'Not For Sale' Signs At The Grove

Sorry for the late post today. The attraction of a golf course on a wet and windy day is not what it once was, but as I had arranged this some time back I found myself performing a zig-zag stroll across five miles of sand and water infested countryside this morning.

The bonus is that I get to comment on a couple of articles from the official Arsenal site which have appeared today. Keith Edelman is talking down the speculation concerning a potential takeover at the club. Personally I would have preferred a sabre-rattling “We are not for sale so get stuffed” to “The directors are committed to the Club and love the Club. That is all we want to say on the matter at the moment.”

For now though I think we can rest a little easier. It would be nice to hear Danny Fiszman come out with something just to put the whole sorry speculation to bed once and for all.

As the debate about pricing continues the club have also confirmed that ticket prices for next season will be pegged. As far as supporters are concerned this can only be a good thing.

The only reservation I would have at this stage would be with the line that reads ‘However, there will be some specific matches which will be designated as Category A fixtures. Details are communicated at the appropriate time’. This season the upcoming fixture with West Ham crept into the category A class, which on the face of it seemed strange. The fact that the game has sold out may encourage another one or two fixtures to slip quietly into that category and attract a thirty percent premium.

So that’s it for another day. Hopefully I will return with a late post tomorrow to bring the latest team news ahead of the fourth clash with Liverpool this season. Now where did I put that golf video?

It's so close!

Fine Raises The Bar

At last there is some news, of sorts, to comment on this morning in relation to Arsenal.

There is a degree of indignation in the air that both the Gunners and Chelsea have been fined £100,000 for their respective contributions to the world handbag throwing championships at Cardiff.

Double standards at the governing body are coming into play here as people who have criticised the small fines that have been handed out to other miscreants cry foul.

Let’s be honest, that fine will not hurt either club. It does however set the bar that little bit higher for when the next high profile incident occurs. Both clubs will be watching on with interest, assuming of course they are not involved once again.

According to a report on Arsenal News Review Ken Friar has transferred a number of Arsenal shares to Peter Hill-Wood at no cost. The quantity appears insignificant in percentage terms, but once again raises the question of just what is going on at the moment.

The media may be putting two and two together and making seven, but recent activity is certainly not designed to dampen takeover rumours. For now I will content myself in the knowledge that Ken Friar is very much an Arsenal man, and whatever he has done will have been with the best interests of the club at heart.



New 'Holic is just days away!

Hypocritical Oafs

Listening to the radio phone-ins for the last couple of days a familiar picture is beginning to emerge.

“How can we expect to win when we are playing defenders out of position?”

“The situation with the midfield is depressing. We have all these highly-rated ‘stars’ who cannot score.”

“Without the top striker we are left with forwards who couldn’t hit a cow up the backside with a banjo”

“The opposition are killing the game. All these sides who chuck ten players behind the ball are so difficult to break dowm.”

Sound familiar?

Ladies and gentlemen I give you the England supporters. Yes, that’s them, the same people who call us ‘whingers’ if we have the nerve to say anything similar about our own side.

At least we are only occasionally frustrated in the circumstances they describe. It would seem to me that England are trotting out this stuff with every passing game.

When was the last time England played well?



New 'Holic is coming...stay tuned.

Ade To-Go?

I’ve just got time for another ‘quickie’ this morning, the reasons for which will shortly become apparent. There’s just one significant Arsenal story emerging from the weekend.

Emmanuel Adebayor has been axed from from the Togolese national team following a report that he was considering his international future after he received a death threat prior to his team's match with Sierra Leone.

“Before the match, I received threats to my life warning me to play the match or else.” Said Ade. “Thank God I scored two goals in this qualifying match against Sierra Leone. I do not know what would have happened to me if I had not scored those goals.”

His two goal haul failed to mask a further dispute about bonus payments and Ade, along with two others, was dropped for “remarks made by the players before and after the match.”

Well Togo’s loss could be our gain. I’m sure most Gooners would be delighted if Ade retired from the international game to concentrate on scoring goals for Arsenal. There is some history though, and it is likely he will be back in the Togo fold before too long.

Other than that I’ve just one other thought on the furore surrounding England’s qualification difficulties in the European Championship. Do people really want to see Steve McClaren sacked? Do you really want to see him in charge of another Premiership club? I don’t think I could take watching another team coached by him infecting the top flight.

Mixed Blessings

Sorry I have not been around for a couple of days. That's not strictly true of course, I have been 'around' and working on the next move for Goonerholic. More of that over the coming days.

