Sunderland Preview 6 October, 2007

Tomorrow we face Sunderland at a stupid 12 noon kick off. I’ve missed our last home games against Derby and Newcastle so I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. It seems like ages since I’ve travelled down to the Grove and I’m really missing it. I think it’s fair enough for me to say I can only expect a home win. Sunderland will put up a decent fight but we really should be beating them.

We’ve got a load of players back from injury but they aren’t fully match fit for this one so Arsene wont take the risk with them. They’ll all be back in a fortnight when we play Bolton after the internationals next weekend.

The team is se to be very similar to one that played Bucharest. I don’t expect Wenger to name a weakened side just because it’s Sunderland. The back 5 will be as you’d expect: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Senderos and Clichy.

However competition for places in the centre of midfield has been very strong this season and Arsene’s been talking about his selection problems. He’s chosen the in-form Flamini over Gilberto for every game this season but maybe tomorrow we’ll see the Brazilian get a starting place? It’s hardly weakening the side. There’s also Diarra, Diaby and Denilson to choose from as well! However in that link above Arsene doesn’t name Diaby as one of the options. I pray that he’s not converting him to a winger but I suppose if he’s going to get a place in the team at the moment it’s going to be out wide.

I’m going to guess at the same midfield as the one on Tuesday. Possibly Walcott could come in for Eboue or as I said Gilberto might get a start ahead of Flamini but I really don’t expect a change to be honest. As with the forwards, why change what already works well? I’m also expecting Van Persie and Adebayor to start again.

Man United won today and overtook us at the top. So a win tomorrow is vital! There’ll be a match report as soon as possible. See ya.