Finally after all the waiting, and after all the talking Arsenal take on Barcelona in the Stade de France in the Champions League Final.

I honestly couldn’t care less now about who will be playing for us tonight – what matters is that every single player in an Arsenal shirt must give everything. It’s obvious to say it but if we fight for every ball and play like we can do then victory can become a reality.

It’s hard to know what to expect tonight. Most people are happy with Barca and Arsenal in the Final because they think it will be an open attacking game. I have to say that it would be in Arsenal’s best interests to keep the game tight and nick a goal from somewhere – most likely through a piece of Henry magic.

I honestly believe if Arsenal can score the first goal then we can hold out for a win.

There is a reason behind our excellent defensive record in the competition (as well as a little luck) and I don’t think Arsenal intend to start conceding now.

Much has been made about Barcelona’s weaknesses, and many identify them as the full-backs and the keeper Victor Valdez. Arsenal will have to be at the top of their game so I don’t think Arsenal will target any one area.

As you might have gathered by now I’m talking total b*llocks, mainly because I’m looking forward to the game so much and I’m unlikely to make any sense leading up to the game!

I have never felt like this before any game in my life. It is because we are on the brink of something special and it isn’t a dream. It’s a big reality.

And 90 minutes have never mattered more. That’s why I’m nervous.

Anyway, the jist of this post is:

COME ON ARSENAL!!

Probable Arsenal Team?

What you see above is most likely the stating line-up for the biggest game in Arsenal’s history.

Senderos and Flamini have been passed fit and have been included in the Arsenal squad for the Champions League Final tomorrow but they could (and most likely will) miss out to Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell.

The rest of the team picks itself – I can’t see our D’Artagnan starting ahead of Jose or Freddie. Hleb has proved he can track back well and tackle, and Reyes and Ljungberg offer a stronger option defensively.

And if the game is tight then Pires is always a decent option to bring on after an hour to open things up.

The only two controversial decisions Arsene Wenger has to make is regards to Senderos/Campbell and Flamini/Cole.

If Senderos is fit enough and ready then for me there is no contest. Senderos has been at the heart of the European campaign and must start if he can. Sol Campbell has been an awesome defender for us but the fact is that he hasn’t recaptured the form of the last few seasons.

Our indifferent display against Villarreal in the 2nd leg was mainly due to Campbell and his lack of confidence in his pace. We played far too deep and Villarreal piled on the pressure for 90 minutes. Only a fantastic penalty save from Jens Lehmann got us out of jail.

Barcelona are going to be much more of an attacking threat than Villarreal will be, and with Campbell at the back I would be worried. Jason Roberts easily bullied Sol in the Wigan game and if it wasn’t for the worst referee in the Premier League we would have conceded a penalty.

Ask most Gooners and surely it has to be Senderos every time.

Luckily as we saw with last years FA Cup Final, Wenger is not afraid to make difficult decisions and drop Campbell for Big Phil.

Then we come to Ashley Cole.

Three to four weeks ago Cole would not have had a look in for tomorrow’s game. But the injury to Flamini has made Cole the favourite to start tomorrow, as he has started the last few games and seemingly got his fitness and sharpness back.

Recent interviews also indicate that Cole is more than happy at Arsenal – he’s joking with Henry and speaking positively about the club.

But with a Champions League Final coming up then you have to wonder – has he really put everything behind him after running off to Chelski?

Arsene has a couple of major decisions to make tomorrow and I hope he can make the right ones!

The Enigma Which Is The Yellow Submarine..

Here are some interesting statistics on Villarreal and Arsenal before tonights huge game:

• Villarreal have played 11 CL matches, and only won 3.
• In comparision, Arsenal have won 8 of those 11 games.
• Arsenal are unbeaten in this years Champions League.
• They have only conceded 2 goals at home, from 5 matches.
• Arsenal have scored 6 away goals from 5 away games.
• Villarreal have knocked out 3 British teams already; Man United, Rangers and Everton.

Villarreal are so dangerous because you know they generally don’t concede many goals, and have won when it has mattered. Winning only 3 games in the competition so far is amazing when you think they are in the semi-finals and only 90 minutes away from Paris!

The first leg saw a disciplined Villarreal team that when they conceded the first goal, they still defended deep and in numbers, and were seemingly happy with losing 1-0 – because it’s still all to play for when we play at El Madrigal.

But good news for Arsenal is that they haven’t won by 2 clear goals yet in the competition, which is what they will have to do to progress to the final.

Things do look good for Arsenal, but Villarreal did rest 6/7 of their key players at the weekend and – it goes without saying – they will give tonight absolutely everything. This is their cup final.

In comparison, Arsenal were embroiled in a tense and controversial North London derby that saw most of the key players (with the exception of Hleb and Ljungberg) make an appearence. Hardly the best preparation for the European game.

Also the impressive Senderos injured himself – possibly for the rest of the season.

The other main news regarding the Arsenal team is that Sol Campbell will make his return.

I for one have not been impressed with what he has done this season, although he did look much slimmer and in better shape against Portsmouth. But we didn’t win that game and would we have conceded that goal with Senderos at the back?

Who knows.

But Sol could not have a bigger game to show what he is made out of and show Arsenal fans he is focused and back on form.

Of course, he doesn’t have anything to prove since he has been colossus for us over the last few seasons – but now he has to step up.

Sol has been showing signs of sluggishness this season and that would worry Arsenal fans. Riquelme isn’t the quickest player in the world but his movement and technqique are fantastic and Gilberto will have to play the game of his life to keep him quiet.