Just time for a quick update this morning. Congratulations to the Irish teams and Scotland, although the report card for England and Wales will read 'must try harder'. I watched the Ireland victory over Wales. I have to confess to having a soft spot for them since the O'Leary, Brady, and Stapleton days.

It's harder cheering them on now seeing that irksome so-and-so Robbie Keane doing the full range of his impassioned pleas for free-kicks, for better service, and for goodness knows what else. In whatever shirt he plays he seems to spend most of his time with his arms outstretched imploring somebody to do something for him. Maybe one day someone will put him out of his misery.

England were an absolute waste of space in Israel, but we knew that beforehand anyway, didn't we? Doubtless it will all be Arsene's fault again in the coming days. I really don't know why we don't have more home-grown talent!

With that thought in mind I want you to consider how likely it is that 'Le Boss' is about to splash over fourteen million quid on Andy Johnson. That report is in the Sunday Mirror, and has the look of a classic agent's plant. We could have signed him for little more than half that sum less than a year ago.

Enjoy your Sunday. I'm off to try and learn a little bit more about how this world wide web thingy works. Now where did I put my reading glasses?

A Quotes Day

Arsene Wenger has been talking of the frustration caused by the groin injury which ruled out William Gallas from November until last month.

“He was out for three months at a very important period of the season,” said Wenger. “For me he is very big player for us. Firstly because he is a winner and he is ready to die on the football pitch to win.

“Secondly because he is good reader of the game, good tactically and can bring a lot to this team.

“He was very unsettled by his injury and he was desperate to play and come back. It was a big, big blow to him.”

We have seen enough of ‘Billy’, both before and since his injury, to know we have acquired an extremely talented player. I hope he is now able to use the rest of the season to settle himself into the side in readiness for next season.

Preparations for next term are complicated by the speculation surrounding Jens Lehmann’s future. Jens is not exactly rushing to resolve the situation.

"I have to make a decision at some point but there is no fixed date," the 37-year-old Lehmann said ahead of Germany's Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic.

"I don't want to say anything about it. I'm linked with a new club every week...while everybody knows I am also happy at Arsenal."

I can't help but feel there is a bit of a stand-off going on. Jens doesn't want a one year deal, and is waiting to see if another 'keeper is about to arrive. Wenger won't give him a two year deal, but may not want to spend any of his limited transfer budget on a replacement. Much may depend on who becomes available, and at what price, in the summer.

Arsenal.com carried a piece quoting reserve team captain Matthew Connolly. We tend to forget that with so many of the youngsters in regular first team action, the reserves have suffered, and not just in terms of results.

"Obviously when the more experienced players are available it's good. Ours were at the beginning of the season and I remember Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott and Ashley Cole all playing for us. You learn from players like that.”

The lack of strength at reserve team level has been compounded by the various loan deals that have taken a number of our more promising players to Football League clubs.

So that’s it for today. Hopefully the Thursday press conferences will give us something more to comment on tomorrow.

Been There, Seen That!

Following on from yesterday's blog, I am still vexed by the criticism of Arsene Wenger by my peers. I have managed to satisfy myself that I'm right. See what you think of this logic.

Rewind to 1986. George Graham has just arrived and the culling of the experienced big names starts in earnest. The kids suddenly find themselves promoted. Adams, Rocastle, Thomas, Merson, Hayes and Quinn are given their head.

Few supporters are up in arms as the players who have made way are either too old, or have lost their hunger. The only controversy surrounds the sporadic appearances of the team’s talisman. Charlie Nicholas is struggling to win over the new boss. He is inconsistent yet brilliant at his best.

George is rebuilding and just about everybody is going to give him time to get it right. It helps that in his first season the lads are top of the table at Christmas. Not surprisingly they run out of steam in the second half of the season, but not before they beat Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final, and go on to get the better of Liverpool in the Final.

In year two there is inconsistency as yet more new young players are imported. A new back four takes shape with Steve Bould joining his former Stoke colleague, Lee Dixon, and Nigel Winterburn arriving from Wimbledon. Tony Adams replaces the departed Kenny Sansom as the captain. Charlie Nicholas makes way for the proven goalscoring talent that is Alan Smith.Another League Cup Final is reached, but lost.

I accept Arsene Wenger did not arrive at the start of the 2005-2006 season. I would argue however that effectively he faced the same issues as George Graham, and had already built two great Arsenal sides. He has earned the right to build a third.

Over the last couple of seasons the older heads have moved on. Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Vieira, Pires, Edu and Bergkamp were necessarily sacrificed. Cole has moved on of his own volition.

