Hello all,

This evening we take on Porto for top spot in Group G. A draw will see us top the group, and it looks as though that's what we'll be playing for. Wenger has decided to field pretty much a carling cup side against Porto and is really looking to play for the draw for once. Not that it would really make much difference anyway. If we finish top, we run the risk of being drawn against the likes of Chelsea, Inter, probably Real Madrid and possibly Manchester United, so no great reprieve for first place. On the other hand, a second place finish could seeus drawn against Barcelona, Roma or Liverpool. So either way there's no real difference, which is part of the reason I think that Wenger has decided to play a Carling Cup tinged side at Porto. As qulification is assured, and our position in the premier league is not, it gives Wenger a good chance to be able to rest some of our key players for the game against Boro, and we will need them to keep our momentum going. Anyway, a win would be good, a draw still alright, and a loss indifferent. Nethertheless I feel our youngsters may have enough about them to hold off Porto, so I think probably 1-1, and top spot for the Arsenal. I know it makes little difference on paper, but it will give us a bit more confidence, and a little extra confidence can't possibly go astray currently. 

Anyway, that's it for today, a longer post tomorrow maybe, enjoy the game and keep the faith, 

Asian Arsenal. 

Hello all,

Once again I failed to update the blog yesterday because, once again, there was very little news about Arsenal, other than Eboue. There's still very little, but at least some now. 

We have once again been linked with a move for Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, and I think he may just be what we need. While I would prefer Jeremy Toulalan of Lyon, I think as long as we bring in a defensive midfielder I'll be happy. Let's face it, Denilson simply isn't good enough yet to be a first team regular and it is definite that his presence in the centre of the pitch restricts Cesc's ability. Namely because Denilson doesn't defend enough which leaves Cesc running back into defense, and thus is unable to be the creative playmaker that he is. A defensive midfielder would easily fill in this spot and give Cesc the freedom to roam forward, and play as well as he did last season. And Xabi Alonso is a very good player in this position. He works hard and defends well, and still manages to get on the score sheet, having scored twice already this season in a defensive position. So I think he really does have to be top of Wenger's Christmas Wish List, unless of course by some fluke of chance Wenger is eyeing Toulalan. However there do seem to be a few complications with buying him. It would appear that Liverpool will only let him go if they are able to sign Gareth Barry, the good thing is that Liverpool may need to let him go in order to afford Barry. Unfortunately, the premier league's newest wreckers of the game, Manchester City, are also looking to make a bid for Barry. And with the unbelievable amount of money they have, unless they decide to sign Robinho's Brazilian mates, they will surely outbid Liverpool for Barry's services. So really the only hope is that Barry chooses a respectable club over money, unlikely but still. But wait there's more. Gareth Barry has also had a say in this and recently told reporters that he was staying put at Villa until at least the end of the season. So if he stays firm to that then the chances of us signing Alonso are slim. Realistically the only way to sign Alonso without Liverpool signing Barry would be to offer the price-tag payment of 18 million pounds. I can't really see Wenger paying this much, but I think he needs probably to think about which is better, not paying 4 or 5 million pounds in excess for a player, or challenging for the title. Because we will need a defensive midfielder to be able to make any sort of title bid, one because our defense has been shaky, and two because we need Cesc at his best. 

So a defensive midfielder is first for this year's Christmas requests, after that I think we're looking to sign a central defender with all the problems currently in occupying that position. Also, hopefully we will be able to offload Gallas in January and clear some of the air around the club. Personally though I think what we will need more than anything after a defensive midfielder is a winger. Currently out we have Walcott and Rosicky, our two main wing threats, and there is still no news on Samir Nasri. Walcott will be back around the new year, but Rosicky will be back in March at the earliest. So without threats coming from the wings, we will be lacking an important part of our play. Really our only options currently are Ramsey, who is more of a central player, and playing Vela or van Persie out wide. Not brilliant really. And I would hate to see a repeat of the Stoke game. Four central midfielders all lined up across the middle of the pitch, it didn't work then and it never will. 

