By Boris Mellor
April 30 2006

It is now highly unlikely that we can win 4th place, now that a team that’s playing shit had yet another lucky win to go 7 points ahead. But Arsenal can put a stop to their rejoicing by winning the cup with the big ears.

Now we must put all our eggs in one basket – the team must be fresh and rested for the Stade de France. Remember how much fresher Villarreal were? That was because they hadn’t played their first team for three weeks.

Surely not, some will argue, we need to qualify for the UEFA Cup. No we don’t, it’s a second rate competition that will cripple us with numerous games on a Thursday night, in the back lanes of Europe, against teams you never heard of. Play in that and you can guarantee a poor league position. The alternative is to play top teams in three games in less than one week. Monday, Thursday and Sunday. Two of those games are away – what a ridiculous schedule. It’s no time to wear the team out on a long shot.

This is the glory game, real glory, not for losers who celebrate on nearly achieving 4^th place. No I wasn’t watching. I only have ever watched top class football – so lets go all out for a victory on May 17^th.

We have already lost Senderos in the run up to the final, lets not lose any more players. Wenger will use rotation now (he should do it even more than before), and we might lose a match or two, or we might win them, but either way I don’t care – I want the cup with the big ears, not 5^th bloody place. Win fifth place and then turn up exhausted for the final – that doesn’t make sense. Ok so that’s all our eggs in one basket – sure – what if we don’t win the big cup? If you want guarantees don’t be a football fan – take up fishing – I can guarantee you a sore ass, and a cold, if the weather doesn’t improve.

This is the glory game lets go for it.

Team News

Alex Hleb (knee) doubtful. Gilberto (ankle) and Mathieu Flamini (hamstring) are definitely out. Jose Antonio Reyes will also be missing after having his wisdom teeth out. A plus is that Ashley Cole is likely to be included in the first team squad for only the second time since October 2.

Theo Walcott suffered a knee injury himself in the Reserves on Thursday night and will not be involved at the Stadium of Light. Some will recover by Thursday. Lose at Sunderland and I suspect the whole team will be rested.