Domination that would put Mubarak to shame, a day for heroes

I'm hitting Political Satire too now.... anyhoo.... So we welcomed Wolves to the Grove with an ounce of trepidation considering their win against ManYoo. However that trepidation was unfounded with a performance that put down a marker for the rest of our season.

Arsene went against form by picking the likes of Cesc, RvP, Song and Djourou to ensure we had a solid team and the result made the decision worthwhile with a great game that the scoreline barely flattered.

Wayne Hennessey, Wolves goalkeeper will have done his stock a world of good with a all action performance that saw him tip, flick and scramble his way through 90 minutes but saved Wolves a real battering.

In terms of us however, it was an assured performance and just what the doctor ordered before the Barca game. It really could have been a battering so I'm glad we were able to get the result and then take off the likes of RvP to rest them for Wednesday.

Theo is really looking good at the moment and Cesc's ball for RvP's first time volley was as sublime as you will see this season, as was the volley that finished it off. Its fair to say, International Man of Cheese, Robin Van Persie is in great form and we will need to keep him fit for the rest of the season to win silverware.

I was explaining to 'er indoors last night about how massive the game on Wednesday is, how the performance will tell us how far we have moved on since last year, about how Barcelona is the benchmark at the moment. Yes Inter won the Champions League last year, but Football fans wanted Barcelona to win, Mourinho's anti-football got the cup but Barca will always hold the glory with this current crop of players.

I'm stupidly optimistic for Wednesday, I think we have a good chance. I honestly think if we get the ball down and settle we have the game to cause them problems too. I'd prefer to have the likes of the Verminator and Super Samir fit and playing but fortune favors the brave and I cannot wait to see our boys have a go.

Its a day for heroes lads, make your fans proud.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Mourinho, Nasri, Vermaelen, Wenger, Wolves
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Fortunate to escape a replay - Squillaci is a goon.

All teams need luck to be successful. Yesterday we were very lucky. Huddersfield pressed well and deserved their goal.

To Sebastien Squillaci, what an absolute Goon. I can't tell you how frustrating that decision by Squillaci was. He was always going to get carded for that and 8 times out of 10 it will be a red. It was arguably the most cynical, blatant professional foul I've seen in ages.

The positive, he's suspended for 3 games. Lets hope Djourou and Koscielny can keep up their good form.

Wenger's gamble on Nasri got found out and now we are without the mercurial French wizard for at least 3 weeks, with the possibility of him missing the first leg of Barca a strong one. Arsene has said that he wanted to play Rosicky in his place but he was still too week following illness. A reasonable gamble and not one to be blamed (unless there was prior indications that his hamstring was fatigued and at risk). I feel for Nasri and hope that his recovery is speedy and he can make it back for Barca.

The important thing to remember is that we avoided a replay that we couldn't afford. Now we need to focus on our next game and work on getting our key players fit. I wonder how far off Vermaelen is?

WG

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Turning the lights on at Elland Road

With the visit of Arsenal, Ken Bates was forced into investing an extra 50p in the meter to keep the floodlights on in what was a thrilling game of football.

Nasri tormented, Song battled and our defence was excellent last night. Koscielny and Djourou's job was made easier by Leeds playing tubby Billy Paynter who's as mobile as a bus, but they handled the threat well and neither of them put a foot wrong in 90mins. Both of them are seeing their stock rise at the moment with their consistent, reliable performances.

Nasri's goal was typical of him at late, everything is working for him at the moment, superlatives escape me as I search for originality, perhaps simply everything he touches turns to goals. This in stark contrast to poor Arshavin. I actually feel so sorry for him right now, we've all been there when everything you try just doesnt come off...you have to play through it and get out of the other side but its a killer. He worked so hard last night, he was even trying to win a defensive header, HIM!! ... he's only 3ft tall! (slight exaggeration).

