by Joel Abraham

The big question on the lips of every Gooner. Having lost five league games to Fulham, Hull, Stoke, Villa and Man City before the turn of the year, most fans doubted Arsenal would even finish 5th. The Gunners have done well to turn their season around, unbeaten domestically in 2009, and are eyeing up potential FA Cup and Champions League glory.

But at this crucial stage of the season, injuries are coming in thick and fast. The next two games against Villarreal and Chelsea will define Arsenal's season. But can they win them with Fabianski, Silvestre and Gibbs in the side?

Part of Arsenal's success this year has been down to the defence, which has conceded a measly five league goals in 2009. William Gallas has been excellent throughout, getting about his work with a quiet, focused intensity, a marked improvement from the brash, outspoken Gallas of last year. Yet with his season ended by injury, and replacement Johan Djourou injured, Arsenal will struggle.

There are still question marks over why Alex Ferguson was happy to let Silvestre leave to a rival for next to nothing, and the Frenchman was found wanting against Wigan several times. How will he fare against Llorente and Rossi? Drogba? Rooney? Torres? Kieran Gibbs has looked promising, but he has been well and truly thrown in at the deep end. Antonio Valencia gave him a torrid afternoon at the JJB, but in Gibbs' defence, Valencia is one of the better wingers he will have to face. Fabianski has looked confident and assured, but his failure to keep out Mido's shot yesterday and deal with several high balls could be a cause for concern.

So, with the defence looking significantly weaker than it did a week ago, Arsenal will be relying on their free-scoring frontline to compensate. Wenger has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation over recent weeks, with two holding midfielders (Song and Denilson), three creative players (Walcott, Fabregas, Arshavin/Nasri) and one forward (Bendtner/Adebayor/van Persie). Liverpool have employed a similar setup with much success, but the system is wholly dependent on the creative players supporting the lone striker adequately. The sole source of goals before yesterday was Fabregas' ability to pick out Adebayor with the perfect pass, but it is important to have at least two of the three attacking midfielders supporting every attack. As seen with Walcott's goal yesterday, where the Englishman and Andrey Arshavin were there to pick up Bendtner's flick-on. Alex Song also deserves credit for his transformation from a nervous liability to a bustling, tough-tackling, incisive midfielder, a worthy partner for Fabregas.

Also worth noting is Arsenal's superiority late on in games. The Gunners have tended to come alive after an hour, when opponents high-tempo pressing begins to falter, energy levels drop, and Arsenal's pacy forwards are able to rip teams open on the counter. Don't be surprised to see a dramatic finish to the Villarreal game, and fitness could also be decisive in the FA Cup game, providing Arsenal are still in the game late on.

The odds seem to be against Arsenal claiming silverware based on their defensive frailties. However, if they can hold firm during the first half, they have the ability to score goals against any team in the world.

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by Michael Sinnerton

Champions League

With 3 of the 4 English teams a goal up and Manchester United undefeated in 20 games in Europe a 5/2 bet with Ladbrokes for all 4 teams to make the quarter-finals seems generous.

Those of a conservative nature should place a cover bet on Inter Milan to qualify at 7/4, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all in great positions.

Championship

Preston are evens at home to Sheffield Wednesday and have 13 wins from 18 at home. Meanwhile the Owls have lost 10 from 18 away.

Ebanks-Blake is 7/2 to be first scorer for Wolves against Ipswich in a game they should win at 8/11

League Two

Aldershot are 13/8 to beat Shrewsbury who have the worst away form in the division, although the draw at  23/10 may be the better bet.

by Joel Abraham

Arsenal have captivated the footballing world over the past month with their gorgeous free-flowing buildup, that sees the opposition passed into oblivion before succumbing to a crushing 0-0 draw. But what are Arsene Wenger's secrets of total football?

Fig. 1: The Crab

In the absence of Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal rely on the vision and incisive passing of Denilson and Alex Song. Wenger has nurtured their creativity by forbidding either from entering the opposition penalty area, dribbling, or passing the ball forwards. Aaron Ramsey attempted a forward pass during a recent FA cup clash with Cardiff, and was subsequently fined two weeks wages and sent to the reserves.

