I'd rather Arsene Wenger sign Mikel Arteta than Andrei Arshavin

Over the past twelve months Andrei Arshavin has become a big name in European football. He has undoubted talent and announced his intention of leaving Zenit St. Petersburg of Russia.

The price bandied about for Andrei Arshavin is £20m, extortionate for a player who is unproven outside of Russia. £10m would be worth a risk but probably a risk worth taking.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for him since the summer and while I agree that a player of his ability would be welcome at Arsenal there could be someone a little closer to home, who I believe would be better value too!

For me Mikel Arteta would be a perfect signing for Arsenal and I'm sure he would cost a lot less than £20m!

In Arsene Wenger's programme notes for Sunday’s match against Portsmouth he admitted Arsenal might need a creative spark due to the injuries Fabregas, Walcott and Rosicky have suffered.

Arshavin and Arteta are players who can provide that spark but Arteta has something that Arshavin doesn't possess. Premiership experience.

Arteta wouldn't need time to settle in at Arsenal. He has played in the Premiership since 2005 and Arsenal need players who can make an impact now. He is used to the league and I'd argue that Arshavin, despite his talent, would need at least six months to acclimatise to Premiership football.

Mikel Arteta is very versatile and that would appeal to Arsene Wenger, who as we all know, loves to play players out of position. Able to play anywhere across the midfield, Arteta would be
a vital player for anyone to have.

We could use him in the middle of the park to provide cover for Cesc's absence and when Cesc returns he can quite easily play on either side of midfield where he has excelled for Everton.

I think he would relish a move to Arsenal. Without sounding disrespectful to Everton, it would help his chances of international football too. He would be playing in the Champions League regularly and that always gets the eye of a national coach.

I read that Everton are in need of money and David Moyes needs to sell before he can buy. I wonder if Wenger could put in an offer that just maybe too good to refuse.

Keep it Goonerish..............

Carlos Vela can smash Pompey to bits!

There has to be a time when Carlos Vela is let loose on the Premiership and today should be that day.

Pompey come to the Emirates after being battered at home by West Ham and should be there for the taking.

I'd start Vela on the left and Nasri on the right and really take the game to Portsmouth.

Carlos Vela played in Spain for 3 seasons on the left wing and absolutely destroyed Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid in one game. That is no mean feat.

Vela has been slowly acclimatised to the Premiership by Wenger, used sparingly. Now is the time to begin to play him.

I love to watch Vela as he plays with a smile on his face and I have no doubt that he will become a great player. Maybe one of the best in the world.

Pompey coming to the Emirates brings the return of an Arsenal legend, Tony Adams.

I hope he gets the chance to continue his job at Pompey and I hope he does well because of who he is.

I also like Portsmouth and the Pompey faithful, who I believe, aside from Gooners of course, are the best fans in the Premiership.

But I still want Arsenal to smash Portsmouth regardless of Tony Adams or the Pompey crowd!

I really believe we could be about to embark on a long unbeaten run soon. Its got to happen at some stage of the season and a big win today could spark our season back into life!

Also keep an eye on Distin, have a feeling he maybe a Gunner in January!

Arsenal 3-0 Portsmouth

Keep it Goonerish.............

Do you really believe Arsene Wenger?

In Arsene Wenger's post-match interview in the clash against Aston Villa he says he has no deals lined up for the January transfer window "at the moment".

I don't believe him. Throughout Arsene Wenger's time as the Arsenal manager he has always played his cards close to his chest. You never know what is going to happen.

I wouldn't worry about what he says, just wait until something or nothing happens.

Keep it Goonerish...............

Forget the title Arsene, capitalise on Aston Villa's burn out

Arsene Wenger needs to forget about the title. Our chances of winning the league ended a long time ago.

Wenger needs to be realistic now. A top four finish has to be the priority for Arsenal and we are in for a long hard battle to achieve it.

I hate to say this but we need to forget about Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. They are on another level at the moment.

We need to concentrate on finishing above Aston Villa and claim that fourth spot in the league table.

Its not going to be easy because Aston Villa are proving to be real contenders and are worthy of their lofty position. They deserve it.

However, Aston Villa are in very good form at the moment and this cannot last forever. There will be a time in the season when they hit a brick wall and Arsenal must be there to capitalise on the situation.

Arsenal need to keep pace with Villa because the season is a marathon, not a sprint and when Villa begin to slow down then Arsenal must pounce.

Aston Villa have a small squad and tend to use the same starting eleven every week. It would be interesting to see how Aston Villa would cope with losing key players to injury like Arsenal have had to do.

They have been lucky in this respect compared to Arsenal this campaign. I think they would struggle without Barry or Young in the side. Any side would.

There will be a time when Aston Villa have to solve these problems and I don't think they could.

Arsene Wenger needs to get the cheque book out and I think he will.

A couple of signings in the transfer window would be a boost to the club and give us Gooners a much needed lift. New arrivals may also give Arsenal a new leash of life and some added verve.

This will be crucial in the second phase of the season. And it's obvious we have yet to have seen the best of Arsenal this season over a sustained period of time.

Aston Villa are on a fantastic run at the moment and that is something Arsenal haven't done this season, yet.

I'm sure at some point Arsenal will go on a long unbeaten run with a lot of victories. That, combined with Aston Villa running out of steam will be enough for Arsenal to claim fourth place.

Keep it Goonerish...............

Underdogs against Aston Villa??? UNHEARD OF!

I'm 26 years old and I've never heard of Arsenal going into a game against Aston Villa as underdogs. Until now.

Well, times are changing. I'll take nothing away from Aston Villa. Under Martin O'Neill's guidance they have proved to be a real force this season and thoroughly deserve their lofty position in the table.

Arsenal on the other hand have struggled to gain any consistency this season. Except being inconsistent and that is a kind of a consistency I guess.....

Anyhow today will prove to be a very tough game for both sides. It really is a six-pointer and could prove to be a defining moment of the season.

Victory for either side will provide a huge psychological boost in the race for Champions League places. That's how important today is. It will have repercussions for the rest of the season.

I understand the reason's for people writing Arsenal off. I've done it myself to an extent. But the season can be saved. And it will start with a victory today for Arsenal.

Without sounding arrogant Aston Villa used to be a game where I expected three points. I don't and can't anymore. Villa are too good for that and deserve respect.

But I think an Arsenal win is on the cards today. There will be hairy moments but I think Arsenal will pull through.

This is a big game and these Arsenal players appear to have a big game mentality. We've seen it against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Both sides will want to win so much and the team that shows the most hunger will win. Villa smashed us at the Emirates because they wanted it more and deserved the three points.

Arsenal need to use that performance against Villa as motivation or they may as well not bother to turn up.

Aston Villa will be hungry today but I expect Arsenal to be starving. We will upset the odds and win today.

Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal.

A big win today could really kick-start our season. A couple of signings in the transfer window and you never know, it may end up being a great season.

Keep it Goonerish...............

Merry Xmas, maybe Scrooge will buy us some gifts!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Arsene Wenger has been compared to Scrooge because of his reluctance to splash some cash!

Well Scrooge changed and if he can then so can Wenger.

Here's hoping that Mr Wenger has sent Santa his Xmas wish list for the new year and Arsenal get the players required to revive the season.

All is not lost on this Xmas day. A win over Aston Villa tomorrow could kick-start the campaign, add those new faces and Arsenal get a top four place easily and the Champions League trophy arrives at the Emirates!

Have a happy crimbo and never forget.........

Keep it Goonerish...............

Arsenal will rise from the ashes..............

Arsene Wenger is facing the toughest spell of his Arsenal career but I don't doubt his capabilities to guide us through this rough patch.

Things are looking bleak for Arsenal at the moment so in theory things can only get better - and they will.

I'm worried about the direction that Arsenal seem to be heading, that is a fact I can't deny, but we are in the safest hands possible with Arsene Wenger in charge.

It's difficult at the moment and we Gooners don't have much to cheer about, especially with Cesc Fabregas ruled out for so long, but the club has been through worse times than this.

The season can still be saved. I'm not saying we can win the league but fourth place has to be the target, and I still believe the Champions League trophy is destined for the Emirates.

I admit after last season's near-miss fourth place is a step backwards but it's vital to reach the Champions League next season for so many reasons. Especially finanically.

To do this Wenger needs to dip into the transfer market - and I think he will.

The injury to Fabregas will force his arm into entering the market and it's a shame its taken an injury to do so.

We needed to buy before Fabregas was injured, even more so now. A couple of new signings will be a breathe of fresh air around the club and will give everyone a lift, propelling Arsenal's second half of the season.

It seems all doom and gloom at the moment and I must admit, yesterday I felt very pissed off about things but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

We Gooners need to stick together and unite. We will get through this. Lets create a mentality of "us against the world".

Keep it Goonerish.............

Mr Wenger, are you an agent or a football manager?

A shitty day has been made complete upon hearing the news that Cesc Fabregas may be out until April.

I'm seriously pissed off. We are fucked. Please, excuse my French.

Within 12 months we have gone from having the best midfield in the Premiership into having a midfield that a mid-table side would be proud of.

Arsene Wenger has hinted he may splash the cash, do you take him at face value for it?

I'm seriously worried now. I was confident of a top four finish, despite Aston Villa smashing up the Premiership, now I'm more hopeful.

Wenger says that buying players doesn't always solve problems, bollocks. We need to spend money.

I don't care that it may "kill" a young players career. I care about Arsenal. And the way things are going we are in for a very hard season.

Wenger needs to think very seriously about his next move. Arsenal are struggling, it looks like it may get worse.

It obvious to most that Arsenal need to buy. We have just lost our most influential and best player for a large chunk of the campaign. And we needed to buy before that happened!

Please Mr Wenger, save the season while you still can.

