Hey everyone. Andy here after an extremely long hiatus.

Rather than blabber on about why the blog hasn’t been updated — work, work and more work for both Mark and I — I’ll get straight to the point.

I’m back and I’m going to be blogging about the last seven games of this season. The seven games that will decide whether we manage to nab an automatic Champions League spot and whether we get to snigger, giggle or howl with laughter at Spurs.

Things are tight at the top at the moment, no doubt. After a run of seven straight wins we hit an inevitable bump at QPR that has brought us back to reality.

The response to the defeat, one of disappointment and panic, was understandable given the nature of the performance and the quality of our opponents. We were drab, mistake-strewn and unprofessional.

But looking at the table you can see a loss is no big deal. Our tendency this season has been to win games or lose them. Very rarely do we draw.

In fact, despite sitting in third place we have lost more games than any team in the top six. The trick is that we’ve also won more games than the three teams below us.

We all know (Tottenham, in particular) how quickly a five-point gap can be eaten up but my feeling is that our handy lead over fifth-place Chelsea will prove decisive.

A loss to Manchester City — an unexpected outcome given their poor recent form and our rather good recent form — would undoubtedly cause significant panic, but a fairly simple run to the finish line (including a home game against Chelsea) leaves the power in our own hands.

Playing City at home is going to be interesting. We were desperately unlucky to come away without a point in the reverse fixture at their place and with both sides having so much to play for, it could be a tense affair. An early goal would certainly spice things up but it’s anyone’s guess as to who might strike first.

Anyway, I’ll be back in the near future with another post. In the meantime, here’s a picture of Thierry Henry looking happy in New York.

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A five goal turnaround sealed an emphatic win for Arsenal today, sending Gooners the world over into a boss-eyed frenzy of jubilation while fans of Tottenham returned weeping to their caves.

By no means was it tantamount to a cup final but on the one year anniversary of the Carling Cup debacle there are some parallels to be drawn. A loss today would have compounded a dreadful week for Arsenal. Effectively out of two cups and stranded in the league, it would have been a hammer blow for the collective moral of the team, much like the effects of that game one year ago today where our form spiralled into freefall and arguably is still in a chaotic state. Where’s the consistency in a 7-1 win against Blackburn followed by a no show in Milan?

Yet our level of resilience, drive and team spirit today is the kind of inspiring performance that could have the inverse effect to that of the Birmingham game. Now I’m sat here believing we can get five against Milan. And why not? If we play with such tenacity again, it’s not such an outlandish claim.

Rosicky’s goal is a perfect example of how we can change simple things for the better. Looking back at the replay we had five men in the box, four of which were running at speed toward the goal. This is what we used to do to devestating effect but have stopped doing this year. The slight deflection for the cross off the defender was fortunate but that’s football. You can’t score if you don’t shoot and if you don’t attack you never will.

Talking of which, we had a lot of shots today, again something we don’t do often enough. Our level of creation was phenomenal; a little bit of urgency and movement can help this team pay dividends. The quality is not vintage Wenger but there’s enough there that if we maintain this sort of team play and desire, then we have a base to build on again.

In the years when Spurs couldn’t buy a win against us it was almost expected that we would win or at the very least not lose the North London derby. So what made today all the sweeter was the fact that this is the best Spurs team in over two decades against our worst team in fifteen years. And we spanked them.

Two years flies by when you're beating the scum.

My stream cut me off before I could see who got the official man of the match but I’ll hazard a guess it was the little Czech midfielder.

On a personal note I’m chuffed to bits for him. Before his spell of injuries Rosicky was a really strong player for us, scoring some beautiful goals–one curling effort against Liverpool and a long range screamer in the Champions League stick out in the memory–before his efficacy started to wane as his injury problems started to rise.

Not too long ago reports were circling that his wife lost their unborn baby and who knows how something like this affected his game. Sometimes people forget that players are people too. Yet he never showed a lack of desire and after two years without a goal he got a decisive one to make it 3-2 and the emotional look on his face as he wheeled away epitomised our team spirit today.