The kids have come through and yes, they have displayed some inconsistency. That is part of the learning curve they face. Still there was a Champions League Final appearance in 2006, and we were thirteen minutes from lifting the holy grail with ten men.

Almost a year on, and the new crop have reached a League Cup Final, losing not to Luton, but big-spending Chelsea. Do you really expect me to believe that Wenger will not go on to greater things with the likes of Clichy, Fabregas, Denilson, and Diaby?

In 1988-89 Liverpool started the season almost unchallenged as THE power in English football. It ended with Graham’s hungry kids claiming the title at Anfield. Do I really believe that Wenger can lead this new side to similar success in 2007-08? You can damn well bet I do.

Questioning My Religion

I enjoyed a conversation over a pint the other day with the man who runs the excellent Arsenal-Land site. He asked me if I thought Arsenal had made progress this season.

Now you will have worked out that I look at life through spectacles so rose-tinted that my eyebrows have greenfly! ‘No question’, I assured him, pointing out we had more points on the board than at this stage last season. ‘Look at the kids we have blooded in the process’.

I always seek to justify any opposing point of view. ‘The problem is it’s the first time in the Wenger era that we have not had a title challenge or Cup Final to look forward to in the closing months of the season, so the nay-sayers think we are going backwards’.

‘We’ve already been in a Cup Final’, my friend pointed out. A good point, and one that bears out my view. I trot out my belief that the critics, by virtue of age, or simply that they have jumped on the band-wagon in the Wenger decade, have never known such a flat end of term and are hitting out in an irrational fashion.

Then yesterday I see something that blows my argument out of the water. On News Now I see an article that blasts Wenger and his perceived failings. No names, no pack drill, but the reason this article sticks is that I know this guy, at least by sight.

Thirty years or so ago I used to travel to every game, home and away. More often than not this guy was also there. I recall the song we sing to Chelsea fans these days, ‘Where were you when you were shit?’ Well this guy was there with me when we were shit!

There were a couple of years in the mid-seventies when we faced an end of season battle for points at the wrong end of the table, and this guy was there. I am struggling to understand why he is being so critical of the man who has given the club so much.

So now I find I’m questioning my blind loyalty. I’m assuring myself that we have suffered injuries this season that nobody else, bar possibly Newcastle, have had to contend with. As a result we have blooded some outstanding young talent who took us past the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham in the Carling Cup, and have gained valuable experience both domestically and in Europe.

We have Champions League qualification in our grasp again. We’ve beaten United twice, Liverpool three times, and Tottenham twice. On the whole life is good, isn’t it?

I’m reminded that perception is a subjective mystery of life. We’re all different, thank goodness. I will listen a little bit more to those who disagree with me and try not to be so dismissive in my responses. But you’re wrong, you non-believers, so very wrong!

Stop Me If You've Heard This Before

What could have been a near perfect weekend turned into the worst case of deja-vu in the last minute at Goodison Park. Following late defeats to Chelsea and Blackburn, we once again hit the last gasp self-destruct button.

As usual Arsenal produced a stylish passing game with Fabregas at its hub, though in fairness Everton too showed a willingness to attack, which would have surprised those who witnessed their dour performance at the Grove, and in Manuel Fernandes they had a midfielder who would have looked at home in the red-and-white.

Arsenal clearly produced better quality build-up and more half-chances in the opening period, yet were left to rue missed opportunities by Fabregas, Rosicky, Aliadiere, Diaby, and Baptista. Having said that Everton probably had the two best chances. Lehmann had to be nimble to thwart Johnson, and Carsley hit a thunderous strike against a post.

The second-half followed a similar pattern. Aliadiere blazed perhaps the Gunners best opportunity over the top, Fabregas had a couple of long shots saved by Howard, but still it was Everton who came closest when Osman hit the woodwork.

There was a cameo appearance for Theo Walcott, who was almost immediately clutching the shoulder that requires an operation this week that will end his season. The return of Adebayor cannot come too soon. For all their efforts Aliadiere and Baptista are not prolific strikers, although both gave their all.

Just when a point each looked likely Arsenal failed to deal with a corner and Johnson lashed home at the near post between Lehmann and Hoyte. Cruel though it was Arsenal had only themselves to blame, and knew it.

It is a most frustrating time to be a Gooner. Half the side is usually missing for one reason or another and yet the quality of the football remains high. It is unfortunate, to say the least, that the three top strikers have been ruled out at such an important part of the season.

