Villa Preview: Cesc 50:50… winning 50:50 26 December, 2009

Happy Boxing Day! Although it doesn’t really feel like a real Boxing Day today does it… no football for poor old Arsenal. We’re playing tomorrow which meant the players had training yesterday.

I hope you all had a good, relaxing Christmas while the players were all training, and got some nice gifts. I got a pretty good one, my dad got me an Armoury Square stone for The Cannon. I’ll tell you where to look out for that when they get laid down next year.

Anyway on to tomorrow’s game and the big news is that Cesc is 50:50 to play. It doesn’t sound good though as he had to pull out of training on the 24th and I don’t think he’s trained properly since. Here’s what Wenger said about the captain:

“There is still an uncertainty about him. He was supposed to practice on Christmas Eve but he still had some pain in his leg. We did not get him out so we still don’t know if he will be available for the squad or not. It is 50:50.

“He is a very influential player and a great player too so I want him to be with us.”

I think the difference between Fabregas playing or not could be the difference between us winning or not. Wenger says there, “He is a very influential player” which is a bit of an understatement. When Cesc plays well, Arsenal plays well – He makes us tick. He’s vital to Arsenal, that’s why Peter Hill Wood is so “pissed off” with Barcelona..

I’m sure Wenger will be desperate to play him tomorrow but it’s a risk only he can judge. I’m praying that Cesc starts but I don’t think Wenger will play him if he’s not ready. As much as we need him, Arsene wouldn’t risk injuring him further. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Traore is back though which is good news; Silvestre was a weak link out on the left and looked very dodgy against Hull. Here’s how I think we’ll line up tomorrow, I’ve done the team without Fabregas but he can easily be dropped in for Diaby/Denilson:

Almunia (c)
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Traore
Song
Denilson – Diaby
Nasri – Eduardo – Arshavin

I don’t think there will be a starting place for Theo Walcott tomorrow. He could be good out on our right to match Young’s pace but I don’t think he’s had enough football to be dangerous going forward. I see him more as an impact sub.

Eduardo’s still looking for a bit of confidence in front of goal too but he did score last weekend (albeit a tap in) so hopefully he can build on that. He can swap with Arshavin throughout the game getting the Villa defence guessing.

As for the visitors they only really have Heskey as a doubt, all their other stars are good to go. They’ll be a tough team to beat, especially without our captain. They’ve never lost at Ashburton Grove and they’re looking to make it four wins out of four over ‘the top four’.

Tomorrow’s victor will take a three point lead over the other so it’s a massively important game. I think in inclusion of Fabregas will really be the difference so lets hope he makes it.

My guess is a draw. And would I take a point now? Yeah I probably would.

Enjoy your Arsenal-less Boxing Day, see you at The Grove tomorrow.