A couple of weeks ago, we were fighting on all fronts.
Our nerves got to the better of us in the Carling Cup final – the referee got to the better of us in the Barcelona game (I’ll stick to that story) and now we turn our attention to Man United and the FA Cup in a game that will surely be the nail in the media coffin if we lose, but could rejuvenate our young soles into a title winning team, if we do win… The pre-match conference was way too much Barcelona-y-fied, so we’ve not yet focused on the away trip to Old Trafford as much as I would have liked. The boss did tell us that Van Persie is fit and would travel and would start tomorrow – but Cesc, Walcott and Song are all out for the next couple of games. With three of our four keepers out for quite a while, Almunia is the only fit one we have, so will start and Vermaelen has none or little chance of returning this side of May!
So, the line up will be interesting – I would love for Eboue to start on the right hand side of midfield – the recent inclusion of Rosicky has meant a severe lack of pace compared to Theo Walcott, and the Ivorian could come in and provide that pace. I’d also like to see Arshavin start for this game, as he’s deserves to be in the first team – he’s really knucked down and tried to make a difference recently and it was a shame that he didn’t have longer against Barcelona.
Arsene’s team will be:
Almunia
Sagna – Djourou – Koscielny – Clichy
Wilshere – Denilson
Nasri – Diaby – Arshavin
Van Persie
With a bench of Shea, Eboue, Squillaci, Gibbs, Rosicky, Ramsey and Bendtner
Whereas, my team would be:
Almunia
Sagna – Djourou – Koscielny – Clichy
Wilshere – Ramsey
Eboue – Nasri – Arshavin
Van Persie
My team gives Ramsey the game everyone wants him to have and if it goes well, will give us the option of using Ramsey for the rest of the season. Additionally, Nasri in the middle will work – he did it last season when Cesc was out – he’s scored two goals against United from that position – and with Eboue, we get more pace.
For Man United, Park, Ferdinand and Nani are touted as definitely out – but they will have the likes of Vidic, Scholes, Rooney, Berbatov etc to call on… I think their line up will be:
Van Der Sar
Rafael – Smalling – Vidic – Evra
Valencia – Fletcher – Carrick – Giggs
Rooney – Berbatov
It’ll be 4-4-2 for the home side, with the likes of Anderson and Scholes also fit and in contention…
So, onwards and upwards fellow Gooners, time to get our shooting boots on and time to get one over our oldest and fiercest rivals… Come on you Gooners!
