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Portsmouth cranked up their gears against Liverpool and no doubt that they will be trying to do the same to us, we have to match that. As they say, you have to win the right to play

There were those who suggested we sell Diaby at the end of last season, the same no doubt who laughed at the suggestion of Song as a long-term replacement for Flamini and wouldn't have been disappointed to see the back of Denilson

Diaby was our best player by some distance in the first half. Breaking up Villa attacks outside our own penalty area and driving through the Villa team without any problems

I would guess that Arsene does need the top three fastest players in the Arsenal squad against Aston Villa. Villa will play a counter attacking game against us and with players like Agbonlahor and Ashley Young running towards our goal

MERRY CHRISTMAS

It is still far too early to be talking about the title race as such, we do however need to remain in touch with the top and continue that until we get to the home straight

I was interested in hearing that Carlos Vela and Armand Traore is not far behind accoring to our manager. I knew Vela was quick but I didn't imagine that he would be in the top three at the club

He will be needed in the side when Song departs but I don't think he will get the chance to play that role unless Denilson is out injured during that time

Abou Diaby wants to get forward, he wants to play the way he did against Hull City because naturally that is his game but for the benefit of the team he has a role to play therefore he cannot constantly dribble past players and get in the box for every attack

Abou Diaby rounded off a superb second half for himself by scoring the third. He was once again the instigator in the move, swapping passes with Arshavin holding off his man and firing in powerfully off the goalkeeper