As expected, we should have Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Carlos Vela in the squad for Saturday which is nice. We could do with the one out, one in routine changing
There are no more if’s or but’s. We know who we could face in the next Champions League quarter finals in tomorrow’s draw. I don’t know why but this year just feels much closer to the final. A rather silly statement as every quarter final is nothing more or less than a quarter final.
I suppose the team has improved and our form is good right now, so the belief is with more of the support than it may have been if we were chasing fourth place in our domestic league.
Barcelona pulled out yet another display of scintillating football as they swatted Alex Hleb’s Stuttgart aside as if they were not even there. Lionel Messi again showing tremendous talent.
Chamakh’s Bordeaux saw off Olympiakos in the other tie.
None of those games are likely to be straight forward, all are at this stage for a reason, they have produced results when it has mattered but if I was selecting an opponent then it would probably come from the two French candidates. I cannot see us getting the luck of the ‘draw’ though. I want to avoid Manchester United because of our previous record against them and the fact that I enjoy watching European teams against us.
This year Chelsea and Liverpool have gone out so the chances of drawing an English side will be far less. Obviously.
My main concern is that we can keep our players away from injury during this crucial home straight. We need everyone fit and healthy during a period where we need to pull out results every single week.
One player who is hoping to remain fit more than most is Theo Walcott who has had a treacherous season in terms of injuries. Alan Shearer believes that Theo Walcott should be on the plane to South Africa. With David Beckham looking likely to miss out on a place in the squad, the door has sprung open for Theo and I am sure that more performances like the one against Burnley will see our player get his wish.
I liked the impact that he made against Hull, it looks like he has dusted off the rust and is looking back to his sharpest. All he needs now is confidence and self belief, this will come from playing well and hopefully making assists and putting the ball in the net.
West Ham at home could be the next time we see Theo starting. You get the feeling that Arsene wants to use Theo in home games against weaker sides but I am not sure at this stage if Walcott will start away from home against dangerous opposition. I could well be wrong as he started at Stamford Bridge, it doesn’t come much more difficult than that.
As expected, we should have Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Carlos Vela in the squad for Saturday which is nice. We could do with the one out, one in routine changing. Just players coming in would be pretty handy at this stage. William Gallas is still a worry. I don’t like all the speculation involving him leaving and then this long term injury that seems to have coincided at the same time.
We are going to need Gallas during this last period, his form has been fantastic all season. I would say he has been our most consistent performer all season and this is the time when we need his pace and experience.
Sol Campbell has been great so far, but you cannot expect him to play every week from now until the very end.
Here is for hoping.
Back again tomorrow.
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