Arsenal v Birmingham

[Jason Goldstein]

Saturday, 16 October 2010 Barclays Premier League Arsenal v Birmingham, 15:00

[Jason Goldstein]

The real Nicklas Bendtner is back, according to Arsène Wenger.

The Danish striker is not only fit for the first time this season and set to be named in the squad for Birmingham on Saturday but his manager believes he is back to his best shape since last November.

Kieran Gibbs is also fit after a calf injury while Theo Walcott (ankle) could be involved if he comes through Friday’s training session.

Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and Manuel Almunia (elbow) are nearing returns while Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Bacary Sagna (thigh) are estimated as “ten days” away.

Robin van Persie (ankle) and Aaron Ramsey (leg) will not figure until next month. However, overall, Wenger’s mood was upbeat when he updated Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon.

“We have some good news because for a while we've had only bad news,” he said. “Nicklas Bendtner is back in the squad and Kieran Gibbs is back too.

“Let’s not forget that since last November Nicklas has produced here and there but never had a consistent presence because of his injuries.

“Apart from the fact he went to the World Cup we have not seen the real Nicklas Bendtner for a long, long time. He is the closest he has been to his best for a while. He was really, really handicapped by groin problems but they have gone now.

“Theo might be involved on Saturday as well. He has normal training tomorrow. I might put him in the squad. I will see how he is but he looks very, very sharp. The only uncertainty is his ankle but he might be involved.

“Cesc is very, very short and unlikely to be involved [on Saturday]. He has a little chance for Tuesday.

“Sagna is ten days, Vermaelen is ten days, Almunia is a question of days but Van Persie looks to be a bit longer.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... ws+Feed%29

[Curt.B]

Lots of good news. Unfortunately, a team like Birmingham will probably cost us a couple. Remember what they did to Walcott last season?

Fabianski
Eboue Squillaci Koscielny Gibbs
Wilshere Song Nasri
Rosicky Chamakh Arshavin.

Hopefully Wenger lets Nasri play through the middle and capitalises on Rosicky's pinpoint crossing by putting him wide right.

Eboue and Gibbs will be an excellent combination. I believe they should be our starting wingbacks. Can't wait to see they're attacking and most of all some fantastic crosses. I think Chamakh and Bendtner should be licking their lips.

[Fred West]

They always seem to give us a tough game. But at home i fancy us to win this

[Craigie]

We will win. If we don't then we are hopeless. Looking forward to seeing Bendtner again, I miss his style and ridiculous number.

[Curt.B]

Hleb better not score. Yeah I like Bendtner, hope he gets a goal.

Not looking forward to our midget centre backs trying to deal with Zigic the Mountain Giant.

[Gunner_X5]

will be a tough nut for us to crack and with us not playing that well we may only scrape this

[Sinbad]

Confirmed Team

Fabianski
Eboue
Squillaci
Djourou
Clichy
Song
Diaby
Nasri
Wilshere
Arshavin
Chamakh

Subs
Bendtner
Walcott
Rosicky
Denilson
Vela
Gibbs
Szcesney

[Sinbad]

Streams

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?match ... 0&part=spo rts
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/

[Sinbad]

Arsenal came from behind to beat Birmingham 2-1. The visitors went ahead against the run of play when striker Nikola Zigic headed home Keith Fahey’s cross.

Samir Nasri levelled from the penalty spot after a foul on Marouane Chamakh and Chamakh rounded Ben Foster to put Arsenal ahead.

Arsenal should have killed the game off but wasted and passed on the chances.

Wilshere was given his marching orders for a nasty late tackle on Zigic.

Ratings
Fabianski : 9.0/10 (MOTM today, Came for everything. punched, when he needed 2 and came with safe hands)
Eboue : 7.0/10 (Showed great pace down the right)
Squillaci : 7.5/10 (Capt was solid at the heart of the new CB pairing)
Djourou : 7.0/10 (Looked solid and showed some good pace)
Clichy : 7.5/10 ( Fantastic pace and workrate, maybe should have scored but it feel to his right foot)
Song : 6.5/10 ( Worked hard but poor with his passing)
Diaby : 8.5/10 ( Great game by the big man today, Loads of skills but should have shot but passed)
Nasri : 7.5/10 ( Took his pen very well and linked the game well)
Wilshere : 8.0/10 (GREAT game but sent off for a disgusting tackle)
Arshavin :5.5/10 (Poor game yet again, needs a kick up the backside)
Chamakh : 7.0/10 ( Won the pen with a clear dive, and scored the 2nd very well.. But he needs to stop going down so easy)

Subs
Bendtner 6.0/10 ( Came on and looked off the pace)
Rosicky 7.5/10 (Played well, took the shot on when he needed)