Sooooo....the transfer window has closed and the Andrei Arshavin transfer saga has ended in....

...we don't know.

In fact, trust nothing you hear until there's an official announcement.  

Why?  Because in the last few hours, the deal was off for certain and on for certain.  Arshavin was in London.  No, wait, he's in Paris....or maybe back in St. Petersburg.  The sticking point was the transfer fee -- or the bonus Zenit want back or Arshavin's wage demands.  

In other words, everyone is trying to figure out what's really what and between Arshavin's agent running to everyone with a microphone, Arsenal's traditionally quiet mouth and Zenit trying to avoid the stink of being labelled the next Lyon (i.e. the club that holds transfer deals out for ransom), this is all getting very confusing.

And the snowstorm that blanketed the U.K. isn't making anything easier.

So...as I said: trust nothing.  Wait until an official announcement is made tomorrow morning and then we'll know whether or not Andrei Arshavin is an Arsenal player.

Fingers crossed because as we saw over the weekend, we need an infusion of creativity in a bad way.

So, I got up early this morning, ready to watch Arsenal take on West Ham when lo and behold, I find that the damn p2p streams across several sites for Premier League matches have been taken down.  Thanks to Scudamore and the PL's push a game that I can't pay to watch (as my cable subscriber doesn't give me even the chance to buy Setanta at its exorbitant rate) the only other alternatives were removed.

Now, I have nothing against the Premier League making money.  And if I could, I'd buy Setanta for my cable package.  Unfortunately, I can't.  So my choice is either go without or try and find a pub or bar that does have Setanta and is open at Saturday, 9 AM.  

Those are not real options.

So instead, I ended up racing across the Interwebs, desperately looking for a place that did stream the game.  Meanwhile kickoff had started and I was missing the Arsenal taking the fight to the Hammers.   My search was long and fruitless for much of the first half.  I was desperate.  The game that I needed to see was happening and I was unable to catch even a glimpse of it.  So close, so near and yet so far away.

Thanks to one of the Arsenal fans at WSD, I finally found one during halftime.  Great I thought.  The score's 0-0.  I've likely missed nothing more than West Ham putting 10 men behind the ball and a tough attack from Arsenal that had yet to find its way through to goal.

But knowing how Arsenal have been playing recently, I also thought "They'll get one close to the end of the game.  So I'll get to see that."

Oops.

I was right in my assessment of West Ham.  It was obvious that they came to Ashburton Grove to not lose.  And given how they're caught in that miasma of mid-table teams which could fall into the relegation battle, I can't fault them for it.  Zola's job is to get as many points as he possibly can -- one from visiting Arsenal is probably right by him.

And just as I expected, the lads were taking the fight to West Ham.   For most of the second half, the ball did not cross the midfield line.  Nasri, Denilson, Clichy, Vela and Gallas were all pushing forward and creating scoring opportunities that just seemed to miss the final pass or the final touch towards goal.  And still I thought that the goal would come.

Sadly by resting Robin Van Persie (and a needed rest I'm sure as he's gotta be tired from carrying this team), Arsene trusted his scoring to come from Adebayor and Bendtner.  Unfortunately for him, Bendtner still doesn't look to have the consistency that is needed from a starter.  His best performances have come as a substitute.  Meanwhile, Adebayor is just not the player he was a year ago.  Whatever reason you want to attribute to it -- his new pay packet, the lure of continental football at a mega-club, the absence of Cesc --  Adebayor's performance has fallen and fallen far from last year.  

So the goal I predicted would come in late didn't arrive.  West Ham managed to stifle all our attacks and, with our poor finishing assisting them, they got the point they were looking for.  What stings is that Aston Villa also drew their game against Wigan and thus we missed another opportunity to gain ground.

I hope that this stops the talk coming from the locker room of a title challenge.  Right now, we're not even mounting a good challenge for that fourth spot that's so vital for the club financially or emotionally.  

So much effort just cannot result in such poor outings.  

So, after 24 hours of hearing that the deal for Arshavin was finally done, guess what?  It's not.

Instead we're being told that the deal is still tangled because Arshavin and Arsenal have yet to agree on personal terms.  I wrote yesterday that it seemed odd that this would be the case since everyone was reporting that Arshavin and the Gunners had already reached a basic deal and all they were waiting on was Zenit's approval.

