The news that Eduardo will play again will serve as a relief to the Arsenal players. Now watch them explode against Villa.....

The super news that their team-mate Eduardo WILL play again will surely spur the players into action against Villa. It will be a tough game, but every game from now until the end of the season are going to be cup finals for Arsenal.

We must give everything in to the remaining fixtures because this title race is going to the wire and may even come down to goal difference! Aston Villa will be one of the tougher games that we have left to play in the League.

Martin O'Neill's side are chasing the forth Champions League spot and have it firmly in their sight's, while we are obviously chasing the title so the game has the making's of a classic. Villa will come organised and hard to break down, just like O'neill's sides always are.

The players though are now aware that Eduardo's injury is no longer a career threatening one so this will allow them to concentrate on the match. If Eduardo had had his career ended then I feel the players would be devestated and couldn't focus on the game. With the news that Dudu will be back albeit in 9 months, watch the players perform and extend our unbeaten run to 13 games in the Premiership.

Yes we are unbeaten in 12 matches but you don't hear that from the media because we aren't Manchester United. That type of biasness has helped the Arsenal squad pull together and work better as a team. And if we play like we did in the first half at Villa Park then I'm sure that we will win. Apparently United are going to steamroll the rest of the season, I'm sure that the Gunners have something to say about that!

Villa haven't beaten us in 18 games, and are yet to win in London this season. Despite leading the Scum 4-1 at a time in that fixture. All this will change one day, but I'm confident that tomorrow won't be that day.

The players will be up for tomorrow. There maybe some nail-biting moments but this side have been up against it all season and are doing the job. And will continue to do so again.

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

Gallas is a superb captain, a winner AND only human, thats why he reacted like he did.....

Many people are jumping on the back of William Gallas after his display on Saturday after the Birmingham game. It could be seen by many as petulance and a show of self-indulgance. It's even been said that he should be stripped of the captain's arm band and that he is everything a skipper should not be. What a load of SHIT!!!!

I'm sorry but I dont feel like this. I felt every bit of anger that he showed. I think that it showed how much it means to him to win football games, and I'm happy that he showed his emotions and didn't bottle them up inside.

Footballers are not robots. They are human beings just like you and I. They have emotions and after that game on Saturday emotions would have been running extremley high. He had seen one of mates leg snapped just yards away, seen his side concede two goals from very debatable decisions and seen his side throw away two very crucial points in the title race. I'm glad that he showed how much it meant to him and isn't afraid of showing his emotion in public.

You could say that he should have waited until he got into the changing room but he didn't. I'm sure there has been plenty of times when you or I have lost our temper and let it go, regardless of where we are. It wasn't a case of "look at me, I'm upset" it was a genuinely upset man who let his feelings out.

And what of the people who appaulded the decision to make him captain? It that a poor decision now? He has led by example all season and has bonded this young Arsenal team together in a big way. He is a winner and that is rubbing off on the squad. Henry's departure has helped, but lets not forget the contribution of Gallas this season.

The man has been a true help to this young squad and will inspire to win. He is the right man for the job and for me is doing a great job. People may or may not agree with me on this, but that is how I see it.

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

Happy Birthday Eduardo-An open letter wishing you all the best....

Dear Dudu,

Happy birthday mate, I know you're in hospital recovering after a horrific injury on Saturday. But there was some good news today, even if it may seem like the end of the world at the moment.

You had an operation on Saturday night in Birmingham and thank god it has been successful. We were worried that you could never play football again but news coming from the surgeons and the Arsenal medical team has been good. You WILL be back my son. We don't know when exactly but the news that you will be back is the best news that I and I'm sure alot of Gooners have heard in a long time.

Thank god you dont remember exactly what happened the other day. That is some comfort I suppose. I was truly gutted for you mate. It brought tears to my eye's to see you stricken like that. It is something that hopefully no one will ever see again.

Dudu, you are a gentleman and was on the verge of being an Arsenal regular. That is something to help you with your recovery. You will become an Arsenal great and slowly but surely, you are becoming a fan's favourite. It is a shame that the injury happened at all but even more so as you were finding your feet in the Premiership and getting better with every game that you played.

When you come back, expect the loudest Gooner roar imaginable. I believe that you will come back even better than you were because you have the strength to do it. We've read about the nights you spent in the freezing Zagreb streets while waiting for a work permit in Croatia. That shows alone that you have bottle.

You will need to draw on all your inner strengths Dudu, but you will do this. I'm sorry that you won't be going to the Euro's in the summer with Croatia and putting yourselve firmly on the European map, but you will one day. You have the ability to go far in football and although that has been put on hold. You will reach the top.

Remember that us Gooner's love you. You will be held in the highest esteem by us and always will be. We are behind you every step of the way in your recovery and when the days are long and hard, don't forget the feeling of scoring a goal and 60,000 Gooners going ballistic and worshipping you. It may at times feel lonely, but it won't be. Because you have a fantasic squad behind you who want to win the Premiership for you. You have the best fans in football behind you who can't wait to see you in the red of Arsenal again.

I wish you all the luck in the world Dudu. You are in our thoughts, and we are wishing you better all the time. Happy Birthday Dudu. Get well soon mate, just think of all the goals you will score for Arsenal.......

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

Happy Birthday Eduardo-An open letter wishing you all the best....

Dear Dudu,

Happy birthday mate, I know you're in hospital recovering after a horrific injury on Saturday. But there was some good news today, even if it may seem like the end of the world at the moment.

You had an operation on Saturday night in Birmingham and thank god it has been successful. We were worried that you could never play football again but news coming from the surgeons and the Arsenal medical team has been good. You WILL be back my son. We don't know when exactly but the news that you will be back is the best news that I and I'm sure alot of Gooners have heard in a long time.

Thank god you dont remember exactly what happened the other day. That is some comfort I suppose. I was truly gutted for you mate. It brought tears to my eye's to see you stricken like that. It is something that hopefully no one will ever see again.

Dudu, you are a gentleman and was on the verge of being an Arsenal regular. That is something to help you with your recovery. You will become an Arsenal great and slowly but surely, you are becoming a fan's favourite. It is a shame that the injury happened at all but even more so as you were finding your feet in the Premiership and getting better with every game that you played.

