Birmingham v Arsenal: Just win

As I begin today's blog, Manchester United have just taken a 2-1 lead at West Brom. As I was watching Columbo, I don't know how the game's gone, but it sounds like it's not a particularly deserved lead. How do they keep doing it? Anyway, we have a game in front of us today that threatens to be a game we may well struggle in. Unfortunately for me, I won't be able to watch the Birmingham game live as this evening is the one evening of the Christmas period I get to spend with my mate Chris, who now lives in New York. Another Spurs fan stopping me from watching the Gunners? Some friend.

Anyway, the V Box is set to go and I will be able to watch, either tonight when I get in or tomorrow morning. I'm not sure that there's much team news to speak of right now, but there were a couple of interesting bits from Arsène's press conference yesterday. The first thing to talk about is Arsène Wenger's tacit admission that Manuel Almunia has let his last goal in for Arsenal- finally! Arsène said,

" Manuel Almunia is a case I will treat with him. It's up to him [whether he stays]."
 
There has been interest from Spain but it's difficult to give a percentage over whether he'll stay or not."

Arsène doesn't exactly sound like a man desperate to persuade the Spaniard to stay, does he? If this is to be adios from Almunia, then let me say gracias for the penalty save from Robbie Keane in 2007, the other penalty saves that you were surprisingly good at making, the first leg of the semi final against Manchester United in 2009, the first half of the first leg against Barcelona last year and, er.... I think that's about it. I'm sure someone will correct me if I've left anything out. You will, won't you?

With calls for fresh blood amongst the coaching staff growing amongst the support, talk has turned to the future of Arsenal legend Pat Rice. The 61 year old with over 40 years of service given to the club is out of contract at the end of the season. Interestingly, though Arsène says that he "200%" wants Pat to stay and says that he is "90%" certain to stay, he talks of wanting to "persuade him". Which suggests to me that, on the Irishman's part, there is some ambivalence towards a contract extension. When you read the glowing tribute Arsène has paid Rice in terms of his commitment and understanding of British football culture, it does seem as though we would be losing a hell of a lot if Pat was to leave us. Having said that, perhaps a shake up would do us some good, some youthful energy injected into a comfortable coaching set up. It's not as if there's a shortage of good football brains and Arsenal hearts out there- Martin Keown, for example. Or even someone like Steve Bould. I know I've mentioned Bouldie before but, for me, our under 18's coach should definitely be getting involved with the first team. If he can't sort our defence out, who can?

That said, if we continue to retain defenders like Eboue on the playing staff, then even some like Steve Bould is going to have his work cut out. I know that it makes sense to retain Eboue from a squad depth point of view, but I don't think he's someone we could ever rely on for a sustained period of time. People that think he's a better defender than Bacary Sagna are surely people who are unaware that they need to get to Specsavers pronto. Anyway, he has signed a new contract, which at least guarantees that this year's Christmas party will be a bit of a laugh.

So, that's all the background stuff out of the way. The Birmingham game is now just a couple of hours away and a win is now imperative after United managed to grab 3 points today. Easy to say, as we know though, not so easy to do. Twice in the last three years we've gone into injury time at St Andrews with only a one goal lead to show for efforts that have deserved more. Twice in three years we have been punished for our profligacy. I didn't mention it on my lowlights piece yesterday but Almunia's calamitous concession to Kevin Phillips last March was a huge lowlight for me. We need to avoid a repeat today. It's not going to be straightforward, Birmingham showed when they came to the Grove earlier this season that they are no pushover. Despite their lowly league position, they have only lost one home match this season, scoring nine goals and conceding seven in nine games.

Given those stats, I would say that the first goal is vital, but we know that realistically we need to score at least twice to win this game. We don't really do 1-0 to the Arsenal anymore, do we? I hope, very much, that we get to see the same team that started at home to Chelsea on Monday night- though I do wonder whether there might be a case to include Chamakh instead of van Persie. With the form that both Walcott and Nasri are in, it's unthinkable to me that Arshavin will start today's game, but he's a handy option to have on the bench. Whoever plays, the objective is simple; win, just win.

 

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