Spineless Arsenal face first real test. Chelsea Preview.

This is it. Our first real big test against credible title challengers comes tomorrow at Stamford Bridge.

Is it goes without saying that this close to such an important game we are riddled with injuries. we are missing the complete spine of our team with Almunia, Vermaelen, Fabregas and Van Persie are all set to miss out. Now can you imagine Chelsea without Cech, Terry, Lampard AND Drogba? No, neither can I. Plus that's not including Walcott, Gibbs and Ramsey who are all out too.

It's likely that Fabianski will be given the chance to continue in goal, hopefully he can take the confidence he will of gained from last week and have a stormer. He must know that he is just one mistake from a backlash from Arsenal fans so the time Almunia is out injured we will learn a lot about Fabianski's character, we all know he can be a great goalkeeper but now it's up to him to start showing it week in, week out.

In defence Kos and Squillaci will keep there partnership going in the centre of defence and the only other real question Arsene Wenger had was who would start at left back but in good ol' Arsenal tradition, Keiran Gibbs made the choice for him by getting inured, he will now miss the action for the next 3 weeks.

Midfield should be Arsene's hardest desicion. Song is almost certain to start but the two to join him may not be as easy to read, the main candidates will be Wilshere, Nasri, Diaby and Denilson. Wenger seems to like playing two more defensive midfielders in the centre when we're away from home against a decent team so I doubt we'll see Nasri and Wilshere together and think Diaby will get the nod ahead of Denilson.

Nasri however may get the nod to play further up the field on the right of our attacking triangle. Chamakh will almost certainly lead the attack but Bendtner is back in contention now so over the next few games he should help release some of the pressure sitting on Chamakh's shoulders...... but not at Chelsea. Our Russian magician should keep his place on the left of attack.

We have not kept a clean sheet since our 6-0 win against Braga and if we're being honest, I don't see Stamford Bridge as the place that it's going to change especially when Drogba seems to be guaranteed at least one goal every time he plays us. It'll be interesting to see who picks him up. Koscielny in my opinion isn't strong enough to deal with Drogba so I expect Squillaci to monitor him.

Goonerfish's line-up:

Fabianski


Sagna - Squillaci - Koscielny - Clichy


Song


Wilshere - Diaby


Nasri - Arshavin


Chamakh



Score Chelsea 1 - 2 Arsenal

OK, so, the score is more from my heart than my head but we always seem to excel when the opposition are considered as such heavy favourites. I think Chamakh will own John Terry all day and should bag at least one goal for himself. I have always said that when it comes to games against the big teams you need to look for three points at home and at least a draw away from home so a point will be a good result this weekend but I think we have the ability to take all three, even without our spine.

What do you think Gooners, do we have enough to take all three points tomorrow? Leave your predictions below. Keep cheering Gooners,

Goonerfish.