Match Preview – Liverpool (a) – Champions League
Van Persie could be fit, he could not be. Well, it is van Persie, going by trends, he’ll be "a doubt" for the next couple of matches and then we’ll next see him in March 2009
Van Persie could be fit, he could not be. Well, it is van Persie, going by trends, he’ll be "a doubt" for the next couple of matches and then we’ll next see him in March 2009
There’s a possibility of mild rotation from both managers for this league game. They have fourth place pretty much sewn up, we have third pretty much sewn up, and the priority for both sides is the Champions League
Sagna will miss all three games against Liverpool, as will Rosicky, probably. Other than that everyone’s available. I think we’ll probably go with Toure at right back again as it allows for the strongest back four we have available
Assuming Rosicky is still absent, we’re as we were. If our players don’t all come back from international duty with lengthy injuries, that is. Sagna’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least 3 weeks, so we could see Hoyte or Eboue at right back for this game
The same side that stuttered to a draw at home to Middlesbrough will probably start again at Stamford Bridge. I doubt Arsene will surprise us by playing Walcott or anything. Although I would like to see him starting ahead of Eboue
We welcome back Eboue from suspension. van Persie and Toure will be pushing for starts. Toure is quite likely to be back in first eleven, I’m not sure about Robin
As usual, injuries will dictate our starting line up. We have a mere four fit midfield players, after it was revealed that Diaby, Denilson and Walcott are all injured
Van Persie returns to the squad for this game, most likely starting on the bench. He won’t be started in a game of this importance after going without match practice for however many months. Eboue will be added to the squad, but that’s the only likely addition.
Van Persie can’t be too far away from fitness now, and Eduardo now gone I expect Wenger will make an effort to get Robin match fit as soon as possible. Obviously not if it’s detrimental to his injury
Toure obviously misses this game after his injury against Milan, although it is not as bad as first feared. It is expected he’ll be out for around two weeks