When you come back, expect the loudest Gooner roar imaginable. I believe that you will come back even better than you were because you have the strength to do it. We've read about the nights you spent in the freezing Zagreb streets while waiting for a work permit in Croatia. That shows alone that you have bottle.

You will need to draw on all your inner strengths Dudu, but you will do this. I'm sorry that you won't be going to the Euro's in the summer with Croatia and putting yourselve firmly on the European map, but you will one day. You have the ability to go far in football and although that has been put on hold. You will reach the top.

Remember that us Gooner's love you. You will be held in the highest esteem by us and always will be. We are behind you every step of the way in your recovery and when the days are long and hard, don't forget the feeling of scoring a goal and 60,000 Gooners going ballistic and worshipping you. It may at times feel lonely, but it won't be. Because you have a fantasic squad behind you who want to win the Premiership for you. You have the best fans in football behind you who can't wait to see you in the red of Arsenal again.

I wish you all the luck in the world Dudu. You are in our thoughts, and we are wishing you better all the time. Happy Birthday Dudu. Get well soon mate, just think of all the goals you will score for Arsenal.......

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

Some people are just plain sick-How could anyone mock Eduardo?

I'm writing this with anger and I can't believe that some people in this world are sick enough in the head to mock the poor unfortunate Eduardo. It is not funny and I've had two stand up rows about it already. There is a player here who has the potential to be a great. He has his career in front of him and this could be ended by a shocking tackle. Yet some comments made on this blog and people I have spoken too has sickened me. I thank every person who has left a comment giving Eduardo their thoughts and luck, you are brilliant............Maybe I'm too sensitive about the situation? I dont know. I do know that I feel so gutted for Dudu and actually had tear's in my eyes when I saw the pictures and the tackle again. I can't believe it's happened and I just want the news that Eduardo will recover and continue his career...........So all u scum who thinks its funny that a career could be ended, carry on, laugh it up. I just hope that someone close to you don't suffer the same way. As for the true football fans and people who wish Dudu all the luck in the world. Thank you........keep it Goonerish

Hoping the horror of Eduardo end's the stupid tackles that plague our game.

I cant stop thinking about the horror tackle by Taylor. Whether it was intentional or not, it was a bad one. To tackle that high is asking for trouble and lately there has been plenty. Even our own Flamini flew into Nani last week so Arsenal ourselves aren't whiter than white. Is it going to take a career ending challenge to stop these "assaults" on players? I sincerely hope this isn't the case with Eduardo. Not just because he is an Arsenal player but because he could have a brilliant career in front of him. He is a very talented player and if his short career in football is shortened even more then football is worse for it.............I feel so bad for Dudu as I'm sure all the Gooners in the world are and in general, fans of football. I pray that he makes a full recovery from this. I just hope that the seriousness of this will end the stupid flying tackles.

Gallas in tears; Eduardo's horror; Walcotts glee; two points dropped!!! Eventful day in the 2nd city.....

It was a game with plenty of incidents and the worst was the injury to poor Eduardo. The sickening injury he has suffered today has come at a terrible time for him and Arsenal. He was beginning to find his feet in the Premiership and his place in the Arsenal starting line up. This leaves Arsenal short upfront, but that doesn't come into context with Eduardo's injury. The poor lad will miss the end of the season AND Croatia's 2008 Euro finals squad. He must be gutted and I wish Dudu a speedy recovery; all the best mate.................At the final whistle Gallas was crying tears of frustration after we conceded a debatable penalty. It looked like Clichy won the ball to me, and the free kick that led to the first Brummie goal was also questionable. But in fairness it was our own fault that we have dropped two points today. We missed several chances to kill the game off at 2-1 so we've shot ourselves in the foot on a day when Theo Walcott scored his first and second premiership goals for us. And by the way Gallas was not sulking. He takes the game like us Gooners do and I bet when that goal went in it felt like a defeat to him, just like us Gooners................Hopefully these goals will springboard Theo into some form for the remainder of the season. He is a confidence player and you could the difference in his game today after he scored the first. His second was class, but would he have had the confidence to take that chance on if he hadn't scored his first? I doubt it...................All in all I'd say I'm disappointed with the dropped points. What a great chance to put the pressure on ManUSA, but the reality is that there is something much more disheartening than this and that is Eduardo's injury. I know I've covered this but I'm truly gutted for him. I really hope that he makes a FULL recovery from this and becomes one of the best strikers in Europe, which is what he was becoming...............Keep it Goonerish.

Gallas in tears; Eduardo's horror; Walcotts glee; two points dropped!!! Eventful day in the 2nd city.....

It was a game with plenty of incidents and the worst was the injury to poor Eduardo. The sickening injury he has suffered today has come at a terrible time for him and Arsenal. He was beginning to find his feet in the Premiership and his place in the Arsenal starting line up. This leaves Arsenal short upfront, but that doesn't come into context with Eduardo's injury. The poor lad will miss the end of the season AND Croatia's 2008 Euro finals squad. He must be gutted and I wish Dudu a speedy recovery; all the best mate.................At the final whistle Gallas was crying tears of frustration after we conceded a debatable penalty. It looked like Clichy won the ball to me, and the free kick that led to the first Brummie goal was also questionable. But in fairness it was our own fault that we have dropped two points today. We missed several chances to kill the game off at 2-1 so we've shot ourselves in the foot on a day when Theo Walcott scored his first and second premiership goals for us. And by the way Gallas was not sulking. He takes the game like us Gooners do and I bet when that goal went in it felt like a defeat to him, just like us Gooners................Hopefully these goals will springboard Theo into some form for the remainder of the season. He is a confidence player and you could the difference in his game today after he scored the first. His second was class, but would he have had the confidence to take that chance on if he hadn't scored his first? I doubt it...................All in all I'd say I'm disappointed with the dropped points. What a great chance to put the pressure on ManUSA, but the reality is that there is something much more disheartening than this and that is Eduardo's injury. I know I've covered this but I'm truly gutted for him. I really hope that he makes a FULL recovery from this and becomes one of the best strikers in Europe, which is what he was becoming...............Keep it Goonerish.

