The all-too familiar story & transfer news

We absolutely dominated Citeh. We could have had a hatfull and they had nothing to offer as a real threat.

I feel so gutted that we didnt even nick one in, its so frustrating. We were denied by the post and good saves from Hart and its games like that where you don't get the points deserved that cost you.

My hopes of winning the league are waning, if we cannot score when inflicting near total domination over an opponent then what chance do we have? I'm trying not to be too negative because performances like that are why I love Arsenal. Just stick it in the onion bag lads...for the love of all that is pure and good, stick it in the bloody net!!

Rant over...thank you for listening.

Almumia is destined for Spanish soil it appears. I have it on rather good information that he has said he'd like to return to Spain and has already completed contract negotiations the only stickler is his insistence on being first choice but that is being ironed out.

Good luck to him. He's a good keeper, just not a Great Keeper and thats what you need in the Premier league.

WG

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Lift up rug and sweep....furiously.

I've considered it, even written it but I have no intention of publishing my review of this weekends game. I just don't want to talk about it. My post was full of vitriol and not for anyone's eyes but my own. I've since rediscovered my centre and I'm at peace.

Tomorrow then, away to Braga. Clichy, Arshavin and Van Persie all miss the trip to Portugal in a game where we need all 3 points. Clichy has a back injury, Arshavin is knackered and Van Persie is still chasing full fitness. I would suggest however that it might be better for RvP to travel and play 30 mins or a half against Braga unless he is injured?

We're still short of the likes of Almunia, Diaby and the luckless Vermaelen due to their respective injuries so we will probably see a starting eleven similar to what started on Saturday. I hope Vermaelen recovers soon, I feel we're missing that communicator, that leader at the back hugely.

I would like it, I really, really would if Djourou started instead of Koscielny, he's in much better form. I'm restraining myself from saying anything unnecessary here, we all know what happened at the weekend.

I expect a much improved defensive performance tomorrow night. My ideal squad for tomorrow is below, tell me what you think

Fabianski
Sagna	Squillaci Djourou			Gibbs
	Wilshire Song
Nasri		Fabregas		Rosicky
		Chamakh

So, ignoring the results at the weekend lets all get behind our boys and support them. We can win tomorrow night and continue our march out of the group stage.

WG

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Tackling to the last man

Johan Djourou has been speaking out about his partnership with Squillaci. It seems he is enjoying it and it cannot be discounted in any way just how well Squillaci has stepped into our team and the Premier League so seamlessly and performed at no less than excellent in every game. He has made mistakes, but he's also defended extremely well and its good to see him doing so well after showing early promise in his career. He's played a lot of games and he hasn't let us down.

JD has also been commenting on the confidence that Fabianski gives them, this is a huge boon for the Arsenal defence. Fabianski is currently in sparkling form and I hope I don't jinx him. It can be seen across the team how much they like him and I think its giving them all a boost that the Pole in Goal is doing so well.

I don't recall anyone talking about Almunia this way. Naturally thats just to say that I don't remember not that it didn't happen. When Mad Jens used to play for us he also used to get talked about a lot, his performances were always analysed over and above what is required for decent punditry. MoTD and others wanted to exacerbate any mistake and over publicise his faults.

What they couldn't take away from him, what they couldn't taint with any bias was that Mad Jens stood up and showed them he was a fantastic Goalkeeper on the pitch, because thats where professionals do their talking.

I look forward to watching Fabianski grow and see how he gets on.

WG

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The 'Keeper Conundrum

I was thinking...after this weekends performance would it really be a bad thing to put Eboue in goal? - Especially after the feedback I've received about Eboue!

I jest of course! In reality, I do trust Fabianski. I think he has all the ingredients - more so than Almunia who despite a few decent performances certainly isn't world class and will never be. Fabianski can continue to grow into his number 1 role and I think he will be a great asset.

What then of the emerging talent of Sczcesny? He undoubtedly has talent and a healthy ego to rival Bendtner. He performed well in the Carling Cup and gave much to the clamour from certain quarters for him to be given a shout. There was also a few mistakes that showed his inexperience and these need to be taken in with the same weight as the good saves he made.

He's talented, but raw and I wouldn't thrust him into the first-team in the Premier League. We can't afford to train a keeper on the job - an argument often also levelled at Fabianski who has much more experience.

What can Arsene do? Surely he can't throw him in, so does he risk losing him on a free as has been mooted in the press? I don't know how Sczcesny really feels about it all but he must realise he isn't ready just yet? He's close, I think again he has every ingredient required except experience.

What do you guys think?

WG

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New Poll : Szczesny start on Wednesday?

New poll added to see whether Arsenal fans want to see Szczesny in between the sticks on Wednesday against Newcastle or whether they would prefer Fabianski or Almunia to get more game time.

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Debut's delight - Liverpool 1:1 Arsenal

As predicted in my last post, I did get rather innebriated and therefore was unable to write this post yesterday. Mainly because I couldn't remain conscious for any real length of time.

However, I will muddle through this now.

Firstly, yesterday we saw Premier League debut's for Kozza and Chamakh...I think they played really well, Chamakh was a bit isolated but he worked really hard and forced the error from Reina, 100% effort from the first second til the last, I was impressed by him and I think we'll see a lot of good things from him this year. The Adebayor comparisons being made I think don't do him as much credit as I'd like as I can see there is much more to his game than being a tall striker..His workrate is excellent and his movement is very intelligent, always looking to pull the defenders about. I really think he will do well for us this year.

Our second debutant, Koscielny was awesome yesterday. I think he was swift across the ground, composed when required and fitted in well with the rest of the defence and even lost his composure when the rest of the defence did - what a team player!!

Humour aside, it was a good point to take home yesterday. Starting the season away from home against a top half side is harsh and we did well. Almunia did nothing to change my mind on his future, his performance perfectly summed up the best and worst of his game in equal measure. The best, his diving saves and bar-tipping action was all on display and he saved well. The worst, his positioning and handling of crosses was there for all to see..the Liverpool goal was bad positioning mixed with sloth-like reactions that I struggle to forgive.

If we haven't signed another 'keeper by next Saturday then I would hope Wenger sticks Fabianski in, Almunia looked lost at times and I think his head is elsewhere...probably in his "happy place". Fabianski whilst not showering himself in gold, I think is a greater prospect and I think Almunia knows it.

So, lets bring on the Tangerines on Saturday and give them a spanking to show them what life in the prem is all about...we need a result similar to Chelski's lesson to West Brom, we're at home and its my birthday..I want to see a cracker!

I'll put up a post midweek, previewing the game and mulling over the transfer guff.

Til then gooners!

WG

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