Showdown or Showstopper

It’s early days yet concerning the fate of the league title this season, but Monday night’s showdown against Manchester United at Old Trafford will help point to the destination of the title. As Arsene Wenger has said so often in the past, you don’t win the league in December.

True indeed, but December nonetheless, neither Wenger nor Sir Alex Ferguson will want to concede ground on this one. The two old foxes may look war-weary, but they haven’t lost their battle-hardedness and are always up for such confrontations.

Already, there’s a spiky feeling about this one no thanks to big-mouth Patrice Evra trying to engineer an atmosphere of hate with his comments about Arsenal being a mere “training centre”. Consummate professionals don’t say such things about other teams, but we all know Evra has no tact or self-respect which was why he behaved to type at the World Cup and his international career ended disgracefully. A Nicholas Anelka clone with less brain cells than a termite.

Interestingly for the first time in recent memory, the Gunners go into this match ahead of Manchester United on the log. It’s not something that has happened in a long while. Since the 2007-2008 season, when Arsenal led the league for four months before giving it away at St. Andrews to Birmingham on the February afternoon Eduardo’s leg was snapped in two, we haven’t managed to edge ahead of Sir Alex’s empire.

For all manner of reasons, we’ve always remained in the shadow of the all-conquering Mancunians. Since then, Sir Alex has gone on to lift two league titles as well as a Champions League trophy. He was only denied a hattrick of league triumphs by Carlo Ancelotti’s resurgent Chelsea seven months ago.

This time around, with 16 games played in a 38-game season, we find ourselves one point in front of Sir Alex for the first time in a long, long while. This has happened despite our four league defeats already – three of them at home!

Titans of English soccer...Ferguson and Wenger

 Manchester meanwhile are unbeaten in the league but their campaign has been hampered by seven damaging draws. Despite playing one game less than us, they must still be kicking themselves that they cannot break away from the muddle at the top. Sir Alex, the old warhorse that he is, knows the value and importance of such big ties as Monday night’s clash and surely sees it as a must-win. December or not.

Already as seen so far this season, many teams have stepped up to the plate to take adavantage of the break up of the famous Big Four through the demise of Liverpool. This state of affairs has seen even promoted sides Blackpool, Newcastle and West Brom fancy their chances against the established sides and taken them with two hands.  Accordingly as we have all borne witnesses to so far, even Manchester United’s outstanding game against Blackpool can so easily leave them empty handed after 90 minutes. A look at the league standings this morning will show us that none of the promoted sides are currently in relegation zone.

The tables of fortune which favours the brave have turned full square in the premiership.

Gone is the fear of the mythical Big Four. Gone are the days of rolling over and allowing the likes of us and Man Utd to walkover the perceived small teams.

Which is why winning the league now may turn out to be harder and more gritty than it has ever been since it all started 18 years back.

Sir Alex knows it very well and therefore the bread-and-butter games with the lesser lights of the league are simply, no more what they used to be. It seems now that the days of winning the league despite not beating any of the big teams, may have gone with the past. There are simply no teams to walkover anymore. Arsene Wenger and his bunch had that lesson rammed down their throats painfully and decisively by first West Brom and later, Newcastle.

Monday’s showdown couldn’t have come at a better time for both teams as they seek to measure themselves against each other. As a parameter of how far they have progressed or regressed so far this season, Monday night is pivotal.

Yes it may be just December, but this showdown between first and second in the league will surely not produce a Real Madrid-Barcelona style annihilation. Because despite the game taking place at Old Trafford, the stadium has actually been a good hunting ground for Arsenal over the past few years. We only lost there last year thanks to a crazy Almunia penalty-giveaway and an even crazier Abou Diaby own goal after Andrei Arshavin had blasted us into the lead. The previous season, with the destiny of the league already settled, we held Man Utd to a goalless draw there. If we discount the Christiano Ronaldo-inspired Champions League 1-0 defeat there in April 2009, we have a decent record on the ground.

Added to all this, is the fact that Man Utd these days is more of a ship managing to stay above water, than a tank firing on all cylinders.  Up until three weeks ago, we had a better goals’ difference than them. Dimitar Berbatov’s five-goal salvo in that 7-1 crushing of Blackburn two weeks ago changed things for them but as mentioned earlier there won’t be any such scoreline on Monday night.

Manchester Utd are slowly putting the divisive effects of the Wayne Rooney saga behind them and getting everyone to singing from the same sheet. Nemanja Vidic now seems happier after casting admiring glances at Spain and Italy all through last season. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes may finally be feeling their ages at last but in their places, the immature Anderson is finally finding his feet, while his younger compatriots Fabio and  Rafael are emerging as talented players, if still inexperienced. Another young tyro, the Mexican Javier Henandez  remains a dangerous arrowhead of their attack if needed.