There was so much to talk about after the match: bad defending, Theo’s frustrating inconsistancy, Robin’s brilliance, more bad defending; so maybe I’ll do some more posts in the next couple of days after the elation has subsided and we can look at things a little more objectively.

For now, let’s just bask in what was a memorable game and hopefully a turning point in terms of our general performance.

And finally, let’s all laugh at Tottenham.

ha ha

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Please excuse the lack of activity since the last post, you see I’ve only just finished a self-imposed media embargo so I could concentrate without distractions on banging my head against the wall.

Once again in a very short time frame we’ve self-combusted, thrown in the towel in a pathetic fashion and exited two competitions, one I feel we had a realistic chance of winning, the other the Champions League which at a most basic level is just plain nice to be a part of. At least it is when we don’t record our heaviest loss in the competition it is.

Since then the Emirates cogs have been ticking over, providing Gooners with much food for thought both on and off the pitch. Arshavin, Ju Young Park, Yossi Benayoun and Marouane Chamakh all played for the reserves a few days ago against Norwich. The little Russian nabbed a brace, Park and Yossi played excellently by all accounts getting a goal each, and starlet Benik Afobe scored to round off a 5-0 victory.

One of our most expensive ever signings scores against a 'keeper no one's ever heard of in a reserve game.

Looking at the positives here, this was an opportunity for these fringe players to vamp up their confidence with an easy run out. It’s just so hard to believe that a year ago Andrey got the winner against Barcelona, Chamakh’s dip in form was deemed temporary, and Benayoun and Park were names few would have thought would ever be wearing an Arsenal jersey.

Elsewhere deep inside the Arsenal vaults, the fat cats have released a statement regarding ticket prices for next year. Nobody knows if their initial plan was to hike them up further–they have a record of breaking promises–but they haven’t, and they might be cursing the rotten form of the playing staff for effectively backing them into a corner.

There’s just no way they could justify–to what is already a pretty peeved mob–yet another increase in tickets after the recent run of games. So as it is, there’s a freeze on normal tickets for the 2012/13 season, whilst Club Level prices increase by roughly 2%. Let’s see how loyal  the “prawn sandwich brigade” are when it’s FC Klashnikov 74 in the Europa League and not Barcelona coming into town.

Yet we’ll only be playing such ridiculously named Europa League outfits (I made it up by the way) if we finish just outside the top 4, which, yet again, has become a polished turd that Arsene and the board are trying to reward us with  as a sign of a successful season, namely because it’s the best we can hope for.

But it’s not. Finishing 4th is not a success or a victory. It’s natural to want to finish as high as possible but actually winning something, that’s a real success.

Those voicing concerns that we won’t be able to hold onto our best players nor will be able to keep signing the best players if we exit this entirely made up top 4 power group might need to look back over the last few years to see that ultimately it doesn’t matter, at least where Arsenal are concerned. Our best players have continued to leave us (mostly for the lure of more cash) and the best players have continued to ignore us (mostly for the lure of more cash).

It points to the fact that most modern day footballers follow their wallets. And yes we can and should overhaul our financial dealings but the sad fact is that no matter what we offer there are other clubs that can simply offer more. What can change however, is our football style and mindset, but that’s a job for Arsene right now as he’s the one in charge.

And this really sticks in the throat to admit it but one only need look at Tottenham to see how unimportant 4th place is. Their ascent up the table to media labelled “title challengers” was all achieved with only one previous top four finish. They might have spent cash, but it seems to have spent within their means. The difference is, they’ve bought well and are playing confidently–two things we simply haven’t been doing recently–without needing 4th place to act as some sort of prerequisite.

*washes mouth out with soap*

That all links nicely to the final part of this post: Spurs. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a big deal. For the first time in almost two decades they’re coming to our ground with a swagger that suggests they don’t think they’re going to win. No, they think they’re going to batter us. If we are going to start moving up the league and finishing as high as we can, then we need to erase the last few games from our minds and start playing for the pride in the shirt. There’s not much else left to play for. And there’s no better time to show that then in front of our own fans on Sunday.

That cannon on our chest is there for a reason. It’s there to obliterate little cocks that stand on basketballs.

