Complacency would be disastrous tonight
Add comment August 26th, 2009
There’s no point trying to turn a good position into a bad one: Arsenal did extremely well in the first leg of this tie with Celtic.
We’re now in a position where even a defeat could take us through tonight, if it was just by the odd goal. It looks like a very tough task for Celtic to turnaround, however bullish their manager or players might be about it.
With that being said, it remains imperative that Arsenal’s concentration is consistent throughout. It’s only half-time in the tie, and were we to concede the first goal tonight I’m sure there’d be a few nervous jitters in the stands – and that’d soon transmit to the pitch. With that in mind, I expect Arsene to name his strongest defence – Almunia in goal, behind Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen and Clichy. After being rested at the weekend, Alex Song should come in to shore up the midfield. With Cesc Fabregas out with a hamstring injury (albeit with a chance of being fit the United game), the in-form Abou Diaby is likely to play alongside one of Denilson or Aaron Ramsey.
Upfront, Robin van Persie has played a good few minutes already this season, and may be protected ahead of the weekend. That’d leave room for Nicklas Bendtner to come back into the side, alongside two from Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue, and Eduardo.
An early goal for us would go a fair way towards killing the tie, so hopefully we play as we have thus far this season – with pressure high up the pitch, looking for an early goal.
Predictably, Arsene was asked about some transfer speculation that’s been doing the rounds. My increasing suspicion is that we won’t see anyone arrive before the window closes, and that view was only compounded by the manager’s declaration that he was not interested in St. Etienne’s Blaise Matuidi.
Perhaps any move would be contingent on the sale of Philippe Senderos. The player did agree terms with Everton on a move, but that seems to have since stalled. It’s clear Senderos is not being considered for selection at the moment, but I’m sure that would change (out of neccessity, really) once the transfer window expired.
Finally, a world where a thirty-four year-old with a history of injury problems can get a five year deal anywhere is a mad, mad world. Only in football, eh?
I’ve a feeling tonight could be entertaining. Come On You Gunners.
