Birmingham Preview: Fabianski back but a few to miss out 16 October, 2009
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News.trackback
Do you want the good news or the bad news? Well the good news is that Fabianski is back and Almunia is 50:50 to return, the bad news is that Clichy, Diaby and Eduardo could all potentially miss out. We’re still waiting to hear today’s update on Bendtner and Arshavin who arrived back late from international duty, but I expect them to be ok.
We’ve also got an update on Samir Nasri, he’s a couple of weeks away still and could target the Liverpool Carling Cup game as a possible return date.
Lets discuss tomorrow’s injury news though. It’s good to have some options in the goalkeeper position but I bet Vito Mannone is a bit gutted everyone is returning. Wenger said that Fabianski will definitely be in the squad and I’m expecting him to start. If there’s any doubt on Almunia he will be saved for Tuesday’s Champions League game.
Clichy and Diaby both picked up knocks away with the French national side, but Wenger describes Diaby’s injury as very minor indeed so we could see him playing tomorrow.
—UPDATE—
New team news has emerged this afternoon, Fabianski isn’t back but Almunia is. Nicklas Bendtner, Gael Clichy, Carlos Vela and Eduardo are all out, so here’s how I see the team:
Almunia
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Gibbs
Song
Diaby – Fabregas (c)
Rosicky – van Persie – Arshavin
I don’t want to sound cocky, or jinx anything but Birmingham really shouldn’t cause us problems tomorrow. Anything else but a comfortable win would be a bit worrying. Like I say, I don’t want to turn my nose up at Birmingham but being a top four team you are expected to take three points off the promoted teams. There are always upsets but we need to show our professionalism and take control.
The visitors will be missing quite a few players too – Queudrue, Keith Fahey, Parnaby, Martin Taylor, Christian Benitez and more will all miss out but they could be boosted by the return of Tainio and Cameron Jerome.
McLeish will have a field a mix and match side but they will still put out an eleven to compete us. I’m not sure how they’re going to play this, they could park the bus, they could try battle us off the ball or they could take a shot at playing us properly. I think we’ll be prepared for any scenario and I believe we have to players to deal with any of those situations.
I did plan on going to the game tomorrow but I’m bloody working. So not only will I not be going I won’t even be able to watch it. Not happy. Enjoy it to all of those who are going, there’ll be some new murals up on the outside of the stadium for you to enjoy.
Right then I have to go. Thanks for reading.
Why no Rosicky in your team???
Bendtner is out with a groin injury and with Fabianski having a lack of match practice I expect Vito to keep his place.
I am totally in agreement to what Meire has to say, vito has been exceptional in the goal post, i don’t think we need to change him yet, afterall Alumina needs to show he can win back his no 1 jerssey. Diaby should be replaced with Rosicky. Gunners 4life.
VITO, has been marvellous, he deserves more encouragement to enhance stiff competition.Let Diaby show more discipline and professionalism pls.
You mixed up sagna and gibbs the former is the left back and gibbsey is the left back, not that it matters…
your whole backline is a mess. Gibbs and sagna should be swapped and so too should vermaelen and gallas, vermaelen plays on the left side of centre cos he’s left-footed. And i agree that Vito has been brilliant, i’d put him ahead of fabianski if he’s fit and dont think almunia should be risked this early!
lefts and rights, mixed them up.
Your Article needs an update bruv…its all over the place. Bendtiner(groin) Fabiansik not back…eduardo stilll injured,nasri nt match fit…
Why is your line up laterally inverted? I’d sub Rosicky with Diaby then Walcott with the strikers though.
I’m a bigger fan of 4-4-2 though, compared to 4-3-3, or 4-1-2-3 if you wish to call it that way.