As pressure mounts in the Premier League, Geoff Shreeves wonders who will hold their nerve?
Arsenal go looking for redemption
Arsene knows. So says the banner still defiantly in place at The Emirates.
Arsene knows alright, knows he's got problems. Quite apart from being rendered virtually speechless by his side's capitulation at The DW Stadium he also flagged up the fact that the Gooners could be caught by Spurs or Manchester City.
Who do they play next? Manchester City at home. Although beaten by their neighbours United, Roberto Mancini's team will go into the game with all guns blazing and having beaten Arsenal in a feisty encounter at Eastlands earlier this season, will have real belief too.
Add to this the likely sight of Lukasz Fabianski in the Arsenal goal and their belief will multiply tenfold. Fabianski is the only realistic choice for Wenger to play due to injury and lack of any real alternative and that will delight City. A keeper who's confidence is shot and has made some costly high profile errors combined with a team ravaged by injury and dispiriting recent results will have the City boys licking their lips. City at 11/4 or 5/2 the draw could well attract a lot of attention.
Fired up City
City will definitely also have another incentive before kick off because they will know the result from Old Trafford. Regardless if Spurs win, lose or draw against United, it can only motivate City. Spurs have never beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League so they are available at 13/2 to pull off a first.
Having said that they are on a roll having brushed aside both Arsenal and Chelsea. It would be a glorious hat-trick for Harry Redknapp but not only is history against him but there is also the small matter of a fired-up, back in the race Fergie! 2/5 say the bookies for a home win which would then put all the pressure right on Chelsea the next day.
Not so easy for Chelsea
On the face of it the current league leaders have the easiest fixture but look a little deeper. They struggled against Bolton, were beaten by Spurs and now have to face Rory Delap's missiles without suspended John Terry.
Only a 90th minute Malouda winner separated theses two at the Brittania so Stoke at 14/1 is massive, the draw 9/2 interesting and Chelsea to win at 1/6 uninviting. It all makes for another gut wrenching, nerve shredding tension filled weekend. I love it.
