Trio to miss Stoke but may return against Burnley
Neither William Gallas, Abou Diaby nor Andrey Arshavin will make the squad for Saturday’s trip to Stoke City.
But to ease concerns over the trio’s long-term fitness, Wenger insists he is hopeful of them returning in a week’s time for the home clash with Burnley on March 6.
Gallas has failed to recover from a calf problem in time for the visit to the Brittannia Stadium while Diaby’s knee injury against Porto will keep him sidelined for another week.
And most disappointing will be the absence of Andrey Arshavin who was initially scheduled to make a return against Sunderland last week.
But Eduardo – who was last seen limping off at Villa – could resume his once fruitful strike partnership with Nicklas Bendtner if fully fit.
“Gallas, Diaby and Arshavin are all out but Eduardo joins in training tomorrow (Friday) and we will decide after training.” Wenger said.
“We will have the same squad compared to the last game against Sunderland but I am optimistic about the three – Gallas, Diaby and Arshavin have a chance to be back the following week against Burnley.”
Looks like Campbell or Silvestre at the back again! It’s gonna be another nervy night! No Gallas, Diaby or Arshavin again. Doesn’t it just make you want to scream with frustration!! Oh well, at least Song and Bendtner are here to watch the Rory Delap Show this time!!!. To be honest, after their midweek extra time session with City we should do Stoke for fitness as the game goes on. Prediction 3-1 The Arsenal.
Oh well that means the line up should look something like this:
almunia
sagna Campbell vermaelen clichy
fabregas song Ramsey
eboue bendtnar nasri
bench:
fabianski silvestre traore denilson rosicky Walcott Eduardo
I’m not worried! 4-0 to the arsenal!
The heavy game midweek should see Stoke tiring in the second half. Hopefully Walcott and Rosicky with fresh legs and spped could make a big dfference> Pray for a miracle return of Andre A. WE SHALL WIN
Isn’t Sol better than Gallas in a game like this? I mean he comes with height, physical presence, winner ( having won more titles and cups than Gallas), knowledge of the English/British physical game/style.
Sol was excellent vs Stoke and has been every time he has played for us. He is much more suited to this type of game than gallas and I think we will do em.
A midfield of;
Cesc/Song/Nasri
With a front 3 of;
Theo/Bendtner/Rosicky
Will be good enough to see us get the 3 points…
Come on Arsenal!
i fancy city to beat chelsea at luchtime,and by dinnertime the gap will only be 3 points.stoke are missing faye and eterington plus that extra time during the week was a bonus,0-3 for the gunners,i think this game may actually be easier than we expect,we have had a week off and by the 60th minute they will be knackerd
Despite the absence of the trio mentioned, I believe we still have enough quality in us to beat Stoke City.With Sol physical presence & Eboue coming to form, I feel encourage and confident.
I think that this is a game for Sol to play in, physical battle against Fuller. We can’t lose again there can we? but in fairness they are a decent side at home. Apart from the tiredness angle I think the fact they are relativly safe and Wembley is suddenly looming may make it easier for us. A battle but a Gunners win by 2-0
Playing an attacking game will help us nd scoring our chances secure us our three point against Stoke.
DONT GET TO COCKY………..please dont take stoke so easily!! extra time whatever they will still give us a hell of a fight!!! here is to a 3-0 win!!!!
iam so worried coz from what i was reading we have never won a game from britania,since 1982.this really send a strong massage.
but there is always a first time.if we can stamp the authority in the midfield,we can win this one.theo,ebuoe must start the game.
if we really need to challenge for the league we need to win this one.the league starts here for the gunner.
We need Eboue’s physical strength.
With a bit of luck we might get a draw.
Stoke will more than fancy their chances.
Almunia
Sagna Campbell Vermaelen Clichy
Fab Song Ramsey
Eboue Bendtner Nasri
Subs: Not so Fab, Silvestre, Traore, Denilson, Rosicky, Walcott, Eduardo/Vela
Fingers crossed.
Where is Fran been? Is he injured?
_________Almunia__________
Sagna_Camp____Verm____Gail
__________Song____________
___Eboue__Cesc___Ramsey___
_____Rosicky__Nicky_______
I think Rosicky’s slick passing will suit Nicky with the feeds into the box. I believe that Eboue needs to play because he’s more physical and play defense better than Nasri, Theo and the rest.
Determining on how the game goes bring in Theo and let him build off his some what successful game last week (For Thomas)
Up The Guns..this is the start of our 10 game win streak and quest to the cup!!! Mark my words..ha 10 more wins this year!
manone should come in for almunia instead of fabianski
you guys are forgetting that Cesc won’t be available tomorrow for yellow card accumulation. Honestly, the rest will be good for him as he has looked tired and beaten up of late. Nevertheless, this probably isn’t the game that I’d want him to miss out on. It just wreaks of a match where we’ll need all the game changing players and plays we can get. It’s going to be a tough one
I can tell you that Fabregas is NOT suspended.
Yes, you’re right, he did receive his fifth stupid booking of the season against Sunderland but the count of yellow card accumulations was restarted at the beginning of February (by Premier League rules) so he is yet to reach that suspension mark of five.
ahh…good to know…thanks for correcting me…hopefully he got a good rest over the long week. Come on Arsenal. Rory Delap may have a cannon but he’s no match for our Gunners
Just finished watching the Damned United (reccomend it to everyone) and now I’m ready for a good premier league match
shitty embarrassed Chelsea. It’s vital that we win and reduce this to a 3 point gap! Come on Arsenal!