Chelsea Preview: Arsene’s Best XI Materialising Just In Time
Add comment December 16th, 2007
All things being well, Arsene Wenger could this afternoon be in a position to pick his first choice first eleven for the first time since September 19th and the home match with Sevilla. That’s the only occasion this season we’ve seen Manuel Almunia behind a back four of Sagna, Toure, Gallas and Clichy, with Flamini and Fabregas flanked by Hleb and Rosicky, and Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie leading the line. Despite our eye-catching Premier League form, that side has not yet taken the field in a domestic game.
If (and it is a reasonably-sized ‘if’) Flamini, Fabregas and Hleb feel no backlash from their return to training at the end of this week, Arsene could be in the surprising position of being able to field a remarkably strong side. However, there are a couple of mitigating factors that could prevent Arsene fielding his full complement. He may, for example, decide that he’d rather hold Van Persie or Hleb back as an impact subsitute in the last thirty minutes. It’s unlikely that either player will be able to complete a full game, so keeping one or both on the bench and starting with Emmanuel Eboue or Abou Diaby could prove tactically wise.
Whoever starts, a performance is vital. After a couple of less than convincing displays, we need to bounce back, and what better way to do so than against one of our major rivals. On a day when all four big clubs are in action, a resounding victory would send an ominous message to the rest of our title rivals. Not only that, but it would restore belief in a side who are potentially a couple of bad results away from a wobble.
Chelsea are ripe for the beating too. Last season Drogba, Essien and Carvalho were their outstanding performances. If the Portugese fails to recover from a back injury, they could all be missing today.
I will be at the ground myself, and am currently racking my brains for the precise words I should choose to greet the returning Ashley Cole. Suggestions welcome.
Come On You Reds.
