Hull Preview: Another tough trip up north 13 March, 2010

Sorry I didn’t get a chance to write yesterday, just means it’s an untraditional match-day match-preview, so with kick off just hours away I’ll try keep it short. There’s no more team news since Thursday so we’re no clearer on those ‘doubts’ I talked about the other day. Cesc is pretty much ruled out, Wenger said it’d take a ‘miracle’ to get him back. Rosicky, Campbell and Sagna were set to be assessed yesterday but we won’t find out until about half four today whether they made it or not. I have a feeling Sol will be ok, Wenger dropped a hint saying he’s recovering well. As for Rosicky and Sagna I can only guess that they will be on the bench. Song as we know is suspended so I’m expecting Denilson to come in at defensive midfield.

Recently I have sometimes noticed us playing with two slightly deeper midfielders and one further forward. It’s mainly been the other way round this season but I think we might play with two deep again today. It adds a bit more security and with Song out we couldn’t probably do with that extra cover. Here’s how I think we might line up:

Almunia (c)
Eboue – Campbell – Vermaelen – Clichy
Denilson – Diaby
Nasri
Walcott – Bendtner – Arshavin

Nicklas Bendtner will be looking to continue his goal-scoring run. He just seems to always be in the right place at the right time at the moment and even though he missed a lot of chances last weekend he still showed the strikers instinct to know where to be. Nasri, Arshavin and all our other creatives know where he’s going to be and hopefully he can carry on where he left off against Porto. Wenger reckons he’s developed well since coming back from injury:

“If you look at him now and three to four weeks ago, he is a different player. A few weeks ago he looked out of shape, heavy running, heavy feet. It is already different as he plays games.

What is important for him is that he is not injured. As a top-level player, first when you need to have a good run and you have a good run it is important.”

Arsene has had to back under performing players a few times this season asking for patience on those that have just returned from injury. Theo Walcott has been the most obvious example but he had a great game last weekend and will be looking to continue that good form. If he wants to go to the World Cup then he has to do the business here with Arsenal from now until the end of the season. Last weekend was literally his first good game since he’s come back though so he’s not there yet but another good show this afternoon and he could be well on his way back.

Nasri should continue in the middle with Cesc’s absence. He did so well there on Tuesday night I don’t think anyone will have any problems with that. It’s a shame to be without Fabregas but I think we have enough quality in our side to beat Hull without him. They are sitting second from bottom and just got heavily beat by Everton last weekend. They’re not doing so well at the moment but they’ll still give it everything at home. Just like Stoke a couple of weeks ago it’s another tough away trip up north. They will pressure us, stop us playing our football and no doubt kick us as we know it’s perfectly acceptable to kick Arsenal because we’re foreign and don’t like it.

I know we won’t take any bullying though and any physical behavior will be dealt right back to them. It’s going to be a real battle at the KC Stadium today and I’m looking forward to it. Every game counts from now until the end of May and every three points is so vital. Lets go up there and show them who’s boss. COME ON YOU GUNNERS.