november 21st
10.15 – Every Arsenal fan is doing it, I’m sure the players are wondering, and the boss is definitely still undecided. Arsenal has a selection puzzle to try and solve this weekend.
Puzzle 1 – Right back
Option 1 – Move Kolo Toure to right back, bring in Pascal Cygan alongside Sol Campbell.
Option 2 – Leave Kolo and Sol alone, bring in Justin Hoyte at right back.
Arseblog predicts: Wenger won’t mess with the central defensive partnership. He might have if it was just for one game, but Lauren’s suspension is long, plus he’s going to miss more games with an injury. Hoyte will come in at right back. It’s a good chance for the lad, Lauren has bit a bit scary at times this season, Volz is not being recalled and this is the kind of break that a young player needs at a club like Arsenal. It’s hard luck for Lauren, but we’ve got a young, talented player to come in now and show the boss that he’s got something to give the club.
Puzzle 2 – Midfield
Vieira’s out, Parlour suspended, Gilberto won’t play because he’s just back from Brazil. We think Wiltord is out injured. We need somebody in the middle alongside Edu. I couldn’t see Freddie or Pires being put in there even if Wiltord was fit and could occupy one of the places on the wing.
I think we’ll see Dennis Bergkamp in midfield, with Kanu and Henry up front together. Kanu can play in central midfield, though as well. He did a great job there for most of the Liverpool game at Anfield in the double season. The only other option is to play somebody like John Spicer, which I think is unlikely.
Arseblog predicts: Bergkamp or Kanu.
Severing the French connection – a new column from Steve E.
Later on is ‘Parent’s Evening’ in the school I work in. Or to put it another way ‘Teacher’s Revenge.’ Those fat lads are gonna get it.
