Consolidation Period For Gunners

Arsenal undergo a crucial period of fixtures in a bid to ensure Champions League football at Ashburton Grove.

After the loss to Chelsea and the lucky escape against Doncaster in the League Cup, a game which we really should have won, despite the media uproar, we need some confidence in the next couple of months, before the game that, at that point, will define our season.. Real Madrid.

We had a lot of chances and although we were lucky, we should have scored more, admittedly Almunia played well, which is excellent for his confidence and he is finally showing the potential which persuaded Wenger to sign him. Wigan now await us in the Semi, it would be great for the kids to get to the final.

Van Persie picked up an injury which may rule him out for the next few weeks but Henry is seemingly fit enough to lead the line.

But for now we need to consolidate and push on and put as much distance between ourselves and the chasing pack.

Charlton is a very winnable game, we won there last season 3-1 and we need to get back into the winning habit and quickly. They are not playing well and it is essential we put in a good performance. Then we play Portsmouth at home and Aston Villa away in quick succession. We need a minimum of 7 points and that is a realistic target for us.

Happy Christmas one and all and let's hope for a result on Monday!

Back To The Future

Chelsea delivered the final nail in the title coffin of Arsenal on Sunday with a 2-0 win at Highbury. Arjen Robben and Joe Cole scored the goals, which condemned Arsenal to their first home defeat of the season.

In all honesty it was an evenly matched and competitive game, which could have gone either way. Henry hit a post and shortly after Van Persie scored a legitimate goal which, was incorrectly ruled out for offside. The key moments went against Arsenal as Chelsea capitalised ruthlessly on defensive mistakes and some poor refereeing.

Essien is a dirty player, it has happened too many times to be coincidence. He elbowed Lauren and should have been sent off. Lauren lost a tooth and that makes a mockery of Mourinho's bizarre rant about Arsenal having a strategy. A strategy to protect our players and the spirit of the game perhaps.

It was a close game, which could have gone either way. I can accept that, we have a few injuries and lacked a bit of cutting edge and confidence, but in the majority we played with pride and passion and were unlucky. No massive gulf between the sides, despite the over hyped and undereducated media reports.

Arsenal have issues of their own to sort out before they look to overhaul Chelsea. We need a midfield capable of overpowering opponents and a driving force, a real captain.

I think the core of the club is good enough to build upon, and with a few signings and time, we will recover to make this season a stepping-stone to future success.

The difference between the two sides on Sunday?

The winning habit, which we don't have at present and Chelsea do.

But they paid for it.

Chelsea are summed up by their arrogant and classless manager. Mourinho refused to shake Wenger's hand. Kenyon and Mourinho act like they are above the rules of footballing society, like they are on a higher plane. The ONLY reason they are in this position is money.

Pre Abramovic they were building and had a long-term goal. I had respect for them, I even relished the day when they would challenge for the title. But only on a level playing field.

Now they have interrupted that building process and opted to buy instant success.

What a great achievement that is.

Chelsea have no long term planning. They have no structure and cannot maintain this success.

You can't buy good football let alone tradition, history and respect.

Chelsea are sitting on top of a self-erected volcano. It is new and colourful, it's exciting, for the first time they are at the top.

Success goes in cycles. Chelsea may well stay at the top for a few more seasons.

There will come a time when that volcano explodes. Chelsea will be in freefall. They have no longevity.

Arsenal have a brand new stadium, financial and structural stability, players of immense potential and a long-term future. All of that, AND the new stadium, safely well out the way of the path of Chelsea's lava.

Arsenal Vs Real Madrid With Interest

Arsenal have been drawn against Real Madrid in the European Cup. This will be the first time we have played them in this competition. I had a funny feeling we would get Rangers but this is a far tougher and more high profile tie.

Real Madrid are a side full of wonderful talents. Robinho, Ronaldo, Raul, Zidane, Woodgate but to name a few. It will be interesting to see if and how Wenger's top summer transfer target, Julio Baptista plays. Similarly, an added interest in the performance of Ashley Cole, given the current overtures from Madrid.

Madrid have a wonderful attacking unit but a midfield which is possibly, defensively weaker than ours.

They are a glamour club, which is in need of severe restructuring and discipline. They sign Galaticos because of the marketing potential. Figo, Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, Owen. These players are paid a massive salary because of their worldwide marketing potential and guaranteed a place in the first team. That's not what football is about.

Yes they are capable of playing some exquisite football, but this current team is not comparable to the team with Di Stefano, Puskas, Gento, Canario, Del Sol, Santamaria and Marquitos.

