Arsene said about this fixture “I want to play the players who have played the most games against Stoke”. Looking at the stats, that would probably mean playing Silvestre at left back with Djourou at centre back

A respectable point at Old Trafford leads us to our final match of the 2008/2009 season. If we win today (which isn’t exactly a certainty), we’ll end up with eleven fewer points than last season. However Arsene decides to dress it up, it’s an unacceptable drop in points in one season. His plan is to develop a young team that will improve season on season until one day they rule the world. Last season we finished four points off the eventual winners, this season we will end up at least eighteen behind, if not more. That’s the third furthest we’ve been from the top during Arsene’s reign, in twelve full seasons. In his pre-game press conference, he said “We have a team that is on the way up”. The points totals would suggest otherwise. Wenger has identified the defence as being the problem for the second season running, let’s hope the problem is corrected in the summer. Without the signing of a Manchester United reject. John O’Shea, anyone? I think, as we have been for the past however many trophyless seasons it is now, we’re very close to being a team capable of challenging for the league.

Two experienced players are required (the two that Wenger mentions at the end of each season but fails to buy). Firstly, an organising central defender, who has experience at the top level and is over six foot tall. Secondly, we need a powerful, experienced, first choice partner for Cesc in midfield. Wenger has no idea who his first choice midfield is, which is a problem. Denilson and Song improved this season, but neither of them, nor Diaby, are suitable long term partners for Fab. Impressive signings in those two positions could improve our all round play and our defensive solidity, and allow us to express ourselves in an attacking sense without fear of shipping four goals in down the other end. I don’t know why I’m delivering a sub-par season review, this is supposed to be a preview.

Stoke are in fairly solid end of season form, having won six of their last ten games, achieving mathematical Premier League safety with a few games to spare. They look set to finish in eleventh place, above teams like Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn and Portsmouth, which is a fairly remarkable achievement in their first season in the Premier League. Liverpool failed to beat them in both attempts. Some final day revenge for the early season defeat at the Brittania Stadium would be a nice way to end the campaign. They kicked us while we were down, when we had just capitulated in extra time against Spurs to draw four all, six of today’s likely starters started in that game and should be looking to dish out some punishment.

Team News

Arsene said about this fixture “I want to play the players who have played the most games against Stoke”. Looking at the stats, that would probably mean playing Silvestre at left back with Djourou at centre back, if he’s fit. If not, Song could continue at centre back, with most played player Denilson partnering Fabregas in midfield. Eboue could also play at left back. Walcott and Nasri would be on the wings, with van Persie and Adebayor up front. However, because Nasri is injured and assuming Adebayor is still “injured”, Bendtner would in theory play up front with Arshavin on the left. Almunia’s ankle problem is still keeping him out of the squad but Fabianski has been passed fit, so Mannone won’t get the first team chance that was mentioned in the approach to this game.

Subs: Mannone, Gibbs, Silvestre, Djourou, Diaby, Ramsey, Vela.

Stoke

Danny Higginbotham, Amdy Faye and Salif Diao are out injured. I would suspect they’ll line up with a rather packed midfield and attempt to keep us contained. Henri Camara could be back in their squad after sitting out their last game against Wigan due to the terms of his loan deal.