Since Ronaldo’s departure, Man Utd have lost the thing that makes them tick. Rooney for one, being a huge victim of his departure.

Arsenal, like all other teams so far in the league, will seek to exploit that feeling of ‘emptiness’ at Old Trafford and in the likes of Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshire and Marouane Chamakh, they have the ammunition to make their presence count.

Arguably, Nasri has been the outstanding player of the season so far not only for Arsenal but in the entire league. He has suddenly become what Florent Malouda was to Chelsea last season. The most-improved player across all 20 teams, with Tottenham’s Gareth Bale definitely a close second.

He has scored against Man Utd in the past – when we beat them 2-1 at Emirates in October, 2008. So doing it again; at a time when he is in the form of his life, ought not to be too much to ask.

I’m really looking forward with a huge appetite to Monday night. Yet another opportunity to see how far Wenger’s bunch has come in their collective development. Because at Old Trafford there normally is no hiding place.

Arsenal 3 Partizan Belgrade 1

For what may be the first time this season, we started with two strikers upfront as Arsene Wenger went for a basic 4-4-2. Robin Van Persie continued his rehabilitation as he partnered Marouane Chamakh in attack. All-the-world-and-its-mother knew this was a must-win game for us as we looked to tie up our progress into the knock-out stage of the Champions League for the eleventh consecutive season. Funnily though, things started on a low key as we passed the ball around with ease and penned the Yugoslavs in their area. As has been the case recently, Samir Nasri was seeing a lot of the ball as he spearheaded proceedings from the right side of midfield. His prolific form in front of goal was easily the reason behind his confidence as he ran at the Partizan defence at will.
We had to contend with an early change however when the unfortunate Kieran Gibbs turned his ankle in the 15th minute and had to go off.
In the 26th minute finally, we made a breakthrough when Partizan skipper, Mladen Kratsjic upended Van Persie in the box. The Dutchman rose to bury the penalty and record his first goal since May. Against the run of play, Cleo scored a surprise equalizer for the visitors in the 52nd minute and once again, we managed to make life difficult for ourselves.
It was a night when we were not to be denied however as Theo Walcott came on for the disinterested Andrei Arshavin, and scored his first goal in almost two months with a fine volley in the 73rd minute. Four minutes later, the irrepressible Nasri sealed the game with a fine shot from the edge of the box after being fed by Song.
Things turned sour one more time for us as Bacary Sagna was redcarded in the 85th minute for a last-ditch tackle on Alexander Laveski. We resisted with ten men though to see out the game and finally, finally book our passage to the knock-out stage, next February.
You always got the impression that we were playing with the brakes on last night. It was to be expected, considering our trip to Old Trafford on Monday night in a top-of-the-bill showdown with bitter rivals, Manchester United.
The goal we conceded notwithstanding, it was a fitting end to our European campaign for the year, while we await bigger fish to fry next year and in the meantime, focus on domestic matters.
For making it out of the group stages for the eleventh consecutive time, we can’t be that bad really. Not even the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea or even Real Madrid can boast such consistency.

Back among the goals..Walcott celebrates his sweet volley

Below are the ratings on the night.

