there round about 19,000 unsold tickets to that is 48,000 - 19,000 = 29,000 sunderland fans there + 4,000 away fans means the attendence will be 33,000 though they might sell a few more today
So what's gonna be Arsenal defence? Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has undergone surgery on his ankle injury and will be a "long-term" absence, according to manager Arsene Wenger. Mertesacker suffered ligament damage during Saturday's 2-1 victory at Sunderland and could be sidelined for the rest of the season. "He has had surgery and we have lost him for a while; how long I don't know," Wenger told the club's website. "He had reconstruction of his ligaments, so it will be long-term." Arsenal have major worries at the heart of their defence . They are due to assess the state of Laurent Koscielny's knee injury after the Frenchman joined Mertesacker on the sidelines . The French centre-back was withdrawn in pain during Wednesday night's 4-0 Champions League defeat by AC Milan at the San Siro. Wenger's options at the back are threadbare, with fellow centre-back Thomas Vermaelen still short of full match sharpness.
Think it all depends on how the Arsenal players react to Wengers comments. The whole team played like they had Bruce in charge of them midweek (ie badly) so, they'll either agree and tear us apart or get all huffy and throw the dummy out just to spite the manager. I reckon after the Milan game they shouldn't be too knackered which is what got us last Saturday so a good game in store and, bring your cold weather gear Gooners it's kin freezin up here.
Random Facts Arsenal's FA Cup record against Sunderland reads: P7 W3 D1 L3 Is RVP playing?.....was in one of the rags..(should never believe them i know)...he may be rested........very much doubt this.
two arsenal mates of mine think he should be because we shut him down last week and they need him for the league and there scared if he palys to mich he will be injured again
Well I'm not confident but I'm a natural pessimist. I'm chilled though & will be more so after a few beers,
I'm recently out of bed following a nightshift and will be shortly heading off for the game...Back on nightshift at 19:15 tonight though... I hope my efforts to get to the game prove worthwhile... Ha'way the lads...
Any bins in or around SOL? The 'pitch' looks more of a bin again. At least the players(both sides) playing decent football. Sunderland deserve their lead mind.
