It seems almost guaranteed that JY Park will not be a surprise starter as our new forward is currently in Paris trying to obtain a work permit. He hasn’t trained with the team yet and having to make the trek over from France and then start tomorrow after having played for his country may well be a stretch too far. At best he will find a place on the bench subject to his work permit

I can smell the hamburger stands along Gillespie Road, I can almost feel the excitement that lurks in the air on match day, I can almost hear the conversations about the squad coming from all around you (I do miss those Highbury days). Yes, the Arsenal are almost ready to play and I must say, I haven’t been this excited about a game for sometime.

Arsene Wenger has reappeared on the official site for the first time in a little while, well since that game against that team. It seems as if remarkably, only Tomas Rosicky is the only doubt from those who travelled and played for their countries which is erm.. remarkable.

I don’t know about you but I feel rather unsettled before a match until I know what team we are likely to field. Well the boss has settled my nerves somewhat by stating that Santos is not yet match fit not only that but Rosicky has a knock. I thought he would have had a good chance of playing as he only played in one of the International games and not the two that many other players had to, like Ramsey for example. Perhaps that has something to do with the knock he suffered, I do not know.

While Santos is an exciting and experienced option at full back, Kieran Gibbs who is now fit again has started the season very well (when fit of course) and based on appearances he doesn’t really deserve to be dropped. It will be an interesting battle at left back but I am sure both players will get enough game time when they are both fit.

It seems almost guaranteed that JY Park will not be a surprise starter as our new forward is currently in Paris trying to obtain a work permit. He hasn’t trained with the team yet and having to make the trek over from France and then start tomorrow after having played for his country may well be a stretch too far. At best he will find a place on the bench subject to his work permit. If he does then I hope he gets some type of run out.

Arsene speaking in his press conference responded to questions of panic buying at the end of the window. I am actually very surprised that this is still being given credence.

What serious manager would go out and start buying players based on one fixture regardless of the result and score line?.

Wenger had already hinted that players would be replaced once they left the club, he also said that transfer business either took place right at the beginning (Jenkinson, Gervinho, Campbell and Oxlade-Chamberlain) or right at the end. These two points have been conveniently ignored to fuel the Arsenal in crisis stories that have been thrusted in our faces.

Today was the first day at training for the new boys who were on International duty. You can picture it now. Arteta standing hands on hips rocking from side to side waiting to catch the eye of Yossi Benayoun and then a firm handshake and quick chit chat about the former Mersyside derby’s until the uncomfortable silence and then back to stretches until Theo struts over and introduces himself.

It must be a very unusual feeling around the training ground right now. There some great pictures on the official site with all the boys in training. Would love to know who is impressing the most, who looks the most nervous and who is linking up with who. If I could come back as anything then it would have to be an Arsenal training cone. Perhaps not but would be great to be part of the training sessions. Instead of big brother, why can’t they have a big Arsenal. Where camera’s follow the Arsenal players 24/7. Surely that is the way forward in the sport.

Basically. I have written this blog because I am massively looking forward to watching the team play. I couldn’t actually sleep the other night as formations spun around in my head with pictures of the players. My girlfriend is right when she says I am beyond obsessed.

Anyway, back tomorrow with some pre match stuff.