Will it turn on Grand Slam Weekend? The line up
Walcott
By Boris Mellor
January 20 2007
In the certainties, myths and legends packaged in advance by Sky, the Premiership turns at exact specific moments decided by their promotions department. Thus this is Grandslam weekend (A Tennis phrase) when all could be decided.
It must be at least the 4th of these Super Sunday/Grandslam events, and life is not as obliging as the scriptwriters are. In other words to date nothing has been absolutely decided, which is something to be thankful for.
Of course Manchester United are in pole position, and should win the championship – even if Arsenal beat them, Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool must strengthen Manchester’s case, but it’s too early to write the Chavs of yet – unless they implode (which is not that unlikely). Meanwhile does Liverpool’s victory, which puts them five points behind Chelsea, mean they can win the league? To me they look the poorest of the top four, but it does mean that the battle for second place has been busted wide open.
To some extent Saturday’s result lifts all the pressure off Manchester United, and puts it fully on Arsenal. Man U could draw and still make ground on Chelsea, lose and they are no worse off. A draw for Arsenal and the Gunners lose ground on Liverpool, and a chance to cut Chelsea’s lead to six points. It’s all to play for.
When we played this fixture away earlier this season I can’t remember the name of a single pundit, there may have been one, who gave Arsenal a chance. After the match every pundit agreed it was a deserved victory, yet the Gunners’ then embarked on a run of inconsistency, losing several games away. However, Manchester hit a brilliant streak of form creating a clear lead at the top by Xmas.
At the present both teams are in top form having only lost one game in the last six, Manchester are the Premiership’s top scorers, but Arsenal are second best. Manchester has the best defensive record in the Premiership, whereas Arsenal are joint third with Chelsea.
Arsenal have not won this fixture since 2001, last year was a draw but two years ago it was a 4-2 defeat. To my mind that was the day that Campbell first demonstrated he had lost it, Almunnia was the scapegoat, but the defence was in a mess. Unfortunately we often suffer a big player loss for this occasion and for that match it was Toure’s suspension that cost us. It showed that Campbell had depended on Toure, Cygan was the only one of the back four who looked half-decent. Indeed a year later he had a great game in the corresponding fixture.
The team that night of Almunia; Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Cole; Ljungberg, Vieira, Flamini, Pires; Bergkamp, and Henry attacked well, but defended poorly, and lost heart at how easily Man U could score. There is no doubt that the fact that Gilberto and Toure did not play that night was a major reason for the defeat. For Arsenal had a soft centre.
But it was not just Sol’s days that were numbered after that result, Vieira, Pires, Bergkamp, Lauren and Cole would retire or move on; and even Ljungberg, who has stayed, has become increasingly peripheral.
Wenger's Revolution
In fact those on the bench, Lehmann, Hoyte, Fabregas, Reyes and van Persie, apart from Reyes, would prove to be more important to the future. Of that starting line-up of two years ago just two will be expected to begin tomorrow's game. Incredibly not one of those starting in defence then, can be expected to start now. Flamini will, possibly, be the only starting midfielder, and that will be due to Gilberto’s suspension. The then suspended Toure is this time available.
Clearly the defence available to Arsene for this fixture, apart from Cole and Lauren (and they were both poor that night) is far stronger. Perhaps Henry and RvP (or Adebayor) are not better than Henry and Bergkamp, but the gap is closing. Also now that Rosicky, Fabregas, Gilberto and Hleb are playing increasingly better every week then the legends that were Vieira and Pires are not so sorely missed.
Indeed the victories at Liverpool and Blackburn suggest that Wenger has now built a team that is capable of all the greatness of his previous great teams. Indeed some of the football is reminiscent of the Invincibles, but with more variety of play. But until they win the trophies that is a matter of conjecture. But they could put a marker down by beating Manchester twice in a season, not an easy task, but Wenger believes they can do it.
The line - up?
Gallas, Djourou and Ljungberg remain injured, van Persie could be available. Wenger has a wealth of attacking players on call including Adebayor, Aliadiere, Baptista and Walcott. He also has to choose between Eboue and Hoyte; my guess is that he will choose Eboue. Wenger seems to be hinting that Flamini will be getting Gilberto’s place.
Wenger’s possible team
Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Rosicky, van Persie (or Adebayor) and Henry
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