Preparation for friendly against Barnet

Maybe for most of the Arsenalites this match won't be that interesting. The Barnet Club has the smallest groud which could accomodate harly 6000 people. This means most of our viewers will be out there before the TV set or online. Last time we played Barnet was in 2004, where Barnet got chance to surprise us with first goal. Later we went on to win 10-1. With both Reyes(now with Athletico Madrid) and Jeffers(Don't know where) scoring hatricks. We have never played Barnet in any competitive matches.

Arsenal Squad announced for the Barnet Friendly:
Manuel Almunia
Vito Mannone
William Gallas
Johan Djourou
Mikael Silvestre
Thomas Vermaelen
Tomas Rosicky
Andrey Arshavin
Jack Wilshere
Thomas Cruise
Craig Eastmond
Luke Ayling
Conor Henderson
Francis Coquelin
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
Mark Randall
Emmanuel Frimpong
Gilles Sunu
Sanchez Watt
Jay Simpson
Nacer Barazite

Players we will be eagerly waiting to watch in this match will be Rosicky, Vermaelen and Wilshere. The reason to watch out for these players are quite obvious. Rosicky coming back after 1 and a half years time which is pretty long for any footballer. Verma playing his first fixture in Arsenal colors. Don't forget Verma was Ajax captain when we snatched him to Emirates Stadium. Wilshere oozing with promise as per Wenger. Let's see how he performs in this fixture. I would guess that Arshavin will be leading the side today for the friendly in the absence of Cesc.

We have Almunia, Gallas and Arshavin who had already proved their skills in last season and expected to be in good touch. Silvestre with lot of experience with him. And Djourou with some tactics learned in last season. You can find lot of great young talents in that above list. Most of them performing well in Under 18 sqaud and few had played in Arsenal Reserves team too. Arsene Wenger is trying to get the young talent tested before he lay out plans for them. This blend of experience and youth in the squad for a friendly would do good to the team. I believe by the 3rd friendly this pre-season Arsene would definitely get his full squad ready.

Good luck Arsenal. Will be there to watch you in person today.