• Fabianski (7/10) – Was reduced to dealing with only backpasses as a measure of the paucity of the visitors’ attack, until the 52nd minute when Cleo broke away to rifle a shot that deflected off Squillaci’s outstretched leg and sail over him. Nothing he could do about the goal, but he redeemed himself considerably when he stopped a fierce freekick from Kratsjic in the 86th minute consequent upon Sagna’s sending-off. With a cloud hanging over Manuel Almunia’s return to the team, Fabianski looks to have sewn up the number one shirt in the nearest future.
• Sagna (7/10) – Was his usual no-nonsense self and dealt with all that came down his flank in the form of Partizan attack. Roamed forward a lot though and linked well with Nasri and later Walcott. Unfortunate to be sent off in the 86th minute for a challenge on Laveski but will be back for the big game against Manchester United, Monday night.
• Squillaci (6/10) – He was the weak link in the defence. Was caught out severally by the duo of Cleo and Partizan’s West African, Medo. Gave Cleo the space he needed to shoot for their equalizer and looked out of his depth for most of the game. Methinks he’s exhausted from the unexpected amount of games he’s been forced to play since arriving in August. Looks like he’ll benefit from a breather.
• Koscielny (7/10) – Was surprised to see him return so soon after that head collision four days ago against Fulham. Did well though on the night and proved to be a tough customer. He is still our most-rugged defender after Thomas Vermaelen as he never shies away from knocks. Nipped a lot of balls that could have been a danger and covered lots of ground as well.
• Gibbs (5/10) – The young Englishman fell to the curse of injury – yet again. He lasted only 15minutes before a twisted ankle ended his night. Returned to the pitch to try to run it off, but eventually had to be substituted as he continually hobbled around.
• Denilson (6/10) – The Brazilian started in place of the rested Jack Wilshire and battled hard in the middle to assert himself. Guilty of misplaced passes on several occasions but he did his defensive duties well and snapped into tackles all night. Helped to screen the defence with his endless running and link-up play with those around him. Did better than in many of his erstwhile games for us.
• Song (6/10) – A rather quiet night for the Camerounian. He still threw himself around alot though and never allowed the Partizan midfield of Medo, Jovanovic and Laveski to settle. Had a sniff of goal in the second half when he collected a ball in the visitor’s box. After swivelling away from his markers, he attempted to curl the ball in off the far post, with options waiting around him.After three goals to his name this season already, he surely fancies his chances of getting more now. It was not to be on the night though but he still provided the assist for Nasri's goal.
• Arshavin (5/10) – Back to his bad habits. Didn’t inspire anything and though he tried to initiate some runs from his left flank, he ended up in cul-de-sacs. Didn’t look interested at all and after some fine performances over the past two games, he seemed to have fallen back to his old, lazy ways. Was the first to be substituted – not counting the injured Gibbs – not surprisingly.
• Nasri (8/10) – He is indeed a man transformed. Oozed confidence all night as he took on defenders at will and ran rings round them from all over the pitch. Gets in behind defenders easily now and last night was no different. He has emerged as a huge outlet of our attacks and has become very influential in the team, especially with the sporadic appearances of captain Cesc Fabregas. His goal in the second half was deserved after all the running and passing he was involved in on the night. For us to win anything this season, we need Nasri to remain in the blistering form he has found. Twelve goals so far this season makes him our highest goalscorer and for a midfielder, it is quite a statement.
• Van Persie (7/10) – After being out for so long, the Dutchman was due a full game and he got it last night. Completed his first 90 minutes in ages and was handed the captain’s band to lead the troops. Scored from the spot to send us on our way and did well for the rest of the game. He’s still finding his form and that will obviously take time. His presence on the pitch though encouraged Wenger to opt for a two-man attack and take some pressure off the hardworking Chamakh. Hoping Van Persie stays injury-free, as we head into a crucial time of the season.
• Chamakh (6/10) – Like Squillaci, he also looks jaded. Considering the frenetic start he’s had to both his Arsenal career and the season, his tired legs can be understood. Wasn’t at full pelt on the night and apart form a misdirect header in the first half, off a Bacary Sagna cross, he was largely anonymous. Wasn’t a surprise at all when he was eventually substituted.

Substitutes
• Eboue (7/10) – Came on very early in the 18th minute for the luckless Gibbs and as the only defender on the bench, had to improvise in the left full back position. Did well considering he was playing out of position and wasn’t disgraced at all. Resisted very well and stopped all that came his way. One of his better games for us in a while.
• Walcott (7/10) – Replaced the anonymous Arshavin and immediately put life into out attack. Took on the Partizan defence with his trademark pace and eventually scored a fine goal which restored our lead in the 73rd minute and brought belief back into the side. He needs games like Van Persie to rediscover his sharpness but may have to continue to contend with time on the bench.
• Bendtner (5/10) – Replaced Chamakh as Wenger clearly sought to rest the Moroccan ahead of the Manchester game. Was involved in the build up to the Nasri goal and helped trouble the Partizan defence.

Arsenal 2 Fulham 1

Man of the moment....Samir Nasri after doing the double

We went top of the log for the first time this season after a nervy but eventually, accomplished win over fellow Londoners, Fulham. It was also our first home win in the league in almost five weeks! Quite incredible ay?

The man who stole the show was very clearly, Samir Nasri, who not only score both goals for us but as well diplayed such high level of skill and awareness as to indicate that he has arrived as a mainstay. Some commentators during the game kept repeating that his emergence had now filled the gap left by Cesc Fabregas. Flattering it may sound, but it is a measure of how far he has developed within the team and how highly he is held now.

His goals were of the highest quality. Vintage collector's items.

We went ahead after the rejuvenated Andrei Arshavin intercepted a loose Fulham pass, and threaded it into Nasri's path. The light-footed Frenchman dummied past Brade Haageland first and then another defender, before blasting it from eight yards past Mark Schwarzer. Almost everyone in the Emirates rose to acknowledge such goal of exquisite quality.

Fulham pegged us back rather too easily after we failed to deal with a harmless-looking ball out of

their defence. Squillaci clashed heads with Koscielny, thus allowing an unmarked Diomansy Kamara to angle a fine shot past the stranded Fabianski.

Our tempo dipped as expected. Heads seemed to drop and tension spread through the crowd. Fulham threatened especially at setpieces and though Johann Djourou made his huge presence felt at the back, we were still sitting on tenterhooks.

