Old McDonald Had a Farm……

Ok, so he is not called McDonald but he is Ronald, and after tonight, he will wish he had a farm

So – three years ago, the Mighty Arsenal travelled to the Netherlands to play AZ Alkmaar in a ‘show off game’ to mark the opening of the DSB Stadium. Three years have now gone by and tonight we play them again in what will is their UEFA Champions League debut season.

So far they have just the one point after losing to Olympiacos – no shame there, and a draw against Standard Liege, not a bad result for them there either really when you look back to our game against Liege…. Actually I don’t want to!

We sit looking very pretty at the top of the table, with a 100% record so far, I for one do not expect things to change after the match tonight – the only difference will be the three extra points alongside the clubs fine name..

One player from AZ could cause us a problem, that’s the ex Spud (does that mean he will have no feathers!!) Mounir El Hamdaoui, apparently he is in form and likes to score goals. One thing though, he won’t dislike us because of his connection to the potato heads, they treated him badly! Good old Martin Jol eh But if his is good maybe we should go for him, the club’s owner is bankrupt so we could get him on the cheap…!!

Enough ink wasted on the opposition, let’s turn to us – a team on fire and scoring for fun, and it seems at any time any player feels like it. Great isn’t it??

Chary posed a good question today on AR –

‘Should Wenger be either ensuring early qualification and then easing off(to concentrate on the Premier League) or going for a top of the table finish so we get seeded in the next round of the Champions League?

What do you all think??

I say play the best eleven available going into every game right now, wins breed wins which breed confidence – and Arshavin himself has said our side need to be confident within themselves. I agree, and winning for me is the only thing that can make them truly believe that this year is going to be their year.

One trophy, maybe two, if injuries favor us for a change, maybe even three – who knows, that is a long time away. Tonight though, I honestly expect that the Mighty Arsenal’s big toe is left hovering over the big bowls – ready to drop in and be drawn out for the next round..

My team would be

Mannone
Sagna/Eboue TV Gallas Clichy
Wilshere Song Cesc Arshavin
Van Persie Cutie Carlos (peaches)

I know AW won’t pick that side though; he will include Eboue and Diaby.

I am going for a comprehensive away win, tonight we will tear the hearts from the players and fans in Holland and leave their fine country with them thinking – Wow, what a football team we have just played, what a lesson we have we have been given!

E. I. E. I O