Can Arsenal Do Their Transfer Dealings Sooner Rather Than Later?

The start of Euro 2012 is less than a week away now, and still Arsenal have only managed to sign Lukasz Podolski so far. With so many players competing for their countries over the next few weeks the chances are transfers will be few and far between until July. With pre-season training beginning in July it could leave very little time for any new signings to arrive.

Last summer Arsenal left most of their transfer dealings until deadline day, and it greatly affected their start to the season. By the time the new players had bedded in Arsenal had only taken seven points from their first seven games. Of course they rallied after that, and eventually managed to finish third with a  few hic-ups along the way.

After the sales of both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri nobody could have predicted Jack Wilshere wouldn't kick a ball in anger all season long. Added to the loss of Wilshere Abu Diaby's injury woes took a turn for the worse, and he never managed to start a game all season long either. It meant Arsenal's midfield duties were not shared out evenly, and the strain showed on some players towards the end of the season.

Arsene Wenger stated last summer that he would not be selling both Cesc and Nasri, as it would not be good for the club. When push came to shove he had no option though, as both players obviously made it clear that they wanted to play elsewhere. It's not a new scenario for Arsenal fans to see their best players touted around supposedly wealthier clubs.

It happened in the past with so many Arsenal players even when Arsenal were at their prime under Wenger, and winning plenty of trophies. It seems that the captain's armband at Arsenal has become a signal that a player is going to leave the club. The current captain is Robin van Persie, and the previous three captain's were all sold while still wearing the armband.

At the moment RVP is considering his options with only one year left on his contract, and he holds all the aces. He can choose to see out his contract and walk away on a free transfer next summer, or insist on leaving this summer. Whatever he decides to do I can't see what the club can do to stop him.

I was a huge fan of Cesc and I felt a real sadness when he left the club, but no matter what players come or go I will always support Arsenal. Withdrawing support is not an option for a real fan in my opinion even if some of the fans are unhappy with how the club is being run. I have no doubt that fans of the majority of other clubs feel exactly the same way at times as well.

The long drawn out summer transfer window can be a very frustrating time for football fans, and Arsenal fans are no exception. In an ideal world the club would go out and get the players they have targeted as soon as the window opens, but that's not how football works. Very few transfers are straight forward any more, and they tend to take a long time to complete.

Any player Arsenal show an interest in is bound to be touted to other clubs with more money to spend by their agent. If Arsenal show an interest in a player the chances are other clubs with a lot more money to spend will consider the players too. The inequality in the transfer market caused by clubs with vast amounts of oil money has made buying players very hard for any club working within a budget.

It means Arsenal have to try to get players well before their prime, or try to pick up players other clubs aren't overly interested in. In recent years Arsenal have spent big money on very promising talent such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott with varying degrees of success. If those players become as good as Arsenal hope they will they will be worth far more than Arsenal can afford to pay.

It's a risk for Arsenal to buy these players, and there are no guarantees of how good they will become. The hope was that Arsenal's youth team would provide a very strong team for years to come, but far too many of the youth players have failed to make the final step to become top class players. The current Arsenal first team squad doesn't contain too many players who have come all the way through the youth ranks at the club.

Even when Arsenal have tried to buy some younger players they have seen those players touted to other clubs and lost out on them. It happened with both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, but the wishes of the players also had an effect on their eventual destinations. 

I hope the vast amounts of money spent on the youth set up at Arsenal create a super team for the future, but there are no guarantees. The club have very little choice though, as they simply cannot afford to compete financially with the Manchester Citys and Chelseas of the football world.

There is no doubt Arsenal showed some real promise at times last season, and some additions to the squad right now could help them to become properly competitive again. Sometimes I feel the Arsenal squad would be good enough to compete for the Premier League, but only if all of their key players stay injury free all season long. Realistically that's not going to happen, and Wenger needs to be a little more pesimistic when considering his options for the new season.

Whatever happens during the current transfer window I can't imagine things could be quite as chaotic as they were for Arsenal last summer. Ideally the players needed will be added in the very near future, and space will be found for them by offloading some of the players who are no longer required. I won't be holding my breath for such a  scenario, but surely I can live in hope. 

That's it for today.

See you tomorrow.

Arsenal Exit The FA Cup As Their Chances Of A Trophy End For Another Season

Arsenal made the long trip to Sunderland yesterday afternoon for the second Saturday afternoon in a row. They had managed a last gasp victory at the same venue in the Premier League last Saturday, thanks to a Thierry Henry goal. Since then Arsenal had been well beaten by AC Milan in the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League, and Henry had departed with his loan spell over.

The team news had suggested that only Laurent Koscielny would be unavailable from the defeat to Milan, but when the team was announced Kieran Gibbs was nowhere to be seen. I'm not sure if he picked up a knock or if he needed a rest after his exertions, but it was strange that he didn't even make the match day squad. It meant Francis Coquelin played at left-back, and Johan Djourou started in the centre of defence.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also returned to the team in a wide right role with Gervinho playing on the left after his return from international duty. The players to miss out were Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, as Arsenal went in search of a place in the quarter finals of the FA Cup. With their chances of winning any other trophy this season all but over this was their one and only chance of silverware.

Arsenal started well and looked the most likely to get the first goal until Coquelin went down with a hamstring injury just before the 10 minute mark. He had to be replaced by the only defender on the bench, and Sebastien Squillaci came on to play in central defence. It meant that Thomas Vermaelen had to revert to a left-back role yet again, and Arsenal fans got to see Squillaci play alongside Djourou.

The injury to Coquelin seemed to affect the Arsenal team, and Sunderland saw the chance to put some pressure on them. They temporarily abandoned their ultra-defensive tactics, as they saw the chance to take advantage of Arsenal's uncertainty. For the next 15 minutes Sunderland had the upper hand, but they failed to take advantage of it.

Arsenal slowly played their way back into contention, and Gervinho had a good shot well saved after Aaron Ramsey played him in. There was also a very decent penalty shout for Arsenal when Robin van Persie was felled in the penalty from a John O'Shea challenge. O'Shea got a slight touch on the ball, but I thought he made contact with RVP first and Arsenal should have had a penalty.

Arsenal were well on top at that stage, but typically that was when they conceded the first goal. Djourou and Squillaci do not look comfortable in possession, and when Djourou was closed down he lost the ball and pulled back his man to give Sunderland a free kick. When the ball was swung in to the Arsenal penalty area it was headed clear to some extent by Vermaelen, but it only reached Kieran Richardson.

