The international break, to some, is a nuisance but to others it is a necessity. Ask Messi and C. Ronaldo. They would love to swap a Champions League medal for that of the World Cup.
It was all about the 2018 World Cup qualification in the just concluded break. Some teams were whitewashed, others scrapped out wins. There were disappointing goalless draws, goals galore and the joy of late late goals. In all of these breaks, every club is bothered about one thing – Injuries. No club would love to have their internationals back with injuries.
Koscielny, Ozil, Mustafi, Ospina, Alexis, Iwobi, Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Monreal, El neny, Bellerin and Holding were on international duty and you can catch a round up of their activity with their national sides on Arsenal.com. Hopefully they are rested enough for the weekend.
The weekend is few hours away and Swansea is next. Arsenal have won 5 straight matches in a row – the current longest in the top European leagues. How far can they go? Swansea lost just once in their last 4 visits to the Emirates. Will Alexis be fit enough to start ahead of rested Perez? So many things puzzle me but it is Wenger’s call.
Chelsea vs Leicester City should light up the afternoon of the Premier League on Saturday before the tie at the Emirates, Everton’s visit to Etihad and Tottenham’s visit to the Hawthorns.
In Nigeria, we have little matter of the Federation Cup. Enyimba will play Nasarawa United in Ibadan for a place in the final. It is a last chance for the two teams to win a silverware this season after Rangers went away with the league title. They should face FC IfeanyiUbah – although the NFF is yet to clarify the other semifinal clash between Crown FC and the FC IfeanyiUbah.
The 1st leg of the CAF Champions league kicks off in South Africa this weekend with Mamelodi Sundowns hosting Zamalek of Egypt. Let the better team win.
Club football is back, dust the break off.
SoccerGunz 