April 9th
So United this afternoon in what is really a massive domestic challenge for us. With Sp*rs winning yesterday 3 points are vital in the race for fourth place but a draw wouldn’t be the end of the world either. We’re in good form and full of confidence after the European success and I’m much happier about going to Old Trafford today than I would have been 2 months ago.
However, United are also in excellent form and they have their sights very firmly set on Chelsea hoping that if they keep up the pressure the Russians will crack and allow them to sneak the title. So it’s going to be all guns blazing on both sides today. With a full squad to choose from the boss is going to have to leave a couple of players out altogether and it will be interesting to see how we play. I suspect the 4-5-1 might be in place again today although 4-4-2 with Adebayor has worked well in the league. Certainly he’d give Ferdinand and Co a few problems.
There’s no secret formula to beat United though but what we need is the same level of commitment and energy that we’ve put into the games against Madrid and Juventus. Everybody pulling together, knowing their job, not shirking their responsibilities and even with 4-5-1 we’ve been creating chances so it’s vital we take them when they come along. That means Gilberto tackling, Henry chasing and harrying the centre-halves and the defence being as solid and confident as they have been. Beyond that it’s probably going to be a very tight game and with two sides so highly motivated it’s going to be full-blooded. Which will be fun.
In a round-up of the Sunday papers José Antonio Reyes says he’s ready for any rough stuff United might throw his way. His new titanium based shin-pads will take a battering, no doubt. He says “I go all out now for every ball and I fear absolutely nothing.”
Philippe Senderos says United are probably jealous of our European run and that “We really have to concentrate in order to take another step towards fourth place and Champions League qualification.”
Arsene Wenger has doffed his cap at the success today’s opponents have had with young players and says he wants this current crop of young Gunners to emulate that – “The intention is there to produce young stars like Manchester United did with the Busby Babes and the likes of Beckham and Giggs later with Ferguson. They have the potential to be as good as the young players that came through at United, but they have to be able to keep performing at the top level.”
The News of the World says Arsene Wenger will be offered a new contract and a £46m (the People says only £26m) warchest to buy new players. Names mentioned already are Rennes midfielder Yoann Gourcuff, who we’ve mentioned before on Arseblog, and Le Mans’ improbably named keeper Yohann Pele as the long term replacement for Jens Lehmann.
Finally the People says Sol Campbell will be told, if he hasn’t already noticed, that he is surplus to requirements at Arsenal with Everton and and Newcastle both interested in signing him.
And that’s it. I’m off for the Sunday papers, breakfast and then an afternoon of football. Till tomorrow and come on the lads!
