Now there is encouraging team news coming out of the Chelsea camp today with the diving dog out with a "knee problem" although he's clearly being rested with Tuesday in mind. Not that it bother me. Drogba has an annoying record of scoring against us so with that in mind I'm glad to see him out. So instead our defence has to deal with Torres who is VERY slowly starting to score again, hopefully we can add to his torrid run of form by denying him a goal at the weekend. Along with that Chelsea are also without Luiz and and Ivanovic whose banned after his kidney punch a few weeks ago.
However we have our own problems. Arteta is out for the rest of the season sadly which leaves a gap in the midfield. Wilshere is also out for the rest of the seaon and probably the Euros (so much for back in March!), which worries me as this injury seems to be worse and worse as time goes by. Benayoun is also ineligible to face Chelsea. There is some positive news though, Koscielny returns after his ban, so Djourou will drop to the bench. Also in the defence Gibbs is expected to be back in at left back after picking up a knock. I also expect Gervinho will be back after featuring from the bench against Wigan.
So teams look something like this. Arsenal: SZCZ, Sagna, Kos, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Walcott, Song, Ramsey, Gervinho, Rosicky, RVP. A lot is being made of Ramsey slotting in to the midfield but we really have no choice. Now many of you will be aware I'm not a big fan of Ramsey at this current moment, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't get behind him. We're called supporters for a reason, however you look at it, he's going to play so we need to support him. I would genuinely love to see Ramsey score this weekend and shut me up.
Chelsea have the opportunity to rest players after 2 intensive games. So a few names may drop out but this is a huge game for them either way. The main thing is no Drogba which is a huge bonus for us.
i think this will be a tight game decided by 1 goal but I think we might just have too much for them after their last two games. If we come out firing, there's every chance we'll be celebrating at the end.
COYG!
Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
