By Myles Palmer
IF RAMI SHAABAN could play well at Old Trafford on December 7th he might make the position his own.
Back-to-back games like Man United and Valencia could make him a star.
But first Shaaban faces Aston Villa at Highbury tomorrow.
Villa’s attack is feeble away from home, so Shabaan might not have much to do.
Another clean sheet would be excellent news for him as he gets to know his defenders and as they get to know him.
My impression is that the defence has faith in him.
If Shaaban comes for a ball and misses it Sol and Ashley have the recovery pace to rescue hairy situations.
I don’t think Arsene would worry too much if the big man comes out for a cross or a pass and doesn’t hold it every time.
If the odd ball goes loose in a dodgy area, he has players who can anticipate that and kick it away.Gilberto is good at that.
We shall see. It will be interesting.
We know that Dion Dublin has turned Arsenal over before, but Sol should nullify Dion’s aerial prowess.
Villa will come for a 0-0, despite anything Graham Taylor might say.
Their last two away games, at Blackburn and West Brom, were goalless draws.
Arsenal’s last 0-0 in the Prem was 54 games ago at Newcastle.
With Bergkamp back and in line to score his 100th goal for Arsenal,the heroes of Rome WILL beat Villa.
Thierry will want to see Dennis score his 100th and Patrick will want Dennis to get his ton because they have played together for six years.
A win will put pressure on Liverpool and Man United to beat each other in Sunday’s Sky game.
Henchoz is back and Liverpool keep a lot more clean sheets when he plays.
United have had two more days rest since hammering Basle on Tuesday.
For many weeks I’ve fancied Liverpool to beat United in this game.
The bionic John-Arne Riise did not play in the 1-0 win over Vitesse Arnhem in Belgium last night, but he will be back.
It might be Riise versus Solskjaer on Sunday, or Riise against the wandering Veron.
Houllier’s team can win quite few of the duels and Hyypia won’t let his back line open up like the Red Sea to allow Van Nistelrooy to walk through as he did in Basle.
At full strength United might still be strong enough to go to Anfield and win, but not without Rio,Becks and Keane.
FERGIE has been saying that the next two weeks will define United’s season.
He also said that if they lose to Liverpool and Arsenal they will be a spending club in January.
Hope Peter Kenyon reads that!
Trouble is, most players who are good enough to play for Man United in the Champions League are already playing in the Champions League for other clubs.
That’s one reason why AW never buys mid-season.
Fergie could buy in South America again.
He’s probably watching a pile of videos right now, sent by the wily agents of Carlos Kickaball, Diego Kickaball and Juan Sebastian Kickaball.
29th November 2002