His first time shot from just inside the penalty area went into the far corner of the net after a slight deflection from Squillaci. It was the lead that Sunderland wanted, and they knew that they just had to sit deep and defend, and try to hit Arsenal on the break. It was an uphill task for Arsenal, but they had managed to do the exact same thing only seven days earlier against the same opposition.

Djourou was the first player to receive a yellow card in the game for the free kick which led to the goal despite the constant fouling by almost every single Sunderland player. They had obviously been sent out to put the boot in on the Arsenal players, but they took turns to do so and the referee allowed it to happen. The Sunderland pitch was in a worse state than it was in last week, and it was only a matter of time before Arsenal picked up more injuries.

There was still only one goal between the teams at half time, and Arsenal needed a good start to the second half to get back in the game. With less than 10 minutes of the second half gone both Ramsey and Squillaci had to go off injured, and they were replaced by Rosicky and Walcott. Alex Song dropped back into defence, and Walcott moved up front, as Arsenal reverted to almost a 4-4-2 formation.

It meant Arsenal had used all of their substitutes and there were still 35 minutes to go. Despite Arsenal trying all they could to open up the Sunderland defence they rarely looked like doing so. There was another good penalty shout when RVP was dragged to the ground as he waited on a cross to come into the box. On another day Arsenal might have got a penalty, but Howard Webb is a lot more likely to hand out penalties to the current Premier League champions.

With only 15 minutes left Sunderland got their second goal, and with that Arsenal's chances of a trophy for this season ended. Chamberlain lost the ball in attack, and Sunderland broke forward at pace. Mikael Arteta fell over as hew chased back and the ball ended up hitting the post and rebounding off Chamberlain into the net.

He had chased back to make up for losing the ball, and he was very unlucky to turn the ball in for an own goal. He didn't have the best game, but he kept trying his hardest no matter how difficult it was for him. A few other Arsenal players could learn a little from the amount of effort Chamberlain put in.

Try as they might for the final 15 minutes Arsenal couldn't even get one goal back, and their chances of equaling Manchester United's haul of 11 FA Cup wins was over for another season. It leaves them in fourth in the table with 13 league games to go, and some really tough fixtures coming up.

It's no surprise that Arsenal's injury problems have returned yet again, and the return of the injured players has been met with other injuries. It's anyone's guess where Gibbs was yesterday, and whether he will be available to play against Spurs next Sunday. Hopefully Koscielny will be able to play in that game, and Arsenal can regroup over the next week before they play.

I won't knock the players too much for their performance, but the simple fact of the matter is the current squad isn't anywhere near as good as previous teams under Wenger. The opportunity to add to the squad was not taken in January, as the manager felt the returning injured players would be available very soon. What he failed to address was a squad which wasn't good enough before those players got injured, and is even worse without them.

Arsenal still have every chance to finish in the top four, but this season could also go the way of last season when Arsenal imploded after losing the Carling Cup final. If Wenger again fails to get his players to react to the challenges ahead of them he will lose the faith of even more fans. There is already growing unrest among Arsenal fans, as the club seem unwilling to invest the profits they make from transfers in new players.

When Cesc Fabregas was sold last summer Arsenal were unable to replace him, and they have no creative spark in midfield. I know Wenger did not want to sell both Cesc and Samir Nasri, but ultimately they left, and Arsenal reacted with panic buys on deadline day. I'm sure Arteta could be a vital cog in Arsenal's midfield, but he is not a direct replacement for Fabregas.

If Arsenal are to continue with their current formation they need a creative player to take the role that Cesc played. The team changed it's style of play to suit Cesc, but now that he has left they are still trying to play the same way with inferior players. It's not easy to replace a player like Cesc, but it's crazy that Arsenal didn't buy anyone to play that role.

I can only presume that Wenger thought Jack Wilshere would be able to play there, and become the player that the team needs. His injury has been a big blow, but that's where the overall strength of the squad has been found wanting. It's very difficult for fans to watch a sub-standard team when they know the club made a huge profit from transfers yet again last summer.

Those same fans were asked to pay more for their tickets last summer while they watched the club losing their best player yet again. If RVP refuses to sign a new contract this summer the club will have to sell him too, and  the cycle will continue. It's not easy for fans to take after the success of the first nine years of Wenger's reign.

I know football isn't all about winning trophies and not every team can win a trophy every season, but Arsenal are not even genuinely competing for them any more. I've seen far worse Arsenal teams in the past and lived through longer trophy droughts too, but Arsenal were not one of the biggest clubs in the world then. If you look at the trophies won by the rest of the world's richest clubs there is clearly something missing at Arsenal.

If Sunderland were capable of playing a tight defensive game and hitting Arsenal on the break then why can't Arsenal do that on occasions too. They went to Milan on Wednesday night and tried to play an open game when they needed to defend with 10 men behind the ball at all times. Wenger's faith in his players is unerring, but I think it's unwarranted in far too many cases.

If the players cannot do the job they are sent out to do then others have to be found who will do so. It seems like failure is tolerated and almost rewarded at Arsenal and that simply cannot be allowed to continue. I want Wenger to remain in charge at Arsenal, but I want him to be a lot more ruthless with his players.

It's obvious that quite a few of them are just not good enough, and they need to be replaced. If he cannot see that then the axe will fall in his direction before too long. It's not something I want to see, but he has to see the failings of his players and act upon them.

Arsenal have a really tough game against an in-form Spurs team next Sunday, and a defeat could see real unrest among the fans. Wenger has a week to work with his players, and get them to perform to a level that will get a result in that game. Even a draw would do, but a defeat would be an absolute disaster in my opinion.

I really hope the team can pull together and put on a display to show the fans how much it means to them to play for Arsenal. The traveling Arsenal fans deserved better than they got against both Milan and Sunderland, but it didn't stop them making themselves heard loud and proud as always. Those traveling fans are an absolute credit to the club, and deserve to see an awful lot more from the millionaires out on the pitch for Arsenal.


That's it for today.

Here's the highlights from yesterday's game.

See you tomorrow.

5 Midfielders Arsenal Might Sign In January

When Arsenal sold both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the summer it looked like Jack Wilshere would be the man to lead their midfield this season. However, he suffered an injury before the season even began, and he won't be back until some time in the new year.

Mikael Arteta and Yossi Benayoun both arrived just before the transfer window closed, and Arteta has settled into the team very well since then. Benayoun hasn't had too many chances to play, and when he has it has been in a wide attacking role. He looks capable of playing a role behind Robin van Persie if he's needed there, but the chances are Arsenal will add to their midfield options in January.

