Read it. You know it makes sense.
Thierry Henry is training with Arsenal to maintain his fitness ahead of the MLS season. This is great news as its always great to have one of our heroes back with us and it will be good to have a winner around the training pitches.
Perhaps he can pass some wisdom onto our players to help in their fight this season.
WG
Its January and the January blues are kicking in. The transfer window is open and so far the rumours have been blissfully quiet, no outright courting of our players so far and that can only be a good thing...or a sign that we are dealing with the enquiries in a positive manner and therefore the press isn't being used as a crowbar.
Its a worry to me that I see some of our better players under-performing over 90mins. Arshavin hasn't produced a good 90minutes for a long time. Which makes me think about the reasons for it. Is it a) Defenders and teams are wise to his game and are nullifying him (Leeds shut him down very effectively). b) He's frustrated at the league position and the results and no longer wants to play for us. c) He's had his spontanaety trained out of him and as his own words have indicated, he's more of a team player now. Or of course is it d) None of the above or even e) all of the above.
He became our most expensive transfer signing on the back of his style and performances for Russia and Zenit. For me, he's not producing that form for us at the moment.
WG
Denilson was so ineffective. It was almost a carbon copy of his awful performance against Wigan. I'm not a player basher but he's not coping in a premier league midfield. He looked woeful yesterday.
I wish Rambo got some minutes, I'd love to have an idea how close he really is. We looked 100 percent better when Fabregas and Walcott came on.
I wonder what's up with Chamakh at the moment, he looks slow, I wonder whether he's carrying a knock. He seemed well off the pace yesterday.
I can't be too negative, a replay is more than what Leeds deserved when we didn't create enough and relied on pot shots as a threat. We better put it right at Elland Road. As for now, it will be Ipswich on Wednesday!
Bring on the next game and hopefully a more direct, fluid performance.
WG
12:45pm - We take on Leeds in the FA Cup. We will not see the magic of Van Persie and Nasri. But we will see a return to the first team squad for Gibbs and Ramsey. I'm hoping that the young welsh wizard gets a game today. I feel he is in a good state to play Championship opposition after playing against it in his last 5 games.
Ramsey is a player I rate very highly, I see a bit of myself in him. He's combative, powerful and creative. Fully fit he's a shoe in for our midfield and I wonder where that would leave young Jack. I think we'd see a midfield of Ramsey, Jack and Fabregas with Jack and Rambo given the responsibility of defending and creating. Though for today I think it will be different.
Today I expect the squad to be flexed and rejigged. It wouldn't surprise me to see a start for Vela, Bendtner and I'd like to see Sczcesny given a game.
For me, I cant wait. I think Theo will start and Rosicky on the other wing and we'll tear them apart. Rambo, Denilson and probably Song to start.
Its so hard to pick but I expect a good win from us today, but Leeds won't make it easy
WG
We absolutely dominated Citeh. We could have had a hatfull and they had nothing to offer as a real threat.
I feel so gutted that we didnt even nick one in, its so frustrating. We were denied by the post and good saves from Hart and its games like that where you don't get the points deserved that cost you.
My hopes of winning the league are waning, if we cannot score when inflicting near total domination over an opponent then what chance do we have? I'm trying not to be too negative because performances like that are why I love Arsenal. Just stick it in the onion bag lads...for the love of all that is pure and good, stick it in the bloody net!!
Rant over...thank you for listening.
Almumia is destined for Spanish soil it appears. I have it on rather good information that he has said he'd like to return to Spain and has already completed contract negotiations the only stickler is his insistence on being first choice but that is being ironed out.
Good luck to him. He's a good keeper, just not a Great Keeper and thats what you need in the Premier league.
WG
He made two starts and three substitute appearances on his month long loan stint. Certainly he needs more games to get match fit and Wenger has said it could take two months to get back to his best, but I'd take him at 80 percent til then.
He's a good player with immense talent and I look forward to watching him grow further.
WG
Happy New Year Readers!!
Arsene Wenger has been out in force in the media over the last few days about Bowyer's suspension, he's a angry little monster and deserved the ban.
There is also much speculation about the possible arrivals of Ronaldinho and Beckham to the PL. Personnally, my recent recollections of the form and attitude of Ronaldinho do not cover him with gold, but if he comes it will generate a significant media and public interest and that can't be a bad thing. Might stop the media battering on about potential transfers to us.
On that note Wenger has been reasonably resolute, the only signing will be a central defender and thats only if the Verminator breaks down again. Might be worth hedging your bets Mr Wenger.
Its all good news on the squad front with Wenger saying its the fittest squad in years. Its about time!! Its almost nice to see other teams crippled with injuries for once, touch wood that habit doesn't return to us.
Tonight we take on Citeh at the Emirates, a game that I think we should win. Man City will come to play in our back yard and I expect us to teach them another lesson. The likes of Nasri and Arshavin will get room to play and the Citeh defence will not be able to cope with Van Persie.
I expect a similar line-up to the Birmingham line-up, I see no reason to change a winning side and there are no injuries to speak of from the game. However, I've been proved wrong by Arsene's interesting teamsheets.
I'm looking for a 3-1 tonight, Nasri to score so get your bets on Nasri
WG
