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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Possibility of signing a centre-back ?

Media reports are flowing with the news that Wenger "might" be delving into the transfer market in search of defensive cover should Squillaci not recover from his hamstring injury swiftly.

There are plenty of names being banded about and I cannot be bothered talking about them all. Needless to say I wouldn't want Samba if someone gave him to me for free, Mertesacker has been trying to get himself transferred for ages and noone has taken a punt on him which begs the question why? There must be something behind it and I really can't see us taking the SolMan back again.

My gut feeling is Squillaci will make a miracle recovery.

WG

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Why Wenger will never spend 20million on a defender, or a keeper

This post is really born from some comments on my posts so I thought I'd create a whole post from my responses to it.

Fans are getting frustrated because they don't see us competing in the transfer market with the likes of Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Man Citeh. They want a marquee signing and I can understand why. People look at the signings of Squillaci and Koscielny in the summer and pound their fists together and ask why didn't we spend real hard cash and replace Gallas, Senderos and Toure?

Wenger doesn't buy ready-made players, with a few rare exceptions he wants to make them.

I don't think Squillaci and Koscielny are bad defenders. Its their first season in the premier league and its only Koscielny's 2nd season in top flight football. Koscielny wasn't bought to start every game, he and Squillaci were bought to supplement Vermaelen and Djourou and both be brought into the Premier League slowly, circumstances however have seen them play a lot more than expected. I can tell you now, Wenger never meant for them to be the first choice pairing for this season.

Koscielny is one of the best 1v1 defenders in the premiership, yes their partnership is vulnerable but it is still young in terms of games.

Now I WISH Wenger would spend twenty million on a Goalkeeper, or a defender, or sod it both!! But he will never do that. He's a coach first and a manager second. He wants to make talent, not buy it.

Thats why Henry was a great player, thats why he helped an aging Arsenal defence play on for year after year.

I certainly feel your frustrations, but we're building a great side and I'd rather be positive than negative, that just leads to the dark side.

Hang on in there gooners, we're on the cusp of greatness.

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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Bolton dreams, Spud-i-like and bragging about Braga

What a catch up this has been. Firstly, lets hit the results;

Bolton (A) 1:4

Braga (H) 6:0

Sunderland (A) 1:1

Spuds (A) 1:4

Frankly, I'll take those results with a smile, with the exception of Sunderland we have consistently outplayed and outscored our opponents. From what I have seen from the available highlights it appears we're looking very fluid at the moment. Squillaci seems to have fitted in well, as with Koscielny.

Jack Wilshire is back to his effective best, busying himself about creating chances and enjoying himself, its great to see and even if we lost Fab4 to his Barca DNA then I think with Wilshire and Rambo we've got two guys that can step up.

I think Chamakh deserves a mention, he's led the line well for us this season already and he's a very strong asset in the air. Vela also seems to be finishing better, but again I'm relying on highlights here guys.

So, looking forwards to this arvo and West Brom, it should be a walkthrough game this, play it by numbers and the result will follow. I hope the players put down another marker and score heavily again, goal difference is important and its a fear factor too. Noone wants to get done 4-5 to nil, so it will be a physic mind trick to them, I'd always back us to open up a team thats playing defensive this season..I think we have so many options that we can get past their parked buses.

Anyway, I'll end this now and look forward to the West Brom game. Predo, 4:0 to the Arsenal

WG