It would be a big risk for Arsenal to pin their hopes for the second half of the season on Wilshere returning from injury. They will have a tough battle to finish in the top four of the Premier League, as well as playing in the FA Cup and the knockout stages of the Champions League. Wilshere's return is by no means certain, and there are some very good players who might make a difference to the Arsenal team.

If the reports are to believed, Borussia Dortmund and Germany playmaker Mario Gotze has hinted that he would like to play for Arsenal. Despite being only 19 years old, Gotze has already shown himself to be one of the best playmakers in world football. He has established a place in both his club and national sides, and he looks like he will be a real star of world football in the very near future.

There are very few players in the world who would be capable of directly replacing Cesc in the Arsenal team, but Gotze is one of them in my opinion. His club look destined to miss out on the knockout stages of the Champions League which could possibly leave the door open for him to move in January. I would imagine that Dortmund would want to hold onto him for as long as possible, as his value is sure to rise very quickly.

He has the ability to pick a pass and score goals, as well as good pace and excellent technical ability too. He would fit perfectly into the Arsenal team, and possibly help their fans to forget about the departed Cesc. The biggest stumbling block for Arsenal could be the involvement of other clubs who will pay more than them in any potential transfer negotiations.

Marvin Martin has had a quick rise to fame in the French league and internationally for France too. Despite his recent admission that he would like to play in Spain, he is still a possible target for Arsenal in the January transfer window. He is another player who looks like he might have the ability to take the place of the departed Cesc in the Arsenal team.

Like Gotze he has excellent technical ability and he has the ability to pick a pass, but he doesn't score as many goals as Gotze. He will turn 24 in January which means he is approaching his peak, and that makes him an attractive target for Arsenal too. He was the most creative player in the French league last season with his club Sochaux, and he has made his way into the French national team too.

Arsene Wenger has had a great record with French signings in the past, and he could be the man to help Martin become one of the best playmakers in the world. He might also be available at a price which would be more to Arsenal's liking.

Sebastian Giovinco is an Italian midfielder who plays in Italy for Parma and the Italian national team too. Like both Gotze and Martin he is a midfield playmaker, and Arsenal are in need of some creativity in their midfield. He has an eye for goal as well as the ability to pick out a  pass, and score from free kicks too.

Giovinco has had a very good start to this season with Parma, and they would be unwilling to let him go unless Arsenal make them an offer they cannot refuse. Arsenal have plenty of money left over from their summer transfer dealings, and he would be within their price range if they were to chase his signature.

Like both Gotze and Martin, he has the ability to make an impact in the Premier League with Arsenal if they can make him the fulcrum of their team.

Arsenal were reported to have failed in a late bid to sign French international midfielder Yann M'Vila in the summer, but he is now reported to want to leave his club. He's a 21-year-old defensive midfielder who plays in France for Rennes and for the French national team too. Alex Song currently plays in his position for Arsenal, but his addition would certainly give them more options.

However, Arsenal also have both Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong looking to make a breakthrough into the team in that position. Wenger will probably consider his team strong enough in defensive midfield already, and the chances are he won't be looking to sign M'Vila again.

If he does decide to move for him it could possibly show he intends to revert to a 4-4-2 formation with M'Vila to play alongside Song. I can't see him changing back from the 4-3-3 which has become so popular in the last few years though.

Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of Eden Hazard, but the latest reports suggest he will cost an awful lot more than Arsenal will be willing to pay. Despite the money available to Wenger I cannot see him smashing the club transfer record to sign Hazard. He will turn 21 during the transfer window, and his future could depend on whether his club make it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

If Lille win their final game at home to Trabzonspor they will make the last 16, and surely they will decide to hold onto their prize asset for those games. If they are knocked out, there could be a bidding war for Hazard with Manchester City being the most likely winners due to the limitless funds available to them.

Hazard would be an ideal player for Arsenal to sign, as he has a real eye for goal as well as great technical ability and fantastic pace. At this stage in his career Arsenal might be the perfect club for Hazard to sign with, but it looks like he will end up elsewhere.

Conclusion

Arsenal have money to spend in the January transfer window, and despite his denials Wenger is likely to add to his squad. The fans would like to see a direct replacement for Cesc added to the team, but there are other positions that need addressing too. It's up to Wenger where he chooses to spend his money, and I think the five midfielders I have listed are all good enough to make a real difference to the team.
That's it for today.

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Arsenal Season Preview 2011/12

It's more than a little late for a season preview at this stage, but I have been unable to attempt one so far as things have been so unstable at Arsenal. At first I was waiting to see what players would come and go before the transfer window closed, and then there were so many changes I had to wait to see how the new players settled in. The sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri left a big hole in the Arsenal team, and I needed to see how they could be replaced.

I was happy enough with the signings of Mikael Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Yossi Benayoun and Gervinho, but I wasn't sure about some of the others. I knew very little about Park Ju Young, Andre Santos, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson, but I hoped they would turn out to be good buys. The Arsenal squad had certainly changed more than any other summer that I could remember.

The departure of Cesc was certainly a huge blow, and losing Nasri as well only compounded the problem for Arsenal. Last season had finished on a very sour note after the Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham City, but I hoped the players could raise their game for the new season. The first three league games proved to be disastrous with only one point gained, and an 8-2 defeat to Manchester United.

After those games most of the new players arrived, and with them some new hope arrived as well. At least Arsenal had managed to overcome Udinese and qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, and their group was tough but it gave them a chance of progressing. Arsenal needed to go through the month of October unbeaten in the Premier League to gain some momentum, but unfortunately the same old problems reared their ugly heads.

The inability to react to disappointments seems inbred in the current Arsenal squad, no matter what players are chosen to play. The teams ability to defend as a team has almost disappeared, and they look vulnerable every time the opposition attack. The only way they can progress is to string a run of unbeaten games together, but they seem incapable of it at the moment.

Arsenal had the best away record in the Premier League last season, but their home form let them down in their challenge for the title. This season they have only managed one point from four away games so far, and conceded 14 goals in the process. There was a time when teams were afraid to attack Arsenal, because they knew they would be taken apart if they lost the ball.

The opposition no longer fear Arsenal and added to the lack of confidence in the Arsenal players things have taken a real turn for the worse. Arsene Wenger has been a fantastic manager for Arsenal for the last 15 years, but he knows he has to turn things around before it's too late. He has to instill some confidence into his players, and give them the belief to play good football again.

There have been very few occasions so far this season when Arsenal have looked like the team I have loved to support under Wenger. The second half away to Udinese was a really good performance from the team, but other than that they have looked very ordinary. Arsenal fans are not used to their team being ordinary, and it has led to numerous calls for changes in the board and the management.

