Well here we are, our whole season defined by 90 minutes of the beautiful game tomorrow. Tomorrow the title race is irrelevant, the relegation battle is irrelevant. There is only one game that matters to gooners. We travel to the Hawthorns knowing that a win will secure Champions League next year, right now everything else that has come before doesn't matter, the game at Old Trafford, the night in Milan, the comeback against the scum, the victory at Stamford Bridge. None of that matters.
It's been a difficult season there are no doubts about it, ending it on a high would make up fr the torture it has been. We know the situation: win and we're there, draw and we're at least fourth, lose and well that doesn't bare thinking about. The players will know the gravity of the situation, the manager will know and its up to them to step out there tomorrow and make sure that we do ourselves justice. Does anybody remember the program Dream Team? they were in the situation of playing an FA Cup final with a caretaker manager and when asked about tactics he simply said "win". That is the sort of team talk I would give, but I'm sure Mr.Wenger has other ideas.
Anyway I should probably get onto team news. Walcott faces a late fitness test, hopefully he'll be fit to go because lets face it down the right we do miss something without him, whether its his inconsistency or his link up play, its something. We miss Arteta badly and in situations like this I really wish we had the Spaniard playing. It seems that Coquelin will start at right back, not sure whats up with Jenkinson. Apart from that I think it will be pretty standard. Rosicky slotting in behind RVP.
News earlier in the week suggested that Odemwingie might miss out but he's unfortunately made it. Chris Brunt on the other hand is out which means it looks like James Morrison will slot in. Its hard to pick a weakness in West Brom's team, they have a fairly solid standard of player across the board but we know that we can beat them.
So it really is squeaky bum time now. Tomorrow isn't about pretty football, its not about scoring wonder goals, its all about the result. I'd take the shittiest, scrappiest, bundle of a goal if it meant we won. Its Roy's last game and it's also Pat Rice's last game, lets hope we send Pat off in the way he deserved for all his years of service.
I'm not doing a prediction for tomorrow, in fear of jinxing it or whatever. Come 3 tomorrow I'll find out if that running has paid off and my heart can take it.
For the last time this season. Come On You Gunners!!!!!!!!!!!!!