Put Arsenal first, not a career. Who knows, signing some class may even give the club a boost and the young players who's careers are threatened may even have some influential figures to look up to!

Keep it Goonerish........

This is why it's frustrating to be a Gooner!

When Arsenal went down to ten men yesterday I must admit I feared the worst.

Liverpool were controlling the game up to that point but the sending off changed everything, surprisingly in Arsenal's favour.

The attitude shown from the Arsenal players after Adebayor's dismissal was top class.

The red card created a siege mentality throughout the Arsenal ranks, the players worked their socks off.

Gooners who attended the game should be proud of themselves. The atmosphere was electric and this buoyed the players who responded with a real backs to the wall performance.

The players at Arsenal really frustrate me. The commitment shown when going down to ten men is what we Gooners what to see all the time.

I've lost count of the number of times this season when I have seen lacklustre performances and the players look like they don't want to be there.

Why does this squad only seem up for it when we are up against it???

If Arsenal played like they did when we went down to ten men yesterday all the time then most Gooners would be satisfied.

We want to see the players giving everything and I couldn't begrudge them defeat if I saw that they were giving their all.

Arsene Wenger is right, these players do have character. I've seen it against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

But the problem is we don't see enough of it.

Keep it Goonerish.................

Rio Ferdinand must be "murking" the English media

Rio Ferdinand says that Wayne Rooney can become the best centre-forward in the world. He must be up to his usual pranks then!

Ferdinand fancies himself as a bit of a prankster so this comes as no surprise. He is "murking" the English media, expect him to pop out at any time to announce that he "murked" everyone.

Wayne Rooney is good. But the best centre-forward in the world? I dont think so.

I think that he is over-hyped because he is English. We English love to go over the top. Especially the media.

If Rooney was Spanish or French we would be saying that he is good but not great.

I spoke to a Spanish guy on holiday and he said that David Villa would piss all over Rooney, I was inclined to agree with him.

As I've said, Rooney is good. He works hard for the team and you have to give him credit for that, and he does have some ability, I can't deny that but the best, I think not.

Keep it Goonerish............

No chance of De Rossi now and the truth maybe heard!

Daniele De Rossi of Roma has been linked with a move to Arsenal recently but there is no chance of that move happening now we have drawn them in the Champions League.

I'm quite happy with the draw. I would have been happy with anyone other than Barcelona really. Not through fear, I just want revenge against them in the final.

I doubt De Rossi would have joined anyway. He is Roma through and through. He was born in Rome, he came through the youth system at the club and his father also played for Roma.

Add that to the fact that Italian internationals barely leave Italy through fear of jeopardising their place in the national side and you have some valid reasons for him staying at Roma!

Major Arsenal shareholder Lady Bracewell-Smith has been given the Gooner from the board at Arsenal.

Her family have been involved with Arsenal for almost 70 years and she is far from happy. I don't blame her either!

She is a Gooner who loves the club and the way she has been ousted is pretty disgraceful.

She has explained that some of views were ignored on many occasions and I think that may have something to do with football being a "mans world" so to speak.

The Arsenal board are pretty old school and I imagine for that reason she was ignored, which is wrong of course.

You know the saying "A woman scorned"? Well I'd be a little worried if I was in the current board at Arsenal.

Lady Bracewell-Smith may at sometime in the future reveal what is really going on behind the scenes at Arsenal.

We Gooners are not being told the truth by someone be it Wenger or the board and it would be interesting to find out wouldn't it!

Keep it Goonerish...............

2008/09 COULD have been Arsene Wenger's easiest title win

I'm really frustrated. I look at the league table and like many Gooners I hate what I am seeing.

This season could have been so different. The title is there for the taking.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are not exactly setting the league alight and we haven't taken advantage of the situation.

We have struggled this season but Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have too.

Inside Arsene Wenger must be kicking himself. If he could have managed to keep last seasons squad together and made a couple of summer signings, this season could have been the easiest shot at the title he has ever had.

Instead we face a battle for fourth place and wonder what might have been.

I have reluntantly ruled Arsenal out of the title race and hate to do so. I can't see us not losing another game this season. We are too inconsistent and lack the quality needed.

What is frustrating me is we were almost there last season and now instead of building on that we seem to have gone backwards. We have weakened when we should have strengthened.

This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Arsenal were back. Now I just hope for a top four finish when really I should be thinking that we are going to be champions.

Arsenal should have been in a strong position at the top of the table. The fixture list was kind to say the least.

The way the results are going if any of the top four put a run together then they would be title winners. It's too late though for Arsenal.

It may be too late but I often wonder what might have been. We could have won it this year. This could have been Wenger's easiest title win.

Keep it Goonerish.................

The "Martin Taylor is innocent" campaign will begin again........

I can see Arsene Wenger now. Questioned about the return of Eduardo.

"Eduardo will be like signing a new player"

That's one excuse for him not signing anyone in January I suppose. But to be honest it's true.

Eduardo will be like signing a new player and I can't wait to see him wearing the number 9 shirt on his back again.

Like every Gooner I was shocked and horrified at the injury that Eduardo suffered.

I was angry at the time because I felt that he didn't get the sympathy he deserved from the media.

It turned into a "Martin Taylor is innocent" campaign. I've often wondered how the English media would have reacted had it been Wayne Rooney on the end of a foreign players tackle.....

I suppose what is done is done and we should just be happy that Eduardo can resume his football career.

I hope he has recovered well. Not only for Arsenal's sake but for his career too.

He was beginning to find his feet in the Premiership and began to show us Gooners what he was about. I liked what I saw.

Gooners don't need me to tell them to be patient with him. We all know it will be tough but I think that Eduardo has the character to continue his career.

I actually believe he will come back stronger and even better than before. It will take time but he will get there.

Many Gooners believe we lack a natural finisher. Eduardo can be that man. He reminded me of Robbie Fowler. Robbie Fowler was deadly and Eduardo can be just as deadly.

Fingers crossed for Dudu tonight in his comeback!

By the way, thanks for all the kind comments for yesterdays blog!

Keep it Goonerish.............

Wrighty7 blog is a year old!

Blimey!

How fast can a year go??

Its been a whole year since I began writing the blog. Many will say that I haven't improved and I'm inclined to agree with them!

I began writing Wrighty7 because I used to write a lot of comments on Arsenal Analysis and thought that maybe I should have a go myself.

I was helped a lot by 1970's Gooner who writes on the blog. To be honest he inspired me to start Wrighty7 and I'd like to thank him for all the help he has given me. It is appreciated a huge amount.

Arsenal Analysis is one of the first blogs I look for every day and I recommend it to anyone.

I'd also like to say thanks to Pedro and Geoff from Le Grove. I think Le Grove is a blog that is misunderstood in many ways. In a year it has grown into one of the biggest Arsenal blogs around. So many read it and contribute, they can't all be wrong can they?

I think Le Grove takes a lot of unfair stick. Pedro and Geoff are only giving an opinion on Arsenal. Same as all the Gooner sites around.

I'd also like to say thanks to all the Gooner sites on my blog roll. They swapped links with me and helped me to build Wrighty7.

Every blog is different and thats what makes them so good!

Newsnow, Goonernews and Arsenal News have helped put my blog out to a wider audience and for that I'm grateful.

From a personal point of view I'm over the moon that I've reached a year of blogging.

I realise that Wrighty7 is not the best written blog around. I try to keep things simple and I think that Gooners relate to me because I write from the heart about my beloved Arsenal.

I will continue to write the blog because I've enjoyed doing it. It's turned from a hobby into an obsession.

Thank you to everyone who has read my blog over the past year and thanks to those who have left comments!

Keep it Goonerish.................

Cesc Fabregas could be the key to Arsene Wenger strengthening Arsenal

There is no doubting the fact that this Arsenal squad needs strengthening. It's been a big subject amongst any conversation involving Arsenal for a while now.

Most Gooners, pundits and ex-players all agree that Arsenal need to buy. The sooner the better because the season is beginning to take shape and it seems Arsenal are in for a real battle for fourth place.

Arsene Wenger has set such high standards at Arsenal that it is inevitable the day those standards slip people will begin to ask questions.

We Gooners have watched an invincible side taken apart and replaced by a side who are struggling. It's painful to watch but it's only recently murmurs of discontent have spread amonst Gooners.

We are used to competing, thanks largely to Arsene Wenger who over the years since his appointment has maintained a high standard at the club.

Those high standards set by Arsene Wenger are not being matched anymore. They haven't been for four years.

We were unfortunate last season but even the end of season collapse may have been prevented. It was obvious throughout the season that the squad was full of talent but lacked depth. But Wenger did nothing.

Gooners have kept quiet because of Wenger's achievements. He has been given the time and patience by us because we believe in him. It's only recently Gooners are beginning to show some displeasure at what is being witnessed.

The problem is it seems glaringly obvious to everyone that Arsenal need to make signings. Only Wenger doesn't see it and seems to have his head buried in the sand.

I understand his public intentions. He wants to protect his players but the truth is Arsenal are suffering because Wenger believes he is right in what he is doing.

He isn't. Signings are needed because things appear to getting worse rather than better. Arsene Wenger doesn't seem to listen to anyone but I think there is one person he may listen too.

Cesc Fabregas.........

Cesc Fabregas is the present and the future of Arsenal. He is our captain and the team is built around him. Despite this he can't be happy with the situation at Arsenal.

He won the Euro's with Spain and has had a taster of what it is like to win things. Publicly he can back his fellow team mates all he wants but privately he must be dismayed at whats going on.

A player of his talent needs to be competing for honours and he must look at some of his team mates and think how can we achieve this?

He is the voice of the team and he needs to go to Arsene Wenger and tell the gaffer that changes are needed. If Wenger doesn't listen to Fabregas then who will he listen too?

