In Arsène’s press conference he kept talking about how we didn’t come up with the right performance at Goodison Park last weekend and that we need a proper performance to get through. It is difficult to disagree with that but what is a proper performance? What do we have to do to achieve this? I don’t know but I do know what I would like to see. Some aggression both with and without the ball. I want to see us fighting hard to get the ball back when we do not have it. How many times have you seen an Arsenal team play that way against a lower placed side and lose? When we are fully up for it? Yeah I can’t think of any either. I also want us to be aggressive when we are in possession. I’ve spoken many times about our patience in our approach being the one thing that kills us just as much as it helps us. We have to pass at a high tempo and create chances.

So how are you feeling this morning? There are an awful lot of nerves going around at the moment mine included because a negative result doesn’t bear thinking about, it really doesn’t.

The Everton performance I hear was shambolic, I say hear because I still haven’t watched it as yet, not sure I will now but the mood following that wasn’t great was it?, many Gooners have predicted that it is the end of the road for Arsène if a positive result doesn’t come our way by the end of play this evening and maybe that is the case but I’d rather not find out.

This is a game we need and must win and that in itself brings about it’s own pressures. Psychologically Wigan have a huge advantage over us for a few reasons. Firstly they have been in excellent form of late. Although they did lose their last game against Millwall after resting some legs for today’s match. They also have recent experience of beating a big rich Premier League side. One more thing, they haven’t been beaten by Everton 3-0 in a while.

For us, we are expected to win and nothing else will do. We will hear the knifes being sharpened as we walk out onto that Wembley pitch.

In Arsène’s press conference he worried us with talk that everyone had injury worries but Doris the tea lady can put her boots back on the shelf as pictures on Arsenal.com show all those players training with the first team so I fully expect them to start or at least be in the squad. Arsene also kept talking about how we didn’t come up with the right performance at Goodison Park last weekend and that we need a proper performance to get through. It is difficult to disagree with that but what is a proper performance? What do we have to do to achieve this?

I don’t know but I do know what I would like to see. Some aggression both with and without the ball. I want to see us fighting hard to get the ball back when we do not have it. How many times have you seen an Arsenal team play that way against a lower placed side and lose? When we are fully up for it? Yeah I can’t think of any either.

I also want us to be aggressive when we are in possession. I’ve spoken many times about our patience in our approach being the one thing that kills us just as much as it helps us. We have to pass at a high tempo and create chances.

But Aaron Ramsey is back! Oh yeah!

Arsène said he will start the game and that is a big boost. You’d have to think that he has been penciled in for this game for a while now. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Ramsey hit the ground running in his cameo at Everton. Looking sharp and dangerous which is bloody marvelous. He gives us that aggression at both ends of the pitch, I was convinced that we would not see the best of him for a while but hopefully I am incorrect.

While the Everton performance was awful I hope the team do not forget the 2nd half display against Manchester City only a few days prior. It is not like a good performance was that long ago and that is what we need to dig out.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up:

That is the team I would have expected to start, until I played the bib game

Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey are wearing white bibs so that’s gotta be the 1st team selection. Podolski and Rosicky are also in white but then so is Yaya Sanogo. Oliver Giroud and Santi Cazorla are in green.

Santi punished for speaking out in public? Rested for looking tired? bib game a load of nonsense? Take your pick. I will say that the last time I looked at the bibs I got the team correct including a surprise resting of Santi.

I am lucky enough to be going to the game today thanks to a late ticket so there will be no post match Twitter Q&A. I might ask a few people and try and get that with you for tomorrow.

No messing around Gunners, win this game and lift the spirits. Let’s turn up with that proper performance that Arsène is talking about.