There is now another insufferable international break, and Monday morning will see a battle royal to shake off the effects of yesterdays Guinness and todays bitter. Life, I have decided, is not a bowl of cherries.

Striking Options

I am indebted to a friend for the snap of the ground at Wednesday's FA Youth Cup semi-final (thanks Dave). For those who haven't seen any coverage of the game it does give you an idea of how much space is left when you fit a Highbury-sized crowd into the Grove.

The column inches this morning are largely devoted to Arsene Wenger's comments about strikers, and two in particular.

Nicklas Bendtner, currently scoring the goals that could bring Birmingham City back to the Premiership, will be returning to the club next season. Wenger said "He is 18, strong and has a big future. He knows we want him back and he's happy about that. There is a lot of competition, a lot of good young players but if they are good enough then they will come through."

Wenger also reveals we were also in the market for Andy Johnson before he was snapped up by tomorrows opponents, Everton. Tipping the nimble hit-man to partner Wayne Rooney in an England shirt, Wenger added "You need another striker who can stretch the defence, like Johnson. I did consider him at one stage when he was at Crystal Palace but the price stopped it happening."

That begs a further question for me. Given that Johnson moved for £8.6 million does this suggest that we did not have that sum available? Was it rather that we did not value him at that figure, a pretty reasonable fee by todays absurd standards, and Arsene is just charming a man who could do us some damage tomorrow? My money is on the latter, but the way the season has panned out Johnson could have provided something for us with Henry and Van Persie missing for long periods.

That's it for now. To those of you intending to celebrate Paddy's Day I leave you with only one thought. You can never have too much of what is good for you (and Guinness is very, very good for you!)

FA Justice - An Oxymoron?

Old Holic is not a happy bunny this morning. As expected the amateurs that run the FA, having not acted on the Mourinho slur of a week ago, have charged Arsene Wenger with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute following his comments after the Carling Cup final.

The Gunners boss was asked to explain his claim "the whole system is not honest", in reference to the disciplinary procedures of the FA, and suggestions the assistant referee "lied" in his report over the brawl which marred the end of the game with Chelsea in Cardiff.

Arsenal lost Toure, Adebayor and Eboue to suspension following the melee, while the club were also charged with failing to control their players, and could be fined as a result. Strange that Chelsea have been involved in two fracas’ since that fateful day, yet further charges have not followed.

Wenger has until March 30 to respond which seems a bit odd given that he has already been asked to explain his point of view, and that explanation has led to these charges. It seems to me that they have already decided the outcome.

Also acting as judge and jury on Arsene yesterday was Raymond Domenech, the manager of the French national team who cannot do without Thierry Henry, even for the most meaningless of friendlies immediately after a World Cup campaign. Apparently Inspector Clouseau’s cousin is ‘tiring’ of Wenger. Well you’ve exhausted one of the worlds supreme talents Raymond, so don’t talk to us about ‘tiring’.

Wenger will have defender Kolo Toure available again following a three-match domestic suspension for this weekend’s trip to Everton. Alexander Hleb and Tomas Rosicky should also appear. However, full-backs Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) and Gael Clichy (hamstring) are struggling for fitness.

This would appear to be the last chance of Theo Walcott featuring as he is due to have an operation on a troublesome shoulder socket. It’s been a mixed year for Theo, but his impressive performance, and clinically taken goal, in the Carling Cup Final hints at better things for him next term.

I’m dropping the pre-approval of the comments for a trial period (i.e until the comments are filled with links to dubious pharmaceutical supplies!) Feel free to vent your spleen should that be your wish.

Have a good weekend everyone, and make sure you are wrapped up somewhere warm on Sunday night when the predicted freeze returns. Global warming my arse!

A Rare Scrappy Delight

SuperAboufragileBapandAliareatrocious! (Sorry about that, my sub-editor will be severely reprimanded).

The recent disappointments were, if not banished, certainly put to the back of the mind by the double triumph of last night.

Those who have wanted to see the Arsenal win ugly got as close as they are likely to get to their wish.

I had to chuckle at the people who bemoaned the fact that Abou Diaby's goal owed a great debt to Lady Luck. These were the same people who clamour almost daily that 'we need to shoot more, look at the number of goals Lampard gets from deflections'.

Sadly the striking partnership of Baptista and Aliadiere once again suggested that their spectacular coming together at Anfield in the Carling Cup quarter-final was just a false dawn. Aliadiere in particular squandered a couple of chances that could have made Villa's second half fightback a little less uncomfortable.

