
The most interesting selection for Arsene Wenger will be who to play as the defensive shield in the Arsenal midfield. Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong are both suspended whilst Abou Diaby is sitting out injured. With Denilson out on loan, we are looking incredibably short in that area for today's game. According to the very reliable Jamie Sanderson from Young Guns blog, young French midfielder Francis Coquelin will start the game as the defensive midfielder. I thought we might see Johan Djourou return to the position that he started at as a youngster. If Coquelin starts the game then he is likely to be
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With Laurent Koscielny still struggling for fitness, the return of Johan Djourou will ease Wenger's fears slightly, I didn't want to see Alex Song moved back into defence for such an important game, especially

Carl Jenkinson will be playing out of position at left back which is some introduction into the first team. With Arshavin playing ahead of the youngster, it would be no surprise to see Liverpool attempt to exploit that area. Luis Suarez most probably being the player to drift onto that side and try and make
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Anyway, enough of the negativity and onto why we are good enough to win this game. European nights at the Emirates are usually very good with the players responding to the supporters. I think that explains why our home record in the Champions League is actually very good. Recent nights against Porto, Villarreal and of course Barcelona were all amazing. A stark contrast to some of the
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The team visit a ground that has left such a mental scar for many fans around the world and probably some of the players and given the negativity surrounding the club with unsettled players it could be one of the worst grounds to have to visit on an opening day. But that depends on which glasses you are peering through. A solid and convincing team display and victory could wipe the slate clean for the players to take part, a chance to unlock the shackles that are attached to certain players who will not
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We have been greeted to some wonderful yet surprising news that Jack Wilshere will be resting his legs over the summer instead of galavanting around with the under 21s. While his effort and commitment has never been faulted this season, it looks clear that the season has physically taken
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Plenty of talk has been about winning mentality, commitment and desire yet his absence has almost been ignored. You would find it difficult to find a person, fan or neutral who would deny that Vermaelen does not have all of those qualities
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It is quite difficult to talk about this game without mentioning Ramsey and Shawcross, mainly because Ramsey will be starting against him for the first time since the assault. I think it will be good for Ramsey to get this game over and done with, he was developing into an established Arsenal midfielder until that game and he and Arsene will want to get back on that level so as soon as we can put this game
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Jack Wilshere will return to the starting line up after resting at Tottenham. He will also be returning to the club that gave him his break into the Premier League on loan and he will be looking to show how much he has matured during his time back at Arsenal
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That is how fine the margins are. Had Mariner and last night's referee done their jobs correctly then we would be currently four points behind them with tonight's game in hand. However I know it is not as easy as that, apparently decisions even themselves out over the course of the season. If that is the