Opportunity Knocks As Brum Arrive In Town

Birmingham City arrive at The Emirates this afternoon, Arsenal hoping to continue their winning ways. A new club record will be set for scoring four or more goals in consecutive games if a drubbing is handed out today. A cautionary note though is sounded if we remember that the last time Birmingham were in the Premier League, Arsenal were twice held to draws.

Much is being made in the press about this being the first meeting between the two sides since that winter’s afternoon at St Andrews. Neither protaganist will be playing this afternoon, Eduardo one of the Arsenal walking wounded. He is currently being kept company in the medical rooms at London Colney by long-term absentees Johan Djourou and Denilson with Lukasz Fabianski – a minor setback suffered by the Pole apparently – with Nicklas Bendtner and Gael Clichy joining them following this week’s exertions at home and abroad. Also missing will be Carlos Vela who is a late returnee from World Cup duties.

Manuel Almunia is returning and it would be a major surprise if he does not immediately reclaim his place from Vito Mannone, who will revert to the bench. Abou Diaby has sufficiently recovered from his minor ankle knock to take his place in the squad although with the midweek Champions League fixture, the extent of his injury will decide whether or not he starts this afternoon.

With those in mind, I suspect Arsene will line up as follows:

Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Fabregas, Song, Diaby; Rosicky, van Persie, Arshavin

If Diaby does not make it, Eboue will no doubt be preferred to Theo Walcott. Despite playing for the Under-21s during the international break, Walcott is surely still short of match fitness and likely for the next couple of weeks to rotate with Rosicky, alternating starts and substitute appearances. His return though, along with Samir Nasri’s by the end of this month, give Arsene a mouth-watering midfield/attack to choose from. In the same way that George Graham collected centre backs, Wenger has an enviable array of talent in midfield. All of them would sit comfortably in any Premier League squad.

For Kieran Gibbs, this is an important opportunity. He made a good impression last season when called upon and needs to show that he is continuing to improve, rather than stagnating as many his age can. Whilst it is apparent that he is Clichy’s understudy, there is pressure from Traore to keep the England youngster on his toes. Likewise, Clichy knows that he has to keep on top of his game to ensure retaining his place; competition for places is no bad thing.

The referee this afternoon has to step up to the plate as well. Birmingham will no doubt defend robustly but need to be reigned in before matters step outside the laws of the game. Probert has form in late, controversial decisions this season and a comfortable lead might be needed to ensure that any interference from him has no bearing on the outcome. The fixture is of the type where the team has fallen short in the past; lowly opposition, immediately after the international break.

By the time kick-off comes, Chelsea could have fallen at Villa Park, a result that would present an opportunity to close the gap. Should they do so, I wonder if they will be written off as title contenders in the same way that Arsenal are because of two defeats this season already. The other teams above us have emminently winnable matches although City will be slightly more wary of Wigan following the latter’s recent win over Chelsea whilst Tottenham should be too good for Portsmouth. Below us, a weakened Liverpool will be viewing the trip to Sunderland as trickier than it should really be. Chances to open small gaps are emerging as well.

Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

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