The typical early injury crisis is rather untypically clearing up at a rapid rate. Andrey Arshavin who missed the last few weeks since the Internationals through injury has healed and is ready to unleash his powers against Fulham

It is pretty difficult to start this preview without talking about the terrible same fixture last year. That one fixture was pretty much everything that was wrong with the Arsenal of 2008/2009. A team full of talented players simply expecting a result without giving the required effort. Fulham knowing that they were the inferior team technically topped up their chances by adding commitment to the mix. Hangeland beat Gallas to a corner and scored the winner.

Fast forward a season and the squad seem to have realised that to succeed they will have to give everything they have. The hard work to win the ball early was watered down a little at the Eastlands but hopefully this was down to the International break that we had suffered prior to the game.

The team cruised to victory against Wigan in neutral and were given a break by the youngsters in midweek so the squad can have little excuses for not sweating blood and tears from the very first whistle.

The typical early injury crisis is rather untypically clearing up at a rapid rate. Andrey Arshavin who missed the last few weeks since the Internationals through injury has healed and is ready to unleash his powers against Fulham. We know it is a squad game but you always want your match winners available. Having Arshavin fit after a good performance for his country playing against Manchester City is something that scratches at my mind from time to time. It is likely that our Russian playmaker will take his place on the left of the Arsenal frontline.

Theo Walcott could be included in the Arsenal squad for the first time this season but will probably have to find a comfortable place on the bench as he will be lacking the all important match sharpness. If he does get a spot on the bench then it will be very interesting to see Theo running at Fulham late on in the game and even more interesting to know how he manages to adapt to the new formation. Theo Walcott seems like yet another player who will blossom in the new 4-3-3 system.

This could be Nicklas Bendtner’s push to cement his place in the Arsenal side. Wenger will want to use Walcott in the same position that the big Dane is currently occupying. The wide right position may not be his most natural position and it is no coincidence that his best game so far was whilst playing down the middle away to Standard Liege, it was also no accident that he scored his first goal of the season playing in that area but the problem for Bendtner is a certain Dutchman who is an established first team player and is vital to our attacking style.

The most interesting change of the day could well be in between the Arsenal sticks. Manuel Almunia must still have a few millimetres left of his bottle of antibiotics as he continues to be left out due to a troublesome chest infection. Arsene Wenger very cleverly avoided answering the question of who would be playing in place of the Spaniard. Surely if Mannone was going to continue he would have just said it as it is, as he had done when Almunia was first ruled out. The spot could well be left open for 19 year old Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny.

The Pole had a positive first team debut in the 2-0 victory in the Carling Cup against West Brom and could well be asked to continue in the Arsenal goal.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

The only real selection issues I have is that of Emmanuel Eboue and Tomas Rosicky. The former having a fantastic game against Wigan and could have taken the man of the match award had it not been for Thomas Vermaelen’s brace. Eboue’s mobility, pace and mobility could see the Ivorian replace Bendtner.

Tomas Rosicky is a player who has looked sharp and bright since returning from his long lay off. Wenger could keep him in reserve still, getting another opportunity in the second half to show what he can bring but I would not be surprised to see either of the two start the game with Diaby and Bendtner being the two with the most realistic chance of dropping out of the starting eleven.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Having had time to recharge those batteries, I expect the team to come out with passion and determination. We could possibly have the strongest squad since the season started so if we can battle and play like we can then I expect us to be too good for a good Fulham team.