Looking forward to the rest of the season is not an easy task with the team playing playing with virtually no belief. When Cesc and Nasri were sold it was vital that Jack Wilshere continued on from where he left off last season, but his injury has been a terrible blow to the team. At first he was thought to be out for a matter of weeks, but in true Arsenal fashion that has now stretched to a total of six months.

Thomas Vermaelen missed almost all of last season injured and I was looking forward to seeing him back in action. He started off looking like his old self, but then he picked up an injury and the defence has been a shambles at times without him. He is due to return soon after the international break ends which will hopefully be a huge boost for the team.

Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna are Arsenal's best and most relilable defenders, but now Sagna has broken his leg. He won't return for at least three months, and it's yet another huge blow to the team. This Arsenal team seems to take blow after blow at the moment, and they're a little punch drunk.

Arsenal are top of the injury league table yet again this season, and they are also at the top of the dodgy decisions table too. It's often said that when things are going wrong you can't get a break, and that's certainly true for Arsenal at the moment. Their luck has to change at some time though, and when it does they need to take advantage of it.

The Arsenal defence will have a makeshift look to it until the turn of the year at least, and young Carl Jenkinson will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders too. He was signed from Charlton Athletic in the summer with very few games under his belt, and he now looks like he will be thrown into the deep end far too soon. If he swims it could be the break Arsenal need, but if he sinks there are very few options left to Wenger at right back.

Arsenal have to stay competitive until the transfer window opens in January, and then they have to buy some real quality players. Of the five players bought on deadline day only Arteta and Mertesacker will be regular starters for the team, and Arsenal needed to strengthen the best starting eleven more. The team wasn't good enough at the end of last season, and it has gone backwards in terms of personnel since then.

It's unbelievable to think that Arsenal cannot win the league only seven games into a new season, but that's the stark reality of the situation. To be honest their aim has to be fourth place and a Champions League place for next season, but it will be a real fight until the very end to finish in the top four. I think both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur can be overtaken, as their teams have weaknesses that will be exposed at times.

Arsenal have to take the FA Cup seriously this season, and set their stall out to win it. Too often in recent seasons Arsenal have sacrificed their FA Cup campaign, as they tried to win the Premier League and/or the Champions League. The FA Cup is a major trophy all on it's own, and it's acquisition would at least stop the rot in terms of the soon-to-be seven year trophy drought.

The current Arsenal squad are simply not good enough to win the Champions League either, and I dread to think how they might fare against Barcelona if they drew each other. I think they might just make it to the last 16, and possibly even the last eight but over concentration on the Champions League has been a hindrance to their domestic ambitions in the past.

If Arsenal can add enough quality in January there is every chance of them winning the FA Cup, but that's never an easy thing to do. The best players are rarely available in January, and Arsenal do not need any more bargain basement buys. They need players who will step into the first team, and immediately improve the quality.

Over the last few seasons Arsene Wenger has said he should be judged on the teams overall performance for the season. This season could be a make or break one for him if that is the case, but I still have faith in his ability to turn things around. It's not blind faith though, and if the team fail miserably on all fronts he may well have to pay the ultimate price.

It's been a long time since Arsenal's title chances were written off after only seven games, and that's the first big blow for Wenger this season. He can't afford too many more and at the moment it looks like there could be a whole lot more. It's not a good time to be an Arsenal fan, but they are still in a much better position than the vast majority of English teams.

Arsenal still have some very good players on their books, but the team is struggling to replace the creativity Cesc brought to the team. The other players all need to take up their share of the responsibility, but at the moment that just isn't happening.

The loss of so many players through sales and injuries should open the door for some other players to shine, but for me only Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has taken up the baton so far. I would like to see more of him, but I understand the need to ease him slowly into the team.

Personally I think he's old enough if he's good enough, and so far he certainly looks good enough. If he doesn't get a chance when he is playing so well and the team aren't, then when can he expect to play?

The Carling Cup was prioritised more than usual last season, but it ended in desperate disappointment. This season Wenger has reverted to playing more fringe players than he dis last season, and it's not a bad thing. It gives game time to players who will probably be called upon very soon if Arsenal's injury crisis continues.

My hope for the season is that Arsenal manage to finish fourth, and somehow or other manage to win the FA Cup too. It won't be an easy task, but it's not completely beyond the team either. I'm just hoping they find the missing confidence to start playing properly very soon, and get all of the fans behind the team again.

That's it for today.

Here's  a look at Chamberlain's first goal for Arsenal.

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Arsenal's Squad Depth Is Exposed Again As They Lose 2-0 At Home To Liverpool.

Arsenal played their first home game in the Premier League this season against Liverpool yesterday, and they lost 2-0 after yet again being reduced to 10 men. The Arsenal team on the day was a weakened one due to injuries and suspensions, as well as the sale of star player Cesc Fabregas. The result leaves them with only one point from their opening two league games, and the prospect of a visit to champions Manchester United next Sunday.

Before that trip to United next week Arsenal have to travel to Udinese on Wednesday night for the second leg of their vital Champions League qualifier. It's a game Arsenal need to get a result from to ensure qualification for the group stages, and if they fail the pressure on Arsene Wenger will be huge. This summer has been a very difficult one for Arsenal fans, and he needs to strengthen the squad or the growing feelings of unrest could possibly tilt the balance against him.

The team selected against Liverpool was as expected with the exception of Samir Nasri getting his first start of the season in midfield. His expected transfer to Manchester City still hasn't gone through, and Arsenal's need on the day meant he had to be played. He was part of a midfield trio with Emmanuel Frimpong and Aaron Ramsey, and on the day he gave all he had in my opinion.

The Arsenal fans are far from happy with Nasri's refusal to sign a new contract, and the long drawn out saga of his move to City has made him a villain in their eyes. They understood Cesc's desire to return to his hometown club after eight years at Arsenal, but Nasri is perceived as being greedy. If Arsenal can get over €20 million for him from City they have to take it, as they cannot afford to let him leave on a free transfer next summer.
However, he is a quality player and if he is sold it will only weaken the Arsenal team further. If he is still at the club next weekend he has to be included in the team to play United. Arsenal's midfield options on the day will be so limited that they cannot afford to leave him out of the team.

Arsenal were far from impressive going forward yesterday, as Liverpool had the majority of possession and dealt effectively with any threat from Arsenal. Robin Van Persie had very little influence on the game, but it's not his fault those around him failed to bring him into the game often enough. Both Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin were almost non-existent for the entire duration of the time on the pitch, but neither Ryo Miyaichi or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin were given a chance to show what they can do.

