I stand by what I said, it is the easiest draw we could have got, at the very least in terms of league position

As Cilla Black once said Surprise Surprise! We face Tottenham Hotspurs in the semi final of the Carling cup, a repeat of the fixture last year.

I said it yesterday and I stand by what I said, it is the easiest draw we could have got, at the very least in terms of league position. The first match will be played at the Emirates with the return at that scummy place down the road. I don’t believe in the theory that if you play the home match second then you have an advantage. Teams are usually stronger at home and if the first match can be almost won in the first game then it gives you the chance to build a solid platform in the away leg and catch the home team on the break while the home team have the pressure of having to go for a win. I suppose the same could be said on the flip side, it is just a case of the better team winning over two legs, simple.

I wonder if Arsene is tempted to put a few big guns on the bench as a ‘just in case’ precaution. I am not sure that he will to be honest. Arsene probably wants to give this cup to the ‘second team’ and if they win it then they have done so for themselves.

A few interesting battles will be Traore vs Lennon. Both very quick players who can push their opponent the opposite direction. I have a feeling that Lennon could give Armand trouble as he hasn’t displayed the safest of defensive performances so far. (left wing conversion please Arsene)

Bendtner vs King could be interesting should he return to the Spurs defence after a long spell on the side lines. Their is little doubt that Ledley King on form is a good defender, composed and intelligent but our Dane Bendtner will be up for this one. I have a feeling that Bendtner will be the thorn in the Spurs side over the two games. I think he will score in both games.

I will talk more in detail about the match closer to the time. But one thing we have to make sure is that we do not lose to them, second team or not if we do not beat them then we will expect to hear alot of crap from Tottenham fans, and we do not want that.

Chelsea vs Everton should be a very cagey and defensive affair, Everton will try and stop Chelsea playing. They will play counter attacking football at Stamford Bridge and will try to nick a goal from Cahill or Osman at home but I think Drogba and Lampard will have a little too much for them.

Arsenal vs Chelsea final again? It would be the best way to win it for the youngsters.

Johan Djourou should be returning to Arsenal in January. Birmingham wanted Djourou to stay until the end of the season but that was refused as we will need the numbers at the back as Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and potentially Alex Song will be on duty for their respected countries.

I hear that Djourou has not been very convincing so far in the Blue of Birmingham but I have to say I have rarely seen him put a foot wrong for us since he broke into the first team. I would have alot more faith and trust in him filling Toure’s boots than I would have in his compatriot big Phill Senderos. Now there is a guy who can scare me more than a good ol horror film.

On recent displays I think I would have to move Alex Song up the pecking order ahead of him (never thought I would say that)

Poor lickle diddums John Terry has accused Eboue of trying to cause him damage.

“Tackles have to be made in this game and I had to make the tackle on Eboue.

I could not believe what I read! Did he really say that? This is coming from a man who 5 minutes earlier flew into Cesc with both studs showing. Not a month ago or a week ago it was during the same bloody half! And isn’t it funny how that ‘tackle’ on Cesc was hardly spoken about in the media. Strange that ey?

Carlos Vela has been saying all the right things to the Spanish press about joining the mighty Arsenal.

“I hope to join them [Arsenal] as soon as possible,” Vela told Spanish newspaper Libero. “I will keep on working hard to improve to fit in quickly.”

I am looking forward to having the lad on board to be honest. Not quite sure where he is going to play or who will make way for him but he looks like a good player with real talent.

It looks like the little runt (use another letter instead of ‘r’ if you like) Cashley is set to get away with his finger gesture to the crowd on Sunday. To be honest I am yet to read anything about it but I have seen the headline. My word, lets close our eyes shall we.. imagine that was Arsene Wenger or one of our foreign players? now open your eyes. Horrible thought wasn’t it? We would have had the book thrown at us. I think the FA should just throw a mobile phone at Cole. preferably one of those old fashioned Motorola flip with the massive battery. Ah the good ol days, my very first mobile phone, which I only used to make phone calls with.. honest.

Good time to call it a day me thinks, enjoy this very bitterly cold day. Back tomorrow to talk about the Champions league draw to Barca.

Laters