The introduction of Van Persie and Theo Walcott signified our intention but it was Nasri again that seized the initiative. He latched onto a Van Persie pass and waltzed past three defenders including Schwarzer before he slotted the ball in a sweet, jaw-dropping move.

His goals marked the tenth and eleventh strikes this season and with almost two-thirds of the season yet to go, there are already great expectations that he is on the verge of greatness in his personal and Gunners career.

Below are the ratings

• Fabianski (6/10) – He was not to blame for the goal we conceeded, especially as he was left exposed by the collision between Koscielny and Squillaci. Did extremely well to save a certain goal from Kamara again before the end of the first half. Was a bit swamped by the Fulham forwards as they attempted to bombard our area with aerial balls from corner kicks and setpieces. In the continued absence of Almunia, he still remains our best bet between the sticks.
• Squillaci (5/10) – Was shaky on the night. Was troubled by the pace of Kamara and Zoltan Gera, the two Fulham forwards. Stumbled into Koscielny and clashed heads with him unfortunately. The injury forced Koscielny off the field and ended his night. Squillaci looked vulnerable inexplicably and was targetted by the Fulham frontmen.
  
• Koscielny (5/10) – Was his usual quick-footed self and was standing up to the feeble Fulham attempts at launching attacks, until the 36^th minute when a clash of heads ended his night. He came off worse in the unfortunate incident with Squillaci and after initial fears that he may have suffered a broken nose, he was eventually stretchered off to wide applause from all corners of the stadium.
  
• Clichy (6/10) – Did his usual best on the left flank. Due to Fulham's two-pronged attack, he had the latitude and freedom to roam forward. He bombed forward at will and the few times when Fulham attacked down his flank, he stood up well to their efforts.
  
• Sagna (6/10) – Also found lots of room on the right. Initially, when Fulham's Gera and Kamara took turns to launch sporadic attacks, he was up to the task. Did well on several occasions as he supported Nasri and got up the field several occasions to send in inviting crosses. He remains a very useful outlet on the right hand flank for crosses.
  
• Song (6/10) – Did a yeoman's job in the middle and was full of running and hard graft. Did well to snuff our the veteran Fulham midfielder, Danny Murphy and even found time and energy to take on the opponents' defence. A particular move in the 60^th minute saw him outwit John Paintsil on the edge of the box but suddenly when left with the goalie one-on-one, he skied the ball aimlessly into the crowd.
  
• Wilshire (7/10) – Was his usual industrious and busy self. Worked well with Song in the middle and was always finding space and the men ahead of him. His presence has gone a long way to nullify the absence of Fabregas as the young Englishman has grown both in stature and ability. His eye for the pass and positional play, despite his lack of inches, has all the hallmark of an accomplished veteran.
  
• Nasri (9/10) – Clearly, the man of the match. Full of trickery, running and guile. His two goals were masterpieces and his confidence levels are surely now sky high. He has definitely stepped up to the plate and has now emerged as one of the starts of not just this team, but also the league. He looks a man transformed after two years of unfulfilled expectations with the Gunners. Despite being a midfielder, he has now emerged our leading goalscorer and from what we've seen so far, there is much more to come from the former Marseille man.
  
• Arshavin (8/10) – Another player who looks transformed. Whatever might be the reason
  behind his renewed form, it may or not have anything to do with Russia's successful bid to host the World Cup 2018. He was involved in all the good stuff that we put on Saturday and provided the assist that led to Nasri's first goal. Was also a handful for the Fulham defence as he never gave them breathing space. He seems to have rediscovered his knack for goals after netting against Aston Villa last week and heading into a crucial time of the season, it is a welcome development.
  
• Chamakh (6/10) – Didn't play up to his usual deadly standards. Was too lackadaisical and guilty of over elaboration. A particular through ball over the top from Arshavin in the first half found him face to face with Schwarzer and instead of shooting, he passed the ball back to Wilshire.
  
• Rosicky (7/10) – Did very well. He wore the armband and was up for the game as against his hitherto displays. Linked very well with the frontmen of Chamakh and Nasri. Ran out of gas eventually in the second half and was unsurprisingly substituted.
  

Substitutes

• Djourou (6/10) – Did well in the circumstances after coming on for the injured Koscielny. Was inspirational at the back after he came on and did quite well.
  
• Van Persie (5/10) – Was not at his mercurial self. His abilities on the ball are well-known but due to the long absence on account of injury, he seems to have lost some of his touch. Was sluggish and slow to the ball in most instances but was involved in the build-up that led to Nasri's second goal.
  
• Walcott (5/10) – Came on for Wilshire in the second half and tried his best on the right wings as always. Didn't set the wings on fire and he seems to have lost a lot of spark. Seems to need games to bring back the consistency to his game.
  

