Today we play West Ham away and it's a good opportunity to regain the top spot, while also building positive momentum ahead of a busy schedule.
Recent results haven't gone our away. But we're still in the mix for a simple reason: we've demolished lesser teams earlier this season, something that gave us a cushion, a margin for error. We've used it up now.
I've already said, that it's not that important, how we play big teams, if we roll over everyone else. And so it proved. Two points from nine could have been disastrous under different circumstances. And yet we're still second, trailing only on goal difference.
The manager will most likely rotate his squad again Sam Allardyce's side. I think, we're due to see Monreal, Flamini, Cazorla and Podolski all start.
Monreal was frequently deployed on the left in away games last season. He's also in decent form now and should give Arsene a decent choice headache ahead of every game.
Flamini can come in for Arteta. The Spaniard has confirmed ankle swelling, so, even though I don't think it'll keep him out for any period of time, giving him a chance to rest makes sense. He's played a lot of games recently, including a full match against Chelsea, so recharging his batteries (especially when the opposition allow it) won't hurt.
Cazorla for Ozil is pretty straightforward. The manager has spoken of how the German will need a break at some point and today's game can become that break. It'll also provide Cazorla with an opportunity to improve on his performances.
And Podolski. Well, he needs practice at some point and playing him instead of Giroud will give him that, while Giroud will have a chance to recoup. He hasn't done awfully well recently, maybe the strain on him as our only striker is finally telling. It's more of a mental burden, than a physical one, in my opinion.
Again, whoever plays, will give it his all, so no worries here. We should not, by any means, take West Ham lightly, but we can all draw inspiration from our last-year results, something Arsene acknowledged during his press conference. Two well-deserved, emphatic wins. And we were a rather disjointed side back then.
Should we get a win, we will, most likely top the chart. Liverpool play City away and I'll be surprised, if they manage to snatch all three points. Sure, Suarez is great, but he's just one man. City has a whole team of talented players (we've learnt it the hard way).
So here's for a win and a great performance later and I'll be back with a review as usual.
Until then