Three reason's why the number "8" could be of huge importance to Arsenal.....

Reason 1-

With news coming from managing director Keith Edelman that Arsene Wenger could be in charge for another eight years at the Arsenal could we be in a more stable position? The future is looking bright and Arsenal announced pre-tax profits of £20 million for the six months up to November 2007, Edelman thinks Arsene Wenger is the man to take the club even further than he already has.

Wenger signed a 3 year contract in the summer worth £4 million a year, and is Arsenal's longest serving and most successful manager in the history of the club. Edelman has 8 years left on his contract at the club and is convinced Wenger will be there for at least the time he remains at the club.

"I don't think it [Wenger's departure date] is something we're contemplating at this juncture. He has just the other day announced he has a hunger to go on forever," said Edelman.

"He won't go on forever, that's an exaggeration on his part, but I don't think it will be my problem.

"I've got another seven or eight years to go and it won't be my worry."

When Wengers friend David Dein left the club in the summer it threw his own future in doubt. But he has remained loyal to Arsenal and will see out the work that he has progressed with so far. With talk of Barca wanting him, this great news for Gooners all round.

Reason 2-

Talking of the number eight, this could be important for Arsenal in the present and in the future. If we win at St Andrews tomorrow lunch-time it will put us eight points clear at the top of the table. Eight points in front at this stage of the season would be a HUGE advantage, and we must get the victory to put the pressure on ManUSA. How good would it be to see Kevin Keegan's Newcastle beat United after we have beaten Birmingham? I would love, just love it!!! (Sorry. bad joke!)

Reason 3-

And last reason for the number eight's relevance, the future. What I mean by this is who will be wearing the number "8" shirt on their back for next season? After Diarra's hasty scarpering, the number has been freed up for a new Gunner to wear. My money is on Carlos Vela. This little Mexican has been playing very well on loan to Spanish club Osasuna and looks a very good prospect for Arsenal. Wenger rates him very highly and so do I after seeing highlights of the player. Arsenalanalysis (a great Arsenal blog) has been running plenty of posts on the player and keeping us Gooners updated on his progress.

He signed a new deal at Arsenal at the beginning of the year and is a similar player to a certain Mr Reyes. Now Reyes could have top-class at Arsenal and I only hope that Vela will adapt better than he did and become a top Arsenal player. With the number "8" shirt on his back...........

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

0-0 is NOT a bad result....the clean sheet is vital....

0-0 at home in the first leg of a Champions League tie is not a bad result. It is VITAL to keep a clean sheet at home and Arsenal have achieved that tonight. It was a great game at times and could be described as "nail biting" in moments.........I felt we played brilliant stuff at times and were more than a match for Milan. In fact I'd say we are unlucky to not have come away with a victory..........People will say that this was a Milan masterclass and the result suits them. I say bollocks to that. There is no reason for us to fear them after tonights showing and us Gooners have every right to be optimistic for the second leg at the San Siro in two weeks time.......... I have every belief in this Arsenal side to score in Italy. And I think we can do it. It was a game where you could see the mutual respect between the sides which was good to see after the ManUSA match........Anyway, I'm off to bed, I feel drained, but proud to be a Gooner. Night all..........keep it Goonerish..........

Get yourself down the bank, draw out £10 and back Arsenal to win 2-0!!!!!

That's exactly what I have done. Not that I'm telling you what to do with your money or anything!! I right fancy us to do a job on Milan tonight. It will be a tough game, I mean we're facing the European Champions but this Arsenal side can do it.

Arsenal are top of the league, 5 points clear in the Premiership and Milan are off the pace in Serie A in 5th place. This means nothing in tonight's game though. Form go's out the window in the Champions League and that little bit of luck that is needed can take you a long long way in deciding your destiny.

Milan seem to save their best for the Champions League. And the reason for their poor placing in Serie A seems to be their home form. They have been poor at the San Siro this season but away they are formidable. They have as many away wins in Serie A so far as anyone, with 7 wins out of a possible 12. This alone makes them dangerous tonight.

They are the side to beat if recent years in the Champions League are to go by. But I feel Arsenal have enough to do the job on the Italians. This is the biggest test that Arsenal would have faced at any stage in the competition from ANYONE. This was the hardest draw we could have had, but as soon as the draw was made I was on the phone to fellow Gooners, and straight away fancied us to progress to the last eight.

This is where the competition become crucial. One slip up and your out. It's vital that we dont concede tonight and 0-0 isn't the worst result in the world. In fact, it's a decent one. Every goal now has a purpoise, concentration is key and Milan have that in abundence. They are not European Champs for nothing. This is the time for this young but brilliant Arsenal side to stand up and be counted, and I think that they will. They will respond to the ManUSA defeat and play the way that we love to play. And that's what will win us the tie.

Our side are youthful and yes Milan have experiance, but can they cope with the fast flowing football Arsenal can produce? All that experiance will mean nothing if Arsenal play the way we know they can play. They will not have the legs for us. Thats why I've had the £10 bet. If Arsenal turn up, and no doubt they will, then we will win tonight. This is the BIGGEST European night in the history of the Emirates so far, let's go out and win the damn thing!!!!

I've no doubt that Arsenal were a team that any club that had made the last 16 were keen to avoid. Let's not forget that. We can match anyone on our day and I'm more than sure we can match Milan and surpass them.

We are in a great position, top of the league and facing the Cup holders tonight. We now know our targets, lets hope that we hit them.

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

Arsenal's game against Milan is big, but Birmingham is bigger.....

This may seem strange to some, but I feel that the game against Birmingham on Saturday is bigger than Milan tommorrow night. The Champions League to some is the holy grail. I'm not one of them. It is a fantasic trophy to win, but I would rather see William Gallas lifting the Premiership trophy high above his head than the Champions league.

The run in the Champions League we had in 2006 was special. It lifted us in what was a pretty gloomy season in truth. We were struggling to get into forth place and the Championship League gave us an outlet from the struggle we were facing in the Premiership. It was brilliant to watch as we beat the sides like Juventus and Real Madrid who were expected to wipe the floor with us. In true underdog style we performed brilliantly to make it to Paris.

