A very, tired and drained Arsenal team take on a West Ham side with 9 full days rest who realistically only need 3 more points to absolutely secure their safety. Many of our players will face late fitness tests which makes the team line up almost impossible to predict. We have many doubts from muscle problems and fatigue and after players put in the full shift at the weekend it's hardly surprising. We my see Kim Kallstrom make his first start and all of a sudden that ridiculous signing looks like it could be very important after all.
West Ham have a doubt over Kevin Nolan tonight but that aside they have very few problems and the issue tonight will be dealing with Carroll especially if Mertesacker is rested tonight or is a doubt. We have to deal with the long balls lumped forward and Per has been instrumental in doing that this season. It is going to be a long and difficult night and as the game wears on the tiredness will begin to show. While it's true to say that players on this much should be able to cope with the strains of being an athlete, that's just not the case tonight. One team played 3 days ago and one played 9 days ago.
I firmly believe that tonight we need to do the damage early whilst the legs are fresh. If we hit the 75-80 minute mark and we're leading then although the last portion of the game will be nervy with any luck we'll grind out a result. If we hit that point even or worse then West Ham will feel they can do the job. That's what comes of playing a lot of football.
When you look at our position in the league you can't help but think if we're to make Champions League football then we need to win our 5 remaining games. It's out of our hands but with Everton facing tough matches against City and United we may be given a chance and that's why games like tonights are vital to our final push. All of our remaining games are very winnable but at the moment we lack momentum and we desperately need a win to get that belief back.
Finally, 25 years ago today, 96 fans went to a football match and never came home. It could have been any club and any fans. Whatever you're opinion of the Justice campaign it's important to remember those who died watching the team they loved. RIP.
