Hello all,

Sorry for not updating the blog yesterday, I was experiencing some lovely technical issues with my internet, but it's back up and running now. So we move into the fourth round of the F.A. Cup thanks to a brace from RvP. Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch the game but what I've seen from the highlights, it looks like we played relatively well. Except for some horror defending that allowed them to bag a goal. 

Our next game in this competiton has been made slightly easier by City being beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest, in the surprise of the round. And elsewhere Southend have the chance to knock Chelsea out after snatching a late draw at Stamford Bridge. I really hope we can go on to win this competition for, as has been said many a time, it is our most realistic chance of silverware this season. 

Back to the January transfer window and we've been linked to Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland. And again he's probably one of these players where, we could do worse, but there are a lot of better options available. Meanwhile N'Zogbia says he dreams of playing for Arsenal. He is likely the same as Ireland. And in the final bit of transfer gossip, David Moyes says he won't sell us Arteta. So a bit of a blow there if that turns out to be true, as Arteta would have made a fabulous addition to the squad. 

Have an excellent day and keep the faith, 

Asian Arsenal. 

Hello all,

And with the headlines of the day clogged up with all the talk of Toure's rejected transfer request, it's been hard to find any more of the oh so coveted transfer gossip. But away from the comings and goings of players and Djourou has come out and said we need to be "nasty".  Apparently we'll "have fun" being more aggressive against the weaker teams. And I think I agree with him, this Arsenal teams have been rather toothless so far and it wouldn't hurt to see a bit more enthusiasm and edge in our play. However it is absolutely necessary that we don't become similar in form to Bolton, purely physical, and barbaric. Although I don't think that that's too likely considering the stature of our players.

UPDATE: Tosic has signed with the idiots from Manchester

Anyway, heading back to transfers and it seems we're now interested in racing the Manchesters to signing Zoran Tosic. I think I'd probably prefer him to Arshavin. He's likely to be a lot cheaper than the Russian and he's younger and look to be a bit of a better player. Although with City in the race for his signature it's likely that he will go for the collosal wages he'll receive there. Aside from him there's not been a great deal of speculation about other transfers around Arsenal, so it looks like another anxious day in the window without a signing.

Hopefully some more excitement tomorrow, have a good day and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal. 

Hello all,

So the new year is here and that means the beginning of 31 days of absolute hell. There will undoubtedly be a ridiculous amount of speculation and anxiety throughout the following month, and hopefully by the end of it we should have some new players. In terms of players going out of the club, I really don't think Wenger will be too keen on selling anyone, that said I would not be too surprised to see the likes of Bendtner and Gallas move on to other clubs. 

There will also be quite a lot of Wenger Rhetoric, you know the stuff. "I'll buy a player if I decide it's necessary and it conforms with the standards of the club, but I believe that this squad is good enough and you cannot just simply buy quality". Although we should atleast see 3 or 4 signings hopefully.

It would be nice to get some new players into the club very soon, although seeing as how our next game is against Bolton, it's probably not all that urgent. However, it would still be good to give any new players the chance to settle in and meld to the Arsenal way of life.  

So prepare yourselves for 31 days of anxiety, misery, anger, confusion, desperation and hopefully at the end some happiness. Have a glorious day and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal.  

Hello all,

And today we're not going too brilliantly to be honest. We came within 6 minutes of being just a point behind Villa, but then Hull destoyred themselves, so we head into the new year in 5th place on 35 points, a mere 10 points off the pace. No big deal really, I'm sure Arsene has a few tricks up his sleeve to pull us out of this one. But no, all we've for today is this:

You cannot have a youth policy and suddenly buy three players aged 27. You destroy what you have done and created. I could have put a player in front of [Theo] Walcott, Denilson and [Cesc] Fabregas, but that would be crazy

Yes it is true you have to play youths for them to develope, but they need to be around seasoned players to actually improve, something Arsene hasn't quite latched onto. So don't be surprised to see us sign a few more teenagers this January, that is if we sign anyone at all. But besides that, Denilson is hardly anywhere near the strandard of Walcott and Cesc, and thus dosen't deserve the same amount of oppurtunites in the first team. And he certainly hasn't done much with the many occasions this season that he's had to make his mark. 

