When I look into my red and white crystal ball I see a 23 year old Jack Wilshere, bulky and strong, picking the ball up on the half way line, receiving a pass from Djourou, turning and skipping past two challenges

A very good afternoon to you all in Goonerland.

The boys should be warming up and stretching in Austria ahead of the evening game against Sturm Graz, a chance for us to see the returning world cup travellers for the first time in the new Arsenal shirt. A few faces will be missing due to injury, Denilson and Bendtner being two of those whilst Eduardo looks increasingly likely to be heading out of the club and moving onto Shakhtar Donetsk after his International manager Slaven Bilic more or less confirmed the deal.

I will write more about that if and when the move is officially completed.

Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie are also missing from the squad due to their participation at the world cup final. The latter will be resting in the sun with his new number 10 shirt that he poached from the departing William Gallas.

Carlos Vela has picked up the pieces, collecting Van Persie’s number 11 shirt. It could be a big chance for Carlos Vela this season, he may well be pushed up the pecking order if Eduardo completes his move away. Vela has been criticised for his first team displays thus far, I am a little more inclined to wait until he actually gets the chance to start and complete at least two matches in a row, something that I am pretty sure hasn’t happened for Carlos Vela so far. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don’t get games then you will not get to see the best of that player.

Jack Wilshere has been speaking of the importance of the Emirates cup and he is correct. Wenger’s selection during the Emirates tournament is usually as close as it is going to get and if you can take your chance around the usual first team members then it will be a performance that is likely to stay in the mind of Arsene Wenger.

I know we only played against Barnet last weekend but after watching Wilshere strut his funky stuff again it has really made me want the lad to stay around the squad this season, especially with all the Cesc Fabregas hoo har. If it is to be that Cesc… no scrap that. If it is to be that Barcelona can pay us what OUR player is worth next year then it may not be a bad idea to plan for his future departure. Bringing Wilshere off the bench and resting Cesc when we are 4-1 up at home to weak sides like Tottenham with half an hour to go could be good preparation for the following campaign.

When I look into my red and white crystal ball I see a 23 year old Jack Wilshere, bulky and strong, picking the ball up on the half way line, receiving a pass from Djourou, turning and skipping past two challenges, players making runs off him as he opens up space with his ball carrying and then slipping in the perfect through ball.

Cesc Fabregas is one of the worlds best in his position, his ability to pick players out in the tightest of areas is second to none but one day Jack’s ability to run through teams will give us so many more options. Hopefully he is ready to play his part in the new season.

I watched Cesc at 16 and Wilshere at 17 and I still say that I was more impressed with what I saw from Wilshere. Obviously two very different players who bring different attributes to the table but if Wilshere can develop mentally in the way Cesc has then wow, we shall have a big player on our hands, along with Ramsey and co.

I almost forgot that we have another gem coming into the club in January. Wellington Da Silva will be flying over to join the club and that could be quite exciting. I agree with those who say that we shouldn’t hype up the youngsters too much (says me drooling over Wilshere) but from what I hear, this lad is one of the shiniest diamonds in our jewellery box. Check out the footwork below.

Speaking of the youngsters, many of the reserve and youth players who didn’t make the Austrian plane, played a 2-2 draw against Crawley Town. The likes of Jay Simpson and Nacer Barazite having to take the step down.

I would love to know which part of his game Barazite needs to improve to take the next step because he looks like a quality player. Technically brilliant, scores goals and makes assists. He clearly is not at the front of Arsene’s youngster queue and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him depart the club, at least on loan.

One player who is high up on Arsene’s list is Francis Coquelin, the tenacious midfielder is at Lorient on loan and has just signed a new long term deal with Arsenal.

Coquelin is a player I like very much and one that I wouldn’t be surprised if he made it all the way into the first team in the next few years. He certainly has some strong competition from the likes of Denilson, Craig Eastmond and 1st half star at Barnet Emmanuel Frimpong. Hopefully they can all push each other to reach their potential so may the best man win.

Tomas Vermaelen is not fussed about who partners him at the back, both Koscielny and Djourou have their own strong points.

“It doesn’t matter for me who I play with, You know each other’s qualities and you know how the players play. I didn’t know Koscielny before but I have seen him in training. He is a good defender, he puts pressure on the attackers all the time and he is tight with his marking.

“I have played alongside him a few times in training and that has gone well. He is a good defender. Djourou had a long injury last year, for almost all of the season. I think for him it is good to be back. I know him well and he is a quality player.”

It will be interesting to see which two start this evening but I just get the feeling that the new boy Laurent Koscielny will be Vermaelen’s new partner for the start of the season, I could be wrong and I would be a little disappointed for Johan Djourou if he doesn’t start the season.

We will know more from the Emirates cup, I am looking forward to seeing what tweaks have been made both in terms of personnel and tactically.

Apparently Mark Schwarzer is hoping for a player/coaching position but I am wondering if that is just old news rehashed again on a quiet day.

I would love to talk about Barcelona, Xavi, Puyol and all the rest but this is a strictly BFZ. Barcelona Free Zone.

Don’t forget that kick off is at 6pm (UK time) and enjoy the game.

Back tomorrow.

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