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Oxlade-Chamberlain held off Sandro and nudged the ball to Rosicky out wide, the Czech seized the opportunity to break at Tottenham for pretty much the first time of the game, he gave it to Chamberlain but the ball was a fraction behind the Ox so the Englishman flicked it back to Rosicky and Tomas thumped the ball into the top corner

I love Olivier Giroud, I think his contribution to the team is often overlooked by those who favour pointing out he isn't as ostentatious as previous incumbents of his position. However, when isolated up front whilst the rest of the team defends, he can often be maddeningly ineffectual. Today he looked a touch lethargic and his control, which is usually very good, let him down on numerous occasions. Also, The Ox was jarringly profligate in front of goal, and I'm still yet to decide what he was trying to do when put clean through. A crafty dink? A pass? It was bloody awful. I know that much.

There I was pre match talking about Lukas Podolski being dropped to the bench to accommodate Tomas Rosicky but Arsene has had other ideas. Mathieu Flamini has been the one to be sacrificed and instead a fluid attacking side consisting of Cazorla, Podolski, Chamberlain and Rosicky. Kieran Gibbs is starting which is fantastic news.

As for our good self, even with midfield injuries we still have a few options up Arsène's sleeve. Many people have said that they expect Santi Cazorla to be moved back into the middle to replace Mesut Özil but I don't see past our little bouncy haired Czech. Tomas Rosicky was a big reason as to why the team kicked on during that second half of last season to win game after game on route to our CL qualification spot. I expect us to go back to that same formula which would mean Lukas Podolski dropping down to the bench. I can see a lot of frowning faces out there but away from home in a game we must control seems about as good a time as any to have Rosicky

So why are Arsenal top of the tree with 10? Is it the players themselves? not sure about that as we have chopped and changed our squads over the years yet consistently remain in contention for the injury table title. Is it the way we play? Manchester City play a style based on pass and move and they have had far less injuries. What about the size of our squad compared to our rivals? especially those who have played CL football. The issue I have with this is our midfield. Our midfield is way up there in terms of depth and quality, it is the one area of the pitch where Arsène has rotated the squad more often than not yet we have a number of key personnel out from that area.

Santi Cazorla started the game sat alongside Mikel Arteta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sat behind Oliver Giroud with Mesut Özil playing wide right. If I was to guess the reasons for this, I'd say Arsène played Cazorla deep to escape the Bayern Munich pressing machine. His low centre of gravity and two quick feet mean that he can receive the ball in the tightest of positions and wriggle his way out and still have the quality to release a quality pass. Chamberlain has the engine and pace to upset Bayern's deep midfield passer as well as their centre backs while Mesut Özil could move undetected from that wide position. That was my interpretation of the changes, whether it worked or not is subjective. It is difficult to say that Mesut Özil had anything other than a disappointing first half although talk

That penalty of course came courtesy of a challenge by Laurent Koscielny on the talented but devious Robben. The Bayern winger had spent much of the evening trying to get up close and personal with the Alianz turf following a series (!) of tumbles that most people would correctly call cheating. Of course, he needed little invitation to go down like a new-born foal under Kos’ challenge but once again, our French centre back made the decision easy for the referee. Every replay you care to watch shows that Kosclieny’s tackle attempt definitely made ‘contact’ with the flailing Dutchman so, while harsh, it could easily be argued that it was indeed a spot-kick.

Koscienly and Mertesacker covered so much ground. My favourite defensive moment was Per's back heel stop, I cheered that more than the goal. Vermaelen will be a sad loss come the summer. He proved how lucky we are to have a 3rd choice centre back of his quality. Sagna made a lot of forward runs but wasn't given the ball, which was very frustrating to watch. Fabianski made some great saves and a wonderful reaction swipe to clear the ball off the line after the penalty. His distribution was very ambitious and positive to see, he really tired to drive us forward. Bravo defence.

Arsene Wenger is really going for it tonight. As is often the case in these big games the Arsenal manager has thrown a curve ball. Lukas Podolski has been given a chance to shine against his old side. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has replaced Mathieu Flamini in the middle of the pitch and Santi Cazorla will start from the right but with plenty of interchanging you would imagine. There is no room for Tomas Rosicky but the other Thomas, Vermaelen comes in to solve our left back problem. Ok, try and solve our left back problem.

Arsène wants to approach the game. We over commit too early and we'll get punished so I don't expect Podolski to start the game. Tomas Rosicky is usually a starter of big games the issue is that both Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had good games against Everton but given that I expect the team to do plenty of pressing, I think Arsène may well try and save Chamberlain and Podolski until later on in the game when the team will try and get the needed goals. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see us play not to concede first and foremost. Personally I want to see the Ox start the game. His defensive game has improved considerably and his pace is a form of defence