Given that the second leg is at home, keeping a clean sheet is of utmost importance and any goal we score should be considered a bonus.
Another decision for the manager to make is for whom to start in the left of midfield.
Aaron Ramsey came on at the weekend and scored so I’m assuming he will start in the attacking midfield position behind Robin van Persie. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has started the last three league games, but my guess is the manager will go for experience in a game of this importance away in Europe and my prediction is that he will go with Tomas Rosicky and, if needed, we can always bring on Andrey Arshavin to put one of those brilliant crosses in to the 6 yard area.
Predicted Line up:
Szczesny
Sagna Koscielny Djourou Vermaelen
Arteta Song
Walcott Ramsey Rosicky
Van Persie
Four years on from our famous win in 2008, only Bacary Sagna was a starter on that famous night. Theo Walcott came on as a substitute and set up the second goal, while captain Van Persie did not even make it on the pitch. Our best player in the tie in 08, Mathieu Flamini, now plays for Milan. Shows how fast football can change within such a short space of time.
Also, it will be Au Revoir for the second time to Thierry Henry. Even the most optimistic fan would not have imagined the impact he has had during his two months here. He’s played 36 minutes of football and scored three goals, two of which have clinched victories. Obviously the goal v Leeds in the FA Cup will always be remembered and more than that his celebration.
Thomas Vermaelen has hailed his impact at the club. The Belgian said:
‘He has a big influence on the players. He is a leader: he talks a lot in the dressing room.
‘He has a lot of experience and because we have a lot of young players and he has that experience, he talks to them a lot.’
Right that’s about it. Enjoy the game wherever you are watching it!
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