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Arsenal welcome back Emmanuel Eboue to the squad to face
Liverpool in the FA Cup later on today. While Justin Hoyte
has been progressing well while filling in for Eboue, there's
no doubt that the return of the dynamic and larger Ivorian will
give the Arsenal defence a boost. We like Hoyte and Gael Clichy,
but perhaps some of our defensive problems are down to their
diminutive stature. I don't have any stats but I can't help
feeling that it's not all that often that they win stuff in the
air.
(Peter points out that Eboue is, according to BBC stats, 2cm shorter than Hoyte. This bodes well for the future, but as things stand I still say Eboue will win more in the air).
Having said that, while Wenger says (on the official
injury news
page) that Eboue is ready to play, it's possible that he'll wait
till Tuesday's League Cup tie.
William Gallas is said to have recovered from his thigh injury,
but isn't ready yet. His return should come on Tuesday. Lauren
may be back then too.
Emmanuel Adebayor (thigh) and Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring)
are also out. The Arsenal.com
preview says that's it on the injury front, but obviously
Abou Diaby isn't ready to play (although he did attend full
training this week for the first time since his horrible
ankle injury) and the injuries page also says that Theo Walcott's
back may keep him out (another one who could be back for
Tuesday).
Expect some changes for these cup games. Cesc Fabregas is suspended
today so Mathieu Flamini should come in alongside Gilberto.
Perhaps it'll be a 5 man midfield with those 2 joined by Julio Baptista
(having shrugged off an ankle injury) through the middle and 2 of
Robin van Persie, Alexander Hleb, and Tomas Rosicky on the wings.
Of course, the League Cup game is the one where new guys are most
likely to feature, but Jeremie Aliadiere and Denilson have both
been used in the league recently so there's a good chance they'll at
least be on the bench today.
Liverpool expect to welcome back Craig Bellamy who has been out with
a groin injury, to partner one of Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch, or
Arsenal fans' favourite nemesis Robbie Fowler. In midfield Kewell, Zenden
and Sissoko are out injured so there's probably little competition
for Gerrard and Alonso.
The match is live on BBC1 at 5.15.
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