Barca, a sense of Deja Vu and the liitle matter of Stoke

Good afternoon Gooners.

So we've arrived to Saturday morning sitting second in the Premiership two points behind UTD with them having a game in hand. Since they play tomorrow we do have a chance to go top of the league for the 3rd time this season albeit for a day. I've been reading over the internet on the favourable results that we could do with to maintain our league leadership. But if you asked me i'd rather the Chavs draw with Manure tomorrow and a couple from both sides end up limping out for the rest of the season ! Even though my heart wants a draw i think UTD have enough in them to beat the Chavs purely on the basis of form that they have individually carried into the match. Enough on that for now.

Moving onto our match today with Stoke 'Rugby' City anything other than 3 points will not do. Its time we began work on conquering the Emirates and making it our fortress. We simply cannot shy away from the fact that a team with title ambitions like ours has lost 5 games already 3 of which at home.

The team definitely seems to be up for the challenge with Shava being positive rather than his usual glass half empty views. On team news front Bendtner seems to be given the weekend off to celebrate the birth of his first born (Hope the kid doesn't land up with a head as big as his father's and gets the 'humble' trait from his mother) Fab is expected to have a late fitness test done on him, but even if he passes it i dont think Wenger would want to risk him with the Thugs we're playing today. A lot of people are of the opinion that JD should get a start over LK but methinks LK was superb against Blackburn who are also in the same rugby league as Stoke are in and he came away from that match unscathed.
The team for me should look somewhat like this

Chesney
Clichy-Kos-Squilacci-Sagna
Song-Fabregas-Wilshere
Nasri-Chamakh-RVP

Subs: Fabianski, Walcott, Rosicky, Arshavin, Eboue, Djourou, Denilson

I've picked RVP to start ahead of Shava in this one to combat the aerial pressure from Stoke and give him some much needed match practice before the Chavs visit us a the Grove next weekend.
I expect this one to be a 3-1 to the Arsenal. I am  usually wrong with these predictions so dont bet your pension fund on it.

In other news, Harvard Nordveit has decided to move on to the Bundesliga in the January transfer window for a reported fee of around 1.7 million. I do feel bad for the lad who  according to many was actually pretty much top drawer. Hope this decision from Wenger to let him go mid way through the season doesn't come and bite us  in the ass during our annual injury pile up ! All the best to a decent talent who honestly would be happier gaining playing time than warming the bench with us. That would make it 2 top talents that have moved on this year, Nordveit and Merida. So much for promoting youngsters eh Mr Wenger.

Elsewhere, the world of Gooners seem to be split in their opinions for the draw against Barca. I prefer to look at this rather objectively.
1. We had 8 of our first team missing in action when we met them at the Nou Camp last season and yet took the lead !!
2. Sylvestre was playing in defense !! Need i say more.
3. We'll have the Verminator, Fab, RVP, Wilshere, Chamakh and Nasri (who is in the form of his life) playing for us. (Injury gods permitting :)
4. Almunia was in goal. Shocking, i know !!
5. Messi was on fire at the Nou Camp. Barring him they actually did sweet fuck-all all night long.

So lets keep a sense of optimism guys, drawing Barca really isn't the end of the world and stop behaving like we've already lost. Even if we do lose it at least ensures that we do not have the added distraction of the CL to deal with and can concentrate and go all Cannons blazing in the PL run in.

Thats about it from me for today. Match begins at 20.25 IST and is being aired on ESPN.

Enjoy the match wherever you are and have yourselves a good day.

Till tomorrow.