Arsenal V Charlton

Arsenal face Charlton on Tuesday looking to make up for the shocking performance during the 1-0 defeat away to Sheffield United to end 2006.

It's more than Arsenal V Charlton, it's Wenger V Pardew round 2. The two managers both faced FA Charges earlier in the season after Alan Pardew seemed to attempt to taunt Wenger after his West Ham side scored an 88th minute winner. Wenger reacted by shoving Pardew and refusing to shake his hand, his actions landed him an inproper conduct charge.

Alan Pardew claims that he has no problem with Wenger: 'As for my record and reputation against Arsenal, there's no problem on my side.

'I'll go and shake Wenger's hand before the game and wish him well, but I hope my team win.'

Arsene Wenger on Arsenal's last 12 months: "Certainly it was.'

'A lot of good happened in 2006 and that will be seen later, even if, as a manager, we did not get that extra special moment of complete glory. In the future it will certainly be seen as a turning point of the Club. It was the first time we went to the final of the Champions League and it will be the year Arsenal moved out of Highbury and into the Emirates.'

"The highlight for me was the Final of the Champions League and going a season without being beaten in Europe until the last 13 minutes," said Wenger.

"Then there was also the last day at Highbury against Wigan. It was a special feeling of happiness and feeling that we had done our job well. We went out on a great day and we will never forget that.

"Then perhaps the testimonial for Dennis Bergkamp on July 22. It was the first time we had moved into the new stadium. That was when it was all really concrete for me."

"The highlight for me was the Final of the Champions League and going a season without being beaten in Europe until the last 13 minutes," said Wenger.

"Then there was also the last day at Highbury against Wigan. It was a special feeling of happiness and feeling that we had done our job well. We went out on a great day and we will never forget that.

"Then perhaps the testimonial for Dennis Bergkamp on July 22. It was the first time we had moved into the new stadium. That was when it was all really concrete for me."

Arsenal look like being without nine first team players again for the match against Charlton. Theo Walcott, Alexander Hleb, Emmanuel Eboue, Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby, Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Johan Djourou and Freddie Ljungberg all look like missing the game.

Although there is a slight chance that Eboue, Djourou and Henry could return.

There are also some uncler reports that suggest that Van Persie and Baptista both picked up ankle injuries in the game against Sheffield United.

Little Mozart has been far from his best since he returned from injury and he will be looking to make up for his recent lack of form.

Charlton will have a defensive mentality and will look to defend aroun their 18 yard box so his lethal right eg could prove to be vital.

The return of Young (knee), Reid (hamstring) and Faye means that Charlton have a full squad to choose from.

The foward has started to find some form again in recent weeks so Toure and Co will have to look lively to keep the pacey striker at bay.

Arsenal won 2-1 at The Valley earlier in the season. It's also the game in which Van Persie scored THAT goal...

I'll put my score prediction over on the forum. I see a tough game here. Arsenal will be without nine first team players, Charlton are fighting for their premierhsip lives and Pardew will send them out to fight. I still see an Arsenal win but a very, very hard faught one.

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