Arsene Wenger may have a job on his hands in motivating the players to go hell for leather but to be honest, I do not think Arsene will be instructing his players to do that

Sorry for the absence of blog yesterday, I took part in the Arseblog 5 aside tournament yesterday afternoon and our team came bottom without a win, not good. We came second last year so it was a real kick in the teeth. Ah well, the real football is back on today.

I see this game more as preparation for Wednesdays game more than an actual league game. I expect Arsene to rest players who have had plenty of football recently, and it is a good chance to play some of the fresher players who have been sitting on the bench. This is also a game where he can give players some more match fitness ahead of the all important two legged chess game against Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson would have watched the game at Anfield and may feel that his team can exploit our defensive shortcomings so it may not be a chess game after all. Both teams are attacking teams who have many match winners, so it should make for an exciting tie.

Anyway, there is plenty of time to talk about that one, we face a struggling Middlesbrough side who are fighting for their Premier League lives. Manager Gareth Southgate is yet to lose against Arsenal since taking over the reins at the Riverside.

Arsene Wenger may have a job on his hands in motivating the players to go hell for leather but to be honest, I do not think Arsene will be instructing his players to do that. It will be a case of patient possession football and hopefully create enough chances to win the game.

Three players have been on the injury table in recent weeks and they will be looking to get some much needed match sharpness under their belts err shorts. Manuel Almunia should replace Fabianski who has had an up and down stint in the Arsenal goal. Johan Djourou will hopefully add some calm to a nervous looking defence and Adebayor could come off the bench in the last 30 hour or so.

I would personally rest Cesc Fabregas and perhaps even Samir Nasri ahead of the all important midweek fixture. Having said that Samir Nasri did not play against Chelsea in the FA Cup so Wenger may feel that he could play three games in a row.

I would be very tempted to rotate the squad quite alot to make sure we do not pick up anymore injuries. Our key players could always grab 20 minutes at the end to keep the momentum of playing.

We have not seen much of Eduardo for a while as he has been brought back very slowly, Sunday’s game would be a perfect chance to give him a start, his predatory instincts could be useful from here on in.

Nicklas Bendtner has done well when partnered alongside the Crozilian, so he could well keep his place in the team.

If Djourou does come back into the team then Wenger will have to decide if he wants talent or experience at left back. I would guess that whoever plays left back against Boro will play on Wednesday night. Gibbs can hold his head high after the Anfield performance but he was guilty of some expected positional errors. Silvestre could be drafted in for his know how, not that his body actually currently knows how to defend but maybe he can pull out a big game performance against his former side.

Emmanuel Eboue hasn’t played much football in recent weeks but as Theo was on the bench against Liverpool. I cannot imagine the same will happen again on Sunday. Theo looked dangerous when he came on in that frantic final moments, so a big game from the little greyhound on Sunday could give him the confidence to rip United.

Sorry, I need to stop talking about Wednesday. Luckily I won’t be on that pitch on Sunday with my mind fixed onto Wednesday, oh and also the fact that I would be a tad out of place at Premier League level.

Boro have a few players we need to keep an eye out for. Former Gooner Aliadiere scored against us last year and again this season will want to repeat that trick. Tuncay looks like a fine player who has caused us problems in recent times, namely his assist and goal at the Riverside earlier in the season.

Some nice early goals from the home side is just what our team need, then we can relax and play our football. Wenger can start thinking about (I won’t say it)

If it doesn’t work out that way then we will have to put our energy into trying to get three points. Arsene still wants third place from Chelsea. It could have been made a little easier had West Ham scored the penalty yesterday *sigh*

I am hoping to witness the Arshavin – Eduardo partnership for 90 minutes. I can see goals from them. Arshavin needs Eduardo’s movement and Eduardo needs Arshavin’s vision. They seem like a match made in heaven, just as Bergkamp and Ljungberg were not so long ago.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

I keep predicting Bendtner and he never scores when I do, I am determined to get it right. I have had a dreadful season when it comes to predictions. Last season I was flying with some great ones, I am obviously a one season wonder who cannot be arsed now that I have my pay cheque! Pay cheque? What pay cheque?

I predict that we will play at a very slow tempo which Boro will be happy to sit back and deal with, They will play us on the break which Toure and company will deal with pretty easily. We will up the tempo late into the second half, that along with the introduction of Adebayor should help us crack their resolve.

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