If Fabregas doesn't feel that Arsenal are going to win things then it is unlikely he will stay. Why should he? With a click of his fingers he could go back to Barcelona who are beginning to look the real deal again.

Arsene Wenger needs to realise that his ways are beginning to backfire. In the past he hasn't been afraid to use funds available why not anymore?

Cesc Fabregas has a special relationship with Arsene Wenger. That bond could be broken unless Mr Wenger wises up and realises that Cesc needs help. He is a young man with a lot of responsibilities.

If Fabregas wakes up one morning and thinks enough is enough then I wouldn't blame him. It's time for Wenger stop being stubborn and get back to those high standards he set at the club.

Keep it Goonerish................

The Mad Professor strikes again................

I've ended up with egg on my face. There was me telling anyone who would listen that I believed Arsenal would win today. I believed Arsenal would win convincingly too.

I even had a bet. I had a bet on Arsenal winning 4-0. That's how confident I was.

I wish I had a different bet. I wish I bet that Arsenal would turn in another shocking performance. I would have won a lot of money.

I can't say I'm surprised at the performance really. It's happened so many times this season it's becoming the norm at Arsenal.

I was tempted to blame everything on the midfield. Without doubt this is the poorest midfield that Arsenal have had under Arsene Wenger.

Its so poor I wouldn't blame Cesc Fabregas if he did want to leave Arsenal. Imagine having Song as your partner. Quite scary really.

There was no pace or penetration from the midfield. I lost count of the amount of times it became so congested in there players were getting in the way of each other.

The blame must lie with Arsene Wenger. I can't understand why he persists with playing Denilson on the right and Diaby down the left. Both were desperate to keep going into the middle, causing all sorts of problems.

Why does Wenger leave making his substitutions until it's too late? Bendtner came on with 10 minutes to go. How is he expected to make an impact?

A change around the hour mark could have changed the game. The middle of the park was congested so why wasn't Vela given a chance to stretch the play with an appearance down the left?

That's why he was on the bench. To change the game if need be. So why not use him?

The subs must have sat there thinking to themselves, "Whats the point of being here?" Arsene Wenger may as well only pick 11 for the match day squad.

I don't want people to think I'm picking on Song here but many times did he give the ball away? He is supposed to be the holding player yet I continuously saw him 15 yards further up the field than Fabregas.

Again Wenger should have acted earlier. He should have told Song to hold his position and let Fabregas go forward to influence the play more.

It is me or do this Arsenal side look lazy? For the 'Boro goal the deflected clearance should have been dealt with. Song was the closest player to Tuncay yet he reacted like he was stoned. A little glance over the shoulder was the best he could muster.

There was little or no creativity from the midfield. Le Boss must have seen this. Fabregas was being suffocated yet there was still no reaction from Arsene Wenger.

I've said in the past that the title was over. How can I change my mind when I see a performance like that?

Arsene Wenger has some serious work to do. If he doesn't make any signings then Arsenal are in deep trouble.

He also needs to take a deep look at himself. I know he hurts when he sees Arsenal play like this. He wants beautiful football but it's time to end his stubbornness.

This team needs help. January can't come fast enough for me. If Arsene Wenger doesn't make any signings then on his head be it.

Keep it Goonerish...................

Quit the talk and walk the walk

I've lost count of the number of times that an Arsenal player has spoke a good game this season, the latest being Mikael Silvestre.

Is this what we are going to hear all season? Rallying call's left right and centre?

I'd prefer it if the players actually began to perform on the pitch. Anyone can talk a good game.

I don't want to hear excuses and what needs to be done anymore. I want to see results on the pitch.

It's easy for the players to say what needs to be done. The problem is actually doing it.

I'm hearing too much talking, it's time to begin the walking.

Keep it Goonerish.....................

Roma, Panathanaikos, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Juventus WILL fear facing Arsenal

Last night was an absolute pile of shit. How many times have we said that this season?

Its beginning to become the norm.......

Despite this inconsistency I still believe that Arsenal can win the Champions League. Call me mad or delusional, Arsenal on their day can match and beat the best.

We could draw Roma, Panathanaikos, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Juventus in the next phase of the Champions League.

I look at Barcelona as the only game I'd want to avoid at this stage. Purely because I want to avenge the 2006 final.

Arsenal can beat any of those sides. It depends what Arsenal turn up. If the Arsenal from last night turn up, expect a hiding, but if the Arsenal who beat Manchester United turn up then why should we fear anyone?

Those sides will NOT want to face Arsenal. Trust me, Arsenal are the name any side in the tournament will not want to face.

This Jekyll and Hyde team have to hit a run of form at some time this season. And an Arsenal side full of confidence is a very dangerous prospect for anyone to face.

Keep it Goonerish...............

Was that a pre-season friendly???

What was that performance about?

Was that game a meaningless pre-season friendly?

And there was me thinking that it was a Champions League game.

The Champions League being the biggest club tournament in world football. The tournament that every top player wants to play in.

I don't care we were already through. That was a pile of shit. There was no heart, passion or any ideas.

I'm not digging anyone out for individual poor performances. There were too many of those.

Only two players can hold their heads up. Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere.

Keep it Goonerish..............

Why buy a hamburger when you have a steak at home?

Arsenal have leaked goals this season and some people are suggesting that Arsenal need a new central defender. I don't think that we do.

The options that Arsene Wenger has at his disposal are more than adequate if he plays the best partnership.

The emergence of Johan Djourou means we don't need to strengthen at the back. Why waste money on a player we don't need?

Johan Djourou and William Gallas are the best partnership at the club and are more than capable of providing a solid back-line.

When the pair are played together they seem at ease. They suit each others styles.

Djourou is the dominant of the pair who will attack the ball at every opportunity and Gallas is left to do what he is best at, sweeping up any danger.

It works. There is no need to buy anyone at the back. When they've played together Arsenal look a lot more comfortable in defence.

If Arsene Wenger keeps the partnership then that is a very solid base to build upon.

What we lack is a protector of the defence. We've been linked with Xabi Alonso again. He would be ideal.

Liverpool haven't been hard to break down for no reason over the last few seasons. As well as having a great defence they have had Alonso sitting in the holding role in front of them.

Signing Alonso would be a superb piece of business by Arsene Wenger. He would suit Arsenal's passing game and he can mix it up with his great vision of long range balls too.

A spine of Djourou-Gallas, Fabregas-Alonso, van Persie-Adebayor would look very good to me!

Keep it Goonerish...............

Aston Villa wont last the pace for fourth place

Aston Villa have emerged into a real threat for Champions League qualification but I think that it will be a step too far for them this season.

Martin O'Neill has done a fantastic job at the club and he has turned Aston Villa into a real force in the Premiership. Their 2-0 victory over us at the Emirates proves this.

Aston Villa fully deserved that win and have players like Young and Abgonlahor who are becoming fantastic players.

Young is a Gooner too! I'd love to see him in an Arsenal shirt!

I mean no disrespect to Aston Villa but I can see them falling away from the top four in the new year. They will finish fifth in my opinion, and that will be a great achievement in itself.

Arsenal will strengthen in January, we have too. I think the likely additions will inspire Arsenal and push us on to finish in the top four comfortably.

Without sounding arrogant it worries me slightly that Arsenal are worried about Aston Villa competing with us for fourth place.

The gap between us and the other top four sides seems to have widened whilst the gap between us and the likes of Aston Villa seems to have narrowed.

It will continue to narrow unless we strengthen the squad, because I'm sure Martin O'Neill will add to his set of players.

I'm sure Aston Villa fans will believe they can finish in the top four and why not? They are firmly in the mixer. They certainly pose a much larger threat than Tottenham do!

I just think it will be a step too far for them this season. Arsenal are due a run of games where we win 7-8 on the trot and that will prove too much for Villa.

Aston Villa also are in the running for Europe, same as Arsenal, but Arsenal have more experience coping with the situation.

I'm sure I saw a stat that Villa have only used 17 players in the Premiership this season. They will be tired later on in the season and I wonder how Young and Abgonlahor will cope without having a rest.

Keep it Goonerish................

Why does Arsene Wenger torment us?

Arsene Wenger loves to let us Gooners know who he "almost" signed and if truth be told I'd rather not hear it!

Cristiano Ronaldo is a grease ball who, despite this, is a damn fine footballer who "almost" signed for Arsenal, according to Le Boss.

I'd rather not know that he "almost" signed for Arsenal because I've just seen him being named European Footballer of the Year and bang in 40 odd goals for a rival club.

It kind of makes me think what might of been!

This is not the first time that Mr Wenger has come out and said that he "almost" signed such and such.

I don't believe the current situation at Arsenal needs the gaffer to say these things.

Gooners are frustrated enough as it is at the moment without Arsene Wenger telling us what might of been.

It's almost like stirring up a hornets nest!

Please Mr Wenger, don't do it again! Or at least next time make SURE the player signs!

Keep it Goonerish................

Would Gooners have reacted the same if it was Fabregas having a stinker?

I really felt for Emmanuel Eboue yesterday. I know his performance was shocking but the cheering from Gooners when he was substituted was in my opinion was harsh.

Gooners pay plenty of money to watch Arsenal and maybe feel that they earn the right to behave how they want at games. I agree to a certain extent but I think it is harsh to single out one player.

Eboue will never be a crowd favourite and he can infuriate me with his play-acting but you could see how much the crowd's reaction hurt him.

He was close to tears and nobody likes to see a grown man cry. To see him so distraught wasn't a nice sight.

Wenger says that Eboue is a sensitive boy who wants to do well. I hope we see a positive reaction from him in the next game he plays but I think after yesterday his confidence is shot.