It was a killer to be defeated in that final. Heartbreaking in fact. To see the side reach the final and be beaten was the WORST moment I've ever had as a Gooner. But the side performed so bravely that I have never felt prouder of my club.

The Champions League is a lottery. The draw can be kind and the thing that you need most is luck. You may be getting a hiding in the game and losing 2-0, but you had a 1-0 victory at home in the first leg, you break away and score in the last minute and bang, your through on away goals. Great and exciting, but in truth you were lucky to go through.

The Premiership is about 38 games against teams who want to beat you so bad it's unbelievable. Your a big scalp and teams raise their game against you that extra 10%. You travel to sides like Derby who have no hope in staying up, but want to beat you because your Arsenal. It's the most difficult trophy to win, anywhere. If your a London club, like Arsenal, it's even more difficult to win. You have several derbies to play in a season at frantic pace.

Thats why I feel Birmingham is bigger. The Premiership is every week. The Champions League is played at various stages of the season. I'm not doubting how prestigious the Champions League is, and to win it would be amazing, but to win the Premiership is even more amazing.

The game tommorrow is big, but Birmingham is bigger. By 2:30 on Saturday afternoon we could 8 points clear of ManUSA. That is special. And of course I want Arsenal to beat Milan tommorrow night, but to be 8 points clear of ManUSA and then see them struggle to a draw at St James Park would be even better.

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

Gallas is a lucky boy!!!

William Gallas is a lucky boy after the FA confirmed that no further action will be taken against him following his kick-out at the flash little git, Nani the Nana. Fergie shouting his mouth off didn't do the trick for a change, and Gallas escapes any suspensions which is a touch as he would have missed a quarter of the Gunners remaining games. The ref was not satisfied that it showed violent conduct, he must have been blind! But it was the best thing that he did all weekend after being in Fergie and ManUSA's pocket all game.....keep it GOONERISH..........

Will Thuram sign for Arsenal as a player in the summer? Uuumm cant see it some how!! But maybe as a coach?

Lillian Thuram was linked with a move to the Arsenal last week from the French press. Can't really see this happening!!! Wenger is rumoured to have offered France's most capped player the chance to end his career with the Gunners, playing for one season and then learning a new trade as a coach at the same time.

Thurams advisor Oscar Damiani has denied that talks have taken place with Wenger and the player doesn't even know whether he will continue playing football when this season ends. His contract at Barca ends in the summer too, so there wouldn't be a transfer fee involved if the deal went ahead.

Wenger has worked with Thuram in the past at Monaco and has been linked with bringing Thuram to the Gunners several times over the years. I really can't see this happening! Could he handle the pace of the Premiership at his age? Don't get me wrong, he was and still is a fantasic player but if the transfer would ever have happened, then surely this would have been when he was at his peak?

If he was to come to the club as a player/coach, which has been mooted around then wouldn't he have to pass some coaching exams or something? I'm sure that's standard now in becoming a coach. I may be wrong.

If he came to Arsenal, wouldn't he also slow the progression of Senderos and Djourou? That would be wrong because the signing would only be short-term and if we did sign another centre back then the player would need more longevity than Thuram. Someone like Micah Richards, who as you know, I feel would be perfect for Arsenal.

I'm sure he wouldn't want to spend time on the bench, which brings into the account again that the role would be more coaching than playing! Which in fairness, I think could be a good role for him. If he came (and passed his exams) and was given a coaching role then that could be good for the club. He is very experianced and Toure reminds me of a young Thuram at times. Perfect mentor perhaps?

I would be happy for him to come to Arsenal as a coach. Not as a player. He is a very experianced man and can be described as one of the best defenders in the the last decade. It would benefit him as he will learn a new trade at the best club in world football and our young defence will get valuable advice from the best. Wenger likes him and apparently even uses Thuram as an example to the team when talking about professionalisim.

He is a top man, and maybe a role at the Arsenal could be found, but only in a coaching capacity. Not as a player......

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

Shut up Fergie-Do one u muppet!

Just a little rant today! I understand he was happy after a big win over a rival club but Fergie should shut his mouth. I know that Gallas was stupid in his little kick out at Nani the Nana, but I wish Fergie hadn't highlighted it. It was almost like he couldn't wait to bring it up. The FA will punish Gallas, I've no doubt about that and as I've said he was stupid and should know better. They would have punished him regardless of Fergie's rant, but now he has brought it up the FA panel's mind will be swayed. If Gallas is punished then he only has himself to blame, but Fergie, do one mate. You are not the law. Keep it GOONERISH.........

This is a chance for the squad to prove themselves-Lets not be negative, lets do this!!! C-mon Arsenal!!

Manchester United away is one of the hardest tasks in football at any given time. When you have as many out injured or missing from the game as we have, it doe's make it just that slightly more harder. But we just have to get on with it and I'm sure the players, whoever plays, will give 100% and us Gooners cannot ask for more than that.

I'm sure the ManUSA players may be confident of victory over such a decimated side and will feel that this game will have an impact on the title race as well. Tevez seems to think so, such as '99 proved. But this is the FA Cup, and things don't always go as planned.

We'll get the usual build up, United too strong, Arsenal above themselves. Don't fall for it. This is a chance for all those Gunners to show what they can do today. They won't have a bigger stage than an 5th round FA Cup game at Old Trafford to play in and I'm sure the players are relishing it.

We're always at our best with our backs against the wall, as we are proving this season when everyone and their dog believed we were finished. Its a game where we're up against it from the off and a win could really set us up for the remainder of the season.

I dont think defeat is the be-all and end-all that some people make it out to be. We've seen how these players react to defeat this season and they react well. So that won't have serious repurcussions if it happens. Although I fancy us to go there and get a result. Whether it's a win, I dont know. But I don't think we're lose today. I'm quitely confident.

Another thing, when the draw was made and some Gooners must have groaned, don't forget that the Manc's and Cockney Manc's and Manc's everywhere would have done the same. They wouldn't have wanted Arsenal at this stage. Believe me....

