Think back to spring of this year, not too long ago and lining up against Blackburn at Ewood Park was (taking account of injuries and suspensions) the best Arsenal XI available.  That included a 17 year-old FA cup debutant in Armand Traore and the fearsome strike-partnership that was Julio (The Beast) Baptista and Jeremie (Mr Glass) Aliadiere.  Not to mention the 2^nd choice central defence of Senderos and Djourou and a bench that included Hoyte…  no, the other one (the 16-year-old).  While Chelsea bemoaned their injury “crisis” of missing two players Arsenal without Henry, Van Persie, Adebayor, Toure, Gallas, and Clichy were having to really scrape the barrel.  Fast-Forward eight months and we have the exact opposite problem, I can’t help feeling sorry for Gilberto Silva, joint player of the season last time (with Cesc) and he’s not only snubbed for the captaincy but finding himself second-choice altogether.  Is it wrong to say I’d almost like to see Flamini just take a tiny tiny niggle just to give Gilbs a chance (yes it’s very wrong because it tempts fate).

He’s dealt with it with fantastic dignity though so you have to give credit to him and it puts Lehmann’s behaviour in perspective.  He’s embarrassed himself completely and that’s very disappointing having been the hero in the Champions League not so long ago, if you’re wondering if he’ll still be around after January take notice that he never “expects to play” before a CL game.  Don’t want to get cup-tied now do we Jens. 

I have to say I’m very worried about the Carling Cup trip to Blackburn, we’ve struggled there in the last few years and the last time they really turned the cuntyness up to 11 (Savage stamping on Fabregas’ head etc), do our younger players have the stamina to deal with a team like that (especially since Mark Hughes seems to have brought in some actual football players as well now).  Speaking of Hughes his comments about Van persie (I can’t remember where I read it but some reaction to VP’s criticism of Blackburn saying “Van Persie’s not the whitest player”) were just hilarious, it’s not what he’s saying as he’s not far off but it’s who’s saying them:-  a vicious cheating-twat of a player who’s become a vicious cheating-oaf of a manager managing a team of vicious, cheating cunts.   

Nothing to say about the Man-Utd game that hasn’t been said already other than I’m really starting to grow fond of William Gallas.  He’s definitely improved as a player since he’s had a good run in the side (a lot of people have been doubtful of his partnership with Toure), having a big mouth isn’t always bad (his pre-slavia press-conference where they ask him about Chelsea is a delight), plus he’s attempting a Mohawk which is fantastic.