Written by Mean Lean on Wednesday, 03 November 2010 13:37

Arsene will use the full width of his squad away to Shakhtar Donetsk this evening. We may have ripped them apart at the Emirates but I have a feeling that it will be a totally different game this evening. We have a few players on the sidelines, well in fact further away from the sidelines. Cesc Fabregas, Denilson and Alex Song along with Andrey Arshavin have all stayed at home due to injury, sickness or niggles.

What it does is leave our central midfield much weaker. The good news is that Jack Wilshere will almost certainly return to the starting line up, probably alongside Samir Nasri who will be moved into the center to replace the captain. The third member of the midfield will be an interesting choice. It could well be rookie Craig Eastmond who was below his best in his last outing at Newcastle, but will be looking to prove his quality if the responsibility falls on his shoulders.

Nicklas Bendtner could come in for Chamakh who looked tired in our 1-0 victory against West Ham, it is little wonder as our new forward sensation has run himself into the ground from the moment he pulled on the Arsenal jersey. Bendtner has come back in good form and looks sharp. If he gets a start then fingers crossed that he can take it and add to his goals tally.

Shakhtar Donetsk came across a very good Arsenal team when the travelled to London and they are not the mugs that they have been made out to be after the final whistle which is usually the case when Arsenal convincingly beat a team.

I have a feeling that our opponents will prove their quality tonight in front of their fans. It could be a game that can go either way. I expect Theo Walcott to once again prove his quality on the right and he could score but I believe that much of our creative influence will be down to Samir Nasri.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

Fabianski

Sagna Koscielny Squillaci Clichy

Eastmond

Wilshere Nasri

Walcott Bendtner Rosicky

One to watch: Samir Nasri

In the absence of Cesc Fabregas, most of the burden will be heaped on Samir Nasri once again. I love the Rosicky - Nasri combination and with Arshavin out, I expect both of them to play. If they can both click and keep the ball more than Shakhtar then we have a good chance, if we are pegged back then we could struggle.

Mean Lean's Match Prediction

Shakhtar Donetsk 1 Arsenal 1 (Walcott)

I have the nagging feeling that we could lose this game but I don't like predicting defeats, even though I just have. With Theo in good form we always have the capability to score so a 1-1 draw is my final prediction.

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Comments (25)

• 03-Nov-2010 13:54 | | scooby
  

  I guess this is the end of Vela if he does get a start?

• 03-Nov-2010 13:59 | | JGun
  

  I think our winning run will continue with a close 2-1 or 3-1 result

• 03-Nov-2010 14:13 | | MeanLean
  

  I don't agree with that. It is no shame to be second to Rosicky, he is after all the more experienced player.

• 03-Nov-2010 14:15 | | stephen haggett  - s p h
  

  arsenal got a very good squad of player and i can see us wining 3-1

• 03-Nov-2010 14:20 | | MeanLean
  

  Does anyone know when Abou is going to be back?

• 03-Nov-2010 14:30 | | DJ Dragonfly
  

  I think Eastmond is in for a busy time tonight. Despite his outstanding performance in last season's Carling Cup match against Liverpool, I'm still not convinced of him in the holding role. His distribution at times can be very poor.
  
  Everytime I saw Eastmond play at right back in the youth/reserves, I thought he was an excellent prospect with great positioning to boot. Although the holding role was his original position prior to joining Arsenal, I much prefer him at right back. What do you think of Eastmond ML?

• 03-Nov-2010 14:33 | | Tom Lee  - Diaby
  

  I really don't know. Wenger never said anything about him being injured before the Man City game which he wasn't in the squad for and this was unexplained.
  
  If I hear anything I'll let you know.
  
  Btw, check out my blog! It's relatively new- http://thelifeofanarsenalsupporter.blogspot.com
  
  You can post comments or articles or whatever...