It's important to not be overawed by them, as that is half the battle lost. They are somewhat in disarray and confidence is not high. However, if we stand off and watch them play they will destroy us. Just like we have done to many teams in the past.

If we believe. Stay disciplined, work hard and importantly, have a bit of luck, there's no reason we can't win. It is time for us to put in a big European performance and prove we are on the biggest teams in the competition.

I've wanted to draw them in the last couple of seasons, to see us go head to head, an open game, who plays the best football.

My heart says Arsenal, it always does. Head says it'll be close but I really do fancy us to come good.

Chelsea drew Barcelona. It was written last year when Barcelona outplayed Chelsea yet ultimately went out in acrimonious circumstances. Barcelona suddenly have a massive fan base.. Anybody who loves football in its purest form.

Exciting, creative and total football vs money, discipline, ruthlessness and organisation.

Heart says Barcelona, head says Chelsea.

More Than Just No Oil In The Machine

Gilberto was sent off after receiving two particularly harsh yellow cards as Arsenal lost 1-0 to Newcastle at St James Park.

Alan Shearer committed numerous fouls, which given the context of Gilberto's sending off were at the very least the equivalent off two yellow cards, which would have culminated in Shearer's dismissal. Shearer was only given a 'cosmetic' booking for kicking the ball away in the 90th minute.

This simply didn't happen as Dermot Gallagher got caught up in the atmosphere by giving the home side the benefit of the doubt on far too many occasions and produced a performance as poor and inconsistent as Arsenal own away form.

This aside it was a decent first half display from Arsenal, as they dominated and the returning Alexander Hleb caused problems for Newcastle with his free, determined running and well timed, neat and creative passing. Arsenal were the better side for the majority of the first half and Henry should have scored form Fabregas' pass but was unlucky to see Given produced an excellent save and divert it behind.

Then 10 minutes after the break Gilberto received a second booking for an honest and innocuous challenge and Arsenal were down to 10 men.

The game can change one of two ways if there is a seemingly unjust sending off.

It can go the way it did against Newcastle on Saturday, with the numerical disadvantage exposing physical weakness and ultimately sapping the energy and creative drive out of the team, which is a sign of low confidence and lack of resilience.

The game can also go a different way, like it did away to Liverpool in 2001/2, when Gio Van Bronkhorst was sent of for a phantom dive. Or Monaco did against Chelsea in the Champions League. It can inspire teams and make them more resilient and ruthless than before, more determined and confident that they go harder into the challenges and play with a channeled aggression.

Arsenal, at the moment, don't have that ability and I wasn't surprised to see us roll over.

The referee was abysmal. Agreed. However, Arsenal have big problems which were exposed again.

Gilberto and Fabregas is not a viable option in away games, as I said in my last post, Gilberto needs a minder.. He is NOT an enforcer..

Fabregas is an immense talent but his fantastic technical ability cannot make up for Gilberto's shortcomings. Nor should it have to, he is 18. HE should be the one protected, the kid is still growing.

To bring the best out of a midfield which looks woefully short and a shadow of the midfield that went unbeaten, Arsenal need a physical presence, a true enforcer, to add the drive back into the team.

Pires and Ljungberg is no longer as effective as they don't have the confidence to drive forward as often. Reyes works hard and is still learning, but he is not the player we all hoped he would be at this stage. Hleb looks class. He is important in helping us limit the damage.

Sides have taken Bolton's stance and believe that for the first time in a long time that Arsenal are vulnerable and can be out muscled, outfought and ultimately are there for the taking. If you are up for it against Arsenal, you have more than half a chance.

As is well documented, Vieira is missed. He had the trust of his team mates, was close to many of them, he had a telepathic link to Bergkamp, Henry would run for him, which added an essential dynamic aspect to the side, he would cover for Pires' defensive frailties and gelled the team together, on top of having the ability to drive the team on and the respect of everyone who loves the club.

Arsene has ripped out a central cog and not replaced it. It is time to do just that.

Nothing Won.. Nothing Lost

Arsenal failed to become only the 5th team ever to record a maximum points haul in the qualifying stages of the European Cup last night, after a 0-0 draw with Ajax at Highbury.

Arsenal rested 5 first team players.. With the exception of Lehmann these are the players who were at the heart of the debacle against Bolton on Saturday. So read into 'rested' what you will.. I don't expect all of them to return against Newcastle..

Thankfully Wenger tried a different option at Left Back, with Lauren dropping in and Eboue at Right Back.. I think that is a better solution than Cygan, depending on the form of Sol Campbell he could even play Senderos and Campbell with Toure at Left Back..

