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Arsene Wenger has revealed a new Arsenal strategy for
away matches in Europe. The old way definitely didn't
work last year, when time and time again Arsenal just
didn't seem up for it.
Previously the team have travelled early to such matches, and
had a training session at the ground the night before the match.
But this season they're going to be leaving London much later,
training at the Aresnal training ground just before going.
And they won't be taking advantage of their right to train at the opposition stadium.
They idea behind this change is to make these matches feel more like a regular (ie domestic) away match. Given the extreme contrast between last season's away form in England compared to Europe, it seems worth a shot.
As for the team, Edu and Parlour did not travel. Edu is still
out with the injury which he has been suffering with recently,
and Parlour has an inflamed hamstring. Le Boss has said that Ray's problem does not look at all long term, and he could
well be back for the weekend.
Wenger also confirmed that, having gotten Dennis to drive to
Eindhoven for the match, he will definitely play. No surprise
there. It means that the only changes from Saturday are likely
to be Bergkamp instead of Kanu, and the unsuspended Vieira
returning in place of Parlour.
Hence:
Seaman; Lauren, Sol, Keown, Cole;
Wiltord Paddy Gilberto Freddie;
Henry, Bergkamp
PSV feature much-vaunted Arsenal targets Kevin Hofland
(defence) and Marco van Bommel (midfield).
Keeper Ronald Waterreus is likely but not certain to return from a hamstring injury which kept him out of last week's 0-0 draw at Auxerre. Right back Kasper Bogelund should play despite a slight groin problem.
PSV are managed by Guus Hiddink, the darling of South Korea.
He's using the same attackign 3-4-3 formation from the world cup.
Hiddink's not made a bad start with PSV: 5 wins out of 5 in the league so far. Yugoslav striker Mateja Kezman is in particularly good form by all accounts.
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