Eight days will define Arsenal's season - Going with Gibbs
Boys are Back in Town
By Boris Mellor
April 10 2009
The next eight days will make or break the Gunner's season, at the end of that time they could be in three competitions, or just in one. A month ago Arsenal were minutes away from being eight points behind fourth place. No pundit gave them a chance against Roma, and no doubt no pundit will give them a chance against Chelsea.
Now they are six points ahead of fifth place, in a semi-final at Wemberlee, and one game away from a possible semi in the CL.
Of course it is pointless to look ahead to Cup Competitions when the next game is Wigan away, it is a game Arsenal must win, and they must concentrate on it. However, although he will deny it, Wenger will have to pick a team that can win whilst reserving resources for the next two even more important games.
Squad good enough?
A few weeks ago it was common belief that Man U and Liverpool had stronger squads than Arsenal. Yet the last week or so have seen both these teams suffer serious defeats. Indeed Man U lost two in a row, before struggling to overcome Villa, and then get a poor home result against Porto. Meanwhile Liverpool suffered one of their worst home defeats in Europe ever.
Meanwhile Arsenal have continued to grind out results, yes one or two many draws, but now that Adebayor, Walcott and Fabregas are back things look very different. Eduardo and Rvp will be taking late fitness tests, if they are not ready for Wigan there will still be plenty of games they are needed for. Wenger will need to rotate as carefully and effectively as he has ever done. But the problem is no longer midfield or strikers, we clearly have an abundance of riches there.
Injury Jinx Strikes Again
It is the defence that will now be under scrutiny; in one game the Gunner's have lost three key defenders, Gallas for the rest of the season, Almunia for at least two to three weeks and Clichy for two.
I don't agree with those fans who say Almunia isn't a match winner, perhaps they haven't watched the games I have, but I have seen him make many crucial saves this season. The team is undefeated in the last 17 premier games, don't tell me that is possible without a good keeper. No doubt Fabianski will be a good replacement, we are about to find out.
Gallas has been a different player since he lost the captaincy, he has played well match after match. One consolation is that Toure has now found form, and whoever plays alongside him should get good cover.
Gibbs
Clichy has not been at his best defensively, but his attacking runs have taken pressure off the defence. The first question Wenger asks about any fullback is, "How good are they at attacking?", which is why I think Wenger will go with Gibbs. His defending is not 100% yet, but he has great pace and a good engine. He is in the mould of Cole and Clichy, a natural attacking defender. Wenger will probably stick with Djourou and Silvestre on the bench.
Whoever he picks the reality is he hasn't got a great deal of choice; but he has to make any eleven he puts out feel like winners. In the second half at Villarreal he did just that, and they didn't let him down.
That winning mentality will be all important over the next eight days, after months of waiting Arsenal's season has finally begun. The next eight days could make or break or it.
Arsenal Possible Squad: Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Silvestre, Arshavin, Denilson, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Adebayor, Mannone, Song, Vela, Bendtner, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Diaby, (Eduardo and RvP late tests).
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:14:09:51:45 by Padre Pio.
Going to this one
.
I wonder if Eduardo or Van Persie will make it, and if they do pass fitness tests whether Wenger will start any of them.
Reckon Fabianski will do fine, obviously talented.
I think he might go with Silvestre and Bendtner will definitely start.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:10:21:19:20 by pk_gunner.
Can imagine Nik starting, and the other two on Bench. Also Arshavin available. He certainly will be able to rest some forwards and still have firepower
These 10 days will define our season once and for all.