Birmingham v Arsenal - 7M sport

Birmingham v Arsenal

Posted Friday, March 26, 2010 by Football.co.uk

Arsenal will be looking to keep their Premier League title dream alive with a win against Birmingham City at St Andrew's on Saturday afternoon.

However, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger and his players have bad memories of seeing their aspirations derail at the Midlands outfit in the past.

Ahead of their game with the Blues at the end of February 2008, they sat atop the table, but a 2-2 draw and a shocking leg break for Croatia striker Eduardo, proved to be their downfall.

Three consecutive stalemates followed - against Aston Villa, Wigan and Middlesbrough - and a defeat at Chelsea started their spiral from the summit.

Wenger will be hoping his side are made of sterner stuff this time and he is likely to use their failings two years ago as his inspiration.

Arsenal have won their previous five league fixtures and they sit just two points adrift of leaders Manchester United and, with a favourable run-in, the Emirates Stadium-based club will be confident of going close this term.

Birmingham's form has taken a turn for the worst following a fantastic mid-season run that yielded seven wins and five draws from 12 fixtures.

They have won just one in the last four - at Portsmouth - and back-to-back defeats against Sunderland and at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday has locked Alex McLeish's men in ninth spot.

Their unlikely European assault appears to be over, but a successful mid-table finish will be more than welcome for the side that won promotion from the Championship last season.

The visitors will be without Thomas Vermaelen through suspension following his dismissal in last weekend's victory against West Ham United.

Long-term absentees Aaron Ramsey (broken leg), Kieran Gibbs (metatarsal fracture), Robin Van Persie (ankle) and Johan Djourou (knee) are still sidelined.

William Gallas' calf problem is easing, but the contest may come too soon for the Frenchman.

Garry O'Connor (hip) and Lee Carsley (ankle) continue to be the only concerns for McLeish.

Birmingham may still be hurting from their loss to Arsenal earlier in the season in north London.

The classy Gunners secured a 3-1 win thanks to efforts from Van Persie, Abou Diaby amd Andrey Arshavin. Birmingham's sole reply came seven minutes before half-time through Lee Bowyer.



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