Daft goal, but we didnt deserve a bean.

We worked hard for 90 mins, we pressed and we probed but we didn't create much at all.

It was an excellent PL debut for Sczcesny, he was commanding and communicated well. He kept us in the game at times and did himself much credit.

Defensively, we were ok, not brilliant but mostly tidy. What annoys me is that noone twigged that the balls that Sagna and Clichy were putting in were just being batted out. It was too easy for Ferdinand and Vidic. If ManYoo wanted us to have posession outside of the box we should have put more players forward.

We never looked like gambling, Cesc was thrown on in desperation, but he is nowhere near match fit. I would rather have seen Bendtner coming on and bustling about up front. We should have thrown the sink at them. RvP was far too deep, he's not a midfielder, he's a striker.

But we didnt throw the sink, or even the fridge and I lost a few quid. Poo.

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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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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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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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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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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