So lets be positive, get behind the side and later on hopefully I'll posting on here without making too sense (not that I usally do!) after a few drinks to celebrate!!

So keep it Goonerish.......

Arsenal have the best full-backs in the Premiership...Maybe even Europe and pretty soon the World!!!

I had an interesting comment on my previous post...."Micah Richards is a Gooner, but will he be a Gunner?"....from a Gooner named Northbank. This is a part of that comment.

"The other advantage of playing for us would be playing along side the two best full backs in the world."

It got me thinking and I have to say thanks to Northbank for writing this comment as it has finally made me write this post. I've been thinking this for a long time and I'll go as far as saying that Clichy and Sagna are by far the best full backs in the Premiership and maybe even Europe. I would not exchange either of these players as potentially they can become the best full backs in the world. To be fair you could say that they are already the best full backs in the world? Northbank thinks so and I'm sure many others would agree.

Arsenal seem to be able to churn out left backs like some sort of left back making factory machine! (OK!!!!!) Over the years the quality of players that have played in this position for the Gunners have been unrivalled by anyone. From an early age, I very vaguely remember Kenny Samson, who from time to time I bump into as he lives near me. A lovely man who will always stop and chat and believe me, he loves Arsenal! Nigel Winterburn, who I know we bought, but turned into a top quality left back, can't forget Silvinho who still plays for Barca and the player before Clichy, erm what his name?....cAshley Cole is it?! Yes thats right, cAshley WAS the best but since leaving Arsenal has stagnated. And I'm so pleased he left as we had a great deal from him going. We have a captain supreme and a left back called Gael Clichy who will be the best left back in the world without a doubt. He is superb and is so consistent and I thank you cAshley for being a greedy little git because we have benefited from it immensely!

Sagna has come into this Arsenal team and played like he has been at the club for years. He seems made for the rough and tumble of the Premiership and is massively underrated by fans other than Gooners. When he signed I could'nt work it out at first, we had Eboue who had just played a very good campaign previously. I'd heard of him and knew he was a good player and that he was voted into Ligue 1 team of the year, (Thanks Eurosport!) But why? Well he has certainly shown why. He too is so consistent and seems to get up and down the line all game. Just like Clichy does.

I feel that both players WILL become the best full backs in the world one day. They are at the right club to develope their undoubted talents and will no doubt be subject to huge money bids from Barcelona and Real Madrid one day. And I know they will tell them to get STUFFED!! They seem to love playing at Arsenal and I can't wait to see this team unfold into the greatest Arsenal team ever. And Sagna and Clichy will be mentioned in the years to come as Arsenal greats.

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

Whats more important?...ManUsa or Milano?

A hugely important week is facing Arsenal. Two massive Cup games, which is the most important? FA Cup or Champions League?..For me, out of the trophies to play for, I would want the Premiership more than any other but if I had a choice beween the FA Cup or Champions League, I'm torn!! If on the spot, I'd have to plump for the Champions League. Which would u RATHER win?....Keep it Goonerish........

Who will win the Golden Boot? Adebayor or Ronaldo?......

Without doubt, both of these players have been immense for their clubs this season. At times when you need a goal, these players have stepped up to the plate and provided for their team when needed. You couldn't get two totally different players and who would have thought at the start of the campaign they would be neck and neck to win the Golden boot this season?.....

Adebayor has a huge physical presence who has been described by many Premiership defenders as the hardest striker to play against in the Premiership. You can describe him as a mixture of Didier Drogba and Kanu. He works tirelessly for Arsenal every game and seems to have a knack of scoring important goals. It seems at times he needs a few chances to score but that will improve and has improved vastly this season already. He can lead the line on his own or play with anyone. He has improved so much this season.

Ronaldo is not a striker. He is a winger who plays mainly on the right but can switch to the left, and the amount of goals he scores for a player from his position is incredible. He is two-footed and has great dribbling skills. When he first arrived in the Premiership he seemed a one trick pony but also has improved a huge amount and is one of the best players in world football right now.

So who will finish top scorer in the Premiership this season? It has to be between Adebayor and Ronaldo who are both level on 19 goals each so far this season. The closest player to them is Man Citeh new boy Benjani on 13 and I bet he won't score another 6 goals this season let alone catch up with Adebayor and Ronaldo. Ronaldo has played 20 league games for ManUSA and Adebayor has played in 24 for the Gunners.

Although this gives Ronaldo a better ratio of games and goals, Adebayor is really starting to find the net more regularly than anyone around at the moment and is picking up some great form. He is becoming as feared as any striker in the world at present and on current form is to be considered one of the best around.

There is twelve games to go for both clubs. The remaining league fixtures for both teams are below:

Arsenal

A Birmingham City
H Aston Villa
A Wigan Athletic
H Middlesbrough
A Chelsea
A Bolton Wanderers
H Liverpool
A Manchester Utd
H Reading
A Derby County
H Everton
A Sunderland

Manchester United

A Newcastle
A Fulham
H Bolton
A Derby
H Liverpool
H Aston Villa
A Middlesborough
H Arsenal
A Blackburn
A Chelsea
H West Ham
A Wigan


Looking at the fixtures remaining for both sides and going by the form of both players, I'm siding with Adebayor to score the most and shoot Arsenal to the title. He is getting into the form of a player on a roll and I feel that Ronaldo is due a dip in form which could seriously dent his chances of finishing top scorer and have serious repercussions for ManUsa's title hopes.

So I'm plumping for Adebayor to continue his scoring run until the end of the season and finish the Premiership's leading scorer. Not bad for a player who was expected by some to be Arsenal's third choice striker behind Van Persie and Eduardo this season. And can you imagine how great it'll be when Van Persie is back and Eduardo adapts to the League fully?!! Arsenal will be unstoppable!!

So Good Luck Ade, give him the ball and Ade will scoooooooooooore!!

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

Arsenal are showing the hunger needed to win the title......It's time to believe..

