Long way from home- back four curse strikes again
WWLWH
By Boris Mellor
March 18 2007
It will have been a month before Arsenal plays at home again in the Premiership, what idiot makes these fixtures up? I blame Dein for all these advantages we are getting.
Arsenal make their first of two trips in a row to the North West Graveyard, it is also the second away game out of three in a row after playing Reading at home.
The back four injury curse has struck again, with Clichy not available due to hamstring problems. Eboue serves his last suspension, as does Adebayor. The injury list is easing up, but of course there will be no Henry or RvP, and its not clear when Walcott goes for his shoulder op, I assume as soon as Adebayor is back?
Everton have their own problems as Cahill is out until August, but Andy Johnson and Beattie are available, which means that Everton will have far more firepower than the Gunners. The Toffees are real contenders for a UEFA cup place especially since the Trotters have imploded since Arsenal stuffed them, and Man U have just stuffed them again. Not often I enjoy Man U stuffing a team, but it finishes off Bolton’s top four aspiration, but I digress, its Toffees and Gunners, not Trotters that are the issue here.
This is a match between two very in form teams as Everton have only lost one in last seven, meanwhile Arsenal have not been beaten in their last seven, having won six of those games. Everton have a mean defence, and Arsenal a profligate attack, so the Gunners back four will have to stand firm.
Hopefully Gilberto will be able to return to the midfield, with Toure and Gallas in the middle. Djourou and Hoyte should be able to handle the full back positions. Arsenal fans can moan all they like but it’s almost certain that Ali and the Beast will be up front. The only other possible alternative is to play 4-5-1, with only one of them playing, but whatever, Gooners must encourage them.
Things are looking up in midfield, as Rosicky remains fit, as does Fabregas, Denilson, Ljungberg and Hleb. The weather may be appalling, cold with sleet and rain, there is something about games at 4pm on a Sunday when it comes to the conditions.
So far Arsenal have gained 3 out of the possible 9 points away, another 3 would be great, but even one point will be a tidy sum as the Gunners await the return of the cavalry.
Possible line up: Lehmann, Djourou, Toure, Gallas, Hoyte, Ljungberg, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky, Aliadiere, Baptista.
Subs available: Almunnia, Poom, Hleb, Denilson, Diaby, Senderos, Flamini, Walcott.
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