Early look at Man City vs Arsenal.

Afternoon all,

Its the end of a week that has been pretty successful for Arsenal Football Club. We started in excellent fashion against a poor Southampton side clinically dispatching them for 6, the only negative coming from a rather poor error which cost us our clean sheet record from goalkeeper Szczesny. It only got better from there as we got the better of a spirited but wasteful Montpellier in southern France. We were lucky in that game, however, how many times have we heard that Arsenal don't know how to win ugly? Well, we cannot be accused of that in this game, where for the first time in a while I was battling to stay awake in the second half.

This weekend brings with it a whole new and more difficult challenge to the ones which we have faced so far. We have played Stoke and Liverpool away from home, 2 difficult games which we gained a respectable 4 out of 6 points compared to City who could only manage 2 out of 6 points in the same fixtures. Yet this weekend we play the champions in their own back yard, a game which is sure to have a big impact on where we end up this season. Not because it is a turning point in our season, but because it will show us how far we have come as a team. How we have turned from a top 4 team into a title contending team? That is what every Arsenal fan will be looking for this weekend, some hope that we have what it takes after 7 years of disappointment. Last year this fixture was extremely open with Man City eventually coming out 1-0 winners after a David Silva goal. More on the game in the days to come. 

Early Starting Line-Up Prediction:

Mannone

Jenkinson - Mertesacker - Vermaelan - Gibbs

Diaby - Arteta

Cazorla

Walcott          -         Giroud         -         Podolski

'Till Tomorrow

Injury comebacks could give Arsenal title boost.

Afternoon all,

Jack Wilshere returned to full training today as expected which is obviously excellent news for the club. He was such an integral player 2 seasons ago starting almost every game, which ironically was the main reason for his injury. A 19 year old should not be tasked with that kind of consistency, especially when playing in the best league in the world and in Europe's premier club competition. 

After 14 months out with several different injuries, he can once again be accounted for as an Arsenal first team member. The one really encouraging factor for both player and club is that he won't stroll back into the team. There is genuine competition in the midfield and while I think that he is one of our best when fully fit, the fact that he has to fight might just give him that extra incentive. 

Szczesny/Mannone

Sagna/Jenkinson - Mertesacker/Koscielny - Vermaelan/Djourou - Gibbs/Santos

Arteta/Coquelin/Frimpong - Wilshere/Diaby/Ramsey

Cazorla/Rosicky/Ramsey 

Chambo/Walcott/Gervinho       Giroud/Gervinho/Podolski        Podolski/Gervinho/Chambo

A PRETTY DECENT SQUAD 

A midfield of Arteta, Wilshere and Cazorla is extremely exciting. Surely it would be the best midfield technically in the Barclays Premier League and one of the better ones in Europe? Although height may be an issue against certain clubs such as your West Hams and Stokes. Waiting in the wings we would have Diaby, Ramsey, Coquelin, Frimpong and Rosicky. Providing everyone is fit, which almost never happens for Arsenal.

Speaking of Frimpong, Wilshere's return has almost overshadowed his return to full training. He is a very exciting prospect, not least because he is a passionate Gooner. I wonder about his ability technically which would be a problem playing at a club like Arsenal. But remember that Alex Song wasn't very technical 5 years ago yet is now playing for arguably the best team technically in the world. I feel that with the right guidance, Frimpong would be an excellent defensive midfielder. 

That's about it for today. Big game coming up this weekend, we should learn more from Wenger's press conference tomorrow.

'Till then