AZ CL Preview

Evening, I figured after I wrote a super late posting this morning, I would post a super early one this evening.  I'm sitting watching King of the Hill and read that we'll have up to 8 players missing tomorrow.  This prompted me to get to writing a preview.

The preview goes like this: AZ Alkmaar have been poor this season.  Koeman did Valencia no favors and it seems he's done the same to his current club by taking the Dutch League winners to loosing half their games 10 into the season.

We're in good form and this lot lost to the Greek lot that we battered but got just 2 goals in our last European game.  Despite the fact that we're going to be missing Djourou and Denilson in the long term department, Nasri and Fabianski for another week and Rosicky, Bendtner and Eduardo and Clichy being doubtful, I can't see us having too much of a problem.

I said this same thing about the Liege game and it should have been true there, but I think tomorrow will be a little more to our liking.  The squad is as follows: Mannone, Almunia, Sagna, Gibbs, Gallas, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Clichy, Silvestre, Arshavin, Merida, Wilshere, Ramsey, Fabregas, Eboue, Diaby and Song plus Vela and van Persie.

I'm not sure if Mannone's mistake on Saturday will put Almunia back in goal, but I have to imagine that Mannone will keep his place for the match.  The back 4 will likely be Gibbs, Gallas, Vermaelen and Sagna with a middle 3 of Song, Fabregas and Diaby with Arshavin, van Persie and Eboue starting up front.  8 players missing and not a bad team to put out at all, and it's got some exciting depth to it too with Wilshere, Merida and Vela waiting to make a difference and all of them capable.  This is a great occasion for some of those kids to make an impact.  The only weak spot in the squad traveling is in reserves for center back and I suppose maybe Mannone if he plays like he did against Birmingham.

9 points from 9 possible in our group and a draw in the other game will essentially wrap it up and give Wenger a chance to either rest some players in the upcoming games or really press forward and continue our momentum, which of course has been excellent.  I'm expecting a reasonably lively performance and a goal for Eboue.  Don't ask me why, I just see it coming.

Highbury86