As we see here, the ball is moved from side-to-side until a throw-in is conceded. Members of the crowd are encouraged to shine lasers into the eyes of players to prevent them from looking forwards.

Fig. 2: The Bermuda Triangle

Liquid football at its finest. The players are free to roam wherever they please, and end up congregating in the same square metre of pitch, stepping on each others feet. The precocious, sullen youngsters are too technically accomplished and European to bother making a forward run, and stand around looking at each other before Bendtner miscontrols the ball and puts it into Row Z.

Here, the players are seen making tiny tiny passes to each other and waiting for Eduardo to return to match fitness.

Fig. 3: The Maradona

When the intricate passing fails to break down the more stubborn defences, like those of Middlesbrough, West Brom, Blackburn, Stoke and fifteen other top-tier sides, then the secret weapon Eboue is allowed to unleash his dribbling skills on the hapless opposition.

Eboue picks up the ball in his own half, tightly closes his eyes, and uses his sense of smell to guide him to the goal.

Fig. 4 - The Heimlich Manoeuvre

Football is of course a team game, and what better way to utilise your entire lineup than by inviting your marauding fullbacks to tear into the opposing defence. It is a swift, devastating and unexpected mode of attack, so when you've tried it 48 times and there's still half an hour to go, the opposition won't know what's coming.

Clichy uses his lightning pace to burst through the defence, beat his marker and whip a dangerous cross towards Finsbury Park tube station.

by Joel Abraham

I like Manchester City. I wrote a few months ago about how I was relishing the prospect of a star-studded City XI, and with Kaka seemingly close to becoming the newest recruit, I can't bloomin' wait.

People are constantly lecturing us on how £108m could be better spent, how Mark Hughes needs a team of grafters and warriors to shore up the defence. Maybe, but wouldn't you much rather be watching Kaka?

I think Man City should be applauded for their pursuit of players like Robinho and Kaka, who make the game worth watching. Surely this is preferable to the philosophies of cloggers like Gary Megson and Tony Pulis, whose sole aim to to strangle the life out of any game they take part in?

At worst, Kaka becomes a hilarious expensive flop. At best, we get to see one of the world's finest footballers producing his artistry on a regular basis. This does of course beg the question as to whether any footballer could ever live up to such a price tag, but it's a question we should ignore for the sake of the beautiful game.

It's an obscene amount of money. Yet I find the idea of Abu Dhabi's oil money being poured into football a lot more palatable than Abramovich's cash, which by all accounts should've remained in the Russian public services sector.

Arsene Wenger is claiming this is terrible for football, immoral, unfair. Possibly, but until every other Premier League club is owned by oil barons, I suggest we enjoy Man City for the novelty act that they have become.

P.S. On a side note, I find the moral dilemma for Kaka himself utterly fascinating. As a devout Christian who allegedly has no interest in money, is he about to sell his soul for £1m a month?

by Joel Abraham

Zenit - Shhhhh

Dick Advocaat said today that he's resigned to losing Andrei Arshavin. Zenit have declared that they are in negotiations with Arsenal over a possible transfer. By February, Arshavin won't be a Zenit player. He won't be an Arsenal player either.

Arsenal like doing deals on the quiet. It keeps them cheap and quick. The signing of Robin van Persie in 2004 was delayed from January until July because Feyenoord blabbed. Zenit have gone one better and have probably scuppered this deal completely.

What Zenit are up to is obvious. By revealing that Wenger is after Arshavin, they're trying get other clubs involved to spark a bidding war and get as much money as possible for their man. Fair enough, but don't expect Wenger to play ball. Arsenal are poor, and won't pay more than £12m for a 27-year-old.