Anyway, moving on to the rest of the squad and we are still seeing calls for motivation and the "real arsenal". And this is all very well and all, but one does make the rather obvious observation that all the players who are talking about this are the ones who are out on the pitch the whole time, and therefore have ample oppurtunity to show some motivation. Or perhaps in a slightly lighter light, these are the players' new year's resolutions, perhaps these players are start going to put in 100% in every game no matter how small. Something to hope for I suppose. I still think I'd feel more secure with a few quality signings though. 

Enjoy the celebrations, keep the faith of course, and brace yourselves for an unbelievably rumour-filled January. See you next year, 

Asian Arsenal. 

Hello all,

So in the days before the opening of the January transfer window there is an inconceivable amount of speculation as to who's coming and going around the Arsenal.

First up, we've got the trio from Newcastle, Given, Taylor and N'Zogbia. Personally I don't think any of these players would be a step up from what we have at the moment, and even if they were, we can hardly afford to buy a goalkeeper when we have midfield and defensive troubles such as ours. Nonetheless, it has been reported that Wenger has tabled an 8 million pounds bid for Given, hopefully just some creative journalism there. Elsewhere, there is of course the mounting speculation over Arshavin, the Russian playmaker. He is quite a good player with a lot of speed, however for the reported 20 million pound price tag, I think we can do a lot better. I also feel he wouldn't fit nicely into our style of play, whilst he is creative, he does seem to be more of a one-man-team player. So probably a no-go there. There's also rising speculation once again over Alonso, and this I really hope is true. You'll remember in August we fell short of the mark by a mere 3 million pounds, and on reflection, it would have been 3 million pounds well spent had we matched the offer. He's been vital to Liverpool's success this season and we could definitely have used him supporting Fabregas in the middle of the park. Also, had we signed him, Fabregas would still be fit. I gather that Wenger will probably try once again to make a bid for the Spanish midfielder, but considering how well Liverpool are doing at the moment, I don't think they're likely to sell. Moving on, and we find ourselves temporarily linked with Yaya Toure, however the player has come out and said that he has no interest whatsoever in signing for us or any other club for that matter. Today, we find ourselves connected with Utd's Park Ji Sung. He is a good little player out on the wings and we are in desperate need of reinforcement for the flanks, it's been reported that a bid of 3 million pounds has been offered. And whilst we could do a lot worse, I hardly think that another Manchester United reject is the solution to our problems at the moment. Looking through other English clubs and we're linked with a move for Portsmouth's Distin, a strong French centre-half. However I hardly think he's good enough to fill the problems currently infiltrating the Arsenal defence. Other than that, there are a few stories connecting us with a few players around the south of Europe, none of them particularly brilliant.

Now if I had my way, I would take Alonso, Srna, Young/Barry and Caceres. Alonso you would know why already, Srna as I've mentioned in previous posts is a fantastic winger, and Young or Barry would both fit in nicely and they are both creative players, and it would mean Villa have one thing less that they can use to beat us to 4th place. And the last one, Caceres. He is a magnificent centre-back and is currently out of favour over at Barcelona which would make our job a whole lot easier.

So there you are Arsene, there's no need to send your scouts out this January, I've got all you need right here.

Asian Arsenal.

Hello all,

So then a rather dull match at home to Pompey and we escape into the New year with a slim, but not undeserved win. The match was typical of us this season against lower teams. We have 100% possession and they put 11 men behind the ball, so usually we end up creating nothing. And this time was no different. Our only decent chance of the first 45 minutes was absolutely squandered by Adebayor as he, once again, took far too long on the ball. It does seem to be style of his where he likes to get the ball into just the right position but, as we saw in the second half, it usually goes badly. But we did win, and on a very basic, boring goal. Denilson smashed the free-kick into the area and Gallas capitalised on some shocking goal-keeping from David James. So a win, and it's what we needed, but it doesn't really solve our problems, if anything it highlighted our weaknesses. We struggled to create chances against a side that lost 4-1 to West Ham and 3-0 to Newcastle. I admit, a fair bit of it was down to the absence of Cesc, and if this is the best we can do without him, then I fear for our chances of Champions League football next season. Our only other creative player who is currently fit is Nasri, and he doesn't always show up unfortunately. There is also van Persie, but despite all his huff and puff that he gives, there's generally no support for him so it all goes to waste.

