Wigan Preview: Squad rotation inevitable 10 April, 2009

So we’ve got a quick trip to Wigan in the midst of all these massive cup ties but this game is just as important. Our players have had a tendency to drop their heads for uninspiring games but at this stage of the season every league game is huge.

We need three points again, and against Wigan anything else is unacceptable. No offensive to them, because they are a decent side having a fairly good season but all the top four teams should see this as a must-win game.

With Villarreal on Tuesday still in the memory, with the 2nd leg on Wednesday and an FA Cup Semi to follow you wouldn’t blame us for having our minds elsewhere. I’m guilty of it too, I’ve hardly even thought about this game this week. The players should be more focused than the fans though and it is down to Wenger to drill in the importance of the win.

We’re six points ahead of Villa and it’s the same gap between us and 3rd. One weekend where win we and Chelsea lose and then with them still to visit the Grove anything can happen. The same the other way – we have all the top three to play and Aston Villa will be there waiting for us to drop points.

However we will be going into this game with some forced changes. I told you yesterday that Gallas is out for the season, Almunia for three week and Clichy for a fortnight. So they will all need replacements. Fabianski and Djourou are the obvious two to come in but at left back I’m not sure.

Gibbs has done well there this season but now Silvestre’s back Wenger might see it as a chance to bring some experience into the side after losing Gallas and Almunia. Silvestre knows what it’s like to complete a season run-in; he’s won stuff before. Whether he’s still got what it takes though is yet to be seen. I think tomorrow could be a test for him, see how he reacts, if he isn’t up to it then we can stick with youth and play Gibbs until Gael is back. We’ll see what Wenger thinks tomorrow.

I’ve watched van Persie’s ATVO interview and he had tests yesterday and he’s ready to play tomorrow, but whether he’s included in the starting line up or not is yet to be seen. Wenger might see this as an opportunity to rest a few of our regulars ahead of the Villarreal and Chelsea games. I hope we go as strong as possible tomorrow but I want us to be 100% for Wednesday and Sunday.

Fabregas has only just come back so he might not need a rest, Denilson could probably do with sitting out though so maybe Song will partner Cesc tomorrow. Adebayor has also just returned so he should be fit enough but we now have options with Bendtner, van Persie and possibly Eduardo (I don’t know how his tests have gone).

It’s no use me debating how we might field this one, I don’t know how fit every one of our players is, I don’t know who’s suffering a bit – only Wenger does. So this is what I would do tomorrow, if it were up to me:

Fabianski
Sagna – Toure – Djourou – Silvestre
Eboue – Fabregas (c) – Song – Arshavin
Adebayor – Bendtner

As I say, I have no clue how accurate that’s going to be but there you go.

Wigan’s only real problem is Amr Zaki who has gone walkabouts or something. Went off and got injured with Egypt and never bothered returning to his club. Apparently he has a meeting to discuss his future today with Steve Bruce. Funny stuff. Otherwise yeah they are almost fully fit so will have a fairly decent side out.

I’m sure though that with whatever team we put out we should be able to get a result. As I said, this is a team we should be beating and have to be beat. If I was to do a bit of UK sports betting I’d put money on us to win tomorrow, but you just never know. And if you’re in to a bit of soccer betting I’d go for Adebayor as first scorer to make it 4 goals in 3 games of his comeback.

All of the top three are playing teams they should be beating too so we need to keep up with the pace. It’s 5th vs. 6th as Everton go to Villa Park on Sunday only a point behind the current UEFA Cup spot holders. That should be an interesting game.

Right then I need to be getting down the pub so I’m going to wrap this up. Here’s hoping to a good, focused, injury-free win tomorrow setting us nicely for Wednesday…which we will not be thinking about. Nor next Saturday. Or lots of nice Easter Eggs. Or anything else for that matter.

Right then I’m off, speak to you Easter Sunday hopefully. Thanks for reading.