So what's the hold up?   Uh...I don't know, but here are some of the reported issues:

1. Who pays the fees of Arshavin's agent?  We're talking about a fee along the lines of 2 to 3.5 million pounds.   Zenit want that fee to be paid by Arsenal.  Arsenal have never paid an agent's fees and that's unlikely to change now.  They feel that's something the player should pay.  And Arshavin's agent only cares that he gets his fee paid.

 2. Arshavin is seeking a pay packet over 100,000 pound per week.  The highest paid players at Arsenal right now are Adebayor and Fabregas -- at 80,000 pounds per week.  The idea that any new player (nevermind one that's yet to prove himself in the Premier League) would receive such a pay packet from Arsene Wenger is laughable and brings to question Arshavin's "desire" to leave Zenit.

 3. Zenit are still holding for a fee close to their 20 million pound valuation.  Uh, that's a deal breaker.

At this point (Tuesday night), I think that unless a miracle happens, this deal will not go through.  And part of me is disappointed -- as someone over at the WSD boards mentioned, imagine a midfield of Nasri, Cesc, Rosicky and Arshavin.  Then again, part of me just wants a resolution.

If Arsenal want to kill this deal and go looking elsewhere I understand.  

BTW, tomorrow's game pits us against Everton.  And don't look so surprised but we're only 9 points off the lead and 6 behind Liverpool and Chelsea.  In short, while I think a title challenge is still too far away, the Top 4 finish that we need isn't.  Tomorrow's game is paramount to that end.  And the last few days in the transfer window should bring some help.  

We always leave it late in the transfer window and we've been leaving it late in the league so far this season.  I can see both trends continuing.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article5594933.ece

From all indications it appears so.  The long-protracted transfer saga of one Andrei Arshavin appears to have finally come to a conclusion as Arsenal appear to have landed their man.  

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24969029-2883,00.html

This article says the amount is AU$35 million (or approximately17 million pounds)...

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/arsenal-at-last-close-in-on-record-deal-for-arshavin-1516908.html

...which this article seems to confirm.  In short, that'd be Arsenal's transfer record purchase.

Now one small bit of pause: all the articles imply that terms have yet to be reached between Arshavin and the Gunners.  

But weren't they saying that Arshavin had already reached terms and that the hold up was Zenit's constant consideration of the transfer fee?

Fingers crossed this is finally reached its conclusion...and the club can go buy a defensive midfielder.  Hey, Bolton are tabling a 13M quid bid for Miguel Veloso!  Can we go find some loose change to challenge them?

*The quote is from the Matrix movies.  Right after Agent Smith's finally turned Neo into another one of his clones, he asks whether the battle is finished...right before all the Matrix explodes.  Here's hoping the same doesn't happen here.

End Of Match: Not the best of games BUT it's a win.  And more importantly, with 10 minutes to go, the team asserted itself in this game and rose up to win it.

End Of Match:

FT: 1-3.  All 3 points are in the bag.

90' (+3): "We can see you leaving"

90' (+2): Clichy to Bendtner.  Header off the post!

89': Four minutes of added time.  I gotta ask why?  Outside of Manucho's clash with Djourou, this has been a pretty clean match.

87': Bringing Song in for Ade allows Wenger to reset the team into a 4-4-2 to defend in the last 6 minutes.

86': Alex Song comes in for Adebayor.  Giovanni meanwhile makes way for Garcia.

85': Beautiful passing from RVP to Bendtner for that goal.

84': BENDTNER!  3-1!

83': Lucky break.  Manucho misses a good chance.

82': Corner kick from Hull that gets cleared away.  Song looking to come on.

82': Hull with another substitution.  They plan on going for it.

82': Great passing.  RVP finds Nasri wide freaking open and he makes sure to put it where the keeper can't get it but still enough to catch the far post.

81': NASRI!  GOAL!

80': Hull's Ashbee goes into the book for a foul on RVP

78': Bendtner with a shot that gets parried away by the keeper.  Wenger looked frustrated.

77': 12 minutes left.  Time to prove your stuff, you Gunners!

76': Diaby with 2 good chances that go a-wasted: one to the wall, one past the goal.

74': Ball goes through the wall, the box and past the net. Damn!

73': Tough to take these free kicks given the wind that's blowing at the KC Stadium.