But anyway, we head into the New Year with a win, and it's something to build on at least, we've had 6 games undefeated, and although that's usually not something to be proud of, we can at least be moving on with things. Now our next premier league match is in two weekes time against Bolton, so Wenger has ample time to address some of the many issues currently surrounding this squad. He is going to have to sign two centre midfielders, whether he decides to sign a winger and centre back, well we'll see. I think realistically we need to make at least 4 top-class quality signings that will improve our squad. And now that Cesc is out, Wenger just has to, just has to, sign someone. There is absolutely no way he thinks we can get anywhere with the current squad, Walcott is still out for another month and a half, Cesc is out for four, Rosicky at best another three. However, we should be welcoming Eduardo back to the first team very soon, so that will be a much needed boost. But no matter what joys we get from returning players, the underlying lack of substance in the squad can not be ignored. 

That's all for now, with any luck we may be seeing a completely different line-up our next time out in the league, have a good day and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal. 

Hello all,

So our second game in three days and it really is a must-win. Portsmouth have been struggling of late and have racked up a record of three consecutive looses, and it's now time to make that four. This game will of course feature Arsenal legend Tony Adams in the opposite dugout, and I expect he will get quite a response from the home crowd. However, it'll be of little importance in the game, as I expect our players to go for the throat of pompey. We need to win, and I want a smashing. The only whopping that we have dealt out this whole season in the league was the 4-0 victory of Blackburn, and I expect a similar scoreline against struglling Pompey. Even if we are lacking a few players we should still have enough class to see them off thoroughly and confidently. 

For the game we will have Adebayor back from suspension, and we'll also have Clichy fully fit, so he should start for us. Song is injured now, so some good news for the midfield there, and hopefully Wenger will choose to play one of the upcoming stars in Ramsey or Wilshere instead of Denilson or Eboue. Eboue is simply not a winger and should thus not be played as one, and as we've seen from the CC and reserve games, Wilshere is quite a confident, talented wide player. And in what should be an easy match for us, it would be the perfect time to bring him in so there's very little pressure on him. The one thing we must not do this weekend is be profilgate with our chances, as I can quite easily see this one going down to a 0-0 draw, with us having 100% possession and only 2 shots on target. We have to be motivated to play and go right from the off. Our problem in recent times has come from a complacent mentality and it is vital that we don't show up thinking the game is already won. Portsmouth really won't pose us any threat anywhere on the pitch so it should be a walkover. However they do have a solid keeper in David James and so we really do have to create a lot of chances. 

Well, that's all the look-ahead to our clash at the Emirates, enjoy the game and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal.

Hello all,

I apologise for not updating the blog yesterday as I was still caught up in the aftermath of the festivities of the day prior. I trust you all had a very enjoyable christmas and are now not quite so drunk as you might once have been.

So then, 2-2 at the midlands and considering the events and circumstances of the game, it's quite hard to be completely pleased or annoyed with this result. Yes, we needed a win, but was that ever a likely scenario heading to Villa minus a captain and a regular striker? Especially taking into consideration the first 39 minutes, we did well to escape with a draw. We were extremely lucky not to be 3 or 4 down by the half-time whistle, and even more fortuitous to be 1 up. Our goal was not a thing of magic by any means, Denilson latched onto a lucky deflection and powered home from 12 yards. So a goal up at half-time and not particularly deserved by any means. Then, before we knew it we had 2 on them, after some fine individual work from Diaby. And it looked as though we may be able to sneak away with all three points after countless predictions of an away loss. But then, ex-captain Gallas brought down Agbonlahor in the 65th minute, when it would have been fine to let him run through. But he nethertheless fouled him and Villa got one back. An onslaugh (of sorts) followed and we finally caved in the first minute of extra time to a Knight kick from the edge of the 18-yard. And so what was in fact a good result, felt like a loss.

It was unfortunate that we conceded in stoppage time and that van Persie just missed a chance to make it 3-0, but it was extremely lucky that we didn't concede 3 or 4 goals inside the first half, and so I think a draw is probably a fair result all things considered. Although it does still leave us 3 points behind them, a gap that could have been destroyed had we managed a win, but also a gap that could have been doubled had we lost. And 6 points behind 4th place is just too much for me to bear at the moment.

Anyway, now we have a chance to, temporarily at least, steal back fourth place with our game against Pompey just 2 days after facing Villa. We will have Adebayor back and Clichy apparently should be fit for the game as well, so I think we shouldn't have too much trouble securing a home-win. And that really is the only result we can afford to have. A draw will see us slip down a further 2 points behind Villa, should they win at Hull, and then even at the risk of slipping down to 6th place. So we really do have to win at all costs, and then we will hopefully buy some players in January and our season may be slightly back on course.

