The Rust Following the Rest

It's never easy relinquishing the lead to Manchester United, especially while playing so toothlessly in the process. Theo looked painfully out of his depth, Adebayor worked hard to produce little, Diaby's inconsistency continues to leave me totally confused, while Fab and Hleb weren't able to provide their stamp of authority on the match. I've noticed it for a while now and it looks like people are really starting to talk now about Cesc's dip in form from the early-season highs he experienced.

Fans, journalists, and bloggers are no doubt starting to question our title credentials with a performance like Saturdays, especially when juxtaposed to Manyoo's the same day. I'm not worried though. The season is long and United will drop points as sure as the sun will rise. We're coming off a long rest which saw us looking rusty. Arsene called it the most disappointing performance of the season, or something to that effect. It would be easy to roll your eyes at that if you saw the Newcastle or Middlesbrough matches, but let's remember that when Arsene speaks to the media, he's mainly speaking to his players. The Boro match is the distant past, and I imagine him motivating them for the here and now using this most recent result. We'll bounce back, no question: This is a relatively easy month in terms of fixtures, and what better way to do that than to play Fulham? Every season is full of peaks and valleys and I'd rather have it be now than in major cup ties or league fixtures.

Short of "Why doesn't Arsene buy players?," a couple of other lingering questions leave me perplexed. Why, for all our possession and attacking, can we not put more shots on goal? And why is no one capable of putting in a good cross? Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased as hell to find us where we are in January: near the top and challenging in three cups. But these are fundamental elements of football, and they seem sorely lacking in our side. Perversely, I find myself especially appreciating these things while watching other matches.

On the bright side, Almunia, Gallas and Flam were their reliable selves, and without this solid spine, things could be a lot worse. The natives are growing restless with Theo it seems, and honestly I can see why. But with his equalizer against Sp*rs last week, however fluky, he's in my good graces for the time being.

In the end, I'm not at all troubled by one lousy game after a long layoff for the first team. But it's gut-check time, to see if this squad can dig deep. How badly do they want the league? This weekend will go some way toward answering that question.

By Adam Elder

Big fishes, small ponds, and all that…

A very happy Wednesday morning to yourselves and all things red. It’s not as shitty this morning as it was yesterday thank f*ck. But still, where’s the sun? I would have thought after all the wet weather we got in the summer; January might be the hottest month of the year, just too maybe even it’s self out a little – The Bastard!

No midweek fixture this week, so our first team has yet more time off, something of which proved a little costly at home to Birmingham Saturday. As much as big named players need rest, there is the possibility they can have too much time off, losing there rhythm and looking disjointed a little. The apparent starting 11, minus one or two, were a little off the pace, and quite frankly thought Birmingham would be a bit of a walkover. Oh how they should have known, a side managed by Alex McLeish containing one or two former Gooners wouldn’t be by any stretch of the imagination. As they proved the last time they were in North London! – *Queue Sniggle* – Tee Hee!

Still, we shouldn’t dwell on past results and were not the type to do so. I think Cesc, Hleb and a few of the others will be out this weekend to put things right, and I honestly think we will pull Fulham’s pants down, and give them one hell of a spanking, in there own back yard – and why shouldn’t we, were more then capable?! Hopefully Fulham will score first, thus guaranteeing away victory. After Man Usa’s win against the Geordie's put them top Sunday, it would be nice for us to have a win of similar conviction, and why not do it away from home this weekend. A 4-1 would be nice, 5 even better. Wishful thinking I hear one or two of you say sure – but it’s by no means impossible. Hopefully we have Rosicky back after he missed the Birmingham game due to a poorly tummy… there there… a koochy koochy koo. I expect him to be starting Saturday after consuming his weight in Calpol this week – all four spoonfuls of the stuff mind you. One guy were still unsure about is the illustrious Robin Van Persie, who’s last few seasons have been hampered with injuries. Comeback after comeback has proven difficult for the Dutchman so far this season – in his defense though, every “comeback” game he’s played, he’s still looked different class. His touch and vision have never deluded him. When you are that good, and I rate him hugely, you don’t lose any of your qualities. Van Persie will prove a major asset from now till the end of the season if we can get him fit. His creativity and ability to pull something out of nothing could be the difference between finishing first and finishing second.

Touching on some news from in and around the club, and Proff is “hopeful” that Mathieu Flamini will sign a new deal for the club at some point before his current deal expires at the end of this season. I have to be honest and say that so far the whole situation is worrying me a little. There’s no question Flamini has more then established himself in the starting 11, every single game, when fit. For me he’s been like a new signing for us, providing the sort of strength and character we have missed since the sale of Vieira. There’s no question Cesc has formed a partnership with him, and both compliment each others game perfectly. The fact the club are willing to let Lasagna Diarra go, and possibly Gilberto in the summer, show how much PW-H rates Flamini, wants him to stay, and values him as an integral part of the first team – So Flamini… PUT PEN TO PAPER AND SIGN THAT DEAL!! … and if he does, I swear I will get a special tribute Flamini shirt printed up in time for next season!! There, I said it, done! … and you lucky readers have the pleasure of playing witness to my shout.

Transfer speculation, and Lasagna “The Head” Diarra, looks like he’s on his way to Portsmouth after a tepid 5 months at Arsenal – as much potential as he has, he clearly hasn’t heard of “fighting for your place”, even “biding your time”, or “Flamini shits on the face of you and your mother and there’s no chance were dropping him”. Yes you start for France, but Flamini plays for Arsn’l. Diarra has gone from two of the biggest head honchos around, screwed it up and gone onto Portsmouth. I mean no disrespect to Pompey, but that shows the level of what he’s aiming to become. Big fishes, small ponds, and all that…

In terms of players in, I think it’s safe to say we won’t be making any high profile purchases. Youngster after starlet, Whiz kid after budding young superstar we have been linked with though. From Bulgarian wingers and African strikers, to Spanish goalkeepers and er, Gillingham?? You all know the stories anyway, there all budding about in the tabloids, blog's and forums elsewhere – my hunch is that were sign that Luke Freeman of the mighty Gills for a small compo fee.

I shall finish on a small statement – Hands up if you purchased one of the 4500 Milan away tickets last week! OOOOOOOH YEEEEEEAAH ;)

Until next time, keep it red.

By Scott Davis