The FA Cup returns once again and it will be another case of all change at the Emirates. With a record nine fixtures being lined up in the month of January, it is very likely that Arsene Wenger will change most of the team that have been playing very well and winning matches in recent weeks.
Rotation will now become a little more flexible with the return of some injured players and in one case, a player that has been seeking pastures new. Manuel Almunia is likely to return in between the sticks in place of Wojciech Szczesny whilst Lukasz Fabianski is still absent due to a shoulder problem.
Johan Djourou has been playing game after game in recent weeks due to the injuries of both Thomas Vermaelen and Sébastien Squillaci. The latter returns after suffering from a hamstring strain, the former still patiently waiting to get fit enough to join his team mates.
Alex Song not playing any part in our victory over Ipswich, suggests that he could take a couple steps back into the heart of the defence to save Laurent Koscielny for Tuesday’s game against Everton at home.
Denilson is likely to keep his place in the team, he needs the games to get him back to the required level. Abou Diaby will add some much needed physical power and ability to run past a pack of opposition midfielders. I would have expected Tomas Rosicky to have played in the advanced attacking position but he still remains a doubt due to illness, although he is included in the squad so I am intrigued to know if he manages to get a start. If Rosicky is not well enough to start then I expect Samir Nasri to start the game from the attacking central position just as he did away at Leeds United.
The forward line is likely to consist of Bendtner, Chamakh and Arshavin and I believe that area to be important. Against Leeds at the Emirates and Ipswich at Portman road our front line were very static and did not offer the midfield enough movement and creativity so our football did not have enough end product. When you include Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie then that problem vanishes but the selected players have to replicate the same end product as Arsene’s first choice attackers.
Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up
One to watch: Abou Diaby
He may not be everyone’s cup of tea but Abou Diaby still remains one of my favourite players. A player with fantastic ability and has the ability to completely dominate midfield battles.
Patience may well be required as Diaby is often quite a slow starter after injury, his West Brom performance earlier in the season a perfect example but once he gets games under his belt then I believe his presence and availability to the squad will be very important.
I want to see the Song and Diaby partnership again in the ‘two’ behind the attacking three midfielders but I do not think that will be the case today as Alex may well be required in the back four, for the first time this season. It will be interesting to see the communication between Diaby and Denilson as one pushes forward and the other is required to sit back.
Mean Lean’s Match Prediction:
Arsenal 3 (Diaby, Bendtner, Arshavin) Huddersfield 0
Even with most of our team rested for Tuesday’s game against the Toffee’s, you would expect our group of players to have more than enough to beat league one side Huddersfield at the Emirates.
I expect a few of them to be carrying a bit of the typical rust you pick up from not playing regularly but I am hoping and expecting to see the same determination when not in possession and then the same quick pass and move football that we have become used to over the last few months.
I would love to see Andrey Arshavin turn on the style today and reproduce his best form. A goal today will give him a much needed lift, especially if the crowd can get behind him.
Victory and no injuries will do me nicely.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS.
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