The Setanta deal has certain benefits. Had Blackburn been visiting The Emirates this afternoon, it might well have been a case of ‘bring your boots, you’re playing’ such is the list of injuries at the moment. According to Arsene, the roll call is as follows:
| International Duty | Emmanuel Eboue |
| Alex Song | |
| Injured | Johan Djourou (Groin) |
| Philippe Senderos (Knee) | |
| Robin van Persie (Thigh) | |
| Abou Diaby (Calf) | |
| Mathieu Flamini (Hamstring) | |
| Manuel Almunia (Sick) | |
| Denilson (Hamstring) | |
| Tomas Rosicky (Hamstring) | |
And the Premier League think that adding an additional game is going to a fruitful and positive exercise. Well, their bank manager might agree but despite the platitudes of various managers, that list of players confirmed it is not. Incidentally, according to The Times, one of the reasons for the Football Association giving their tacit approval to such a laughable idea is that the EPL have promised not to schedule any ‘Super Sundays’ before England games whilst the protestations of Blatter and Platini are expected to be quelled with support for the quota idea and contributions to charity projects in the host cities. And some still believe this is a proposal that will not get off the ground.
Back to Arsenal. So bad is the list that Kolo Toure is being seriously considered for Monday’s game. Having seen his performance in the ACN semi-final, I find it hard to believe. The player was clearly unfit and not ready for a game. Little will have changed in the intervening days and adding a late night flight from Accra to London is not going to assist in recuperation. Desperate times though require desperate measures. With United expected to claim all three points against a confidence drained Manchester City, three points will be imperative to regain top spot. Ideally Liverpool will nick a point at Stamford Bridge although a goalless draw seems to be the best hope given their inability to hit the back of the net against decent opposition.
In the return of commonsense it seems that either Gilberto or Justin Hoyte will deputise for despite Philippe Senderos’ protestations, medial knee ligament damage is no laughing matter. Unless there is a seriously quick recovery by either Diaby or Flamini, it strikes me that Hoyte is likely to be drafted into the defence with Gilberto in midfield. Both could play in the centre and whilst they have obvious assets in that position, both have serious weaknesses which have to lead us to believe that Monday is going to require a win based on the philosophy of ‘you score three, we’ll get four’. Gilberto’s lack of pace is compensated by his ability to read the game whilst Hoyte has the reverse problem; he does not read the game particularly well but has pace in abundance. Of the two, I would prefer the Brazilian for his ability to read the game and better marking abilities. However, such is the inaccuracy of injury reports that emanate from the club over the years, whether by design or accident is for you to decide, that I will believe the list when kick-off comes on Monday evening.
In this era of global football, Arsenal have announced plans for an Academy in America and for an ‘Arsenal Cup’ to be developed that will be hosted at the marvellously named ‘Dick’s Sporting Goods Park’.
‘til Tomorrow.
