Arsenal at their best with 'backs to the wall' mentality

First of all a real winner hates to lose. As Arsene once said ' Show me a good loser and you will also show me a bad winner'. Sums that up very nicely I think.

Second of all there is no better club in the land than Arsenal in responding to a period of media hyped 'crisis'. When people write us off that is when we are at our most dangerous.

Arsene has elected not to speak to the media which suggests he is plotting a bit of 'them' against 'us' and barracading us in to help instill some togetherness and a siege mentality.

No press conference from Wenger and also of note is that not many of the players have come out and said anything about this weekedns game or the match with the Hammers (Gilberto aside). Usually Henry and Fabregas, Toure or Lehmann will come out and say something to the media ahead of a big game but so far.. Nothing.

Arsene knows full well that this a) is a crucial period in the development of the team and b) we have the potential to win a title race which is the likely to be the most open in the last 3 years.

I fully expect us to come out like a wounded animal and put in a dominant display at home to Liverpool and take all 3 points in what is our first 'Big Game' at the new stadium (Never really know what to call it, The Grove will do for now)

Eboue will come back into the side and Clichy will be sharper meaning we will have a near full strength line up for the first time in a long while.

I expect to see Henry continue his good streak against Liverpool. He is confident against them, especially at home and will be too hot to handle. He will have likes of scar face and Lawro drooling once more. If ever we needed a captain's performance from Henry to put all of this shit speculation about the captaincy to bed then now's the time.

Hleb and Rosicky back to the wings in a 4-4-2 with Adebayor up front I should think will do the trick. Now that some of the guys are coming back from injury our squad is looking very healthy. We have Djourou, Senderos, Flamini, Van Persie, Walcott, Alliadiere and Hoyte all pushing for the four outfield places on the bench not forgetting Baptista, Lauren, Ljungberg and Diaby who are all still out injured.

The thing about the media is that they are fucking extremists. If we play well we are the best team ever to play football and yet if we get a bit unlucky or things don't quite click then we are too soft and not ready to win anything.

Our current situation is cause for optimism not crisis. The media will be singing the same tune come Monday.