Did they? Will they? Won’t they?

Coach
By Boris Mellor
October 21 2006

Travelling to work in a carriage littered with free London newspapers I noticed one had an article on the back claiming Reading were going to do "a Chelsea on Arsenal". I couldn’t be bothered to pick the grubby rag up so have no further details to give you.

No doubt the claim was not that Reading would kick and bully Arsenal, but rather that they will play at pace and close the Gunners down. Get in the face and play a man’s game, the kind of approach much loved by Alan Hansen.

Of course Reading deny doing a "Reading on Chelsea", and that the injuries of Cech, and Cudicini were complete accidents. The experts have debated this all week, the majority argues that Hunt is completely innocent. Interestingly Paul Merson argues it might not have been deliberate, but, and it’s a big but, he believes Hunt had time to pull out. Meanwhile Wenger finds Sonko’s challenge more culpable than Hunt’s. Sonko is as large as two very large brick shithouses and a fifty-fifty challenge with him is not to be sort after.

However Reading’s Kevin Doyle states Reading will not set out to bully or injure Arsenal. Also Arsene Wenger has said that he expects a fair match from Reading and praises the Royals for their progress this season. He is also proud that two ex Arsenal players, Steven Sidwell and James Harper, are making such a key contribution to their success.

Wenger also believes that Arsenal will be much sharper on Sunday than they were on Tuesday. As good as Reading are coping with the Premiership, they are no CSKA Moscow. Arsenal should, indeed, perform more effectively.

The good news is that there were no new injuries midweek and that Clichy and Senderos are now available; but Eboue, Lauren, Freddy and Baptiste are still not fit. Looks like the curse has moved from the left side to the right side of the defence.

It is likely that Arsene will field an almost identical team to the one he put out in Moscow, the only positions that might change are the partner for Henry, and one of the wide men. Some pundits predict he will play Adebayor, but it’s not easy second guessing Wenger. He might prefer to try and raise RvP’s confidence by playing him, alternatively he may feel that van Persie will benefit from a rest.

The second place that could be disputed is the right side, will Walcott get another start? Hleb looked a bit jaded there on Tuesday, which I believe is unusual for him. Apart from miss hitting the ball frequently, in Moscow, he also failed to protect  Hoyte, who is certain to start against Reading.

With Chelsea having already gained three points this weekend and United kicking off earlier Arsenal will need three points. Wenger also believes the team is sore about the ending of their six game run and will want to bounce back. Arsenal will need to keep their nerve and be prepared to stand firm.

Kick off 4pm Sunday Sky Sports One

Don’t forget to make your prediction on the table.