He is an immensely popular lad in the dressing room and I don't think he is as bad as some people make him out to be. In my eyes he is a very good right back but Sagna is better.

Let's hope it was just an off day for Eboue and he comes back stronger from this. A little more effort from him would be a start!

I understand that we Gooners are going through a difficult period at the moment and it is frustrating but please lets not start getting on the backs on individual players.

I think we are looking for a scapegoat and Eboue is an easy target. I know he was shit yesterday but haven't you had a really really bad day at work before? I know I have and it seems once one thing goes wrong the rest of the day seems to follow suit.

It's easy to get on the back of Eboue but lets try not to. After all, he does play for Arsenal.

A little question is at the back of my mind. Would the Gooners who "turned" on Eboue have done the same if it was Cesc Fabregas having the worst game of his life?

I think not.

Keep it Goonerish.................

Cristiano Ronaldo would have been even BETTER had he joined Arsenal and not Manchester United

I always had Cristiano Ronaldo down as a show pony when he first joined Manchester United but he has improved so much.

He has developed into one of the best players in the world and a huge amount of credit must go to Alex Ferguson for the way Ronaldo has been nurtured into this fine player.

I read today that Ronaldo was an inch away from joining Arsenal. I will upset a lot of United fans by saying this (I don't care) but I think Ronaldo would have been an even BETTER player than he is now had he joined Arsenal and Manchester United.

I say this for one reason, Arsene Wenger.

There is no one better in world football at developing talent than our gaffer. The amount of young talent that Arsene Wenger has brought through is astounding.

Sometimes the youngsters leave Arsenal but look at the amount of other clubs who have benefited from players being developed by Wenger and Arsenal.

There are a number of players littered around who came through at Arsenal but didn't make the grade at the club. The standard of Arsenal's youngsters is amazing.

This isn't a pop at Ferguson (who I've mentioned has done a great job with Ronaldo) but imagine if Cristiano Ronaldo had that type of mentoring from Arsene Wenger.

He wouldn't just be European Footballer of the Year, he would be World Player of the Year too.

Ronaldo is a fantastic player who (frighteningly) will get even better. I don't doubt though that under Wenger's tutelage he would be even better than that.

Keep it Goonerish....................

Arsenal won't be English champions but will be European champions instead!

Forget the Premiership title, it's beyond us. We've lost far too many games and are too inconsistent to mount a challenge.

The Champions League however is a totally different prospect and it's a trophy that I really believe Arsenal can win.

Our possession football suits the Champions League. It's a far slower pace than the English Premiership and there is no team better in Europe than Arsenal at keeping the ball.

You need the luck of the draw and people will say if Arsenal draw an English team, then we will struggle because they know how to play against us. I beg to differ.

If a side resorts to the usual bully boy tactics employed by Premiership teams then the European referees will stamp down on it. The harsh tackles will not be allowed.

Liverpool and Chelsea have knocked us out in the past but we outplayed them both in those ties. I'd say a great deal of luck enabled them to overcome us. Surely that luck would change?

Successful sides are built on the foundations of a solid defence. The defence made up of Gallas, Djourou, Clichy and Sagna is more than solid enough to keep clean sheets.

We didn't keep a clean sheet against the "almighty" Chelsea but the goal we conceded was an own-goal and could have been prevented had Almunia not suffered a rush of blood to the head.

A Chelsea side at home, had one shot on target against us in 90 minutes. That alone proves to me the back-four of those mentioned above are more than capable of shutting out Europe's elite.

Arsenal always have goals in them. We can score against anyone, especially those crucial away goals.

If we can keep it tight in the home games then we can beat anyone over two legs. Teams will not want to face us.

I see so many parallels between this season and the 2005/06 season when we reached the Champions League final. The inconsistency in the league, the rumour's of infighting. It's uncanny. I don't however see us struggling for fourth place this season. We will get there comfortably.

People are speaking of another trophyless campaign for Arsenal. I don't agree. I genuinely believe the Champions League will be ours in May.

Keep it Goonerish......................

What was worse, John Terry's tackle or William Gallas' sulk?

I've tried to forget the two-footed lunge made by John Terry on Bacary Sagna but I just can't. It was a disgrace and Sagna is lucky that he did not suffer a broken leg.

Chelsea have grumbled about Arsenal's opener being offside, I'd say it was justice after John Terry nearly crippled a fellow professional.

How he can make a tackle like that and get away with it is unbelievable. It was a straight red. In fact, I'm surprised that Sagna wasn't sent off for damaging Terry's studs with his leg!

I'm fed up with the media. This incident has hardly been mentioned yet we hear that Arsenal's opener was offside. Whats worse? An offside goal or a tackle that could have maimed someone?

The media's darlings are the England players and with John Terry being the captain I guess he has special treatment. Whenever he does something bad it is swept under the carpet.

Fuck me, whats worse? John Terry's tackle or William Gallas' tantrum at St Andrews last season?

Gallas was in the paper for weeks over that incident, John Terry nearly takes someones leg off and it hardly gets a whisper.

I thoroughly believe that even if John Terry commited murder it wouldn't get a mention. The man gets away with everything.

Why hasn't it been brought to anyone's attention? Could you imagine the uproar had William Gallas committed such a tackle?

Keep it Goonerish....................

Wenger needs to keep William Gallas and that defence together

People who read my blog know that I rate William Gallas very highly despite all the shenanigan's over the last year.

I felt that there would be no way back for him after he was stripped of the captaincy. Well, maybe there is.

He is a world class defender and Arsenal are much better off with him than without him. His performance yesterday was top class.

We need to keep William Gallas purely because of his ability to defend. Forget the tantrum's and the bad press, when Gallas is on top of his game there aren't many better in the art of defending.

The main reason I feel we need to keep Gallas is because of his blossoming partnership with Johan Djourou. They look very comfortable together and as a result, Arsenal look a lot more solid at the back.

The Arsenal back-line against Chelsea was fantastic. The foundations of a good team are built on a solid defence.

Many Gooners have called for Djourou to be given a chance, myself included. He has proved that he is ready to become a first team regular, with Gallas alongside him.

Gallas seems happier without the responsibility of the armband. It allows him to concentrate on his main strength, defending.

Arsene Wenger seems to have given William Gallas an olive branch. The reaction of Gooners in the games since he was demoted from the captains role suggest they have too.

I'm glad Gooners have.

Keep it Goonerish....................

CHELSEA AWAY???? EASY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a confident feeling that Arsenal would turn over Chelsea.

Had a tenner on 2-1 so that is a lovely £150 in my back burner!

We deserved that.

Lets hope we kick on from here.

Keep it Goonerish..................

Is Arsene Wenger right or wrong about Delap?

I've read that Arsene Wenger wants a time restriction on throw in's made by the likes of Rory Delap.

I'll admit that the throws are ugly and they do disturb the games flow but it's part of football.

They are a vital part of Stoke City's armoury. Stoke may survive on the back of these "set-pieces".

At the end of the day Arsenal were out done by something we should have been aware of.

We knew that Delap was going to launch throws into the box and we didn't defend them well enough.

Yes, it's not pretty but it works for Stoke and although I don't like to see the throws, I say good luck to them if it helps them stay up.

I think this is a little bit of sour-grapes here from Wenger here!

What do you think?

Keep it Goonerish...............

The pink panther pounces and bounces back!

Nicklas Bendtner seems to ooze confidence and can come across as a cocky chap but I think underneath that brazen exterior is a player low in his self belief at the moment.

The pink boots do him no favours. They give the impression of a flash git and should only be worn by someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, who not only has the talent to pull them off but has the good looks to go with it!

Bendtner has had his critics over his performances in recent games (deservedly so) and I think it has stung him. He has been poor but then so have the whole team.

There can be no doubt he has good quality but he is a young man and his performances will be erratic. He will gain consistency with experience.

I believe he will make it at Arsenal but only if he shows the correct attitude. He has good potential and the way he took his goal last night showed the talent the lad has.

The goal was a timely boost for him. Hopefully he can kick on from here and show Gooners the reason Arsene Wenger has placed his trust in him.

Keep it Goonerish................

Fabregas is committed to Arsenal.....For now

I have no doubts about Cesc Fabregas' immediate commitment to Arsenal. He is very committed to the Arsenal cause and in hindsight is the correct choice for the armband at the club.

I believe he will be at the club for many years and he will stamp his legacy at Arsenal. He will become an Arsenal legend.

There are suggestions from some quarters that Arsene Wenger only gave him the armband to keep him at Arsenal. I don't believe for a second that this is true.

There will always be rumours that Fabregas is leaving Arsenal. It happens to all the best players at the club. We will continue to hear these rumours all the time.

I don't think that Fabregas is going anywhere anytime soon. Not for many years. He loves the club and us Gooners. And we love him back.

Fabregas will leave Arsenal one day. I think most Gooners have accepted that. One day the calling for him going home to Barcelona will be too strong and he will go back.

And will we Gooners begrudge him that? Of course we won't. We didn't begrudge Theirry Henry leaving, we didn't begrudge Patrick Vieira leaving. True Arsenal legends. And Cesc Fabregas will match their achievements at Arsenal, of that I'm sure.

Let's enjoy Cesc Fabregas. A world class player who loves the club and for now leads us into a new era. A player destined to become an Arsenal great.

Keep it Goonerish................

Let Fabregas grow into the job and don't hate Gallas

It's been confirmed that Cesc Fabregas is the man to lead Arsenal into a new era and while it's going to a popular decision amongst Gooners I call for a little calm on the situation.

It is a difficult time for anyone to be captain of Arsenal. The team are struggling and there are a lack of leaders throughout the side. It's not going to be easy for Cesc.