72': Free kick just outside the box.  Gotta make this one count!

70': Denilson gives the ball away.  Are we that predictable?

70': Clichy gets a yellow card and now he's out of the FA Cup game against Cardiff!

67': Arsenal replace Eboue with Bendtner.  Change of formation? Nope...Bendtner settles into the right side of midfield.

66': Great save by Almunia.  Now push the ball forward!

65': Time for Arsene to make a change.  We are going to capitulate again.

64': Djourou just a moment late to recognize that lob pass. 

63': Kouzan levels Hull with us after a good build up. 1-1.

58': Manucho gonna have an eye like Riddick Bowe.

57': Clash between Djourou and Manucho in the box.  We are lucky to avoid a penalty.

54': Eboue gives the ball away.  I don't want to jump on him because he's done well, but bad shooting and bad passes = me not happy.

53': Hull with the first change of the match: Manucho comes in, Halmosi leaves.

50': Arsenal establishing their control over this game.  Lots of possession. 

47': Good attack for Hull that Almunia scoops up.  Arsenal better get their act together.

46': And we're off again.  No changes on either side.

Half Time: The teams come back out onto the pitch.  45 minutes from 3 vital points.

Half Time:

so far here's the line-up of ads that run ad nauseum on FSC:

Proactiv Green tea moisturizer

Direct TV - with Hellboy

Notorious movie trailer

Taken movie trailer

Half Time: Just some thoughts: not really the most exciting of games.  A lot of possession lost by both teams in the final third.  I'm hoping the 2nd half sees Arsenal get tougher in the back.  Lest we forget: Hull came back from 1-0 down to win the game at the Grove.

Half Time: I'll get me a drink (non-alc of course) and be back to make a comment or too.

45': HT: 1-0. 

45': Ashbee with a lousy tackle.  No card though from Wiley.

45': Looks like I picked the perfect game to try the live commentary program, huh?

44': The game has settled into a midfield slog...and the damn sat feed keeps screwing up!

40': And we back!

40': Satellite goes out again!  This time with the sound!

39': Five minutes to the half and Arsenal have taken more control of the game. 

36': Only to come back a moment later.  Whew!

35': And the satellite feed disappears!

35': Eboue with a great and open shot that he misses!

33': The game resettles into its former doldrums.

29': 1-0 to the Arsenal!

29': Corner kick and Ade leapt past everyone to put it into the bottom corner of the net.

29': GOAL!!!  ADEBAYOR!

27': OFF THE CROSSBAR!!!!

26': Eboue gets tackled and sets up a free kick just outside the box.

23': Solid run from RVP to Nasri.  Maybe we are waking up...nope.  Ade shoots a lousy shot that's nowhere near the goal.

19': Wind is kicking highly as Hull take another free kick.  Going on 20 minutes and we have seen little of the offensive side of Arsenal.

17': Giovanni has a great shot that Almunia hangs onto!

17': Free kick given by Diaby on our end.  Hull keep working and working.  We are giving the ball away.

13': Eboue has a great run with the ball and then he gives the ball away.  If that don't encapsulate Eboue...

11': Free kick from RVP!  Deflected!  Corner kick!

7': Adebayor slips and slides and tries to create something.  Poor cross to RVP.

5': Save by Almunia from Doyle!  Are we planning on attacking any time today?

3': So far it's been Hull taking the game to our boys.

3': Poor challenge from Clichy.  Wiley gives him a talking to, but he escapes a card.

2': Shot of Simon Wiley, today's ref.  Fingers crossed

1': Ball moves through the box and corner comes to nothing.  Set pieces defending will be vital -- when isn't it?

1': Corner right off the start for Hull.

1': And we're off!

Before Kick Off: Hull: 4-4-2.  Arsenal: 4-4-2.  Let's see if Hull will try to propose something for this game.  Their current freefall will have them desperate for a positive result.

Before Kick Off: Oops...meant to say all the teams besides Liverpool.  Still, United and Chelsea squeaked by.

Before Kick Off: The teams come out.  All of the teams ahead of us have won.  That makes today's 3 points paramount. 

Before Kick Off: One thing you guys in England don't get: constant repeats of the same commercials.  Hellboy pimping Direct TV.  Budweiser.  PED pills.