Come on the Arsenal

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Business doesn’t stop just because the transfer window is closed, and as such there’s been some tasty news morsels emanating from the Emirates this week.

First off, master of the cheeky chip Carlos Vela has spoken out about his desire to stay in Spain. Currently playing for Real Sociadad and fresh off from scoring against Barcelona, Vela was asked about his future, to which he responded, “I would stay at Real. It is too early to talk about these issues but I do not close the door to Real. As I said, I’m happy here and would like to help the team stay up. Then we’ll see what happens in the summer.” 

Since coming to North London in 2005, Vela has made more than twice the amount of appearances for loan clubs as he has Arsenal, and in six years has joined four different teams on short term deals. Unlike Wilshere, Coquelin, and Szczesny who all spent just one year away on loan, Vela doesn’t seem to be able to hold down a spot in the first team and probably sees a brighter future permanently away from Arsenal.

Essentially, Wenger took a chance on one of the brighter stars of the young Mexican golden generation, it didn’t work out, and so it looks like he’ll be off in the summer. Good luck Carlos, and thanks for the classy chip memories.

While one young gunner looks certain to be departing this summer, another has made a commitment to extend his contract and fight for his place in the team.

Speaking to a French newspaper who revealed the extension of his deal until 2015, Johan Djourou said about the squad and his chances,”The competition is enormous. I work in the shade while waiting for another chance to show my potential.”

Funky French translation aside, the message is pretty clear and good on him. It’s welcoming to see a player not happy to rest on his laurels and willing to fight for his spot on the team sheet, especially when we have at least two centre halves keeping him out of the squad right now on merit. Let’s hope he puts that belief  into practice.

Finally, captain van Persie gave a massive vote of confidence to Theo Walcott after the Blackburn game, going so far as to claim that one day the rapid winger will regularly notch 20 goals a season. “Trust me, he will score. He will get 20 goals at least every season. You will see. Have faith in him.” 

After checking his paltry goal tally for this season and having the fear of God put into him by the captain’s sound bite, Theo was quick to respond and play down expectations. “One of my main jobs as a winger is to get assists. The goals are a secondary thing.”

It’s hard to argue with Theo’s point, after his trio of assists against Blackburn he’s now level with Nasri, Nani and Bale in the assists table. Still, it’s also difficult to disagree with Robin’s prediction when you look at Theo at times. He’s one of the fastest in the league and when he does score it’s usually with aplomb. But those instances are too sparse in comparison with the amount of chances he spurs.

His overall game needs to improve; he looks at his most effective when a great midfield pass has done half the work for him and he doesn’t have to beat a defender.

Robin’s words sound like the stuff of a captain trying to support his player. But if Walcott works hard and grows in confidence I think he has all the attributes and skill to be that 20 goal a season man.

One step at a time Theo (just remember to put one leg in front of the other when you’re doing it).

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PS Thanks for all the questions for Per and big kudos to those who wrote theirs in German, we’re doing it in Per’s native tongue so you saved me some translating work.

BAM! You know what that sound was? The emphatic closing of the transfer window. And pfffffffffffft–that was the sound of Arsenal fans everywhere sighing.

There was much hope surrounding this window that Wenger would attempt to strengthen the squad, and after a January that saw us pick up zero Premier League points you’d think our backroom staff would be working double shifts trying to bring in some talent.

All that did happen was the signing of 19 year-old German attacking midfielder Thomas Eisfelder, whose seemingly only Youtube video is up on the AFCB Facebook wall if you want to have a look.

My lack of enthusiasm surrounding this transfer has nothing to do with the kid, hopefully he turns out to be a quality investment and maybe he’ll feature this year, only time will tell. Yet the dampened mood is back because we didn’t make an impact signing. Whatever you think of him now do you remember how awesome it felt when we signed Arshavin?

Willkommen! Arsenal new boy, Thomas Eisfeld.

