So Just Who Do We Have Fit Then?
Feb 16th, 2008 by 'holic
Nine thousand Gooners are making the trip to Old Trafford, assuming they are not held up by United fans on the road from all points south! I remember being one of 8,500 who travelled to Anfield (in midweek) for a League Cup semi-final nearly thirty years ago. We will take over Old Trafford.
Sadly though it is looking more and more as though that magnificent red army will be following the only fit players we can get on the bus. Injuries are starting to bite hard into the Arsenal squad at a critical stage of the season, although we must hope that some of those ruled out of the FA Cup tie will be fit enough to take on Milan on Wednesday.
As I write I am listening to Van Morrison informing me ‘There’ll Be Days Like This’. He is doing nothing for my confidence. I wish to God he was singing ‘We Shall Overcome’!
So who are we likely to see bidding to take us into the last eight? Jens is a given in goal, but ahead of him concern has been expressed about the possibility of youngsters Hoyte and Traore being put up against Ronaldo and Giggs. For once the full-back berths may be critical, and I would be tempted to play skipper Gallas at left-back, but only if somebody (Senderos?) is fit to partner Toure at centre-back.
Emmanuel Eboue will surely return on the right and the question will be do we go with a five in midfield? That tactical decision should not affect the inclusion of Eduardo who could be a support striker to Bendtner, or the left sided player alongside Flamini, Hleb, and one other. I would have been in the frame but the mother-in-law has a birthday dinner which requires my presence. Nine thousand options are open to Arsene Wenger!
For those of you keen to see the destination of the ‘holic pound, I have to confess for the second time this season I was tempted to keep it in my pocket. The first time was before the second leg of the beer cup semi-final in Middlesex, and I do not want to tempt fate again, so I am looking at something unlikely. I have grabbed a piece of 3-2 to the visitors at 50/1!
Don’t look like that. Neither side wants a draw. I’ll wager a late goal will decide it, and why not to us by the odd goal in five? On second thoughts, don’t answer that. I couldn’t back us to lose, however likely it may appear.
Win An Arsenal Opus With O2
Don’t forget to place your vote in the O2 competition to win an Arsenal Opus. Fittingly on the day the ‘holic pound is discussed we feature the entry called ‘Put Your Shirt On The Gunners’. Simon appears to have someone more understanding than Mrs ‘holic at home. Most of my shirts are now ‘in storage’, somewhere! To vote for your favourite image and give yourself the opportunity to win your own Opus, click here.
Have A Good One
So if you are off to Manchester, have a great day. Whatever you have planned for the weekend I wish all ‘holics a happy weekend. Remember, whatever happens, the result today will have no bearing on the remainder of the season. If we win it doesn’t mean we are nailed on for the title, any more than a home win will signal we are on the slide. Keep it in perspective – and save some beer for me!
7 Responses to “So Just Who Do We Have Fit Then?”
i think the outcome in this game will have a bearing on how we perform on wednesday against milan.
it’s also give the mancs the psychological boost they need to come back before it’s too late.fancy this,they need a win to console their bruised egos and what better than beating the mighty arsenal.
i’ve a feeling it’s gonna be an interesting game.
fergie said”this is not the times when liverpool would win the title with only 14 fit players.”
…………interestingly,arsene’s got only 14 players fit to face the mancs……….coincidence? i don’t think so.
fergie might just have said he’s lost the game,unkowingly though.
i found it magical that he’d say sucha thing when all we’ve got is 14.
………….and the legen titi wore jersey #14?
coincidence again? i don’t think so.
i’ve no idea who’ll win today’s game but this seemingly unrelated pieces finnaly put in place my bet.
an arsenal win is a safe bet,even at the ”theater of dreams.”
go guns,arsenal.
Have have a couple of what you’ve had American Gooner – maybe then I’d have scoobie of what you’re talking about mate!!!
(PS. Wait awhile and you might get to be the 14th person to post)
My fear is that we won’t have 14 fit players, after the game.
Giggs has said they are ‘prepared to win ugly’, ie kick whoever they can off the pitch, aided & abbetted by a normally compliant ref & press.
C’mon on you ,gunners….just don’t lost a game as we against Sp***……we all on ur side
For the 1979 Cup Final, I bet two and a half quid on Arsenal to win 3-2. That was a great weekend!
I’ll forget all about this Arsenal loss if we go on to win the league and Champions League double.
‘holic, I need a tonic to soothe the pain!