Here we go again!

Arsenal have been drawn against Barca once again in the Champions League!

I for one do not think that we will go though, they are just too good in all departments. I feel we have the ability to win at the Emirates, but we could lose 4-1 again in Spain, just as we did last year. Looking at how we played on Monday against United, Arsenal are still not ready to beat the Big teams, still not good enough...

Now, I am not saying that Barca will walk all over us, but they have the ability too, they thrashed Madrid recently. It is a mouth watering tie, but this is what happens when you finish second in a pretty average group. Shaktar, who beat us to top spot will face Roma, who we beat at this stage two years ago. I would much rather play them than Barca...

Bring em on though! If we win, then it will be historic. Rather lose to them now than in the final! If we do beat them, then we have the ability to win the competition. But, Arsenal need to unlock that ability, and we are not doing that at the moment.

Well done to Gyan, who has won the African footballer of the Year award. I voted for him!

Arsenal need to hit the Big Time!

By the 'Big Time', I mean winning BIG games.

Last season, Arsenal lost at home and away to United and Chelsea, lost to Barca 6-3 on aggregate in Europe. The season before, we lost the FA Cup semi final to Chelsea, we lost in the semi finals of the Champions League to United, being totally out played at the Emirates. This was one of the hardest games for me to watch in recent times. United were brilliant, we were sub standard!

Arsenal are more than capable to win the big games, but we have a hoodoo, if we can win tonight, we can go on to win the league. If we draw, or even lose the game, we can still go on to win the league, but a win would be huge.

Fabregas looks to be struggling for fitness, and if he does not play, as ever he will be sorely missed. However, RVP is back, and Nasri is showing signs of being world class. Walcott will most probably start on the bench, but will be used to good effect in the 2nd half, as he was last Wednesday.

I can't wait for this game, it is a top of the table clash, and it is fixtures like these that we all look forward to.

I reckon it will finish 2-1 to either team!

Through, but no cigar!

I will not get too pessimistic about this. We are through to the next stage of the European cup, albeit finishing second and facing the prospects of a Euro 'Giant' in the next stage.

We scored for fun in the first three games of the group, but stutters away at Shaktar and Braga left us needing victory against Partizan to confirm qualification. We could have drawn and got through, but a win meant the other fixture in the group was not important.

We still have improving to do according to Wenger. I agree with him. But, we were missing Cesc last night, our captain, and our best defender. Not alot of other teams in Europe would cope very well without their captain (and most influential player) and top defender.

So, we are top of the league, into the semis of the League cup, and through into the last 16 of Europe, for like the 11th time in a row or something! That doesn't sound too bad does it?

If we do avoid Barca or Madrid, then Arsenal will have a genuine chance in the competition. But, if we get one of the big boys, and knock them out (!), then we will have the belief to beat anybody...

Defensive frailties to continue.

It is a massive blow for all Gooners to hear that Vermaelen will be out of action until the new year. I, like everyone else was hoping he would be back at this crucial time of year to add some much needed quality to our defence.

Vermaelen is, in my opinion, our best centre half, and one of the best defenders in the Prem. His absence has been felt this season, and we need him back in our starting XI pretty sharpish. Squillaci is decent enough, Koscielny is ok, and Djourou is ok! But we need class, and Vermaelen is class.

I still don't think that this will force Wenger's hand in the transfer market, but if we lose another player to injury then he will have to. It is brave of Wenger to say that he doesn't need to add to the squad, he has faith in what we have, but we need to be realistic.

Looking down on the rest...

It's great to finally get back to the top of the table. We have to remember that United have a game in hand, but we have the points on the board, more points than anyone else. What was really good to see at the weekend however, was the form of Nasri.

Fabregas has been in and out of the team so far this season, and that has obviously been a massive blow, but at times like these other players usually up their game. The stand out performer for me has been Nasri. He has already bettered his best ever goal tally for a season (he is on 11 in all comps-8 in Prem), he is playing with confidence, and continues to link up well with Arshavin.

The upcoming December fixtures are extremely important, starting with United away next week. If we can get a result there, we have to be taken seriously. It is about time that Arsenal started to win big games.

Hopefully being at the top of the table this time round won't be a 'enjoy it while it lasts' scenario!

Dream Draw...

No dis-respect to Ipswich, but that was the draw I wanted. We SHOULD overcome them in the semi-final, which takes place over two legs, the first one of which will be at Portman Road.

This looks as if the final that I want to see could happen, Arsenal v West Ham. My Uncle is a Hammers fan, and I am sure that the game would be watched in good spirits. However, both teams have to negotiate 180 minutes of Football, and potentially, extra time and pens!

I have a feeling that we will see the Gooners take on the Hammers though...

Avram Grant just loves cup runs eh...

Young Guns march into the semi-finals!

It was great to see our young(ish) Arsenal team beat Wigan last night to move into the Semi-Finals of the Carling Cup. It is not exactly the most prestigious of trophies, but a potential day out at Wembley for the fans none the less.

Three English players started last night, and another two came off the bench to help the cause. I really do think that Gibbs, Wilshere and Walcott will be regular fixtures in this Arsenal team for a few years. It has taken time to produce this talent (granted that Walcott was bought in), and Wenger has come under alot of criticism for not playing brits, but these guys are paying dividends now. We also have Ramsey to come back to full fitness and return from his loan at Nottingham Forest.

So, if we do reach the final of this competition, it will be a victory for Wenger to see Gibbs, Walcott, Wilshere and maybe even Ramsey, Eastmond and J.E. Thomas in the lineup.

We do have a two-legged semi final to navigate first though. Let's avoid the Hammers. I would love to see a Derby final.