Birmingham Vs Arsenal | Premiership 23/02/08

[SE13]

Barclays Premiership

Birmingham City Vs ARSENAL



Saturday 23rd February 2008

12:45pm

Live on SkySports 1

St. Andrews

[Cheese]

Adebayor and Hleb set for Birmingham, Almunia in squad

Alex Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor are expected to be fit for Saturday's trip to Birmingham.

The pair picked up injuries in Wednesday's goalless draw with Milan at Emirates Stadium. The Belarus midfielder had a calf problem while the Togolese striker had a stiff neck.

But speaking at Friday's press conference, Wenger said: "They should be alright."

Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue are both out. The only addition to Wednesday's squad is Manuel Almunia. However the manager was remaining tight-lipped over whether the Spaniard would start.

"From Wednesday night we have lost Kolo and Emmanuel Eboue through injury and suspension," he said.

"We have no-one really back from the squad who played in that game apart from Manuel Almunia."

When asked if the 30-year-old would replace Jens Lehmann, Wenger replied: "Come to the game tomorrow and you will see."

© Arsenal.com

[Cheese]

Wenger - Blues' break might be disadvantage

Arsenal will face one of the freshest teams in the Premier League on Saturday, but Arsène Wenger believes Birmingham's recent inactivity could be a double-edged sword.

The Blues' early exit from the FA Cup means they have not been in action since a 1-1 draw at West Ham on February 9. Arsenal have played three arduous games in three different competitions since then, beating Blackburn in the Premier League, losing at Manchester United in the FA Cup and drawing with Milan in the Champions League.

All of which suggests that fatigue could be a factor when Arsenal visit St. Andrews on Saturday. Wenger is not so sure. Indeed, the Frenchman thinks Birmingham's extended break could count against them.

"We can cope with that [the number of games we have played] and sometimes it is a disadvantage for the team who doesn't play," he said.

"We have one advantage because we have the rhythm of competition, the disadvantage for us is that we have the fatigue factor. Birmingham have the advantage of freshness because they have recovered completely but they have not got the rhythm of competition.

"So let's just take it as it is. I know my players are focused, they want to do well and that is the best way to prepare."

© Arsenal.com

[SE13]

Starting Eleven

Almunia

Sagna
Gallas
Senderos
Clichy

Hleb
Cesc
Flamini
Walcott

Adebayor
Eduardo

On The Bench

Bendtner
Gilberto
Denilson
Hoyte
Lehmann

[Inchpräctice]

Just as I said in the 'probable line-ups' thread.
Let's hope they line up as a 4-4-2 rather than 4-5-1.

[SE13]

Looks more like a 4-4-2 than a 4-5-1 line up, which pleases me greatly.

[bigben]

eboue?? injured??

I feel sorry for lehmann, must be a blow for him, that's football...

Viva Gunners

[Trina]

Come on Arsenal!! A must win game to make the lead stronger!

[SE13]

The teams are out.....

Come on Arsenal!!!!

[murphy1118]

Looks like Ade has cut his hair off!! Hopefully it doesnt have a Sampson effect!

[murphy1118]

eboue?? injured??

I feel sorry for lehmann, must be a blow for him, that's football...

Viva Gunners

Suspension, mate...

[SE13]

I had to do a double take at Ade's hair!

Nice touch with the armbands for Sagna's brother....

Right, away we go!

[Trina]

Dudu injured! Broken bone they say....stretcher out for him..

Straight red for Taylor

[Good_Eye_Sniper]

Birmingham down to 10 men after 2 minutes

Martin Taylor off.
Eduardo looks VERY badly injured

[SE13]

Holy crap!!

Eduardo leg break, straight red for Taylor........