Before Kick Off: Line-ups announced:  We are fielding a midfield of Eboue, Diaby, Denilson and Nasri.  Outside of the young Frenchman...ayayay!

Before Kick Off: Coming live from the living room of the Dungeon of Footie....Hull!  Arsenal!  Vengeance time!

So while we wait on news from the Arshavin front (latest rumors: he's going on strike at Zenit and won't report for their winter training trip to the United Arab Emirates while at the same time his agent says something could happen by next week),  the big news out there in this quiet transfer window is the massive offer Manchester City have reportedly made to AC Milan.  100 million pounds for one Ricardo Kaka'. 

Read that again.  100 million pounds.  Nearly 150 million dollars.  For one player.

That's more than double what Real Madrid paid for Zidane (the current European transfer record).  That's more than triple what City paid for Robinho (the current English transfer record). 

The first thought that rang in my head is: "Wow, how could Milan turn that down?"  But they went and did anyway.  The second thought was: "How would I use 100 million pounds on Arsenal?"

I think we can start by saying we wouldn't spend 100 million quid in one transfer window; nevermind on one individual player.  Arsene has never been one to go overboard on transfer fees -- instead preferring to pay lower amounts for unknown players that can be molded and added into the Arsenal rosters of the past and present.  When your most expensive purchases are Sylvain Wiltord, Jose Reyes and Theo Walcott, well, you're not exactly splashing the cash around.

But that's part of Arsene's point.  Spending so lavishly on any one player creates an imbalance in the locker room.  Players know that there's a new sheriff in town and that he's almost certainly untouchable.  They know that such a player is coming with an almost guaranteed starting spot penciled into the roster and that they have to acquiesce out on the pitch to whatever this new player demands.

The other problem it creates is an inflation of the prices in the transfer market for other players.  If Player X is worth 10 million quid but is sold for 20 million, then Player Y will think to himself "Oi, I'm better than that bloke!  I'm worth 25 million!"  And his club will think "Clearly Player Y is worth 30 million!"  Just ask Chelsea how it felt to be held hostage by Lyon over the transfers for Essien and Malouda.  But what could they do?  Lyon knew that Chelsea had splashed the crazy cash around and they weren't going to budge from their valuations. 

Or to bring it back to the start, why is Andrei Arshavin worth 20-27 million pounds according to Zenit St Petersburg?  He's 27 years old.  He's never played in any league outside the Russian league.  Before last season's run in the UEFA Cup and the run by the Russian National Team in Euro 2008, Arshavin was in no one's radar.  But a few big games and all of a sudden he's worth as much as the top players in Spain and Italy and Germany and England?

It's because clubs in the last few years have gotten used to big money transfers.  Players who'd be worth 2 million go for 5.  Players who are worth 10 would go for 16.  And a lot of those moves were made by the English clubs -- Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham being the prime suspects.  Guys who'd yet to prove themselves at the top levels going for 16-18 million quid.  Talented stars going for 25-30 million pounds. 

This is what people expect of major English clubs.  Unfortunately for them, Arsenal have never played that game.  And with the way the current global economy is going, the chances that they would start now are slim and none...with none having left already.

So let Zenit think Arsenal are capable of going mad like Manchester City.  We won't.  100 million pounds for one player? 

Do we look that batshite mad?

-- Written at minute 83:45 on the thread dedicated to the game between the Gunners and the Wanderers over at the World Soccer Daily message boards.

Yeah, you can say I kinda lost it.  

It was the vintage Fat Sam tactics we were accustomed to seeing but now being used by Gary Megson.  You can say it was everything that Arsenal has hated to face in recent years all found in one game -- well, except for the bad refereeing decisions and Ferguson mind-games garbage.

Outside of a second-half start push, Bolton's entire plan was to put 10 men behind the ball, hoof the sucker down and pray for a counter-attacking chance.  As I said, vintage Bolton.  Give so much possession, so many chances and so much of the pitch to use while ensuring that it all results in nothing and pray you can steal a win or at least get a draw. 

Of course, it's not as if we made things easier.  A number of really good chances went wasted.  Manu Adebayor went M.I.A. once again -- and I think one or two questions need to be asked of his performance so far in this year.  The creativity in midfield came from Samir Nasri, who linked rather well with the other attacker with his shooting boots on, Van Persie.  

