Arsenal vs Malaysia XI: Some football at last!; Laurent Koscielny - The model professional

Afternoon and welcome to the day of the first proper 90 minutes of Arsenal football. I have been craving this day, more because I thought we would get to see the new signings which obviously isn't going to happen. Arsene will say though that Abou Diaby is 'like a new signing' but I just don't get that same excited feeling. Perhaps its the inevitable that he will be injured for half or all of the season which eradicates that excitement. I hope that its not the case this year. 

We kick off against Malaysia XI and the likes of Gervinho, Arteta, Vermaelan and Santos are expected to feature. I am happy to see Diaby in there. If he can have a Van Persie season he can be as influential as Yaya Toure was for Man City last season. I know its more hope than expectation. We should not draw any conclusions from the game today, its merely a kick about in aim of getting our sharpness on track and our fitness levels up. I would be surprised to see a quick tempo game. I am lucky enough to be seeing it Live on television so I will give you the impressions tomorrow.

Santi Cazorla stories are heating up and I know that we are interested. We almost signed him last summer until Malaga got invloved. I don't think he would play as a winger, he would be more of an attacking midfielder for us. I fully expect Theo and Song to sign extensions, they are not in a position to make demands nor is any player. Van Persie has reportedly agreed wages with Juve and the sooner he goes the better. Out of the Prem and out of our lives. I am disappointed that he thinks Juve is a step up to us and that winning a corrupt Serie A is seen as a meaningful title. Anyway, what will be will be and he will be gone. 

Laurent Koscielny has signed a new deal. What a man. There was no press releases, no dramas, no agents speaking out. It was a good old sign on the dotted line deal. So few of those these days. He is our best defender and one of the first names on the team sheet. With Vermaelan handed the captaincy, I hope he steps up his game. No more galavanting forward when we are winning 1-0 with 90mins played. 

There's the usual player interviews happening, and you can catch them on various news sites. Including the one where Chamakh says he hopes he can stay at Arsenal if Van Persie leaves. Hopefully Arsene will see common sense. I like the fact that next season we can at least have two options for the striking role. Podolski and Giroud are both solid performers. 

'Till Tomorrow

Match prediction:

2-0 to the Arsenal