Sagna's goal was exactly what he needed and he should do it more, a few minutes earlier he chose to put the ball across the box and Bendtner failed to get on the end of it when I think he really should have put something on it. It was an excellent, swerving powerful shot that Schmeichel should have saved, but the power beat him.

A point of frustration to me is Nik Bendtner. He's not a right winger, he never will be. He's not got the pace or the tricks in the locker to beat the left back. I know last night with the rotation Wenger didn't feel he had anyone else to put there but I would put Vela out there (he's not gone out on loan yet has he?) because he has pace and tricks to burn. In fairness to Bendtner, it was a frustrating night but he redeemed his performance somewhat with the cross for Van Persie, it was a peach and made Robins job very easy indeed.

Lets hope this is the first of many cups we continue to progress in, we need to thrash Ipswich. I didn't want to preview last nights game because I didn't want to jinx it. I'm glad I didn't. Bring on the Latics at the grove on Saturday, I can't wait!

WG

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'e deserved it, Taking on the Citeh

Happy New Year Readers!!

Arsene Wenger has been out in force in the media over the last few days about Bowyer's suspension, he's a angry little monster and deserved the ban.

There is also much speculation about the possible arrivals of Ronaldinho and Beckham to the PL. Personnally, my recent recollections of the form and attitude of Ronaldinho do not cover him with gold, but if he comes it will generate a significant media and public interest and that can't be a bad thing. Might stop the media battering on about potential transfers to us.

On that note Wenger has been reasonably resolute, the only signing will be a central defender and thats only if the Verminator breaks down again. Might be worth hedging your bets Mr Wenger.

Its all good news on the squad front with Wenger saying its the fittest squad in years. Its about time!! Its almost nice to see other teams crippled with injuries for once, touch wood that habit doesn't return to us.

Tonight we take on Citeh at the Emirates, a game that I think we should win. Man City will come to play in our back yard and I expect us to teach them another lesson. The likes of Nasri and Arshavin will get room to play and the Citeh defence will not be able to cope with Van Persie.

I expect a similar line-up to the Birmingham line-up, I see no reason to change a winning side and there are no injuries to speak of from the game. However, I've been proved wrong by Arsene's interesting teamsheets.

I'm looking for a 3-1 tonight, Nasri to score so get your bets on Nasri

WG

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8 Personnel changes, disjointed performance - surely a coincidence?

Arsene Wenger said last night that the 8 changes he made to the first team after the game at Chelski had no effect on the game against Wigan. Its a shame for all of his money and brains he's not got a decent optician.

Diaby and Denilson had a shocker. Everyone in the stand heaved a sigh of relief when Diaby went off and Wilshire came on. We immediately looked a better side as Wilshire and Rosicky were on the same page immediately.

It was a very disjointed performance last night. It lacked pace, power, tenacity - everything that was in abundance against Chelski. When we were 2:1 up and N'Zog got himself sent off Wenger should have immediately put on Walcott and Nasri. Instead he procrastinated and thought we'd just try and see the game out only to watch Wigan equalise. I said just before they scored that if we didn't make a change soon we'd lose momentum, they'd score and then stick 10 men behind the ball. Exactly what happened. Everyone could see it coming and its disappointing to lose two points like that.

I'm not generally a fan of cheering for a player who's not on the pitch, but we all felt the same. We needed the dynamism and pace of Nasri and Walcott, so the chants began.

In terms of performances, several things were apparent last night; 1) Squillaci doesn't talk to anyone. 2) Diaby and Denilson should be sold. - Denilson isn't a central midfielder, he needs space to work and you don't get that in central midfield. Diaby is a conundrum in himself, I don't know what to do with him. He's so far away from being match fit its ridiculous he started. He was so far off the pace of the game he was practically static. When fit, he's powerful going forwards, but last night he had a shocker. 3) Bendtner isn't a right midfielder, at all, ever.

Rosicky was one of our best players last night, Chamakh was tireless in his running and fighting for the ball, Koscielny did well at times, extremely well at others and then made simple mistakes, but generally the back line defended ok...Squillaci really disappointed me last night. He's capable of much better.

