It’s a fairly makeshift squad that has travelled to Portugal for tonight’s game. You can’t necessarily say it’s ‘all-important’ but it would be nice to top the group.
Back in come Diaby (who I had completely forgotten about – no doubt he’ll play, get subbed then we’ll discover that he’s pulled his tongue and will be out for four weeks), and William Gallas. On the injured list are Cesc (knee), Clichy (hamstring), Sagna (flu), Kolo (calf), Adebayor (rested) and Robin van Persie (leptospirosis). They join Nasri who looks like he’s going to spend another little spell on the sidelines as the stop-start start to his Arsenal career continues.
Some of them are precautionary, I’m sure. With qualification assured and a trip to Boro for an early kick-off on Saturday then it seems Arsene is taking no chances. So we’re aiming for top spot nonetheless although with Inter, Sporting Lisbon and Atletico Madrid finishing second in their group finishing top could provide as tricky a draw as coming second. Tonight’s other matches will give us the full picture of the first knock-out stage and we could see the second place teams added to by either Madrid or Juventus, Villarreal and Bayern Munich or Lyon. So plenty of quality to face whatever happens tonight.
Emmanuel Eboue is set to start, you would imagine on the right hand side of midfield, and the manager says he’s in the right frame of mind despite the reaction to his substitution against Wigan. As East Lower says he has to play his part to put it all behind him while Arsene suggests that it doesn’t matter how much money a player is paid he will still make mistakes. I don’t think it ever had anything to do with money but the debate is water under the bridge at this stage. If Eboue puts in the effort tonight, even if he doesn’t play well, he’ll be on the right road again.
As for tonight it could be a good game. Up front you have to think Bendnter and Vela will get a chance to show their early Carling Cup form. For the big Dane in particular it’s a chance at redemption after what was a very frustrating performance against Burnley. The midfield would worry you though, without Cesc and Nasri we lack that bit of craft and Porto is never an easy place to go at the best of times.
Lots of talk over who’ll captain the side. I suspect it will be Almunia as I’m told Gallas made it clear he didn’t want to be considered again when he was replaced by Cesc.
Other than that not a lot to talk about really. Theo Walcott has been awarded the BBC London Young Footballer of the Year award. I think Cesc has won this before so well done to Theo, the hat-trick against Croatia clinched that for him no doubt.
So, hopefully a decent match and a good performance tonight. There are some Arsebloggers out there, have fun chaps, don’t get into too much trouble.
Till tomorrow.
