news about Theo and his potential return to fitness. The website reporting:
“Walcott missed his country’s matches in September and is expected to return soon after the international break.”
News regarding Rosicky is also positive – although he missed the weekend’s International game, news is that he will play on Wednesday for the Czech Republic. If he does play, then we’ll again have him back in the squad for Saturday’s game.
Cesc has also returned to fitness having played 20 minutes for Spain (they beat Belgium 5-0)… If all goes well in the Internationals, I’d expect us to play the following team on Saturday:
Almunia
Sagna – Gallas – Vermalen – Clichy
Song – Denilson
Walcott – Cesc – Arshavin
Van Persie
With a bench of Mannone, Gibbs, Eboue, Diaby, Ramsey, Eduardo and Bendtner.
Robinho is the major doubt for Man City and he’s picked up a thigh injury which will see him out for three weeks. As a result, I’d expect the following team to line up for Man City:
Given
Richards – Toure – Lescott – Bridge
Barry - Ireland
Wright-Philips - Tevez - Bellamy
Adebayor
It’s going to be a real test for both teams and a statement to the world whether the team that Man City have assembled can really challenge.
I’m really looking forward to this one, I think we’ll dump the Citeh boys on their backs!
Just before I go, here’s a little backing from England old boy David Beckham, who thinks the Eduardo thing has been blown out of proportion:
There has been far too much talk about diving. No-one wants to see it and it is disappointing when it happens. But it happens every week and Eduardo is not the first person to have done it. The whole thing should be put to bed. Eduardo is a great player. It is not that long ago that he suffered an horrific injury. You don’t know what was going through his mind. He might have been trying to get out of the way of a tackle so he didn’t get injured again.”
Til tomorrow.