I have to say I feel sorry for RVP.  He worked his butt off all game long, taking defenders on 2 and 3 at a time and trying like hell to create a goal.  Perhaps it looked at times as if he was trying to do it all himself, but the fact is that if he wasn't, it appeared that no one else would step forward.  When that shot of his (past 3 defenders and the keeper) caromed off the post, you had to feel that

Then Bendtner came in for Eboue and almost had a goal from start.  Finally RVP found him with a long ball from the left that Bendtner connected with.

Which led to my reaction.

Three points.  Three glorious, beautiful points.  

With Villa's narrow win over West Brom and Manchester United's crushing victory over Chelsea, we find ourselves three points behind the 3rd and 4th spot holders.  Not the best of spots, but all things considered, we are keeping pace with the leaders.

Just a quick aside to mention the latest Arshavin rumors: Apparently his dream move to Eastlands is now happening as it appears that Manchester City have used the Sheik's Platinum Credit Card to sneak in and steal Arshavin from under our noses.  An 18 million quid transfer fee was the asking price.

Wait..no...no...apparently Arsenal are the only club to table a bid (10 million pounds) and that was turned down by Zenit.  Yes, that's the latest rumor.

Unless you've heard that Andrei is quitting football to finally live the dream of acting in the live action Prince Valiant movie.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/01/07/arsenal-on-verge-of-10million-andrei-arshavin-signing-exclusive-115875-21021457/

Just a slight post today, to bring this up.

Yeah, it seems we are dealing with Zenit St Petersburg over Andrei Arshavin.  The price?  10 million quid.

....Really?

After spending the summer valuating him anywhere between 20 and 27 million pounds, Zenit's asking price has fallen like a lead balloon.  But by half?

This may be influenced by a number of factors: Arshavin's well-known desire for a move somewhere (Anywhere at this point) away from the vodka and stunning blondes of St Pete.  And the current financial climate means that 25 Million quid fees are likely to return to their rarefied air.  Finally, after Barca and Spuds went and couldn't get a deal finalized, it's obvious that demanding such a high-fee for a 27-year old attacker with no foreign league experience is too much to ask for. 

Let's see if it's true.  

In other rumors, apparently Nicklas Bendtner is being offered to clubs as a swap partner and Fulham may have taken them up.  Bendtner and cash, the rumor goes, would go to Fulham in exchange for...Jimmy Bullard.

I'd be all for this swap.  Bendtner may one day become the striker he feels he already is.  Right now...he's not.  And Bullard (injuries aside) is the kind of creative midfielder we could use.

So is any of this true?  Will it happen?  Or is it all part of the wind-up paper machine?

Fingers crossed.

Ok, maybe not so much.

BTW, hope you had a nice holiday and didn't have to show up for work.  And if that's the case, then may you get bad beer over the weekend!   (Lousy...no good people...enjoying their holiday...not at work unlike me....)

Anycase, the big news right now is the mooted transfer request by Kolo Toure.  It seems his relationship with Billy Gallas has gone the way of Robert Shaw and that mechanical shark.  Sad to say they don't get along and Kolo feels as if his career would be better served elsewhere.

I've been a big fan of Kolo's.  He had the game that complemented Sol Campbell, Phil Senderos or any other big, bruising CB.  He was a quiet leader who was growing in stature within the club.  And he was a mainstay on the Ivory Coast team.  I thought he was set for a good, long career with Arsenal. 

But between his loss of form after the malaria he contracted while on ACN duty and his inability to work with Gallas in central defense, Kolo has lost his spot.  Not only that, but he's now third choice CB after Gallas and Johan Djourou.  All of that has resulted in Kolo being willing to leave the club as shown by his putting in a transfer request.   The request follows the rumors of a potential 10 million pound move out there to Manchester City, who are in a desperate situation regarding their defense and have crazy money to fix it with.  (They just paid Chelsea 12 million quid for Wayne Bridge!)

That said, I feel that what I said for Gallas' departure in January goes just as well for Kolo.  I don't expect him to leave in this window.  In fact, unless it's an over-the-top offer, I don't expect we'll be selling any first team players right now.  The team is too riddled with injuries and lacks cover to just sell Premier League-experienced talent at this point. 

