I declined to write after the 6-0 dubbing of Sheffield United, and the superb hatrick by Vela - just as well as the optimism went out the window after the defeat at Hull.  For all the skills of Vela, demonstrated by almost walking the ball into the net vs Porto in the Champions league, it's a sad fact that 4-0 still did not convince me that our defence is up to the job of a Premier league winning or Champions League Cup winning side.  Gone are the days of Adams, Campbell, Bould...where is the Vidic of Arsenal, the Terry or even the King or Woodgate?  It takes more than a lethal attack to win games, as demonstrated agains Hull.

Wenger also failed to follow up on his promise of changing things, and changing the side...yes Arsene...you can't "punish" players by dropping them, but certainly I expected Vela to start etc.  Maybe the game plan is for that to happen at Sunderland...but let's not do a Hull pls...optimism yes....confidence yes...but stupidity and lack of concentration defensively...NO NO NO!

Come on you reds - we need to keep attacking...but to also DEFEND as a team!!

It was not to say that one touch allowed little Jack to get Gilberto's old shirt number for the first team...but certainly when he came on against Real Madrid, Jack Wilshere turned his marker and crossed for Bendtner, only for the improving Dane to crash it against the side netting (when Ramsey and Vela were beckoning for it two steps away).  It says a lot that passports nor age is a factor in Arsene's eyes, unless you are over 30 that is (thanks for the memories Bert)!

You know Arsene has something up his sleeve when it is deadly silent...with further news, the mass media is going on about Fergie's mind games, Scolari's coolness, Ramos' selling spree...and everything else un-Arsenal.  With Gilberto being quoted as sayiing we "won't win anything" then on Arsenal.com saying he thinks "we'll have a successful year" the press are definitely scratching in the sand for smalltalk.  You've gotta wonder if the financial crisis is affecting things a fair as well don't you? 

For me, the next game is interesting Burgenland XI.....then Stuttgart I think, to see how things really shape up for the season.  Forget the hype, forget the possibilities of buys...let's just see how we play and how that shapes up.  The two mini tourneys, Ajax Tournament and Emirates Cup sound great on paper - can't wait to watch and see how things evolve.

At the end of the day, with seven players on the bench we'll be in good position to blood the youngsters, put more experienced players there as well and it'll be a game of style, substance and real tactics.

Let's see how it shapes up!

I hope you are as excited as I am for he return of a prospect that has the right attitude...at the moment that we say Adios to Hleb!  Vela will be the one I am watching on Saturday, and I hope Walcott will also prove that he's now an established player and not a super sub only.

We now have some prospect of bolstering our flanks and attack...but where is the defensive option?  The best attack still needs a great defense - look at Man U last season...it was not only C Ronaldo that carried the team...but the great defense that Ferdinand and Vidic partnered up...oh the trouble they had when Vidic got injured!!  So I'm wondering what Arsene has up his sleeve?  Is it really Nordveilt the youngster that will get his chance?  Will Ponderos still be the first choice backup?  Can Song or Djourour really become a John Terry?  And finally....will Gallas still marshal the defense...or even the team?  Some key questions there that I hope are answered.  Too often when we are under pressure it is because our defense doesn't inspire confidence!  Clichy and Sagna have helped bolster the flanks...but the long ball is still a direct method to inspire chaos for us most of the time.

Can we do better?  Let us see!!

Finally Nasri arrives...

With Vela on board...this must surely now be one of the most youthful young squads in any league!!  Gallas and Rosicky are old men!  Walcott and Fabregas now appear as equals to the rest of the team!  Amazing!