Last night was a huge test for this Arsenal side. Going into the game knowing that your title rivals had slipped up and all eyes being on you could not have been easy. To get the early goal was crucial for the nerves and we got that with Senderos thumping home from a corner. We started very well and stroked the ball round and I felt that it was just a case of how many we could score!

But around the midway point in the first half Blackburn started to play a little as well and Arsenal couldn't seem to retain the ball well enough to keep the pressure off. But in all honesty although Blackburn started to see alot of the ball, I don't think we were in too much danger.

In the second half it was quite the same as the first with Arsenal not retaining the ball well and Blackburn applying a bit pressure of but not really threatening with much. I think Arsenal could have made the game for comfortable for themselves. Maybe the pressure was getting too us a bit? In fairness we did create alot of chances to put Blackburn away. We had to wait until the final minute to be sure of the 3 points to take us 5 clear and it was a great finish by Adebayor to get the second.

Considering what was at stake for Arsenal in this game, Arsenal responded in the way that they have all season. The mental strength that the Gunners have shown so far this season has been unbeatable. The players were written off time and time again and they are answering the critics everytime. It's almost like at times people want Arsenal to fail, to prove themselves right for doubting us. Whenever this set of remarkabley talented players have been asked a question they have come up with an answer.

People must realise now that this Arsenal team is the real deal. It's there until the end and will fight all the way. Dead is the soft-touch team and reborn a side with a burning hunger to succeed. The hunger is burning inside the players bellys and they will not give in until the critics are answered and Gallas is holding the Premiership trophy high above his head.

And believe me, after the weekend Arsenal have had, it's time to believe. This team believe it and so do us Gooners, and if our dreams come true, for me it will be the sweetest title yet. To shut up the doubters and prove that Arsene Wenger is the Greatest manager on this Earth......

Come on Arsenal!!!!!!

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

I wonder if Freddie feels the same way now?.........

Looking at the League table today and seeing Arsenal clear at the top with a game in hand I wonder if Freddie Ljungberg looks back at his comments he made when leaving the club with a hint of embarrassment. Now I hope that no Gooners will get offended or think I'm having a major pop at a player who served Arsenal so well, but it's something I have chatted about with friends and they tend to agree.

Freddie was and still is an Arsenal hero. He signed in 1998 for the Gunners and was an instant hero with the fans after lobbing the third goal against ManUSA on his debut for the club. He endeared himself further to us Gooners with his red stripe dyed through his hair and the superb form he showed in the 2001/02 in which he almost single handedly guided us to the double. He was at the club for almost a decade but I can't help but feel he was a little bitter when leaving the club. I think it was obvious that his time at the club had ran it's course, he was constantly injured and not producing good football and it was best in the interests of both parties that he left. However he delivered a parting shot that was totally unexpected and unneeded if you ask me.

The Swede said: "Two years ago, when I signed my last contract, we talked a lot about the future and whether we were going to be bringing in a lot of big players.
"There were always clubs wanting to buy me every summer and I always stayed loyal - I wanted to do it with Arsenal.
"But this summer if felt like the end, unfortunately."
Arsenal claimed that despite building a new stadium we were going to stay top in England and top in Europe. For me, that really hasn't happened.
You definitely need experience.
"The Premiership is the most difficult league in Europe to win. Of course you need youth as well to have the willingness and the hunger. But you need experience to lead the young people."
"It was a difficult decision but when Thierry Henry left, it felt like the end,"

For these comments I pose the question. I wonder if Freddie feels the same now? He even spoke of West Ham posing a serious threat to Arsenal. At the time he was rapped by several people including ex-Arsenal team mates and ex-Arsenal players, who said that he was the one missing out. Even Thierry Henry said it was strange for Freddie to say these things. But six months on he has to eat his words. To say the club lacked ambition was out of order and Arsenal are proving him wrong.

After the weekend's football we are in a fantastic place right now. To be have the chance to go 5 points clear is something we cannot afford to slip up on. If we don't win tonight then the results of ManUSA and Chelski will mean nothing. All season we have had the doubters on our backs and we have the chance to shut them up, yes even you Freddie. We're the title favourites now. It's in our hands to take this opportunity and prove everyone wrong. And I think we will as do all the Gooners out there.

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

I'm never drinking rum and coke again!!!!!!!

Have you ever felt so rough the next day after a night on the sauce that you vow never EVER to do it again?......Thats how how I feel today after several dark rum and cokes last night.. My mouth tastes like jank, my head is throbbing and it feels like the rum is making an appearance again by seaping out of my skin....I've never seen my eyes look so bloodshot...it is unreal!

Thats why I thank my lucky stars that Arsenal aren't playing until monday. I don't think I could break the pain barrier and get myself up the Emirates on this fine sunny day!...Hopefully the extra days over the weekend will allow the injured Arsenal players that extra time to heal. We have several players out at the moment, but then again so do Blackburn. It could be the Arsenal reserves V Blackburn reserves come monday. I might even ask for a game!

The league has announced that from next season onwards clubs will be allowed 7 substitutes on the bench. For mondays game we wouldn't fill the bench!!...But in all seriousness, I reckon that the league's on to a winner on this one. It will allow for better options and will keep players in the squad happy as they are invoved in match day action.

Also I coundn't help but laugh when I read that Kevin "I'll just love it" Keegan spoke of wanting to sign Thierry Henry! If this happened then I would cut off my ear and send it to Kevin with a first class stamp!! Kevin is a great guy and if I'm honest I have a soft spot for Newcastle (the Geordies are great people) but I think he's in La La land here....

Anyway, I'm gonna pop an aspirin and hope that this pain go's away!!! So have a good weekend and don't drink Rum and Coke!!!!

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

Do Arsenal have the best group of strikers in the league?

Looking the talent that Wenger has available to him when fully fit, I believe that the front four we have are the best group of strikers in the Premiership. I'm not looking at this through rose tinted glasses because I'm a Gooner, it's something I truly believe and I wouldn't swap any of them for any other in the Premiership. I reckon that Wenger has got a great mix of forwards at the club and they are so versatile that they can all play as partners for each other in any given game.

