Jack Wilshere will start in midfield, assuming he continues with his in between role, the question would then be who plays directly behind and ahead of him. Denilson, Ramsey, Rosicky and Nasri are the real possibilities but given the absence of Theo Walcott, I would imagine that Nasri will be used in

Ok Gooners,

Ten games to go and this is the start of those games. We could make a season that has recently swerved off track into a fantastic season or we could continue to veer off road and crash into the advertising hoardings.

A victory at West Bromich Albion this afternoon could give our tyres some much needed traction and keep our destiny within our own hands. Manchester United take on Owen Coyle’s Bolton in Manchester this afternoon and although they have more injuries than we do for a change, it is difficult to see them slipping up in front of their very own prawn sandwich brigadiers. A couple of nights ago I had a tingle in my belly that Bolton would sneak an unlikely draw but those feelings are better left to one side as I already have enough emotions to deal with whilst watching the Arsenal so hoping for Mancs to slip up and then watching them grind out yet another victory after lacklustre showing is just too much for me to handle at this stage of the season.

Hopefully the collective squad would have emptied their recent disappointment into the London Colny toilets and can start the match in the Midlands fresh and hungry. We have a somewhat depleted looking squad at present with key personnel such as Cesc, Walcott, Song, Djourou and Diaby all missing. Only Walcott is not a spinal player so replacements will have to give plenty to make up for the missing quality. It should make for a somewhat thin bench but we should have enough quality on the field to do the needed job as long as we fight for the points.

Injuries mean that Wenger only really has two selections to ponder. I should say ‘had pondered’ as by this time I would imagine that Arsene already knows which players will be wearing the red and white come 3pm.

Jack Wilshere will start in midfield, assuming he continues with his in between role, the question would then be who plays directly behind and ahead of him. Denilson, Ramsey, Rosicky and Nasri are the real possibilities but given the absence of Theo Walcott, I would imagine that Nasri will be used in the attacking position, the position where he has managed to contribute most of his goals and assists from this season. With Song and Diaby unavailable the only other player to perform the deeper, defensive role in the midfield would be Denilson and that for me would leave the attacking midfield position between either Tomas Rosicky or Aaron Ramsey.

Whilst I love the quality, ability and energy of Aaron Ramsey, I am trying to look at this from the managers perspective. Perhaps a trio of Denilson, Wilshere and Ramsey is too young and inexperienced in such an important game. Tomas Rosicky may not be in the best form of his life right now but he would add leadership to the midfield as he does for his country. Another reason for Ramsey possibly not starting the game would be his injury. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ramsey spending most of the last ten games on the bench just to ease him back into the speed of the Premier League. While he has played Championship minutes at both Nottingham Forest and Cardiff, the speed and quality of the Premier League is higher and surely the aim is to get through this season without anymore injuries. Ramsey has also been called up for Wales so that could also impact Wenger’s selection.

Ramsey could be introduced from the bench as a replacement for either Wilshere or Rosicky at some stage during the second half depending on what the situation is at the time.

I would guess that the rest of the team pretty much picks itself.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line up:

One to watch: Samir Nasri

Nasri’s goals have dried up considerably since his return from injury and at this stage of the season, we could really do with our player of the season switching that goal tap back on. In Cesc’s absence we really need a great performance from Nasri and as always he shows signs of that. I do feel that he hasn’t been making enough off the ball runs when team mates are in possession and hopefully he can do that for Wilshere, Arshavin, Rosicky or Ramsey this afternoon.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction:

West Brom 0 Arsenal 2 (Nasri, Van Persie)

Victory today is absolutely critical. If we draw this afternoon and Manchester United win then it certainly isn’t over but the momentum of the team could take a huge blow. Psychologically a victory could do wonders for the team especially as they will have the likes of Walcott, Cesc, Song and possibly Diaby back after the International break.

West Brom are likely to display a much more cautious approach to the game under Roy Hodgson on than they would have earlier in the season so I do not expect an end to end game of football. We have to be organised defensively throughout the whole team yet attack with purpose whilst in possession. If we work as a team as we should then we will win, even with the absentees.

No regrets. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!