Liverpool preview: the fun begins

Good evening to each and every one of you. It's been a long time since my last post, but I was  completely cut off from the outside world, so I hope you'll excuse me this forced silence. Oh, and if you're planning for a winter holiday somewhere warm, whether next year or later during 2014, I strongly recommend you consider going to the Maldives. It's not for everyone, since it's a quiet place with no Internet and no guided tours of interest, but if you just want to get away from all the hustle for a while, this place is for you.

I missed on a fair bit of action during these two weeks, which included our cup win over Coventry and a surprising draw against  Southampton. This result saw us drop to the second place, but courtesy of Chelsea we have regained what we've lost in less than a week.

I did, however, watch the Crystal Palace game. Our midfield options were quite limited for this one, but we've got the result in our usual fashion once again. Keep the ball in the first half, step up the passing during the second, score two goals, see the game out. It's extremely satisfying to watch Arsenal play this way.

Our best player on the day was Oxlade-Chamberlain, who started his second game (out of three) in central midfield and marked with a brace.

For his first, he made a great run into open space (Giroud played his part by drawing defenders to himself), Cazorla spotted the Ox and chipped the ball over the defence. Oxlade took a touch to get the ball under control before sending it into the net on the volley.

For his second, the Ox played a clever pass to Giroud and continued his run. The Frenchman held the play up and then returned the pass. Oxlade curled the ball home from the edge of the box to make it double.

We were occasionally troubled by Crystal Palace, but Scszesny dealt with everything well and got his 11th league clean sheet as a reward for his (sometimes heroic) efforts.

I forgot to mention that our midfield crisis basically forced the manager's hand to sign back-up. Kallstrom joined us on loan on the last day of the transfer window, but will only be available at the end of the month, due to his fitness not being up to scratch.

Ramsey is the guy the Swede was signed to replace, seeing as Aaron suffered a setback in training and can spend six weeks out of the game. It's sad, really, he was one of the reasons we started the campaign so strongly, so let's hope the Welshman returns sooner, rather than later.

In the meantime we have a matter of four games across three competitions to keep us entertained. We play Liverpool away tomorrow, before taking on United, Liverpool again (this time, in the cup) and Bayern Munich. Luckily, we play away only tomorrow during this month. Even Sunderland, who we face after Bayern, is a home fixture.

Another good thing is, of course, our record at the Emirates. We have only three losses there, the last one being in October. Furthermore, we have last conceded a goal at home against in early December, something that makes our run even better. Let's keep it going.

As for our Saturday encounter against Liverpool, we seem to be the only team who stopped both Suarez and Sturridge from scoring, when they started together, so here's another encouraging bit for you. It was also no coincidence that we did, because the way we deprived the Mugmashers of the ball and stopped the supply to their strikers was down to a good team  performance.

The manager has emphasised the importance of keeping the ball under control, saying Liverpool can hurt us not only with Suarridge. This also means putting in a shift defensively, but I'm more more or less relaxed on that front.

In terms of team news, Vermaelen and Flamini remain out, the former with a knee injury, the latter through suspension, but Wilshere is back and Arteta, who hobbled a bit after receiving a nasty knock against Crystal Palace, is also available. Arsene will have a decision to make about our central midfield, but I suspect Jack will start if he's ready. The Ox had a great game, though, so I'm not ruling anything out.

I'm also curious as to who will play at left-back. Gibbs seem to be number one choice, but he was on the bench during our last game and may find himself there once more, in case he's still nursing an injury.

Apart from this, we have a pretty good squad, even with a couple of knocks and strains. Should we play the way we did at the Emirates and the way we did for the duration of the campaign, I see no reason not to pick up all the three points.

As usual, I'll be here on Monday with a full review. Until then

Coventry preview: all the right faces

Hello.

It's been some time since I last wrote, but exams were coming hard and fast, so forgive me this interruption.

Arsenal plays Coventry today in a rather unusual Friday game, but, from a footballing point of view, that should change little.

It seems Bendtner is back and training and is likely to feature in the starting eleven today. Arteta and Ramsey are due to return next Monday, while Vermaelen's and Rosicky's involvement remains under question. Rosicky will probably miss this game, but should be available against Southampton and Vermaelen's participation wasn't brought up.

All of this hints that we should have a full squad next week (with only Diaby and Walcott out) and it's both good and bad news. Good because our tough schedule kicks off on the 8th February against Liverpool, bad because we're unlikely to bring anyone in. Arsene keeps talking about only buying special players (Draxler?), but Schalke are hell-bent not to sell the German in January. Perhaps, we can nick Draxler in the summer, but with both Fabianski and Viviano likely to go their own ways and the whole thing with Vermaelen's future, we may have a lot to worry about in the summer. Though the manager is keen to tie the Belgian down to a new contract, the player himself may not want to do so. He's down the pecking order and with Mertescielny playing the way they do, only an injury to one of them may see him change his mind.

