Arshavin, Eduardo, Gallas, Song & Almunia out for tough Porto clash 16 February, 2010

The weekend off from football has not done our fitness any good and we’re without five first team players for the trip to Porto. Eduardo’s ‘small small’ hamstring problem he picked up at Villa Park that was supposed to put him out temporarily sees him pass the three week mark – absolute rubbish. Arshavin told us last week that he was struggling so we expected him to be out but then I thought we’d have Eduardo to replace him. Gallas, Song and Almunia have all picked up new injuries since our last game and it means Campbell, Denilson and Fabianski will all undoubtedly start tomorrow night.

We are without doubt a much weaker side with these new injuries. Thank God Vermaelen is playing through the pain otherwise we would have a very weak defence indeed against a Porto attack that is going to be difficult to stop at home. Our attack is very weak too with only Bendtner, Walcott and Vela as strikers in the squad – all three have just returned from injury themselves. The front line will undoubtedly have to be strengthened with Rosicky, Nasri or even Eboue. Song’s a big loss from midfield too, there’s no Eastmond in the squad so Denilson must be playing defensive midfield; he wasn’t performing well in the position and since hasn’t played in a few games so will have to prove he’s a strong swimmer when he’s thrown in at the deep end tomorrow night.

Today’s news has made me feel a lot less confident now. Porto will be loving this news. Yesterday I spoke about us possibly getting a 1-0 or 2-0, now I’m hoping for a score draw.

It just makes you even more frustrated at the fragile nature of this squad. How is it that we are so unlucky with injuries? Arsene Wenger said a few weeks ago that it’s got so bad it’s more than a coincidence now and will have to look into it. I have no idea how long those five will be out for, Eduardo well we’ll probably see him fit again late 2012, Gallas has a calf strain, Song has a knee problem and Arshavin has a hamstring injury but there’s no time frames on those yet. Hopefully they’re not out for too long.

We’re being told Manuel Almunia has a problem with a twisted finger and Wenger did not want to take a gamble. He’s not very consistent with his betting Arsene Wenger – sometimes he loves a gamble but sometimes he’ll use anything as an excuse; you’d think that with Song and Gallas out he’d want to keep in our no.1 ‘keeper to be as strong defensively as we can. Well he’s chosen to leave him out and it’s a chance now for Fabianski. If he plays well tomorrow night he could well see himself starting again at the weekend and he could soon find himself our first choice goalie. He has to take this chance to stake his place.

He’s capable of making some really good saves so a few of them tomorrow and I really think he could end this season as our main ‘keeper. Everyone’s getting a bit fed up with Almunia now so this is his chance to push for the no.1 spot.

The only other bit of news was that ticket prices have been frozen for another year but to be honest I wouldn’t have expected anything different. Not only is football not the most financially viable thing to go and watch at the moment but nothing has been done at the club to merit a rise in prices.

Tomorrow night’s match looks a whole lot more challenging now, I don’t know if it’s still excitement I feel in my belly or if it’s nerves but I’m anticipating the game. Preview to come tomorrow afternoon, until then.