Its a critical yet Merry Christmas

The Christmas period is one unique to the Premier League and the UK football leagues. Where other leagues and football associations see fit to allow players to enjoy this festive period the English FA are happy to watch our boys running about on Boxing day...and so am I to be honest.

Its a period where games are won and lost, shock results DO happen and below-par performances are a certainity.

Its a period where Arsenal have generally done well under Arsene and I'm hoping for more of the same. We're not top for Christmas, but the real prize is at the end of the season, our Santa Claus is to deliver consistency, big performances and a return to fitness and form for our squad.

I have no doubt we are able to win the league, noone is running away with it and there is no clear favourite. I think we have what it takes, using the argument of young Jack Wilshire, the Carling Cup could well be the catalyst that spurs us on to some big performances in the league.

Me, I'm just looking forward to drinking too much, eating too much and watching some good football. Everything after that is next year and I don't care too much for that right now.

If I run out of time with all this Crimbo shopping malarky, Have a fantastic Christmas gooners, one and all. Thank you for your great feedback and I look forward to spending even more time talking to you guys in the new year.

WiganGooner.

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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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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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