Jack Wilshere is yet to make a start in an Arsenal shirt outside of the Carling Cup and a home match in the FA Cup could be a situation where Arsene may not be as reluctant to use him. At least that is what I hope for

On Friday evening, I said the usual ‘Back tomorrow’ clearly I was not telling the truth was I? It has been a strange couple of days. In the absence of Arsenal playing over the weekend I very unusually put Arsenal right to the back of my mind. I couldn’t get up for writing, I wouldn’t get up for reading other articles from different websites, I hardly looked on newsnow over the weekend.

Normally I crave Arsenal when we are not playing but this time I just took it in my stride and almost forgot about the team. But don’t worry it is not a long term sickness that I have picked up, I am as right as rain today and am raring to go. I think I just needed to recharge my batteries, it is not always easy to find time to write, with a young family and work as long as other commitments that I have tucked away in my personal life.

Anyhow, you are not hear for that you are hear to discuss about the game tonight which I am very excited about. The FA Cup path has been pretty planned out for us should we beat teams that should be beating , that is not said with any complacency involved but our squad should have enough quality to see off the likes of Cardiff, Burnley and Hull or Sheffield United all at the Emirates. Winning those games would see us take a place in the semi finals and in with a very good shout of lifting our first trophy since previous squad beat Manchester United on Penalties in 2005.

Let me get back to football manager speak.

We do not concentrate on that, we have to think about the next game because you can be beaten by anyone if you are not switched on and show the right attitude.

Cardiff had a right go at us in Wales and we rode our luck for parts during the 90 minutes, well that and some bad finishing from their players. I expect them to be plucky and courageous tonight. I do not expect them to sit back and try and stifle us but I do expect them to raise their game and fight for every ball. I would like to think that our side will try and match that commitment from their players and I hope our quality comes through on the day.

As ever we have a few absentees excluded from the game for various reasons. Rosicky, Cesc, Diaby, Eboue, Arshavin, Adebayor and possibly ex Cardiff midfielder Aaron Ramsey miss out. Clichy should return to the starting eleven after a head injury against Tottenham.

The squad is pretty stretched at present, especially in midfield, so Arsene doesn’t have much in the way of choices. Jack Wilshere is yet to make a start in an Arsenal shirt outside of the Carling Cup and a home match in the FA Cup could be a situation where Arsene may not be as reluctant to use him. At least that is what I hope for.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Predictions

Given that the game is on Monday, our players should have had enough rest to feature tonight. I expect Djourou should come back into the side. Van Persie is the only other player who might sit out but I think he will be given a start. We should have too much for Cardiff this time, but hopefully it is an entertaining match.

Other News

Interesting comments from Bendtner about being good enough to play every match for Arsenal, the press are having a field day about it which really isn’t much of a surprise is it. Had it have been Wayne Rooney then you can be sure he would have been commended for having natural confidence which gives him the edge. It is just the usual from the press. I personally think that it is good that he has confidence in his ability, as long as he is level headed at the same time then it can be used as a strength.

I personally do not agree that he is the best at the club at present, but I do think that he has plenty in the locker to become a world class player. The thing is that I feel that he doesn’t usually have the type of partner that suits his game. Give him a run in the team alongside a quick player with good movement and Bendtner would do very well. I have said this before but I do not believe that Bendtner does anything for Van Persie and same the other way round.

Arsene has kept his attacking options more open that we think.

Wenger said:

“It is not completely decided who will play yet because we have many possibilities we can try,” said Wenger. “At the moment it is very open.

“It’s not only [an opportunity] for Nicklas Bendtner. I believe he has had plenty of opportunities this year; if you look at the number of games he has started you will be surprised.”

Eduardo and Vela are the other alternatives along with Nasri would can play off the front man so I am not sure that the options are that wide open until the walking wounded stumble through the doors at London Colney.

Yaya Toure is set to join……. *throws that article in the bin*

So on that note, I shall shake a leg and get on with the day ahead. Good luck you Gooners.

Back again tomorrow….for real this time.

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