A Preview Preview

It's only Thursday. The game's on Monday. And I'm struggling to find anything useful to say on the football front. So why not do a preview preview?

We've now played 17. Lost 5 already. And for those who've forgotten: it's Chelski, West Brom, Newcastle, Spurs and Man U. Funny thing. Draw those three stupid games at home - in themselves already bad results - and we'd be top of the table right now.

So the picture's crystal clear. No matter what else happens with Man U, we either win Monday or we can forget about the league. Having already lost 5, there is no way we're going to get anywhere without some kind of amazing run of games. And it will have to start with a win against Chelski.

In terms of our starting line-up, apart from Vinyl Vermaelen, we basically have our starting 14-15 ready and raring to go. No excuses, nothing. Will Cesc finally stand up? Will Arshavin finally put in an honest day's work? And will Nasri shrug off Man U as a one-off?

Honestly, who knows? I surely don't. We can only hope, and that really is all we can do. Sadly. Just as sad that as fans, we're left also hoping that Chelski continue with their indifferent form, rather than focusing on what a good day's work our own players can put in. They've had two weeks to sit on their hands and think about it, so let's see.

Elsewhere, Mario Ballotelli (who?) has won some award, and in so doing has taken a "I don't know who Jack Wilshere is" dig. Jack has said he doesn't care, and Cesc has his two-pennies worth in response. But honestly. Does anyone really care what a Mario Ballotelli has to say?

Crikey. For one, not many over at Eastlands can really be proud of what their team's like right now, and two, Ballotelli's probably bottom of the pile too, so puh-leeze. Nobody cares. Except for the British tabloid press, hungry for something to chew on other than heroic Heathrow.

On the subject of Vinyl Vermaelen, we're basically at crunch point with the Belgian. He's training again, and if it cocks up again, it's probably out for the season. Wenger:

"Thomas has been out for a long time and we are hopeful he will come back in January. He's had a few setbacks and the decider on whether he plays a part this season is now because he is practising again."

Hopefully, if he does tweak his achilles again stepping on an acorn, it will also prove to be the decider on whether we actually bring in another defender in January. Fingers crossed. Everybody - don't go near the man, and keep an eye out where he steps.

Funny thing when Wenger was looking ahead to the Chelski game. Spoke about Drogba, and this is what he said:

"He is a player I like and rate highly. You are not especially pleased he is back against you, but on the other hand we play Chelsea with their real strengths and if we beat them, it will have even more value."

Actually, if I may say so, sir. I'd rather us not play Drogba, rather us play a shit Chelski, playing like shit, than play Chelsea "with their real strengths". What "more value"? We get 4 points? Sunderland played marvellous just as Chelski were crap that evening at Stamford Bridge. 3-0. What I'd give for that same Chelski on Monday. Not the Chelski and Drogba who have basically disappeared since they beat us at the Bridge.

Knowing them though - they'll find the perfect time to wake up and win a game, finally. Prizes for guessing when?