Evening Folks…
A slightly later than usual blog… but as they say, better late than never…
The last couple of games have been quite intensive, kicking off with a great victory at Chelsea and following up with very entertaining draw at Wigan, but obviously followed up by the great victory at Birmingham – we were all frustrated at the home draw against Man City but delighted at the performance.
So with those games out of the way, it is good to have a few “easier” games – yes, I know I am falling into the trap of underestimating the opposition, but Leeds at home will be an opportunity for us to rotate and rest some players. I fully expect the players who come in to win the game – but we have to remember that Leeds will be up for this just as much as anyone.
Straight over to team news and Arsene spoke ahead of the game:
“Ramsey is in the squad and so is Carlos Vela. Gibbs is in the squad too. He is fit and ready to play. We have problems with Van Persie and Nasri but they are problems of days. They are not in the squad but they should be available next week. [They got] kicks, bruises and kicks [against Man City]. Certainly [I will rest] Wilshere and Koscielny, who have played many games recently. I will rotate a little bit but we will have a strong team with only one target – to win our game tomorrow. “
Thomas Vermaelen has been progressing well, and Arsene has talked about the desire to buy if he didn’t make it, but I know we’d all rather have a
“He is in a period where he is starting to run again and we will see how it goes. I think he will be back this time very soon.”
So who will we play? Well, here’s my team:
Szcznesy
Eboue – Squillaci – Koscielny – Gibbs
Ramsey – Denilson
Arshavin – Rosicky – Bendtner
Chamakh
It’s interesting, because I cannot see Arsene leaving Chamakh out again, or Vela, Rosicky or Arshavin, but then who misses out? Personally I think Bendtner will. I think he will be on the bench after being wholly disappointing against Man City – it’s unfair on Chamakh if he doesn’t start – 10 goals to his name, working so hard… only to be dropped when Van Persie and Bendtner return – I’m surprised he hasn’t said anything!
It could be Vela’s last game this season after Arsene admitted huge interest in the Mexican forward and it will do him good to go on loan. We’ve seen it before – his ability – his outstanding ability, but not so much in recent games – a good run of games will do him good!
“There are plenty of clubs [interested]. We have a choice and that is basically the problem because he has the choice as well. At the moment we have requests from France, Spain and England which we have to sort out. There are about ten clubs interested. There are about three or four in the Premier League. I would prefer [him to stay in England] because for us it is easier to watch him and come to conclusions. It is much easier to compare in the Premier League than if he goes to another country. But we need him to feel comfortable to go where he would like to go. When players of his quality [are available] on loan in a market that is very restricted money-wise, you have an abundance of clubs who want them.”
And joining him on loan could be Jay Emmanuel Thomas, who like Vela, is at the stage of his career where he needs regular football…
There is a lot more going on in the world of football at the moment, Beckham going to Sp*rs, other transfer stories… Arshavin’s contract situation, and the return of Ramsey, but I’ll have to reserve my thoughts on those for tomorrow, my friends, for now it is time to think FA Cup!
Come on you reds!
