admin

At just 20 years old, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s prodigious talent suggests that as the years pass, he could end up being a huge star at the club. Personally, I was never convinced by the manager’s commitment to ‘Project Youth’ given how few young players, either purchased or promoted, have gone on to be a success. In fact, following Emmanuel Frimpong’s sale to Barnsley on Friday, only two members of the 2009 FA Youth Cup winning squad are still at the club; Jack Wilshere and Francis Coquelin (who himself is currently out on loan). For years too there always seemed to be the contradictory viewpoint from some quarters which would argue that certain young players were ‘ready’ for first team action yet then use their youth/inexperience

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was perhaps slightly overshadowed by Aaron Ramsey in pre season but not by a long way. He was looking very sharp and had the same look about him as the Welshman had back in July. He had visibly matured and was impressing in central midfield. After creating the opening goal on the first day of the season his impressive start was snatched away from him due to

What I think Wenger realized is that you can only get a great striker by one of two ways, you either pay 30M+ for a ready made one or you get a young player and mold him into a clinical striker a la Henry and Robin. Hence the failed bid last summer for Suarez and Higuain and even before that when it was said that he was trying to get Cavani last winter. And since almost every 30m+ striker has either just changed his club last summer or signed a new deal there wasn't really anyone to buy this window, except for Draxler who falls in the latter category of the striker i.e a potential to mold, but with a price tag of the first category.

Firstly, Higuain’s numbers are almost identical to Giroud’s this season. Sure it’s hard to compare different leagues and different team set ups, but I’ve seen nothing to suggest that as an overall package he is a wildly better option. Higuain may be the more clinical striker, but Giroud brings a lot more to the table. In fact, some of his most valuable qualities don’t register in his own stats at all. He is, in my opinion, every bit as responsible for the drop in ‘goals conceded from set pieces’ as Mertesecker and Koscielny. (And given our record in that particular department in past seasons you could argue that it is THE key change that has put us top of the league for the past few months). Also, his link up play is also still hugely underrated. I’d love to see his stats for pre-assists, because I have a feeling they’d be telling. Look at the goal that finally opened up Fulham the other day. There was lots of pretty play, and the stats say ‘Cazorla goal, Wilshere assist’

I tell you what for nothing, I would rather be playing Ian Holloway's open Crystal Palace than Tony Pulis's rejuvenated team. I haven't watched his Palace team so I don't know if they compare to his previous Stoke sides but the improvement in results is crystal clear. I imagine that they will be looking to defend in numbers and try to stop us from playing through the middle. What is slightly reassuring is that his Stoke team picked up 0 points in the red half of North London during his time in the Premier League.

We did manage to get some business done, experienced midfielder Kim Källström will come in on loan as back up as we have some short term problems what with Ramsey's injury continuing for 6 weeks at least, Flamini picking up a 3 match ban and Jack Wilshere suffering from trouble some little bit crock leg. So going into the dreaded February and March without our midfield who be scary. I have no idea of his quality and I will reserve judgement until I see him myself. I've been reading about how utterly poor he is from many who said Ramsey is not good enough to wear the shirt and that Flamini is under whelming only to be the saviour a few weeks later so like I said, I will wait before writing him off completely. Hopefully he doesn't get much of a look in anyway because it will mean

The Gunners will be desperate to bounce back from the Stoke loss when they head to Everton before the North London derby against Tottenham. While March will end with an important home game against Manchester City, much of Arsenal’s hopes this season could be resting on their trip to Stamford Bridge to face current Betfair favourites Chelsea on March 22. Wilshere admits having games against their title rivals this month means the club are still in a strong position in this title race and well

With Rosicky’s nose currently busted, Ramsey’s worrying hamstring knack and Jack’s ankle giving way again coupled with the foolishness of Flamini’s tackle; of which I have to echo Iron Man’s disappointment (Iron Man's thoughts here) at the hypocrisy of Wenger describing it as ‘harsh’. I understand he wants to defend his players but if the roles were reversed Wenger would be the first to bemoan that type of challenge, it doesn’t seem outrageous to believe that Oxlade Chamberlain will start in the centre of the pitch this weekend. Firstly, I will state that he is rusty at the moment, he has spent the first half of the season on the physio table and it will take him a few more games before his confidence and match fitness returns; but if you can stretch your memories back to preseason

We badly miss Theo Walcott, I'd much rather have Theo alongside Bendtner for a stretch of games than having a back up striker. We really do not have any players who are looking to run in behind. One time in the first half, Serge Gnabry cut inside and was heading infield creating spaces, given that Southampton were pressing high, they had quite a tasty high line to try and get into. As Gnabry drifting inside, Santi on the left came towards the ball with his hand outstretched indicating for the German to pass him the ball to feet. There wasn't any need for that, Gnabry had space to move into and we need players to run into scoring positions so they can be found and not only to come short to get the ball into feet just like everybody else wants to do in our team.

If there were any positives to take then it would be the performances of certain players in the back line. Koscileny and Mertesacker were manful in the face of something of an onslaught. Both completed numerous clearances and interceptions, showing exactly why they have received so many plaudits this season. Behind them, Wojciech Szczesny was Arsenal’s man of the match after pulling off a string of key saves in both halves to preserve the point. The Pole in goal recovered well having been largely at fault the opening goal after allowing Fonte’s header to beat him at his near post. Again, it’s a sign of his growing maturity that he doesn’t allow mistakes to affect his performances.