Up front, I think all the perceived injustices spurring Arsenal on have worked a swell trick in keeping our season chugging along.

But am I the only one who thinks that talk of ‘revenge’ going to Birmingham is just silly?

What happened to Eduardo two years ago was sickening, the beginning of the end for the season. It was also the match that put the striker’s career in total limbo as he began the long road to a remarkable recovery.

But time heals many wounds (unless you’re a Spurs fan) and with Aaron Ramsey being the more recent victim of a seriously bad tackle, for me the emphasis on Eduardo is as unseemly as it is expected.

This match should be like any other match. To put ‘added significance’ on it is not going to help this team in the slightest. Taylor plies his trade for Watford on loan – the whole foreboding of St Andrews means we’ve got a player stuck in our head who won’t be even playing. For that matter, the odds of Eduardo playing are slim to none, too.

We should be looking at the always dangerous McFadden, the tenacious ex-Gunner Seb Larsson, or the fact they’ve had a wicked spell at home where none of United, Chelsea, Spurs or City have come away with anything more than a single point.

It’s a fortress. And the reason for that is not that man Taylor. It’s because Birmingham are a team that work for each other, play to their strengths and get on with it.

We should too.

I have my trust in Wenger to drill this into the players. He’s done the Eduardo questions already (what else will journalists ask?), but as team talks go, it’s all about keeping up our winning streak and playing on the Blues’ recent sketchy form.

With Vermaelen’s suspension upheld (but not extended), I expect Campbell to be called into duty again alongside Alex Song, who coped well enough against West Ham as a pair.

Denilson should then take defensive midfield duties but expect Abou Diaby to chip in too. Bendtner will continue to hold up the line from the off. While I expect Nasri to keep his place, I would not be surprised to see Walcott (scorer of two goals the last time we played here – now who’s obsessive about previous fixtures?), possibly in place of the lacklustre Arshavin.

The little Russian’s been frustrating at best lately, but if he does start, many of us will be demanding a better performance.

That actually counts for every single one of the players out there. Yet another cup final, yet another lung-bursting effort, boys.

We’re proud of how far you’ve come. But since the horizon is peeking into view, why stop now?

COME ON YOU RED AND WHITES!

Filed under: Arsenal, English Premier League