Manchester City Preview 24 August, 2007

So the latest news is Lehmann’s injury and Gilberto’s possible return. Diaby and Eboue I believe are still out. Also there was the news that we will play two strikers and not Hleb supporting Van Persie. Alex has done a good job there but Arsene has said a game like this needs us to have two strikers.

So I’m thinking this as the team: Almunia, Clichy, Senderos, Toure and Sagna as the defence. Then Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini and Walcott across the middle. Then Van Persie and Ade/Eduardo up front. I cant decide which one Arsene will go for, I’m gonna guess with Da Silva.

However Denilson could start ahead of Flamini possibly or maybe Gilberto will get his first game of the season but I think he will be on the bench to be honest. Adebayor is back but unless Arsene thinks he’s fully match fit I don’t think he will start him.

Jens Lehmann picked up an achilles injury after this weeks internationals. Whether that’s a blessing in disguise, something made up by Wenger or an actual injury we wont know but it does seem awfully convenient. Le Boss has confirmed that Almunia will start with a tribute to our no.2. I know Manuel can do the job and I have seen him perform many times. However the biggest positive I’m taking from this is that when Almunia came into he first team ahead of Jens before, it made Lehmann a lot better so maybe something similar will happen again, or maybe this time Manuel will really prove himself with a decent run of games and become our new preferred goalie.

Tomorrow should be very interesting anyway. Anything can happen. I’ll have a match report up soon. Until then.