It seems like ages since we’ve started with a good, old-fashioned *boilk* so let me begin with a good, old-fashioned *boilk*:
*boilk*
Ahhh, that’s better. So there’s a game of football today. Hurrah. That always helps with the boilkiness. Fulham at home and there’s a bit of good news in terms of the team. Abou Diaby is fit which is positive in two ways.
Firstly, Abou Diaby is fit after being injured. Normally it takes anywhere between three weeks and three months for him to come back after being injured so that’s a good sign. And secondly he improves the midfield. So hopefully he can continue where he left off against Roma.
Fulham are the masters of the 0-0. They’ve had about 48 0-0 draws this season and given our recent propensity for scoreless draws this game could actually end up -2 all. An early goal is the key. That would mean Fulham had to come attack us and more space to play in would suit us.
I suspect Arshavin will start as well so we have that added threat. I wonder if the manager will resort to the traditional 4-4-2 or keep up with the formation which proved so effective against Roma.
We’ve spoken a lot about finishing in the top 4 and Arsene is confident that we can still do that, saying:
In football, nothing is unthinkable, but I am confident we will make the Champions League. There are 12 games to go, if we keep our consistency, spirit and attitude, and our focus, we will make it. We have 36 points to take, so let’s not speculate too much on the weakness of any other team. If we win our games, we will be there.
There really isn’t much margin for error but we know that already. Let’s just start today and make sure we get the three points. And while I do have plenty of time for Woy Hodgson I hope we batter Fulham today.
Elsewhere the boss has been singing the praises of Manuel Almunia. He is unrecognisable from the Almunia who first joined. He is more assured, more confident and a much, much better goalkeeper than he was. I know he still doesn’t convince some but I really have no problem with him at all. He could probably be a little more assertive and ‘command his area’ better but he’s a fantastic shot-stopper. Comparing him to Jens Lehmann, the boss said:
Manuel speaks more than he used to but he is certainly quieter than Lehmann. Let’s just say Lehmann was never afraid to speak his mind. He was an interesting character who was respected in the dressing room. But he was not diplomatic.
Almunia is much calmer and not as unpredictable.
Lehmann, ‘diplomatic, heh. One of the criticisms leveled at him was that he didn’t make match-winning saves but this season he’s kept us in games at crucial times. And while he is prone to the odd mistake so is every other keeper in this league. Reina, van der Sar, Cech, they all make mistakes. The article says he’s gone 6hr, 29min without conceding, here’s to adding another 90 minutes to that today.
He’s also spoken about Nicklas Bendtner saying the Dane has a ‘bright’ future at the club:
He is 20 years old, playing at the top level and creating chances. The problem at that level is if you don’t create chances. I have seen a lot of players who don’t score when they’re 20 but score when they’re 23.
Which harks back to what I was saying the other day. He’s certainly working harder and the acknowledgement that he has to improve areas such as his first touch is good. I think he might start today, a bit of physical presence against Fulham’s giant centre-half bloke whose name I can’t remember. A goal would be nice.
AW’s thoughts on some mooted rule changes. Those are piffling compared to the 6+5 rule which seems to be edging closer. It’s something we will come back to but I’m with Wenger on this one. The idea that you have to choose 6 players in every team simply because they’re English is ludicrous. It’s basically nobbling the club game and will lower the quality of the sport. Boo, I say. And not boo-urns.
Finally, don’t forget Arsenal TV online’s free coverage of today’s match (audio commentary and build up and such) and if you’d like to win a 6 month subscription just email [email protected]. Any comments you have about the match day show are welcome too – either via the email or in the arses here.
Right, that’s that. Time for some breakfast. Come on you reds.
