Thank fuck for that. Perhaps we can now go back to our dull and mundane lives thanks to the news that my new favourite Russian ever has signed for the Arse. It took a while in coming with a lot of turds being thrown in all directions to confuse us but once dodging that Arshavin wanted to sign for us, we wanted him, and Zenit wanted to irritate everyone. Arsenal.com spoke to Jonathan Wilson, an Eastern Europe expert: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-arshavin-really-is-a-very-special-talent. The interesting points for me are that the Russian national team have a simliar style to us, pushing their full backs forward and playing with pace so he should fit in well and that he may not be fully ready to play for a while due to the Russian season having been ended for a while now. On a side note it seems like he is Andrey rather than Andrei.

Video of Andrey here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIRxxurh0xg

In other news, on if we can get past Cardiff in the fourth round replay we will play Burnley after their 3-1 triumph over West Brom: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/burnley-possible-fa-cup-5th-round-opponents

Apart from the obvious there's not much else so that's it for today.

What a crazy day! I thought the summer deadline day was odd but yesterday was something else. Andrei flew over on a private jet to a hertfordshire hotel just in case a deal would be struck. Well done to the little Russian for taking the initiative, if he'd have sat on his arse moping around he would not have been able to get through the weather with time to spare. Sky sports news recycled the same pictures of him out in the snow on his mobile all day. There were reports he was going back to St. Petersburg but apparently that was a smokescreen to take attention away from the deal. It was then announced by balloon headed reporter Bryan Swanson that a fee had been agreed, personal terms were done and a medical had been passed. Done deal? no. Then came the news that Zenit wanted a payment from Arshavin which was the only stumbling block. A Zenit official claimed a deal had failed to be done before the deadline. Then came the news that he was an Arsenal player to wear the number 13 shirt and signing a contract up to 2012.  But no, the paperwork having been submitted the deal would not be confirmed until today. Today, on his personal website Arshavin says he will wear number 23 and thinks he is an Arsenal player. As i write this there is still no confirmation but surely it will be announced today. If it's not i will cry. With all the speculation, bullshit and Dennis Lachter Arsenal are the only party to have maintained any dignity, keeping tight-lipped until it's all done. I'm proud of the way our club conducts it's business.

The only other high profile move was Keane's return to Spurs. Once a cunt always a cunt and is it just me that thinks Rafa Benitez is a crap manager? Anyway that shouldn't concern us as the news that the FA cup replay at home to Cardiff has been postponed leaving us with no football until sunday as we visit the scum: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/tuesday-s-cardiff-city-match-postponed. It'll be played on monday 16th February and will be on Setanta.

After the craziness surrounding Arshavin there isn't much else to take our minds off it. Apart from the news that Theo Walcott could return in a month: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/walcott-could-return-to-action-in-four-weeks

Match Highlights: http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/2035619/

Another day, another poor perfromance as we drew another blank. I have to say i am now officially worried. The title race is over for us. Fortunately Villa were unable to capitalise as they were held at home to Wigan keeping the gap at 5 points. Our unbeaten run continues but excuse me if i'm not jumping for joy. It's obvious for all that this is not the team that came so close to silverware last season. We are without Rosicky, Fabregas, Eduardo and Walcott but that's no excuse when you see the injuries of the other top clubs bar Aston Villa. it just goes to prove that we don't have the squad depth to challenge the likes of United. Eboue is the worst player i have ever seen wear an Arsenal shirt and that includes Stepanovs etc. I've never wished harm on an Arsenal player before but it makes me happy to see him injured. Diaby: poor, Denilson: mediocre, Song: useless, the list goes on. Questions must be asked of why Arsene persists with these players rather than buy better ones or even bring in the likes of Vela, Wilshere and Ramsey to play more regularly. It would bring the age of the team down even lower but no one can tell me that Eboue is better than Vela or Wilshere or that Ramsey isn't worth a run in the team. We'll see what comes with just a day or so left in the transfer window. You would expect us to sign Arshavin but unless Arsene has his fingers in other pies other signings look unlikely.

