No Pressure

By Boris Mellor
March 26 2010

Recently Birmingham have had a very poor run of form away from home. However at home they are a very different proposition and are unbeaten in their last 11 home games in the Premier League. The last time they were beaten at home was on the 26th September by Bolton. Chelsea and Man U were both held to a draw.

If they avoid defeat against Arsenal it will be their longest unbeaten run at home in the top flight since the 1973/74 season. 

 Birmingham have only conceded ten league goals at home this season, only Manchester United have conceded fewer goals at home. In comparison Arsenal have conceded 15 goals at home.

 They have kept 10 clean sheets this season, but they have wobbled recently, losing away at Pompey in the FA cup, and managed only one clean sheet in their last 11 league games. It is important not to underestimate them, but this could be the best time to play them.

It's tight at the top - Arshavin not under pressure

Only 2 points separate the top 3 teams and all have played 31 games. It is a situation that very few people, including me, did not expect the Gunners to be in after the defeat by Chelsea at home. But nothing is won in March, this game is a must win if Arsenal are to be in the mix by the end of April.

 I must say I am feeling the pressure, but Arshavin is not, he doesn't understand what the fuss is about. Though his reason is a bit strange, he says it is because he doesn't understand English very well, "I focus on my performance, training and game". Wenger dismissed recently publicised Arshavin quotes on the need to buy new players as out of date recycled old quotes.

Birmingham not the turning point

Arsenal are the form team once again with six wins in a row, yet  two years ago they arrived at Birmingham top of the league, we all know what happened that fateful day. As Wenger said at his press conference this week Arsenal did not deal very well with what happened that day. He went on to stress that similar events at Stoke were dealt with very differently.

However, he did not feel that dropping a point that day was the cause of Arsenal losing their top place, there were heavier ingredients at work. By that he means the loss of focus by Hleb and Flamini (Spit on my keyboard. It needs cleaning.), and that is why he will refuse to discuss contracts over the next three weeks.

Injuries and suspensions - will play Sol

There are no new injuries and Bendtner is expected to be available. The only missing player is Vermaelen on a one match ban.

Wenger claims he is not looking beyond the Birmingham game and that he will play Sol. Clearly Wenger is not prepared to sacrifice the league for the CL. If Arsenal beat Birmingham it will be evidence that they are a better team than two years ago. Normally a draw at Birmingham is a good result, but at this stage that will not do.