• 03-Nov-2010 14:44 | | dkgooner
  

  Hopefully tonight ML. Nothing on the arse.com website saying he's definitely out (or in, for that matter - is he with the squad?)
  I'm a bit concerned about having both Eastmond and Wilshere in midfield - Jack's good but still a bit green - his lunging late tackles are still prevalent in his play and he needs to stop it now. Eastmond gives the ball away too often for my liking and his play is a bit passive and cautious. Having two greenhorns in there gives me the heebie-jeebies. If Abou's away, I'd rather see Djourou in the midfield holding role - he's good at winning the ball, passes well and likes to take the odd little jaunt forward. But I can't see Arsene doing that, so I might just as well forget it.
  I think your team will probably start ML, but it doesn't fill me with great confidence. I think the back four are in for a busy night. Another clean sheet would be nice.

• 03-Nov-2010 14:45 | | dkgooner
  

  Snap DJD
  Your post came in while I was writing mine.

• 03-Nov-2010 14:50 | | MeanLean  - Eastmond
  

  Afternoon guys,
  
  I like Craig Eastmond, but I don't think he is quite ready to made a proper mark in the first team as yet. Well at least from what I have seen.
  
  I thought his debut in the Carling cup (I think it was his debut) against Liverpool was fantastic.
  
  I actually think he is a good passer of the ball but has been giving it away quite a bit. I think that is more down to lack of first team experience, games etc but his actual passing technique looks to be pretty decent.
  
  I like his work and aggressive nature in winning the ball. He wants it, doesn't shirk a tackle but I think much moulding and crafting will be done in the years to come.
  
  I wonder who will win the race as best defensive midfielder from our youth ranks. Eastmond, Coquelin and Frimpong (poor guy)

• 03-Nov-2010 14:52 | | MeanLean
  

  Ok Tom,
  
  I shall have a check.

• 03-Nov-2010 14:52 | | dkgooner
  

  Sky Sports say Abou is still out with ankle injury.
  Doesn't mean it's true though.

• 03-Nov-2010 14:54 | | MeanLean
  

  Yeah, I did see that he was listed as injured in some newspaper or other.
  
  He hasn't even got started this season. I still think he is a force once fit and has games under his belt. He is under more pressure now though than ever before me thinks.
  
  Especially with lil Jack doing lil Jack things with the ball under his left footed spell.

• 03-Nov-2010 15:19 | | DJ Dragonfly
  

  A year ago I would've said Coquelin, but now he's operating at right back, I think Frimpong will win the battle, providing he returns from injury to his previous best. Again his distribution was a bit sloppy in the Emirates Cup during the summer, but he has a great engine and a good bite in his tackles. He is also strong as an ox.

• 03-Nov-2010 15:25 | | Wales
  

  If we score early, I think we'll beat them comfortably......4-0.

• 03-Nov-2010 15:26 | | MeanLean
  

  He certainly has a physical advantage over the other two. I hope he gets a chance next season.

• 03-Nov-2010 16:07 | | Goonzilla
  

  Nice preview ML....Your team seems pretty spot on....Not very comfortable with Eastmond in the middle especially without having one of the usual suspects (Denilson or Song) alongside him....hmmmmm, fingers crossed.....My understanding was that Song, Arshavin and Denilson were to be given late fitness tests and that only Cesc was certain not to be on the plane (Was it confirmed that all four did not travel?).....does anyone have the list of the players that travelled?
  
  Anyway, regardless of who plays tonight, I have a very strong feeling that we will make it 6 wins out of 6 in all competitions (3-1 - Walcott, Nasri and Bendtner)....You are only as good as your last transaction, as we say back home, so I excpect our excellent form to continue. These injuries to the first teamers could be a blessing in disguise.....the door has just opened again for those pushing for a starting berth eg. walcott, bendtner etc, to show why they should be regulars in the side (following impressive perfomances against Newcastle, and decent displays in their recent premier league cameos)
  
  Also, the stage seems to be set for Samir to show that he is now a key figure in our team.....he should be full of confidence after bagging the PFA player of the month award......did I forget to mention that a certain Jack Wilshere just signed a new long term contract and has been on an enforced exile for the past few weeks?.....how bad will he be itching to get back on the pitch to show us why the club has shown so much fate in an 18 year old kid by given him such a lucrative new deal? Watch this space.
  
