Next, is his gameplay and tactics. Wenger has been known to drive a hard bargain in the transfer window, often demanding lower than necessary prices that has many times lost him a player he so desperately desires. When it comes to betting the big numbers in poker it is likely that we may see him fold more times than we see him raise, but he has proved to be calculated nonetheless. In the transfer window prior to this year’s campaign, the Arsenal tactician bid £40,000,0001 in order to trigger a release clause in Luis Suarez’s Liverpool contract. The move ultimately didn’t go through, but the sheer audacity in bidding one pound in excess of a release clause shows Wenger knows how to make his opponents squirm.

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

But with Defoe, of course, we don’t know if private conversations have taken place with Roy Hodgson, ruling out the striker’s chances – or if his face just doesn’t fit with he new Spurs manager Tim Sherwood. But one thing is for sure; Jermain Defoe effectively put to bed his international career by what seems to be his own decision during the run-up to what would be his last chance of a World Cup; the pinnacle of all footballers’ dreams.

English football fans have a long tradition of communicating their excitement, hopes, beliefs and thoughts at matches in new and inventive ways. Fans in all stadia can be seen waving scarves, holding banners, as well as singing and chanting. All of these media carry messages that are clever, funny, hateful and sometimes all three. Fans of Arsenal FC at either Highbury or the Emirates over the years have shown themselves to be a great example of the inventiveness that is so indicative of football fans in England and indeed Britain.

Arsenal to be sitting top of the table by November. The Gunners have taken the league by storm and have already carved out a five point gap between them and second place Chelsea. However, with the high density of fixtures in December, Arsenal could see their five-point lead diminish; they have six league games and a Champions League fixture on the horizon in the festive month. There is no doubting that December will provide the sternest test for Arsenal’s title capabilities. With seven games set to be played, Arsene Wenger is going to have to be at his managerial best. When you have to play three games in six days rotation is vital. Luckily for Arsenal, this season they are finally having the rub of the green when it comes to injuries. Wingers Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as well as forward Lukas Podolski will all be back by December, and with their return Arsenal

Our loveable Gooner would get disqualified before the game was over. Bursts of 'Aha!' would be frowned upon from the start. How he'd last the whole game before pulling a practical joke on someone is beyond me. I could see Podolski with his feet up on the table making joke hand signals before being told to leave the table.