We must give Fabregas time to grow into the role of skipper. Let's not put too much pressure on his shoulders and think he will become the messiah. I think he will prove to be a great captain if we allow him the time to develop into the job.

Hopefully this appointment of Fabregas will lift the players. He is clearly well liked by the squad and best of all he has a real affinity with Arsenal and us Gooners.

He has all the right ingredients to become an Arsenal legend. At the age of 21 he has a long time left in the game, hopefully he will spend that time with Arsenal and lead us into a golden era.

Obviously William Gallas will now find it difficult to remain at Arsenal. I hope that isn't the case. Regardless of what has happened, Gallas is still a world class defender and Arsenal are better off with him than without him.

Maybe the captaincy was a burden on William Gallas. The media and many Arsenal supporters never really took to Gallas being captain. We forget it was his first time in the role and he never endeared himself to Gooners with his sometimes extraordinary outbursts.

We may even see the best of Gallas now. He will be determined to prove people wrong, the pressure of being captain is now lifted from his shoulders, it may provide him with a new leash of life.

If Arsene Wenger is willing to offer Gallas an olive branch then so must we. If Gallas is to remain at the club then he needs to perform on the pitch and we need to put this sorry mess behind us.

Don't show Gallas hate, he might score an own goal.......Seriously though, the team needs us now and that means Gallas does too.

There is a bright future with Cesc as our figure head. Its the present that needs sorting, this may just lift the club.

Keep it Goonerish.................

Arsene needs to use the cheque book in the January sales

It was bad enough watching the game on some poxy stream on my PC but the people I really feel for are the Gooners who travelled up to Manchester to watch an absolute pile of shit.

We Gooners spend fortunes following Arsenal and while I agree that we have to take the rough with the smooth that performance today was unacceptable.

William Gallas has taken some severe stick but he is right, these players have no arsehole for a fight. The worst thing is we didn't even need to fight today!

Manchester City didn't even try to batter us, they simply outplayed us and at times it looked like a training session to them.

This Arsenal squad has a huge amount of talent and the future looks bright, the present however looks worryingly uncertain.

Some of the players are not ready and need to be guided. But who is there to guide them?

Arsene Wenger must now realise the squad is letting him down badly. It's time to act. If we don't get the cheque book out in January the season is in real danger of collapsing.

We don't need a clear out as some are suggesting, we need to add to this squad. Only then can we begin to salvage our season.

We have gone from title contenders to a battle for fourth place. It's not ideal but I hope in a strange way that us struggling will force Arsene Wenger into entering the transfer market.

Keep it Goonerish..................

The same problems will remain, with or without Gallas

Must admit I'm still disappointed with the Gallas situation, but if it helps the Arsenal start to perform then its the right decision. I guess only time will tell!

I'll be honest, I don't think Gallas was given a fair crack of the whip from the off because of the way he got the captaincy, but that wasn't his fault. Gilberto was a fan's favourite but wasn't going to be a first team regular so I suppose Gallas was the obvious choice.

I think he did OK at the job. Last season when we were flying most Gooners were saying what a great decision it was to appoint Gallas as skipper and only started to doubt him after the Birmingham incident.

Many Gooners are split on this incident but I felt it showed passion and he is only human. The media coverage of this was disgraceful. It went on for weeks. Rio Ferdinand kicked a WOMEN and it was barely mentioned.

That is what Gallas was up against. And for then on every little mistake he made was intensified tenfold. I think we forget that Gallas hadn't been a captain for long and was still learning the job.

He didn't help himself at times with his outbursts and somethings should have been kept between the players, not shared with the outside world and I suppose he broke the code with his latest outburst.

Maybe the decision to strip him of the armband will rejuvenate Arsenal's season. Who knows? Only time will tell. But I still worry for whoever gets the job. The same problems will be there, the same players will be there.

I worry because there are NO leaders in this squad and that certainly didn't help Gallas' cause. He was learning the job with no one around to help him. It will be the same for whoever gets the job.

Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira are names that keep being mentioned and while they were great captains they had plenty of support around them to help them grow into the role.

Adams had the likes of Bould, O' Leary, Seaman, Dixon, Alan Smith and Keown the list is endless.

Vieira had the likes of Bergkamp, Henry, Keown, Seaman, Parlour and Gilberto and many more.

I'm gutted at the way it had panned out for William Gallas who is a world-class defender. The only future for him is away from Arsenal. He can not continue at the club.

Yes, I'm gutted for Gallas, but I'm more gutted for Arsenal who have now lost a top class defender and that can't be denied.

This may lift a weight off the rest of the squad's shoulders (if that is the case) and as I've said, only time will tell.

But I still worry for the next captain. It's going to be a hard job.

Keep it Goonerish...................

If it's true.......Bye Bye Billy UPDATE-It is true

Some Arsenal sites are saying William Gallas is no longer Arsenal captain. If the rumour is true then I can see no future for William Gallas at Arsenal.

I've never seen an Arsenal player so vilified as William Gallas. Even Ashley Cole was let off lightly compared to the treatment Gallas has suffered.

Sure he has brought some of it on himself and I know that Gallas can use his mouth before he engages his brain at times, but I've been shocked by the amount of hate shown to him.

According to some, almost all the problems that Arsenal have suffered since the Birmingham incident have lay at the feet of William Gallas.

Bye Bye Billy.

*UPDATE* It is true, Bye Bye Billy
Keep it Goonerish....................

Take the armband from Marmite and we LOSE our best defender

Gooners seem to be spilt on William Gallas. He seems to be like marmite, you either love him or hate him. In fact, that's not a bad nickname for him.

I'm in the love him camp and feel that the criticism he receives is way over the top. I also believe that he is being made a scapegoat for Arsenal struggling. There is an anti-Gallas bandwagon that has been forming since the Birmingham incident and it's gathering pace.

Marmite is our best defender, take the armband from him and we lose him. As simple as that. Do you think he would stay? I don't.

He is not a bad captain. People compare Marmite to recent skippers Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira and that is not fair. Adams and Vieira were fantastic Arsenal leaders but look at who they had around them. Adams had Keown, Bould, Dixon, Seaman etc, and Vieira had Henry, Gilberto, Bergkamp, Parlour, Campbell etc.

Who does Marmite have to help him on the pitch? That's right, no one.

Gooners call for Cesc Fabregas to be made captain, where are his leadership qualities right now? I'm not seeing any. He maybe a future captain but he's too immature at the moment. He would struggle with the burden and let's not forget he is struggling already.

Toure has been mentioned but he isn't a first team regular anymore and his form is so poor I can't see that changing in the immediate future.

Almunia wore the armband against Fenerbache and while he produced an outstanding goalkeeping display, I'll say he cant even command his box, let alone command the team.

Gael Clichy is another mooted for the role. Out of the four alternatives to Marmite I've mentioned, he is the best option for me. But he is too quiet for the time being. Experience will draw his character out but he isn't ready yet.

And then we come to Arsene Wenger. We all know how stubborn the man is. It was obvious in the summer that Arsenal needed strengthening but that didn't happen. What makes anyone think that he will admit to being wrong over Marmite being made captain? (Although I felt it was right)

This bandwagon wont be stopped and I've never known an Arsenal player be criticised as much as Marmite. Even that little muppet Ashley Cole seems to have got off lightly compared to Marmite.

I know he doesn't make things easy for himself with his outbursts but for the most part he is right. He only says what we Gooners talk about yet he is destroyed for it.

I ask you, if Fabregas or Toure were captain and either came out with half the stuff Marmite said would they be as criticised? I think not.

Keep it Goonerish.................

Lets play the great William Gallas blame game!

William Gallas seems to be blamed for everything wrong at Arsenal so it's only fair that he gets the blame for everything else too.

Its easy to do, when things aren't going as planned, blame Gallas!

I had a cold Kebab last night, must have been Gallas' fault.

This morning my bacon sandwich came with red sauce instead of brown, clearly Gallas' fault.

The credit crunch is affecting everyone at the moment, I blame Gallas.

I've got a very painful headache, why did you give me this pain Gallas?

My Dad bought crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth, he blamed Gallas.

Catch my drift?

Keep it Goonerish..................

An Arsenal team meeting is needed and needed fast

In public Arsene Wenger loves to talk up Arsenal having a fantastic spirit and togetherness but behind the scenes it could be a different story altogether.

William Gallas has spoken of an argument he had to spilt up but would not reveal names. Maybe Gallas should not have made this public but it shows that something in the squad is not quite right.

When people spend a lot of time together they can fall out, its human nature. It happens in all walks of life and football is no different.

Maybe its time a team meeting was called. Let everyone have their say and clear the air. Any grievance's will be sorted and it will bring the squad closer together.

It feels so much better to get things off your chest and I'm sure that it would work for this Arsenal side.

I imagine there is plenty of frustration surrounding the Arsenal squad at the minute, I know that I'm frustrated!

The players hopefully have plenty of anger inside them at present. Getting it out will help a great deal.

Who knows, a meeting could change Arsenal's season? Maybe Arsene Wenger should try to install a "them against us" mentality into the squad.

Keep it Goonerish............

These suit Cristiano Ronaldo and John Terry not Nicklas Bendtner!

Cristiano Ronaldo and John Terry are always crying so I'd have thought that the new PINK Nike Mercurial Rosa football boots would be ideal for either of them.

Instead Nicklas Bendtner will be the first footballer to embarrass himself by wearing the "funky" boots for Arsenal in his next game.

Let's hope the boots help him score because lets face it, the only thing he has been scoring with lately is Steve Bruce's daughter!

Keep it Goonerish..............

What are Arsenal's REALISTIC expectations now?

John Terry seems to think ruling Arsenal out of the title race is stupid. I think he is just taking the piss to be honest.

The title is beyond us, we are too inconsistent and lack the fight against the less glamorous sides. I'd be happy to take a top four place right now. And I think we will.

