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

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Finding our achilles heel

Arsenal have been without Thomas Vermaelen for over three months now. Whilst I don't think we have mistreated his injury, it seems there has been an initial problem with the diagnosis and this has stalled his recovery.

I fix computer systems, your first diagnosis has to be correct, you cant keep buying parts and throwing bits at a computer until it starts working. Therefore your diagnosis team has to be pretty hot.

Whilst we have the best team of coaches and doctors about to rehabilitate our players from injuries it seems the initial diagnosis seems to be causing problems as it seems injuries seem to get worse before they get better every single time.

I know I'm making a crass generalisation and I'm probably way off the mark, but its my perception and opinion and I'm standing by it.

We're missing Vermaelen's desire and focus. He brings a bit of leadership at the back and a bit more power than we have at the moment (though its worth mentioning Koscielny is growing game to game and looks a great buy).

With Vermaelen back, with Fabregas back, with RvP back we look like a side with great strength in depth with options to vary our formations and change the way we play with more fluidity and quality.

There's hope, keep the faith, we're still in the hunt and the PL trophy just got painted with a big fat target. So focus boys, we're not interested in ManYoo now. Its the league that matters.

WG

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Lift up rug and sweep....furiously.

I've considered it, even written it but I have no intention of publishing my review of this weekends game. I just don't want to talk about it. My post was full of vitriol and not for anyone's eyes but my own. I've since rediscovered my centre and I'm at peace.

Tomorrow then, away to Braga. Clichy, Arshavin and Van Persie all miss the trip to Portugal in a game where we need all 3 points. Clichy has a back injury, Arshavin is knackered and Van Persie is still chasing full fitness. I would suggest however that it might be better for RvP to travel and play 30 mins or a half against Braga unless he is injured?

We're still short of the likes of Almunia, Diaby and the luckless Vermaelen due to their respective injuries so we will probably see a starting eleven similar to what started on Saturday. I hope Vermaelen recovers soon, I feel we're missing that communicator, that leader at the back hugely.

I would like it, I really, really would if Djourou started instead of Koscielny, he's in much better form. I'm restraining myself from saying anything unnecessary here, we all know what happened at the weekend.

I expect a much improved defensive performance tomorrow night. My ideal squad for tomorrow is below, tell me what you think

Fabianski
Sagna	Squillaci Djourou			Gibbs
	Wilshire Song
Nasri		Fabregas		Rosicky
		Chamakh

So, ignoring the results at the weekend lets all get behind our boys and support them. We can win tomorrow night and continue our march out of the group stage.

WG

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Vermaelen and Diaby - a tale of two ankles

Arsene Wenger said yesterday that the Verminator's achilles has let him down again and forced him out of training. Apparently it all seems gravy but when he starts training on it he gets pain and has to stop.

Like my semi-pro grandfather (go on Hendon FC), Thomas's achilles tendon appears to be a real possible season-ending issue. He's been sent to a specialist to determine what the problem is. I wonder whether, given the frequency with which we seem to get ankle knocks if it might be worth employing one of these specialists full time.

In 2010 so far we have had 15 ankle/foot injuries. 3 of those were Diaby, two Van Persie. Diaby has also suffered 3 calf strains so far this year. These can be passed off as twists and turns, but its these recurring injuries across the squad that concern me. Are they not being treated correctly? *

I can understand fractures and breaks, I can understand ligament injuries. But recurring muscle injuries and strains can decimate a squad and we need to be aware of it. As a squad we've had 65 different injury incidents this year alone (up to today) which is a staggering amount. I'm not saying other teams don't have similar numbers but to me its a big surprise.

I'm not bashing the medical team because they've sorted out Rosicky, Ramsey and Eduardo to name but a few. Just perhaps we need a bit more experience in the clinic?

Playing my modest sunday league (with reasonable success) you could expect 1 player to be unavailable through injury every now and then..it was extremely rare to have more than 2 out at any one time from a squad of twenty.

I know they train harder, the game is 100 times faster than anything I could muster and they are bound to be more susceptible because they are on the precipice of fitness.

I guess the numbers just flabbergast me and I'm looking for answers.

WG

*Injury information from www.physioroom.com

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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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Curse that Achilles!

We've been granted the inglorious news of the continued absence of Thomas Vermaelen, the Verminator. Courtesy of the BBC.

It appears his Achilles tendon is still damaged and there is currently no date set for return. Its clear that our medical staff first diagnosed it as something much more trivial, which begs the question...what the hell do we pay them for and will they be made accountable for his continued absence?

Wenger has today defended his medical team by blaming Belgium for damaging him whilst he was in their care. Wenger has a point, but diagnosing and treating injuries is what our medical staff are there for and its not the first time I've had good cause to wonder what they are playing at...it seems like its not doctors and nurses, more like fuckwits and feebleminds.

So what to do in his absence? I think the continued improvement of all of our back four should soften the blow with Squillaci, Djourou and Koscielny all looking good. Yes they have all made mistakes, but with the exception of Djourou, the rest are rookies to the Prem and deserve a bit of slack and praise for their preformances.

I'm still mightily annoyed by it all. It always happens to us. Our players always come back in bits. Its like international Lego week, lets take them apart and send them back with broken bits.

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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It just takes time to negotiate the revolving door.

At Arsenal we have a product, a verve, a style of our own.

I think people don't give Arsenal enough credit for that. Arsene has created a side that neutrals love to watch and countless hours of enjoyment for the fans of the club.

What disappoints me is the apparent new installation at the Emirates, our new Revolving Door Policy. In my years as an Arsenal fan, I've never seen so much transfer activity involving first team players as I have in the last 5 years.

What I have seen is that the players who have come in have impressed and appear to be the right players for the club though thats not to concede that certain players have also moved onto pastures new for varying reasons. In the last three seasons we have let go the following first-teamers(for varying reasons);

Lehmann
Gallas
Toure
Campbell (ok, 6 month wonder so maybe not fair?)
Flamini
Gilberto Silva
Hleb
Eduardo
Adebayor

Can we honestly say we have brought in better? Thats not to say the likes of Ramsey, Koscielny, Squillaci, Vermaelen, Nasri, Chamakh haven't made their mark. Certainly in time I think we may be much better off. For now, I think we are still counting the costs and tending the wounds of losing all those extremely good, world-class players.

I'd love to hear your opinions on it. I know the players left for varying reasons and many were more than valid, but if Arsenal is going to win some silverware can we afford to keep swapping out players when we need a solid core of players to reach the plateau of sustained successful performances. As much as I hate Chelski and ManYoo the core of their teams has been the same for the last 5 years, with the odd player tweak here and there but nothing like the wholesale changes we've endured.

So if we're to win something this season I think its fair to ask the question, "Is this team any better than 2008? Or 2009?". I believe it is, I think we have some exceptional talent in our squad. I just wish we could hold onto it, just for a year or two. To realise our dreams this is a must.

WG

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