After the disappointing last minute Wigan goal, causing us to loose 2 valuable points, this game against Birmingham really could be the make or break of our season. A loss, and all the other teams around us winning, would put us back down to 4th, level on points with Tottenham. We’d be 5 points behind ManU who would also have a game to play, so potentially 8 points off the top, 5 points behind Man Shitty in 2nd spot, with us having a game in hand, and 1 point behind Chelsea. However despite all this the most worrying thing is that Spurs would be equal on points with us, and considering we have a crucial game against Man City on Wednesday, while they only play Everton, we could find ourselves three points behind them! How bad would that be..
On to the team news and Diaby has been ruled out for a few weeks with a calf injury suffered against Wigan, which got him subbed off early on. A massive blow for the player as he literally just returned from injury to play a cameo against chelsea, and got a start against wigan, yet is now injured again. I’m starting to question if we should really keep Diaby anymore as he is always injured, and even when he does play his performances are very inconsistent. One game he can win the game for us, while the next he can cost us the game.
The only other real news is that Fabregas will be able to play after missing the Wigan game due to suspension. Big boost for the team, and its very unfortunate he missed the Wigan game looking back, we lacked the flair he brings along with him. I would be very surprised if Wenger didn’t play the majority of the team that started against Chelsea, because if you look back at our record against Birmingham away we havent won there in recent years, drawing 2-2 with Eduardo breaking his leg, and then 1-1 after Almunia cocked up for their last minute goal. I dont even what to think what will happen if Koscielny and Squillaci both start with the other players that started vs Wigan. We really must win this game and show we can put the poor Wigan display behind us, because if we don’t we can kiss our title hopes goodbye. If you had looked at Chelsea, Wigan and Birmingham most of us would have taken 7 points out of them 3 games, and we can still do this. Just a shame we couldn’t pick up the other 2. A win tomorrow and then victory over Man Shitty could kickstart our season, putting us up nearer to the top with more breathing space behind.
Birmingham have a very good home record, and in the last two games played at St Andrews they have managed to take 4 points away from us. I doubt they will be scared of us, and they will defiantly try to exploit us being weak at set pieces. They are a very physical and large team, so we MUST be able to defend corners and freekicks. I can see both teams scoring, lets just hope we can get more than 1, and only let in 1 at the max.
The strongest line up would be: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Squillaci, Clichy, Wilshere, Song, Fabregas, Nasri, Theo, RVP. However im sure there will be some surprises, maybe Arsh over Theo cos of his assist and goal, and maybe Denilson instead of Wilshere to give the young lad a rest. I would also assume it will be Koscielny and either Squillaci or Djourou as the 2 cb’s…
Predicted Score: 3-1 Arsenal: Fabregas Song and Nasri to score.
Other Scores Looking like this, and forming the Table:
Lets hope Fulham , Villa, West Brom and Blackpool can pull of good results! A bit too much to ask for but ill try my luck.
Come on the Arsenal..