Alkmaar Preview

Well, hello and welcome back to the Champions' League.  A win in our game and an Olympiacos draw or win in the other fixture sees us through tonight, something I'd put a lot of money on.  We've got some bad news ahead of the match with Bentdner and Clichy out for a while each with serious injuries.  Bendtner's groin will keep him out and Clichy's back is suspected of being fractured, which could keep him out for up to a month.  Gibbs will deputize and Wenger's praising the boy in the press.  No doubt the boy's talented and we all have a soft spot for him, as he's from London and seems to have a good head on him, but I don't know about this World Cup business and it may put some unnecessary pressure on him ahead of what could be a lengthy spell in the side. 

So we're now without Denilson, Clichy, Bendtner, Djourou and Fabianski and of course Theo, but on the plus side we have Rosicky and Nasri back in town.  Denilson should be the next to come back with Theo next and Fabianski shortly after.  It looks like Clichy's a month and Bendtner will be 3 weeks.  By then Gallas and Eduardo will be injured. 

One man who won't be injured who'll be providing our firepower tonight is Robin van Persie.  The man's on great form, scoring goals for fun in the last 6/7 and will be looking to continue his form.  He has been a rather streaky player and I don't doubt his scoring run will continue tonight. 

Arshavin will be looking to get a good performance for the first time this season.  He's been decent in some games and a little sub par in others, but he's really yet to hit close to his form last season. 

Nasri or Rosicky should certainly see some time tonight, as I'm sure Ramsey will, tonight may be the beginning of his usurping Diaby in the interim while Rosicky wiggles back into the starting 11.  I'm really hoping for a good performance from the team along with a nice hefty win.  Qualification for the last 16 will give us the option of resting some players ahead of some important league games so let's hope the Greeks come through and it happens tonight. 

Not much other than that.  There's no real need to talk about the other team.  They're not doing all that well in the Dutch league and I don't expect them to do us much damage at home.  I'm sure they'll be up for a fight but I think we'll just have too much for them. 

See you after the game.

Highbury86