More injury woes before Spuds

Julio "la Bestia" Baptista has been confirmed as absent for tonight's game against the old enemy at the Emirates, and could well be missing for a couple of weeks. Which is a bit of a bugger really, considering that, with RvP probably missing now for the rest of the season, he would have had his eye on a regular spot in the starting XI, rotating with Ade Cool to partner Thierry.

Injuries have hit Arsenal like a plague over the past two season. Before then we were always fairly averagely listed on the injury table, but for some reason we've been hit for six off consecutive seasonal deliveries. I don't know if the Lewin clan are doing something differently on the physio table, or if, as has been claimed in certain areas, that Arsene is rushing players back from injury too early, but something's shifted recently.

Anyway, with Baptista added to the missing list, our side for tonight is likely to be a back five of Aluminium, Hoyte, Kolo, Big Phil and not-that-Traore; a midfield of YTW, Diaby, O'Silva and not-that-Denilson; with Adebayor and Prince Ali up front. I would think that the bench will contain Rosicky, Cesc, Randall, Poom and maybe, maybe Thierry. It'll be interesting to see if Arsene is confident enough to leave Henry out of the squad completely.

All this talk of an injury-ravaged Arsenal side has, of course, led to rumours that Arsene is about to plunder the market for a last minute "panic buy". Antonio Puera of Seville and the Czech defender Ondrej Mazuch have been mentioned, whilst we've apparently agreed to take young French striker Sunu on at the end of the season.

Whispers regarding Hearts' Scottish keeper Craig Gordon are doing the rounds as well. I have to say that I'd be very happy with Gordon being installed as Jens' long-term successor. He's that rare football oddity, a good Scottish goalie, and he's also a bit of an animal on Football Manager, so that's good enough for me.

So, a goaless draw would be enough for us tonight against the Lilywhites, but I fancy a few goals either way.

Come on you Reds.