Jose Antonio Reyes will have to have a good game – which he didn’t against Spurs on Saturday. Jose will surely be hyped up to be back in Spain and hopefully he can do what he did so well against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Wenger will keep with the same team that has served him well over most of the Champions League campaign, with the exception of Campbell in for Senderos.

Arsenal will have to be patient tonight because Villarreal are a shrewd team who will be happy if the scoreline is 0-0 with 15/20 minutes remaining.

They won’t panic and if they nick a goal then the game will become totally different and they will rely on the other team getting nervous. They will be more than happy with a 1-0 win, especially with extra time at home and with most of their players having being rested since last weeks first leg.

I’m not even going to predict a score – I’m far to superstitious for that!

The Start Of A Killer 2 Weeks…

Arsenal have a huge 2 weeks ahead of them, with vital games against Manchester United, Portsmouth, West Brom, Villareal and Spurs. Then 3 days after that is the 2nd leg of the Champions League Semi-Final.

With so many games in such a short amount of time, you would expect Wenger to rotate the squad around – so you’ll probably see Sol making a few starts, and see Henry being rested a few times.

But let’s start with Manchester United this afternoon. Wenger will start with Adebayor, but will he rest Henry? Van Persie is waiting in the wings so it’s possible. Adebayor should prove to be interesting for Arsenal, since he brings that something different to the team – United might not be able to cope with him. I remember when Kanu came to Arsenal and no-one gave him a chance against the formidable Jaap Stam. Then he sold him with a beautiful feint and opened up the defence for Anelka to score. Brilliant skill…

The other players apart from the captain who have played a lot of games recently are Fabregas, Toure, Senderos, Flamini, Gilberto and Eboue. Toure and Eboue will start because they have energy to burn, and Gilberto is now a calming influence on the young kids. I wouldn’t be surprised if Diaby came in for Fabregas though, especially after his impressive display against Aston Villa last week.

On the wings, Wenger has a few options including Freddie, Hleb, Reyes or Pires – and even Theo could make an appearence today. He’s been on the bench for almost every first team game since he joined so Arsene must think he is ready to give something to seniors. Don’t be surprised if he contributes something to the United or Pompy game.

United themselves are on a great run in the Premiership, since being knocked out of the Champions League by Benfica and they have won their last 9 league games, are only 7 points behind Chelski and visit Stamford Bridge for a 6-pointer at the end of the month.

They are going to give absolutely everything (as if they needed any more reason to beat us), and if Arsenal are to win they will have to give 110% and stand up to United’s physical approach. United are dangerous from most areas of the pitch, especially with Rooney in great form, but they also know how to mix it up and put the boot in when necessary.

So if Arsenal let United intimidate them it’ll be difficult to get 3 points.

A team with Diaby, Gilberto, Freddie & Hleb would make more sense, as Pires and Reyes aren’t really suited to physical games. Adebayor knows how to look after himself and if Henry doesn’t start then Van Persie is ready to prove what he can do.

I have a sneaky feeling that Henry might be on the bench today, and that would really mess with United mentally – don’t Arsenal think enough of us to start Henry?

From recently memory, we’ve actually done better at Old Trafford without Titi, with the 1-0 winner from Wiltord to clinch the league in 2002, and the 2-0 win over United in the FA Cup the season after, with goals from Edu and Wiltord again.

There probably won’t be too many goals in it but Arsenal always make chances and I can see Arsenal winning by the odd goal. I predict Arsenal will win 2-1, with goals from Adebayor and Toure.

C’mon Patrick! We Can Do It!

Tomorrow will see one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players to return to Highbury, in a defining match in Arsenal’s season.

Vieira has had little swipes at Arsenal, claiming Juventus is a much better place to be because there is a hunger which was lacking at Highbury. Arsene Wenger on the other hand has chosen the run up to the massive Champions League clash to reveal it was difficult to tell Vieira he was no longer wanted anymore. We all knew that but Wenger has re-iterated the point to add spice to the tie.

Meanwhile, Jose Antonio Reyes has praised the former captain, and talked about how great Vieira was in helping the little Spaniard settle in at Arsenal.

The telegraph have an interesting article on Patrick Vieira’s performance against Roma at the weekend, which critics say was below par for most of the game.

But to be honest I don’t care what they say – we know what Vieira can do and he is more that capable of grabbing a game by the scruff of the neck and ripping sides apart. Let’s just hope he has a poor game tomorrow night…

Of the players that could have possibly made the squad for tomorrow night only Jose Antonio Reyes is available, which is good news since Freddie is still out. Even though Ljungberg’s form in the league has been inconsistent, his performances in Europe have been superb so he will be a big loss. Sol Campbell is still out and with Senderos and Toure forming a solid partnership I can’t say I’m all that bothered.

Hleb and Eboue’s partnership down the right will be important to Arsenal’s success, and you would have to say Reyes would get the nod over Pires on the left hand side. With Wenger deploying 4-5-1 in Europe and Freddie out, it’s a toss up between Bergkamp, Pires and Van Persie for the 5th midfielder role.

It might even be a night for Cesc to push up further up the pitch, and Diaby could partner Gilberto in the middle. But we’ll see…

Juventus are missing their star man Pavel Nedved through suspension, and Del Piero is injured – although from what I understand has been mostly on the bench this season anyway.

Our record against Italian teams is a bit up and down, but we all remember the magical night at Highbury a few seasons ago when a Freddie double and a magnificent Henry freekick gave us a 3-1 win over Juventus.

I’m getting goosebumps already… This is going to be a hell of a game!

Stuff dreams are made of – Real Madrid and now Juve!