Tottenham, Tony Adams, Martin Keown

It was not just the defeat against Tottenham that rankled the nerve. Two weeks after, I still seethe at the events of November 20.
All teams, even the Barcelonas of this world do lose. Long as you decide to subject yourself to the emotional tupsy-turvy of sports, you are condemned to both the depths of depression in defeat as well as the heights of success in victory.
It was not the loss to our bitter rivals on a day when we had all the motivation in the world to win – topping the log.
It wasn’t the loss to a fellow North London clubside who have been in our shadows for almost eternity.
It wasn’t the loss at all, Mr Wenger.
The pain and anguish of it all was in the manner of the defeat.
What happened at lunchtime on the afternoon of Saturday, November 20 was an embarrassment of unbelievable proportions. It was also a betrayal. It was a slap in face. A kick in the guts. It was a mockery of everything that this great club has stood for in its 124 year history.
Mr Wenger and his players spat in our faces with a performance that would have passed as a fantastic early Christmas pantomime if it wasn’t so personal. And so real.
It was not just a defeat.
It was seismic. It was a watershed in our trusty and reverential regard for Mr Wenger. How could a man so respected and celebrated in this most-fickle of sports, assemble a side so lacking in the understanding of basic dos and donts?
It was not just the defeat that was the issue. It was, as mentioned earlier, the totally gutless way by which we handed over three points to a visiting team who didn’t deserve a point for all their afternoon’s work.
Can you ever imagine Manchester United or Chelsea throwing away a two-goal lead at home? The whole universe will implode first before that happens. And these are the teams we are supposedly vying for honours with - year in, year out.
Yet after the sideline tantrums of smashing drinking bottles, executed in full view of millions around the world, Mr Wenger still had the gumption to try to explain away this disgrace by claiming his players were suffering from fatigue. It sounded hollow as it was trite.
Then three days later against a very ordinary Braga side, with seven new faces to replace the ‘fatigued’ lot, we bottled it again.
Fatigue indeed. I would love to suffer fatigue if I get paid a fraction of what his players earn.
Mr Wenger fiddled – as usual – with our collective intelligence even more by later announcing that he himself was “giving every drop of his blood” to help this team achieve success. It was a statement dripping with the dramatic.


“I want so much for this team to win that I am giving every drop of my blood to make sure that they win. I want them to be successful because they deserve it and it hurts when you get so close as you did on Saturday and you don't manage to do it.”

Sadly, he needn’t go that far to show us how much misplaced our trust in him has been all along.
Why tell us he’s shedding blood? No one hired him to come to Arsenal to shed blood. The job of managing the biggest club in Europe’s biggest city surely does not require the skills of an abattoir manager. He was never asked to butcher anyone and draw blood, so the analogy of giving every drop of his own blood was very unnecessary. If he had talked about the millions of pounds paid to him every year to perform, I would have taken him more seriously.
All he was asked to do; all we ever wanted him to do, was to sign on players who would wear the shirt with pride, with spirit, with passion and perform likewise when selected. It is expected that such players would wear our colours with fire in their bellies and would be willing to shed a few pints of precious blood in the quest for victory.
Along the way of course, such players lucky enough to be called Gunners, would not be poorer for their efforts.
All that would have been explained in black and white. On paper. In the name of a document called a contract.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Yet after 14 years of Wengersque, it seems this expectation now looks beyond our reverred manager. Gone from the club is the aura of the Invincibles. Gone are trojans like Steve Bould, Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira and even Dennis Bergkamp. In place are musketeers; pretenders to the shirt. All of them bought, reared and supervised by Wenger.
It is quite interesting that this week, rumblings are emerging from another London club, who happen to be league champions, about the erosion of their manager’s powers. At exactly the same time, one of the most powerful managers in world soccer, Arsene Wenger cannot administer his absolute autocracy. Instead, he has been exposed as an emperor without clothes. So much power, so little results to show for it.
I still respect Wenger for all he has done for this great club. His time here has been epochal and I doubt if any other human being can wrought all the changes he brought about.
But for everyone and everything, there is a time and a season.
For five years now the great club that Arsenal is, has either been static or been moving backwards. It may be that the time has come to push it forward and Wenger looks short of ideas on how to go about that.
Tottenham themselves were caught in an unending morass of perpetual underachievement for so long, until they chanced upon the solution represented by Harry Redknapp.
There can’t be any shame in learning from them and change things at the top. It emerged during the week, that Pat Rice, Wenger’s man Friday will be calling it quits at the end of the season. It will be a great chance to usher in hardmen like Martin Koewn or Tony Admas as Wenger’s assistant.
In case he’s forgotten amidst his penchant for mind games and treble-speak, Arsenal football club boasts over 27million proud supporters worldwide; is ranked the third most-valuable and richest club in the world; and is worth over $1.2billion.
Yes, he himself has contributed to all those accolades, but as with time and seasons, even him cannot be bigger than the club.
Things have settled down a bit since November 20 considering the wins over Aston Villa and Wigan. Nonetheless, it hasn’t masked the flaws of lack of concentration; naïve defending and inconsistency that have marked our season so far.
Mr Wenger in case you are reading this, never let your bunch forget that we are still the pride of London. Never.

