Wellington Silva - suffering at Levante

The usual spite from the Daily Mail continues. Usually I wouldn't give stories like this the time of day, but the tone of the Daily Mail article frustrated me, they are almost revelling in dealing this spiteful article, which is no doubt misquoted and mistranslated.

Wellington is struggling to settle and isn't getting much game time at the moment, which is causing the media to wonder/make up stories why.

The Daily Mail has said the following;

'I want him to be more professional in his behaviour,' Garcia said. 'Arsenal want us to work and help him and not only in terms of football. 'We've drawn up a programme for him and I want more time spent with his team-mates to help him settle and with the different language.

'He does have a problem settling in, being lonely. It's important that he has someone to help and guide him.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1359796/Arsenal-kid-Wellington-Silva-told-Cut-pizzas-Twitter.html#ixzz1EmtZba72

Firstly, the lad's 18 and has just moved to a new country. Its a whole new way of life for him and its tough. I remember when we first loaned out Vela the same articles were doing the rounds, saying he was unprofessional and difficult.

Twelve Months later those sane teams and newspapers couldn't get enough of him and didn't want him to go back to Arsenal. Take such articles as these as a pinch of salt, he's a young lad finding his way in a new country, with a new team.

The old adage will always ring true, "Form is temporary, Class is permanent". Don't worry Welly old son, it'll be reet.

WG

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Ramsey to return and is pencilled in for Orient's second leg!

Aaron Ramsey has been the subject of plenty of speculation recently with Cardiff suggesting that he might be allowed to remain for the rest of the season.

However, Arsene has moved swiftly to state that he will return to Arsenal on Sunday following Cardiff's away game at Hull. Although Rambo missed the Saturday game away to Forest, he returned with a bang last night against Leicester and scored, guiding a low cross past the keeper.

That game also saw an assist from JET, setting up Michael Chopra with a low cross/cut-back across the box to take the lead.

I for one am looking forward to his return to the fold and perhaps a game against Orient as has been mooted by Arsene.

Come on Rambo!!

WG

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Swift return to normaility and focus - Team news and lineup

We play Stoke tonight in the Premier League, shock horror expect wholesale changes again to return to our normal match day squad.

After the disappointing, but not unforgivable game at the weekend its important to get back on the bus. I expect the lineup to look something like this.

Sczcesny
Sagna	Djourou Squillaci			Clichy
	Wilshire Song
Walcott		Fabregas		Nasri
		Chamakh

The Potters are a different animal from when they were promoted. They've got more mobility up front, with big strikers to attack the long ball and crosses put in by Etherington and Pennant (both tricky wingers). The long throw-ins are the stuff of Premier League legend but we have no need to fear them in the way we once did. Koscielny and Djourou are both good in the air and with Sczcesny more than capable with aerial balls I think we are in with a very good shout.

I really would like a great performance tonight, I'd like to see that arrogant little mug Pulis' face turn beetroot red with anger and then watch with joy as he wets himself in frustration, much like a baby.

A good win will put more turf between us and those below and continue to put more pressure on ManYoo.

Come on you Gooners

WG

** EDIT **

Changed Team Lineup due to injury reports to Koscielny and RvP. It was an oversight not spotted in the editing progress.

Thank you to Anonymous for spotting it!

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Tony Pulis in the Nude, in the Nude! Verminator Setback?

Shameless theft of Blog title from Alan Davies and The Tuesday Club gang who I'm delighted to have back on the Podcasts.

We've got the naked, angry man that is Tony "Rugby" Pulis and his band of cloggers tomorrow night in a important game at the Emirates. We'll need our full squad back and with focus to ensure the correct result. We need to make sure we move the ball quickly and beat them with pace and posession, we cannot get caught in a slugging match. It will take too much energy and could risk a good result. A great performance however will build the confidence further (if thats possible) for the weekends Cup Final.

For the likes of Walcott, Nasri, Cesc, Wilshire, Song and RvP its a chance to hop back into the groove and hone their match fitness. I will put up a full preview later today or tomorrow, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow night's fixture. After that ridiculous challenge by Shawcross and Pulis's beligerant outbursts I really hope we give them a Barca-like performance where we deny them the ball and attack them with pace and verve.

There are rumours about that Vermaelen has had a little setback in his recovery from his achilles operation, these are yet unconfirmed and appear to be a bit of media manipulation but either way, we need him back as soon as he is able. Djourou and Koscielny are performing like Kings, but an injury to either of them could really cause us problems.

WG

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Ok, I kind of expected that....

What I didn't expect however was I didn't expect Tomas Rosicky to head a goal, ever. It was well placed and really saved a drab performance, until the last few minutes.

I'm not going to trash the team, it was what it was, wholesale changes proved too many changes to keep a fluid follow-on performance after midweek.

I expected our second string to get a result but they showed a worrying lack of cutting edge born of lack of match fitness.

That said however, Orient deserved the replay and if we'd have nicked it in the end I'd have been gutted for them. Their trip to the Emirates will be a great money-spinner for them and a great day out.

Its a replay we don't need but its another chance for the second string to get it right.

Well done the O's, Come on you gooners, stick it to 'em at home

WG

O to be a Gooner!

We take on the O's today in the FA Cup in a clash that sees us very much the favourites following a great performance midweek.

Its no time for continental hangovers, we require a professional performance. I expect the usual squad rotation with Bendtner and eboue starting in place of Walcott and Sagna. It also is another chance for Arshavin to work on his improving form.

I expect a win and don't forget to back arshavin to score.

WG

Form is temporary, Class is permanent.

Without wanting to go overboard in what was merely 90 minutes of out 180, it was an awesome performance when at times it looked like we were being swamped. Every player came out with credit and lets not be fooled into thinking that Barca lost the game rather than us taking it from them.

There were times in the early stages of the second half I was pleading for Nasri to come off to ensure his tired legs don't cause a reoccurance of his hammy injury, but as soon as we began to take control I knew we needed him.

Barca tried to play keep ball in the second half and we wouldn't let them. In terms of spirit and mentality we wanted it more than them. What this will do for our confidence is almost incomprehensible, I feel that we had belief before the game, but to have it affirmed by an excellent performance can't hurt at all.

In summary, it was an awesome fight-back and an awesome couple of finishes. RvP's shot at the near post was an excellent power-shot and Arshavin's shot was extremely well hit and placed to perfection. More proof that form is temporary, class is permanent.

We should use this confidence to fuel our focus for the match against Orient. Last nights game was an awesome spectacle and a great result but its gone now and now we need to focus on little Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. A professional performance is required.

WG

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