There are silver linings to every cloud and I don’t think there’s too much cause for concern. This season started awfully–our worst start for 50 years–but after Wenger’s transfer rampage on the final day of the last window, we regrouped, strengthened in areas that needed it and went on a solid run that saw us enter the top 4. That run and form only came to an end after the injury curse struck again, which in turn is responsible for our recent run of bad form and tired, overworked legs.

I’m going to refrain form using the words “like” and “new signing” but important players are coming back. Sagna and Arteta made their playing returns in the game against Villa and news came out today that Gibbs had a successful training session.

Add to that the imminent return of Andy’s favourite forehead Gervinho and Chamakh from the African Cup of Nations, and all of a sudden our squad doesn’t look so threadbare, so all is not bleak. (Yes I do realise I put Chamkh in that list of hopefuls but I’m praying some warm weather did him good and he comes back rejuvenated.)

So, our actual business for the window looks like this:

INS: Thierry Henry (loan from New York Red Bulls), Thomas Eisfeld (£600,000 from Borussia Dortmund).

OUTS: Emmanuel Frimpong (loan to Wolves), Vito Mannone (loan to Hull), Luke Freeman (undisclosed to Stevenage), Sead Hajrovic (loan to Barnet), Sanchez Watt (loan to Crawley), Rhys Murphy (loan to Preston), Daniel Boateng (loan to Swindon), Ryo Miyaichi (loan to Bolton).

All the best to Luke Freeman with his future career who came to Arsenal with much promise but now leaves for Stevenage. Other than Frimpong who’s fast becoming a fan favourite wherever he goes, my pick of the bunch from our loaned-out players is Ryo Miyaichi. The much hyped Japanese kid needs some playing time and he won’t get it this season with the amount of experienced wide players we’ve got and the buzz surrounding the Ox. Hopefully a spell at Bolton will be as beneficial to him as it was for Wilshere who did the same loan deal, and will see him come back primed for the rigors of the Premier League.

Other than that there’s a big rumour doing the rounds that Arshavin is wanted by Russian outift Anzhi Makhachkala. The Russian transfer window goes on for another couple of weeks so we’ll hear more about that later on.

On a personal note I’m glad the window’s over and we can get back to concentrating on the football again. We’re away to Bolton tomorrow and after everyone around us in the league picked up points in tonight’s fixtures we need to make sure we do the same tomorrow.

How was your transfer window experience? Let me know by leaving a comment.  художник на икони

The first month and a half of the season perhaps couldn’t have gone any worse for Arsenal, as they won only two of their first seven Premier League matches and suffered defeats at the hands of Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham.

However, the last month and half perhaps couldn’t have gone any better for the Gunners, as they’re on a five-match win streak in the Premier League and with Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, have sewn up top spot in their Champions League group.

Can they keep the hot streak going into the new year? Momentum and confidence are certainly on their side, but it won’t be an easy ride.

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Arsenal in the Premier League

By virtue of their five wins on the trot, Arsenal are back in the thick of the race for a place in the top four. And if their fine form continues and a few results elsewhere go their way, they could find themselves back in the title race at the start of the new year.

There’s a good chance that it will indeed continue, as the Gunners’ slate for the next several weeks is a favorable one.

That being said, there are a few tests that will help determine just how good of a position Arsenal are heading into the second half of the season. First, Arsenal go to Manchester for a Sunday showdown with Premier League leaders City on 18th December, with the match kicking off at 4:10 pm BST.

Roberto Mancini’s side is currently 12 points ahead of seventh-placed Arsenal, but before the Gunners come to town, City have to deal with a couple of tough away ties against Liverpool and Chelsea.

If Arsenal can make it through December with their hopes and ambitions still very much intact, they must ensure that they don’t trip at the first hurdle that 2012 offers up, a tricky away tie against Fulham on 2 January, with kickoff at 5:30 pm BST.

The Cottagers have been poor in the Premier League thus far, perhaps due to the added workload of Europa League football, but there’ve been some unpleasant visits to Craven Cottage for the Gunners in recent seasons, so even if Arsenal do come away with the three points, it likely won’t be a stroll.