So a defensive midfielder, winger and a central defender please Santa, and be quick about it. We can hardly afford to drop any more points in the league. However, I think we'd all agree we will still be contentish if Wenger at least buys someone in this window. The worst possible thing for him to do is to not bring anyone in. The problem is that with Fabregas' new appointment, we may give a false sense of consistency and success to Wenger, who then will believe that the team is fine as it is. Well, IT'S NOT! Buy someone Wenger, we need it, we can not have another wishy-washy "oh well I will see, I do not think we really need to buy anyone, but I will make a decision when the time comes." Just because we beat Chelski and the Mancs does not mean we as a team are fine. Wenger himself though has admitted that we are lucky to be in the race still, so maybe, just maybe he will buy some players in the summer, so that we don't need another miracle in the second half of the season.

Anyway, have a thoughtful day and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal.

Hello all,

So we have now jumped the first hurdle in the very long race to the title, and we made it just scraping the bar on our way through, but nonetheless we did it. Not a brilliant game really, but it's 3 points and that's what we needed. Now we can move on and get some consistency. And it is nice to have back-to-back wins for once. Unfortunately the other three top teams all managed to win their games, so we're no closer to the title than after the Chelski game, but I suppose that just makes this win even more important. 

We won it through a 16th minute goal from Adebayor, a defensive slip-up allowed him through and he made no mistake in burying the finish. Not much to tell of after that really, all in all it was a very lacklustre performance, and while we may have hit the woodwork twice, we still failed to really get a spark going. Fortunately for us, it was Wigan, and we had scored an early goal, so the game did not end frustratingly 0-0, but rather disappointingly 1-0. There really was a lack of motivation considering all the talk up to this game, about how we had to win, and we had to make use of our "2nd chance". But really, the only inspiration on the field was coming from van Persie, and he wasn't quite enough to get us going. Anyway, it's 3 points, and something to go forward with at least, and hopefully we can go into the Boro game with a little more purpose. 

During the game Samir Nasri had to come off injured, no news yet on the severity but let's hope it's not too bad, the last thing we need now is more injuries. Eboue was also booed of the pitch late on after making a string of horror plays that were endangering the team. I think it may well just be a one-off sort of thing though and hopefully he can come back into the next game full of confidence. And in the last piece of news, Eduardo has been scheduled to play against Portsmouth in the reserves game on the 16th of December, this may well mean he will be selected to play for the home game against Liverpool, which would be a much welcomed boost. First though I think we'll need to see how he's coped with the injury and fingers crossed he's as mentally and physically strong as before. 

That's all for today, have a relaxing sunday and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal.

Hello all,

Tonight we take on Wigan and it's the first real test to determine whether winning at Chelsea was a sign of things to come, or just another Man Utd. game. Wigan should not really be tough, but it is still important for us to get out there and be 100% committed right from the off. We have dropped far too many points this season from complacency and the players need to know that they do have to try to win. 

That said, I can't see Wigan posing too much of a threat to Arsenal. Considering our youngsters dispatched them 3-0 no more than a month ago, this should be an easy game. As usual it is unlikely that they will opt to play football, so we should see a lot of 10 men behind the ball sort of game and long, clearances up to a lone striker. This is the sort of game that could end frustatingly 0-0 after a host of chances, so let's hope our stikers are slightly more clinical today. I suspect/hope that our line-up will look like this:

                                            Almunia

Sagna                  Toure                       Djourou               Clichy

Ramsey                 Diaby                   Cesc                        Nasri 

                             van Persie        Adebayor   

It's inlikey that Wenger will choose to omit Denilson and Silvestre, but I feel that this would be a very strong formation. With of course the exception of the right flank. I guess the only thing you can really do over there is push van Persie wide and bring in Bendtner to the front. Anyway, whatever Wenger chooses, it should really only take a bit of commitment and motivation to see us collect all three points tonight. I think probably 3-1 to be honest, our centre backline is still a little shaky, unless the defensive partnership above is played. Anyway, should be a great game, and it would be nice to see Arsenal back into their stride against the smaller teams, you know the stride where they ease past scoring a lot of goals and playing unbelievable football. 

