Fabregas is the new Arsenal, Henry can be the new Bergkamp

The signings Wenger made during the transfer window not only instilled some harmony into the squad but also helped redress the balance of young 17-23, improving 23-27 and experienced 27+ players.

Now we have Gallas, Rosicky and Baptista who are all experienced internationals and can compete for a position in the starting XI. Plus we have Gilberto, Lehmann, Ljungberg, Lauren and Henry to add some experience while the younger players are improving all the time. Just look at Fabregas.

Gallas and Rosicky have settled in very well and have added something to the starting XI which was lacking, a bit of guile, quality and belief in their own ability.

As Arsene said shortly before he (on the advice of Martin Keown) switch Toure to centre half 'Basically a gifted player can play anywhere' and he is spot on. Rosicky adds something to the team at left midfield as does Gallas at left back, even if they have to make the position suit them slightly, that's all part of it.

Rosicky has come in and has added some fluidity to the midfield by cutting in from the left and getting involved in central areas and interchanging with Fabregas and Hleb as well. Van Persie has also started a few games on the left and is improving while getting used to playing a midfield role which means you have to pass more times than you shoot.

Gallas has helped to make the other defenders more confident as he rarely makes mistakes and is confident himself, and offers some width to the defence as he is an intelligent and disciplined player. When Clichy is fit to return to the first team I am sure we will be in even better shape.

The 3rd Generation has been built around Fabregas. Not necessarily him personally (but as you can see with an 8 year contract that is the intention) but the way he plays. One touch, quick, incisive, intelligent, economical passing. Speed of thought which is matched by the speed of the players around him. Rosicky is similar too. The Hleb - Rosicky - Fabregas is the new Ljungberg - Pires - Vieira axis. Henry has a key role in the new Arsenal, he will lose his pace (he will never be slow we know that) but on top of being Henry he will offer some of the same qualities as Bergkamp.

Some of his play on Sunday suggested that. He is not all about pace, he has genuine quality on the ball and above all else vision. He makes those runs and knows where he would want a pass to be played. The ball for Fabregas when the penalty was awarded was an example of it. (What a performance by the way - see other Gooner blogs for the fully glorified version of the game)

The 1-0 win at Old Trafford and coming from behind to win against Charlton has given us the belief that we must stay true to our principles and that ultimately we can get out of whatever situation may arise in a particular game.

Now we have now got the much sought after strength in depth and have a squad which looks as balanced, hungry and good as any other in the league. Wenger's faith has been vindicated and hopefully it will be repaid.

Couldn't Have Got it More Wrong, CSKA Preview

So we Ended up cruising past Watford 3-0. Not quite as predicted! Adebayor played, and played very well I might add and Walcott made his first start.

So.. In summary.. Apart from getting the nature of the performance, the margin of the win and the personnel involved wrong I did ok. Hmm.. Like Watford match on Saturday, one to forget really!

The highlights were, Cesc's second half display, Adebayor's goal and Walcott's debut (mainly the 2 through balls in the first half for Fabregas and Henry)

Tonight we go to CSKA Moscow, it'll be minus 20 or something crazy and everyone will be wearing gloves. Usually I would condemn it, but in this instance I'll allow it! Although I'm pretty sure big Tone or Ray Parlour wouldn't have worn them.

Adebayor looks to be really playing well after some early criticism and has an infectious attitude and desire which can only be good for the team. He proves a good foil for Henry as he is always in your face.

Having said that I would expect the rested Hleb to start and possibly even Van Persie as CSKA don't pose the aerial threat or play as direct as Watford.

I think we will play 4-4-2 instead of 4-5-1 although if Van Persie plays then he can always drop and play on the right or left with Rosicky or Hleb slotting in alongside Fabregas and Gilberto. I hope this is the case as Rosicky will flourish in this formation and I think it's the best chance we have of a victory.

Hoyte will continue to play right back and Gallas on the left and apart from that we have our best XI to choose from. Maybe we might even see a surprise start for Clichy?

A win would pretty much see us through to the next round. A draw would be satisfactory.

Watford to provide tough test for Gooners

Watford at the Emirates. A game which we should approach with optimism, however I have a nagging feeling that it might not quite go according to plan.

Eboue (Arsenal's player of the month), Ljungberg and Baptista are out injured.

That means Hoyte will play at right back, his preferred position, Gallas at left back and Djourou and Toure will play in the middle.

It also means we will start with Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto and Rosicky from right to left with Van Persie and Henry up front I would suggest. UPDATE: Man Utd are a goal down after half an hour. Perfect.

Watford are a hard working side with a confident young English manager who knows his sides limitations as well as their strengths. They are a better side than their current League positions suggests and are out to spoil the party at a stage when Arsenal might be vulnerable after an International break.

King is a good player, strong and powerful with an eye for goal and they work hard which is essential for them to survive, but their heads haven't dropped yet and they might well fancy their chances today. The way we start will be vital, if we get a good tempo going early we should be ok but if we let them in early we will make life difficult for ourselves again.

I expect Arsenal to win, make no mistake, but not more by than a 1 goal margin, I wouldn't be surprised if Watford scored first. A victory might well come very late on, possibly through a youngster by the name of Walcott. We shall see.

Come on you Gunners!

Arsenal find renewed stickability

Stuart Pearce used the term 'stickabaility' on Saturday after his Manchester City side had equalised in the last minute at Goodison Park against a rejuvenated Everton side.

This was the first time Arsenal have come back from a goal down in an away league game since we beat Sp*urs 5-4 away.

What a way to do it too! The goal of a lifetime sums it up nicely (still not as good as Bergy's against Leicester or Newcastle but pretty awesome as a pure strike).

Last season we lost limply 1-0 away from home too many times. That was the most worrying pattern. When we went behind we struggled big time and so no one took us seriously, score first against Arsenal and you won't have to score again.

If we can come back when we do concede then it puts a different type of pressure on the opposition and more often than not we will go on to win the game.

There was no 'stickability' or 'bouncebackability' that was a cornerstone of our recent successes.

When we won the title in 2001/2 it seemed there was a period where we used to go behind a lot but still had the confidence to play our own way and at least draw but more often than not, win the game.

Like going behind against Chelsea on Boxing day back in 2001. Lampard drove in from the edge of the box but we had faith that our chances would come and we would take them and we duly did. Wiltord scored the equaliser and Sol Campbell scored a header and the winner, his first for the club.

That was a common theme and filled everyone with confidence. It is just as damaging as it is beneficial if things go the other way, it becomes an issue coming back from a goal down.

However on Saturday we played pretty well (again), admittedly we rode our luck a little, as did Charlton, and got a good win against a side which will probably end up nearer to the to of the table than the bottom of it when all is said and done.

If we can keep our new found 'stickability' then we will be genuine contenders.