The early injury injury to Laurent Koscielny meant that Ignasi Miquel had to come on in the 16th minute to make his Premier League debut. He was impressive alongside Thomas Vermarlen who had a great game yet again. If Vermaelen picks up an injury I dread to think how the Arsenal defence will perform without him.

It meant the Arsenal defence had a very young look to it with Carl Jenkinson and Wojciech Szczesny also playing. They were fairly solid until the dismissal of Frimpong meant Liverpool simply had too much for them, and eventually got the goals they wanted. I was a little surprised to see Miquel on the bench instead of Sebastien Squillaci, but it was a pleasant surprise.

In midfield Nasri showed he is prepared to play if he is called upon, and Frimpong did very well on his Premier League debut. Unfortunately for Frimpong his youthful enthusiasm got the better of him, and he ended up seeing two yellow cards which meant he was sent off. Ramsey had very little influence on the game compared to the other two, and he already looks like he needs a rest to me.

The young players thrown in at the back and in midfield did well, but it's hard to understand why both Miyaichi and Oxlade-Chamberlain weren't given the same opportunity. With Arsenal's wide players showing so little on the day they surely could have done no worse, but it appears youth only gets it's chance when there is no choice at all. If they have the quality that's needed to perform at this level then they have to be given a chance when others aren't performing.

I thought Arsenal were finally starting to get a foothold in the game just before Frimpong went off, but his departure signalled a change of tactics for Liverpool which Arsenal's 10 men could not cope with. The first Liverpool goal was marginally offside, but it was so close it was hard for the assistant to see. The second Liverpool was virtually walked into the goal, as Arsenal attempted to push forward for an equaliser.

Frimpong's first yellow card was very harsh, as he did very little to deserve it in my opinion. However, the second yellow card should probably have been a straight red card, as his challenge on Lucas was a very dangerous one in my opinion. Frimpong had knocked the ball too far ahead of himself and he tried to chase it down, but his challenge on Lucas could easily have caused the Liverpool player a serious injury.

It means Arsenal will not have a defensive midfielder available to play against United next week, but at least there is a possibility of Jack Wilshere being fit. The Premier League suspensions won't effect Arsenal on Wednesday night against Udinese, and I think both Frimpong and Alex Song should play in midfield with Nasri. If City are going to buy Nasri they will not want him cup tied for the Champions League, but the needs of Arsenal outweigh their needs.

If Arsenal have to play Nasri to ensure qualification it should lead to a €30 million windfall, and that is more than City are offering for Nasri. If it means Nasri stays until the end of the season it will cost Arsenal around €20 million, but maybe it's a risk worth taking. Wenger has to do what is best for Arsenal, and Nasri's potential inclusion might eventually bring the whole sad mess to a conclusion.

Arsenal have now played two Premier League games without scoring in either of them, and they have also created precious few chances in those games. The free flowing attacking football they are noted for is not happening, and it needs to return before their title chances disappear all too early. The return of some of the injured and suspended players will help Arsenal to play better, but the team is crying out for reinforcements.

There are only 10 days remaining in the transfer window, and Arsenal's fate depends upon their ability to use those days wisely. There have to be players available to strengthen both Arsenal's team and their squad, and Wenger needs to move quickly to buy those players. The current glut of injuries and suspensions has shown up the lack of depth available to Arsenal, and if previous seasons are anything to go by they will continue throughout the season.

That's it for today.

Here's the highlights of yesterday's game with thanks to 101greatgoals as always.

It's not too late to join over 650 teams in my Fantasy League and there are prizes for the top three teams at the end of the season. Just go to the site and use the code 125540-42785 to join my league when your team is set up.

To join the predictions league just go to the site and set up your predictions. Then use the code F688F-JCO to join my league. I'll update the league table in my predictions every week.

Don't forget you can follow me on Twitter, tumblr and Facebook too.
See You Tomorrow.

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 2.

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcome of this weekend's upcoming Premier League fixtures. I didn't do particularly well last week, as I only managed three correct outcomes, six wrong outcomes and no correct scorelines at all. It leaves me 60 points off the top of my predictions league after only one week, and it's time for me to start playing catch up already.

A few of my tips for the new season performed quite well last week, and it's always good to have reasonably priced good performers in any fantasy team. In particular I was impressed with the return from Shane Long, Wes Hoolohan and Seb Larsson with Asmir Begovic, Gary Cahill and Robert Huth all coming up trumps too. Players who I had tipped that cost a little more but performed well were Ashley Young, David Silva and Yaya Toure.

Any team which included those 9 players in it would be in a very healthy position right now, and it wouldn't have cost a fortune to do so. Unfortunately the site hosting the game couldn't cope with all the traffic last Friday and Saturday, and I couldn't make the necessary changes to my own team. I still managed a creditable 57 points from week one, and I'm hopeful of improving on my overall position this week.
Due to the problems experience last week there will be a week of free transfers this week, and it's a good chance to make any necessary changes without losing points. It might be a good idea not to leave the changes until the last minute though, just in case last week's problems aren't completely solved despite the assurances to the contrary. 

Here's a look at the top of my predictions league.

Pos	Team	Pts	Total
1	Smashit_Tuckit	50	50
2	ahujag	45	45
3	NickHemmings	20	20
4	Sofire	20	20

 
Sunderland v Newcstle:
 
Saturday August 20, 12pm BST
Sunderland did well to take a point from their trip to Liverpool last week and they will be looking to get the better of their near neighbours in this local derby early on Saturday. Seb Larsson took his goal very well last week, and his ability from set pieces makes him a must buy for fantasy managers in my opinion. I'm still a little hesitant about their defence though, but they should have a chance of shutting out a fairly weak Newcastle team.

Newcastle got a creditable draw at home to Arsenal last week despite offering almost nothing in attack. Their team is weaker than it was last season, and they look like they could be involved in a long hard relegation battle unless they add a few new players. They welcomed Joey Barton back after his falling out with the club, and he gave the commitment that he's famous for even if he should have been sent off.

I think Sunderland should have enough to beat a very ordinary looking Newcastle team.

Prediction 2-0
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Arsenal v Liverpool:
 
Saturday August 20, 12.45pm BST
Arsenal had a perfect chance to get off to a good start last week against a poor Newcastle team, but they couldn't find the net despite their domination of possession. Since then Cesc Fabregas has left for greener pastures, and the team looks devoid of any creative spark. They were impressive in defence last week, but Newcastle are nowhere near as tough an opponent as Liverpool. 

