Arsenal will hope to avoid
a fourth defeat on the trot when they host Reading on
Saturday.
The Gunners' season has unravelled
over the last fortnight as their hopes of winning a treble of cups
have been obliterated.
They lost 2-1 to Chelsea in the Carling Cup final last Sunday and
were knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn in midweek, while a 1-0
defeat to PSV Eindhoven has left their chances of reaching the UEFA
Champions League quarter-finals in the balance.
However, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five Premiership games
and Arsene Wenger will want his side to strengthen their position
in the top four with victory over Reading.
Reading are just six points behind Arsenal and are still very much
in the hunt for European football.
Steve Coppell's side have seen their winning run come to an end
though, with defeat to Middlesbrough sandwiched between two gallant
but ultimately unsuccessful FA Cup games against Manchester
United.
They will also be wary of travelling to Emirates Stadium after
being thumped 4-0 by Arsenal at home in October, comfortably their
worst loss of the season.
Reading's chances have been boosted by Arsenal's disciplinary
troubles, as Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue will
all be suspended following their part in the Carling Cup
fracas.
Thierry Henry is also set to miss out with a foot injury, along
with Tomas Rosicky (groin), Abou Diaby (ankle), Justin Hoyte
(hamstring) and Mathieu Flamini (foot).
Robin van Persie is still recovering from a broken metatarsal, but
Johan Djourou could return after overcoming an ankle problem.
Jens Lehmann and midfielder Cesc Fabregas will also come back into
contention after missing the defeat at Blackburn.
Coppell is likely to make changes to his Reading XI after
continuing his policy of fielding reserves in the FA Cup defeat to
United.
Michael Duberry and Greg Halford are available again after being
cup-tied in midweek, but Dave Kitson could keep his place and make
his first Premiership start since suffering a serious knee injury
on the opening day of the season.
Bobby Convey and Ibrahima Sonko are both long-term absentees due to
knee injuries.
My prediction: 3-1 to Arsenal
Arsenal to return to winning ways despite their injury
problems.
Player to watch: Theo Walcott
(edited: forget Thierry Henry is injured.. Thanks
ghimpheng..)
