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.