The Fixture That Nearly Wasn't

It’s definitely a funny old week. If you are a fan then all eyes are really on the lipsmackinmotivatinfortyfiveyeartauntinthreepointswinnin’ clash with Tottenham on Saturday. I will return to that on Thursday and Friday. Mrs Goonerholic is under orders to rescue the match ticket if fire breaks out in the east wing of Goonerholic Towers!

The players, however, have to focus on another little derby skirmish at Craven Cottage first. Strange to think that if Sir Henry Norris had got his way in 1910 we would now be one club, and this fixture would not exist. The good news is that Fulham will be without Pearce, and could be missing Quedrue. That leaves the far from subtle physical threat of Brown and Diop, which doesn’t prompt the same concern we faced at the Reebok.

In the wake of the rare Anelka strikes we face another old boy, Boa Morte, who will be favourite to breach the Gunners defence. Wenger is expected to have Henry, Van Persie, and Rosicky back in the squad.

You have to have some respect for the way that Coleman has kept Fulham in the top flight, but it’s fair to say this is not usually Arsenal’s toughest test of the season. Anything less than a three point haul would bring the doom-mongers out in force. Not only that, it would plant the seeds of doubt for Saturday, and we can’t have that now, can we?

I’ll close with a quick word on the Ballon D’or. If Thierry cannot win it in a year when he played in the Champions League Final and the World Cup Final, then he never will. In truth the award will invariably go to a player from an Italian or Spanish club because of the voting format. Ask me would I rather have Cannavaro or Titi in my starting line-up and I know who I would take every time. It’s scant consolation I know, but Titi, you are definitely my Player of the Year!