Denilson to many is not a crunching tackler, he is not a dribbling central flair player. He isn’t the new Mathieu Flamini so he is questioned, probably by the pundits as much as the fans. His form of recent weeks hasn’t helped

The weekend is almost amongst us, another crunch game coming up against the current leaders of the Premier League. This one isn’t just a big game, it is pretty darn close to make or break, although with so many more points to play for nothing will be certain no matter which way the result ends up.

Abou Diaby should be back in the squad but it is a shame that he wasn’t back in the squad last week. He needed minutes against Manchester United to allow him to be ready for Stamford Bridge. Unless he jumps straight back into his pre injury form then I expect him to get castigated as he searches for match fitness.

I expect Diaby to occupy a place on the bench with Denilson given another chance in central midfield. A new option in midfield isn’t necessarily what the team need, it is for Denilson to find his best form and confidence. Form that he had before his latest set back, we hardly heard a peep about his performances during that time in the first team. Unfortunately players are not always afforded the time to get back to their correct level without being thrown to the wolves but at this time of the season time is scarce, with so many important matches coming up the team cannot afford to drop any levels.

Theo Walcott is another player who has struggled to stay fit and get match sharpness under his belt. Walcott is clearly still developing his game and that develop has taken a huge blow this season due to his lack of games so his current form is hardly surprising. Having said that, his form is not good enough or consistent enough to warrant starts in such big games so Wenger will be caught up in a catch 22.

In the meantime, Theo Walcott could prove to be a potent weapon from the bench until he can produce quality over the course of 90 minutes.

George Graham has been giving his opinion on Arsenal and is unsure whether Arsene can succeed playing football like Barcelona. Graham wants to know why Arsene has changed his template from his successful teams of the past.

I think that is what is so good about Arsene Wenger, he creates a format depending on his personnel unlike Jose Mourinho. Mourinho would discard a young Cesc Fabregas like a carpenter would a stethoscope.

With players like Campbell, Gallas, Vermaelen, Song, Diaby, Eboue and Bendtner, it makes the Arsenal lack power argument a little thin in my book, especially when the likes of Diaby, Bendtner and Song are still developing that extra physical power in their bodies.

I love George Graham, his Arsenal sides of the past was where football started from with me, I will always appreciate those teams but George is from the old school. Football had boundaries, structures and limits. It is imprinted into many old managers, pundits etc that football can only be played a certain way. A striker must hold the ball up, a center midfielder must crash into opposition players to win the ball back so anything different is unknown.

Denilson to many is not a crunching tackler, he is not a dribbling central flair player. He isn’t the new Mathieu Flamini so he is questioned, probably by the pundits as much as the fans. His form of recent weeks hasn’t helped but when playing well he is an important cog in the machine that provides balance and a base. When Arsenal play well defensively and Denilson is in the side, he is usually plays a big part in that.

Arsene Wenger has had his usually Friday press conference which I am sure you have already read via the official site so I shall not go into quote city.

Arsene cannot understand the pessimism in recent weeks and explained that we are in a healthily position in the league and champions league.

To only be six points behind the leaders at this stage with our run of fixtures, isn’t too shabby. Of course we would rather be at the top of the league with the extra points on the board, such is life. We are going to have to play our games and try and get to that position.

Arsene has said that he was very close to bringing in a new face but doesn’t want to name names or give any clue as to what position that was. Perhaps it was Smalling? Who knows. Anyway I can imagine the less positive side of the fence will be stirred up by that, claiming that he is teasing or something. To be honest he cannot win unless he buys. If he said that he wasn’t close then he would be blamed for not working enough to bring players into the club.

Arsene was correct when stating that the very little movement from other clubs was an indication that buying in January isn’t the best time as acquiring players that are good enough is not the easy task that some may think.

Right before I go, I would like to wipe a tear from my eye and say how sorry I am for John Terry to lose his captaincy. My heart goes out to him, it must be a difficult period in his young life. I now hope he goes out on Sunday and shows the world what an absolute [insert word of choice] he is and I hope he scores a few own goals and gets tied in knots by our strike force.

Back again tomorrow.