Wenger rubberstamps Fabianski as Number 1



Arsenal's new Number one

 Following Tuesday night's 2-0 Carling Cup win over Wigan, Arsene Wenger declared emphatically:

"My policy is to stick to the squad I have. We will not be on the market," Wenger told the club's official website. "I want to keep my squad and I want to continue with these players. We will not be on the market unless we lose some."

The Arsenal player who would have expelled the biggest sigh of relief at those words would be Lukasz Fabianski, who has anxiously been keeping the goal since Manuel Almunia exited with an 'elbow injury' after the West Brom defeat at Emirates in October.
Wenger has dodgedly kept faith with the 25 year-old Pole since then and his performances betwen the sticks have as well improved dramatically. The Pole was an object of derision since he arrived at the club two seasons ago from Legia Warsaw; not for any ulterior or personal motive but for his laughable displays which either made us lose games or conceed comical goals. One that sticks in the mind prominently was the cheeky penalty he conceeded against FC Porto in the Champions League Round of 16 last February, at the Estadio Dragao, when he picked up a backpass from Sol Campbell and thus gifted Porto a cheap, unnecessary, stupid and donkeyhead penalty. We lost that game 2-1 but turned it around 5-0 at the Emirates two weeks later.
This season, since the 'disappearance' of Almunia, he has seized his chance  - with two hands.
Gunners everywhere, me inclusive, have watched with mouths hanging open as Fabianksi has resisted gallantly betwen the posts. His displays in away games such as against Wolves and Everton were particularly outstanding. From an object of ridicule and sometimes, even hate, he has settled down to show us what he's got and earned our respect - though grudging.
But he deserves the benefit of the doubt.
That we are third on the log at the moment is due largely to our away form in the league. And that form, highlighted by five wins, has been built on Fabianski's heroics between the sticks.
The unassuming Pole himself knows that he has won over not-a-few converts. In his words:
 "I think you have to use every game you have played in a positive way, even if you have played badly.  You have to always make some conclusions from every single game. Going through that difficult period helped me to become a better 'keeper".

What a change of tack from 3-4 months back at the tail end of the transfer window with rumours circulating thick and fast of Wenger's interest in Fulham's Mark Schwarzer. Indeed, Wenger wanted Schwarzer but a diffeence of opinion over his true worth, coupled with Mark Hughes' recalcitrance scuppered that deal.
Four months into the season, the Frenchman has clearly seen enough to convince him that Fabianski at least deserves a fair chance.
Which is why he isn't thinking of buying anyone at least until the summer. Further still, he has come out in praise of 'Flapianski' and his words must be sweet music to the young Pole.

"I am personally convinced he is a world-class goalkeeper, potentially, and of course when you have that potential you want to transfer that into competitive games. I can only give him the opportunity to give him games to show what I believe about how good he is. I believe he has a very strong attitude, very strong response and he works very hard in training, so he has an opportunity to show his massive talent. I have massive faith in him and I think I have shown this historically. I am convinced he will become a great goalkeeper."

'Great' may still be far off in describing him for now, but he has quietly laid the foundations for such a lofty accolade someday. Like him or hate him, he seems set to man the sticks for a long, long time time indeed.

Arsenal 2 Wigan 0

Walcott tormenting the Wigan defenders last night

We conjured a stop-start display on a very cold, cold last day of November at The Emirates, but it was enough to see off a lustreless Wigan and book our place in the last four of the Carling Cup.
Goals apiece each half by Wigan’s captain for the night, Antolin Alcaraz and Nicklas Bendtner sealed our passage and not too many Gunners would be complaining despite the lack of fluency.
Eight changes were made from the team that beat Aston Villa over the weekend as Arsene Wenger attempted to give many fringe players a game. One of such beneficiaries was Robin Van Persie, who made his first start in over three months for us. His presence in the team was vital as he needs games and match fitness to integrate himself back into the starting line-up and give the runaway and hugely-impressive Marouane Chamakh some competition.
All in all, things worked to perfection on the pitch for us and to make it even better, our path to the final in Wembley next year was made smoother with the shock 4-0 crushing of Manchester United – the only other top six side left in the competition – by wooden spooners, West Ham.


