Arsene has been talking about the role of the midfielder’s and that relying for his strikers for goals will be a thing of the past. ok, maybe he didn’t quite say that but he has spoken about the importance of his midfield

The nerves have begun early this time, every time I think of the game my stomach feels a little twisted, or is that because I am hungry? Either way, tonight’s game could really send out a message to the rest of the clubs chasing that much wanted Premier League title. I do not usually believe in the whole sending out a message to others speech but sending a message to ourselves could be much more beneficial.

I want the likes of Cesc, Denilson, Arshavin etc etc to look at the league table and think ‘Yes, that is us at the top, we can get in that position and stay there’

Any positive result for Chelsea will see them drag us back down to second but that is for another day.

Wenger has a few decisions to make this evening for the game. Tomas Rosicky played on Sunday and has just overcome yet another set back so will Arsene risk him again so soon? His only real other option is Carlos Vela, a player who hasn’t really had a great deal of starts, if Nasri was available then it wouldn’t be a problem but he isn’t available.

I am sure Wenger will want to rest Arshavin but he probably hasn’t got any choice but to play him. Gael Clichy is likely to make his first start since… erm, a long time ago.

After reading Arsene Wenger’s yearly comment that our returning players are like new signings, I had a chuckle to myself. That seems to be one statement that touches a nerve amongst our supporters. I suppose the cravings for new players leads to frustration.

I have been undecided about my thoughts on bringing in a new forward, an extra option would be a bonus but I am beginning to come round to the idea that our current players can cope with the games coming up. Well, at least they have done the job so far. Obviously the evil injury curse can pounce at any moment but we currently have three forwards available for one central striking role. That is if you include Bendtner who is due back in 10 days or so according to his manager.

Theo and Arshavin can play in that role if needed. If you bring in a new forward then they will have to adapt to at least our game and most probably a new country. Do we have time to bring through a new striking option? During the summer they have pre season, they have friendlies, they have more time to adapt to our system and their team mates, in January you are not afforded such luxuries.

If you are buying in the Premier League then the player has to be good enough, then they will have to be at an affordable price and their club will have to want to let them leave. If they’re that good then why would any club sell to Arsenal in January.

If we were to find a player who could settle in quickly (Arshavin for example) and who was in our price bracket then he could give the players plenty of positives. It could give the squad a lift and take pressure off some who have been through injuries. So I am not ignoring the pro’s of a potential signing, I am just not sure if it is going to be easy to do so.

One player that Wenger will want to remove from striking duties is Andrey Arshavin. He looked like he was back in his old roaming left striking position against Bolton on Sunday and could well be doing the same job again tonight. Eduardo was way off the pace in that role in his first couple games so my thinking is that Arsene moved him to get him back up to speed before he moved him back in that position. Two assists is a good days work for him even if he didn’t get many of the chances himself.

His return has been pretty productive even if his performances are not always as high as they can be and that is what the team need until he does get back to his brilliant best. I was waxing lyrical after Arshavin’s center forwards performance against Stoke and I still stand by my thoughts that, playing in that role could really suit him but the reality is that he hasn’t been playing well in recent weeks, he has looked restricted and disappears for periods of time which does seem to be his game. If he could dominate games and control matches then he would be a much more effective player. He plays in sections, waits to produce a moment of excellence instead of dictating the game as someone like Cesc or Nasri can do. The trouble is, those moments of brilliance are too frequent at the moment. Perhaps his foot problem has been causing him more problems than we know.

Arsene has been talking about the role of the midfielder’s and that relying for his strikers for goals will be a thing of the past. ok, maybe he didn’t quite say that but he has spoken about the importance of his midfield. Our midfield has been the most productive this season and it has been the story of our success so far. We have all missed Van Persie since his injury but we must not forget that he took a while to get on the score sheet, yet we were scoring goals for fun. With the likes of Rosicky, Nasri, Cesc and Diaby in midfield we will always be a serious goal scoring threat regardless of which center forward we have playing at the time.

Whoo hoo! I have just had a phone call from a old mate of mine. He has a free club level ticket tonight and I have been told to get there early to have some dinner. * I shall be singing at the top of my voice tonight ‘Say we are top of the league, say we are top of the league!’

*Disclaimer: Arsenal Vision is not responsible for any potential jinxing if we do not win and win by the correct margin*

Back tomorrow.