Arsenal but with Oliver Giroud pushing to start and grab his first goals for Arsenal, Theo's path may well be blocked once more. That needn't be the case if Arsene continues last season's league cup formula and switches to a 4-4-2. Last season Park partnered Chamakh in attack, a duo of Walcott
I re-watched the Stoke game again last night and it is incredible how a game looks once you remove the adrenaline and fear. We were in control for most of the game and while the chemistry isn't yet set between the players, it struck me that our issue was more to do with our sharpness, especially in front
We have not played two direct attacking wide forwards in the same game since we beat Aston Villa at home in early March, that day Gervinho and Walcott terrorised Villa. I would love for us to be that direct today and really go at Norwich from the start. That would mean Oxlade-Chamberlain starting on the right and Gervinho on the left of Robin van Persie. I suspect Yossi Benayoun will retain his
Robin van Persie is more than due a goal from open play as he hits his first rut of the season and it will be interesting to see how he combines with Gervinho. When Gervinho replaced the hamstrung Walcott last weekend, he looked sharp and immediately gave us a link from the right of the pitch, something that Theo was struggling to do in that game.
For Arsenal, we all know that we will have to make do without the services of Mikel Arteta for the rest of the season. With Yossi Benayoun ineligible for this fixture, Arsene's options are fairly limited although we have a double midfield boost with Abou Diaby and Francis Coquelin returning to the squad. Aaron Ramsey is likely to start the game but which position? He has spent most of the season as the furthest forward but Tomas Rosicky seized his chance when Ramsey picked up and
Tomas Rosicky should return to the side tonight after having been fully rested at Wolves in midweek. Gervinho returns to the squad and so could Kieran Gibbs if he comes through late fitness checks. I am interested to know who will get the nod at left back. Gibbs has done very well since his return to the side and Santos is not quite up to speed since his long term
Manchester City were pushed into a box in their own half and were not allowed to get out. The likes of Yossi Benayoun, Tomas Rosicky, Alex Song and company forced them to turn over possession time and time again. Manchester City only managed one shot on target in the whole game. As good as our defence were on the day, they did not have to perform heroic clearances off the lines or last ditch
Tomas Rosicky and David Silva could be important to either side and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the one that contributed more to their team were the team that went on to win the game. David Silva started the season flying and has tailed off towards the end of the season whilst our Czech play maker has found his stride in the second half of the season. Both players have different roles for their team, Silva starts from wider positions while Rosicky starts from a central position. In a game of possession, both teams will be looking
The left attacker is the only position in which I have to guess Arsene's selection. Against Everton at Goodison park, Arsene chose Aaron Ramsey to add that extra bite, that extra body in the middle of the pitch to win the midfield battle. Against Aston Villa at home, Arsene played two natural wide attackers as I am sure he was confident enough of dominating the ball. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another option but I am guessing that it will be between the former options. Gervinho put in a superb defensive performance against Aston Villa
As Chelsea and Tottenham go head to head we really need to take advantage of this home fixture and take all three points. We have all had a chuckle at the demise of our bragging neighbours in recent weeks but they have been running up hill for the most part, having to deal with some difficult fixtures including today but it all changes for them for the 9 game stretch.