Middlesbrough Preview 25 April, 2009

With Aston Villa drawing with Bolton and Everton losing to Man City we can go 10 points clear in 4th with a win against ‘Boro and surely secure our Champions League spot. This is one of the less glamorous ties we have left this season but it still requires the same level of input. Not only do we need to points to push clear of Everton and Villa but to put the pressure on Chelsea so that we’re ready when they slip up.

There’s no new injury news since I spoke to you in the week. Adebayor, Almunia and Djourou are back in training but I haven’t heard anything since then one their possibility of playing. On Thursday Arsene said that Adebayor would only have joined training on the Saturday, the day before the ‘Boro game so I’m guessing he wont start. Manuel and Djourou we back training on that Thursday so I’m hoping they are good to go now.

I have a feeling that we might have Man United in midweek on our minds and we may rest one or two. Theo Walcott’s playing well and although he only came off the bench at Anfield I think he might be rested again. Cesc Fabregas has a shout to be rested too but after the long absence he had out with injury I hope he is fit enough to play twice a week. As I said, I think Ade will be rested for this one so that he’s good for United, the same might apply to Djourou but I’ve had no word on his fitness. Here’s how I think we might line up then:

Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Djourou – Gibbs
Arshavin – Fabregas (c) – Song – Nasri
Bendtner – Eduardo

There’s a chance that Nasri could sit out too, in that case Eboue would come into the midfield. I just hope that Wenger keeps the side as strong as he thinks he can because anything other than a strong win here might put us in the wrong frame of mind heading up to Old Trafford.

Middlesbrough are in a full on relegation fight and from here on out to the end of the season they will be giving everything they have to stay up. We haven’t found them an easy team to beat in recent years so tomorrow won’t be easy. They have Gary O’Neil and Didier Digard back available but Chris Riggott and Emanuel Pogatetz will miss out.

With them third from bottom and us fourth from top we should really we walking this. Whoever does get selected needs to play well this game and forget about the upcoming Man United game. Andrey Arshavin is bound to start and he only has the league left to compete in now so he will be looking to impress again. His confidence will be on a high after the four goals in a week and I fancy him to score again tomorrow. If not, he’s surely going to play a big role in the game.

I’ll be there, I’m back in London again this weekend again and looking forward to watching The Arsenal again. It’s a 1:30pm kick off and we’re live on Sky Sports 1. Make sure you’re watching.

Thanks for reading and I’ll speak to you soon.