In other, slightly more annoying news, Wenger says he hopes Gallas will stay, this means that really the only way to get rid of him, is for Gallas to do the right thing for once and request a transfer. Highly unlikely, but still. 

Anyway, enjoy the game and keep the faith, 

Asian Arsenal. 

Hello all,

I apologise for the abscence of a post on the blog yesterday, there really was just absolutely no news on Arsenal. Fortunately, I have some here for you today.

I'll start with the brilliant piece of news first. Eduardo is apparently due to return to football imminently. I would say that Wenger will probably bring him back for the home game against Liverpool, so the fans can give him a grand welcome back into the football world. His return should provide alot more options at the front, and with Eduardo's clinical finishing, we should see a bit less profligacy in our chances. I think also he will be a good new spark into the team, and hopefully he will be a bit more consistent than any of our current strikers. 

The other bits of news from the same link are for the game at Wigan. Toure is finally back, as is Djourou. Gallas is out, and it may well be now that Toure's back, we won't see Gallas play another game for Arsenal. Wishful thinking, but maybe. I should expect a combination of Toure and Djourou would work very well at the back, and i would be excited to see Wenger play it. 

And one last bit of good news to end the post: Fabregas has (once again) pledged his future to Arsenal. I know that we see this all the time and it probably doesn't mean anything long term, however it is always comforting to have your start player come out and say that he wants to play for your club. 

Have a marvellous day and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal. 

Hello all,

Well another competition over for the season then. The young lads were taught a lesson about profligacy today by Burnley who now progress to the semis. I suppose that is what is good about this competition. It is a learning experience and, while I would have liked to see our boys go and win this cup, no-one cares too much one way or the other on the outcome.

So a lesson learnt then, hopefully. Down to mainly the unbelieve heroics from the opposite goalkeeper, Jensen I believe. Vela, Bendtner, Ramsey and I think Randall, all had clear goal-scoring oppurtunities destroyed by Jensen. Realistically, had there been any other keeper in that net, Arsenal would have been 1-3 up at half-time. But they weren't and so came out surging in the second half looking for that equaliser. Randall had an unbelievable run through the defense, dancing past them as if they were not even there, and then played the ball just past the far post for the finish. Arsenal now had a sense of urgency about them; pushing forward and holding a vast amount of possession. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Just as it looked like we might get something from this game, up pops Burnley and makes it 2-0. It wasn't a complete knockout blow for the Arsenal side, however as much as we huffed and puffed we couldn't  force a goal and were left to rue missed chances. 

So then, the fun and excitement of the Carling Cup is over for another season, let's hope Mancs and Spurs both lose their ties, and leave the cup for the championship sides. This loss may not be so bad for the league however. As many have noticed, a brilliant win for the Cup boys, has always resulted in a horrific result for the usual team in the League. So maybe this time, as the lads head back out against Wigan, we will win, and continue to win, because now there can no longer be any great Carling Cup wins. A bit of stretch maybe,  but possible.

Anyway, in completely unrelated news, on Robin van Persie's controversial goal, I was watching a replay of the match and the commentators were saying that play went on because the referee said the ball hit a Chelski player on the way through. Whether this makes it any more legal i have no idea. I have always been quite unsure of this part of the off-side rule, as I've seen many a time, players called off-side and on-side after the ball has deflected off another play from the other team. So perhaps a bit of clarification on the actual rule would be good FIFA.

Well that's it for now, have a good day and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal.  

Hello all,

And yes it's that time of the season again. Following the extroadinary success and relative disgrace of the Carling Cup and Premier League respectively, The Carling Cup has become my favourite competition. This time our young lads are in action against Burnley. The brilliant thing about this competition is that, because of its infrequency in terms of matches, the players are always rearing to go and usually put in an unbelievable performance.

