Next Up - Arsenal Venture Into Mordor

What a weird start to the day.  I woke up with one sock on and different top for my pj's.  One sock.  I know I went to sleep with both on because of the stoopid polar vortex reoccurance-thingy makes it impossible to stay warm without them.  Apparently I got so warm during the night, I took off a sock and changed my top.  No idea. 

 

Onto Arsenal and things that make more sense.

 

We journey up to Britannia Stadium tomorrow to play the "pre-Neanderthals" (ala Tuesay Club) in a match from which we should be able to get three points.  However, playing there in the past has been notoriously difficult resulting in two draws in the last two seasons.  A 1-1 and 0-0 scoreline does not provide much confidence, but I don't think many would argue that we are not the same team as last year nor the year before.  Plus, our boss has rotated well over the past couple of games, there has been a full week since we have last played and handedly won.  I think our boys will be well rest and not the least bit jaded.  Especially since the boss gave the them a couple of days off - which seemed to send the media into some sort of frenzy parodied well on this Friday's Arsecast (we all know Wenger is damned-if- he-does and damned- if- he-doesn't, yes?).

So I'm looking for our best to start to guarantee the win and inject even more confidence into the club.  We'll have a full week off again before facing Everton in the FA Cup so rotation for this game would probably only exist in circumstances due to injury.  Such as...

Monreal.  He is still out with his ankle/foot issue as is Gibbs.  So does Wenger start the newly returned Vermie on the left or Flamini?  Stoke are not known for the offensive prowess even though Hughes has tried to get them to play a more open style of footie, so  I'm not sure we have to launch the Arteta/Flamini axis.  Whomever starts on the left will probably be going against Odemwingie, so quickness and reading the game well will be important.  If we are feeling comfortable in the second half, Vermie could get an appearance for left wing or Koz. 

Everyone but Ramsey (did you see that Stoke fans?  Ramsey is not going to be at your stadium), are back to provide midfield options.  I'd really like to see Ozil back in and provide him with players who are going to make runs.  I don't think Hughes will play a high line against us, but crossing into the middle from the wings will be difficult as well.  All of Stoke's back four are well over six foot tall and are going to give Ollie a hard time with headers.  Our striker is excellent in the air, but the scouting report on the Arsenal site (yes, I read those), credit Stoke with winning the most aerial duels in the league.  I think keeping the game on the ground will be key.  Luckily, our cup overfloweth with those types of players.  Wenger can choose between Podolski, Santi, Wilshere , Rosicky, Ox, and Serge for the most winning combination.  Unfortunately, Stoke also claim the  spot for the worst disciplinary record in the league.  Whoever does get to start is going to have to play tough as nails cuz they're gonna get kicked pillar to post by these guys.  If I were going to make a prediction on who is not going to start based solely on the defensive record, I'd say Rosicky  - because we need him in good health for upcoming cup competitions- and Serge because he's young, and we don't want him to have nightmares for weeks after. 

One thing we can't do is have a slow start and give Stoke confidence.  I like how we pressed Sunderland and got a goal early in the game.  Stoke have to be forced to change their style of play, and scoring early will accomplish that.

That's it for now.  Chelsea play at Fulham  the same time as us and Liverpool play after.  Three points is a must to keep the pressure on.  C'mon You Gunners!

And have a good one Gooners.