Aston Villa seem a threat right now but they will run out of steam. They are not used to combining the Premiership and Europe.

The last few years have seen Arsene Wenger put the FA Cup into third place in his priority's. That needs to change. I fancy Le Boss to put stronger interest into this season's run, and unless it interferes with the Champions League, we could win it.

The Carling Cup will see the progression of the kids as usual. The semi-final beckons in my eyes and that would be another good account shown by the mini-mes.

And last but not least, that leaves the Champions League.

The Champions League is the holy grail to Arsene Wenger. I believe Arsenal can win it this season. Our football style suits the competition and the players raise their games for the big sides.

Keep it Goonerish................

Arsene Wenger needs to put Arsenal first, not a players future

Arsene Wenger is the manager of Arsenal Football club and he needs to begin to put the future of Arsenal before any player.

I've heard him say many times before that he doesn't want to make a signing because it puts the future of a player in that position at risk. Its time Mr Wenger changed that philosophy.

Le Boss has put a huge amount of faith and trust into this squad, and how he is being rewarded for doing so!

The squad is full of talent, that cannot be denied but for me there is something else this set of players are lacking.

Its a simple case of attitude. If these players can't put in the effort for the less glamorous games then I suggest they fuck off. We supporters want to see commitment.

A squad could have all the talent in the world but it doesn't mean a thing if the attitude is all wrong. We lack the correct attitude and Le Boss needs to rectify it.

The players are not repaying Wenger's faith in them. It's time to put the club first and not the players. Arsene, you've given them the chance and they are struggling. Do the right thing, for Arsenal's sake.

Keep it Goonerish...............

Aston Villa deserved the win, Arsenal deserve NOTHING!

I don't want to hear any excuses from Arsene Wenger about why we lost today. Aston Villa deserved the victory and Arsenal deserved nothing. End of.

Aston Villa outplayed us on our own turf and you wouldn't believe that this was the same Arsenal side that outplayed Manchester United last week.

It a simple case of attitude. If these players can't put in the effort for the less glamorous games then I suggest they fuck off. Aston Villa showed determination and character and the players couldn't match it. But they could against Manchester United. I wonder why?

It's about time this group of players bucked up their ideas. Arsene Wenger put a lot of faith into them and they are not living up to expectations.

Talking of expectations I have lowered mine. I felt the title was beyond us after the Stoke defeat now I'd just be happy with a fourth place finish.

I'm beginning to get worried. The gulf between us and the other big three seems to be widening, and even worse, the gap between us and the sides below seems to be narrowing.

Keep it Goonerish............

ARSENAL HAVE BEEN MULLERED FOR IT, SO WHY HAVEN'T LIVERPOOL???

Let me start by saying that this post is not a dig at Liverpool. Far from it in fact. Its a dig at the media and their hypocritical ways.

Last night in their Carling Cup match with Tottenham, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez decided against using any of his British born players in his starting line-up. I have no problem with that whatsoever, but what I do have a problem with is the media who haven't picked up on this.

In the past Arsenal have done the same thing, only to be absolutely mullered for doing so by the media. Why haven't Liverpool? Whats the difference between the two clubs? It's bollocks in my view.

Arsene Wenger has been destroyed by the media for picking eleven foreign players to start a game, I haven't heard, seen or read a sniff that Liverpool did the same last night.

I've read before that Arsenal are destroying the England national team by using so many foreign players. It's easy to blame other people when the finger really points a lot closer to home. England aren't that good and the media instead use Arsenal as a scapegoat. I'm fed up with it.

I honestly believe that the media have it in for Arsenal. The commentators for the Arsenal V Manchester United game the other day were so biased for United it was untrue.

The media need to take a big look at how they conduct themselves. Arsenal are slaughtered for using eleven foreign players, why wasn't Liverpool?

Maybe I'm reading into this too much............

Keep it Goonerish..................

Wilshere is too young to drink MOM champagne!!!

Arsene Wenger's young side should be ashamed of themselves. That was a DISGRACE!!!

Those kids embarrassing those experienced players like that. I mean what were they thinking? Where was the respect?

Loved the performance tonight. Absolutely loved it. It was top notch and these boys played again with no fear what so ever once they crossed that white line.

The lads were a true joy to watch. They stroked the ball around like the first-team, if not better at times, and destroyed an established Premiership side in Wigan who are far from a mug team.

The whole team were excellent tonight and Arsene Wenger should be very proud. The quality shown tonight was unbelievable.

The score finished 3-0 and it could have been more really. It probably would have been more had the influential Jack Wilshere not been substituted. He had to be subbed though, he is so young that it was past his bedtime!

He will be some player though, and he will have to wait until his 18th to drink that MOM champagne!

I could go through the whole team and say how well each individual played. I can't be bothered to do that because I'm tired so I've set up a BOM (boy of the match, they are only young!) poll on the top right of the blog.

Feel free to cast a vote or leave a comment!

Keep it Goonerish.................

Another gem unearthed by Wenger?

I've never seen Amaury Bischoff play but I'm looking forward to seeing him in an Arsenal shirt for the first time. He is in the squad for tonight's Carling Cup game against Wigan so hopefully he will feature at some stage.

He has been showing some promise in the reserves so lets hope he can reproduce that form into his first team career.

Some people feel that Arsene Wenger took a gamble on signing Bischoff after his injury problems but the gamble could prove to be worthwhile. After all, Bischoff didn't cost a penny and he could become another one of Arsene Wenger's smart transfer moves.

I've no doubt that he must have some potential otherwise Le Boss wouldn't have signed him.

One thing that confuses me is where is he actually from? Is he French? Or is he Portuguese? I hope Portuguese because,

A) I can call him a Portugeezer

B) He may progress to full international level for Portugal and injure Ronaldo in a training ground tackle.

Anyway, Le Boss has unearthed unknown gems before, I hope that this is another one.

Keep it Goonerish.................

The Dane with a whole load of pain

I feel sorry for Nicklas Bendtner. He has taken a bit of stick from some quarters after he missed a few decent chances on Saturday.

He is young and has a bright future ahead of him. Lets not jump on his back before his career has even begun.

Nicklas is a confident player but will be inconsistent because of his age. He is still learning his trade.

Yes he missed some chances but lets not forget he played upfront on his own against two world-class defenders in Ferdinand and Vidic. He worked his socks off for the whole game and deserves a bit of credit.

Bendtner will become a top player, and a top player for Arsenal no doubt. He isn't rated by so many people in the game for no reason. Let's show him a little support.

Keep it Goonerish...........

Arsenal V Manchester United-The BEST game seen this season

Arsenal and Manchester United games always provide plenty of entertainment and yesterday's clash at the Emirates kept up that trend. The game was the best seen in the Premiership this season and credit is due to both sides for providing us with end to end attacking football. The likes of Chelsea and Liverpool can only dream of playing football like Arsenal and Manchester United can.

Only Arsenal and Manchester United can serve up games of this quality......

I enjoy the pre-match shenanigans and the mind games that both managers like to dish out but Alex Ferguson was gracious in defeat and Arsene Wenger also praised Manchester United for their part in this game which makes a refreshing change from the usual post-match sniping involved.

What yesterdays game proved to me is that Arsenal can beat the best and if we can become more consistent then we have a chance of competing for major honours. What also was proved to me is that Gael Clichy is one of the best left-backs in the world and he kept Ronaldo quiet for long periods of the game. Ashley Cole is a dick-head but he used to have Ronaldo in his pocket, Clichy appears to also be able to handle Ronaldo and that is no mean feat.

Denilson followed up his solid display against Fenerbache with another admirable performance and is becoming a quite reliable partner to Cesc Fabregas. Having said that I still feel that the middle of the park is an area that Arsenal could strengthen in.

I was pleased with the way Arsenal put their foot in and showed plenty of hunger to win the ball back. It's not something we Gooners see often enough in my eyes, the players were well up for it. That is the sort of determination we want to see and its all good and proper doing it against Manchester United, but its the lower teams I want to see us doing it against. I cannot fault the players yesterday though in that respect.

A great win and a great game. It was the perfect Birthday present for me!

Keep it Goonerish............

You morons! Wenger isn't whingeing, he is smarter than you think!

If you have been watching Sky Sports News over the last couple of days you may have mistakenly believed that WW3 had just begun. The fuss over Arsene Wenger's statement about Stoke City's over exuberance last weekend has reached fever pitch.

Most seem to be jumping on the "Wenger is a whinger" bandwagon that has begun and I can't stop laughing about it. Do you know why? Because Arsene Wenger wouldn't want it any other way.

Wenger has created this storm on purpose. He isn't whingeing, (whingeing is the one of the kindest words from people I know!) he is being clever about the situation. He knew that the Arsenal squad were going to get severe stick from the media over the draw with Tottenham and a defeat to Stoke so he deflected the attention to himself.

There is the small matter of a game against Manchester United tomorrow, confidence in the squad may not be the highest and it would have taken an even huger battering from the media with the upcoming clash with United on the cards. The media would have had a field day explaining to the world what Manchester United were going to do to us.

Instead the focus has been diverted onto Arsene Wenger moaning. I think this is good management from Le Boss, he is creating an "us against the world" attitude in the Arsenal camp and that can only serve us well, especially baring in mind we are up against it tomorrow.

Having said this, it does piss me off the way the people are quick to jump onto any bandwagon forming. I guess it's just human nature but to me it just sums it up that in England we are quick to support these type of tactics that were used by Stoke.

Maybe that is half the reason England struggle to win things, we have a different mentality to the rest of the world. They like to play football, we like to kick people. We are very sharp to defend the battler and not so quick to defend the footballer.

Anyway,

Keep it Goonerish......................