Hopefully a club with more money than sense will cough up and put to bed one of the most tedious transfer stories of the season.

by Joel Abraham 

Chelsea v Juventus

Chelsea have struggled at home recently, and may well profit from having the second leg in Turin. When Scolari's boys are on form they can rip the opposition to shreds, but Liverpool and Arsenal have shown that Deco, Lampard et al can be stifled by flooding the midfield. Ranieri knows Chelsea well and may have the upper hand here. Juve can play a direct game by utilising the height and power of Amauri and Iaquinta, and boast the constant goalscoring threat of Trezeguet, as well as the craft of Nedved and the evergreen Del Piero. They have strength and presence defensively in the shape of Chiellini and Mellberg, and the midfield bite of Poulsen and Sissoko. Don't expect this one to be pretty.

Prediction: Juve to nick an away goal and sit on it

Villarreal v Panathinaikos

The Yellow Submarine will need a good result in the first leg to ensure their passage into the last eight, as they are fragile away from the Madrigal. Pana seem to do better away from home, and their win at San Siro has shown them to be more than capable of causing an upset. They do not concede many, Gilberto, Karagounis and Ivanschitz are at the heart of a strong midfield, whilst Salpigidis is a danger up front. Rossi and Llorente will be looking for the goals for Villarreal, and Pires, Cazorla and Senna will create plenty of chances for them.

Prediction: Home form to see Villarreal through

Sporting v Bayern

Sporting saw off Shakhtar and Basel with ease, but were torn apart by Barcelona. They may find Bayern's firepower too much to handle. Moutinho and Veloso are a formidable midfield pairing, and Liedson is their top scorer in the competition. Bayern progressed serenly through their group, and boast the attacking prowess of Klose, Toni and Ribery. Sporting ought to be no match for the Germans.

Prediction: Easy victory for Bayern

Atletico v Porto

One of the more intruiging ties of the round. Atleti were untroubled by PSV and Marseille, and were unlucky not to beat Liverpool home and away. Kun, Forlan, Maxi and Simao are a constant threat, and can break down any defence.  Porto looked mediocre initially, but three consecutive victories has shown their ability to win when they need to. Argentine duo Lucho and Lisandro are their key players and will need to make the most of their chances to compensate for a shaky defence. Atleti are the favourites, but don't write off Porto.

Prediction: Atleti to win at home, lose away, and progress

Lyon v Barcelona

Lyon got the tie everyone else wanted to avoid, and it'll probably put paid to their European dreams for another year.  Barca are running away with La Liga, and have a frontline that is almost impossible to contain. The flipside is that they're vulnerable in defence too, so this could be a high-scoring affair. Lyon are no mugs and have an impressive scoring record of their own, and have the irrepressible Benzema on hand to fight their corner. Don't expect many clean sheets. Barca have the bigger guns, but if they get careless, Lyon could profit.

Prediction: Barca to score more than Lyon - just

Real Madrid v Liverpool

A fascinating tie. Benitez will try to strangle the life out of the game, but he'll have his work cut out. van Nistelrooy is a massive loss for Real, and in his absence, Higuain, Raul, Huntelaar and co. will have to step up. Liverpool may struggle to contain the dutch trio of Sneijder, Robben and van der Vaart, but the defence is not watertight. Expect Liverpool to swamp the middle of the park - Mascherano and Alonso will be key to their fortunes. If they can avoid defeat at the Bernabeu, then Real may become yet another victim to the cloying, mawkish sentimentality of Anfield and a dodgy late Gerrard winner.

Prediction: A mind-numbing stalemate in Spain followed by an undeserved Liverpool home win

Arsenal v Roma

Another interesting face-off between two teams who are struggling domestically. Arsenal's young side have an infuriating habit of slaying the big teams before surrendering meekly to poor opposition a week later. Depending on their January transfer activity and the injury situation, they may be a force to be reckoned with in the big games. van Persie and Nasri have shown themselves as capable matchwinners, but the defence is as porous as ever. Roma made a decent comeback in Group A, including an impressive home display against Chelsea. Put simply, they don't score enough and they concede too many. Vucinic will be a danger up front, and Baptista may yet have something nasty in store for his former employers. The second leg will be better than the first.

