My Vision

There are many more layers about the 2013 Premier League. Mikel Arteta has been underrated this season and has done a far better job defensively than Alex Song possibly ever did for Arsenal, at least over the course of a whole season. Arteta is asked to position himself in areas where he can make continuous interceptions, follow runners off the ball and interchange with Aaron Ramsey. You could argue that Vermaelen could do a similar job but I would argue that his positional sense at the back this season hasn't exactly been a positive has it?. But when Arsenal have the ball we would be asking a centre back to face his own goal, take the ball off the back four, often under intense pressure, turn past opposition players and keep the ball moving. He would also have to run

Chelsea yesterday but even worse will be supporting Stoke City for me. Yes even more than Chelsea. If Tottenham fail to win that one on the weekend then we can afford a draw and a victory which really should be possible. Gareth Bale had the chance to do what he has done in the whole of this second half of the season and snatch a later winner for Tottenham. His free kick was in a perfect place and that stupid heart celebration was

If you are one that was bemoaning our lack of attacking intent on Saturday, let me ask you this. Picture the scenario. Arsenal 1 Wigan 0 79 minutes played. Lukas Podolski is back to goal with the ball at his feet, looking for a passing option, he cannot twist away from his markers to find a midfielder but look who comes bombing up the pitch down the left, it's Nacho man!!! Sprinting into the left wing position, Podolski finds him and his cross is headed out, Wigan play it down their right into the space vacated by Monreal who in search of the 2nd goal has left Arsenal short at the back, Koscielny spotting the gap trots over to plug in that space but the right wingers cross has found Kone in space in the box, bang! 1-1.

Once again correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the new sponsorship deal, especially considering that some of it has been front loaded mean that the need to sell expensive players from our squad has been negated? Failing that, what about the new television deal that will be tucked into bank

I cannot decide if watching Cesc and Song look a fraction of their best makes me giggle or if it makes me a little sad, I guess it is a bit of both. It is easy to act as if Cesc has had a terrible time since joining his boyhood club, that is not the case he has had spells of playing some wonderful football this season as well as parts of last but last night and a few recent games he has looked a

Just like Freddie Ljungberg, Usmanov's timing is phenomenal. Arriving in the right place but at the wrong time to tell all about how Mr Kroenke is a very bad man and tearful Usmanov wants the best for the team he supports. No not Manchester United that is his other team but Arsenal FC.

Money spent, being that of wages or transfer fees does not stand up completely, given the vast amounts spent by Chelsea as I have mentioned and of course the richest of the lot Manchester City. This hasn't brought about consistency. Injuries to key players hasn't really been a problem this season at least not long term. In fact it is most strange having a 'normal' injury season for a change. Abou Diaby aside and Tomas Rosicky at the beginning, we have had a few week injuries here and there but generally we

My very first impression of Podolski during that friendly was that the difference in technique between van Persie and Podolski was pretty large. I hadn't watched him closely before so I wasn't really sure what I was expecting. It is a bit unfair to compare any strikers technical qualities with van Persie's

There was a lot of hype about 16 year old Gedion Zelalem who had received international clearance to play for the youngsters. He is labeled the new Fabregas which is bloody unfair on the kid. You can see why though in some ways. A good 2-3 years younger than the rest of the players on the pitch, more in some cases yet looks remarkably composed in possession and makes good choices.