Craving success at the Grove

Today Fulham visit us at the grove on a thawing saturday. We've been hot on our travels and the Carling Cup game against Wigan should have banished any home jitters.

Arshavin has really hit into form in the last few games and we will need him today. Fulham set themselves up like any Mark Hughes side, they're tight, in your face and attack in numbers. We will need the magic of Arshavin, Nasri and RvP to create chances for Chamakh and bury their own goals themselves.

This is another home game where we need to bury the demons of games past and I'm looking forward to it. I expect the squad to look something like this;

Fabianski
Sagna	Koscielny Djourou			Gibbs
	Wilshire Song
Nasri		Robin Van Persie		Arshavin
		Chamakh

Playing RvP behind Chamakh is something that Wenger has alluded to and I think it might be given a shot today. Robin was on fire on tuesday creating chances all over the place. His skill at dead-balls will be a massive asset, especially today.

I'm really looking forward to this. I think we're going to trash them today and I'm excited.

As usual put your cash on Nasri to score, he's so hot he's practically magma in front of goal at the moment.

WG

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A great time to get the monkey off your back

Super result in the snow last night. Vela frustrated and then showed his class by setting up Bendtner. Its worth mentioning Vela got past his man and delivered some quality balls into the box and generally looked very lively, but clearly not match-sharp.

Which begs the question, what can we do for players like Vela. He needs to play some games, I think we should bung him off in Jan on a 6 month loan deal to someone in the championship, he needs competitive games and he needs to do it here. It needs to be a development move for him and he needs to stay focussed on Arsenal, not be casting approving looks elsewhere in Spain etc.

I like Vela, I like the way he just picks himself up, dusts off and tries again. He offers something different but he'll never hit form playing reserve and carling cup games.

Bendtner had a decent game too last night, pushing away the lazy slurs he worked hard last night. I do wish he'd look at Chamakh's game and try and learn from it though. I still think he's a bit naive when it comes to working a defence, but I'm not bashing him for it, he's still young and has the potential if his ego will allow him to learn. Which is a big BIG question mark.

For the second game in a row I was impressed with Koscielny, I thought he was on the money last night. Tackling, jockeying and heading he was an all-action hero. He didn't leave Djourou much to do but together they did well.

Wilshire played well, setting up Vela on many occasions but the young mexican was profligate in front of goal and unfortunate, his lack of match-sharpness was so apparent last night. Wilshire continues to impressand he's definitely proving his mettle with another battling display and he clearly outshone Denilson who had a bit of a bad day at the office I felt.

Last night provided an excellent opportunity to get the home losses off of our backs and start again and a cleany wont hurt at all. Sczcesny did ok with little to do, he'll be hoping for more of the same in his next appearance to continue to see his stock rise and take the next step towards the number 1 jersey.

So whats up next, we've got the Cottagers at home. Its time for Mark Schwarzers bi-annual storming performance and a whole lot will be made of it pre-match. Importantly the players need to focus and deliver a performance. Fulham won't lie down and they'll play tight and hit us where it hurts on the counter.

For now, embrace the snow, its going to be here for a while...although not here...its just frosty at the moment here in Wigan.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Bendtner, Chamakh, Denilson, Fulham, Koscielny, Sczcesny, Vela, Wilshire, mark schwarzer
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Alas poor Philippe, I knew him well....kinda.

I really rate Philippe Senderos, I think physically he has all the attributes to be a good defender. Stature, Strength, Good jumping all of which are essential.

He also has desire, but I think, similar to Fabianski he is a bit fragile mentally. This can cause him to go missing in the big games, or allow himself to be totally submissive to someone like Drogba, who, given the opportunity will bully you and make you look daft.

Hodgson however has a decent track record with defenders, Hangeland, Hughes, Smalling. Three defenders that have improved massively under his tutelage. Paul Konchesky has been more consistent also.

I think this is a good move for Senderos, he marginalised himself very successfully by stating that he wanted to stay at AC Milan because they were a big club. Well lit my son, the touchpaper of your Arsenal career is well and on its way to the barrels of Dynamite.

However, I'd rather not speak ill of the absent. I think on his day he is a superb defender and will be an asset to Fulham. I wish him well.

In terms of Arsenal, thats another body off the training ground and off the payroll. So, another body that needs replacing.

I wonder if Wenger will bother or whether he will continue to promote from within, I'd like to see Nordveit, JET and Eastmond given a shot at the bench this year.

Til next time Gooners

WiganGooner