Liverpool versus Chelsea is a big game but nothing compares to a match with Arsenal and Manchester United. These two teams have dominated since The Premiership began and although we’re in fourth place Arsenal are in good form and have a great chance of beating United again this season.
If the weekend goes our way and Chelsea lose to Liverpool and we win on Sunday then we are only 6 points off Chelsea and reduce the gap with Team Manchester to 12. Still a good few points off but there’s still a lot of football to play and we’ve come back from similar positions before. Certainly if Arsenal do lose then as Arsene points out the title race is over for Arsenal, which would be a pity with so much of the season remaining.
Fergie has spoken and said that he expects Wenger to mastermind a revival at Arsenal after their poor form at the start of the season. Not sure to make of that – usually Arsene and Ferguson would be down each others throats but I suppose Red Nose doesn’t want to give Arsenal any more reasons to beat them by starting a war of words.
And Fabregas has piled in on the love-fest and talked about his admiration for Paul Scholes, who has been in good form this season. No compliments for former-Spurs player Michael Carrick though, which was a bit strange…
Ronaldo, Larsson and Scholes will have to be kept quiet on Sunday as well as Wayne Rooney, who has been out of sorts this season. Probably the more reason to keep an eye on him as he’s due a good performance – and he usually does okay against us!
Arsene has got his tactics spot on recently at Blackburn and in Liverpool so if Arsenal can get their smooth passing game going then even Manchester United will struggle against us. We will have to be careful of quick breaks from United with players like Ronaldo, Giggs and Rooney in the side.
The team pretty much picks itself with Gilberto being replaced by Flamini in the centre. The only two positions that aren’t certain is the right back and who will partner Thierry Henry in attack. Eboue is looking to return for Sunday but if Wenger doesn’t think he is ready then Hoyte will start, and it’s a toss up between Van Persie and Adebayor for the second forward position.
Van Persie has been given an 80% chance to be fit for the game while Adebayor is waiting in the wings. I’d probably prefer Adebayor to start since his brilliant performance against United at Old Trafford earlier on in the season.
Come on Arsenal!
Another feature of this game is that Mike Riley will be the referee tomorrow – which could either be a bad thing or a good thing.
He did award a penalty against Charlton at the Emirates a few week ago so let’s not hope we’ve used up all our luck regarding his decision-making! He does owe us big after the pathetic penalty he gave at Old Trafford after Shrek decided to show Sol Campbell his best Swan Lake impression so hopefully he doesn’t gift United another penalty!
Predictions?
Well I’ve predicted 2-1 for the last 3 games and although I was wrong on all 3 occasions I’m getting superstitious now because when I have predicted that scoreline we have won – and convincingly!
The bookmakers have Arsenal as slight favourites but the odds are pretty much even – not even the bookies can pick a winner! But as ever I have full confidence in this current team and I think it will be a tight game with a few goals.
So you won’t be surprised that I’ll go for a prediction of 2-1 yet again! 🙂
How on earth can the FA appoint Mike Riley for this game??
It is unbelievable! After his history in this contest, you would think they would go for someone a little less contentious.
I think they pick the worse referee on purpose! Bet they get a dodgy penalty tomorrow – mark my words!