Arsenal v Middlesbrough

It's about that time where our first official pre-match analysis comes to fruition. In this feature we'll be looking at injury news, and possible line ups for both squads. To start things off, let me just say one thing....I hope Silvestre never sees the first team ever again, but knowing Wenger he'll not only be on the team sheet, he'll be starting either at CB or LB. Anyways, back to team news:

Arsenal v Middlesbrough: Sunday April 26, 2009

Venue: Emirates Stadium, North London.

Kick off: 1330 BST; 0830 EST

Arsenal:

Johan Djourou and Manuel Almunia returned to full training Thursday, while Robin van Persie is out due to a groin injury. Manu Adebayor may start this weekend, but I highly doubt all names (except Almunia) mentioned will make the starting eleven as they have key Champions League Semi-Final clash with Man Utd the following Tuesday. Other than that, it is the same squad which featured mid-week against Liverpool in that "thriller" of a match (if you were a neutral that is)

Middlesbrough: 

Gary O'Neil will make his way back into the squad after being sidelined by suspension, while Didier Digard will make his way back after being out for almost two months. Chris Riggot and Emanuel Pogatetz remain on the injury reserve list.

Possible starting line ups (starting XI):

Arsenal:

---------------Almunia-----------------

Sagna---Toure--Silvestre--Gibbs

Walcott---Cesc(c)--Song--Arshavin

Bendtner--Eduardo

1. Fabianksi

2. Adebayor

3. Denilson

4. Djourou

5. Diaby

6. Nasri

7. Eboue

Middlesbrough:

--------------Jones-----------------

McMahon---Huth---Wheater--Taylor

Aliadiere---Tuncay--Bates--Downing

King--Alves

1. Shawkey

2. Turnbull

3. Hoyte

4. O'Neil

5. Johnson

6. Emnes

7. Digard

As you can see both teams will be looking to line up in a 4-4-2 formation, knowing that Arsenal will look to change their shape as the game progresses to better suit their passing ability. Key players to look out for on both sides will be; Arshavin who is coming off a scortcher from mid week bagging all of Arsenal's 4 goals against Liverpool. Also look out for Cesc and Song to martial the midfield and keep the ball moving forward. On the other side, Downing, Tuncay, and Alves are Middlesbrough's main threats. Look out for Downing's peircing runs and crosses coming in...hopefully that shakey Silvestre will be able to help Toure out with those crosses...sigh...but anyways I predict a 3-1 win for the Gunners as they haven't lost in 19 games, stretching all the way back to November when they last lost to Aston Villa.

Arsenalive til we die,

ariston14