Wenger deployed a 4-3-3, which at times was more of a 4-5-1.. We lacked maturity.. It was never going to be a fluent performance but I thought our desire would be enough.. I was wrong.. We were disjointed for most of the game and only in the last 10 mins of the first half we livened the crowd up.. To be fair, the crowd at Highbury is one of the most quiet in the country and so an uninspiring 'dead rubber' of a game, with half a first team was never going to have the atmosphere of a 5-1 home demolition of Deportivo in the Uefa Cup.

Hleb's return was welcome and I hope to see him on the left hand side or in a 3 man central midfield against Newcastle at the weekend.. It is good to see Wenger is looking to play within his means and looking to bring the best out of Fabregas and he is mulling over a 4-3-3.. “Normally we play 4-4-2 but I played more of a 4-3-3. Quincy and Reyes are really two strikers, they are not midfielders and we tried to play high.

“It was a good occasion to try a different system because we wanted to play Alexander Hleb central and see if we could use that system at some stage.”

It was an average display where we won nothing and lost nothing. 0-0.

It would be good to see a 4-3-3:

Lehmann

Eboue Toure Campbell Lauren

Fabregas Giberto Hleb

Ljungberg Van Persie

Henry

I would like to see Hleb more involved and I think he is good enough to play centrally and will help to provide the midfield with more bite, it's just Wenger has a formation, which has worked very well previously and I think it's unlikely he will change it so radically. At least Wenger understands we need more physical power and is attempting to compensate for that..

As for January I hope Wenger opts for an experienced combative midfielder to compliment Cesc and give Gilberto much needed competition.. I hate to say it but someone like Edgar Davids.. A Left Back depending on how Eboue gets on.. As well as Centre Back cover.. The only problem being, Arsene is a man with a plan and he has a lot of faith in these kids and so it is unlikely he will buy a stopgap player..

Wenger is a very calculated man, he will have his targets.. Who are they?.. Time will tell..

Arsenal Out To Make Amends.. We Need A Gerrard.. Essien Disgrace

Arsenal are expected to field a young side for the visit of Group B runners up Ajax, at Highbury tonight.

I expect the electric Quincy, steady Larsson and 'fox in the box' Lupoli to play some part..

The main value of the game may lie in the experience of Champions League football for the younger guys, however it is an opportunity for the players to prove to the fans that Saturday was a one off, that do they have pride and passion required to win things and it means something special to them to wear the Arsenal shirt..

Henry plays, which is a signal of intent from Wenger, that he is serious about winning the game.

As ANR says, expect an energetic and hard working performance culminating in a win and a goal or two from Henry... Cue the resurgence of cautious optimism.

Wenger has finally admitted that we are lacking a bit of physical power after the departure of Vieira. "I'll never say you don't miss a player like Vieira but what's important is to move on and play with the players we have.

"But the natural structure of the team lacks a little bit of physical power.

"We have opted for a very technical side and maybe paid for it a little at Bolton."

It would seem that Wenger knew this in the summer, and had banked on Baptista to give him that power.

Baptista then joined Madrid and although Arsene knew we going to suffer at some point, he is not one to panic buy.. I would hope/assume he has identified a potential target for January, possibly Bodmer, Zokora or Diarra..

Nigel De Jong, Maxwell and Steven Pienaar have all ruled out signing new contracts at Ajax.. Yaya Toure scored twice at the weekend.. There are plenty of potential targets..

Arsenal need a midfield talisman, a Steven Gerrard, who was awesome for Liverpool last night, he epitomises passion and beams with pride.. Gerrard's don't exactly come around that often and it is an easy solution to suggest.. It is obvious we aren't as dynamic in the middle as we have been.. Nevertheless if we want to compete in the major competitions, it needs to be addressed..

A talisman with physical power.. Yes.. A calculated, career threatening habitual fouler.. NO.. Essien should be hauled up in front of UEFA. It was a sickening challenge and that is twice now, both times there can be no defence.. He didn't attempt to play the ball.. Just imagine the furore if that was Vieira..

It is clear we are lacking something, not a major ingredient however and we aren't too far from where we want to be.. I'm sure with a little more motivation and desire we will compensate for it tonight..

Wenger will assess the statistics, and any weakness will be evaluated, and action based upon that.. Statistics do not lie, I agree.. However, what statistic measures pride, passion and desire?

Why This Defeat Hurt More Than Most

Arsenal produced a 'tentative and frail' performance at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. I think it was worse than that.

I am not a fair-weather supporter and certainly not one to over react, to throw the toys out of the pram and say that it's the end of an era or that we are suddenly a bad side..

