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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Tomas Rosicky - Master of the one-touch game

Arsenal's forgotten man Tomas Rosicky was imperious last night. His game seemed to pass almost unnoticed by the commentators as he glided around the pitch making interceptions, creating chances and accelerating our attacks using his vision.

Without Rosicky we lack something different, his ability to control a ball at pace and ping it off one-touch to one of our players.

Last night he was awesome, his assist to Wilshire a testament to his skill and control. He displayed the best part of his game last night, his excellent workrate, determination, creativity and quality. No wonder we've missed him so much. I'd take him instead of Denilson and Diaby every game. He tackled back, he fought and created opportunities across the pitch.

Rosicky will win us games this season, I hear clammering for him to shoot, but I believe his best work is done outside the 18yrd box and I expect much from him this year.

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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Unfinished business, Eduardo's return

We welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Arsenal tonight in the Champions League. A fixture that I predicted prior to the groups being drawn. It always happens you always get drawn against your old players. It just seems to happen.

Reading several articles covering interviews with Dudu and drawing from pieces I've written myself its clear to see Dudu has some unfinished business with Arsenal. But for his injury he could have really stepped up. Playing regular before his injury he was excellent. A great player but in a true testament to how an injury can disrupt your career, he was out for 18months with the injury, rehabilitation and related injuries on his return. When he was able to return to the first-team fold his path back into the starting line up was blocked by the 4-2-3-1 formation which didn't suit him at all.

Eduardo is a 30 yard, tricky striker, he'll never do anyone for pace but he'll trick you to death and get a shot on target. His composure when on goal was excellent as was his finishing 1v1. He also fitted in well into the Arsenal way of playing with the exception that he liked to take a shot once in a while.

I'm really looking forward to tonights game. I think it will be a good test for us. News is Cesc is fit and raring to go, but Wenger might save him for the weekend. With my contacts(lenses), its my understanding(guess) that Cesc will be benched and brought on when required - perhaps give him 15 minutes at the end if we are clear. That would certainly make sense with regards to the super sunday afternoon fixture against Citeh. Walcott is also set for a return though again I expect bench action with Bendtner perhaps replacing Chamakh to give him a well earned rest. The rest of the team picks itself and we should see a similar line up to the weekend, save perhaps Arshavin who may be rested.

Lets all cheer our boys on to get three points and that will really cement our qualification into the next round. I'm not concerned about qualifying really, but we need a good 3 pointer against Shakhtar to help keep us as group leaders. So come on boys, nail them 3 or 4 to 1 and our goal difference will surely benefit, although its not bad already.

Be patient, be creative and just enjoy it. We should get the points if we follow those three points. Shakhtar don't concede many so we need to be patient and keep going at them whilst being sensible at the back.

Bring on 7:45!!

WG

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