Jens Lehman (rested), Hoyte, Campbell, Edu, Gilberto, Pires, Henry, and Aliadiere are all injured, or not match fit in Aliadiere’s case. Bergkamp, Reyes, and Van Persie are all suspended. Unfortunately it is a team that will not be playing.

If Prutton had not lost his head at Southampton, he would have got a one-match ban. Meanwhile Pires could be out for at least three weeks. How does Bergkamp’s reaction to the brutish Cullip count for three? His finger poking remonstration with the thuggish Cullip is considered more serious than a career threatening tackle of Prutton, or the oafish elbowing by Van Persie.

Or how does the scarlet pimpernel nonsense of Reyes equate with violent conduct, if that’s true isn’t Prutton guilty of attempted murder on three counts? Pires, referee and line official. At least Prutton has apologised to Pires publicly; perhaps the Saints fans would like to apologise for their taunting of the stretchered off Pires?

Of course a lot of people will want to gloat that the old discipline problem has returned, however it is the first red in 50 games in the EPL. But the main point is that the bulk of the players missing are injured not suspended.

Oh yes the preview, I forgot. Well Arsene will see who the first eleven players are to turn up with boots, and packed lunch on time and put them on the team sheet, latecomers will be banished to the bench. Lupoli and Quincy could start up front and Clichy in midfield. Fabregas should have a good chance of a full game. The good news is we have three quite decent right backs to choose from. It will be tough, it’s a man’s game and the Blades will kick everyone up in the air to prove it. Arsenal will have to keep calm and hope the ref is better than the pathetic wretch who allowed the violence of Cullip on Fabregas to go by, but took firm action on a loaded finger. If we can get some football going we should be ok, but that means both Vieira and Flamini must play with the best possible defence. Any less than that could see extra time and penalties.

Meanwhile Warnock is still moaning on about the preferential treatment of Premiership clubs by referees ha ha ha. Reduced to ten men for finger wagging, Cullip let off a definite red. True they had a goal disallowed, but they got a cushy penalty. Yes and Fabregas did get off, but hey it’s a man’s game isn’t it Warnock? And if they had charged Fabregas then Cullip would be in the frame too. Besides Fabregas did it after Cullip’s cowardly assault, not the right thing to do but I think the kid was saying, "I am not a southern softie to be intimidated". So if you can't take it Warnock call the boys off eh? Any more preferential treatment like that by referees and we will be having to use the Ladies team.

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