The Waiting Game

The fall-out from the Carling brawl continues as the FA delay and procrastinate, so no surprise there then. I think we all know what we can expect. Adebayor lost all chance of justice with his reaction to his red card and will be caned for an official’s mistake.

We continue to wait for the most important news to emerge from the Highbury treatment room. Diaby, we know, is ‘gone in the fetlock’, but how badly? The guy’s quality shone through at the Reebok, and again on Sunday. We need him. Get well soon Abou.

Arsene is now rightly concerned about what sort of side to put out at Blackburn on Wednesday. With an important Premiership clash against Reading less than seventy hours later I think we can expect a ‘squad’ team.

"I cannot say now what team I will field at Blackburn," the Arsenal manager said. "I just wish we did not have to do it because it is certainly not a dream place for us to go.

"There is a danger when making changes, but I can say as well that I made eight or nine at Bolton in the last round and it worked. It's the mystery of management but I still don't know enough about it.

"You never can predict how human beings are and what kind of wave the team is on.

"Whatever happens I know we will adapt. We have the squad to cope with it, but you never know how human beings will react."

The problem facing Wenger is only too clear. His ‘squad’ players are those currently in the best form. Blackburn may just prove to be an easier task than the visit of the Royals.

Finally, a little information for Jose. When you have three Premiership titles and four FA Cups behind you, then you can start having a pop at your peers for winning nothing, you odious little creep. (And you will still be out of order!)