And so to part two.
Sunday’s win at Bolton made a lot of people sit up and take notice, partly because of the battling nature of the victory, and partly because of the inspirational form of our captain. But mainly because it meant that three points tonight could send us top of the league.
Sure, Chelsea would have a game in hand, which they would only need to draw to return to the summit. And certainly our chances of being top in a few weeks time, after playing Villa, United, Chelsea and Liverpool are not that great. But going top tonight, coupled with a couple of good results in that set (notably the home games against Liverpool and United), would mean that we would still be in the hunt having got our most difficult games out of the way. And you can’t ask for much more than that.
The team news is mixed as ever. Denilson is back, and is likely to replace Eastmond in midfield, while Walcott is available again. Wenger has to ponder whether Walcott is fit enough to start, or if Rosicky is able to play two games in three days. If both answers are no, Carlos Vela may get a start.
Elsewhere, Traore’s rocky day at the Reebok should ensure Clichy returns to the back four. For all our injuries, it would mean our first choice back five are reunited, a stable base that we’ve really needed this season.
Picking a bet for the match is tricky – I’d be tempted to go with a high number of goals, but the bookies are being particularly stingy on that one, offering only 3/1 on five goals or more. And Cesc’s odds of scoring again have been drastically cut. So instead I’m going for a 3-1 home win at 10/1, and Vermaelen to rediscover his scoring touch at some point in the game, at 11/2.
We could be top of the Premiership in a few hours. Tasty.