Arsene's Dads Army won’t be Beastly to Spurs
Won league at WHL
By Boris Mellor
January 30 2007
In spite the gloom and doom from some pundits who informed us that this game would expose the difficulties of filling the new stadium the second leg has sold out.
That is quite incredible when you consider that season tickets holders have to buy a ticket for this game. I suspect most didn’t, so the atmosphere should be incredible. Even more amazingly the bulk of the tickets were sold at B match prices. Arsenal had wanted to sell the tickets at £20 downstairs and £30 upstairs, but Spurs prevented that. They also tried to prevent concessions anywhere in the ground to kids and pensioners, fortunately they were overruled on that. Last week Spurs fans complained that not all Arsenal players were kids, that the fiendish Arsene had slipped a few adults into his team. So giving them a two-goal start, with an outfield with an average age of 21 wasn’t fair, because the man who scored three goals was 25 years old. So what can be done to give them a better chance, it’s obvious don’t play the Beast. I suspect that would have been a challenge too far even for Wenger, but unfortunately Baptista has failed a fitness test, just when he was looking so hot. Dads Army Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) and Johan Djourou (hamstring) are doubtful. On the plus side Gilberto will return to the line-up, oh sorry Spurs fans he is nearly 30. Perhaps we should not think of it as Wenger’s Wonder Kids but as a Dads Army, with a few old veterans surrounded by callow youth. Although I can't imagine Gilberto calling Fabregas a stupid boy. Or as Arsene puts it "It will be a young side and an experienced bench," - "So it will be pretty similar to what happened at White Hart Lane." Spurs will be without their most effective striker Dimitar Berbatov (groin) Mido should be fit to deputise. Ledley King has a foot injury, and Ricardo Rocha or Anthony Gardner is set to replace him. Spurs may also be strengthened by the return of Jenas. Toure has stressed it is important that Arsenal attack, I wish they thought of that in the first half against Bolton. However he is right there is no doubt Spurs will attack they have no option they need at least one goal. Arsenal should shoot on sight, you never know what happens with a dodgy keeper. Prediction League: Don’t forget your entry, even the Fizzy Cup wins points, and points win prizes. Possible Arsenal squad: Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Traore, Denilson, Gilberto, Fabregas, Diaby, Flamini, Adebayor, Aliadiere, Eboue, Walcott, Randall, Poom, Connolly, and Merida. Possible Tottenham squad: Robinson, Cerny, Alnwick, Chimbonda, Lee, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Gardner, Rocha, Zokora, Huddlestone, Jenas, Lennon, Malbranque, Defoe, Keane, Mido, Ghaly, Murphy, Ziegler, Stalteri. 