Johan Djourou ready for Manchester United

I've been calling for Johan Djourou to be given a start and he was finally rewarded last night. He gave a faultless performance too.

Fenerbache didn't really show much ambition so Djourou wasn't tested as much as he would be this weekend (if he plays) but he showed that despite not being in the game for long periods of time, he had the concentration levels to perform well.

He never gave the ball away, always looking comfortable with the ball at his feet. He dealt with the long balls that we have struggled to defend against in the past with ease.

He was calm throughout and has given Arsene Wenger a selection headache at the back for the visit of Manchester United on Saturday. This is a welcome selection headache I must add.

Djourou showed great strength too, shrugging off the imposing figure of Guiza with ease, we will need that strength on Saturday.

I'm glad that Johan was given this chance. He has been overlooked in the past for Song and I have discussed before that I feel Johan Djourou should be before Song in the pecking order in defence.

A clean sheet was a welcome boost for the big game on Saturday and Johan contributed to it, despite Fenerbache's lack of ambition. I think he did well enough to start against United, whether he will or not is a different matter.

Keep it Goonerish................

Fabregas looks FRUSTRATED

I'm no expert in the science of body language but you wouldn't need to be an expert looking at Cesc Fabregas last night. He looked totally frustrated and forlorn.

I've never seen Cesc look so down. His shoulders were slumped and he didn't really seem up for it. I know that players have bad days and bad games but his performances haven't been up to the standard of last season. And last night was his worst.

Maybe its just the fact he misses his mates Hleb, Senderos and Flamini. They were all very close off the field so perhaps Cesc needs to get over the fact they are not there anymore.

The teams plight certainly isn't helping matters. Arsenal are lacking form and confidence and when that happens teams tend to look to their best player for inspiration. Fabregas is Arsenal's best player but at the age of 21 that is too much pressure for him too handle. Hence the reason he isn't captain.

There is no doubt that Fabregas is among the best midfielders in the world but even the best needs a solid partner to help. Last season he had Flamini as his side-kick and I'd argue that their partnership would have developed to be as good as the Vieira-Petit combination.

This season Denilson is his partner and I think that together they have struggled. Denilson is a good player but I don't think that he is up to playing every week consistently yet. I think Denilson is a good stand by for Cesc at the moment and will be a great player in the future but Cesc needs more than he offers. Saying that I thought Denilson had a decent game last night.

I'm not saying that Cesc Fabregas wants to leave Arsenal, far from it, but I do feel he is becoming increasingly frustrated at the direction of the club at the moment. We had such a promising team last season and went desperately close to winning honours. He then wins the Euro's with Spain only for Arsenal to be struggling this season. No wonder he is frustrated.

Keep it Goonerish.................

SACKING ARSENE WENGER IS NOT THE ANSWER!

There is a lot of anger flowing around Gooners at the moment and I completely understand why. We are struggling at the minute and it is very hard to watch the club we all love perform like this whilst the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool go from strength to strength.

There are a lot of Gooners out there with their own answers to the problems we are facing and whilst I respect every opinion my fellow Gooners have, one answer keeps popping up that I don't agree with. Sack Arsene Wenger.

This is without doubt the most difficult period that Arsene Wenger has faced in his time as Arsenal boss. Big questions are being asked of him for the first time by Gooners and he has to deal with it, but first, he needs to be given the chance to deal with it.

The situation we find ourselves in is down to Wenger and he deserves the chance to get us out of it. He has done too much for this club to be sacked, we are not Tottenham, a club who panic and sack every manager at the first hint of trouble brewing. We have to much class for that.

We have remained without silverware for four years, yes I know how frustrating it is, it's even more frustrating when you know that Wenger could have strengthened the side to put us in a stronger position to challenge. But where would sacking him leave us? With more problems than we currently have that's for sure.

Trust me, losing Wenger would be someone else's gain. How do you replace him and who with? The answer's are not so simple. Losing Wenger would mean an exodus of half this side. I understand that we want players to be tied to Arsenal and not Wenger but unfortunately that's the way it is. Players want to play for Arsene.

At the moment the players are under performing and it IS down to a lack of experience. Players like Denilson have the potential to be good players but it's too much to ask him to perform every week. He needs help and guidance from senior players, he won't get that from the current squad, there is no one there to help him. That is where Wenger has gone wrong and needs to rectify it. He can't expect a bunch of youngsters to play well every game.

Arsene Wenger has made mistakes over his Arsenal career but the most glaring mistakes he has made have come over the last couple of years. It's easy to see from our point of view what needs to be done. I only hope Le Boss can see too because he is in real danger of his legendary status being tainted at the moment.

I don't want Arsene Wenger to be sacked and I don't think he will be either. But what I do want is for him to take a deep look at himself and admit that his way isn't working out to plan. I know he is a proud man but it doesn't make him weak to admit that he needs to makes some adjustments to his ways of management.

He revolutionised the English Premiership but he is in danger of falling behind in the league that he helped to prosper. Arsenal football club have benefited hugely from Arsene Wenger but Arsene Wenger has also benefited from Arsenal in a big way.

He deserves the chance to get Arsenal back to the top of the English game and redeem himself in the eyes of some Gooners who believe his star is losing it's sparkle. I understand your frustrations my fellow Gooners but this is one Gooner who thinks that letting Arsene Wenger go would be a bad move for Arsenal.

Keep it Goonerish.............

Arsenal have LOST their fear factor

There was a time when teams facing Arsenal were beaten in the tunnel before the game. Sides looked at the imposing Arsenal line-up and didn't fancy it, they just wanted to keep the score down.

Unfortunately these times don't exist anymore. We are seen as the soft touch of the top four, the side that can be bullied and harassed into submission.

I mean no disrespect to any team I mention here, but any side with title aspirations should not be getting beaten by the likes of Fulham, Hull City and Stoke City, not just being beaten though, but deservedly beaten.

These sides show no fear when they play Arsenal, they know they can get something from the game if they persevere.

Chelsea and Manchester United beat sides before they even step onto the pitch. Teams know that anything from a game against either of these two is a bonus, they feel confident of gaining something against Arsenal.

Arsenal used to have an air of invincibility about them but now there is an air of venerability surrounding them. We don't strike fear into the opposition anymore and that hurts.

Keep it Goonerish............

01/11/2008 R.I.P title bid

This isn't an over-reaction and I'm sorry to say this but I really feel that the title race is now over for Arsenal.

Chelsea and Manchester United are beginning to look like machines and Liverpool look like the real deal for a change. We don't.

I really hope that I'm wrong but the evidence is clear. We are not good enough. What side with title ambitions goes to Stoke City, and doesn't even test the keeper for the whole of the second half?

We looked out of sorts, out of ideas and conceded TWO goals from throw-ins. That is Stokes main danger! Wasn't the players aware of this???

I mean no disrespect to Stoke City, they deserved their victory and credit must go to them for that, but spare a thought for every Gooner that went up to Stoke today. They did not deserve to see that shit. They didn't deserve to see an Arsenal side who looked disinterested but that's what they got.

I'm not calling for Arsene Wenger's head but I want him to take a good look at himself in the mirror after today's performance. There can be no more excuses about how young the side is, Arsene, you built the side, YOU are the reason we lack experience.

The players need to look at themselves too. They play for a club with high standards and right now they aren't performing to those standards.

Keep it Goonerish..............

This is why it's embarrassing to be a Spud

http://shop.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs08/detail.php?productid=ST39060&pr

Cant wait for the mug to come out!

Keep it Goonerish.................

Our fourth wake up call, Arsenal V Spurs, it had everything and more!

Obviously being a Gooner I'm upset with the result of last night. I don't think I've ever seen a side be 4-2 up with a minute to go and then draw 4-4, let alone Arsenal.

It has put a huge dent in our title ambitions but its a dent we can straighten out by beating Manchester United on November 8th. That game has even more importance now than it has had for a long time.

I, like every other Gooner, was doing my nut at how the game finished last night. I'm still slightly angry at the way we have thrown two points away but I must say that the game had absolutely everything you could want in a football match.

It was a roller-coaster of emotions, one minute we are flying and the next in the pits of despair. I felt the same way last season in the Champions League tie against Liverpool when Adebayor scored our second to almost see us through only for Gerrard to score a penalty 30 seconds later to pretty much knock us out. Real up and down stuff!

You could argue that we have seen goal of the season as well. I hate Bentley and his cocky attitude but the way he took his goal was amazing. I was gutted that HE managed to score but I have to give him credit for the way he took the chance. Although it took me five replays to admit this because at first I assumed Bentley just took a heavy second touch!

I look at the Arsenal performance and I think that we dominated the match and under normal circumstances scoring four goals would be more than enough to win. Unfortunately for us derby games against Tottenham don't have normal circumstances and the game never goes to plan. The game last night and the 5-4 win for us a few years back prove this.

We played some great stuff last night and opened up Tottenham at will, the four goals reflect that on our part. Defensively we were far from great and you could suggest we played more than our fair share in Tottenhams goals. The first Spurs goal was a stunner, the second was courtesy of Almunia trying to stop the ball with his face, the third Clichy was tripped by thin air and the fourth was the little girl not being closed down quick enough before her strike set-up Rude Boy to tuck home via the post.

I liked the way we looked dangerous at set-pieces for a change although it could have more to do with the fact Spurs can't defend from set-pieces, a bit like us really! That was a positive though and Silvestre and Gallas look more than capable of threatening from these situations.

Arsene Wenger needs to sort out how we defend as a team. The defenders looked pretty solid last night and didn't give much away. The midfield however have to start closing down the opposition a lot quicker. I lost count of the number of times Modric was allowed to run thirty or so yards with the ball unchallenged, Jenas' goal was a classic example.

