Testing Time

It was not a bright start to the season for Gooners, both on and off the pitch.

On the pitch, Arsenal could only take a point from their visit to Newcastle United but lost a number of players for the subsequent matches due to injuries and suspensions. Gervinho and Alex Song would miss three matches for their actions during the match while there are doubts concerning the availability of defenders Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou for the weekend clash at home to Liverpool, following knocks picked up during the Champions' League qualifier against Udinese.

With Jack Wilshere also not available for the match due to injury picked up prior to the start of the season, the start of Arsene Wenger's season could be derailed even before they leave the station.

Off the pitch, the sale of Cesc Fabgregas to Barcelona brought a much needed end to the transfer saga while the news of the imminent departure of Samir Nasri, despite not the most welcomed few lines of print will give Wenger a clearer picture of what need to be done (I bet he knows what to do long before this, just will he be able to do them is the main question)

The departures would derive Arsenal most of their creative input and perhaps right now Gooners would have to prepare themselves for a more workmanlike performance and graft from the players rather than the more usual offering of style and guile.

Manu Frimpong who came on as substitute on the last two matches could make his first start for the club in the Premier League alongside Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky in the middle of the park against Liverpool on Sunday, a match that will likely see mad redo1 missing part of it due to the breaking of fast here in kT.

New club captain, Robin Van Persie is likely to lead the line with Andrey Arshavin and Theo Walcott providing the thrusts from the flanks. The wide men have good goal-scoring record against the Merseysiders and hopefully they will come up with the goods again this weekend.

The backline most probably will be manned by Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna with Carl Jenkinson or Armand Traoure filling in at left-back. Another clean-sheet for Wos Szczesny is most welcomed as Arsenal look forward to register three successive ones early on.

Whatever line-up Wenger choose for the match, it will be for the best interest of the Gunners even though some will see it differently in terms of tactics.

It will be a testing time for Le Prof as he seeks to come through the next few matches that could make or break the season. Hosting the Reds will be followed by trips to the cities of Udine and Manchester, which are difficult to say the least, but as a Gooner, football can bring you joy and heartbreaks all within a short period time.

so, COME ON YOU GUNNERS!


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