Cold oop North

By Boris Mellor
January 5 2008

Burnley are hoping for a repeat of their third round giant killing feat of January 2005 when they delivered a shock to one of the big four. A Rafa rotated, under strength, Liverpool were defeated by a Djimi Traore own goal. Burnley are in poor form with no wins in their last six games, (they have lost four of those six, including the last two), but they will still need to be taken seriously.

At present Burnley are 31 places below the Gunners; however, Wenger has never gone out of a cup to lower league opposition, in any country. I suppose it will happen someday (screams of horror and accusations of tempting fate from Gooners), and every time Wenger rotated his team for a cup he has been accused of not respecting it. That accusation has all but disappeared; after all, he has won the FA cup four times, and taken Arsenal to five finals, as well as numerous semi-finals. It can be safely said, that, unlike Rafa, he has got the hang of rotation for the FA Cup. 

Rotation Puzzle   

However, it is not all plain sailing this year, the situation is complicated by the fact that if Wenger plays the kids this Sunday then the issue is raised who will play in Wednesday’s Spuds Cup Final? In addition, Wenger will want to keep his promise that the kids play every round of the Carling Cup. Therefore, the opportunity to rest senior players will not be as extensive as Wenger might have hoped. It is likely he will play a stronger team against Burnley than he will in Carling Cup.

No Song we haven’t got a Song

  It will be a last chance to see Toure, Eboue, and Song before they leave for Ghana; from the ice-cold wastes of Lancashire to the warmth of West Africa, what a terrible job it must be. It may also prove to be Lehmann’s last game in an Arsenal shirt. Adebayor is slightly ham strung, Flamini suspended, and Cesc rested.

  

Walcott suffered a blow to his shoulder against Hammers, and will face a late fitness test. RvP will not be back until, or just after, the Birmingham game.     Hoyte might get another run out to keep Sagna fresh, and Toure’s replacement, whoever that is, might allow Gallas a break. 

 Arsenal from a probable squad of: Lehmann, Sagna, Toure, Senderos, Traore, Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Diaby, Eduardo, Bendtner, Almunia, Fabianski, Hoyte, Hleb, Walcott, Song, Djourou, Gilberto, Diarra. 

 

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Burnley Hope For Repeat – Wenger Puzzles

Discussion started by Arsenal Times , 05/01/2008 13:08

Arsenal Times
05/01/2008 13:08

Burnley Hope For Repeat – Wenger Puzzles

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Merlion96
05/01/2008 15:20

Game postponed due to shutdown of airports and roads impassable to traffic....

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