Its such a mixed bag of emotions, decisions should have gone our way that didn't, but we got decisions we shouldn't have too, so I cannot complain about it. It all evens out. I just hope we don't look back at this game and realise its cost us a lot more than two points.

For now gooners, i bid you adieu.

WG

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Fabianski to face late fitness test - could be goals-a-plenty!

Seems like Fabianski has got his priorities all wrong and got himself injured just before this crunch game tonight. Selfish little bugger.

Needless to say I hope he's fit, I like Sczcesny but I'm not sure he's ready for a game like tonight, but then saying that, how will we ever know he's ready until he steps up and plays. Its a big game tonight and we need big performances to get a result. We can't rely on them slipping up. Our 'A' game has to be in force tonight.

I'm hoping to see the following players take the field tonight;

Fabianski
Sagna	Squillaci Djourou			Clichy
	Song Fabregas/Wilshire
Nasri		Robin Van Persie		Arshavin
		Chamakh

RvP will be crucial tonight. It will be his link-play and creativity that will release Chamakh against the ManYoo defence, that will send the on-fire Nasri through to burn a hole in the net and for cheeky little Arshavin to dart into the box and bang one in. RvP will be the artist, ensuring that Fabregas doesn't need to play if he isn't quite fit.

This is a game that will mean much in the title race, it removes that game that ManYoo have in hand and makes us top of the table by right and not default.

It takes us one full step closer, when the challengers are making baby steps. Am I excited, yes I definitely am. Can we win? Yes we can, but its about belief and performance.

WG

p.s. I'd put a punt on Nasri, he's still hotter than a playboy bunny on the pitch.

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Super Nasri carries Arsenal forward

Nasri was superb last night. He was at the core of everything good that went on the game last night. I felt for Chamakh, it just wasn't his night, everything was a yard too far in front of him or hit to him a bit hard or just caught him unawares. Games like that happen to a striker and hopefully he'll save a few goals for ManYoo next week.

Arshavin looked exhausted again, I wonder if we need to create a fitness regime for him or keep him back a bit in training to stop him from becoming so tired. It can't be good that he struggles to play 90 mins after 4 days rest. He was another player who didn't have a good day at the office, but again I'm hopeful he's saving himself for monday.

Denilson is a quandrary that I'm struggling to see light at the end of the tunnel for. He's a solid player, but he needs games to get match fit. That was never more obvious than last night but when he puts in performances like last night who's going to give him 90mins? I wonder with the dearth of central midfielders that we have now whether he will go in Jan or the Summer. If it was me, I'd try and get him a short term loan somewhere from Jan to the end of the season and see how he does. He's capable of being a good player but he's struggling for form.

Walcott showed the best bits of his game last night, he took players on down the line and attacked the space behind the defenders with pace and verve. He showed his quality with a great placed finish. The question is of course, can he do it regularly. He took advantage of tiring legs from Partizan and tore them apart. I don't deny his quality, but his consistency will be criticised, perhaps unfairly due to injuries and he's still so very young.

In truth I'm pleased we qualified, I'm not bothered that we're going to face a good side, you have to face them sometime to win. If we're good enough we'll do just that.

WG

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Tear into Partizan as if our lives depended on it.

Thats the attitude our players need tonight. We need to set down a marker tonight. Another performance of lackadaisical football will not be enough.

Arsenal set records this season for the most goals scored in the first three games of the group stage. We need that form back. Noone will fear us if we nick a 1:0 result at home.

If we annihalate them 7:0 however, that might make people stand up and think.

Thats what I want to see tonight, I want Nasri, Wilshire, Song and RvP to rip them apart. I want Chamakh to hit a hattrick and the rest to weigh in too. As fans we deserve a performance after the last two Champions League games.

This should be our line up tonight, I'll leave it to Mr Arsene to make his own modifications as is his wont..

