After an international break, Sunderland was always going to be a test.
Without Robin van Persie, it’s a bigger test.
Expect Wenger to play Eduardo but don’t be surprised if Eduardo spends most of the game on the left.
With rumours that Liverpool might bid for Eduardo, and with Bendtner and RVP crocked, Wenger has given Eduardo a new four-year contract. That is a move that looks reactive rather than pro-active.
What if RVP is out for seven games and it takes him another seven to regain the sharpness he had before he tore his ankle ligaments?
If that happens, we will all say: Wenger should have signed a striker of proven durability in January. Sure, if you sell the disruptive and unpopular Adebarndoor, and switch to a 4-3-3 system with only one up, you might get by with three strikers rather than four.
Unfortunately, Eduardo isn’t the player he was. After such a terrifying incident, and such a scary operation, and such a long rehabilitation, no striker would be the same player. What happened to Eduardo wasn’t an injury, it was a trauma. He is a model pro and a great guy but he’s been traumatised. Eduardo will never be the same player. No footballer who almost lost a foot would be the same player. I admire the man and wish him well but I don’ t have unrealistic expectations.
A great result for Arsenal would be 2-1. Gooners, having learned that you don’t get points for artistic impression, will not care if it’s an own-goal and a penalty.
This season Arsenal have had many goalscorers. At Sunderland it might be Fabregas and Gallas, who scored for their national teams in midweek. Cesc’s goal was sweet, not controversial. Given the right pass, Fabregas can run into the box and score against anybody.
Sunderland’s main man Darren Bent was awful against Brazil – but it was Brazil. Arsenal are superior to many national teams but they’re not better than Brazil.
Man City v Liverpool is Sky’s lunchtime game on Saturday (12.45pm) and that could easily be a draw.
City have drawn five games, two at home. Rafa could have Stevie G, Agger and Johnson back, with Aquilani coming off the bench. Aquilani is a very good player. If the Italian starts 20 games, he will make a big difference to Liverpool’s patchy midfield.
Stevie G has had rest and a big injection, so groin surgery on his adductor has been postponed. Recently, he has been training quite a lot, so Rafa’s gladiator-skipper is fairly fit again. For power players like Gerrard, fitness is form.