It was good to see Thomas Rosicky called on as a substitute. We will need him for the upcoming double visits to Merseyside where one has to assume we will need to do more than we did last night if we are to cement that third spot in the Premiership.

Three points are three points though, and the reclaimation of that third spot should lift spirits in and around the club. As indeed should the FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.

Kieran Gibbs goal just before the hour mark gave the Gunners an advantage to take to Old Trafford. Even more astonishing was the record gate. 38,187 were at the Grove to cheer the kids on. That's only a thousand or so less than the Premiership gates at Villa Park and Eastlands, and nearly five thousand MORE than could be bothered to traipse along to White Hart Lane for a UEFA Cup tie.

So it's a good morning for once. The feel good factor may persuade me to reconsider my self-imposed ban on betting at Cheltenham. If there is any horse with a name that holds a slender link to Arsenal it will carry the 'Holic pound as an added handicap!

No Racing Certainty

It’s a busy day for Arsenal. A trip to Villa Park provides us with a chance to bear out Arsene’s claim that ‘there is more than third or fourth place up for grabs’. It is Lord Wenger’s four hundredth Premiership game with the Gunners. Bon anniversaire, and all that.

Flamini, Hoyte, and Rosicky return to the squad, although Wenger has intimated that this may be a match too early for the latter. Three points would reclaim third place for the visitors.

My experience at Cheltenham yesterday has confirmed I should not stake the Holic pound on an entirely unpredictable fixture. Having said that please feel free to let me know if you have been tipped off about any further forty or fifty to one shots today.

Of almost equal interest is the FA Youth Cup semi-final, first leg, against Manchester United at the Grove. Apparently twenty-five thousand tickets had been sold by yesterday, meaning this game will attract a crowd in excess of a number of Premiership fixtures this season. Obviously people are taking the opportunity to grab an early peek at next years Carling Cup winners!

That’s it for now. I’ll be back, hopefully with a report on our double triumph tonight. Oh, I nearly forgot, if anybody has a number for Irina Abramovich, could you let me know. I appear to have lost it and I would really like to talk to her!

2001, A Carew Odyssey

Some football is on the horizon at last. Tomorrow nights trip to Villa Park brings to a close the longest week of the year. There are worse places to be going as we seek to extract something from a season that fell horribly flat over ten awful days.

Villa, under the highly regarded Martin O’Neill, have been as inconsistent as can be. There is little doubt though that they are slowly moving in the right direction and tomorrow will see the Gunners pitted against a nemesis from 2001.

John Carew broke our hearts with a headed winner for Valencia in the Champions League quarter-final. He will provide a real threat, particularly from set pieces.

With Chris Sutton ruled out with blurred vision, Villa have tended to support Carew with a five man midfield. The width is provided by the likes of Shaun Maloney (doubtful for tomorrow), Gabby Agbonlahor, and recently signed Ashley Young.

The combative qualities of Gareth Barry and Gavin McCann will free former Celtic creator Stiliyan Petrov to roam in midfield.

As for Arsenal, it is pretty much a case of whoever is fit or not suspended will be on the coach. The biggest question mark is over who will play up front. It’s hard to see Wenger breaking the Baptista and Aliadiere partnership. I would still like to see Henry’s ‘heir apparent’, Theo Walcott, given a chance to show what he can do in a central role, if only as an impact sub against tiring defenders.

So that’s it until tomorrow, when hopefully there will be some more squad news to mull over. For now it’s time to consult the Cheltenham form. Picking winners at the festival looks about as simple as predicting the score at Villa Park.

Oh, and one more thing. Congratulations to the daddy of Arsenal blogs, Arseblogger, on his thoroughly deserved Sports Blog of the Year award. That man has too much time on his hands!

I Don't Like Mondays

Well if Sunday was a slow news day for Arsenal, Monday has positively come to a halt. The lack of weekend action means there are no injury updates, no heated debates about conceding the first goal, and no abuse for the scapegoats of the day.

We are signing the next big thing from the Caribbean, maybe breaking employment law with our one year deals for over thirties, and Arsene is being given £20 million to spend in the summer (yawn).

At least I can spend the day researching our next opponents. We’re off to Villa Park on Wednesday and could claim third place in the Premiership. Chelsea face Manchester City on the same night, and a long overdue City triumph would certainly make the fight for second place a might more interesting.

Sunday turned into a thoroughly enjoyable day in front of the pub telly. Tottenham’s collapse at Stamford Bridge was just about what we wanted. Anything that adds to the fixture congestion for our friends in the west is ok by me.

