Fat Frank to lead with Theo and Jack propping him up

Fat Frank Lampard, allegedly sponsored by Ginsters pasties ltd, has been named as England Captain in the absense of Ferdinand and Gerrard. He certainly has the experience, but I'd suggest as he is more than able of being anonymous in an England shirt it might not be such an amazing choice, but these days being Captain doesn't mean much anymore. There isn't the respect for the armband that there used to be.

All that negativity aside, Super-Theo and Young Jacky are in the squad and both look ready to start tonight in Denmark. Jacky is to be given the midfield holding role, as previously held by Barry in another opportunity to show his talents in an England shirt. His link up play, already acknowledged and credited by Theo is already well known and his performances in our midfield have been excellent. His eye for the pass and the execution of his vision is going to be a great benefit tonight.

Theo should benefit from this and he's in good form. I expect Theo to to really put a stamp on the game tonight to show Fabio what a mistake he made by not taking him. Theo offers something entirely different to any other England player. He offers a more direct threat than any player and he will always make an opposition defence twitchy about their positioning as they worry about his pace breaking through just as he did against the Barcodes.

I'm looking at tonight with my usual lack of passion, but I'm looking forward to see how Jacky and Theo get on. I almost expect Jack to be awesome, so much I really think the papers will be full of him tomorrow.

Lets hope its for the right reasons!

WG

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Get out of jail free weekend.

This isn't the first time I've said this, forgive me for the repetition, but its that kind of season. How fortunate are we again? We capitulate and have poor decisions taken against us and the fear was that it would cost us badly.

It seems that the luck was with us again. Chelsea and ManYoo losing softened the blow, but its still two points lost. I really would like to talk to the referee and his lino and just ask him what they think they saw Rosicky do? A ridiculous decision, one which could, conceivably cost us the league.

However, it will be interesting to see how ManYoo respond to the defeat at Wolves, where being honest they we're woeful and didn't deserve a pie at half time, let alone 3 points. I'm hoping they crumble a little, now would be a great time to catch up whilst their fixtures are tougher than ours...on paper at least.

I hope the players use that result against the Barcodes to enforce the siege mentality, everyone is punishing us at the moment. Lets show them all that we are not so easily swayed from our targets. We are Arsenal, victory through harmony.

That in mind however,I would just like to say, I've seen it lots of times and I still can't condone Diaby's reaction. I know he's been injured and had his fair share of bad tackles, but you have to be bigger than that. Getting injured happens in football, deal with it. He can't keep reacting like that everytime he gets a robust challenge.

WG

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Crazy decisions, overreactions and a disappointing finish

I'll be honest, half time, 4:0 up I did expect us to take a foot off the gas. I didn't expect us to capitulate so badly.

The barcodes were spirited, determind and focussed. We were not. Diaby,s sending off was laughable, he's supposed to be a professional. Its a shame because his contribution up to that point was decent.

The second penalty decision was awful! Terrible decision. The wrestling of sczcesny was also ridiculous and deserved a more strict response.

The saving grace was ManYoo losing, but really its two points lost :(

WG

Circle the wagons boys! Them barcodes are comin!

With much criticism being aired in the media at Cesc, its important to stress one thing. How awesome is this timing?

With the forthcoming fixtures being so critical, I am delighted that this has come out. Come on Cesc, prove every single one of those muppets wrong. We've all come off the pitch, high on adrenaline and full of passion and said one thing or another. It happens. Why this particular incident is being highlighted seems to be unknown, but if the guys needed firing up, then this should do it.

I know its not nice to read everyone having a pop, but if there was anything we needed to galvanise our squad further, here it is.

Millwall played for years with a "no-one likes us, everybody hates us and we don't give a s@#t" attitude kicking everyone on and off the pitch and it generates an amazing togetherness and a willingness to fight for each other.

Come on you Barcodes, we're going to stuff you geordies and show you that 35mil in the bank isn't half as good as a decent striker up front.

WG

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Koscielny - Poll results

I posted a poll last week about Laurent Koscielny - Is Koscielny now considered "GOOD ENOUGH" for Arsenal.

The results of the poll are as follows;

A total of 190 votes were received

Yes = 150 (78%)

No = 2 (1%)

Not Yet = 36 (18%)

Not in a million years = 2 (1%)

With Kozzer's recent goal-scoring form also adding to his fine defensive performances it seems Gooners everywhere are realising his ability and potential. Good on the lad, I've been impressed with him, his desire and workrate.

Keep it up lad!

WG

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Character with a touch of class

The minimum requirement for me last night was to get three points. In title races its easier to chase than lead and we're up there and keeping up the pressure.

Going one down was not in my wish list, Everton are a tough side to break down and despite us having a large share of possession I was getting twitchy (and not in a 'Arry 'wheeler-dealer' Redknapp' kind of way)...more of a squeaky-bum nervous way...

We went in for half time without pegging them back. My half-time/full-time predo was shot so it was just hoping for a great comeback.

It was sparked between Fabregas and Arshavin. Cesc hit a lofted pass, it was deflected on by Rodwell and the much-maligned Arshavin pounced to finish well. Super pleased for the little Russian.

At that moment all doubt left me and it was cemented when Koscielny headed home a great RvP corner. He's doing well at the moment Kozzer, at both ends.

ManYoo also won last night, but they will have tougher games and we will have a chance to leap-frog them if we keep turning in performances like last night.

WG

Passing interest aside, lets chew toffee!

I watched the drama unfold yesterday with a passing interest, the purchase of Andy Carroll for 35 million is either going to be a huge success and great business or just another massively over-hyped, over-priced transfer, the like of which hasn't been seen for a while..Of course I jest.

Onto more important things, Our yoof are scattered across Europe in an adventure to gain first team football experience at various clubs. I wish them well.

Tonight we face Everton, a team who I've always had a soft spot for because they always punch above their weight. They never have any money to spend, they're always scraping the barrell, but they do always put up a good fight.

Without Nasri tonight, I'm hoping Arshavin is feeling on the up and up. We need his creativity and vision to off-set what we've lost in Nasri.

I expect the line-up to look like this..

Sczcesny
Sagna	Koscielny Djourou			Clichy
	Wilshire Song
Walcott		Fabregas		Arshavin
		RvP

I'd really like Chamakh to get some game time. He's looking rusty and I felt for him against Huddersfield. He's a great player and he deserves it. Also with Rosicky back to fitness he might start in the place of Arshavin or Walcott...rotation is the key this week.

For now, I'd put money on Arsenal to win both halves. Also, Betfair has a great multiple on ManYoo, Chelsea and Arsenal.

WG.

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