|
Late update: According to the Evening Standard,
Vieira is ok and will play and Lauren returns to replace Luzhny.
They also speculate (understandably) that Bergkamp will return.
David Seaman is fit to start against Valencia, and would
presumably have dobe so despite Rami Shaaban's encouraging performances
during H's absence, even if it were not for the Swedish/Egyptian keeper's injury suffered at Old Trafford. Stuart Taylor will be on the bench.
Patrick Vieira is a doubt after suffering a thigh injury in training. According to Arsenal.com, the skipper has about a 40% chance of playing.
Ray Parlour is back in the squad and could play if Vieira doesn't make it. Alternatives could include van Bronckhorst
and Edu, both of whom would be relatively lightweight partners for Gilberto compared to Ray.
Sinec we played them last, Valencia have lost Angloma and Mendieta. Kily Gonzales and the keeper Canizares are both injured.
Julio Romo sends the following from the Spanish press:
Valencia coach Rafa Benitez says "in all games you must respect your opponent, but we do not fear Arsenal."
Italian defender Carboni says "Arsenal is a strong club, at our level, which is why this will be a great and beautiful game."
The player that strikes fear in La Liga will be at Highbury. Rafa Benitez confirmed that Pablo Aimar will be playing at Highbury. The
medical staff accept that the Argentinean playmaker could have had a couple more days training before being thrown into such a big game. But
Aimar came back from injury this weekend against Racing Santander, a game that Valencia won 2-0.
The Spanish Sports Daily, As (Official media partner of Real Madrid by the way... it would be good if some of the UK’s press came out and
admitted that they were ManUre’s media partner!! (sez Julio) ), are running a headline, "Danger: Henry". John Carew has says that he
believes that Henry is the best striker in the world. "He is the best player, he is technically strong, fast and has a lot of pace"
Arsene Wenger has stated that he likes the ability and potential of Aimar [and who doesn’t!!]. In the Diario As he says:
"The English and Spanish Leagues are the best in Europe, but saying which one is the best depends on what you like. I like Vanilla ice cream
while others prefer chocolate [another food metaphor from LE Boss! ed]. But that is not saying that one is worse that the other. The English league is faster while the Spanish
technique is what stands out more. What I like about Valencia is that they are a group, but individually I like the ability of Aimar and the
physical strength of Carew."
Valencia will be bringing 500 supporters with them according to the paper.
| 