  Go Gooooooooooooners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

• 03-Nov-2010 16:43 | | pedrogooner  - 2 and clean.
  

  I think we will win a tight game 2-0 1 for Bendy and 1 for either nasri or Walcott. The reason I say this is I believe we will play quite deep at the back to stop them getting in behind us.

• 03-Nov-2010 17:25 | | Gooooner  - JACK IS BACK
  

  JACK IS BACK JACK IS BACK....I've missed him
  
  Bit random but found this wicked site fellow gooners which shows you when the highlights, live games are on at http://www.locatetv.com/person/arsenal/351006 It shows you whenever Arsenal are on TV, even match of the day etc etc. Well useful.
  
  Thought i would share, enjoy the game tonight

• 03-Nov-2010 17:28 | | greg  - Tough Night
  

  I think tonight will be a different ball game altogether. First, Wenger's decision to leave so many players at home( mostly because of light knocks) signals that the team is not going all out for a win. That is an attitude problem. Quite to the contrary for Shakhtar this is a very big big big game. They treat it very seriously.
  Second, there is no balance in the team that has travelled. There are some good ball players but no defensive ball winners in mid. Which ever midfield combination Wenger fields has never played together...wiltshere, eastmond, nasri or wiltshere,djourou,nasri, or nasri wiltshere, rosicky...it all abit experimental in the midfield.
  
  I do not expect to see a fluent arsenal side in this game. Nasri has improved in leaps and bounds but he is yet to reach the dizzy heights in a central position.

• 03-Nov-2010 17:37 | | Scooby
  

  Sorry a fairly crucial typo - meant to say if vela DOESN'T get a start.
  
  He's behind Arshavin, Nasri, walcott, rosicky, let alone the problems when Van Persies back, plus Bendtners looking pretty sh*t hot coming in from the left. I would be worried and looking for a move if i was him.
  
  I think Vela has the potential to great, we've all seen the glimpses of brilliance, he just needs playing time to get the consistency and I can't see when he's going to get this? If he's not, then he needs to be loaned out to a prem side in January, either to continue his development, or hopefully some good performances can push his price up.

• 03-Nov-2010 21:52 | | MeanLean
  

  Disappointing result tonight. Not sure what Clichy was doing but hey, we are still in a strong position and Theo's finish was ice cool again. Jack had a good game again so we have a few positives to console ourselves

• 03-Nov-2010 21:56 | | dkgooner
  

  Prophetic greg. We're still going to win the group provided AW sends a full squad to Braga.
  I know it's early after the game but Clichy should be hung drawn and quartered for the error that led to Eduardo's goal. It's not like it's the first time either. How many times has a Clichy error led to a gift goal to the opposition? Problem is that Gibbs can't get fit for long enough to take his place.
  And Eboue had an absolute shocker. He's been so reliable coming in to give Sagna a break but he seemed to forget that he was playing full back this evening. Caught up field far too often, especially against Willian who had shown what a danger he was. Left Squillaci exposed time and again. Plus playing his little flicks and backheels on the edge of the box. I know it didn't lead to anything in terms of goals but the man is mad. Has he forgotten everything about full back play suddenly?
  We really missed Cesc in second half. His vision and his leadership. I'm sure we'd have got another goal with him out there.
  On the other hand, I thought Eastmond had an OK game. He was unlucky with the deflection but most of his distribution was fine and he made some good adventurous forward runs too. Promising I think for the longer term.

• 03-Nov-2010 22:01 | | dkgooner
  

  Just another thought. We have to go to Braga and win. I think Shaktar will murder Partizan. That will leave us needing a win against Partizan at home to top the group, by which time they will be down and out.

• 03-Nov-2010 22:02 | | PhoenixGunner
  

  With hindsight, the article's prediction was along the right lines. Disappointed but we should still finish top of the group.
  
  Note that people aren't so happy for an Eduardo goal this time

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