It is one thing beating a mixed Liverpool side at the Emirates and another thing altogether going away to Greece to play a Champions League with the opposition needing a result

The feel good factor after a victory is slowly being replaced with worry and fear. Our nemesis has reared it’s ugly head again and is trying to derail our season. The big bad injury has captured so many of our players at this stage of the season that if it was another team I would be laughing my head off, but nope, my head is firmly in place and it is no laughing matter.

Tomas Rosicky is continuing to fight against his injury problems after picking up a groin injury during the first half against Stoke City on Saturday. This is most definitely the time when we want our top players available but at Arsenal that just doesn’t seem possible for any real length of time. Injury is not the only problem, it is match fitness and momentum which is just as important.

It is all well and good us having the likes of Walcott, Rosicky and Eduardo back but if they are way off the pace due to lack of pitch time then it doesn’t help our performances. It seems to be vicious cycle right now, certain players coming back, not showing their full potential and trying to get back to match sharpness only to be struck down again.

Luckily many of the walking wounded who hobbled off the pitch on the weekend will be jogging back onto it either on Wednesday but probably Sunday.

You can imagine dumb and dumber (or is it Blatter and Platini?) having plenty to say when we field a young side in midweek. God forbid we look after ourselves and attempt to prevent an already insane injury list growing even further.

Arsene has already hinted that he is not likely to risk anymore set backs to players in the upcoming dead rubber.

Wenger said:

I will give some of them an opportunity on Wednesday, for many reasons. At the moment we have so many players injured that we cannot take any gambles; also you must give players a breather when you can.

“You will see Fran [Merida], [Jack] Wilshere etc. We played Manchester City last week (in the Carling Cup) and they had a full side out. For an hour we did not suffer at all.

“I will try to build a similar team in Greece.

“It will be a great game for them because Olympiakos will play for something, and it is another good opportunity to show that we can do better than we did at Man City.”

It is one thing beating a mixed Liverpool side at the Emirates and another thing altogether going away to Greece to play a Champions League with the opposition needing a result. There is a good chance that the kids will lose the game but even if they do it will be great experience for them. It is a new experience and one that can set them up nicely should any break through to find themselves in a CL game for the senior side.

Liverpool at Anfield is what Wenger will be keeping more than an eye on during the coming week. It has been a while since we last beat them at Anfield in the league. They have been very inconsistent But as we know, they always raise their game against us, always find that extra gear so the players who take to the field will have to at least match that work rate.

Jack Wilshere would think about a loan move away from Arsenal but would rather stay and wait for his chance.

Wilshere said:

“I would think about it but I think it would have to be in the Premier League, Not that the Championship is a bad league at all, but it might suit me differently.

“I have seen things about Middlesbrough, Celtic and Rangers being interested and there may be others, but a Premier League side would be better.

“I would, of course, rather stay and be involved at Arsenal though, so we will see what happens.”

Basically he is saying that he doesn’t want to go to a club where they smack it as far forward as possible and rightly so. I think a loan move would be good for him as he will continue to find it hard to break into the first team until physically he is right to play with the big boys. We know that talent and ability is not a problem, in fact he has more of that in his locker than most of our seniors but against the power in the Premier League Wilshere would find it tuff. A loan move would give him the experience whilst he works on his power.

The suicide rate has risen in the last few days, Wenger has stated that star players are difficult to find in January. There is no evidence that these two are linked in anyway.

Wenger said:

“I want to see what happens now [with injuries],” said Wenger. “We are in the beginning of December and I will see if we are in the same situation in January.

“But let’s not dream too much in January that we can find a world-class player – that is what is needed to strengthen our team – who is not cup-tied in the Champions League and who is free. You need a good Father Christmas for that!”

If we do happen to smuggle someone in through the doors at London Colony then I wouldn’t be surprised if that player was cup-tied just as Arshavin was last January.

With that, I bid you good night. Back again tomorrow.