To be fair defensively we were good and bar a Collins header off the line we were not threatened at all. Gallas and Toure were surprisingly the central defensive partnership and they did well. In the absence of Van Persie for reasons unknown we created little. Why did he leave out our best player this season, our most creative player and the player in the best form? I honestly can't answer that question. Diaby hit the bar early on before being booked and therefore missing the North London derby next weekend. Adebayor had a couple of good chances in the second half but missed them both. It's time to drop him Arsene not Van Persie. Perhaps Bendtner may have been better with those chances but instead he was stuck in an unfamiliar position. Wenger's thoughts here: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-i-feel-the-attitude-of-the-team-was-right.

Cesc is looking to make a quick recovery from his injury: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4881380,00.html. The quicker he's back the better just as long as he's fully fit.

Youngster Henri Lansbury has joined Scunthorpe on loan for a month: http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/lansbury-joins-scunthorpe-united-on-loan.

We'll see what the rest of the window begins before the FA cup replay with Cardiff on tuesday.

The hammers visit the emirates today in great form and with high hopes of an upset with Carlton Cole scoring in 5 successive games. There's no doubt there'll pose us some problems but i still expect us to win the game. We really need to get back on the winning trail today. In terms of the team i really hope Arsene will give Vela a game. He's been good coming from the bench and deserves to play. Adebayor is not on his best form so dropping him for Bendtner could be a good idea. It will most likely be Djourou and Gallas in central defence.

Arsene has commented on Nasri: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-nasri-can-have-a-great-future-here, Rosicky: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-rosicky-progress-is-very-positive, our rivals: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-we-can-outlast-rivals-in-marathon and why he won't be a central midfielder (Fuck!): http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-why-i-won-t-buy-a-central-midfielder

On Arshavin watch and the deal looks like it will go through, Arsene says it could be done just before the close of the window: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-arshavin-deal-could-go-down-to-last. He has also explained his reasons in trying to sign him: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-why-i-want-to-sign-andrei-arshavin

Finally, we're in the quarter finals of the FA Youth cup after a 4-0 win against Sunderland: http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/171390/reserves/sunderland-v-arsenal-res?tab=report. I think we can win it.

That's it, a good win needed today.

Match Highlights here: http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/2023922/

Part of me feels that a point when a goal down away to a good team in good formis a good result. The other part of me feels that we should have beaten them. The performance was once again poor with Song out battled by Fellaini in the middle and Denilson consistently losing the ball on the right. To be fair we were pretty good defensively bar their goal. We dealt with corners and free kicks as well as could be expected and we restricted their goalscoring chances. However, we were unable to build on that base and create chances ourselves.

With performances like yesterday Arshavin (or Rosicky) seems like the perfect player to come into the team and be a creative spark. We're now 5 points behind Villa, 6 behind Liverpool and Chelsea and 8 behind United having played a game more. Adebayor dissapointed me once again, is their a lazier player in the premier league? He strutts around the pitch like he doesn't care, a far cry from last seasons work ethic and enthusiasm which endeared him to Arsenal fans. Maybe dropping him for a game or two might buck his ideas up. Their goal was similar to hull's last week. Baines (i think) had a huge amount of time and space to pick a good cross which he did to the onrushing Cahill, virtually unmarked! and he had the simple task of beating Clichy to the ball with Almunia stranded.

Considering we were a goal down we weren't able to create much at all which was really dissapointing. A world class goal from the fantastic Van Persie gave us a draw with our only moment of quality. But do we have anyone else capable of that bar Van Persie, Fabregas and Rosicky. The answer at the moment is no and although i was sceptical of signing Arshavin at first i think he's just what we need right now, a short term solution. I did laugh when chasing a game we bring on Eboue and Bendtner. Bendtner is alright, not brilliant but he does score goals when it matters but Eboue. Fucking Hell. i've never seen anyone as bad as him. He just cannot pass the ball. In one situation Van Persie made an intelligent run down the wing, i was screaming for Eboue to play it to him instead he holds the ball up, passes it straight to an Everton player in the middle of the pitch with no Arsenal shirt within ten yards and they're on the counter-attack. He does more damage than the opposition.

Arsene continues to chat his bollocks: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4866158,00.html. What's the point of character if the team is just not good enough. I'm very frustrated with Arsene but after all he's done for the club one or two or ten mistakes doesn't make him a bad manager and he certainly isn't that.

We've got West Ham on saturday with them in great form and us now unbeaten in 9 games which sounds strange given that most of those have been poor performances.

