Wenger And Koeman Play The Numbers Game

It is Carnival time in Eindhoven on Tuesday but the party atmosphere that will hopefully sweep over the rival fans at the Philips Stadium will not extend to rival coaches Arsene Wenger and Ronald Koeman.

They are currently pre-occupied with the question of what formation to use in order to secure an advantage in their Champions League encounter. Both men have utilised a pair of options during the current campaign.

Arsenal have recently returned to a 4-4-2 set-up and are unbeaten in 2007, but the Gunners have lined up in a 4-5-1 variation in most of their Champions League contests following the success of that formation in last seasons competition.

Wenger has confirmed that he will rotate his squad again following the goalless draw with Blackburn on Saturday. ‘I rotated the team for the Cup tie and I will continue that policy for the Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven. Hopefully a few players will be back on Tuesday, for example Alexander Hleb and Johan Djourou.’

The resting of Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor on Saturday suggests that he will partner Henry in a 4-4-2. The lack of a recognised right-back in the travelling squad would hint at a starting berth for both Djourou, and William Gallas who was given an hour to prove his fitness at the weekend.

Koeman faces even bigger headaches ahead of the match with Ibrahim Afellay, Patrick Kluivert and Michael Reiziger having already been ruled out with injuries, while Alcides is not eligible to play.

Koeman has alternated between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 this season. His choice this time round may depend on the fitness of Diego Tardelli. The on-loan Brazilian made his first appearance after a lengthy lay-off in the weekend victory over Heracles Almelo and could complete a front three with Arouna Kone and Jefferson Farfan.

The PSV coach has his midfield options limited by the absence of the attack-minded Afellay, and may call up John de Jong to increase his options.

The sides have met twice in recent Champions League history, with Arsenal winning twice and the other two match-ups ending all square. With a quarter-final place at stake never has the numbers game been so important for the highly-rated coaches.