I expect our customary square pegger to be Denilson on the right to add some bite to the midfield and Cesc partnering Song once again in the center

Appologies for those who were trying to get onto the site after 4pm on Monday. There seemed to be issues with my host, something to do with power failures and all that which is a little annoying, but thankfully that is all resolved. If it hasn’t then you wouldn’t be reading this would you?

I have had time to reflect over the last few days about what situation the club is in and this is how I feel.

Things are not going very well, infact it has been pretty embarrassing at times. 6 goals conceded against Tottenham and Stoke is far from good. Our lack of leadership and defensive discipline is a shambles but lets not go over board here.

Injuries to Walcott and Adebayor, along with Van Persie suspended for three matches has meant that we are running out of first team players to fill up our substitute bench.

Van Persie will be available to play against Fenerbache in the Champions League as the suspension does not apply to Europe. Arsene likes to use the 4-5-1 that worked well out in Turkey and could well use it once again tonight partly to keep one eye firmly on our defence. Arsene will probably have to make a choice between Nasri and Van Persie. Van Persie was the one to miss out in the last CL game and it gave us more balance but he is now missing for the next three Premier League matches and Arsene will want to save others for the games coming up. Would Arsene play Van Persie as the lone forward with Diaby off him? I cannot imagine it to be honest. I would rather see a 4-4-2 with Van Persie alongside Bendtner and then be brave enough to partner Vela with Bendtner against Manchester United.

I expect our customary square pegger to be Denilson on the right to add some bite to the midfield and Cesc partnering Song once again in the center.

As we all know the side has self imploded again in recent weeks, and it has done this for the last few seasons, maybe not as early as this but they have shot themselves in the foot before but *throwing on my positive hat for a minute* maybe this team can do the opposite of self imploded maybe a victory over Manchester United and some harsh words being exchanged around the dressing room will allow this side to explode. We have a young team who have talent in abundance, I have the feeling that once they believe they will improve and by quite some margin.

I know many of you are not buying that and I can understand why, it is not just a question of self belief, there is more than that going on behind the scenes. Mental weakness, arrogance, leadership are just a few words that have been throw around by supporters, pundits etc

Ole Gunner made a very good point a few days ago, he said that Manchester United were 3 points better off than us at this stage last season, ok they were not as inconsistent as us and did not continue to make the same mistakes especially in the air but the season is long.

Don’t get me wrong many more of these wrong turnings could see us slip further down and we could be fighting to stay in the top 4 but nothing is won and lost in November. Is this me being optimistic? yes, you could say that but most of all I am being factual.

Since the start of the season we have not had a settled side, partnerships have not grown together like they were last season.

We currently seem to be in a position where we cannot rotate players much more as we are down to a first team and a few subs. Rosicky, Eduardo, Adebayor, Van Persie, Walcott, Gallas are all first teamers missing and it will be difficult to go on a winning run with the absentees.

Basically what I am trying to say is lets not get all depressed about the team just yet, there is a long way to go and still time to solve some or all of the problems that Arsene faces.

So on that note lets get back to supporting the side against Fenerbahce.

Mean Lean’s predicted line up

Mean Lean’s prediction

I have just contradicted myself in that line up but it is the only way I can squeeze in Nasri and Van Persie. I personally would like to see 4-4-2 but I would expect Arsene to play Diaby behind the front, probably behind Bendtner but I would like to see him saved along with Vela for United.

The Ironic thing is that Arsenal will be happy to play against Fenerbahce in the champions league than play against Stoke City who have just come up from division 1.

I am hoping that it is another open game of football with our back four defending a little better than they have done lately.

Arsenal 3 (Cesc, Nasri, Van Persie) Fenerbahce 0

Before I go, check out Ole Gunners article, very good write up. The site went down shortly after it was put up so check it out Earth to Arsenal

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