We are missing Theo Walcott and Eduardo who will come short and spin in behind the defender, Arshavin’s repertoire of passes will unlock many doors

After watching the Gooners rip into Roma in midweek as if they were lower level opposition I had great confidence in the boys building on that and giving Fulham a good old fashioned slapping. I mean, they surely deserved it after the way the treated us at Craven Cottage. When I say the way they treated us, I mean they had the cheek to beat us. I mean, what is all that about. Who do they think they are?

The Arsenal team had been shot shy in recent weeks, a mixture of lack of creativity, back luck or poor finishing were the main reasons for our current failure in front of goal.

Diaby managed to regain fitness in the nick of time to play along with Andrey Arshavin who was unable to take part in the European clash.

Wenger pulled off a surprise by starting Carlos Vela on the left in the place of Bendtner. I would imagine that 95% of Arsenal supporters would have been excited by the line up before the game. None of the current scapegoats were on the team sheet. I would imagine that some of the fans wouldn’t know what to do with themselves as there would have been very little to moan about, at least before the game kicked off.

The game started as more of a pinball game than a typical backs to the wall performance from an away side. Fulham came to Arsenal with the intention to cause Arsenal defensive problems. It didn’t take them long either. Johnson fired wide when in a good area after only the 2nd minute.

Andy Johnson even did his best impression of Dennis Bergkamp a few minutes later when he flicked around Toure and fired just wide.

Arsenal created their first and best chance of the game in the 10th minute, Andrey Arshavin appears to be the only player in the Arsenal squad who can cross a ball correctly at present flighted in a fabulous right wing cross that Van Persie headed straight at Mark Schwarzer

Arsenal could not dominate the midfield as they did against Roma, it almost looked as if Fulham were the Champions League team with Roma fighting for safety.

Arshavin did not get on the ball as much as Wenger would have liked but when he did he looked our most creative player, his vision and passing is as good as we hoped it would be. He will get better as times goes on.

Nasri had a great chance in the penalty area on half an hour, but he twisted and turned too much when he should have just pulled the trigger. We see it when he is on the wing, fainting and turning but when he is in the penalty area he needs to be more decisive.

Three minutes later Arshavin slipped in a fantastic through ball to Van Persie who was clean through, his effort was thwarted by the keeper and the rebound was blocked. Another fantastic chance for Van Persie to open the scoring but it was spurned yet again. Everything that Van Persie touched turned into goals or assists in January but a month later everything is the opposite.

After half time Arshavin dinked a lovely angled pass into Nasri who made a late run into the box but his shot was blocked.

Arshavin will be a dream for Eduardo. His movement will be found on a regular basis by the Russian. The Arsenal team at present are very static. Nasri, Van Persie, Denilson, Bendtner etc all run to the ball. They want it at their feet, they are all drawn to the ball. That is why much of our play is very patient and often sideways.

We are missing Theo Walcott and Eduardo who will come short and spin in behind the defender, Arshavin’s repertoire of passes will unlock many doors.

Van Persie hit the base of the post with a header from a Sagna cross on the hour. In the previous two matches I have noticed Sagna having so much space on the right while Arshavin drifts inside. Sagan could and perhaps should have had many assists in the last few matches. His crossing at present needs a lot work. Last season I remember many assists from fantastic crosses from the right, this season his crossing has dipped massively.

Fulham were playing on the counter attack and were doing very well. Arsenal found Andy Johnson’s movement difficult to deal with along with the creative passing of Danny Murphy in midfield. In a time of anti football, praise should be given to Fulham for a positive display.

Eboue replaced Sagna at right back, a good attacking choice from Wenger and it instantly improved that side of the pitch in an offensive sense. Bendtner came on for Vela who had a disappointing afternoon and the subs did well.

Fulham had good chances to get a score but didn’t take them, just as Arsenal pushed on in search of a winner that never came.

At full time boo’s rang around the Emirates for the second game running. The players will be happy to be playing away from home on Tuesday night.