Arsenal in the Champions League

With their win over Dortmund, Arsenal not only clinched a place in the round of 16, they also clinched top spot in Group E. It’s worth noting that they’re the only English team who will go into the final group matchday breathing easy, as Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea all positioned precariously.

Still, the Gunners’ group finale on 6 December, an away match against Olympiakos that kicks off at 7:45 pm BST, won’t be taken lightly, even if they have no round of 16-related worries to deal with.

There’s no doubt that Arsene Wenger would like to see his side finish the group stage unbeaten and on a high, and Marseille and Borussia Dortmund, who face off in Dortmund on matchday six, would no doubt like to see Arsenal put their best foot forward in Greece. Marseille surprisingly lost at home against Olympiakos on Wednesday, which leaves both second place and the Europa League consolation prize up for grabs heading into the final round of matches.

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I know, I know. It has been a long time since I last posted.

But I assure you, I have a good excuse. I really do.

It’s not that the team has been playing so badly that I have given up on them.

It’s not that I’m feeling disconnected with the realisation that this season the league title is nothing more than a pipe dream.

This isn't going to end well...

It’s not that Bacary Sagna’s broken ankle provided the stark realisation that we have been left with a defensive unit about as cohesive as , sending me into a spiraling depression that culminated with a two-week hospitalisation in a mental health unit.

No, siree.

It’s simply the fact that I’ve moved house.

Not just down the road either, but all the way back from Berlin in Germany to Brisbane in Australia.

After 15 months abroad traveling and enjoying the delights of watching football at a reasonable hour,  I’m back to 2am visits to the Pig ‘n’ Whistle to watch my beloved Arsenal.

It’s been a long couple of weeks of packing, shopping, painting walls, cleaning, drinking beers, saying goodbye and settling back in.

Unavoidably and understandably, the Arsenal FC Blog has suffered as a result.

But I’m back now and that means we can talk football again.

I’ve also got a few interesting little things to talk in the near future. A new shirt design and some other things that I’m very excited about.

Yay! And hello to you all again!

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Just thought I’d open a post for you guys to share news, discuss rumours and get chatting about Transfer Deadline day.

Per Mertesacker, Park Chu-young and André Santos have already been confirmed. Who’s next?

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It is with great regret that I bring you the news that former Arsenal Football Club director, Danny Fiszman, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 66 after a long battle with cancer.

Danny’s legacy at the club is monumental: he was the driving force behind our move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium.

Danny Fiszman passed away on Wednesday

A well-respected and forward-thinking man who has been on the board since 1992, Danny’s outstanding work for the club has been recognised by the renaming of the South Bridge, near the iconic ‘ARSENAL’ letters at Emirates Stadium, to The Danny Fiszman Bridge. As a side note the North Bridge, which joins the stadium to Drayton Park, has also been renamed to recognise the work of Fiszman’s colleague Ken Friar.

Those who have been following the Arsenal takeover situation carefully will know that Fiszman’s deteriorating physical condition was the major reason behind Stan Kroenke’s acquisition of the former director’s stake in the club. With seven games still to play in the season it was hardly the ideal time for a boardroom change, but some things in life cannot be predicted and key decisions had to be made.

Following Danny’s passing Arséne Wenger had the following to say about his contribution to the club:

“I will remember Danny as a forward-thinker, a man who was very brave and who did fight until the last minute and was always a very influential person at every board meeting. He was one of the very intelligent men behind this Club and the development of this Club. He was very instrumental in all of [the stadium move] and in all the practical work, all the negotiation work, the relocation of all the businesses, the planning permission. There was a team, Ken Friar and Danny Fiszman, who did all of that. It is very fair to say the Club wouldn’t be where it is today without Danny Fiszman.”

So today we remember the wonderful work of a man who truly loved the Arsenal Football Club.

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One: Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby had an altercation in the changing room at half time of the game against Blackpool as a result of the Frenchman’s needless first-half booking for kicking the ball away.

Two: Jack Wilshere said that Jens Lehmann was so vocal and passionate on Sunday that it was like having an assistant manager on the pitch.

Three: Johan Djourou is back in full training and Wojciech Szczesny is set to return against Liverpool this weekend.

That is all.

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