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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Is anyone surprised?

Laurent Blanc said before last nights game "I have no world-class players". Last night England had Gerrard and Ferdinand out there and neither of them could stamp any authority. We are guilty of building up our players and calling them World Class too early, Blanc is not interested in that smokescreen. He's a results man.

Every single french player looked more up for it last night, technically they are a million times better than England and they looked a hell of a lot better than us.

I'm totally not surprised and I have no desire to comment on it further. Save that I saw Gibbs limping when he was subbed, I hope its nothing serious that will keep him out for the weekend. I'm also a bit peeved that Nasri played the 90...I hope he's not going to be too knackered for the weekend and that the french management let him and Clichy go home straight after the game.

Right, I'm done with England today. Morocco were unfortunate yesterday to concede a penalty so late in the game after Chamakh scored to put them 1:0 up. USA won as I expected, I hope some of you guys got on that at 3/1?

Spain got totally trashed last night, I'm almost shellshocked by it. I knew Portugal were decent but I thought Spain would hold them and win 1:0 and didnt. Well done Portugal.

Spuds initial team news to come later.

WG

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Nothing like a bit of Villification on a thursday!

The knives are out it seems for Craig Eastmond and Gael Clichy after a poor performance last night.

I've watched the game twice now and despite Gael being done through the legs (which does happen, noone is superhuman) we didn't play badly. In the period after our goal we took our foot off the gas which let them in. Our closing down was very poor. In the second half we didn't put our chances away, but we created plenty.

Lets be clear. We will qualify from the group and I still expect us to finish top. We are superior in goal difference and now we have to play Braga and Partizan. Hardly a daunting task provided the guys show the same focus they started with last night.

I'm not one to dwell on negatives, Eastmond's own goal was unfortunate, goals like that happen every week to every team. Carragher and Dunne have practically made a career out of it. Clichy got mugged, he knows it. Srna is an established, experienced, talented attacking full back and he got one over on Clichy. It doesn't make Clichy a bad player.

Theo took his goal extremely well last night. Its exactly what I want to see from him. A Thierry-esque goal, breaking free of his marker and just running like Forrest until he can see the whites of the keepers eyes before placing his shot calmly into the corner. A great finish. Simple, efficient and well deserved for a player who is still trying to win over his critics. Many forget he's so young.

So what now? We re-focus on Newcastle, on the Premier league until we have to worry about the Champions League again. We're back home and we need to put on a performance to ensure there are no retaliations from the Carling Cup tie.

Jack Wilshire put in a good performance last night, as did Squillaci. Djourou had a bad game and he knows it. Fabianski did well too, despite shipping two goals.

There is a bit to take from this, Eastmond isn't ready yet, but he will be. He fought back well to try and make up for his goal but he was a bit off the pace and could have done with a few mins in the PL before being launched into his Euro debut. I was impressed with Eastmond's effort and to villify him and Clichy is foolish.

Bring on the Geordies!

WG

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Has Arsene's biggest mystery been solved?

Tackling the mystery of the leaky back four - I'm of the firm belief that our defence this year is miles better than what we've had for the last 5 years.

In Vermaelen, Squillaci, Koscielny and Djourou we have 4 players who know how to communicate with each other. Thats a great start. There are no big ego's in our new look defence. We have 4 centre backs that consistently put their bodies in the way and fight for Arsenal.

Squillaci has consistently demonstrated his ability and his leadership skills. He's been awesome for Arsenal so far this season. You're only ever as good as your last game but he deserves considerable credit for his seamless integration into the PL and into Arsenal. He's a great communicator and it speaks volumes that we've been keeping clean-sheets - not discounting the performances of Fabianski but it helps when his defence are talking to each other.

Koscielny seems to be growing every game as he adapts, he's quick across the ground and is excellent in a 1v1 situation. His ability to read the game is commendable and he certainly got Sczcesny off the hook last week. He seems able to slot in alongside any player and its his adaptability in this regard that stands out.

Djourou is also getting back to the match fitness and delivering the performances I expect from him. He's a good defender, good in the air and fast on his feet. Anyone who knocks him for letting Tevez past him is one banana short of a fist-(ing). Tevez is one of the best in the world and that time he beat Djourou, but he didn't score. Djourou needs games to get his rythym but he's impressing on his journey to get there.

I don't need to talk about Vermaelen, we know what we get from him. Committed, tough, determined performer who doesn't give less than 100%. He doesn't take any prisoners but he's fair and professional.

