Porto Preview: Seven 1st teamers left behind 9 December, 2008

Tomorrow night is our final group game of the Champions League and thanks to our last victory we’re already qualified, as are Porto. A draw would be enough to give us top spot in the group and Arsene says we want it.

However, he’s left behind seven of what you would call first team members:

Nasri (ankle), Clichy (hamstring), Fabregas (knee), Sagna (flu), Toure (calf), van Persie (thigh) and Adebayor (rested)

Bacary Sagna has ‘flu and Gael Clichy has a hamstring, he has a little chance of playing on Saturday. Kolo Toure has a recurrence of his calf injury, he should not be long but it was not enough to play.

Cesc is a doubt for Saturday, he got a kick on his knee on Saturday. Samir Nasri is definitely out for Saturday, he will be out for two or three weeks. Robin van Persie has been left behind. He will be OK for Saturday, he has a little stiffness in his thigh. Emmanuel Adebayor is rested.”

So Fabregas and Clichy could even be out for the Middlesbrough game, which is bad news. We have won every game since Fabregas has been made captain, lets hope we can still do the business without him.

We have got a couple of players back though. Gallas and Diaby both missed the weekend’s game but are fit to play tomorrow night. I think with that long list of absentees above, they will both be starting. The rest of the squad is made up with ‘Carling Cup’ players.

The team could really be anything. Is Wenger going to get as many kids on as possible to give them some great experience? Or will he go for the best team possible with what he’s got? This is what I reckon:

Fabianski
Eboue – Djourou – Gallas – Gibbs
Denilson – Ramsey – Song – Diaby
Bendtner – Vela

I’m not sure that Gibbs will play, Silvestre’s in the squad so he might play with that whole four shuffling around. Also Eboue could play at right midfield, but what I think is important is that he plays – wherever it is. He needs confidence and I know the travelling Arsenal fans will do their best to give him a good reception after what was frankly out of order on Saturday.

I’m also worried about that midfield I have picked. It’s four central midfielders playing right across the park, which I know Wenger is not afraid to do. If Eboue comes in then it changes the balance a bit but I’m expecting something along those lines.

I have no idea what sort of a side Porto are going to put out. Are they going to go for the win and try top the group or will they be happy with the qualification and rest a few players? Either way, it’s going to be a strong side and a huge test for this Arsenal side.

To be honest, I’m not expecting much of a result. But who cares? Coming 1st or 2nd doesn’t really make any difference to me. Either way you could be drawn with a big side.

And anyway, I’d prefer one of Europe’s best rather than some other team. We dramatically raise our game for the big games and a win against one of the best teams in the world can really propel you for the rest of the competition. I’m really looking forward to the draw.

So I’m just going to try and enjoy the game tomorrow night and not worry too much about what happens. A win would be fantastic though, it would be another confidence boost and a hell of an achievement to go to Porto and get a result with such a weakened squad.

It’s a 7.45pm kick off as usual and it’s on Sky Sports Extra over in the UK. Enjoy the match, speak to you soon.