Both Gervinho and Alex Song will be suspended for Arsenal, and they are also without the services of Kieran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere and probably Samir Nasri too. Their team is down to the bare bones and they will have to work incredibly hard to get anything out of this game. At the moment it's hard to recommend any Arsenal players for fantasy teams until their squad is finalised at the close of the transfer window.

Liverpool really should have beated Sunderland last weekend, but they missed a lot of chances and paid the penalty in the end. They have added quite a few new players to their squad and it will take time for them to gel as a team I think.  I'm not convince that their defence is particularly good, and if they're put under pressure they could struggle.

Arsenal's team will be patched up at best, but if they can play their own passing game I think they can get some joy and manage a win.

Prediction 2-1
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Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers:

Saturday August 20, 3pm BST Villa managed a good goalless draw away to Fulham last week considering how many goals they conceded on their travels last season. They will be looking to get their home form off to a good start against a Blackburn team which were beaten at home last week. If any Villa players are to shine I think they will be Charles N'Zogbia and Darren Bent, and it will be interesting to see how secure their defence is at home.

Rovers had a good home record last season, but a home defeat to Wolves last week was a very poor start for them. If they are going to finish in mid table they need to improve on that home form because they are notoriously poor on their travels. Mauro Formica scored their goal last week and he might be one to keep an eye on for fantasy managers.

I think Blackburn will struggle if Christopher Samba is injured again, and Villa should just about edge a close game. 


Prediction 2-1
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Everton v Queens Park Rangers:
 
Saturday August 20, 3pm BST
Everton's game away to Spurs was called off last week after the riots in London, and they will be anxious to get their season underway. They have a few injury worries ahead of the game, but they should be too strong for a promoted team at home. If Louis Saha plays I think he could do quite well in this game and Tim Cahill is of course another player to look out for.

QPR looked very good last week until they conceded a goal and then Bolton destroyed them. They need to make a few additions to their squad if they're going to have any chance of staying up, and that should happen with the new investment arriving in the club. It could be too soon for this game, but it will be interesting to see what players they sign.

I think Everton should have far too much for a QPR defence which looked all at sea last week.

Prediction 3-0
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Swansea City v Wigan Athletic
 
Saturday August 20, 3pm BST
Premier League footbll makes it's debut in Wales on Saturday afternoon when Swansea City become the first Welsh team to play at home in the Premier League. They performed well against Manchester City on Monday night, but City's class was too much for them in the end. They play attractive football, but sometimes it leaves them open at the back, and City exposed that.

Wigan would have hoped to have beaten promoted Norwich City at home in their opening game, but they could only manage a draw. They get their second chance against a promoted team in this game, and Wigan are not an easy team to beat. Victor Moses, James McCarthy and Ben Watson all looked good last week and they are all available at a reasonable price too.

I think Swansea will get their first point of the season in what could be a good game. 

Prediction 1-1
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Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion:
 
Saturday August 20, 5.30pm BST 
Chelsea played quite well in their opening fixture away to Stoke, but they couldn't find the goal they needed to win. Fernando Torres looks like he might fit into their team after all, and their defence was as solid as ever. Chelsea defenders are not cheap for fantasy managers to buy, but they are guaranteed a good return over a full season. 

West Brom were a little unlucky to lose to Man Utd last week, and they made enoygh chances to get something out of the game in my opinion. My top two tips for West Brom were Chris Brunt and Shane Long and they were their top scorers last week. They will do very well to get anything out of this game though, as Chelsea will be massive favourites.

I think Chelsea will win, but West Brom might give them a bit of a fright first.

Prediction 3-1
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Norwich City v Stoke City:
 
Sunday August 21, 1.30pm BST
Norwich did well to come back from a goal down to get a point away to Wigan last week, and they will be hoping that Stoke's European exploits will help them to get a result in this game. Wes Hoolohan was my fantasy tip from the Norwich team for this season, and he got their goal last week. They will be looking for him to create the chances for them to in this game and for the rest of the season too.

Stoke had a very creditable 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea in their opening game, but their Europa League qualifier is bound to take something out of the players. They may have a few new players but their style has not changed at all, and Norwich can expect an aerial onslaught. If Norwich fail to deal with that bombardment Stoke could find themselves doing quite well.

I think Norwich should manage a draw but they will know they have been in a battle afterwards.


Prediction 1-1
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Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham:
 
Sunday August 21,  2pm BST
Wolves did really well to win away from home to Blackburn last week, and they will be looking to make it two wins in a row. Matt Jarvis did well for them and so did Stephen Ward and both players are available at a reasonable price. I still think Stephen Hunt will be their best scorer this season if he stays fit.

Fulham failed to break down Villa's defence last week at home, and their away record over the last few seasons is very poor.They still played quite well, and at least their midweek Europa League game is at home so they will have no issues with traveling. Their chances will depend on their ability to finally find some form away from home in the Premier League.

I think Wolves might just win this game and give themselves a maximum six points from two games.


Prediction 2-1
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Bolton Wanderers v Man City:
 
Sunday August 21, 4pm BST
Bolton had the perfect start to their Premier League campaign last week when they won 4-0 away to newcomers QPR. City will be a much tougher test for them, but they did well at home last season and they will definitely give it a go. A win for Bolton would probably see them as early season table toppers however unlikely that may seem.

City were impressive in the second half of their 4-0 win over newcomers Swansea on Monday night, and they will be looking for more of the same against Bolton. Their attacking options seem limitless and it's only a matter of who plays week in and week out for them. Every fantasy manager should have some City players in their team, but who do you choose?

I think David Silva and Yaya Toure are good bets and Sergio Aguero looked very good when he came on against Swansea. They still have Carlos Tevez to return and Eden Dzeko looked pretty good too. It would seem that it might well be possible to buy a league title.

This battle of the early season table toppers could be a good game, but I think City will have too much firepower for Bolton.

Prediction 1-3
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Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur:
 
Monday August 22, 8pm BST
Man Utd beat West Brom 2-1 last week with only one shot on target in the whole game, as only they can do. The other goal was an own goal, but they did look impressive at times throughout the game. They have a few problems with defensive injuries, but their home record was so incredible last season it's hard to see them having too much trouble in this game.

The obvious United candidates for any fantasy manager are Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Nani and any team looking to do well will need some of their attacking players in it when United are at home. 
Spurs had their game called off last week after the rioting in London and they will be playing catch up for a while. It's a very tough first fixture for them and they will do very well to get anything out of this game. It won't get any easier for them though, as they play Man City next week and they could be rooted to the bottom of the table when the international break arrives.