9. Eduardo- This player will become a fantastic buy for Arsenal. He is proving all the time that Wenger was correct in signing him in the summer. He is getting better with every game and is beginning to show his true qualities as a striker. Last season we created so many chances and if he was around we have buried teams. Have we finally found the "Fox in the Box" player we have been searching for? The goal he scored against "Citeh" was pure goalscoring instinct.

He is adapting to the Premiership very quickly, even faster then we thought he would. It helps that he is getting a run of games at the moment and he getting better acquainted with his team mates. The real deal.

11. Robin Van Persie- We all know how good RVP is. He has been very unlucky with injuries in the past year, but when fit and available he is arguably the most talented player at the club. He has great close control and can change the game in an instant. He will be one of the best strikers in the world when he shakes off the injuries that plague him at present. The left foot on him is golden, and he strikes the ball so clean.

He has been classed as the next talisman at the Arsenal after Henry left in the summer. And I couldn't agree more. He will accept the extra responsibility and will show his super class talent.

26. Bendtner- After returning to the club in the summer after being on loan at Birmingham, it was proberly expected that he would be off on loan somewhere again and Arsenal would sign an established front man. Wenger decided to keep him the club as the forth striker.

He is strong on the ball and an old fashioned target man. Big, tall and imposing he has been described by Arsenalanalysis (a great Arsenal blog on the links) as the new Ray Kennedy, an Arsenal Legend. He can lead the line well and for a big man has a great touch. He also is supremely confident in his own ability. Which may sometimes come across as arrogant, but don't all the best players seem arrogant to you?

25. Adebayor- He is proberly the most popular player at the club right now. He has his own song that I think is the best around! He has added a new style to Arsenal's play. With him in the side we can be more direct when we need to be. Although his style may appear lazy, his work-rate is unbelievable. He has alot of pace as well. He is a very willing runner and gets into great goalscoring oppertunities. He can be guilty of missing chances but that will improve as he gets more experianced and calmer in front of goal.

Thank God Togo didn't qualify for the ANC! He has been unstoppable this month and will become one of the greatest forward players in the world. Maybe the greatest player to come out of Africa. One day.

So there you have. You will either agree or disagree but I know that I would rather have the Arsenal front line than any other.......

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

Here's some football jokes for you.....

There's not much going on today in the world of Arsenal so I thought I would amuse myself and hopefully you Gooners by posting some jokes!! Feel free to add your own. Although I draw the line at my blog being labelled a joke!!!

Q: How could you kill a Spurs fan when he's drinking?
A: Slam the toilet seat on his head.

The seven dwarves are down in the mines when there is a cave-in. Snow White runs to the entrance and yells down to them. In the distance a voice shouts out "Tottenham are good enough to win the Premiership." Snow White says "Well at least Dopey's alive!"

Four surgeons are taking a coffee break: 1st surgeon says "Accountants are the best to operate on because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered." 2nd surgeon says "Nah, librarians are the best. Everything inside them is in alphabetical order." 3rd surgeon says "Try electricians, man! Everything inside them is colour coded." 4th surgeon says "I prefer Man U fans. They're heartless, spineless, gutless and their heads and arses are interchangeable."

Q: When do Spurs kick off?
A: Every twenty minutes

Q: What's the difference between a Spurs fan and a Bucket of s**t?
A: The Bucket.

Q.What's the difference between a hedgehog and the Man U team bus?
A. The Man U bus has more pricks!

If your a Spurs fan, to save money on replica kits simply strap a large penis to your head and everyone will know who you support.....

What do you call a Chelsea fan with half a brain?
Gifted......

What do you say to a Scouser in a suit?
May the defendent please rise.....

Osama Bin Laden sent out a new video to prove he was still alive, in it he said SPURS were rubbish recently.

Britsh intelligence dissmissed it saying: ''That could have been recorded anytime in the last 8 years''...

Why do people take an instant dislike to Chelea..??
It saves time.....

Why do Spurs fans whistle on the toilet..??
So they know which end to wipe.....

How do the braincells of an Spurs fan die...??
Alone.....

Why did the Manchester United fan get sacked from the M & M factory...??
He kept throwing out the W's......

One day Tom Thumb, Snow White, and Quasimodo are sitting around talking. All of the sudden Tom Thumb says, "You know, how do I know I'm the world's smallest man? Maybe I'm NOT the world's smallest man". And he got very depressed.
Then Snow White says, "How do I know I'm the most beautiful woman in the world? Perhaps there is someone more beautiful than me!" And she got very depressed.
Quasimodo then said, 'How do I know I'm the world's ugliest person? Maybe there is someone uglier than me!" And he, too, sank into depression.
One week later the three were all killed in a car crash. While in Heaven's waiting room, they were all entitled to a private conference with God, who would answer for them one question. After Tom Thumb's conference, he came out smiling and said, "It's all right, I am the world's smallest man". Snow White left God's chamber smiling also, "It's ok,"
she said, "I am the fairest of them all". Quasimodo came out of his conference scratching his head. He looked at the others and asked, "Who the hell is Robbie Keane?"

Q: What do you get if you cross a Liverpool fan with a pig?
A: Thick bacon...

I hope I haven't offended anyone as that is not the reason for posting this article....I just wanted a bit of fun and anyw.....Actually I dont care!!!! Gooner for Life.....

Keep it Goonerish.......

Diego MaraGOONER and Capellos first England game....Bothered

I was reading an old newspaper today while waiting to collect some glass for work when out popped the sensational headline of;

"I'M A GOONER SAYS DIEGO"

By all accounts Diego Maradona aka "Cheating Bastard" is a self-proclaimed Gooner!!! And he almost signed for us when he was 19. He was full of praise for the Gunners,

"They play beautiful football. They break quickly-they defend and attack as one. I am a fan of Arsenal when I am in England."

"When I was 19 they tried to buy me and another player from Argentinos Juniors-around the time Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles signed for the Scum....."

"But it didn't happen. I sometimes wonder what might have happened."

Well he didn't actually say the Scum, but due to the interviewed being terminated 16 times until he finally said Tottenham he was forced to give in....

It's great to hear one of the greatest footballers of all time saying these kind things about our club......It shows how worldwide our football has become and this is great for the club....Expect a large Argentinan fanbase as a result from these comments from Diego.