And that may be a blessing in disguise for Kolo and for the club.  I still think he's a quality defender. I think he can be brought back into the fold.  And regardless of what happens this season, I have to think there'll be major changes in this squad over the summer.   Perhaps things can be smoothed over in the coming weeks.  Perhaps the long-awaited departure of Gallas will change things.  Who knows?

All I know is that I'm glad the club isn't just trying to be accomodating to his transfer request.  It tells me that they're aware of their own situation and still see value in Kolo. 

We'll see how this plays out.  In the meantime, we're apparently moving for Shay Given, Andrey Arshavin and the Swedish bikini team.  Awesome!  Them Swedish girls make great wingers!

Ok, let me start off by wishing you and yours a happy, safe, fun, prosperous, exciting, slightly-dangerous-but-in-a-she-handcuffed-me-to-the-bedposts-way New Year.  As we bid fondue farewells to 2008, we can look back on many great moments, some sad moments, a few angry days and several weeks of worry.  It's the Circle of Life and Rafiki is holding you all balls-out for the world to see.

(Somewhere in there I threw an image that'll stay with you for the day...I hope).

I meant to write this epic midseason analysis on the state of Arsenal, but frankly, I got bored halfway through writing it.  You don't need me to break down stats and film.  You're Arsenal fans -- smarter than the average bear and cooler than Walt Disney's frozen head.  You know how many goals we've surrendered late (7 so far).  You know what our record is -- 10-5-5.  And you're aware of our long-term injuries...Walcott out till February, Fabregas out till April, Eduardo out till he's ready and Rosicky out till Ragnarok.

So I don't need to spell out the details of how our season's gone or bemoan our lack of health, luck, good refereeing or of fortitude.  Instead, let me use this space to give a bit of caution to all gooners: Calm yourselves.

For one, Arsene Wenger isn't going to spend 75 million pounds during January and bring in 4 or 5 players.  That's never been his style.  He's also not going to go buy major superstars at major superstar prices -- even if the current economic climate indicates he'd find one or two at a cut rate of only a third of Paraguay's GNP and not half. 

So what should we expect?

My guess is that we'll see 2 real targets come in with a 3rd a possibility IF the price is right.  One of those is almost certain to be a creative central midfielder.  Cesc's absence left Samir Nasri as the only creative option in midfield and he's being used out wide.  And a midfield combo made out of Denilson, Diaby and Song wouldn't put the fear of God into a League 2 side.  Now whether that midfielder is Mikel Arteta as some of the newspapers have presumed or not, I'll not argue.   But a CM will be brought in before January's out.  That much is guaranteed.

The other purchase, I believe, will be a central defender.  However, I don't think William Gallas will be sold -- at least not until the season is over.  The cupboard is too bare and, even with his occassional but monumental gaffes, we can't afford to lose any more experienced players.  However, even with Billy along for the ride, we've seen Kolo Toure's form just go down the toilet and Johan Djourou's emergence has been put on ice by small injuries here and there.  Arsene had targetted central defense as an area of need prior to the season and I think he'll go get someone who can help in set pieces -- cause Lord knows we need help there.

Everyone speculates that the third possible purchase will be a defensive midfielder, but I don't think so.  At least, I don't think Arsene thinks so.  He's likely to stick with Song or Denilson for that role until season's end.  The third possible purchase, to me, is likely to be a winger/wide-midfielder.  With Theo out until February and Diaby struggling in the wings, we're left with no width whatsoever except what can be generated by the fullbacks.  Someone with speed and touch out wide could help aleviate the pressure that the defense and central midfield have to absorb -- and which leads to so many damn late goals.

And finally, let me say: only half of the season's been played.  We talk about our defensive problems, but Aston Villa has conceded more late goals than us so far (9).  We mention our lack of chemistry but we haven't had a Ricardo Fuller-type incident and don't have the likes of Drogba or Ronaldo in our midst -- the "I can't be bothered because I'm out next season" attitude.  We say we need reinforcements, but so does everyone else -- from Liverpool down to West Brom.

There are 18 games left to play this season and no one's spot is guaranteed.  There's Champions League and FA Cup football all left to play and no one knows how those will break. 

In short, there's still everything to play for.  Our season isn't over.  So calm down, nut up and root for the Arsenal to show all the self-serving pundits, wind-up merchants and Spurs followers how wrong they are for dismissing our season as over.

Up the Arse in 2009!