Rafael van der Vaart is an excellent choice for any fantasy manager as are both Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, but the fitness of all three can never be guaranteed. Modric wants to leave too, and that could mean he misses out on this game. I would steer clear of Spurs players until the transfer window closes at least.

I can't see Spurs doing anything other than getting well beaten away to United as usual.
Prediction 2-0
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As always feel free to tell me where I may have gone wrong or right as the case may be.

It's not too late to join over 650 teams in my Fantasy League and there are prizes for the top three teams at the end of the season. Just go to the site and use the code 125540-42785 to join my league when your team is set up.
To join the predictions league just go to the site and set up your predictions. Then use the code F688F-JCO to join my league. I'll update the league table in my predictions every week.

Don't forget you can follow me on Twitter, tumblr and Facebook too.

That's it for today.

See You Tomorrow.

Arsenal's Champions League Game With Udinese Previewed And Cesc Finally Leaves.

Arsenal are straight back into action tonight only three days after their opening day 0-0 draw in the Premier League away to Newcastle United. They have a vitally important Champions League qualifying game at home to Udinese, and the outcome could go a long way towards determining how their season works out. The second leg comes in eight days time, and Arsenal simply have to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

It certainly won't be an easy task against a Udinese side which play an attractive brand of football, as well as being able to defend well too. They did sell two of their best players this summer, and I'm sure they will miss both Alexis Sanchez and Gokhan Inler. However, they have last season's top scorer in Serie A in their team, and Arsenal will have to keep a close eye on Antonio Di Natale.

Arsenal will be without quite a few players as well, and they have also sold their star player this summer. Cesc Fabregas was sold to Barcelona yesterday, and quite how Arsenal will replace him I'm just not sure. With only two weeks to go to the end of the transfer window Arsene Wenger has a huge job on his hands to replace Cesc.

Besides Cesc being sold Arsenal will also be missing the suspended Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri. RVP is by far Arsenal's best striker, and the prospect of Marouane Chamakh replacing him is not one that fills me with confidence. With Arsenal's striking options limited Wenger yesterday said that there's a possibility Nicklas Bendtner could be involved tonight despite his desire to leave the club.


I don't know if Nasri would have been involved, but he was unable to play at the weekend despite playing for France three days beforehand. He also trained with the Arsenal team yesterday, but his future is far from certain with Manchester City looking to buy him. I think Arsenal have to sell him, as they cannot afford to let him go for free next summer but Wenger does not want to lose him so soon after Cesc.

He tweeted yesterday that he was not happy with a song the Arsenal fans sang about him at the Newcastle match on Saturday. He said he is still an Arsenal player and they disrespected him as such, but from the fans point of view he has disrespected them all summer long. His apparent desire to move to Manchester City for a much larger wage is a direct contradiction of his statements about them and players who wish to join them only a year ago.
Jack Wilshere is still injured too and of course Abu Diaby won't be back until next month at the soonest. It leaves Arsenal's midfield options very limited and the news that Tomas Rosicky will have a fitness test ahead of the game is hardly encouraging. I can only hope that Rosicky comes through that test and takes his place in the team, or Arsenal could be in for a very tough night.

All of that injury news means Arsenal will have a very similar team to the one that started on Saturday with the obvious exception of the suspended RVP. I think Andrey Arshavin will keep his place ahead of Theo Walcott, as Walcott looked far from fully fit when he came on against Newcastle. It's not often Walcott is beaten in a sprint, but he was clearly struggling for pace on a few occasions.

The attacking performance on Saturday was far from convincing, but at least Arsenal looked very solid defensively. If they can keep things just as tight at the back they can take their time, and hopefully wear Udinese down. Hopefully the final ball will be a lot better tonight, and the players will take opportunities to shoot when they arrive rather than passing.

If Chamakh is to play I hope he keeps his position in the opposing penalty area and doesn't drop off to join in the build up play. He is very good in the air and Arsenal need to take advantage of his aerial ability. If they can get the wide players to the end line and get some crosses in they could get some joy from Chamakh.

He's had a poor run of form since the turn of the year, but he has a chance to show there is still a future for him at Arsenal tonight. If he's not performing well I would be surprised to see Bendtner come on, but he has a habit of scoring important goals for Arsenal at times. The other central option for Arsenal tonight is Walcott, but I would be very surprised if he is given the chance he wants in that position.


As always I'm predicting an Arsenal victory, but I think it will be a very tight affair. I'm hoping Gervinho can make up for his red card on Saturday by getting his name on the score sheet. He looked very good in preseason, but he was hesitant in possession on Saturday and his final ball was very poor.

Both Gervinho and Alex Song will be missing Arsenal's next three domestic games as a result of Saturday's game. Gervinho's red card might be appealed by Arsenal on the grounds that the referee didn't see what he did, but he deserved a red card for slapping Joey Barton by the rules of the game. Song is also up on a FA charge after the referee didn't see him stamp on Barton, and he is certain to get a three game ban in my opinion.

Both clubs will also face charges of failing to control their players after the fracas in the second half following Barton's claims of a dive by Gervinho. Replays have showed it was not a dive, but Gervinho did make the most of the situation. The problem was caused by Barton's reaction but because he was booked by the referee no further action can be taken against him.

The rules about what retrospective action can be taken are a joke, and they have been shown to be so on many occasions. It appears that a player has to almost kill an opponent before the FA will actually decide the issuing of a yellow card can be changed to red or further action taken. Ben Thatcher did his best to end the life of Pedro Mendes in August 2006 and it appears that is the benchmark for overruling a referee.

There's not an awful lot left to be said about the transfer of Cesc to Barcelona at this stage, as it has been covered ad nauseum. He was desperate to rejoin his hometown club and Arsenal could no longer convince him to stay with them. I still think he was promised last summer that he would be allowed to leave this summer.

The biggest disappointment besides losing one of the best players in the world was obviously the fee Barcelona paid. It will eventually rise to €40 million within a few years, but he is worth an awful lot more than that in an open market. Unfortunately it wasn't an open market, as Cesc was only interested in joining Barcelona.

Their real valuation can be seen by the buyout clause of €200 million in his contract, and it crazy to think Chelsea bid as much for Luka Modric as Barcelona paid for Cesc. There are reports of Arsenal getting first option on Cesc if things don't work out at Barcelona or having a 50% stake in any future transfer fee. Both of those things are highly unlikely unless things go incredibly wrong for him at Barcelona.

Cesc was a brilliant servant to Arsenal for the last eight years, and he never gave less than 100% when he played. He played over 300 games for the club in that time, and he scored over 50 goals too. He is the best player in his position in the world in my opinion, and he cannot be directly replaced by a player of equal quality.