Fabianski
Sagna	Squillaci Koscielny			Clichy
	Song Wilshire
Nasri		Robin Van Persie		Walcott
		Chamakh

That teamsheet should, on paper, destroy Partizan and thats what we need.

WG

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What I want Arsene to say..

I want him to say that the goal we conceded was a joke and they will work to do better. Great defenders don't do that. I want him to say that his line-up from the weekend will start on Wednesday.

Players in form don't want a rest, they want to maintain their rythym and maintain their form as a result. Nasri won't want to start on the bench, he'll want to ruin Partizan and continue his path to being a legend at the Emirates. His stock is rising rapidly and I've been really impressed.

Qualification for the next round, taken for granted two games ago in the Champions League is now on a knife edge and now we need to take it seriously or not reach the next stage for the first time in years.

I'm a bit worried to be honest. I really thought the boys would have put this to bed already. I'm also annoyed a bit that they haven't.

Looking forward to hearing Arsene later to see what the squad is and what he is thinking.

WG

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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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What now ? Away to the Villains!

We're away at Villa park this weekend in a game where pride needs to be regained after two bad defeats. It seems we're doing a lot of pride chasing this season, disappointingly so considering the quality we have on the pitch.

To my mind its not our football thats the problem, its not the skills or the height of the players thats the problem. Its the team mentality. If Wenger can't scream at them and motivate them then they need a leader on the pitch to do it. For too long we've had players who lead by example. Leading by example doesn't make anyone buck their ideas up..it makes them think they've got a crutch to lean on when they aren't playing up to scratch.

A lot is made of our lack of a leader, but I do believe as Wenger says its a collective responsibility to communicate and support and chastise in a constructive manner. We need our players to find their voices. Bendtner has a big gob but doesn't use it to tell players where he wants the ball, if you can't be arsed to run, ask for it to feet!. Walcott is the fastest thing on two feet at the club but doesn't tell people to put it over the top or run into space screaming for it. He should work those channels all the time and kill the left back that he's playing against. But he doesnt. He drops short, plays little one twos and cuts inside.

We've got a team who play combinations, they play them blindfolded so when it doesn't work it really doesn't work and we lose to silly opponents. The maturity isnt there to be brave enough to tell the other players in the team what you want to get the best out of your game.

So what to do away to the Villains? Arshavin and Theo on the wings, Nasri through the middle with Wilshire and Song supporting. We will counter attack them with pace and try and play through them, hoping Chamakh can continue his form up front.

Hoping... thats not going to win us this league. We need to improve, now.

WG.

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One small step..one giant leap

Arsenal take on Braga tonight in a Champions league tie that should promise much for us Arsenal fans. It should see the return to the starting line up for Wilshire, perhaps a rest for Fabregas and Chamakh with Nasri taking up the Fabregas role and a rare start for Bendtner perhaps?

This should be a game where Walcott and Rosicky (both of whom I expect to start) attempt to stake their claim for a more regular starting berth. I really really like Rosicky and I see the benefit every time he is on the pitch. Walcott has been struggling to repeat his early season form since his injury but will want to prove himself again.

Tonights opponents, humbled at the Emirates promise to be a bit wiser this time. The manager and their supporters are happy to play for a draw and have said as much in the media and on Arsenal.com. Don't be fooled, Braga know a win against us would see them cement their 3rd place and put them level on points with us in the group, albeit being 3rd due to goal difference.

Partizan have nothing but pride to play for and I don't expect them to prove tough opposition to Shakhtar. Which turns the game tonight into a Must-win....another one...as they all are from here until may.

We can't afford to drop any points here, if we win at least we've qualified, job done, play the kids in the last group game. That should be the focus tonight. Get the result we should have got in Shakhtar.

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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A chilling encounter

Its going to be cold in Donetsk.

Fact.

Arsenal visit the Donbass stadium with the chance to finish off their group rivals.