It will be interesting to see if the FA consider Jose’s abuse of the referee to be the equivalent of questioning an assistant referee’s integrity.

An astonishing rugby weekend ended with France tamely surrendering a potential grand slam at Twickenham. Only a Plymouth comeback against Watford in the final FA Cup quarter-final could have added to the day, but it was not to be.

Time to do some paid work (and trawl the other Arsenal sites of course!). Have a good Monday all.

Indigestion

Sunday mornings are usually mixed affairs. The joy of forced labour not being required is tempered by the dull ache that attacks the head and stomach as the previous evenings food and wine begin to produce a chemical reaction in all points south.

Often the mood is lifted by reading reports of the previous days exploits. Today that comfort blanket has been removed. I am fully exposed to the weakly assembled, almost racist, drivel that passes for press comment these days.

Take Rob Hughes in the Times (I wish someone would!). "He created a team of foreigners in our land and persuaded them that they can take on the world." Ah, Wenger and his 'Johnny Foreigners' time again is it?

He continues "His very French view that there is injustice all around fuels Arsenal's purpose". So the damn foreigner dares to have a 'foreign' outlook. I wonder if it is anything to do with the fact that he comes from (whisper it!) France? Something to do with all that cheese and garlic I expect.

I don't bother completing the article. My stomach is starting to turn. I move on to Patrick Collins in the Mail. Here is a respected journo who will surely lift my spirits. Well, I do get to the end of the article, which appears to be about why Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal will not follow Manchester United's lead and appoint a British manager.

Maybe it's me, I am wondering. I am giving up hope of finding an article that doesn't put the nationality of the manager or his players above all else. I find refuge in an unlikely source.

Steve Tongue, in the Independent, has the temerity to write about the players, the defeats, the consolation to come, and the merits of the football played by Wenger's young charges. If there is one article that should be read this morning, this is it.

And safe in the knowledge that the 'fuzzy-wuzzys' are not taking over the footballing world I can now attend to the needs of my digestive system. Until tomorrow people, wherever you are.

A Quiet Friday

After all the wailing and gnashing of teeth it is now back to the Bloggers nightmare, a weekend without a game. That's not my only gripe of the day.

We now face a gap of a month without a home game between the draw (yes, we did not lose!) on Wednesday and the visit of West Ham on April 7th.. There is a fixture to be arranged with Manchester City but with an international weekend in a fortnight it is unlikely that can be squeezed in before the week of the Hammers clash.

That means our quest for third place, or better, takes to the road at Villa Park before consecutive journeys to Merseyside. I would love to meet the half-wit who programmes the fixture computer every June.

Perhaps of greater concern right now is who will be playing up front in those fixtures. We should hear later today just how long we wil be missing Adebayor for his post-card antics in Cardiff. With Robin Van Persie and Thierry Henry now seemingly neighbours on the long-term treatment table that probably means an extended run for Baptista and Aliadiere.

The issue is complicated by the operation hanging over Theo Walcott right now. I don't think I am alone in hoping he may be given a few starts up front rather than persisting with two players who may or may not be part of the set-up next season.

Further back I am beginning to wonder if Gilberto is being primed for a move into the back four a-la Frank Mclintock. There is no question that we have an abundance of riches in centre midfield at present. Diaby, Denilson, Fabregas, and Bert himself would provide a real selection poser if all were fit and on form. Switching the 'invisible wall' could be one option being considered.

So that's another week pretty much over. Whatever you have planned for the weekend I hope it goes well. Mrs Holic is talking up a trip to the leather sofa people. I don't think she'll accept the excuse that West Ham, being a grade A game, will limit the capacity of my wallet. After all, it is four weeks away.

Night Of The Long Knives

I have been pouring over the forums in the wake of the Champions League exit to PSV Eindhoven. It’s not easy, and you can see the point at which reasonable people gave up the ghost and went to bed. The lunatics took over the asylums.

In fairness it cannot have been easy being a teenage Arsenal supporter these last couple of years, never knowing what it was like to follow players of obviously limited ability to defeats at places like Peterborough, York, and Wrexham.

Younger Gooners have been brought up on a diet of three Premiership titles, four FA Cups, two European Finals and, just over a week ago, a Carling Cup Final.

For the life of me though I cannot fathom how short a memory you have to possess in order to come out with the criticism I have seen of Henry, Hleb, Lehmann, Adebayor, Clihy, and Diaby since the final whistle blew at the Grove tonight. (Not forgetting Wenger, but I’m sure that was Tottenham fans in disguise, wasn’t it?)

