I’ve just had the meanest vindaloo at a lovely Indian restuarant. And to say it was spicy would be an understatement. My very innards feel like they don’t know quite what’s going on, with a real fire going on in my belly. And frankly, I hope the Arsenal lads feel the same way today. Not in the Spurs lasagne-tastic way, of course.

Instead, like Arsene Wenger, they’ll need to be truly up for this game in what is our first real test of title calibre in a tough, tough fixture. The manager says:

“Sunderland have quite a big squad. They are a team with a lot of dynamic movement and commitment. That is always very difficult to handle. They have a good team and they were unlucky to lose at Tottenham.

It is always a great atmosphere at Sunderland. I am highly conscious it will need a great performance from our side to win but the players are focused.”

Football is back with a vengeance tonight. There will be tension in this game where we certainly are not favourites, trust me. The media are right to anticipate a ’shock result’ headed Sunderland’s way, but they’re wrong in the sentiment. Sunderland are a very solid team at home and with the famed Lorik Cana returning to their midfield, they will be tough to beat in the middle.

They will, however, be missing Lee Catermole, which I think is just as big a hit to them. Nevertheless, with perhaps Andy Reid and Steed Malbranque in the middle too, they are both physical and dangerous on the break.

We will appear a little alien in those sexy navy-blue numbers as we take on the Black Cats – I know some don’t approve of the blue kit, but Peter Hill Wood likes it. And no-one says a bad thing about my Pweeter while I’m around!

But despite that it’s really great to have Arsenal back. It won’t be the same team tonight that we’re used to. Rotation is the order of the day after injuries (Gibbs, van Persie) and fatigue (Sagna, Gallas, Arshavin), but the greatest complexity surrounds Alex Song.

The Cameroonian hardman is on a perilous 4 yellow cards and one more means he’s suspended for the Chelsea game. It’s a big decision to make for Arsene Wenger – something in the back of my mind says he’ll stick with Song, but there’s a definite portent of gravity surrounding that choice.

There’s been some talk in different blogs of getting Senderos into the backline to rest Gallas but I think that means there will be far too much change at the back to be healthy. As a result, I think Gallas will get the game here and possibly be rested against Liege.

Eboue should come in for Sagna even though it’s preferable to have the Frenchman’s solidity, while fellow countryman Silvestre should get the left back spot. If not, it will be Traore, but I’ll be surprised to see that.

There are problems with putting Denilson in Alex Song’s spot, not just to do with his lack of game time, but the projected midfield three of Fabregas, Denilson and Ramsey may be enough to counter Sunderland’s mobility? We’ll see.

The forwards are just as hard to pick, but I’m hoping Wenger finally goes with a leap-of-faith with Nasri and Rosicky, to partner Eduardo. All three have previous on the injury list, but on paper, they truly are a lucrative prospect.

And isn’t it awesome that the backline plus midfield in this graphic looks like a smiley face? No? Just me then.

Questions remain over how lightweight that suggested midfield is, but I’m really playing chicken with Song’s possible suspension. Frankly, I would just dive straight in and gamble the risk, so as to have him fit and ready for Chelsea. There’s just no two ways about it from me.

Predicted result? A draw looks likely, perhaps even leaning towards Sunderland sneaking the win, here. Arsenal are traditionally shambolic after international breaks, with the Man City loss just the most recent example (although we deserved to win that match, but don’t get all Irish on me).

But if we match graft for craft, who knows? We have Walcott on the bench as well as Vela for possible impact subs, so anything could happen.

While we’d all like the three points, I’ll be judging this game by our performance for our title credentials. If we lose, that will probably say it’s own story, but a draw and a win may need to be analysed qualitatively to get a better picture of such a difficult task.

Nevertheless, if you want to know what my heart says, it has to be Sunderland 0-8 Arsenal. Sounds about right.

Enjoy the game. I know I will. And here’s to a gallant three points!

Filed under: Arsenal, English Premier League