Well after making myself look like a complete tit with my prediction for the Carling Cup Final, I'm hoping that I can at least get the right outcome with this one.
The final was simply a typical poor Arsenal performance. Birmingham looked like they wanted it more and a miscommunication at the back gave them the chance they were looking for. Now different people have blamed Koscielny and others have blamed Szczesny, in my opinion both were at fault. If Szczesny wanted the ball he should have called it louder and clearer (if he did at all). But as he didn't Koscielny simply could not pull out of that clearance. At the end of the day it fell to Martins and he scored. As Wenger said it is is now important that we don't let this derail our other trophy chances and as the banner says "In Arsene we trust".
Now looking at current injury woes, Van Persie, Song and Koscielny all join the growing list following the final on Sunday. Now of course this isn't great news whatsoever with Fabregas and Walcott already sidelined but looking at our league fixtures in March, we only have 2 PL games: Sunderland at home this weekend and then West Brom away in a couple of weeks time. So if we can pull through those games without too many worries then players hopefully will return for Aprils fixtures. Of course without withdrawing from the fact that March is a hard month with upcoming games against Barcelona mid week and IF we beat the Orient tonight Manchester United away next weekend. This could well be the month where we see if our team has the depth to plough through.
This moves me nicely on to tonight's match with Leyton Orient. Now it appears as if Wenger will play a similar looking team to the one that drew away last Sunday. Almunia returns in goal after, well less that average keeping last time out as does the young Miquel who did little to impress me last weekend. But with the home crowd getting behind the team I can't see us (touch wood) having too many problems with Orient but hey, what do I know?
Thanks for reading.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Leyton Orient