Let me share something with you people. Finishing fourth last season was not our lowest league placing of all time. Falling to Barcelona and PSV in the Champions League is nowhere near worse than not qualifying for Europe at all, or crashing out of the UEFA Cup to Winterslag (yes, that’s a real team and they beat us!) or PAOK Thessaloniki (them too!).

Relieved of the threat of fixture congestion there is even a realistic possibility that we will finish as Premiership runners-up this season. Certainly third place is comfortably within our grasp, and this too with an injury list that would have floored any challenge by our nearest rivals.

We have seen young talent flourish with the likes of Clichy, Denilson, Hoyte, Diaby, and Walcott impressing at various stages. We have seen Adebayor take the first steps to claiming a regular starting berth, and Fabregas, Hleb and Rosicky making a real impact in the midfield.

We now need to see our newer supporters to adopt the maturity that our brilliant young team has shown more often than not this season. We need them to understand that you cannot win trophies every year. We need them to see that Wenger is creating a third great side. It’s harder this time because new investors at Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool are moving the goalposts, but those clubs don’t have Wenger and his incredible knack of assembling great teams.

Keep the faith, and a little sense of perspective people. A year from now I’m pretty sure you will wonder why you were so upset tonight.

Talking Double Dutch

The first time I saw a Dutch team at Highbury was the great Ajax side of 1970 in the Fairs Cup semi-final. Arsenal won 3-0 at home and lost 1-0 away. That was the Ajax of Cruyff, Neeskens, and Krol. This PSV team is not Ajax.

‘Ah yes’ said cousin Clogholic, ‘but this Arsenal team does not have a John Radford to terrorise the defence in the air! For sure you have real quality, but scoring goals will be a problem for you.’

I asked Cloggy for his assessment of the present day Gunners. ‘We may be unlucky to come up against Toure and Gallas playing together. That hasn’t happened much this season, has it? You should make sure you don’t concede free-kicks around the box though because they cannot stop Farfan if he has a free shot.’

‘In midfield we are worried. Everybody knows the quality you have in Hleb, Gilberto, Fabregas, Diaby, and Denilson. We are pleased Rosicky is out. That means either Ljungberg or Diaby on the left. Ljungberg is shot, and Diaby is no winger.’

‘We are less worried about the attack. Henry is not what he was, and Adebayor is not the finished article yet. Unless you pose a threat from the midfield you will struggle to break us down.’

I point out that Arsenal are at their best when they know what they have to do. He reminds me the same can be said of the visitors. We are both nervous, sparring verbally for the confidence that eludes us both at the moment.

I am calmed slightly as he concedes Arsenal are the closest thing to the seventies Ajax he has ever seen. ‘If you are all fit and produce that total football, you will win’ he concedes.

It’s a stonking great ‘if’!

PSV On The Offensive?

The PSV game looms large in our thoughts and I am indebted to another of my continental cousins, Clogholic, for his update on the situation from Eindhoven.

‘Hey man, defensively we are in the deep doo-doo. Kromkamp, Da Costa, Reiziger, and Alcides are all out. That leaves just Alex and Salcido and Koeman will have to play reserves like Addo, Lamey, or Sun Xiang, unless he drops someone like the experienced Cocu into the back line.’

‘I know you will think I have been in the coffee shop, but there has to be a real possibility that Koeman will be forced to play an attacking formation. Certainly if Afellay passes a fitness test then our midfield and attack will be pretty much at full strength, and you have to play to your strengths, don’t you?’

I don’t know about you, but I hope ‘Cloggy’ hasn’t been at the vegetation. Koeman sides have proved very difficult to break down in the past, and if they are forced to be more adventurous that could work to Arsenal’s advantage.

More on the big game tomorrow. I cannot let the day go without congratulating the coaches of the Gunners youth teams. Who would have thought that a reserve fixture between Arsenal and Chelsea would make the news. It was good to see that a mass brawl resulted in the flashing of yellow cards rather than red. Even better that the kids are being instructed in the art of handbagging at such a tender age!

Until tomorrow, when hopefully ‘Cloggy’ will be back with his view on Arsenal ahead of the big game, adieu.

League Cup For Arsenal

For the second Monday running we can discuss a last gasp winner in a Cup Final. Thankfully this time around we have an Arsenal triumph to celebrate following Jayne Ludlow’s last minute winner against Leeds.

The Ladies Premier League Cup is now in the trophy cabinet, but the single goal victory was much closer than the five goal drubbing handed out to the same opponents in last seasons FA Cup Final.

