Diaby, Djourou and Beast return: Wigan line -up.

WLWHL
By Boris Mellor
February 10 2007

It would seem that Arsenal players survived the boredom of Injury week, oops, I mean International week without any further casualties Fortunately for Gunners, and England, the racist Aragones only played Fabregas for a few minutes.

 It might upset McClaren but perhaps Arsenal should only sign Brazilians, at least they only have to travel to Ashburton Grove. Instead of carrying on his war with the French manager Wenger should offer him the Arsenal stadium for free, at least it would cut down on the travel.

So the good news is that the team that played at Boro are, apart from the suspended Senderos, available. Fortunately Djourou remains fit to replace big Phil. In addition Diaby and Baptista are available for the squad, and Hleb and Ljungberg are close to return. However there is no assurance as to when Eboue and Gallas will return.

Arsenal have conceded in all but one of their last 8 games, and Charlton are the only team not to score at Ashburton in 2007. However the Gunners are undefeated at home for the whole of this season, thankfully due to their ability to come back from one or even two goals down.

Wigan have just come out of a run of eight league defeats in a row by beating Pompey at home last week. They are, before today’s results five points clear of the relegation zone. So last week’s victory, and the incentive to avoid the drop zone will make them quite difficult opponents.

They are the last team to ever play at Highbury, and nearly ruined the script by going 2-1 up. However Highbury history went to Henry who scored a hat trick and celebrated by kissing the Highbury turf. Meanwhile Spurs shat it over at West Ham ensuring Arsenal qualified for a CL place.

But Wigan’s first game at the new home cannot be as exciting – can it? Earlier this season Adebayor broke Lactic hearts by scoring in the last two minutes for a 1-0 victory. Wigan have only won 3 games away, mind you I say only but Spurs have only won one game away this season, so it should be tougher than a North London Derby. It is Wigan’s poor home form that is responsible for their poor season.

Wigan can go hell for leather in this game as they have no midweek game coming up, Arsenal have no such luxury as they have a tough replay with the Trotters on Valentine’s day next.

Stop Press

Curse of Manager Of Month Strike Liverpool down

Rafa's moment of glory short lived as Liverpool lose 2-1 in Geordie land. So now Arsenal 4 points behind, but two games in hand. Now Wenger must insist on consistency from this team.

Possible Line Up: Lehmann, Hoyte, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Flamini, Gilberto, Fabregas, Rosicky, Adebayor and Henry.

Subs from: Almunia, Traore, Diaby, Denilson, Baptista, Aliadiere and WalcottDon’t forget to enter your predictions

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