Because our centre-backs are performing to a good standard, Clichy and Sagna look more relaxed, you can see it in their body language as they move about the field. This has aided in their performances and both have been receiving credit recently.

Put behind these players a keeper who is a good shot stopper, someone who is brave and talented and we have all the ingredients for a decent title challenge. I'm still confident that we have what it takes to win the PL. When Vermaelen is fit he will slot in with Squillaci and they will dominate. I can't wait to see it. Expect a whole lot more clean sheets.

WG.

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How to silence one's critics

Massive game today for us. It was a must-win game and we did just that. It wasn't a game marred or tainted by anything. It was a great performance. There can't be a "what if" from Citeh. Boyata had to go. I feel sorry for the lad, he's young and he'll learn from this.

Lukasz Fabianski has had much to contend with during his time in an Arsenal shirt. Today he flipped the bird at everyone, including me that ever doubted his potential. He was awesome in goal today and never looked like conceding. From the first save from Silva to the end he was switched on, tuned in and the nervous errors truly locked out.

I was in awe of his first save, I'd wager money Almunia wouldn't have stopped that. It was excellent. Saves like that are what Wenger's been seeing in training all along and I'll guarantee noone will be happier than him with the exception of Fabianski.

Todays game was everything I could have hoped for and more. It could have been four or five to the Arsenal and I loved every minute of the 93 played. I thought we fought very well and another player to do himself credit today was Denilson. He was superb sitting deep with Song and fighting in the midfield.

I think there are lots of things we can take out of the game. Djourou played superb alongside Squillaci who again did very well. Clichy played extremely well also. I think a lot can be said for confidence in the guy between the sticks. But in general it was an excellent team performance.

A great result. More to follow tomorrow when its sunk in.

WG

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Pushing back the tide. A brief look at the Arsenal defence.

A thought struck me earlier. How fortunate have we been this season?! We have been fielding a rookie CB partnership in Squillaci and Koscielny ever since Vermaelen got injured on 3rd Sept 2010.

Won 4, Drawn 1, Lost 2 (Chelsea and West Brom)

I think they will become really good players for us. I've been really impressed in the start they've made. They've made some mistakes, but I think its always going to happen in a new league played at an extraordinary tempo, unlike any other league in the world.

Without putting the siege mentality "everyone hates us" attitude out, I don't think credit is given for these two centre-backs. I think they're great signings. Our defensive requirements were well documented all summer and no doubt every target we talked to added a few millions onto their valuation as need determines price in all things. I'm convinced Koscielny was to be Wenger's CB backup this season, with an experienced premier league defender to come in but that didn't happen. I'm certain it wouldn't have represented value for money anyway, especially as price and experience doesn't always equate to a good player.

There is no doubt that both Squillaci and Koscielny need to improve, but they've already got all the ingredients and I'm certain Chef Wenger can cook up something special. In all this positivity there is a negative lurking and it saddens me a little. Johan Djourou. I really hoped to see something from him this season and whilst its still very early days, the brief signs I've seen are not good. His lack of form seems to stem from a never ending injury list and lack of game time. Djourou again has all the ingredients, I'm hoping he can get past his injuries and play a big part this year. He deserves a chance.

In terms of full-backs, much has been made of Clichy's form recently. I think he'll admit himself he's not at the top of his game. Potentially one of the best left backs in the world, he's got it all, pace, tenacity, an eye for a pass and he's extremely good at receiving the ball at pace and attacking. I think he's still a bit naive sometimes and gets sold by opposition players because he's a bit too keen. At 25 though he really needs to get this out of his game. The much vaunted Gibbs however is knocking on the door and whilst he shows great talent, is he any better than Clichy? Out of fairness he should be given the chance to try, he's got the potential.

Sagna is possibly the best right back we've had since Dixon, I'm consistently impressed with him. His communication is far better than any of our other players at the moment and he is a very consistent, tenacious defender who gets forward and joins in the attacks very well. He's also good at shouting at the midfield for help when he needs cover. Something Clichy lacks, he cannot be afraid to upset someone, he cannot be left to fend for himself the way he has been at times this season.

Communication is critical for a successful football side. We haven't got enough voices on the pitch and they need encouraging. Our players are still growing and maturing. Arsenal is evolving and success is coming.

Soon. I hope. Bring on the Brum!

WG

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