Fighting On Four Fronts And A Fitness Race For Sammy

Bit of a flat performance in the cup but we made it through and were in that hat for the fifth round and got a decent draw.

Today, we were a bit below par but in a cup knock out game, you just need to get through and we did it. We got a defender back but have now lost him for three games so we are back to what we had in the last few games.

We saw Diaby return and even if he did not have his best game ever, I do think he will have his part to play this season and I really hope he stays fit because later in the season, players like Wilshere may need a rest and Diaby will have to come in.

Sammy Nasri started the game and the boss said the plan was to start Rosicky however, he was not fit enough so he went for Nasri. I also thought, with a knock out game, he did not want a repeat of Ipswich first leg or Leeds at home to happen again so he went for Nasri. It was a gamble, but it did not pay off. Will he make Barcelona? Probably not but we can pray and hope!

Who would anyone reading this play for Nasri in the league games and the tie with Barcelona.

Arshavin returning to his left side of midfield position?
Rosicky playing out wide?
Diaby playing on the left as he has in the past?
Put Theo on the left and play Bendtner on the right?
Or anything Ive missed out?

It is a massive blow to lose Sammy Nasri at such an important time. With tough looking games at Newcastle or at home to Everton and Barcelona, he will be missed.

A mention for Cesc Fabregas, how good is he? He may not be the vocal Tony Adams leader however, he certainly leads by example. He came on and ran the game and was superb. He can control the tempo of the game and can fashion chances for himself and his team mates. He really is a special talent and i hope he stays here for as long as possible because truly, he can win this club many trophies.

Everton come to the Emirates on Tuesday night and that is another big night for us. Robin had a rest today along with Theo and Jack so bar Nasri, we should return to the 'league' team.

Everton have been quite inconsistent this season but we know what they are all about and we got a good victory at Goodison Park and need to follow that up with the double.

Roll on Tuesday night! Come on You Arsenal!

Great Week For The Arsenal,Still Fighting On Four Fronts...

Great week or so, a win at Leeds, a hat trick By Robin Van Persie then winning a Semi final to confirm our place at Wembley in the Carling Cup final.

Even if at half time we were not so sure! The tension around the concourse was something unique and the way the Bendtner’s goal was celebrated sounded more like relief then celebration! What a goal it was though, great ball from Jack, Superb first touch, classy turn and fantastic finish. After that, we felt calmer and knew the goals would come.

Arshavin is another strange one. He has admitted his confidence has been low recently and he finds it hard to make the right decision when on the ball. Despite all that, he got two assists and even won the corner for the second goal. That may not be enough for some people and even Andrey himself, but his two assists need to be taken into account. I am no expert, I do not know what will happen to Arshavin (if he will stay or go at the end of the season) but when he plays, all we can do is support him. His situation certainly is a strange one but in a season where we are fighting on four fronts, we need all our players playing well.

So the first trophy of the season is nearly at a conclusion and we are in the final. Win this and that’s one down and a possible three to go!

The gut reaction after Birmingham’s victory over West Ham was we can win the final for Eduardo. Eduardo will be a player that is always close to my heart and I am sure most Arsenal supporters feel the same. Winning the game is important for many reasons. We need to win the game for ourselves firstly but the Eduardo stuff does come into it. We do want to win this game and dedicate some part of it to Eduardo. He will always be the player that could have been in my eyes.

I also learned that Theo Walcott is not good at games like Football Manager. I recently finished a season where Theo scored a double in the Champions League final and I was lucky enough to tell him that after the Ipswich game. I also reminded him that he already has a goal for Arsenal at Wembley and has a chance of getting another and he just smiled, he is just too modest!

Finally and thankfully Bacary Sagna is okay after the clash of heads, he went to hospital and has returned home which is fantastic news and for me, he is a huge part of our team and we need him playing for the rest of the season.

Time for the cup now and I expect many changes but think it is important to win and keep going. The momentum is with us and we must keep it going. Perhaps even our defensive record and recent clean sheets have gone un-noticed but that may be because people rather talk about Grey and Keys! (There was such great football this week yet all I saw on the news channels were about Grey and Keys!)

Roll on Sunday and lets get into the hat for the 5^th round! Come on you Arsenal!

One good performance away from a Carling Cup final

So here we are, one game away from a final which can see the end of all this 'five years without a trophy rubbish'!

When i visited Old Trafford earlier this season for the Arsenal game, I spoke to a gentlemen (a Man Utd fan) who told me not to let anyone tell me the Carling Cup is 'only' the Carling Cup. He reminded me that Manchester United won it last year and this year are going for the title and off course Jose's Chelsea first trophy was the Carling Cup.

So, if any of you Arsenal fans get people telling you its 'only' the Carling Cup then there is no need to get to angry or annoyed. This could only enhance the fight for the Premiership title too . I do think the Carling Cup and Premiership could be linked this season. If we win the Carling Cup, the players can only believe in themselves further and this could end up with the Premiership title at the Emirates at the end of the season.

I am not sure if it is just me but i can see a slight difference in the team and the belief seems to be stronger. Beating Chelsea and seeing Man City come and park the bus has certainly increased the belief and the victories against Birmingham, West ham and Wigan have increased it further.

Losing against Ipswich is NOT an option. We must win and we must go to Wembley in Mid Feb.

Come on you Arsenal! lets do this!!