Those games would have taken plenty out of the players, especially Wednesday’s game and with so many players currently fresh as daisies and twiddling their thumbs on the bench, I am guessing that a few will be drafted in to freshen things up a little. There is an argument that the players will get a full weeks rest after today and that is very true, a much needed rest at that but that does not cancel

I join the casualty list today, missing my first game of the season. When something comes in the way of viewing the Arsenal, I usually find a way of manoeuvring around the issue or at least combining the two but no such luck today. My daughters 10th birthday party has fallen smack bang in the middle of our wrestle for three points against Fulham at the Emirates. I shall be recording the game and watching as soon as I get home. I admire those who are able to steer clear of the result so they can watch it without knowing what will happen. I simply do not have anywhere near that amount of willpower.

The team have passed several tests over the last few weeks, we have won games in many ways and I feel like today will be a new test for the team or more to the point, the squad. We now know Arsene Wenger’s current first eleven and those players have been fantastic. Arsene has found a good balance between defensive stability, pace and offensive creativity.

I suspect that Arsene will look towards the wheels of rotation this afternoon and that could be where the test lies. Many of the players have played for their countries during the international week, played away at Norwich and then played in an intensive Champions League game against German champions Borussia Dortmund. Did I mention that we are currently the only English club to have qualified for the knock outs so far?

Those games would have taken plenty out of the players, especially Wednesday’s game and with so many players currently fresh as daisies and twiddling their thumbs on the bench, I am guessing that a few will be drafted in to freshen things up a little. There is an argument that the players will get a full weeks rest after today and that is very true, a much needed rest at that but that does not cancel out the recent pile up of fixtures. There is no use having a weeks rest after your hamstring has snapped because you played one game too many.

Obviously I do not have the GPS tracking statistics on my computer or know the oxygen levels in their bloods etc so we couldn’t be certain who might be close to the dreaded red zone but a few players were visibly exhausted at the end of Wednesday’s game.

Gervinho seems to be ‘lacking a little bit sharpness’ which wouldn’t be a surprise considering the amount of ground he covers both defensively and offensively. I imagine his array of missed chances in the last few games may have taken a bit out of him mentally as well, so perhaps now is a good time to pull him out of the firing line.

If that is the case then it will be interesting to see who replaces him. The obvious choice is out of favour Andrey Arshavin but if based on, current form and momentum then Yossi Benayoun deserves his chance. His cameo from the bench on Wednesday was very impressive, he combined with van Persie and moved the ball around very well.

Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey are another two players who could find themselves with their feet up on the substitutes bench both Johan Djourou and Tomas Rosicky or Abou Diaby could be capable of replacing them for a one off. The trouble is, too many changes can and most probably would effect the momentum and continuity of the team’s good work over the last few weeks.

Hopefully we will keep our spinal players all together because those players are really giving the team a good base to work from. Szczesny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Song and van Persie are currently one of the strongest spines in the Premier league right now and as long as they play together then we have a good chance of beating most teams that cross our path.

I tell you what would be nice to see, some goals from other members of the team. As much as I want RVP to continue scoring, we need to share out that responsibility amongst the rest of the team. Walcott, Ramsey and whoever replaces Gervinho should all be capable of scoring goals and fingers crossed we can do that this afternoon.

Fulham’s away record at Arsenal has been pretty pants to date but I have seen them once this season against Tottenham and they were unlucky in that game. They have a number of attacking players who can cause us problems, especially if Arsene goes all Benitez on us and makes a number of defensive changes, I don’t imagine that will happen though.

Ideally we can rest three or four players yet keep our fluidity, score some goals and look strong defensively. An even better scenario would be goals being scored from many different players but right now I’d take a 1-0 van Persie last minute winner. It is important that we keep our run going and continue to gain points on those above us.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

COYG.