Blackpool Arsenal the Untold preview

By Phil Gregory

With the draw at Blackburn putting a real dent in our title hopes, it’s up to us to keep them alive and after recent disappointing results three points is all anyone is after. Manchester United opened up a ten point gap with a win over Fulham, though we do have two games in hand (including the Blackpool game) to narrow the deficit.

A big concern on the injury front in the build-up to this game is Alex Song with a knee problem. The Cameroonian midfielder already missed a few games recently with knee trouble, and all we can hope for is that he’s just had a minor setback on his recovery. Sagna has a knee problem which makes him a doubt for the game, while Theo Walcott’s participation rests on a late fitness test. Denilson misses out with a toe injury, whilst Djourou, Vermaelen, Szcznesy and Fabianski are all sidelined.

Despite all that, there are a couple of positive that have come out of the physio’s room recently. Cesc will be fit to start and Ramsey is in contention after recovering from a groin injury both timely boosts for a midfield that hasn’t been cutting teams open as it normally does recently

Almunia

/Sagna(Eboue) Squillaci Koscielny Clichy

Wilshere Diaby

Fabregas

Nasri Van Persie Arshavin

Almunia continues in goal, with a largely predictable back four in front of him. Eboue comes in if Sagna isn’t passed fit, Squillaci and Koscielny are the centrebacks and Clichy completes the four at leftback. Further forward, Wilshere is paired with Diaby in the absence of Song, whilst Fabregas is restored to central midfield upon his return to full fitness.

Further forward I’m expecting wide players of Nasri and Arshavin regardless of whether Theo is passed fit. Coming back from injury, I think Theo will be more effective coming off the bench, so I’m anticipating Nasri at wide right, Arshavin on the left and Van Persie through the middle.

Despite disappointing results in recent games, I cannot see anything but an Arsenal win at Bloomfield Road. Blackpool aren’t as naive defensively as they were when they first came up, but still shouldn’t pose a problem for even an Arsenal side a little low on confidence. 2-0 is what I’m expecting. We should dominate possession and wear Blackpool out by later on in the second half, and their defensive simply isn’t good enough for us not to score. Short on possession, I can’t see them creating much to trouble even more makeshift centreback-goalkeeper set-up.

Blackpool are desperate for points and are doing a bit of a second half of the season nosedive down the table, as perfected by Hull and Burnley in recent seasons. They’re certainly a side who don’t give up, and are built to play the game properly by Ian Holloway but I just can’t see us not bringing the three points home.