Carling Cup Semi vs. Scum preview 31 January, 2007

The scores are level at 2-2 after the first leg and it really could go either way. Last week we were 2-0 to Tottenham at one point and you had to wonder if we were going to make it to Cardiff. However ‘the boys done well’ and the got the scores level again. Without being bias I’d say we have the upper hand going into the 2nd leg; with the home fans, the two away goals (is there an away goal rule in this competition?) and the return of Mr. Silva, Spurs should be worried.

I do not see us losing tonight. If you think back to before the game at Anfield I was saying I wouldn’t mind us being knocked out if it meant Tottenham weren’t the first team to win at the Emirates but I’m confident a weaker Arsenal team can hold the Spurs attack and progress to the final. If I’m going to be completely honest with you, I don’t think we’ll win the cup; Chelsea put a full-strength team out in this competition and it’s going to take an amazing performance for a reserve Arsenal side to beat the reigning Premiership champions. This year Wenger has included a few more experienced players so you never know the strengh he might go for but it definatly won’t be 100%.

The first half at White Hart Lane was awful and Le Boss must’ve had a real go at the kids in the break. We we 2-0 down to our rivals who haven’t beaten us in something like 7 years. In the second half the performance was much better and if we’d had a bit more time we might’ve stole the win. Another performance tonight like in that second half and I think this one is in the bag.

The team will be fairly simiar to last week’s with a couple of changes. Fabregas started last week but I think Gilberto will come in for him in centre midfield. Hopefully Diaby isn’t stuck out on the wing again and I’d like to see him partner Silva in the middle, or it could be Flamini. The right wing will be occupied by Theo Walcott but I’m unsure about the opposite flank. Last week Diaby played there unsuccessfully in my opinion, but the round before we had Denilson there and I was very impressed with him. He is traditionally a more central player but I hope he’s our left midfield tonight. There’s another option of sticking Eboue on the right wing and Walcott on the left, I think it’d work well but I think it’s unlikely Wenger will start like that. It was announced yesterday that Baptista will be unfit so I think it’ll be Aliadiere and Adebayor partnered up front.

It’s certainly not a bad team and definatley one that can beat the scum and go all the way to the final in Cardiff. However we are still runing the risk of Spurs being the first team to win at our new ground and that is just not acceptable. I’m looking forward to a good game tonight, enjoy it from wherever you’re watching.

Thanks for reading.