I meant to write this before the game on Saturday. Then after. Unfortunately more boring matters got the better of my time. However i'm back in blog-writing mood, handily just before another dull two week international break, but still a couple of important games to go before then.
Tonight we face AZ in the Champions League and victory here would pretty much wrap up our qualification for the next stage. Going on previous encounters with Ronald Koeman's teams I wouldn't expect a high scoring affair, but let's just hope we get the points which will take the pressure off for the last two games.
I know I keep banging on about injuries and luck with injuries but with a squad as thin as ours in key positions our success this season will depend massively on our luck in this department. So it is slightly worrying that we are back up to nine on the injury front after it seemed to be easing. Gael Clichy is out for at least a month with a back injury, but knowing Arsenal I would be surprised to see him before Christmas. No major headaches there as Gibbs is a more than capable deputy and I think it will be good to give him a run in the team where he can hopefully show Clichy that he has a fight on his hands for the left back spot. Also Traore is due back any day now from the groin strain he has been suffering with.
Slightly more worrying is the injury to Bendtner. Not only is it a recurrence of the injury that kept him out recently but it leaves us slightly short of options in attack, especially in games where we need a bit more of a physical presence among our forwards. RvP is in fine form at the moment but alternatives to him in the central striker role are Eduardo and...that's it really. Walcott and Vela are also injured so we must hope that RvP stays healthy and in top form.
It says much about RvP's transformation that he is now considered one of our most important players. Obviously Cesc would also fall into this category but more surprising is the fact that even with a fully fit squad I am not sure we could cope without Alex Song. His form has improved dramatically in the past year or two and he was immense on Saturday. With Cameroon qualifying for the African Cup of Nations we will have to do without him for most of January and goodness knows how. Perhaps Wenger will dust off the chequebook.
The other area where we are vulnerable in the event of any injuries is the centre of defence. Tommy V and Gallas have been superb so far this season and the cover for them is not good. I'm not sure who would be first up but either way it is not a nice thought.
Anyway enough about injuries, what else is happening?
Abou Diaby, who had a bit of a torrid time on Saturday despite the great result, speaks on Arsenal.com here and here.
One of the few negatives from Saturday, his performance was a major disappointment. But as I said earlier in the season, one of his targets will be to stay fit and surprisingly he has done that. He has scored three goals in 13 starts from midfield. And he is only 23. But he hasn't really taken his chance if you ask me. I would prefer neat and tidy midfield performances rather than sloppy, wasteful ones with the odd goal thrown in. There is still probably a month until Denilson even gets back to training so Diaby still has a chance to cement a place in the first team. I find Abou the most frustrating member of the squad. He can show some lovely touches on the ball, great turns and nice moments but then dwindle on the ball on the edge of our box and give the ball away. Hopefully more minutes on the pitch can erase these lapses.
Wenger gives an interesting interview here to CNN.
And that's about it. I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with Arsenal through to the Champions League last 16. Enjoy the game.
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