If you can create any sort of list then you will do well. A player who cost £2.75 million and years of development. Even players with the quality of Torres could have to adapt to a new team and system

A ever so slightly delayed post today, Arsenal Vision has been down for most of the day and I have been pleading with my host to get the issue fixed. I wrote an article this afternoon so I may as well put it up even though you guys have already read the news. Anyway, here you go………

An action packed afternoon this Saturday full of Wenger talk, transfers and upcoming clashes. A far cry from those dreary, cold, damp and dull international weeks. Not only are they extremely dull but they crock our players. That is just evil. But hey, why drag all that back up when there is so much going on.

Let me start off with probably the most popular subject in recent weeks. Strikers in the transfer window. Arsene Wenger has said that he will not break any records (transfer fee I assume) during next months opening. Wenger said he would rather see his injured players return to fitness instead of going shopping which is fair enough. Which player in the world could you bring in and that player have the ability to slot into the side instantly and produce the same form as Robin Van Persie? If you can create any sort of list then you will do well. A player who cost £2.75 million and years of development. Even players with the quality of Torres could have to adapt to a new team and system.

We won’t break any records, We haven’t found what we want but there is money there. Ideally, I would just like our injured players back. I always said I would not buy any players if we had no injuries.

“Let’s not dream. You must be a magician to go out there today and buy a player who can play in the Champions League, who is free and who has top world-class quality.”

Finding a player who meets all the required skills and who is not already at a top club, playing Champions League football will be very hard. Having said that I do not think a player who is already cup-tied for the CL will prevent Wenger from buying if he thinks that is the right player. Arshavin was not available for the CL and Adebayor wasn’t before him so that isn’t a major obstacle.

Arsene has also said that the title race is not over and why should he? It is a 38 game league, we have played less than half of that amount (currently 14 games) so throwing in the towel at this stage would be silly to say the least.

Wenger said:

“United are two points behind Chelsea [who lead with 36 points from 15 matches], If we win our game in hand we are three points behind United. So how can you say, with 23 games to go, it’s a two-horse race?”

We certainly are not out of any race but what I will say is that we have to keep winning football matches and not losing or drawing games that we should be winning. If we can give our all and fight for every point then there is no reason why we cannot drive to the top of the tree.

What we will certainly need to mount a challenge is keeping our best players as fresh as possible, not letting them go and play friendly charity matches is a start. Arsene Wenger has put his foot down and has denied Cesc a chance of playing an exhibition match at the Camp Nou later this month.

Wenger said:

“We don’t allow the players to play in friendlies because we have too many games,” said Wenger, who has seen his squad deprived of players such as Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby in recent weeks after picking up injuries while on more conventional international duty. “In England we play football through the Christmas period while all the other countries stop and play friendlies and charity matches. There is a demand for Cesc but there is a demand for five or six other [Arsenal] players as well.

It is a little on the ridiculous side to expect us to let go of our captain and arguably most important player at such a crucial stage of the season. We are having players breaking down here there and everywhere and Barcelona who spend most of their lives tapping up our captain, expect Arsenal to release our player for a friendly. I hope Wenger kept it short and sweet when telling them where to go, just two words would do. The second work is ‘off’

A good friend of mine was driving home last night and saw a familiar face looking happy with himself, in the Merc behind. It was Tomas Rosicky who is set to agree a new deal with the club. This has caused a bit of a stir with many fans, annoyed by his recent breakdown. Funnily enough it was many Arsenal fans who were jumping up and down screaming at Wenger to sign him up when Rosicky spoke about being able to speak to clubs in the coming weeks.

It will be interesting to see the terms of the contract, if any clauses have been added but to be honest I am just glad to have his experience in the dressing room and his quality on the pitch, even if it is not for a full season we have may up and coming players who need games, I am thinking of Wilshere, Merida and Ramsey so I am not sure why it has to be a case of stay fit full time or leave.

Reading have made enquires to bring Jack Wilshere to the Championship but that idea has been thwarted but the club. Wilshere will go to a Premier League club if he does go. I wouldn’t mind him going to West Brom though, they have played some lovely football this season. We shall see what happens there.

A few more bits and pieces flying around like Campbell not joining because we have four center backs, does this include Senderos? If so then you never know but I think Wenger is just playing with the media again. He hasn’t brought anyone back as yet and I don’t expect Campbell to be the first, especially as I am sure Campbell wants first team football on a regular basis which he wouldn’t get if everyone was fit.

Gotta disappear again, back tomorrow with some match thoughts and predictions.

COME ON THE VILLA!

Update: What a bloody good day for the Gunners. Chelsea drawing at home, City drawing to Bolton, Man United losing at home! and Spurs..ok, that is pretty normal. Now it is turn for our boys to do the business.