In a nutshell, we can have quite a busy summer, searching for a goalkeeper and a couple of centre-backs. Add the World Cup and Draxler to the mix and our task seems nigh on impossible. Anyway, as the man here says, the manager is aware of any problems (even potential) way before we are, so for now let's just concentrate on the task at hand and worry about everything else in the summer. We do have a pretty balanced squad after all, even with Walcott and Diaby out.

And the task at hand is beating Coventry. Wenger said he's keen to avoid last-year's disaster and so will take our current opposition seriously. That doesn't mean we shouldn't rotate, in my opinion. If we pulled this off against Spurs, we can certainly pull this off tonight. I expect to see Fabianski, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chaberlain, Podolski and Bendtner all start. It's a bit of a gamble to rotate quite as much, but it's not like these players make the squad a lot weaker.

Gibbs is a regular starter when fit, Podolski proved he can be lethal on the left, while Bendtner is a like for like replacement for Giroud and the Frenchman can use a breather before taking on Liverpool, Bayern and United.

I also expect Gnabry to start in the light of his recent performances. He's still a long way from a finished article and it's another chance for the German to prove his worth.

There was talk from the manager he may play the Ox centrally (something that's going to happen sooner or later anyway), so Cazorla and Ozil will probably be given a rest. I don't know, whether it's wise to leave us without a true playmaker, but it's all guesswork and I may be completely wrong. Arsene can always throw a couple of surprises, he may even play as strong a squad as he can, but I don't think he will. We have a lot of players with something to prove, Coventry isn't that much of a threat, so providing these players with a chance may not seem the worst idea in the world. We shouldn't take Coventry lightly, but it's not like we are talking about playing Chamakh and Squilaci, so I'm sure that, whoever plays, they'll be fully switched on.

And finally, Arsene has also touched on the matter of Rosicky's, Mertesacker's and Sagna's contracts. He says we're close no agreeing a deal with most of them, but not all of them. I suspect Sagna is the problem here, which is a bit strange, as the manager was quite positive about the Frenchman's contract a couple of days ago, but we can only wait and hope that everything goes well. Fingers crossed here.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch Coventry game myself, as I'll be airborne for the duration of the match, but I'll try to give you some post-match thoughts after. If the wi-fi connection there allows it. If it doesn't, then I'll be back with a preview of our trip to the Mersyside on the 7th February.

Until later

Arsenal 2-0 Fulham: Santi keeps us at the top

Good evening.

Arsenal's splendid fashion of putting lesser teams to the sword continued yesterday with another fine win, this time over Fulham. The Cottagers has thus become the second side Arsenal took six points from over two games.

Arsene named an identical side to the one that got the job done at Villa Park. Monreal (despite all the doubts over his health) started on the left, while Rosicky was among the substitutes.

The first half was a rather uneventful one. Arsenal had one clear-cut chance in the 4th minute, when an interplay between Wilshere and Ozil allowed the latter to fire a low shot which was cleared off the line.

Fulham created a couple of decent chances, but, fortunately, our keeper was up for it. Szczesny first saved from a good Sidwell shot and then had to race Dejagah and Kacaniklic to the ball, after they have found some space.

We had the last word when Sagna's fierce shot was parried by Stekelenburg, but the game was still an even-shared one, though we dominated territory and possession.

After the restart, however, Arsenal upped the tempo just like they did against Cardiff, and it worked again. Gnabry saw his effort saved, then there was a scrap in the box as Arsenal almost got the ball into the net, but were denied by some last-ditch defending.

Fulham cracked under pressure soon enough. Cazorla cut inside from the left, Giroud and Wilshere combined and the Englishman returned the ball to Santi who smashed it home from the penalty spot. A great goal fro an in-form Spaniard.

Five minutes later, Cazorla doubled our lead. Monreal's cross fell to Santi just outside the box, he took a touch and sent a low shot flying towards the far corner past Stekelenburg.

After that, the game died down. Fulham was finished, we knew it, they knew it, so no one really tried to pull anything off.

Except Podolski. He came on for a tiring, but brilliant Gnabry and had two very presentable chances. His first effort was blocked by one of the defenders, his second was pushed onto the post by Stekelenburg.

Fulham could have nicked a consolation goal, something that could probably have sent Mertesacker into overdrive and force him to kill everyone responsible for ruining his second clean sheet in a row, but, luckily for his teammates, Bent wasted his chance, followed by Kasumi. In the end, we got the win and the clean sheet.

Our brilliant defence apart, I would like to give the props to Wilshere, Cazorla and Podolski. A run of games in his favoured position has clearly benefited Jack as he was, again, at the heart of every good Arsenal move with his trademark bursts of speed and close control of the ball. He will now give the manager a real choice headache, seeing as Arteta and Ramsey are set to return against Southampton. A situation that will, no doubt, only benefit everyone.

Cazorla seems to finally find his form, something the manager was quick to acknowledge:

"He was out for a long time at the start of the season and had some injury problems. After that he had an ankle problem and only recently, since mid-December, has he come back to his level".

His brace means he now has three goals in three games. Let's see how things progress over the course of the next couple of games, but the signs that the Spaniard is returning to his best, are encouraging.