This is also fact.

Jack Wilshire will be instrumental. He will be eager to get on the pitch after his suspension and show what he can do. He's had a lot of media attention and he wants to do well.

I expect a win tonight. If picked Nasri will score.

WG

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Faster than lightening, his pace is frightening.

Master Wenger has been extolling the virtues of Theo in the press this week stating that he is very close to the central striker role he craves. Certainly this season we are seeing a very different Theo in an Arsenal shirt and I can't discount the impact of not being taken to the World Cup.

I was shocked when he wasn't included, his pace was missed and I think if Capello was asked whether he regrets not taking him he would say not, but if he was honest he would admit that his front options didnt perform and Theo's pace would have been an asset.

I like Theo a lot. He's an extremely sensible lad. In a game now where its harder to empathise with the players Theo is a shining light of nobility. He's an honest, comitted person and he's a great ambassador for Arsenal and England. I hope he can stay with us and find success and trophies with us.

Looking at tonight, Shakhtar will be looking to attack, they have to regain some pride in front of their fans. I think Wenger will play Denilson and Wilshire deep, with Rosicky or Nasri in front of them so the formation will look something like this..

Fabianski
Eboue	Squillaci Koscielny			Clichy
	Wilshire Denilson
Walcott		Nasri		Rosicky
		Chamakh

The personnel are important in this, we need to break with pace and contain in the midfield. Its not a must-win game, but Wenger wants to win and it would cement our position at the top of the group. Feel free to post your own ideal line-ups and why!

I really want Rosicky and Walcott to start. The little Mozart is excellent at picking out Theo's runs and that combination mixed with Nasri breaking through the centre would be devastating. The combinations between Rosicky and Wilshire is also excellent, its easy to see why Wenger would want to keep Tomas, he's the best role model Wilshire could have.

Here's hoping that we get 2:0 up and after 70 mins can bring on JET, Eastmond and maybe even gamble and give Sczcesny a few mins, though that would be most unlikely. I would expect Wenger to give Sczcesny the last two qualifying games instead.

I think people are finally seeing the fruit of Wenger's efforts, we have strength in depth, we have quality and this year we WILL have silverware to show for it. Of that I am certain.

WG
...Arsenal, don't prove me wrong!

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A good dose of Geordie Charm

..only it was Arsenal that were doing the charming.

On paper 4:0 is a bit of a drubbing, in reality on the pitch Newcastle were outclassed.

Pre-match players like Peter Lovenkrands were saying that Arsenal are Barca-lite and they knew exactly what to expect and had a game plan to stop us. I don't think Newcastle really thought Wenger was being serious when he said that we were really going to go for the Carling Cup.

What we saw last night was both Walcott and Bendtner returning from Injury in their first proper run out and they showed what we've been missing at times. Bendtner's finishing yesterday was vicious. Theo demonstrated that his composure in the final third is markedly improved and I'm really pleased for the both of them. Where it leaves them in Wengers mind is anyone's guess. Can I see Wenger dropping Chamakh? No, he's been extremely effective and productive for the team. Will Bendtner return to the wing role he started last season? If so what for Walcott? Walcott will never be the target man in a 4-2-3-1 formation, he's too little and easily knocked off the ball.

Can Walcott push out Arshavin from the starting line up? I expect to see a lot more rotation from Wenger as he tries to keep key players fit for the season. Fabregas, Arshavin and Nasri will be wrapped up in cotton wool to ensure they're there at the business end of the season.

Is it crazy to say we've got too many players now?

Where's RVP going to fit in? Rosicky was awesome last night and I think should start at the weekend, but who'll drop out from the Citeh game for him?

Its crazy and I love it. We've got a stunning squad now. This isn't hyperbole, the proof is in the pudding. Last nights result was a good one and proved we have a strong squad.