As you will already have guessed it’s a quiet news morning for the men. We are only signing two goalkeepers according to the rumour mongers. The other significant story concerns the fitness, or otherwise, of Thierry Henry for the Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven.

Only Arsene Wenger and Henry himself will know the extent of the injury, and we have to trust them to come up with the correct decision between them.

I spent some time in the pub yesterday (no surprise there for those who know me!) to check on the Lancashire and London derbies. Bolton’s defeat at home to Blackburn owed much to an eagle-eyed linesman and makes Arsenal’s quest for Champions League qualification more secure. The last-day drama of May should be avoided this time around.

West Ham’s capitulation was less enjoyable. I have seen little of the Hammers this season. Obviously they produced battling performances to take the points from both ourselves and Manchester United at Upton Park this season. Yesterday they pressed the self-destruct button in spectacular fashion.

I’ve heard the TalkSport take on what is going on in East London this morning. Because I do not have access to the lawyers they do, I will not be repeating the allegations. Clearly all is not well in the camp.

That’s Monday out of the way. Let’s hope there is more positive news to report as the week progresses.

Bap Rolls Over Reading

I suppose I am not alone in my sense of relief this morning. Reading have been stubborn opponents to many this season but thankfully offered little yesterday, apart from a late rally that caused a few flutters.

The major surprise was that the margin of victory was not significantly higher. The hosts produced some wonderfully fluent football in the opening half yet were let down by some profligate finishing. Offender-in-chief was Cesc Fabregas, denied by his touch in the opening minute, and guilty of missing a gaping open goal just before the half-hour mark.

Fabregas was not alone in his wastefulness. Freddie Ljungberg also had a golden chance to give Arsenal a deserved lead but the Swede, having been released by an improved Julio Baptista, struck his shot too close to Marcus Hahnemann

The breakthrough was not long in coming after the break. Gael Clichy showed Bikey a clean pair of heels, which the Reading defender duly clipped. From the penalty spot Gilberto Silva, having missed his last spot-kick at the Reebok, calmed nerves. One-nil to the Arsenal.

The lead was doubled when the rampaging Baptista (above) bundled his way through, rather than around, Murty and clipped in a cool finish. This will have done the Brazilian’s confidence no harm whatsoever.

With the game seemingly over, Reading suddenly came to the fore. Steve Sidwell headed over from a corner and then shot wastefully wide from close range, before Fabregas completed a mixed performance by diverting a corner into his own net.

That set up a tense finale and mad Jens had to be at his brilliant best to deny former Gunner Sidwell one last time. A much-needed three points were secured, and with Liverpool dropping all three the Gunners now sit a point off third place with two games in hand.

Bring on Eindhoven.

El Sid Returns

You could be forgiven for forgetting that Arsenal are facing two critical home games given the furore surrounding the fall-out from the Carling Cup Final. Arsene Wenger can expect to be hammered by the FA for telling the truth, and Eboue has received a thoroughly earned three match ban. Messrs Lampard, Drogba, and Essien are breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Anyway, it’s the next few days that should occupy our thoughts as the remainder of the season could be shaped at the Grove. Reading arrive tomorrow fresh from their own FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United with a ‘rotated’ team.

We should not be lulled into a false sense of security by the four goal drubbing handed out to them at the ‘Mad Stad’. We scored early and unlike United on Tuesday we did not take our foot off the gas. Reading were possibly distracted by the controversy surrounding their meeting with Chelsea the previous week, an awful coincidence hopefully.

Mad Jens and little Cesc are set to return, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who would like to see Theo Walcott given at least some time in a striking role against the twin towers of Ingimarsson and Bikey. One of the positives to draw from last week is that he would appear to be the one possible starter with the ability to finish in the box. His pace and trickery could embarrass the visitors back four.

Reading will be without Bobby Convey, Ibrahima Sonko and Peter Mate, who are all out for the season with knee injuries, but manager Steve Coppell has all four strikers to choose from. If the Royals’ boss goes with a 4-4-2 formation, as expected, then Dave Kitson could partner Leroy Lita in attack.

Coppell is also likely to start with Steve Sidwell and James Harper in the heart of the midfield. The two former Gunners youngsters have won many admirers this season, and Wenger’s admiration for Sidwell is well documented.. Cesc and Gilberto will need to be on top of their game to secure the upper hand in this critical area.

My oft-lost pound is going on a narrow 2-1 home win, referee and his assistants permitting. Don’t be surprised though if we have to come back from a goal down yet again!