The only emotions that have remained after the game is pure hurt and anger, hurt and anger of having lost to our bitter most rivals at home, hurt and anger of epitomizing all that is good and correct in the world of football but of late, having nothing to show for it, hurt and anger that this wonderful club/team needs a reminder of its MAGNIFICIENT history
Samir Nasri played 90 minutes for France on Wednesday but in current form he simply cannot be left out, he is our best attacking player at the moment and will almost certainly be restored to his wide right forward role. Arshavin played the full 90 minutes for Russia on the same day but I am not sure if Wenger will start him
Robin Van Persie has spoken about his talks with Wenger in trying to persuade our manager to fork out the necessary cash to bring the impressive attacking Dutch midfielder to the Emirates. His performances so far for our little neighbours have showed that he would have been able to make a name for himself at Arsenal but this only tells part of the story. Although Jack Wilshere may well be a naughty boy, he is 18 years of age and his only progressing because he has been given a chance
I am not sure if that run will come unless injuries rear their ugly head. With Arshavin playing 90+ minutes for Russia, perhaps our number 7 will get his chance from the beginning
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The article I read this morning was on Le Grove and on it put forward the view that the Djourou/Vermaelen ‘could be the real deal’, and that Djourou might well be ‘that big fu-k off centre back we’ve been crying out for’. That in particular caught my eye in relation to sentiments expressed not a million miles from here (okay, 0.0 miles from here, on this very blog) that Koscielny’s performances have been worthy of the nickname ‘The Cobra’ and that perhaps it should be him+1 rather than Vermaelen+1 who starts every game!
Denilson has been in fine form and came off the bench to great effect on Sunday. What amazes me is the way he is performing without regular football. He doesn't appear to need a run of games before he produces on the pitch, he is coming in cold from the bench or starting games here and there and still looking very sharp. Jack's rise has been rather unfortunate for Denilson as it looks like he has really taken a step forward this season and if given a long run in the side he could really push on and become a key fixture in this side. At the same time, a player can Jack Wilshere cannot be held back. He is producing football at 18 that many world class players were not able to produce. He has been fantastic so far this season and has only tailed off a little in recent games.
Chamakh's little dink in between both Pienaar and Distin to Cesc was subtle and very cute, Cesc's hit first time flew into the bottom corner away from Howard's outstretched hand. Wenger always talks of intelligence, that move was made through intelligence. Positional intelligence from Denilson, awareness intelligence of Cesc and then Chamakh having the presence of mind to lift the ball back
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After suffering from a a calf problem against Newcastle, he has rested and should be fresh. If he can jump straight into the pace of the game then he could be a valuable player for us. He will be up against Leighton Baines so that should be an interesting contest
Is there room for Bendtner and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in this squad? Does one of them have to leave to allow the other to progress in their career? Essentially they are all fighting for the same central striking role in the 4-3-3. I haven't even considered Carlos Vela in all of this so I am sure something will have to give by the end of the season