Regular service has been severely interrupted as Third-Gen hunts out a new server to host the website. The site is prone to spikes in traffic when certain headlines are written, and the Man City preview single-handedly crippled a server sitting in Los Angeles.

At the ABC (that job thing I do to put crusts of bread on a quickly deteriorating table), they pride themselves on good headline. Well, they can come back when they can boast they can clog up machines with juicy NewsNow traffic. Damn straight.

Compensating for obvious short-comings aside, we have a game today against Stoke at the Emirates, which could come under less portents of doom, it has to be said. The game against Man City was the recoil to Chelsea’s sucker punch, even if it was the second string playing. Young they may be, but authorities may have to look into the suspicions of under-age drinking. There was a serious hangover floating around after that match.

I know, I know. Sometimes I amaze myself. Nevertheless, only the most clinical of beatings will do today against a physical, honest Stoke side who have a good manager at what he does (I make no comments on his personal qualities, mind you. Jumping into the whole handshake debate was just pointless and snide).

After two very disappointing matches where Arsenal were out-muscled out of affairs (plus one generally poor showing against Sunderland), I’m hoping Arsene Wenger picks up the pieces and mixes it up a bit against the Potters.

We’re already without the services of the suspended Alex Song, so Denilson should take up the screening midfield role while either Aaron Ramsey, Samir Nasri or Tomas Rosicky should play alongside Cesc Fabregas.

For reasons of directness and physicality, I reckon Eboue will play in an advanced flank role alongside Arshavin and Eduardo – the Ivorian actually had a decent showing his last time out and adds real directness to affairs. With any luck, he might have his shooting boots on, too.

Sagna should be fit enough to play right back and the rest of the defence resorts to type/what we have left.

It will be a tricky game at home, mostly because of confidence and because we’re playing a team who believe they have our beating (even with our 4-1 win over them at the end of last season in mind). Speaking of that result, we really could do with the likes of Bendtner back, who reportedly is not too far away.

That, and there’s just a tinge of irony when you consider all the flak that Diaby copped this season. Our best results came with him in that balancing role alongside Cesc, and to me (and a few others), we’ve really missed his physical presence in the middle of the ground.

Here’s hoping for a win – any win, but a clean sheet would be desperately nice – and three points to talk about tomorrow. The website woes have been enough to get me down. The last few results have left me feeling like Atlas buckling under the weight of the world.

Football, eh?

Filed under: Arsenal, English Premier League