Aaron Ramsey could be drafted back into the side to replace our captain alongside Diaby and Song. That is still a very strong midfield, more creative than the one which started against Villa but probably not as strong of the defensive side

The games are still coming thick and fast, the injuries are increasing at an alarming rate but one thing that should control those two obstacles is self belief. I am hoping that the performance against Aston Villa will have lifted the whole squad, it is during these weeks when your team is being stripped of its best players that you have to find that little extra inside you in order to get results, the team that can do it regularly and consistently will have a good chance of lifting the Premier League trophy come the end of the season.

Ideally Arsene would have wanted to go into this period with Van Persie leading the goal scorers charts and Rosicky having played in most of the games so far and Cesc fit enough to start after his heroic cameo on the weekend but this is not the case. To have collected the points we have during a time when so many quality players have been out is just remarkable and shows the strength of depth that this squad has, especially in an attacking sense.

After losing Cesc and Denilson from our midfield, the gods have been kind enough to allow Alex Song to remain in England for a little while longer. I am extremely grateful that Abou Diaby has remained fit for the last few weeks and will start tonight. The midfielder is in very good form and must be on a high after recent goals. Arsene has the option of dropping Sami Nasri back a notch into midfield to replace Cesc, Wenger has Theo Walcott and now Tomas Rosicky who can play in attacking positions but I do not expect Arsene to want to make too many changes to a side that will already have to adjust to injured players being absent.

Aaron Ramsey could be drafted back into the side to replace our captain alongside Diaby and Song. That is still a very strong midfield, more creative than the one which started against Villa but probably not as strong of the defensive side.

I expect Theo Walcott to come back into the side after his assist for Cesc’s second goal, he is fresh and if given space in behind can hurt a Portsmouth side who like to attack from their left.

Nasri or Eduardo could be rested, I am guessing that Nasri could be the one as Arsene may want to balance the side with another striker on the pitch.

Wenger has Rosicky back in the squad but I expect him to be on the bench, coming on in the second half to prepare him for the FA Cup clash against West Ham.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Since creating the graphic for the line up I have changed my mind. (lazy, I know) I have selected Ramsey to replace Denilson with Diaby playing further forward. The pair played in that way against Wolves before Diaby hobbled off but I expect Diaby to be Denilson’s replacement with Ramsey pulling the strings. The two will no doubt interchange as the games goes on but I expect this to be the primary roles for the two players.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Can Diaby score three goals in three games? It seems unlikely but I can just vision his long legs striding through the Portsmouth penalty box and slotting past the keeper. Eduardo needs goals and if he starts he could convert one of the chances that he has missed in recent works. Law of averages right?

I was going to say that three points is vital but it is pointless, every game three points are vital. Win, lose or draw doesn’t mean we are in or out of the title race we are in a good position, lets hope the boys can produce another big performances.

Come on you Gunners.