Prediction: Two draws, Arsenal to sneak through on away goals

Inter v Manchester United

Mourinho blah blah blah. Forget him, this ought to be a great footballing spectacle without the unnecessary soap opera sideshow. Inter are dominating domestically, but were somewhat fortunate to actually make it through their group. After much European disappointment in recent years, particularly at the hands of English opposition, Inter are better equipped this year around. If Ibrahimovic is on form, United will have a torrid time, but the midfield will decide the winners. Cambiasso, Zanetti and Muntari will have to isolate Rooney and neutralise the support play of Ronaldo, Tevez and/or Berbatov in order to frustrate United. At Old Trafford, Inter's attacking stars may begin to shine.

Prediction: Inter to topple the holders in their own back garden

by Joel Abraham

This week's round of Champions League fixtures has given us plenty to think about. Michel Platini's crusade to flood the competition with obscure teams from remote countries seems to have made some progress at least, with the likes of Anderlecht, Rangers, Olympiacos and Galatasaray dumped out at the expense of relative minnows Cluj, Anorthosis, BATE and Aalborg. Yet, far from being the whipping boys most of us would've anticipated, these teams are holding their own amidst the European heavyweights.

Cluj

Five years ago, Cluj were in the regional third division of Romanian football. They are now reigning champions. With the aim of breaking the stranglehold of the Bucharest big three, Cluj already seem likely to better Steaua's recent European achievements. The side is packed with foreign signings from Portugal, Argentina, Sweden and Brazil, and their relative lack of experience has done little to hinder their chances. A stunning 2-1 win against Roma at the Olimpico was followed by a 0-0 home draw with Chelsea, and you would fancy their chances of toppling a Bordeaux team that has yet to impress. Cluj are capable of goals from any area of the pitch, with the talented Eugen Trica creating the chances and Argentine winger Juan Culio having left his mark on the Italian capital. Manager Ioan Andone has a promising career ahead of him, and for Cluj, the knockout stages beckon.

Aalborg

The Danish Champions have not appeared in the competition since 1996, and enjoyed an impressive campaign last year that included knocking Sampdoria out of the UEFA Cup. Ex-Arsenal boss Bruce Rioch took over this year, as they comfortably beat Rangers' conquerors Kaunus in the final qualifying round. Although they are unlikely to disrupt Man United and Villarreal's progress to the last 16, they look sure to provide Celtic with some stiff competition for the UEFA Cup spot after holding the Scottish Champions to a stalemate at Parkhead on Matchday One. Their central defensive pairing of Michael Beauchamp and Michael Jakobsen were excellent that night, and Moroccan keeper Karim Zaza was key to their title win last season. Celtic will be approaching the return fixture at the Energi Nord Arena on Matchday Five with some trepidation. 

Anorthosis

After an excellent qualifying campaign that overcame a supposedly superior Rapid Wien and a historic win over Greek title-holders Olympiacos, Anorthosis have approached the current campaign with nothing to fear. This is in part down to the motivating tactics of manager Temuri Ketsbaia, as well as an increase in top-tier experience in the squad. The colossal Traianos Dellas has bolstered the defence, and ex-Real Madrid midfielder Savio was a CL winner back in 2000. Ketsbaia switches between a conservative 4-5-1 and a 4-4-2 for home games, with an aggressive, physical approach that has so far yielded an impressive point at Bremen and a comfortable 3-1 home win over Panathinaikos. They are level at the summit of Group B, and if they can salvage points from their two encounters with Inter then qualification would be well within their grasp.

BATE

The dominant force in Belarus, BATE reached the Group Stage with unexpected wins over Anderlecht and Levski Sofia. The team are physically fitter than most others and are tactically astute, as well as possessing an impressive youth academy. Most of their best players are poached by Russian teams, so the emphasis is very much upon youth. 31-year-old manager Viktor Goncharenko has blended this youth with a few experienced older heads and the side is built around the talents of holding midfielder Dmitry Likhtarovich. BATE lost 2-0 at the Bernabeu but held Juventus to a 2-2 draw at home, and look set to battle it out with Zenit for the UEFA Cup spot.