Below are the ratings for the night.
• Szczesny (7/10) – It was nice to see the restless Pole and Fabianski’s compatriot between the sticks. He oozes loads of confidence and even though he is still very much raw, the ability and talent within was apparent. He went about his job with lots of calm but even he must still admit that he is some way off from wrestling the number one shirt from either Fabianski or Almunia – if he returns.
• Eboue (5/10) – Made a surprise and superhuman return from injury just a week after being stretchered off against Braga in Portugal. He wasn’t in peak shape however as he was pulled all over the place by the lively and petite Wigan winger, Victor Moses. He was saved from further torment though when the Wigan man departed in the 39th minute with an unfortunate wrist injury.
• Koscielny (7/10) – Did well on a night that the opposing attack didn’t offer much. Whatever it was that came his way however, he dealt with it professionally. His presence contributed to then panic attack in the Wigan box that brought about the first goal – Alcaraz’s own goal.
• Djourou (7/10) – The more you see of this guy, the more you get the feeling that his Arsenal career has turned the corner. He came for Squillaci, who was reportedly nursing a knock and Johann did his growing reputation lots of credit. Helped snub the threat of Moses and later Charles Nzogbia and his aerial abilities and tackling were a delight to see. Of all our defenders however, he seems to be tops at bringing the ball out of defence and distributing. Keep it up Son.
• Gibbs (8/10) – This could easily go down as his best game for the Gunners this season. It was refreshing to see how his tackling and positional play has improved a lot. One of those chomping at the bits for games and how well he took his chance. Never shirked his duties but like his older colleague and rival, Clichy, he loves bombing forward at very chance. Kept Mario Boselli quite most of the evening.
• Denilson (6/10) – Did his usual stuff without much hassle as he filled in the boots of Song. His lack of speed and upper body strength will always count against him but he loves a crack at the ball and on an occasion like last night, he wasn’t overawed too much.
• Wilshire (7/10) - Our pint-sized, newest Premiership goalscorer ran the show in the midfield as only he knows how to do. Continously demanded the ball and used it with great wisdom and vision. Helped out with some bit of defending when needed and fell back when ever we lost the ball. But it is his attacking instincts that continue to thrill admirers and last night, he showed once more that he is on fire.
• Walcott (7/10) – Another one that needs games to break into the starting line-up and he also took his chance with both hands. Tormented the Wigan defence, particularly Thomas and Steven Caldwell who both couldn’t keep a leash on him. He it was who swung in the precise cornerkick that led to the first goal and was also involved in the second goal by Bendtner as well. He did enough to justify his place for the night.
• Vela (6/10) – Apart from the assist he laid on for Bendtner which resulted in the second goal there was nothing else to send pulse racing about him. He really flatters to deceive and is a lightweight who carries little or no goal threat. He missed several chances as well on a night when he ought to have made a firm claim for a starting shirt. Not convinced about him at all, which is why he will remain our last striking option.
• Bendtner (6/10) – Another one who failed to convince. Yes he scored the second goal but in truth, it was an unmissable chance after all the hardwork had been done and gift-wrapped for him by Walcott and Vela. He never misses a chance to talk up his abilities and impatience with life on the bench but in all honesty he can’t hold a light to Chamakh or a fit Van Persie, or even Walcott. If he delivers on his threat to quit the club, we won’t be missing him.
• Van Persie (7/10) – This was almost an occasion set up for the return of our injury-blighted beloved son and how he was serenaded all night. He showed glimpses of why he is held in high esteem and came through 70 minutes without blemish or damage. It was heartening watching him set up chance after chance for Bendtner, which the latter fluffed consistently. He played as a second striker in a withdrawn role and in fairness, considering how long he has been out, he excelled.






Subsitutes
• Eastmond (6/10) – Came on for Van Persie in the 73rd minute and it is apparent that Wenger likes him and wants to persevere with him. He is still lightweight but has the basics in his game to be a good defensive midfielder. Neat and compact.
• Nasri (6/10) – Also came on in the 73rd minute for Wilshire and by then, we were looking to wrap up the game.
• Emmanuel Thomas (5/10) – Couldn’t do much as time was against him. He came on, five minutes left before fulltime to replace Bendtner and in his case, methink Wenger should disregard the hierarchy nonsense and push him ahead of Bendtner. He carries a greater goalthreat, which you can see from his movement and that counts for much more than Bendtner or Vela can offer at the moment.

Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 4

A very difficult and unhappy week came to a resounding end with a thumping win over Aston Villa in Midlands – something we’ve not managed to do in five years. At the end of it, the result confirmed that we had the best away record in the entire division with five wins, two draws and just one loss on the road. Whao! Who would have thought all that possible despite last week’s capitulation to Spurs at the Emirates.
It was a much-needed win to exorcise the demons of the past week. It was much needed to blow away the cobwebs and bad karma from that Spurs loss and it helped restore confidence and swagger to our campaign.
Andrey Arshavin, who had been getting a much deserved pasting for lacklustre-after-lacklustre displays, set the ball rolling in the 40th minute with a solo effort after feeding off a Fabianski punt down the pitch. Samir Nasri made it two up with a sweet, sweet volley off an Arshavin (yes, Arshavin!) cornerkick.
Second half saw us pegged back in the 51st minute as our defenders stood off Ciaran Clark, who volleyed into the net beyond Fabianski. Chamakh scored his tenth of a very-successful season so far off a cute pass from Rosicky but nerves started jangling alarmingly when Clark again headed in, off a corner in the 70th minute.
We contained them though and passed it around as they couldn’t finish the job and find an equalizer. Instead, it was our own jack-in-the-box, Wilshire who popped up at the end of a Chamakh lay-off to nod in the fourth goal for us deep, deep into injury time.
It was a huge, huge win over opponents who are adept at frustrating the big clubs.