On Arshavin, the deal is about 90% completed according to Arsene however the deal is not completed just yet: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4867346,00.html. I really hop we sign him with enough time for another signing but i'm not so sure.

That's it a poorish performance that extended our unbeaten run.

I'm really confused about the situation with a certain russian. After conflicting reports from the two clubs yesterday we're no closer to completing a deal. Zenit claimed a fee was agreed and personal terms were the stumbling block until via arsenal.com Arsene Wenger claimed no fee had been agreed. Whatever the case it looks like it will go right down to the wire. Arsene will not break the wage structure: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-our-wage-structure-will-not-be-broke. My guess is that Arshavin wants his wages before tax but if he wants to play for Arsenal he'll have to compromise. I'm past caring if i'm honest. If we sign him we've got a quality creative player if not maybe we can solve our other problems ie. Central defender/ Defensive midfielder.

On to today's game and once again it's vital with Villa and United winning yesterday. Everton are a really good team and as we've seen with draws against United, Chelsea and Liverpool twice they can hold their own against the big teams. From open play i'm not so worried with their massive lack of strikers but from set plays they have arguably the best attacking defender in the league in Lescott and the elusive Cahill who is difficult to mark. If we defend set pieces well i can see us scoring and therefore winning the match. Arsene may bring Gallas back into the s ide: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-ponders-defensive-options-for-everton. I would like to see Djourou play because his height is much needed from set-pieces. I hope Eboue's not playing but with Denilson and most likely Song (because he is more physical) in the centre and Nasri and Diaby? out wide he may play a part.

Eduardo needs a couple of games before he's ready for the first team: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-maps-eduardo-s-first-team-return. Whereas Rosicky may be back in eight weeks: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/rosicky-s-comeback-may-be-in-eight-weeks. Good news and we'll need everyone possible to end the season well including Eboue.

Arsene expects a tight title race: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4861326,00.html. I can't see Everton winning the title but anyway.

Finally, on Theo Walcott's contract, Arsene is confident of signing a new one: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-confident-over-new-deal-for-walcott. This is as important as any signings for me. We cannot afford to let Walcott, he gives us something different in the final third with his pace and directness and he's only going to get better with time.

For some reason i fancy Adebayor having a good game tonight and perhaps scoring a couple on the way to a 3-1 win. I hope.

Highlights here:http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/2011417/

Apologies for the lateness of this blog but internet problems can't be helped. Anyways sunday saw a rather poor performance in Wales. Iv'e finally had it with Eboue now. One terrible performance after another, he is just not good enough and i will host a party the day he leaves the club. Anyway, the game itself started terribly for us, Cardiff created chance after chance in the first 20 minutes although their finishing was wayward. Then we got back into the game, creating chances of our own mostly on the counter-attack, the best came with Nasri shooting straight at enckelman when through on goal. We dominated the second half but lacked a cutting edge Van Persie had some good efforts but when the ball came to Adebayor at the back post it should have been wildly but he looked like bambi on ice as he tried to strike it, chance gone. After that the game headed towards a stalemate despite McCormack's free-kick hitting the bar.

It was a dissapointing performance but we were still in the hat and we drew a winnable game at the emirates against either West Brom or Burnley. Win the replay and the next match and we're in the quarter final, two steps from wembley which is a positive thought.

On the transfer front, we have agreed a fee with Zenit for Arshavin: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4853763,00.html. Definitely a step in the right direction with his wage demands the only stumbling block and if he doesn't lower his demands he's one silly russian.

More good news that Tomas Rosicky has stepped up his rehabilitation: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4852013,00.html. I'm not sure if we'll see him play this season but we can't rush him back.

Everton preview tomorrow.

Update: We have been deceived: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-we-have-not-agreed-arshavin-fee. Fuck Zenit.

Big game today as our FA cup run continues. There's no doubt it will be a tough game. Cardiff are riding high in the championship, they have some quality players such as Ledley and McCormack and will have the backing of a vociferous crowd at Ninian park. I love the FA cup it is so prestigous and teams not taking it seriously is a big shame. If nothing else it's a winnable trophy for us but it's so much more than that, no other cup competition has the same amount of history and envokes the same kind of memories. We have won the cup 10 times, the second highest, and won some classic finals, Charlie George in extra time, Alan Sunderland in the last minute and it's only ray parlour to name a few. Cardiff's one and only victory in the competition came in 1927 against us so we could get some belated revenge today.

