Will he go around talking to individuals, giving them encouragement or will he lead by example. I am hoping for a bit of both really. It is a shame that Flamini didn’t stay at the club because we miss his leadership

WE’VE GOT CESC FABREGAS, WE’VE GOT CESC FABREGAS, WE’VE GOT CESC FABREGAS, WE’VE GOT CESC FABREGAS!!!

We all knew that when Gallas was stripped of the armband that the most likely candidate would be the 21 year old Spanish maestro. The fact that we have hardly any leaders in our squad would have told us that. Even with this indication when the news officially broke about Cesc being our new skipper, it filled me with happiness and excitement. A new beginning, a new era and all that.

You have to remember that it is the same group of players we have with the same personalities in the dressing room so not much can really change right now. I am hoping that Cesc will bring about a change of mentality, a different mind set around the squad.

Some have said that we could have an improved William Gallas on our hands without the added strain of the captaincy, it may only be for the short term but any improvement will be accepted by the management and the supporters.

It will be interesting to see if there is any change in motivation from Cesc before the kick off and during the game. Will he go around talking to individuals, giving them encouragement or will he lead by example. I am hoping for a bit of both really. It is a shame that Flamini didn’t stay at the club because we miss his leadership, even if he wasn’t wearing the armband.

Former Gunner Emmanuel Petit has come out and defended his compatriot against the English press.

“The gutter press in England are doing their job well,” said Petit. “They are happy when they can hit out at a French player, and I am well placed to know that.

“They already did that with other French players such as [Eric] Cantona. It’s been a year now that the press have tried to push Gallas out of Arsenal. Why? I have no idea.”

I have always wondered what the deal was with the English media and Arsenal football club. Does Petit have a point? Who knows if that is the reason but one thing is for certain, the media have a massive issue with our club. If Manchester United appointed a French manager with a host of French and foreign players would they turn against them also? I don’t suppose we will know that until it was to happen.

The main thing is that the club and supporters ignore the utter crap that the tabloids write and the pundits say and just listen to me. Just kidding but you know what I mean.

We have heard some positive Gooner talk from the new Captain and it is the kind of thing you want to hear from a skipper.

“Each year people talk about me leaving yet I’m still here and I want to be part of the future of Arsenal.

“I love the club and I’m totally committed to it. I’m not looking to play anywhere else.

“Of course, the future for Arsenal is bright. The players are very much looking forward to the next few years.”

It is the kind of thing that makes you want to cry *uses thumb to brush tear from cheek* it is the type of thing that you want to hear from all your players. You couldn’t have imagined William Gallas saying that, infact you probably wouldn’t really care. It is nothing against the player personally but you feel that Cesc Fabregas has the character needed, the fans love him, his teammates love him and that is important.

So to the match this evening, I fancy us to put in a good performance, totally different to the one at (was about to call it Maine road there) Eastlands. Cesc’s return as skipper will put a new positive attitude around the team. I have been hearing rumours of Merida being lined up to play on the left as we have literally no wingers left fit but I expect Ramsey to be the one drafted in on the left. I am still not very happy with Bendtner and Van Persie being the frontmen but if we can take the game to Kiev and have our midfielders support them and running beyond them, then it shouldn’t be a problem tonight, especially at home.

The real Arsenal will stand up tonight.

Mean Lean’s predicted line up

Mean Lean’s prediction

As I said, I expect Arsenal to be back to their best, passes zipped about and with purpose. It is hard to know where the goals will come from but I expect the midfield to play a major part in the game.

Arsenal 3 Dynamo Kiev 0

Cesc and Van Persie score and play an import part in the game.

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