Manchester City Lend a Helping Hand - Fulham Preview

King Henry Returns?

*This photo appeared on the Arsenal official webiste accompnying an article.  Minutes late it was taken down and replaced by a picture of Henry in training gear.  One can hope that Arsenal realized they may have jumped the gun publishing the pic and are still hopeful of the deal with the NY Red Bulls will be finalized.*

Hello there fellow Gooners.  I hope all had a great New Year's Eve and are recovering equally great this New Year's Day.  If for any reason one had a rough go of it today, their spirits were lifted, I'm sure, by the gift gaffed to us by Manchester City.  Having them drop three points today to Sunderland must have been the cure- all for anyone experiencing a hangover.  Arsenal know from experience that Sunderland are very tough at home, but what a lovely cherry to have top the weekend with Chelsea adding the whipped cream of their loss and Spuds providing ice cream from their draw.  All in all, it has been a veritable sundae of soccer.

Tomorrow's game at Fulham can make that sundae even sweeter by us gaining a win and three more points.  We will remain in fourth place due to goal differential with Tottenham *gag*, but we will have moved within six points of the leaders until they play on Tuesday.  Closing the gap may only last a day, but wouldn't it be nice to put some pressure on the sheik?

With only a day's rest in between matches, having fresh legs at available for Craven Cottage will be challenging.  Wenger has to assess, in particular, RVP to mitigate the chances of him becoming injured due to fatigue.  Now that Robin is no longer chasing a goal-scoring record, does he put in Chamakh before he's off to the ACN with Van Persie on the bench just in case?  Or does he start the Captain and hope for an opportunity to take him off after we establish a big enough lead?  These decisions are the big ones that Arsene is paid the big bucks to make.  And I sure am glad I ain't him (sorry - a little Hoosier-speak snuck in there).

Who starts at full back has already been addressed by Wenger who states Miquel will be at the left back position.  I think Wenger will still include Coquelin on the bench in case Djourou strains something at right back.  He came back very quickly from his groin strain perhaps too quickly.  The full back position requires extended times of sprinting.  Bacary Sagna has a body that seems able to absorb that kind of rigourous and arduous movement.  Djourou does not. Even if Johann makes it through the match unscathed, Francis will be a vital backup for our midfielders  should Arteta or even Rambo tire.  I would not be surprised to see Arteta having a rest this match.  He also has a background of injury at Everton that hasn't reared its ugly head yet at Arsenal.  Again I'm glad I don't make those decisions.  I'm sure Arsene is consulting with his staff and the GPS data.

No matter what the makeup of the sqauad is, Fulham will prove to be a tough match.  They drew us at home with the help of a Vermaelan own goal.  The dangerous Bobby Zamora is out injured along with Fulham's starting goalie Mark Schwarzer.  But they still have my favorite US squad member Clint Dempsey starting, and they will be organized in defense with their home crowd behind them. We will have to do what we have attempted to accomplish the last few games.  Take LOTS of chances on goal, and catch Fulham on the break.  Our defense will need to improve on its clean sheet record.  Considering how difficult it can be to beat Fulham at Crrven Cottage, a win -whether hard fought or comfortably gained - will definately set the tone for this New Year.

I guess that's it.  I actually get to watch the game on televison rather than sitting in front of my computer trying to click a link to a working stream whilst I tab-surf between stalled screens, Twitter, and live blogs.  My viewing pleasure will be a piece of cake.  I hope Arsenal beating Fulham will follow suit.  Take care Gooners...COME ON YOU REDS!!!