That's all for now, have a sober day and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal.  

Hello all,

And I think it's safe now for me to say we are, without a shadow of a doubt, absolutely and completely fucked. It's not nice, it's not fun but it's the truth, and I really can't see us doing better than a nervy fourth-place finish. Fabregas has been ruled out for up to four months. This effectively means that we can't count on him for the rest of the season. So unless Wenger makes a number of supersignings in the January transfer window, we will struggle, and badly. Now, in addition to a defensive midfielder, a central defender and a winger, we need a creative central midfielder. Realistically I think we need to focus on the centre of midfield first. It is the most important part of the game and the most lacking in our squad. Diaby is not up to it, Denilson is not up to it, and there is no way in hell that Song is anywhere near what we require at Arsenal.

So then, signings a must this January, but before we have the chance to do that, we still have two premier league games against Pompey and Villa, who I think are unfortunately going to be our biggest rivals this season, what with us out of the title race and all. And for these games we will play a midfield of Denilson, Song, Diaby and Nasri, that is assuming of coures that Samir can stay fit. The only way I can see us having a hope in hell of beating Villa is if Wenger does something bold, very bold. He has to play Ramsey and Wilshere. Will he? Of course not. Song and Denilson, for some inexplicable reason, are his favourites to play, and he's not likely to give the young'uns a chance ahead of the slightly less young'uns. However if he were to, I think we would stand a great chance of picking up 6 points. Wilshere is a fabulous player, we saw it in the CC and we're seeing it now in the reserves. He is unbelievable. The creativity and vision is exactly what we need at the moment, but Wenger will not play him because he's only 16, and I can understand that, but I'd rather see us come 5th fighting properly, with creativity and attacking force, than fighring meakly with player who simply should not make the cut at Arsenal but because of the player shortage are finding themselves first-team regulars. 

Anyway, that will hopefully only be important for the next few games, because, with any luck, Wenger will make some good, needed signings this window. There is some hope of this first, he says he is now far more compelled to sign someone due to Cesc's injury. He then also talks about how Alonso's challenge was absolutely fair and there was nothing wrong with it whatsoever. Now this maybe because it was in fact a fair 50:50 challenge, but have you ever known any manager to lose their star player to injury for 4 months, and then not put even the smallest amount of blame on the man who is responsible. I think/hope it's because Wenger is still intent on signing Xabi Alonso from Liverpool, and is keeping his relationship cordial so he doesn't put Alonso off a potential move to the Emirates. Perhaps a bit farfatched but still possible. 

Anyway, that's all the depressing news for today, we'll have some speculation on the replacement for Cesc Boxing Day, so for now Merry Christmas and keep the faith, 

Asian Arsenal. 

Hello all,

So the first big piece of news since our tie with Liverpool and it seems that the fat Russian Umasanov has ruled out the purchase of Lady Nina's considerable shareholding in Arsenal. He says he is concerned with the current state of the Arsenal board and has other, more pressing, financial concerns. This is brilliant news, it is much better for the club as a whole if the decision-making is left to a board of members, rather than one person. Stan Kroenke has also said he won't buy Lady Nina's shares, so more good news there. In a perfect world, if Lady Nina is to sell her shares then they would go to thousands of gooners, keeping the club from a takeover. Unfortunately, more groups from the oil-rich emirates are looking at buying her shares. Although, hopefully, we may not need to worry about them for too many more years, with the increase in progress on hydrogen fuled cars, petrol may soon be a thing of the past and we'll soon be overtaken by scientists no doubt. 

In other news, the transfer rumours about Arshavin have not quieted despite Wenger completely ruling out a move for the young Russian. Apparently they want 20 million pounds, and if Wenger won't spend a chunk on Villa, he's not likely to on Arshavin. There's still no concrete information about the severity of the injury to Cesc, but we should know how bad it is later today. Also, PSG are now said to be interested in Gallas, a move for the ex-captain would be a good thing in the long run, but considering the current short-staffedness of the team, we may have to hang on to him until the end of this season at least. Finally, Adebayor has appealed to Howard W*bb to review his decison on his sending off, saying: 

I hope when the referee goes home and watches it on the TV, he will see it was a foul, but I didn't deserve a card

He's absolutely right of course, but I can't see W*bb revoking a decision against us considering his past.

That's all for now, have a great day and keep the faith, 

Asian Arsenal.