Flamini, Van Persie & Diaby back for Chelsea game? 10 December, 2007

It’s the news we all wanted to hear. Wenger has revealed we could be getting some of our best players back for that extremely important game against Chelsea. Arsene says that Matty Flamini has the biggest chance of returning with Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby also close to fitness:

“The one who has a realistic chance is Flamini. One who could be in the squad is Van Persie. Diaby could be in the squad too. We don’t know about Cesc and Hleb.”

From the sounds of that we could have Flamini starting with Van Persie and Diaby on the bench but Hleb and Fabregas will miss out. I’m sure we’ll get more details on the fitness of these guys nearer Sunday’s game. It’s great news though, the thought of playing Chelsea with anything like the side that lost to ‘Boro is quite scary even though Wenger says yesterday’s loss was not down to the players we had missing. Hmm, I’m not so sure. Yes, it wasn’t a great performance but we would’ve won comfortably if it weren’t for injuries.

I’m really looking forward to the Chelsea game, so is Gael Clichy. However, we’ve got Champions League action before that on Wednesday night. It’ll probably be a slightly weaker side with qualification already secured. It’s only the matter of coming 1st or second now but Wenger says he doesn’t really mind.

One play who I’m expecting to start is Lassie Diarra and Captain Gallas has been talking about his ex-Chelsea team mate. I’m a big fan of Diarra and I like to see him get games. He’s got a big opportunity at the moment with Cesc and Flamini out and this could be his last week to prove himself. I’m looking forward to a big game from him Wednesday night.

I’ll write up a preview for the Steaua Bucharest game tomorrow. Until then.