Burnley preview

Big game tonight, as Arsenal need to go to places like Burnley and win to prove the pundits (I'm looking at you, Alan Hansen) that they can win the title. We beat Burnley 3-0 in the FA Cup at home last year, and lost to them 2-0 away in the Carling Cup. Some of those players in the Carling Cup (Ramsey, Vela, Merida, Wilshere, Fabianksi, Silvestre) will probably be on the squad tonight.
In injury news, Eboue is back, but Denilson and Traore are out. Traore has a hamstring injury that will keep him out for the Hull City game as well, while Denilson has a back problem that they're treating with caution, because he's just back from a back injury. According to Arsene, Arshavin will play tonight. Arsene talks about Arshavin's toughness, saying:

I have not met many with his pain threshold

With Denilson out, Diaby will probably start. I think the team will be: Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Silvestre; Fabregas, Song, Diaby; Nasri, Arshavin, Vela
Subs: Fabianski, Senderos, Eboue, Ramsey, Merida, Walcott, Eduardo
I don't think Walcott starts, as he is coming back from injury and started last week's game.
The Boss also talks about his confidence in Almunia. That's all well, but Almunia does not fill me with confidence, and I'd pick Fabianski. Arsene also talks about the transfer window, making no guarentees. He says

But I don't want to promise things that I don't really know I will do at the moment.Mainly I am expecting our players to come back [from injury].

I'm skeptical about whether he will sign anyone. Bendtner and Rosicky are coming back in January (They'll be like New Signings!) and he is confident in Walcott, Vela and Eduardo, and of course Arshavin.
Not much else going on, match report later.

Friday Round-Up

Injury news: Eboue and Rosicky are definitely out for the game on Sunday. Eduardo and Diaby could make the team, while Cesc, Gallas and Arshavin and Traore all suffered knocks and bruises but are expected to play.
Alisher Uzmanov increased his stake to 26.07%. I still think Stan Kroenke will end up buying him out, but I'm not the expert on this sort of thing.
Carlos Vela signs a new deal.
Theo Walcott talks about he wants to perform well against Liverpool. I don't think he'll start but I can see him setting up Arshavin's 8th.
Also, from the injury article, Bendtner is expected back in January. Cesc, here you go. Here's a big striker.
Match preview tomorrow

Quick Monday Round-Up

Not a lot happening...
from the Guardian Cesc says he wants a Didier Drogba type forward, and Arsene says the youngsters will play at Olympiakos. As everyone has seen, the Ruud Van Nistelrooy to Arsenal link gets debunked by the boss while he talks about Silvestre being a quiet leader. There will be a full Olympiakos preview tomorrow, with Cesc, Arshavin, Gallas, Denilson and Almunia all not expected to make the trip. There are 45 players available for selection in the Champions League, with some players not available because they are away on loan.
I think the team will be this:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Fabianski, Gilbert, Senderos, Vermaelen, Silvestre; Ramsey, Eastmond, Merida; Walcott, Eduardo, Wilshere. Subs: Mannone, Cruise, Coquelin, Bartley, Randall,Watt, Sunu.
More tomorrow