An Opportunity...

Tonight Arsenal have an opportunity to "undo" some wrongs committed earlier in the season. Well, not "undo" so much as "offset" points lost in games played previously. As always, games against your nearest rivals begin to be seen as 6-point rather than 3-point affairs and a win at Old Trafford would have such an effect. The Chelsea-Spurs draw yesterday adds to the mix exponentially as points gained would also provide some cushion in the build-up to our return match with Chelsea at the Emirates.


That draw also takes some pressure off of the squad tonight, a win not vital in the grand scheme if we assume victories against both Man U and Chelsea are obtainable at home. Whether such a reduction in pressure allows Arsenal to play "looser" and more positive or less focused and lackadaisical will be revealed at the opening whistle. Let's hope for the former.


It can be argued that older, more experienced players have a better capacity for handling the pressure, yet often we have seen young players in sport, apparently energetically oblivious to concern, perform equally well. My contention is that the real drawback to youth, in particular on a team which has been so close to title glory, is that the players don't grasp the opportunity at hand. Seemingly spoiled by success they assume that these opportunities will be forthcoming for years to come. The list of players who have never held a trophy is long and certainly each of those on the list would admonish these young Gunners for not seizing the moment.


Apparently Fabianski is a doubt on the bench this evening, but his young compatriot seems to be the type of confident and hungry athlete more than happy to step in and prove his worth.


Cesc also looks doubtful and in many ways I am hopeful that he is not on the pitch so that he may heal fully.


Much has been made of Nani but my concern is the middle and our inability to coordinate our offside trap effectively. Rooney may not be in scoring form but he can push the pass well. Evra will hope to contain Nasri and it will be vital that Sagna pushes forward to apply offensive pressure.


The opportunity has arrived, let's make the most of it.




Victoria Concordia Crescit