Put in perspective it was one poor performance. It was reminiscent of that dull day back in the latter part of the 2002/3 campaign, away at Ewood Park. Arsenal were awful on the day and we lost 2-0.

After that we went 49 games unbeaten and won the league unbeaten. No-one else has done that and with some historical distance people will realise exactly the repercussions and magnitude of a feat like that. It is once in a lifetime stuff.

Defeats haven't come around that often to be fair, and so it is expected that there will be some exaggeration. If we get outplayed or are unlucky I can accept it.

It's the nature of this defeat is the hardest thing to take.

Arsenal players played with little or no pride, we had no desire, a lack of passion and no-one was willing to put their body on the line. Basically Bolton wanted to win more than we did and we let them do just that.

We had chances and were a little unlucky not to score, Henry hitting the post twice. However, Lehman was outstanding and there can be no arguments about the margin of victory.

When Gilberto was injured last season, it was obvious that we missed him. He is a very solid performer and offered a great balance alongside Vieira, a powerhouse who would drive the side on and could rely on Gilberto's excellent tactical awareness and positioning. In turn Gilberto enjoyed being the in the shadows, the unsung hero. He did it for Brazil. Gilberto Silva, played every minute of the World Cup, alongside Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano and countless 'stars'.

Gilberto is an unsung hero, an invisible wall, he's quick, nimble, strong, he can head and pass and will nick the ball off you in dangerous areas. Gilberto is an excellent player. No doubt about that. He is just being utilised in the wrong way.

Gilberto is NOT Patrick Vieira. Gilberto is NOT an enforcer. Fabregas is a better player and Wenger should bring in a player to protect our future playmaker and who can boss games physically. That might bring the best out of Gilberto. He has no competition and is being played in the wrong role. A combination of this and the wrong attitude are undermining his ability.

Cygan is not a left back, just because he is left sided. How many poor performances does it take for Arsene to realise Cygan is causing uncertainty in the entire defence. That is making hard for the whole team. It is a massive weakness, which is being exploited and needs to be addressed.

There are obvious problems at the moment which need to be sorted if we are to bring the best out of a very promising squad. The main issue is Arsenal have values, tradition, Arsenal is a big club and it is not good enough to lack passion, pride and desire. That costs nothing and has been and must continue to be instilled into these players.

Wenger won't stand for this and I expect a reaction against Newcastle.

Balance Sheet Test At Bolton For Rising Young Stock

Arsenal travel to Bolton on Saturday. It's only one game, but is like a balance sheet for the rising stock of our young assets.

We won 2-0 at the Reebok in 2001/2 when Freddie was on his scoring run and Bergkamp was in inspired form, we drew there in our unbeaten season of 2003/4 after conceding a late Pedersen thunderbolt.

Last season we lost. We were dreadful and any hope of the title evaporated.

This is a parameter of where our rebuilding process stands. If we win this game we can prove we are genuine when we talk of the title.

I suspect Wenger will continue with Cygan at Left Back as Bolton will attempt to play high diagonal balls and play a very direct game. They will be physical and we need stability at set pieces. I think AW will be tempted to play Flamini to added defensive steel to the midfield, but after the 1st half at Tottenham he realises that Gilberto & Flamini are not compatible.

Pires has started to come back to form and has improved his work-rate and desire. Pires can be the man who along with Fabregas and Henry who unlocks Bolton.

Bolton are a hard working, fit and physical side, who seem to raise their game for the bigger teams. In their style of play Bolton are the opposite of Arsenal.

However despite the differences there are similarities.

Bolton play long ball, direct, quick, ram raiding football. They don't have an alternative, they believe that brings the best out of them and gives them the best chance of getting something from the game. Arsenal play free flowing, quick, intricate and patient football, which is heavily reliant on technique, speed, off the ball movement and close control. Arsenal also believe this is the way to win games and only in desperate situations change their style.

The best way to illustrate the disparity between the sides is by highlighting the best player from each side.

Nolan is Bolton's best player and captain. He is a scouser, a workhorse with a blockbuster of a shot, a muscular powerhouse. He can head, pass and embodies Bolton's spirit. Nolan effectively is a physical representation of Bolton.

Henry is Arsenal's brightest star. We all know about Henry. There is no player like him, he has electric pace, has unbelievable eloquence and glides over the pitch with incomparable grace. He creates goals, scores goals and destroys teams. He is unique. Thierry Henry is like.. Thierry Henry.

This game will highlight any physical and fundamental weaknesses we have. In this type of game you have to stand up and be counted. If we want to win the game we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied. There is nowhere to hide.