Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 30 January 2011 10:12

The FA Cup returns once again and it will be another case of all change at the Emirates. With a record nine fixtures being lined up in the month of January, it is very likely that Arsene Wenger will change most of the team that have been playing very well and winning matches in recent weeks.

Rotation will now become a little more flexible with the return of some injured players and in one case, a player that has been seeking pastures new. Manuel Almunia is likely to return in between the sticks in place of Wojciech Szczesny whilst Lukasz Fabianski is still absent due to a shoulder problem.

Johan Djourou has been playing game after game in recent weeks due to the injuries of both Thomas Vermaelen and Sébastien Squillaci. The latter returns after suffering from a hamstring strain, the former still patiently waiting to get fit enough to join his team mates.

Alex Song not playing any part in our victory over Ipswich, suggests that he could take a couple steps back into the heart of the defence to save Laurent Koscielny for Tuesday's game against Everton at home.

Denilson is likely to keep his place in the team, he needs the games to get him back to the required level. Abou Diaby will add some much needed physical power and ability to run past a pack of opposition midfielders. I would have expected Tomas Rosicky to have played in the advanced attacking position but he still remains a doubt due to illness, although he is included in the squad so I am intrigued to know if he manages to get a start. If Rosicky is not well enough to start then I expect Samir Nasri to start the game from the attacking central position just as he did away at Leeds United.

The forward line is likely to consist of Bendtner, Chamakh and Arshavin and I believe that area to be important. Against Leeds at the Emirates and Ipswich at Portman road our front line were very static and did not offer the midfield enough movement and creativity so our football did not have enough end product. When you include Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie then that problem vanishes but the selected players have to replicate the same end product as Arsene's first choice attackers.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Abou Diaby

He may not be everyone's cup of tea but Abou Diaby still remains one of my favourite players. A player with fantastic ability and has the ability to completely dominate midfield battles.
Patience may well be required as Diaby is often quite a slow starter after injury, his West Brom performance earlier in the season a perfect example but once he gets games under his belt then I believe his presence and availability to the squad will be very important.

I want to see the Song and Diaby partnership again in the 'two' behind the attacking three midfielders but I do not think that will be the case today as Alex may well be required in the back four, for the first time this season. It will be interesting to see the communication between Diaby and Denilson as one pushes forward and the other is required to sit back.

Mean Lean's Match Prediction:

Arsenal 3 (Diaby, Bendtner, Arshavin) Huddersfield 0

Even with most of our team rested for Tuesday's game against the Toffee's, you would expect our group of players to have more than enough to beat league one side Huddersfield at the Emirates.
I expect a few of them to be carrying a bit of the typical rust you pick up from not playing regularly but I am hoping and expecting to see the same determination when not in possession and then the same quick pass and move football that we have become used to over the last few months.

I would love to see Andrey Arshavin turn on the style today and reproduce his best form. A goal today will give him a much needed lift, especially if the crowd can get behind him.

Victory and no injuries will do me nicely.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.

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Comments (11)

• 30-Jan-2011 10:49 | | Bala
  

  My lineup will be
  Chesney
  Eboue Squilli Miquel Gibbs
  Nasri Deni Diaby
  NikkiB Chamakh Arsh

• 30-Jan-2011 11:03 | | melo victor
  

  what a squad mean! 1st congrats 4 an improved website its nyc. Ths gm shud give AA his lost touch and diaby must prove hs ablty.
  3 win

• 30-Jan-2011 11:06 | | dan  - pretty sure rosicky is out
  

  So I'd expect Nasri to play an Hour and then hopefully Aneke given 30 mins (1% chance but I'd love to see it) when the game should be out of reach.

• 30-Jan-2011 14:23 | | killer  - anti-deni
  

  We are bloody lucky to win with Denilson on the pitch. When is Arsene gonna drop this mother farker?

• 30-Jan-2011 15:34 | | richie  - A great cup tie for the Nutrals
  

  In many ways a typical FA cup tie packed full of incident. A really uncomfortable rollercoster ride for most of us Gooners I think!
  
  1st captain Fabulous comes on and contols the play then calmly slots home the pen in front of our baying fans with 4mins left on the clock, marvelous as fans we leave on a high!
  
  Squilla blocks off and earns a red? I need to see a replay in an attempt to judge his intentions to know if it was justified? Opinions Gooners?
  In many ways this opens up the buy (loan) or not debate again as we get a central defender back for 40mins only to lose him again increasing the pressure on our depleated defense.
  
  The Nasri injury is disasterous as he's our man of the season so far.It looks like a hamstring by the way he pulled up so sharply which at a minimum means weeks out, depending on severity which in turn means weeks to get back up to speed. Glad we're through even if i do think we were fortunate but at a terrible price.
  
  The team looked disjointed as it often does when we've got so many players who've been out injured all trying to play their way back into fitness/sharpness. On a slight plus note I thought Shava looked more lively.

• 30-Jan-2011 16:08 | | MeanLean
  

  I almost lost interest in the game after Nasri got injured. I am so gutted about that. I really wanted us to give it a real go against Barca with our strongest side but yet again we face them with at least two players short (Nasri and Sagna)
  
  The attitude of the players after we scored was not good enough. We slowed the game right down and passed around in circles without looking to add any purpose to our play.
  
  Surely these players are looking at Wenger's first team and are think 'Ah, that is how to get results'
  
  Too many players below par and not enough passion to go forward and score more goals.
  
  At least we are through I guess. I just hope this isn't the start of a collection of injuries. We seem to get them all together in past seasons.
  
  Squillaci was silly to make that block off but he had men on the cover, did not deserve a red. Especially when their man took down Bendtner without any red.
  
  Disappointed yet happy I guess. Ish

• 30-Jan-2011 17:29 | | AFC  - Samir Nasri shud b available agaist barca
  

  I was fuckin disappointed wen nasri got injured.OMG!pls recover b4 barca match.We need the combo of Nasri,Van persie n fabregas.
  I wasn't evn happy abt our Win today but I was worrying all abt nasri's injury more thn ny 1 else.
  I have a heavy intution tht nasri wil b available against barca.
  So,cheer up Gooners!!!!

• 30-Jan-2011 17:29 | | AFC  - Samir Nasri shud b available agaist barca
  

  I was fuckin disappointed wen nasri got injured.OMG!pls recover b4 barca match.We need the combo of Nasri,Van persie n fabregas.
  I wasn't evn happy abt our Win today but I was worrying all abt nasri's injury more thn ny 1 else.
  I have a heavy intution tht nasri wil b available against barca.
  So,cheer up Gooners!!!!

• 30-Jan-2011 20:14 | | dkgooner  - Good news and bad news
  

  Good news - we won.
  Bad news - we looked pretty dire 'til Cesc came on and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
  Good news - we got Orient in next round.
  Bad news - Nasri hamstring means he'll almost certainly miss first Barca game.
  Good news - Tottenham's season is over
  Bad news - Looks like we'll have Eboué at right back against Barca
  Good news - I think that's all the bad news.

• 30-Jan-2011 20:34 | | MeanLean
  

  Yep, would have to agree with all of that.

• 31-Jan-2011 00:06 | | richie  - Replays
  

  1/ Just seen the replay of Squilla's red card we got no complaints!
  2/ It looked blatant on first viewing looking through these rosy glasses, but having seen it again it seemed there was minimal contact with NB as he tumbled in the box. Still we all know any contact from behind can cause a player to lose his balance, only Nicky B will know the truth on that score.

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