By Boris Mellor
November 20 2006

Wenger must feel he can’t win; I am not referring to the defensive errors, or off target shooting, but his decision to rest Henry. He was criticised for leaving him on the bench. Ironically quite a few Gooners suggested he should have a rest before the game.

 I am sure the moany ol git next to me was delighted. But go a goal down and then they all scream for his return. Wenger had to try and rest him - Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday, and Saturday at Bolton say it all.The team Arsene put out should have dealt with Newcastle; a similar line up dealt with Man U. Wenger wasn’t to know that Eboue was feeling so generous. Even then he might not have rushed to bring on Henry, it was RvPs injury that decided that. Story Continues after advert:

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Let’s hope we don’t pay for going behind against Newcastle all over again on Tuesday night. However I suspect we might have to pay by Saturday as the team becomes more and more worn out by exertions of chasing games it should have easily sewn up.

 Hamburg have failed to garner one point so far in the CL, they were seen by many as the outsider most likely to, yet they languish at the bottom with null points.

 

So we should be looking forward to a Turkey shoot, but most of us are not sure if the Gunners could shoot a Turkey if it was tied to its perch. Also at the moment Arsenal have become the Lords Bountiful, down on your luck? Near the bottom? Haven't scored a goal in months? Manager facing the sack? Well have an easy goal on us.

 

Wenger said the last match in CL was some of the best football he has ever seen by the Arsenal. And I do sincerely agree with him, but the problem is that one more great performance like that and we could be out.

 

I will be at the match Tuesday night, but half of me will be in Moscow hoping CSKA stuff Porto, it’s the best chance we have. If Porto win, and we win, then the trip to Porto would mean only a win or draw would do for Arsenal to go through. A defeat in Portugal would see the Gunners out. But if Porto lose, and Arsenal win, then even a 1-0 defeat would see the Gunners through. I can’t see CSKA blowing their last game against Hamburg.

 

There are numerous combinations, but I do feel that Porto is the toughest game we face, mind you Arsenal love doing things the hard way.

 

Arsenal will be without Gallas, and RvP for the Hamburg game, but they should be more than strong enough for the Germans. Anything less than victory doesn’t bear thinking about. The charity freely dispensed at the Emirates must stop.

 

Dont forget to enter your predictions on the table.