UNTOLD ARSENAL » 2008 » October » 29

In a couple of weeks time Eduardo will be back in the squad, possibly playing as a sub in the Wigan league cup game, possibly being a sub in a subsequent league game.

Either way, assuming none of the others gets injured in the meanwhile this will be our forward situation

Adebayor, Van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner, Vela

With as backups: Walcott, Diaby (I still have to keep watching the video of the match in Turkey to believe it, but yes, there he was).

This is, by any stretch of the imagination an amazing collection of players – although it was interesting that last summer a number of commentators wanted us to buy MORE forwards on the grounds that

Adebayor was leaving, van Persie was always injured, Bendtner just wasn’t up to it (I know one moment doesn’t make a player but the pass from B. to A. for the second goal against WHU was a wonderful moment), Vela was unproven, Theo wasn’t a centre forward, Eduardo might not come back at all, and who is Diaby.

The problem is keeping everyone happy. Before the assault on Eduardo he was looking brilliant, scoring some extraordinary goals, and complementing Adebayor perfectly.

And now?

It will mean that from December onwards we can rotate players much more than ever before, and as and when Adebayor hits a non-scoring period we let him sit it out. But whereas Vela and Bendtner would have expected the leading role in the league cup they might not get it.

It certainly is fortunate that we didn’t go out and buy yet more forwards. And indeed the same could be said to be an emerging truth with the midfield – the ceaseless demand for one or two midfielders now looks a little misplaced with Denilson and Song both able to slot in next to Cesc, and Rosicky now scheduled to return in December. Bishchoff is making progress, and there has been wonderful contributions from Ramsey and Wilshere.

And then there is Diaby.  When I saw him, before the assault at Sunderland, I thought he was a magnificent, natural centre midfielder, but when he returned from injury he never quite seemed to have it.  I feared the worst for him after another injury at the start of this season – and that just shows what little I know.   The way he is at the moment, if Cesc got injured you could probably play Diaby alongside Denilson and have a very effective central midfield pairing.

You know, I think this is looking quite jolly.