Arsenal need to move fast to strengthen the first team before the transfer window closes, or it will be a very tough season for them. If they have to pay slightly over the odds for a player that will make a difference I think it's a risk that has to be taken. Their lack of creativity was all too evident on Saturday, and it has to be addressed in the transfer market immediately.

I don't wish Cesc any ill will at all, but at the same time I simply cannot wish him good luck or plenty of trophies at Barcelona. I think Arsenal made a mistake if they agreed to sell him by not telling him he could only go at the market value or not at all. If Cesc was willing to join any other team I have no doubt that Arsenal could nearly have doubled the price they got.

I will thank him for eight great years where he played some brilliant football at times, and almost led Arsenal to the trophies he so much wanted to win with them. I will always have some great memories of him scoring against AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and many others during his time in an Arsenal shirt. Those memories are somewhat spoiled by seeing him leave before he reached the peak of his career, and I will always wonder exactly how good he could have been at Arsenal.

That's it for today.

Here's a very good Cesc video but unfortunately it does include some badge kissing.

See You Tomorrow.

Arsenal Draw 0-0 Away To Newcastle In Premier League Opener.

Arsenal got the new Premier League season underway yesterday with an evening trip to Newcastle United. Despite dominating for almost the entire game Arsenal failed to turn the possession into real goal chances, as the creativity of Cesc Fabregas was badly missed. The game ended scoreless, but it certainly wasn't without it's controversial moments.

It's hardly surprising that Newcastle's Joey Barton was at the centre of those controversies and he showed his true colours in the aftermath of the Gervinho penalty incident. If the referee saw exactly what happened he had to send Gervinho off, as he raised his hand to Barton and gave him a mild slap. However, Barton instigated the matter by grabbing Gervinho and pulling him up after he had gone down looking for a penalty, and that in itself had to be a penalty also.

I thought the original challenge on Gervinho could easily have been a penalty, as there was some contact and I've often seen similar penalties given. It would have been a soft penalty to give, and I wouldn't have been happy if it had gone against Arsenal at the other end. The fact remains that the referee didn't give the penalty and Barton saw fit to seek retribution for what he saw as a dive by Gervinho.

The referee was far away from the incident when the trouble broke out and I cannot believe that he actually saw what Gervinho did. Barton was quick to tell all that he had been punched and Stephen Taylor claimed an elbow had in fact been used, but both players showed themselves up as liars. Did they both really think that television replays would not show what had actually happened, and make referees less inclined to believe them in future.

With one linesman at least 60 yards away on the touchline and the other linesman on the opposite side of the pitch I can only assume the red card was issued because the referee believed the accounts of those Newcastle players. The standard of refereeing has being getting steadily worse and it's not a good indicator when it is so poor in the first game of the new season. Barton escaped with a yellow card despite deserving a red one, and Arsenal had to finish the game with 10 players.

To be honest Arsenal could have actually finished the game with nine men, as Alex Song got away with a stamp on Barton earlier in the game. The chances are the FA will take retrospective action and Song will also have to sit out Arsenal's next three domestic games along with Gervinho. The first two of those games are against Liverpool and Manchester United and Arsenal are quickly running out of players to play in them.

I wasn't exactly happy to see Song stamp on Barton as it was a stupid thing to do, but he should have at least done it properly if he's going to get punished for it. It was a very half hearted stamp and I doubt very much if Barton felt much from it at all. Even more annoying for me was to see Arsenal players hugging Barton when the game was over when in fact they should have being remonstrating with him.

Barton had done his best to fool the referee into believing that Gervinho had punched him, and any Arsenal player with any degree of loyalty to his teammates should have been incredibly angry with his actions. Why were they so happy to forget his actions which had possibly cost Arsenal two points, and certainly deprived them of Gervinho for three games. Barton is a despicable bully who will try anything he can to ensure he triumphs, and he showed how "hard" he really is by falling to the ground from the mildest of slaps from Gervinho.

He has since admitted that he made the most of the incident, but he sees no wrong in doing so as he perceived Gervinho as a cheat. Gervinho made the most of the foul on him, but the logic of that is lost on the likes of Barton. Hopefully his performance yesterday will convince Arsenal fans who wanted the club to sign him that he should never be allowed near the club.

Aside from doing all he could to get Gervinho sent off Barton had absolutely no influence on the game whatsoever, as he was part of a Newcastle team who simply didn't know how to play football. If Arsenal had any confidence at all they would have trashed them, but unfortunately the absence of Cesc and Jack Wilshere left the team with no drive. Time and again the final ball from Arsenal was far too poor, or they over elaborated and allowed Newcastle to clear the danger.

I was hoping for a great performance from Gervinho and at times he looked very dangerous, but his final ball was very poor on almost every occasion. He was joined by almost every attacking Arsenal player in having a mediocre game, but at least the defence looked solid for the entire match. It's not often that any team can go through an entire match with virtually no defensive scares, but Arsenal managed the task relatively easily yesterday.

Wojciech Szczesny was excellent in goal as he controlled his area, as well as coming from his line on each occasion he was required to. Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny looked very composed in the centre of the defence, and the two full backs played very well too. My only problems with the defence were the distribution from Koscielny and Gibbs appearing lost in the opposition half, but most importantly they got their defensive duties correct.

Arsenal's next game is at home to Udinese on Tuesday night in a vital Champions League qualifier, and they will need to play an awful lot better if they are going to take a lead to Italy a week later. Arsene Wenger doesn't have too many options at the moment and it will probably be a very similar team against Udinese to the one that drew with Newcastle. I'm sure Udinese will have more to offer than Newcastle, but I also think they will try to keep things very tight at the back as a draw would be a great result for them.

The transfer sagas of both Cesc and Samir Nasri continue to hang over the club and until their futures are decided it's hard to see the team being able to concentrate on playing. The latest player to be linked with Arsenal is Brazilian midfielder Jadson who plays with Shakhtar Donetsk according to arseblog news. I don't know an awful lot about him, but he's a midfielder and Arsenal are in short supply of them at the moment.

Finally for today this season's Fantasy Premier League is up and running again. My league has over 600 teams in it already, but I will welcome any new teams. Just go to the site and use the code 125540-42785 to join my league when your team is set up.

I'm also running a prediction league which is open to anybody to join too. To join the predictions league just go to the site and set up your predictions. Then use the code F688F-JCO to join my league. I'll update the league table in my predictions every week.

Don't forget you can follow me on Twitter, tumblr and Facebook too. 

 

That's it for today.

Here's the highlights from yesterday's game with thanks to 101 great goals.

See You Tomorrow.