Afternoon All…
I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather at the moment, it looks like it could be an awesome day of football this weekend, with a lot going on at the top and bottom of the table. The big two clashes of the day are Man United vs Chelsea and Stoke vs Arsenal of course. The question is, who do you want to win the title decider on Sunday? The optimists would say, if Chelsea win, then we’ll be three points behind the top two with two games to go and have a shout for the title (if we beat Stoke of course)… the pessimists among us would probably say a United win could help us finish 2nd.
Personally, I want both teams to lose and be docked 6 points each and for us to beat Stoke 5-0. Let’s see what the weekend brings us.
Team News
Team news ahead of the game was revealed earlier today by Arsene Wenger and he had this to say:
“Diaby, Nasri and Fabregas will be out. Nasri and Fabregas have a little chance for Aston Villa
but not for Stoke. Johan Djourou had a test yesterday that looked quite positive. We have a doubt about Clichy’s hamstring. He had a test that was not completely satisfactory; both have a chance to be fit. Thomas Vermaelen is available and could be in the squad. Aaron Ramsey is likely to get another chance; I can even say that he will play.”
With Diaby, Cesc and Nasri out, the midfield can all but pick itself. The injury to Clichy and the inclusion of Vermaelen is very interesting, if Djourou doesn’t make it, the Belgian defender may get the nod. My predicted line up for the game is:
Szcznesy
Sagna – Djourou – Koscielny – Gibbs
Wilshere – Song
Walcott – Ramsey – Arshavin
Van Persie
With a bench of Lehmann, Eboue, Vermaelen, Denilson, Rosicky, Bendtner, Chamakh
Despite the injuries to four key personnel, the line up is quite decent. It looks like Ramsey will be given the nod again to face the team that broke his leg at the ground that broke his leg and face the player that broke his leg – a big big mental test for the young Welsh gunner. I hope he comes through it.
Stoke assistant manager Kemp spoke on Sunday’s meeting:
‘Ryan will play, and I’m sure they will pick Aaron Ramsey. But after that I wouldn’t really want to comment. We have enough on our plate just playing Arsenal. ’There’s a bit of history between the two clubs, so it’s going to be a big game in its own right anyway.’
I have to admit, I am a bit worried for Aaron – I really hope he can handle the game and that he doesn’t get targeted by Stoke players. Something I wouldn’t put past them!
Formal Offer Document Released
And earlier today, the formal offer document for KSE’s takeover of Arsenal was released. 64 pages long, quite detailed and discussing a lot of the points. The offer is for £11,750 and if you want to download and read it, you can do so here. Interestingly, in the accompanying letter from Peter Hill Wood, the chairman urges all of to sell our shares.
Accordingly, the Arsenal Independent Directors unanimously recommend that Arsenal Shareholders acceptthe Offer, as the Arsenal Independent Directors have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own shareholdings amounting, in aggregate, to 555 Arsenal Shares (representing 0.89 per cent. of Arsenal’s existing issued share capital).
I am in the opposing camp – let’s keep our shares so we have a say in the club. I’m sure all the independent Arsenal trusts agree…
A positive statement in formal offer document was:
KSE nor anyone associated with KSE has borrowed or lent any relevent securities for this offer.
Which is obviously a massive relief. Unlike the likes of the Glazers and Hicks & Gillett, our offer seems to have a different overall angle to it.
It will take a while to digest the huge document, so we’ll discuss at a later stage…
That’s it from me today, more tomorrow…