A few words about Sczcesny last night. 1) He is fricking huge isn't he?! Last time I saw him was playing for Brentford on loan and he looks like he's grown a few inches since then?! Maybe it was just the performance. 2) He's brave, he dived at the feet of the Geordies and didn't flinch when pouncing on the loose ball when he could have got booted in the head. He can do the glory photo saves just as well as the "put your body where it hurts" saves. 3) Not afraid to shout at his defence, when marshalling his defence he was not afraid to open his gob and shout at the players. You can't be a good goalkeeper if you are quiet.

It was a good game for him and I hope he gets another chance in the next round. We should tie him to a chair and drip water on his head until he signs a new contract. In a year or two's time he should be really ripping down the door.

Did anyone else think he looks a bit like Frankenstein's monster? It was a discussion I had last season with a Bees fan.

WG

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Bring on the Citeh!

Confidence is flying high in the Arsenal camp and the stronger characters in the team are demanding more from us when we go to Citeh this weekend.

It is absolutely a must-win game and with that in mind, I think Wenger will attack this game a bit differently than Birmingham and Shakhtar. He knows Citeh are powerful and their ball winners in midfield are aggressive to the point of violence (De Jong anyone?). He needs to take that away from them and the only way to do that is to stop it being a midfield battle. If it becomes a battle I feel we might lose, or if we don't we might lose a few players to injury.

Without knowing really who's fit and who isn't anyone would struggle to guess the line up, but I think it would be something like this;

Fabianski
Eboue	Squillaci Djourou			Clichy
	Song Diaby
Rosicky		Fabregas		Nasri
		Chamakh

That is the way I'd love to see us lining up, with Diaby and Song holding and allowing Rosicky, Fabregas and Nasri to support Chamakh and collect his knock-downs. I know Diaby doesn't like sitting, but we will need his power to protect our back 4. He'll direct the midfield to play one-touch wherever possible, moving the ball faster than we can be tackled, therefore negating the midfield of Citeh whilst maintaining posession and continuing to attack.

Rosicky, Fabregas and Nasri will be essential to the success on sunday. God help them that they don't get injured.

More to follow when I get a bit of team news.

WG

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The transformation of Song - 5:1 to the Arsenal

We played extremely well last night. Better than I ever could have hoped. Shakhtar are not a bad side and they're flying up top in their league. They have quality all across the pitch and last nights result surprised me.

We absolutely bossed it. Song was revelling in the freedom afforded by the efficient, technical performance by Wilshire. Song was a real box to box midfielder last night, a really great performance from an emerging player. Song is growing game to game and his goal and assist(while both fortunate) were well deserved.

Wilshire had a bit of an off night by his standards last night, though thats not to say he wasn't still excellent, overall it was a good performance from him. He had a poor first half where he looked a bit off the pace and easily bullied by Gai and Hubschmann but in the second he fought back and took advantage when they tired.

Something worth paying serious attention to is the fact that 5 different players scored our goals. These were Song, Nasri, Fabregas, Wilshire and Chamakh. We've set a new champions league record by scoring 14 goals in the first 3 games surpassing Real Madrid's 12. I know we've not faced a top top side, but Shakhtar are no mugs as we'll find out in a few weeks time. I don't expect another scoreline like last night. That is for certain. Going forward this season we look better than ever and I think we defended well last night also.

I've said it before but Squillaci has been excellent for us already. I think his communication made Djourou settle well last night and our CB's did well. Fabianski had little to do and what he did, he did well. The goal wasn't his fault, he was unsighted until the last second. In truth I'm glad Dudu scored, he deserved it and the ovation he received. We supported him well and I'm glad he enjoyed it.

Fabregas looked a bit off the pace yesterday, I know he was still brilliant at times, but his mercurial self he was not, proof in the pudding that he needed a run out last night and I'm pleased he's got away without a knock or pull on his hammy's. His combinations with Wilshire were good and Nasri worked extremely well too.

I'm going to write something this afternoon too, no teasers yet but pop back about 5ish.

