Urgh... Stoke.

No doubt we're all excited about the footballing feast we will see before our eyes this evening? I thought not.

Obviously the most important thing is the three points, especially with United playing twice over the weekend, we need a performance like that against Barcelona, both from the players and the fans. So preview-wise Diaby finishes off his suspension tonight whilst Van Persie and Dave Koscielny are mysteriously injured. It looks like Djourou will be able to take Koscielny's place as he returns to the squad from his bad back. This could just be Le Boss being ultra careful, but I won't complain even if it does mean Squillaci being on the pitch. Interestingly, numerous people have pointed out that the referee is Peter Walton, none other than the man who refereed at the Britannia last season. Actually no, that's not really interesting, never mind.

I suppose that leads to a line up somewhat like:

Szczesny----Sagna-Squillaci-Djourou-Clichy--
---Wilshere-Song---Walcott?--Fabregas--Nasri?--Bendtner

I've got Walcott and Nasri down, I think that, despite his upturn in confidence amd his performance against Orient, Arshavin might be benched as he did play 90 minutes at the weekend. I also think Bendtner will get the nod ahead of Chamakh as he looks to have more goals in him at the moment.

So Ryan Shawcross... in case you don't recognise him he's the one on the right, breaking Aaron Ramsey's leg. But don't worry, he's English and not that kind of player, the tackle Adebayor recieved off the pitch from him and Francis Jeffers ankle ligament damage in 2007 were just unfortunate really. Poor Ryan, he's the victim here really. Now I'm not one to bear a grudge but it would seem that the Emirates faithful are, and I don't think he's going to get a warm welcome this evening. It's official according to the Mirror, although once again the journalism is a bit shocking really, I mean talk about hyping it up.

I mentioned United's heavy fixture list earlier, and the boss agress that the run-in will be tough for everyone, but thinks that out home form could swing it our way. Like a massive swinging Premier League trophy. Also, there's something about Pulis targeting 40 leg breaks points this season, I'd much rather his head exploded to be honest, although he'd probably just wear his baseball cap on his shoulders then. One last Stoke-related thing, I personally hope Glen Whelan gets a warm welcome this evening, I'm not sure whether it will happen and I know he's a Stoke player, but he was the first one to realise what was happening and he was there to reassure Rambo, which Rambo said was very comforting. So that's nice.

On the subject of Rambo, SkySports believes that he is set to return to Arsenal next week rather than his loan spell being extended. Wenger pretty much said this on the club's official website, pencilling him in for the match against Leyton Orient. Maybe like Eduardo he could score on his comeback in an FA Cup tie at home. I'm sure the fans would love that.

Elsewhere, Wenger has been talking about debutant Ignasi Miquel who featured at the weekend, on where he is now and where he can go. It seems that the boss rates him quite highly. The reserves came from behind to grad a third successive draw, with Roarie Deacon grabbing the equaliser. Read YoungGuns report for more information on the performance. After the match Neil Banfield spoke to the club, to summarise the team had the lion's share of possession but just couldn't make it count. Sound familiar?

We're near the end now, just two more things. I mentioned an interest in Stefan de Vrij recently, it has been made known to me that he can play either RB or CB and, as I was saying to the editor of the Gunnersphere blog (a first class blog, catch them here or follow on twitter @gunnersphere), it's a while since we had a good young right-back, with the Hoytes and Kerrea Gilbert failing to make the grade and, as he pointed out, with Sagna and Eboue both in their late 20s, we could do with a bit of youth in department. Whether it's de Vrij or not, I wouldn't be surprised to see something happen in the summer.

And finally...  Arsene Wenger and Tony Pulis both cancelled their press conferences yesterday. Is this making something out of nothing or was Wenger just sick of getting the same old questions? I don't know nor do I think it's particularly important. Before I go, take a look at this from Alan Davies r.e. Shawcross. Top stuff.

Well that was a long one (that's what she said ;) until tomorrow peeps. :)