So Burnley. Whilst they are a championship side, and we have just displaced Wigan (who are although at some times also a championship side), let us not forget that they did just beat Chelsea. And yes you remember correctly, the Chelsea who say we are "ruining the competition" by playing a young side, and pledged to play a full-strength line-up in the Carling Cup. So it was burnley who beat a full-strength Chelsea team. The victory came after penalties following a 0-0 scoreline. But perhaps this should scare us. As many blogs have mentioned, teams that want to play football against us will always lose. Now 0-0 onto penalties is hardly football when your playing against one of the top teams in England *cough*. So it would seem they are capable then of playing proper, good-old-fashioned, Championship football, wherein the weaker team just sits back with 11 men behind the ball fashioning a wall of sorts. Very hard to score with, but very hard to score against as well. And seeing as how they're facing us this time, I think they may just decide to play the same game. Try and hold out for penalties.

However, let's not forget the power of this young team, that annihilated Sheffield and then destroyed Wigan. So expect another emphatic scoreline I think. As usual in this competition, we will probably play the 4-4-2, I believe with Vela and Bendtner up front. They usually provide the spark for each other, and I would not be surprised if we scored more than 3 goals tomorrow. Fabianski has also been a mixture of unbelievable and fucking disgraceful in the past games, so we'll have to see how their side of the score table turns out to be. There is however some bad news, Silvestre has been picked to play in this line-up. Not that i think he's a bad defender or anything, but it spoils the chance of other youngsters to get that valuable first team experience in them. Other than him, I think we should be seeing some of the more regular Carling Cup players; Ramsey, Wilshere, Merida, etc. So I think we should be in for another fantastic game, and it is always brilliant to see the kind of talent that is surging through the ranks at Arsenal. I predict the match will end Arsenal 3 - Burnley 0. Maybe even higher.

Anyway, have a brilliant time watching the game, and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal.  

Hello all,

And a very fine day it has been in the world of Arsenal. Our 2-1 comeback at the bridge has shown the world something about Arsenal. Just what this is is hard to say. Surely they know that Arsenal, even with an injury-ravaged side are capable of challenging any team in the world and coming out on top. Today's performance was perhaps not the most Arsenal-like game but still a very good win against a strong chelsea team. So we have shown we can beat the top clubs and that we are capable of being a top club. But i feel the overwhelming message being sent is that Arsenal only do well in a match when they give a fuck about the result, or respect their opponents enough to give them a decent game. Losses to Hull, Stoke and Fulham testify for that. But I dont want to be too negative today considering the great win we've just experienced so now onto the match. 

This one was an absolute cracker, both sides playing open football right from the off and Arsenal soon under pressure. This of course would not have been a complete Arsenal game without us conceding first and it took just 30 minutes for the game to start looking normal. Almunia made a rushed and silly throw that found a chelski player, i think it was bosingwa, and then he crosses and Djourou stabbed it into the back of his own net knowing the pressure from the chelski man behind him. So 1-0, and things were starting to look even worse for Arsenal. We were lucky not to go 2-0 down on a number of occasions, namely when Djourou, in a defensive attempt, set the ball perfectly for Lampard on the inside of the 18-yard, but he failed miserably with the shot. So a few reprieves for Arsenal, and then a fantastic bit of luck, and when you've had as bad a season as us, sometimes it takes a little bit of luck to get things rolling. Van Persie was about a full yard offside when Denilson played him through, linesman didn't see it, and RvP smashed home an excellent finish with his weaker foot. 3 minutes later and Arsenal were in the lead. A good floated ball in from Cesc and Adebayor played it down to van Persie who dit extremely well to turn and shoot, stirking the ball beyond the keeper and into the bottom corner. Unbelievable! At this stage there were about 29 minutes left, and I can tell you that was the nerviest 29 minutes of my life, with images of Spurs and Mancs pooping up in my head with their 90th minutes goals. But Arsenal endured, and clung onto a magnificent victory. 