WG

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Three Musketeers and the Gap's down to five!

Arsenal took on the visit by the Brum and really they were a bit naughty. They really didn't let the Brum play at all. It was all Arsenal and really it could have been much more of a battering.

Brum opened the scoring with a soaring header by "Man Mountain Descended From Trees" Zigic who deftly flicked the ball into the far corner. A well worked goal to be honest and deserved after a great ball in. Fabianski would never have been able to save that and neither would anyone else.

Yesterday we saw more of the Arsenal that I keep babbling about. Mobility, Pace, Combinations. At the heart of this were Chamakh, Nasri and Wilshire. Its great to see how well Chamakh is settling in and I can't see anyone dislodging him at the moment. Nasri and Wilshire were frightening going forwards, Wilshire in particular dominated, no mean feat for a 18yr old. People bang on about signings, potentially we might not have seen Wilshire now if we'd signed another midfielder. Wenger is right not to stifle the likes of Wilshire, Jay Emmanuel Thomas, Lansbury and Eastmond. If they're not given a crack of the whip, how will we ever know if they are good enough? So to all those who said "If Wenger doesn't sign X then I'm not going to support them anymore!!" ... Well then I guess you missed the masterclass yesterday by the new three musketeers of Nasri, Wilshire and Chamakh...they even sound french and musketeery!

One french player to do himself little credit was Diaby again, I felt his presence in the game was an interuption to the game being played by the musketeers rather than an assistance. I saw him dribble off and moves fizzled out as players got too far ahead and marked. Diaby slows Arsenal down now, he's a good player but he's a round peg in a square hole.

One massive potential talking point was Wilshire's lunge at Zigic, it rightly earned him a red and I'm pleased Wenger and Wilshire came out and immediately identified the decision as correct and Wilshire apologised. In todays climate a bit of honesty on these things does you credit. Though in truth, Wenger couldn't defend it after his stance on violent football.

So, in summary and excellent result for us, a great team performance and it seems everyone is giving the Wookie some love, with Djourou and Song both congratulating him on a great save at the end. I just cant see that with the Waiter. His time has passed I think.

Congratulations to anyone who followed my advice and had a punt on Nasri, wish I did now!

WG

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Nasri's in great form - worth a punt

Samir Nasri has been instrumental in our performances this season. He really is exactly what this Arsenal version is all about, pace, movement and releasing the ball early to Chamakh and then running on for the return. Well worth a punt if you are a betting man, Nasri to score, I'd probably have a go at Arshavin scoring too!

Its worth mentioning the success Chamakh has been as a target man. He really is what Wenger was looking for. Balls into him are rarely wasted and his distribution is exceptionally good. The ball sticks to him and when we play 4-2-3-1 we need our target man to be able to release the likes of Nasri, Arshavin, Fabregas, Wilshire and Rosicky from midfield to go forwards and create havoc which Chamakh does extremely well. Hence his great relationship with Gourcuff at Bordeaux.

With his head Chamakh is pretty good, his movement off the ball is very good. He works the opposition defence and if his finishing was a bit better he would be topping our scoring charts. Naturally some of this will improve as he learns more about the Arsenal way and is better at anticipating the balls played into him. Lets face it, where else do players muck about with the ball on the edge of the opposition area instead of having a shot. We're always looking for that cheeky through ball that makes the defence look daft.

Great team news for today, Bendtner is back and apparently in the best shape since October 2009, which can't be bad. Theo is back too so a trip on the bench for him I reckon, bring him on in the second half against tired legs. Some bad news about Koscielny - he's injured his back and is unavailable for selection. Fortunately however, Djourou has declared himself fit so at least we have two centre backs available in him and the excellent Squillaci.

I hope Wenger retains faith in Fabianski, Wookie needs games and to be honest even if he makes a howler it wont be any worse that the spanish waiter does with alarming regularity.

All said and done, I'm really confident, bring it on Brum, I'm not afraid!

WG