And Podolski. When he came on, he always looked dangerous on the ball. He also put in a shift defensively, retracing his steps to help Monreal out. It's a pity the German didn't score, but at least we know he's all ready to play if the manager needs him.

And Arsene said, that's exactly, what he'll do:

"Every player who is on the bench is frustrated. But Lukas has a fantastic spirit and attitude and he showed that when he came on. He will play. He has been out for four-and-a-half months and it takes time, but he looks sharp. When he comes in he gives us something. First of all his occupies the flank well, his left foot is intelligent and dangerous. He is now physically ready".

That's another competitive player back to his best and the returns of Arteta, Ramsey, Bendtner and Vermaelen a week from now will make our bench packed with quality players.

This win ensures we stay top, though both City and Chelsea have won their respective games and we still have no margin for error. And we shouldn't, for the time being, need it. We play Coventry, Southampton and Crystal Palace in the upcoming weeks and should be looking to win all of these. Before all the hell breaks loose in mid-February. In the meantime, we can just enjoy being top.

Oh, and one last thing. I'm leaving for Maldives next Friday, so I won't be able to cover Coventry game. As for our next two Premier League fixtures, I'll do my best to find steams and watch them there. So check back often in case anything pops up.

Until later

Fulham preview: better than expected

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

Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal: Jack in the box

It was a strange game I witnessed yesterday. Up until 75th minute, only one team was in it. Then Benteke scored and the dynamic of the match changed completely. We held on stoically, giving away only one chance in the last twenty minutes while Villa piled up the pressure and got our reward in the end.

Arsene made three changes to the side that has beaten Tottenham nine days ago: Flamini for Arteta, Ozil for Rosicky and Giroud for Walcott. The last two were pretty straightforward, but I was surprised not to see Arteta anywhere near the squad. He is our de-facto captain after all, so it's strange to leave him out just because it's an away game against a weaker opposition. He wasn't mentioned during the press-conference, so I assume the Spaniard is all right, but I still fear the worst. After this game, Arteta's injury is the last thing we need.

Arsenal started brightly enough and could have gone ahead very quickly had Giroud hit the target with his header. He missed (not from the best of positions, I must add) and we continued our quest for goals.

Though Arsenal seemed completely in control of the proceedings, Villa managed to conjure up two decent chances, first when Delph sent his shot wide, following a bad pass from Wilshere, then when Al Ahmadi fired over. The game returned to it's normal course after that.

This course saw us take the lead and then double it inside 60 seconds. On 34th minute a beautiful pass from Ozil split Villa's defence open down the left, Nacho cut the pass back for Wilshere and the Englishman's effort found the bottom corner.

Jack turned provider almost immediately. He robbed some bloke of possesion in the final third and sent a lofted through ball towards Giroud. The Frenchman controlled the pass well before smashing his shot past Guzan. It was a really neat passage of play from Olivier, but the pass leading up to it should also not be forgotten.

The second half turned out to be a most tedious affair in the beginning. Arsenal attacked half-heartedly, Villa tried to catch us on the break, only for their final pass to prevent them from doing so. Then, in the 75th minute, something that you don't get to see too often, happened, namely, Cazorla was dispossessed in the defensive half. Lowton then sent in a perfect cross, which missed everyone but Benteke at the far post. The Belgian scored his first goal in, like, a bazillion years.

Now, I may be wrong here, but it's not the first time I notice how weaker opposition, which plays like crap for the whole season, steps it up against Arsenal. Maybe playing big teams mobilises such teams, but I sure don't like it. Maybe we are seeing once again, how Arsenal never do things the easy way, but listening to how Villa, which only has one home win in the entire campaign, nearly takes two points away from possible champions is a bit disheartening.

Luckily, Arsenal held on for the remainder of the match. Benteke still has another half-chance, but his shot was straight at Szczesny. The game was, however, blighted by several nasty injures.

Apart from the first-time injury to Baker, which  saw him stretched off the pitch in an unconscious state, Arsenal have very likely lost Monreal and Rosicky and I pray that we haven't lost them for long. Monreal got kicked during his great run after Villa's goal and had to be replaced by Gibbs (who himself has only just recovered) and then that disgusting Agbonlahor bloke elbowed Rosicky. The Czech looked like he had his nose broken and was also substituted, only minutes after coming on. The manager said, he doesn't know, how severe these injures are, so let's hope for the better.

Apart from the usual talk from Arsene about two different sides to this Arsenal, erm, side and the aforementioned injures, the boss has also touched upon Jack Wilshere's match-winning performance:

"He has found his change of pace back, his game about that and his penetration because he's not only a passer but he's guy who is incisive with the ball. It's his strengths so from that you need to be at the top of your game physically".

So, Jack is back. Which is really good to hear. Now let's hope he'll be joined by Ramsey, Vermaelen, Monreal and Rosicky, though in a much more straightforward sense of the word.

Fulham is up next. Until then, enjoy the good win and a deserved place at the top