Now we must wait and see. Will this game turn out to be the turning point in Arsenal's season, will people point to this game and say "it all started there, that is why they did so well". Or something along those lines anyway. Or will this game prove to be just another Manchester United game, a good performance against a good team, a win, and then back to crappy inconsistency. Let's hope it's the former. Anyway, we will see, but i think it may well be the former, and this game may also mark the beginning of something else: Cesc's undefeated reign as captain of Arsenal. So far he's captained two matched and we've won those two matches. I think I see the connection here. Soi let's hope for many more undefeats for the new captain, and we may well not be out of this title race just yet. Well, only time will tell. We face Burnley midweek in the Carling Cup, and then we're off to Wigan. Now obviously this is a must win game under any circumstances, so not a great lot of proof here when we win. So i think we need to prove ourselves probably in the Borough game, a win there and we may well be onto a premier league comeback. And i know Borough aren't the greatest of teams, but neither are Stoke or Fulham. So anyway, hopefully, Arsenal have just turned a new page in their book, and we can catch up ground in  the hunt for the title.  Well, we'll see. 

Have a gloaty day and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal. 

Hello all,

Well, this is it then. This is the first big test for Cesc and Arsenal and let's hope we get through it. The bridge has never been an easy place to play, although liverpool have secured the first win there since ours back a few years ago. This is of course another must-win game for Arsenal, and a loss would see us 13 points of the lead, surely unassailable, however a win would bring us to 7 points of Chelski and then depending on Liverpool's result we may be that bit closer to the top. 

Unfortunately there is still no definitive answer on the prospects of Nasri, Adebayor and Sagna, but hopefully they will all be fit to play Chelski. With the return of all three of them our line-up will probably look something like this:

                                                   Almunia

       Sagna                         Gallas         Silvestre                      Clichy

      Ramsey                       Denilson       Cesc                           Nasri 

                                         RvP              Adebayor

This should be a reasonably strong attacking force with the exception of Denilson, who I still believe is not quite ready for first team football, or at least not this much. It would be nice to see Djourou play again, and hopefully Wenger will put him in instead of Gallas, but considering the need to win this match, Arsene may well have to choose Gallas depsite the urge not to. We are of course still short on wingers and it will be interesting to see how Ramsey, or whoever is played there, copes with Chelski. Considering this lack on the flanks, I would expect us to play a more centred aproach, or at least one heavily involving the full-backs. Chelski have just drawn 0-0 with Newcastle, so let's hope that run of form continues. I would be happy to take anything away from the bridge right now considering ouw own current form, and whilst we will of course aim to win, I think we'll all be satisfied with a draw. And I think a draw is probably the most likely outcome if we can be strong at the back, so I think probably 1-1. There is of course also the hope that we will win here, considering our form against the good clubs and that against the bad ones, so don't be too surprised if we win. A win here would do the team a lot of good, and would renew confidence in all the players. Anyway, we'll see how it pans out, but i would say that a loss here might just force Wenger to rethink that position on Europe, just maybe. 

Have a good match and keep the faith, 

Asian Arsenal.

Hello all,

At last Arsenal have appointed a CEO; Ivan Gazidis, and he looks like he might be a keeper. There is a free interview video here. In it he talks about his life, experience and future at Arsenal. Essentially he is an englishman, became a lawyer, went over to America and could be seen to be one of the founding members of the MLS, and has now decided to accept the offer from Arsenal. He talks about how he plans to keep the Club as it is in terms of tradition and so forth, but would also like to bring in a new modern element that would allow for the further progression of Arsenal. I think he will fit well into the Arsenal set up as he does seem to have some clue after history and tradition at a football club and in particular Arsenal. He does also seem to be a very professional person, and is actually British, well essentially, so that's a plus. Better than Russian anyway. 

So this appointment may well prove to bring some stability back into Arsenal football club. It has been widely argued that the absence of a director of football, or whatever you wish to call it, has been the cause of unrest and undue pressure on Wenger, which has played some part in our play. So maybe we will be seeing some better football come January. 

Have a good day and keep the faith,

Asian Arsenal.