Last night England's reign under Fabio Capello began.... I'm really not that bothered. I suppose in truth I'm a plastic England fan. I only support the country in the actual tournaments, and the meaningless friendly games we play just bore me. I'm fed up with England...They always deliver false promises, and are NOT as good as the many of the English public and the players think they are.

Arsenal are my passion and if I had a choice then I would choose Arsenal doing well over England anyday. And before anyone starts to cane me with comments along the lines of...."It's only because Arsenal have no English players" DONT. It bores me. Arsenal have no obligation to England, only Arsenal itself...

Don't get me wrong, I would love England to do well. But it's not gonna happen and it's hard to support players that you hate week in week out and then have to cheer them on. How can you scream obsenities at Rooney when he wears a ManUSA shirt and then cheer him when he scores for England??? It goe's against everything!!

Anyway rant over,,,, dunno why I just went on one about England. After all.I'm Goonerish.....

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

Pay my respect's to Busby babes.....

I'd like to take the opportunitie to pay my respect's to the Busby Babes who passed on this day 50 years ago. I couldn't imagine how I would feel if this happened to my Arsenal heroes and that is the only way I can put it in perspective. Millions of dreams died with the death of those players and I only hope they Rest In Peace.......

Theo shines for England in romp and Gilberto on his way at the end of season?

Theo showed his huge potential in England under 21's 3-0 win over Republic of Ireland. He created problems all night with his pace and got himself on the scoresheet and set up a goal as well in an impressive display....Gilberto will decide his future at the end of the season after admitting he's not happy in his current situation at Arsenal paving the way for a possible exit....Keep it Goonerish..

Arsenal are proving all the doubters wrong, they can win the league.

At the beginning of the season if you believed the negative hype surrounding Arsenal then you would have believed that the club were going nowhere fast. We had just sold arguably the greatest player in the clubs history replacing him with an tried Croatzilion, were about to be the latest club to roll over to foreign ownership, Wenger had lost his marbles and was leaving the club, the shift in power in North London was on it's way to White Hart Lane, the list go's on!!

Fast forward six months and the club is possibily in the best shape that it has ever been in. We fill out the Emirates every home game, we have played some of the best football that you could ever see be played, top of the league, only 31 points ahead of Tottenham, still in the FA Cup and Champions League, and looking forward to the rest of the season with an expectation that we shouldn't, if we listen to the doubters, have.

People have admired our football, even the most ardent Spurs supporter must sometimes watch us and think how great we can play. And although we continue to be in the title reckoning the doubters still expect us to crack. Because of our inexperiance and the squad isn't strong enough (apparently) we will faulter at some time and the lack of experiance will tell. Well so far we are proving all those doubts wrong.

We have passed all the tests put to us this season. It was important to start the season well and we did that. The week when we played Manchester United and Liverpool was the next big test. This is then we were expected to lose for the first time in the Premiership. In fact we came out of those games believing that we could achieve anything. We came away from Anfield feeling a little gutted at not getting the three points. We played them off the park. Against United we performed well too. Ok it was a last gasp goal to get the point, but it was deserved at least.

It was interesting to see how the players would react to defeat. That was the BIGGEST test we faced. When going down 2-1 to Middlesborough (In what I think is the worst we've played all season) The players had to react, and fast. The next game was Chelsea, who were on a great run at the time. We won the game and reacted in the way we Gooners had hoped we would.

This season was the season that we would fall out of the top four. The season where we would fall even further behind Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and even Tottenham. The season that it all went wrong for the Gunners. Well, aren't we spoiling the party. People still don't want us to succeed. Of course they don't. We would make them all look silly and eat their word's. But the jokes on them. We ARE in with a shout for the title and if we win the league this season it will be the sweetest yet.

We are continuing to defy the odds against us and this will be one of the best title chase for a long time. I refuse to rule out Chelsea and it will be a three-horse race. Arsenal will have to win the title to prove the critics wrong. They can't wait for us to fail. But, I've a feeling that we will prove them wrong and win the title. The players want it too. They are hungary for it.

Come May time we will know the winners of the Premiership. And I think that Gallas will be holding that trophy high above his head and it will be the best yet.

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

The secret behind Arsenal's great football revealed! The secret is......

Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Cesc Fabregas has revealed that the players love the Homer Simpson faves and although Arsene Wenger would prefer the tasty morsels wasn't consumed, he feels eaten in moderation no harm will be done......I'm not surprised now that the Gunners great football this season has left dizzy opponents feeling like donuts!.....Keep it Goonerish....

Arsenal will be the first side to go to Eastlands and beat City in their own backyard.

Manchester City are unbeaten in the league at home this season under Sven and I feel right now is the best time to go there and get a vital victory. The City of Manchester stadium has become a very difficult place to go to this season. Ask Manchester United. Sven seems to have made the place a fortress and to go there has become a very hard task to claim anything from the game.

But recently City seem to be losing that unbreakable hold that they have had this season at the Eastlands. Their first nine home games ended in victory for the Sky Blues but recent home matches against West Ham, Blackburn and Liverpool has seen them lose that great home form slightly. Those matches ended in draws, no discrace to the club but I feel right now is the best time for Arsenal to get all three points.

They were playing sparkling football at the beginning of the season and Sven was being praised for the way his side went out to play the game. They have lost that early season form just like Arsenal did recently. But there are signs that the magic football we played early season will soon be upon us again. At times we tore Newcastle apart in the recent games and also against Fulham.

I think we will have too much for City. We're slowly getting ourselves back into gear and Adebayor is hitting goals for fun. City haven't looked the same side recently and I can really see an Arsenal victory. Without doubt this game will be a huge test for our young Guns's but I can sense the players are up for every game and this is the key. There will battles all over the pitch but the key battles will be won by the Arsenal players as they are the players on form.

Flamini will grab the game by the scuff of the neck and Adebayor could score a couple. I fancy a big win for the Gunners, maybe 2-0 or even 3-0. Call me mad but I'm really that confident of the victory. We have to keep on winning and we will.

Keep it Goonerish........