Evening everyone.
Tomorrow Arsenal plays Fulham in yet another London derby and we should be looking (as always) to pick up the three points.
Team news, while still some way from ideal, looked way worse even yesterday. Today we can be quite certain, that both Moreal and Rosicky will be involved, the only question is, to what extent.
The fears that Monreal has broken his metatarsal were, fortunately, unfounded, while Rosicky underwent a surgery and will be able to play in a mask. This is certainly good news, seeing as Arteta, Ramsey and Vermaelen will only be available after Coventry encounter. If Monreal and Rosicky were added to that list, we would have run out of options in midfield, while Jenkinson would become out only back-up defender.
A situation we have avoided, which gives us a chance to play our most combative squad against Fulham. I think it's only reasonable for the manager to field a strong a side as possible. He'll have an opportunity to rotate in the Cup (if he feels like it) and some pictures from the training ground (involving Zelalem) show, he's considering it. Personally, I won't be surprised if guys like Jenkinson, Zelalem and Miyaichi, coupled with some seniors, who need practice (Podolski, Ox) start against Coventry.
For the time being, though, we should focus our attention on Fulham. Our home record started going up recently, with wins over Cardiff and Tottenham, so let's keep improving it. As title contenders (no one will deny it now), we have to get good results against lesser opponents, something we've been good at since the start of the season.
The only points we dropped against teams, which are now positioned considerably lower were in games against West Brom and Aston Villa. Just five points dropped. Astonishing, come to think of it.
The manager has also reiterated this result, by saying it gives us a platform to build on. If we are consistent against the bottom teams, we can then look to pull off good results against sides like Chelsea and City. It's not easy,but, as experience has taught us, it may not be necessary, should we roll over everyone else.
In other news, Arsene has talked quite a bit about contracts (his own included) and, when quizzed about the future of Sagna and Mertesacker, said that, hopefully, we'll soon have an announcement to make, regarding both players. While there was some talk back in October (I think) about renewing Mertesacker's contract, the matter of his contract wasn't as pressing as Sagna's. Now, it looks very much that we have finally found compromise with the Frenchman, which is really nice.
A right-back of his quality and consistency is hard to find, especially during the January transfer window, so it's good to hear, we're close to tying his future to the club. It's understandable, the Frenchman was weighing up his options, as it's probably his last big contract, but, at the same time, I got the feeling he wanted to stay and only waited for us to up our offer. If that's what we've done, then thumbs-up to Arsene. Sometimes you do have to pay that extra to keep a really good player and this is definitely one of these times. As for Mertesacker, well, he's no less integral to our defensive solidity, so it's another bonus. His contract still have a year and a half to run, but the sooner he signs, the better.
Apart from that, not much else going on, so I'll leave it here. Here's for a win tomorrow, so we'll head into a busy February top of the world.
Until later
Tomorrow Arsenal plays Fulham in yet another London derby and we should be looking (as always) to pick up the three points.
Team news, while still some way from ideal, looked way worse even yesterday. Today we can be quite certain, that both Moreal and Rosicky will be involved, the only question is, to what extent.
The fears that Monreal has broken his metatarsal were, fortunately, unfounded, while Rosicky underwent a surgery and will be able to play in a mask. This is certainly good news, seeing as Arteta, Ramsey and Vermaelen will only be available after Coventry encounter. If Monreal and Rosicky were added to that list, we would have run out of options in midfield, while Jenkinson would become out only back-up defender.
A situation we have avoided, which gives us a chance to play our most combative squad against Fulham. I think it's only reasonable for the manager to field a strong a side as possible. He'll have an opportunity to rotate in the Cup (if he feels like it) and some pictures from the training ground (involving Zelalem) show, he's considering it. Personally, I won't be surprised if guys like Jenkinson, Zelalem and Miyaichi, coupled with some seniors, who need practice (Podolski, Ox) start against Coventry.
For the time being, though, we should focus our attention on Fulham. Our home record started going up recently, with wins over Cardiff and Tottenham, so let's keep improving it. As title contenders (no one will deny it now), we have to get good results against lesser opponents, something we've been good at since the start of the season.
The only points we dropped against teams, which are now positioned considerably lower were in games against West Brom and Aston Villa. Just five points dropped. Astonishing, come to think of it.
The manager has also reiterated this result, by saying it gives us a platform to build on. If we are consistent against the bottom teams, we can then look to pull off good results against sides like Chelsea and City. It's not easy,but, as experience has taught us, it may not be necessary, should we roll over everyone else.
In other news, Arsene has talked quite a bit about contracts (his own included) and, when quizzed about the future of Sagna and Mertesacker, said that, hopefully, we'll soon have an announcement to make, regarding both players. While there was some talk back in October (I think) about renewing Mertesacker's contract, the matter of his contract wasn't as pressing as Sagna's. Now, it looks very much that we have finally found compromise with the Frenchman, which is really nice.
A right-back of his quality and consistency is hard to find, especially during the January transfer window, so it's good to hear, we're close to tying his future to the club. It's understandable, the Frenchman was weighing up his options, as it's probably his last big contract, but, at the same time, I got the feeling he wanted to stay and only waited for us to up our offer. If that's what we've done, then thumbs-up to Arsene. Sometimes you do have to pay that extra to keep a really good player and this is definitely one of these times. As for Mertesacker, well, he's no less integral to our defensive solidity, so it's another bonus. His contract still have a year and a half to run, but the sooner he signs, the better.
Apart from that, not much else going on, so I'll leave it here. Here's for a win tomorrow, so we'll head into a busy February top of the world.
Until later