Coincedentially, this same fixture took place on the 21st February 2009, only a day later than the fixture today. That was a very frustrating afternoon as our players continued to bang their heads against the Sunderland brick wall

This game couldn’t come fast enough for Wenger, the squad, the supporters and mostly for Lukasz Fabianski. I have had heard just about enough about the defensive and goalkeeping lapses in our recent Champions League run out.

Were they ridiculous errors? you would be hard pressed to find many Gooners out there who would think otherwise but it is far from the end of the world. I would say that it is a tie that we are very much in control of considering we are losing from the first leg.

Unfortunatley for our Polish keeper, he may not have the chance to redeem himself as Manuel Almunia is looking likely to win the race to be fit enough to face the Wearsiders.

What could be one mans pain could well be another’s gain, as Almunia will be looking to continue from his last outing at the Emirates against Liverpool where he might just have gained us two points after denying a rasper of a shot from substitute Ryan Babel.

What is almost certain is that the team will not be given room for the same mistakes that were made on Wednesday evening, games are running out and every point will have to be fought for if the team were to be in contention for the main prize in May.

The usual mixed injury news has resurfaced. Instead of slowing getting all our players back, it seems like we only have a one in, one out policy in the treatment room. No sooner was I waxing lyrical about our super trio midfield, Abou Diaby picks up yet another problem and will be out of action for a while. Abou Diaby has probably been our player of the month and has surpassed Cesc in our last two games. His power, drive and goal threat will be missed for the length of time he will be missing but the return of Song will be important to the physical shape of the engine room.

I thought Denilson grew as the game went on in Portugal and was much improved from his recent displays since returning to the side. Hopefully he can continue to improve in the coming weeks because it is now when we need our players to hit form.

We have been stuttering lately and have looked disjointed at times. We know about the defensive issues against our main rivals then it was a good workman like performance against Liverpool which I hoped would be a good platform for us to crack on but the game against Porto was a bit of a mixed bag, some nice attacking play without really carving apart the opposition to some good and obviously embarrassing situations at the other end.

I expect our approach to go back to all out attack against a Sunderland side who have been going through some real problem of late. These are the games which I don’t mind us throwing a tad more caution to the wind as apposed to doing so at Stamford Bridge.

Andrey Arshavin will absent from the squad so I expect Arsene to go with a right side of Eboue and Walcott. A very attacking and direct side of the pitch that will allow more space and options from our ball players. If Theo Walcott does start then I hope he can show some of his best form. He is fresh, fit and should be improving from game to game at this stage of the season.

Coincedentially, this same fixture took place on the 21st February 2009, only a day later than the fixture today. That was a very frustrating afternoon as our players continued to bang their heads against the Sunderland brick wall, and the score finished 0-0. Realistically, that result could end our hopes if not mathematically impossible.

I do not expect the side to be tested defensively as they were in midweek but when they do the team as a whole must do their jobs correctly and put the Porto match out of their minds.

This is the time to click into gear, I believe that the team gain confidence from playing good attacking football instead of results like a Chelsea for example, it has been a while since we pulled out a complete performance and this afternoon would be the perfect place to start.

One to watch: Theo Walcott

As Walcott is fresh, I see no reason why he shouldn’t be starting the game on the right of the attacking three. He really needs to contribute positively to the game. What he needs is to make the right choices early on which will provide him with the confidence he needs to make the significant difference in the match. I would love to see a Theo goal today, making a run inside his full back and being found with a slipped pass into his path, allowing the speedy winger to finish past the keeper. Should he play, then I will be looking to him to stand up and take his chance.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

As Arshavin will remain out of contention, I am hoping to see Tomas Rosicky on the left with Nasri rested to the bench. Samir Nasri looks a little tired right now and Rosicky has contributed to some important goals in recent weeks, with both assists and strikes.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

I am going with the old London buses theory, big Sol to be in the right place to scramble in a corner for the opener, early in the game. It is time for Bendtner to get off the mark following his return to the first team.

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