Arsene Wenger also needs to take a look at how he uses his subs in a game. The substitutions he made last night put us on the back foot and allowed Tottenham to come at us in the last ten minutes. Wenger is his own harshest critic and I'm sure he will assess this.

Overall I'm disappointed by the result but quite happy with how we played for most of the game. We played some great stuff and really turned on the style at times. Unfortunately though playing with verve and style doesn't win you trophies. Winning games does though and until we learn from our mistakes I fear for our chances.

That is our fourth wake up call already this season. We cannot allow for anymore.

Keep it Goonerish................

A message to all Spuds, THE BRAGGING ENDS TONIGHT!

I've heard nothing but "5-1" ever since the Spuds turned our reserves over last season in the tin-pot cup. Tonight that bragging ends, the buck stops here.

I'm full of confidence going into tonight's game. The Arsenal first team will be pissed off that the Spuds embarrassed their mates last season and will be fired up for this one.

Even the great Harry Redknapp can't stop the inevitable. If Arsenal get an early goal then I can see an avalanche of Gooner goals raining in.

The last time we lost to the Spuds in the league was on my birthday, 7th November 1999 and despite their drubbing of our reserves last season they tend to forget the fact we did the double over them.

I expect the roof to be raised tonight and I expect a performance from the boys. The adrenalin is building up big time, its time for the bragging to stop.

Keep it Goonerish................

Goodbye to an Arsenal legend in the making

I would like to take the opportunity to say goodbye to a man who could have achieved legendary status at Arsenal.

Never given the chance to fulfill his true potential, he was sacked ruthlessly despite winning his team a new tea-mug, the first tea-mug they had won since 1999.

He was set to take his team to new heights, the dream of a top four finish would not have been beyond his club in the Championship.

Although his pride is dented, the reported £7.5 million compensation claim will no doubt help to heal his wounded ego.

Gooners world-wide, I'd like to say goodbye to Juande Ramos, who given the chance could "one-day" have helped Tottenham Hotspur be relegated. You could have been an Arsenal legend Juande.

Goodbye Mr Ramos.

Keep it Goonerish..............

Harry Redknapp is at a "big club" now, so Tony Adams to take over at Pompey?

Harry Redknapp has left Pompey in the lurch again to take over a "big club". I'm confused because the last time I checked Tottenham Hotspur were NOT a big club, just a club living in the shadows of a truly big club, Arsenal. Anyway, enough of that.

With Mr Redknapp realising his dream, there is the small matter of a managerial opening down at Portsmouth. Could Tony Adams be the man to continue Redknapp's work on the south-coast?

Portsmouth are a smashing club. They have a good side down there and the Pompey faithful are some of the best fans you will find. They are loud and fanatical about Portsmouth, especially that nutter who has about 4567 Pompey tattoo's and a big blue wig. He actually frightens me.

Tony Adams could find himself in the second job of his dreams at Fratton Park, obviously the first job of his dreams would be becoming Arsenal manager. Nevertheless, I'd say Portsmouth would a good job for him to begin his Premiership managerial career.

Tony Adams wants to prove that he can succeed as the gaffer after his spell at Wycombe didn't end the way he'd have liked. We Gooners know how determined he is and his time at Wycombe will have hurt him because he is a winner.

Hopefully the door at Portsmouth may have opened for him to have another crack at managing. If the chance arises it will be a great opportunity for him to give it ago and show what he can do.

Arsene Wenger recently said that he expects some of his former players to give managing a crack, could Tony Adams step up to the plate at Portsmouth given the chance?

Who knows, if he takes over at Pompey and does a good job he might find himself in the Arsenal hot-seat one day.

Keep it Goonerish.............

Did Gallas actually kill anyone with that cigarette?

NO he didn't, but judging by some people's reactions you would have thought that he'd gone on a mass murdering spree poking people to death with his zippo lighter.

I'll admit it wasn't Gallas' finest hour, getting caught like that was stupid. He should have hid round the back of the bike sheds, it worked for me, I never got caught at school.

At the end of the day it hasn't done Billy any favours with Gooners but was it really that bad? Lot's of people smoke, it isn't a big deal.

People will say he's supposed to be a role-model to kids, well Gallas smoking or not smoking wouldn't influence them anyway. Kids OR anyone else will smoke because their mates do OR maybe because they want to.

I think there is a band-wagon forming about Gallas and lots of people are jumping on it. Any little mistake he makes is high-lighted to the extreme. Birmingham incident aside I can't work out why, but my main suspicion is because he used to play for Chelsea.

People say he isn't the right captain for the club, well who is? Arsene Wenger seems to think that he is and as it happens, so do I.

We can't keep comparing Gallas to captains of the past. Tony Adams IS the greatest captain of all time at Arsenal, but he was one of a kind. You will never see a captain like Adams again at the club in our life-time so its unfair to keep comparing the two. Its like comparing chalk and cheese.

I sometimes think that some Gooners can't wait for Gallas to slip up just to say I told you so, had it been Toure caught with a snout most Gooners would have probably laughed.

Lets not make a scapegoat out of him, although I fear that it's too late for that already.

Keep it Goonerish............

It works both ways Arsene!

Arsene Wenger has spoken of a lack of noise at the Emirates and while I'll admit that the match-day atmosphere could be improved greatly, I think he has a different motive behind his statement.

I don't really think its the noise issue that bothers him, the atmosphere at Arsenal has been the same throughout his time at the club. I think that Wenger feels Gooners don't have enough belief in the squad, he badly wants us to believe in this squad as much as he does.

Wenger has built a squad that is huge on talent and potential, but in my honest opinion I think we are still a little short. We are 90% there and deep down I'm sure Le Boss thinks so as well. Why else would he have tried to sign Alonso on dead-line day?

The lack of support comment from Arsene is harsh. We have supported everything that Arsene Wenger has done at the club and in recent years we have been very supportive despite a lack of silverware. We have been patient while Arsene rebuilds his latest side and I think he forgets that.

Of course you will get grumbling from the fans, I grumble about Arsenal but its only because I care about and love the club. I think Arsene Wenger needs to realise how lucky he is too have such support from fans because the situation can easily turn. Had Wenger been in charge of Chelsea, Manchester United or even Tottenham, I'm sure there would have been many calls for his head over the lack of silverware in recent years.

We are lucky too that we have such a great manager and thats why we are patient and understanding of what Wenger is trying to do at Arsenal. We realise that the squad is young and needs time, thats why we understand about a lack of trophies.

However, Wenger wants his side to deliver NOW so there are no excuses anymore about the side being young. It's time for the side to win things again and all it needs is one trophy and the rest will follow.

I'm prepared to throw all my weight behind the side and support them (like I always have) to the best of my ability. The side needs our support but the side needs to deliver. It works both ways!

Keep it Goonerish.......

What does the future hold for Johan Djourou?

As Le-Boss whittled down the team sheet for the game against Fenerbahce Johan Djourou must have been sitting there listening through gritted teeth. He wasn't starting again.

Johan Djourou is one of our brightest talents at the club and he now finds himself as the FIFTH choice centre back, for a player of his quality that is criminal.

Song is a player who doesn't have a position that he can call his own, a "jack of all trades" if you like yet he is picked in front of Djourou. I can't understand it!

I think Song is a player that every squad needs, he can provide cover but he shouldn't be played at the expense of someone like Djourou, especially at the back, an area we struggle in at the best of times.

Djourou has shown that he is ready and more than capable of a starting place in the Arsenal side. I believe when he and Gallas began the season as a partnership we looked more solid than we have done in a long time.

Instead Djourou finds himself on the bench despite our regular partnership of Gallas and Toure unavailable. What does the boy have to do to play?

Keep it Goonerish...........

Success is built on the foundations of a solid defence

Any side with aspirations to winning the Champions League or any competition needs a solid defence. Arsenal looked far from solid last night.

How many times were we carved open and forced to rely on the excellent Manuel Almunia? Too many in my opinion.

We were also lucky that Fenerbahce had the Spanish equivalent of Adebayor playing up front for them, Guiza and Adebayor must be in a competition for who can be offside the most. I've no idea who will win.

Admittedly Arsenal didn't have our first choice defensive pairing playing, but then again Gallas and Toure haven't looked the most solid partnership this season either.

We have big problems at the back and it's needs rectifying, on another night this game could have ended 5-5 and all the team's superb attacking play would have been undone.

And superb we were going forward. We looked like scoring every time we went forward, it was a joy to watch. Nothing can be taken away from the team in an attacking sense, to go to such a heated atmosphere and score five goals is an incredible achievement and one we Gooners are very proud of. However despite this we cannot overlook the fact we were opened up at will by a poor Fenerbahce side.

As I've said from an attacking point of view we couldn't have done anymore, however great we were going forward the same has to be said for Manuel Almunia. He was top notch and gave a captains performance, it was probably the best display I've seen from Almunia in an Arsenal shirt. He was amazing.

I hate to sound negative about the defence after such a great win but it needs to be said. If we don't sharpen up at the back we will end up potless again and what a shame what would be. We have proved to devastating effect the damage we can do to teams, if we can be more solid at the back we could win the lot.

Keep it Goonerish........

Almunia leads Arsenal out as captain in Turkey

With William Gallas and Kolo Toure missing tonight's game in Turkey through injury, Manuel Almunia will lead out the Gunners as captain in a surprise choice by Arsene Wenger.

The Spanish keeper has come far in his short time at Arsenal and being selected as Arsenal skipper will be the highest point of his career to date.

I believed that Cesc Fabregas would have been handed the armband in Gallas' and Toure's absence but that has not been the case. These days it seems the oldest player in the Arsenal side gets the captaincy through default!

Anyway, good luck Manuel!

Keep it Goonerish...........