Nicklas Bendtner started on the right on a 4-3-3, ahead of Walcott who was playing his first minutes of pre season so it could well be that he could start the season out in that position

Afternoon once again Guns & Gunettes,

I haven’t been able to write very much over the weekend, and have pretty much missed the Valencia boat but I may as well throw my two pennies worth into the ring, hat or whatever you are supposed to throw pennies into.

Valencia decided to play like it was a first leg of a Champions League semi final. Diving around, conning the referee and being damn right cynical. I suppose that is a way to prepare yourself for a La Liga season.

Credit to them in the early stages though, they passed us off the pitch and worked like dogs to get the ball back whenever we were in possession of the ball, starting from the front players, something that we really need to do throughout the season. I wonder what Wenger’s take on that is. Perhaps he would rather his front players conserve their energy to produce that moment of magic in the final third or does he want to win the ball back at the top end of the pitch. I still want that long conversation with Arsene Wenger.

Nicklas Bendtner started on the right on a 4-3-3, ahead of Walcott who was playing his first minutes of pre season so it could well be that he could start the season out in that position. My take from the early signs is that Bendtner is not as comfortable or mobile as a right sided player as apposed to a center forward.

If Van Persie and Bendtner are starting in that formation then I like many fans would rather the two forwards switched positions, not that they do not switch during the match but their usual starting positions from goal kicks, free kicks and much of open play is from the position that they started in. Obviously Wenger watches Bendtner on the right during training sessions so his knowledge of the players is far greater than mine, but that goes without saying.

The through pass has been causing our back four problems this pre season, hopefully that will get ironed out ASAP, especially with a hectic start to the season.

Thats pretty much all I wanted to say from that game, now onto current issues such as French strikers who are pining for Arsenal moves. Marouane Chamakh is once again calling for his Arsenal move to go through, whilst stating that he has other options, perhaps to give Arsenal a slight nudge to speed things up as I am sure the player will want to get his future sorted out without any further delays. I am sure Wenger and Gazzy are prepared to let this run down to the last day to force Bordeaux to surrender and the deal will just go through at the last minute. Chamakh will then prove an instant hit and help the side to go on an unbeaten run in which he scores four goals at Anfield.

I don’t know why but this sounds all so familiar, spooky.

Lets forget about last season, Chamakh has a rather impressive strike rate of a goal every game after scoring against Lens in a 4-1 victory. He also hit 4 bicycle kicks, all smacking the crossbar from the half way line.

Some of the above was made up by me, you just to work out which parts.

Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott have explained what it takes to become an Arsenal player these days.

Gibbs said:

“To be at the top level you have to make a lot of sacrifices as a young boy,”

“I have a twin brother and we sort of split different ways at about 15. I made a lot of sacrifices and that is partly why I am here at Arsenal today. You have to keep working hard and you’ll do well.”

If Kevin Gibbs (just a guess) was good at football then I bet he is kicking himself now, kicking himself saying ‘Why did I go on that McDonalds bender??’

If I can attempt to be serious for a couple of seconds then I would like to praise our staff and manager for finding such level headed talented kids. Our scouting system is much more than just finding kids who can do kick ups, their attitude and characters are all taken into account which is something else that armchair managers should think about before suggesting that Wenger goes out and buys x,y and probably z.

I bet you didn’t know that Cesc was on his way to Barcelona again, did you?…what?.. no, no he is not on his way to AC Milan anymore, that is yesterdays news. what? oh no that was the last Barca rumour last week, this is a new fresh one for you.

Because Barca cannot get any Liverpool players, they are now turning their attentions to our captain, but check this.. they do not want to pay over the odds *cue huge laughter*

Barcelona’s sporting director Txiki Beguiristain said:

“It depends on how much we want to spend, If we spend a lot of money, it is possible (to bid for Fabregas).

“We do not know how much it will be yet. We have not asked Arsenal. “If the amount is too high, we will not try.”

I sir, have an idea. Do something more constructive like folding washing or cleaning out your cupboards because we are not interested in selling our best player and captain.

So the next question is, how long until the Daily Mail link Jack Wilshere to Barcelona? You know it will happen don’t you?

In case you was not aware, Jack has now been called up to Stuart Pearce’s under 21s, which of course was a matter of time. I am now starting to get afraid that he will be built up far too much, which was also only a matter of time.

Our season starts next week and we should have Thomas Vermaelen back fit and raring to go. Wenger said that he could have played against Valencia but the club didn’t want to take the risk. It will be interesting to see if he goes straight into the team without playing many pre season games. One player who has had games is Johan Djourou who is looking to push on this season.

JD said:

“I am still young, I have a couple of things I need to work on still and I still want to learn, but I want to step up now. It’s my time,”

“I’ve learned from Kolo, from Sol Campbell when they were at the Club, and now I’ve got that experience that I need to play in those big games, week-in and week-out. I signed for Arsenal when I was only 16 so it’s been a good learning process. Centre back is an experienced position, you’ve got all those big players and you can play until you are late in your age, so I think you have to be patient.

“Now I am 22 and you can see that I have learned a lot. For me that has been fantastic and now it is time for me to step up.”

Djourou seems like such a nice guy, good on the ball and good in the air, I really hope he makes it with us, hopefully forge a future partnership with Vermaelen when Gallas either leaves or retires.

Right, thats it for now, back tomorrow.

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