We've got Everton on wednesday so Arsene is likely to rotate the squad. I think Ramsey, Bendtner and Vela might start with the likes of Van Persie and Adebayor in reserve. Clichy is unavailable so Silvestre may start in his place. It's difficult to guess Arsene's team selection today so we'll have to wait and see. On the beef between Toure and Gallas Arsene says they don't have to be friends: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-team-mates-don-t-need-to-be-friends. Can't they all just get along?

Arsne has also heaped praise on Denilson: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-why-denilson-deserves-more-credit. To an extent he is right. Denilson has had some dodgy games this season but people forget he's only 20 and he has plenty of time to grow. He's definitely a useful player for us although ideally he wouldn't have to play so many matches but instead gradually infiltrate him into the team. However, needs must and without Flamini and a defensive midfielder he is our best option.

The news of the World links us with a £7m move for Micah Richards: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/142454/MICAH-RICHARDS-FOR-ARSENAL-Arsene-Wenger-ready-to-make-move-for-Manchester-City-defender.html. Smells fishy to me. Why would City sell a young defender with great potential who is already a regular in their team with their defence already struggling for a relatively cheap price to one of their rivals for a future champions league place?

A crazy youth match ended 5-3 to Arsenal against Southampton: http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3035235/youth/southampton-yth-v-arsenal-yth?tab=report

Here's to a result today. Review tomorrow.

We'll start with last night's reserves 2-2 draw with Stoke and there are at least two reasons to be cheerful. The first that Eduardo played a full 90 minutes for the first time since his injury and although it was all about match fitness he played reasonably well having a goal ruled out for offside late on. he should be ready to play in the first team sometime next month. The second reason for cheerfulness was the performance of Jack Wilshere who scored a double. The first was world class. If he continues to play this well Arsene should seriously consider putting him in the first team more regularly preferably in place of Eboue. We all know he shouldn't be rushed into the team but when we are crying out for a creative player (Arshavin aside) he could be just what we're looking for and he's ours. Mwa ha ha ha. Assorted highlights including Wilshere's superb strike and Eduardo's offside goal here: http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1995551/

Andrei Arshavin has resorted to prayer to force his move to Arsenal: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4829870,00.html. Unless God resorts to violence on Zenit it's unlikely he will be able to help us.

Do not listen to Dennis Lachter for he knows nothing: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_4830887,00.html It looks like a conclusion will soon be reached either way.

Peter Hill-Wood says we've made our final offer: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/66738/I-ll-be-Shavin-you-for-12million-/.

Paul Rodgers will be at Northampton for the next month: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/rodgers-joins-northampton-town-on-loan. Whereas Abu Ogogo will stay at Barnet until the end of the season: http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/ogogo-to-stay-at-barnet-for-rest-of-season

More news tomorrow.

After the inevitable collapse of Kaka's move to Man City last night the transfer window has been quieter than most people thought it would be. In terms of russian news the reports are that he could be an Arsenal player soon: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4817773,00.html. However, i was just watching sky sports news and their transfer guy callled it 50-50 with the clubs unable to come to an agreement. Maybe we should hire some KGB agents to get them to lower the price. Perhaps once the deal is done we can get on with our lives.

Tomas Rosicky (remember him?) is confident of a return to the first team soon: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4817315,00.html. It would be a big boost to have a fit Rosicky in the squad

Adebayor believes we can win the title: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4816839,00.html.To be honest after the 3-0 defeat at Man city i thought it was all over but i'm starting to think a little differently now. We're on a good run of form, have players coming back from injuries, hopefully some new signings and the teams above us aren't performing too well. More dropped points from Liverpool leaves us just six points behind them. I'm confident Villa will come unstuck when they get injuries, Liverpool are just too defensive, Chelsea lack confidence and that just leaves United who aren't winning games comfortably like they did last season. So we're still in there and as long as we keep fighting we may just prove everyone one wrong. Arsene agrees with me: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4816678,00.html.

Gallas has claimed he may leave once his contract is up as a free agent which is surprisingly in two years time: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4817818,00.html. If that's the truth than there's plenty of time until we have to deal with this.

Finally we are linked with a young hungarian called Mate Toth: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_4811963,00.html. Yes his name really is mate.

FA cup on sunday hopefully with a russian in the squad.