By Boris Mellor
October 14 2006

Now that Cygan has gone I wonder who Wenger had to keep him company at training? Arsenal had 15 players away on international duty, and one fifth, i.e. 20% have come back with injuries.

 Arsenal players have also clocked up thousands of air miles; so Watford, who only had one or two away, feel that they have a great chance to cause an upset.

Whilst Wenger has had to play keepy uppy on an empty training ground, Boothroyd has had an almost full squad to drill. No doubt he has trained them how to block every possible space, from every possible angle, in the last third.

Meanwhile Wenger waited anxiously for the return of his players, and when they returned discovered that Baptiste, Ljungberg and Eboue were all injured. Eboue for possibly a month. Just when Arsenal discover a secret weapon for dealing with packed defences international weeks undermine that weapon. Eboue is the player who will be most missed, the Gunners have ample replacement for Freddy, and the Beast is yet to make his mark. But Eboue, Arsenal.com player of the month, has been spectacular, particularly in attack.

However Wenger, who officially celebrates 10 years at Arsenal at today’s match feels that this could be the best and strongest squad he has ever had. Surely that is the genius of Wenger, a few months ago, even some Arsenal fans, felt that this was going to be a season of transition or treading water. Now they, and even some pundits, feel that Arsenal will get silverware this season.

The potential is looking fantastic, with Clichy almost back to fitness, and Senderos with two full reserve games under his belt, the defensive problems could soon be solved. Even up front the options are getting better and better. Adebayor must be a bit miffed, the hero of Old Trafford cannot be sure of a place as van Persie returns to form, and now Walcott is making a serious challenge. In midfield Arsene will soon have Diaby, and the Beast back. Hleb and Flamini provide more options, as does Rosicky. Of course the acquisition of Gallas should not be forgotten, what a superb buy he is proving to be. The man can fill in across the whole of the back four, and score key goals.

Arsenal started the season off rather flatly. I believe the main reason for that was poor pre season preparation due to the World Cup, more so than the new stadium. Just before this last break they were flying, let’s hope that this interruption will not undermine the Gunners progress. With only a day’s preparation for today’s match, and away in Moscow on Tuesday, it will be a chance to see just how strong this squad is.

Meanwhile the Sun is claiming that Walcott will definitely start today, whether that is true or not, expect him to come off the bench at least.

Of more concern is the back four, once again the Gunners will have to play a different combination at the back. Wenger has kept his cards close to his chest on this one, but it is  likely to be Hoyte, Toure, Djourou and Gallas. Up front van Persie is likely to get the nod over Adebayor to partner Henry. Hleb, Rosicky, and Walcott are all available for the wide midfield. Of course Wenger has to juggle the squad for the next two away games that follow thick and fast.

With such a long break one or two readers may need a reminder to enter their predictions on the league, left hand menu, 4^th down.

Mark Lawrenson is predicting 3-0 to Arsenal. If he is right it will be his first precise Arsenal score forecast all season. So good luck – it’s only 8 months to the big prize.