Another Carling Cup round-up – this time with added information on Gerrard’s injury, City’s list of casualties and the double fixture in gameweek 14. I told you the Carling Cup was interesting…
The keeper’s jersey at the Emirates is still up for grabs…
Fabianski now comes into the equation after his start last night, adding to Wenger’s options that include both Mannone and a fit-again Almunia. The Arsenal boss isn’t giving us many clues on who he sees as number one right now – mainly because, as he admits, he doesn’t know himself.
“I don’t know yet what I will do for Saturday but Lukasz Fabianski is available and he has done very well…He [Almunia] is back to his normal level. I have no worries [about playing him on Saturday] but I don’t want to give you any indication because I don’t know myself what I will do for Saturday.”
We need to bide our time and see who emerges as the front runner. Thankfully, Arsenal aren’t looking like keeping too many clean sheets anyway.
Aquilani will be an asset for Rafa…
The Italian got just 13 minutes of action last night but, even in that short time, demonstrated the touch and range of passing that can only improve Liverpool in the final third. Rafa was suitably purring after the game, but hinted that Aquilani was still someway short of full fitness.
“Aquilani could be an important player for us. We want to push him, but we cannot push too hard because we know it could be a risk….We have to keep working and give him more minutes in every game. Little by little we will give him the minutes that he needs.”
Expect an appearance from the bench at Fulham then. Sir Paulos will look in more detail at Aquilani as a fantasy prospect in a Scout Report later today.
Rafa offered more clues on his Fulham lineup…
Well just a small one. The start for Skrtel in the back four alongside Kyrgiakos, hints that Agger will keep his place in central defence for the Fulham game this weekend. The absence of Aurellio also hints that he will start again – possibly on the left of midfield. There was also a big suggestion that, while Torres will be fit for the weekend, Gerrard is stil struggling…
“Torres should be okay, Gerrard is still working with physios and he could be okay…But maybe it is more difficult for Gerrard to play against Fulham.”
Hughes’ benchwarmers proved a point…
Goals for Santa Cruz, Ireland and Johnson, plus decent performances by Kompany in central defence and Wright-Phillips out wide, provided timely reminders that Mark Hughes has such a wealth of options. All five started on the bench last weekend but all will be pushing for inclusion at Birmingham on Sunday. Further proof that City are a risky source of fantasy talent.
“Roque and others have given me food or thought…”
Yep thanks, us too. Meanwhile, Hughes updated us on his injuries and niggles, which appear to be clearing for the Birmingham game.
“Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor, who had a back spasm, should be back for the trip to Birmingham. Wayne Bridge has a little bit of an issue with his knee but in terms of the weekend should be ok.”
Thanks Sparky. Who would like to predict City’s lineup then?
There will be no double gameweek for Arsenal and Bolton just yet…
Arsenal’s progress to the Quarter Final means that the proposed league fixture with Bolton on December 2nd (gameweek 14) will now be postponed. It’s all very complicated and can be explained by this link on Arsenal’s official site. The long and short of it though is there’s no double fixture in gameweek 14, so you can stop considering signing Zat Knight.