Chelsea vs Arsenal Semi Final FA Cup 2009
Despite the upbeat noises, there is little doubt that Arsenal are limping slightly into their FA Cup semi final clash with Chelsea. Reading like the excuses from a Sunday league side in cold weather, goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is out with a bad ankle, Gael Clichy has a bad back and Gallas and Djourou have bad knees. Sagna and Kieran Gibbs are also concerns. Lucasz Fabianski, who has played excellently in the last few fixtures, will stand in in goal, but filling the left-back role is a little more tricky, although Wenger has the option to play Sagna or Silvestre in that position, The good news for the Gooners is of course that Arshavin and Eduardo are available for Saturday. Wenger will be hoping that these two will be able to penetrate the Chelsea defence as effectively as Liverpool did on Tuesday, whilst at the same time being able to maintain a strong defence against the blues despite all the Arsenal injuries at the back.
Chelsea have had an extra day to recover since their Champion's League thriller against Liverpool and despite the excitement over their stunning victory, they are now fully focused on the FA cup and are hungry for success against Arsenal. Memories of Wenger's men coming from behind to triumph 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League earlier in the season with what many claimed was an offside goal are fresh in the minds of both players and fans and knocking their north London rivals out of the cup would be the sweetest revenge. With the talented Hiddink at the helm and after Tuesday's success, many Chelsea fans feel they are invincible. It's going to be a stunning match - roll on Saturday!
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