Wilshire clinches it with a cute header and his premiership bow



Below are the ratings
* Fabianksi (6/10) – Covered his lines well and has definitely dealt with the jitters and unsteady nerves, He’s not there yet, but he’s on his way to bringing some assurance and steadiness to the goalkeeping shirt. News now is that Manuel Almunia is back from injury and it will be interesting to see what happens to the Number one shirt in the nearest future. Fingers crossed over that, but Fabianksi has surely earned his spurs.
* Squillaci (6/10) – Did his usual best and kept both big John Carew and Robert Pires quiet in the first half. He had to do a lot more running though in the second half with the introduction of the speedy Nathan Delfuoneso, but he coped admirably and its quite re-assuring to see how he has dealt with the pace of the premiership. His experience is very handy.
* Koscielny (7/10) – I still like this guy despite the fact we haven’t stopped conceeding. The way the premiership is set up these days, clean sheets are a rarity and a tough task for all teams, not just us alone. But he is rugged and gives as much as he gets. Picked up a bloody nose after copping an elbow in the face from Carew but took it all in his stride to partner Squillaci well. I think its just the understanding between him and the other defenders that is lacking, cos he’s still new. With time, we’ll see a very capable defender emerging.
* Clichy (6/10) – Did his usual stuff on the wingback and supported Arshavin well. Was guilty for the first Clark goal though for standing off and giving the young Irishman too much time and space to pick his spot and shoot. Yet, on his day he remains a class act and a delight to watch.
* Sagna (7/10) – Very steady on his feet and full of running as always. Roamed all up and down the length of the pitch and must get credit for his phenomenal workrate. Will become very crucial for us as the season unfolds as he looks to have rediscovered his hunger and form that accompanied him in his first season with us three years back. Good game all round for the full-fledged Frenach international.
* Song (7/10) – Was a very prominent presence in the midfield for us. In the absence of Villa’s midfield marshall and captain, Stylian Petrov, Song bossed the middle of the park and helped us dominate the entire first half with ease. He has clearly grown in confidence with this new licence to roam and support the attack. Strong performances have become a constant brew from him and baring the odd blip, hardly ever has an off day.
* Wilshire (8/10) – I’m tempted to give him the man of the match, but that will have to go another pint-sized, pocket battle ship. Jack was full of his usual running and trickery and was virtually untouchable for much of the game. The highlight of his afternoon must of course be the 94th minute header he scored to put us out of sight and seal the game. It was also his first premiership goal for the Gunners following on his first European goal against Shakhtar Donetsk, last month. Keep it up Jack.
* Nasri (8/10) – Like good wine, this Frenchman just keeps getting better and better. He scored a cracker of a goal on the stroke of halftime and could easily have added another just before then. Very confident now and had found his mojo after a pedestrian start to his Arsenal career. The more you see of his this season, the more you love him.
* Rosicky (7/10) – The Little Mozart came into the side in place of the injured Cesc Fabregas. Did very well as he controlled proceedings and dictated the pace of the game most of the time. Set up the third goal that Chamakh scored with a fine pass and never tired of looking for spaces and angles. He may have lost his scoring boots but his passing ability remains undiminished.
* Arshavin (9/10) – He was a very different animal through the 90 minutes. Scored a very classy goal that reminded us all of his deadly abilities. Also hut the corner kick that Nasri buried with relish and continued to torment Richard Dunne and Collins in the Villa defence. Let’s all hope he’s back in full flow and at a crucial time of the season as well. For this game, he took the honours though not without some support from the likes of Wilshire and Chamakh.
* Chamakh (7/10) - Did his curriculum vitae alot of good with his tenth goal for us this season. He is a very ahndy presence in front of goal and his consistency and calmness is a big relief from the uncertainties we've endured these seasons past with Robin Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

Substitutes
* Denilson (5/10) - Came on for Rosicky to relieve the 'elder-statesman'. It was his blocked shot that allowed Chamakh to set up the clincher that Wilshire scored.
* Gibbs ( 6/10) - Came on for Nasri and helped pep up the attack., Was surprised to see him plonked upfront rather than his usual defensive duties but it is a versatility that served u well in this case.
* Djourou (3/10) - Disregdar the low ratings. He was on the pitch for only the injury time.