Celtic Preview

Champions League time and a visit to Celtic for the first time in a competitive match. In fact, it is the first competitive fixture against a Scottish club in any European tournament. Which is nice. The performance at Everton will have boosted confidence as I am sure Celtic’s cruise to victory on Saturday at Pittodrie will have done.

Previous seasons have seen Arsenal cruise through at this stage. It is hard to envisage such a comfortable passage as has previously been experienced but nonetheless, Arsenal start this tie as favourites. Celtic has a decent record in recent seasons against the so-called bigger European sides, a condescending turn of phrase used against the first British winners of the European Champions Cup.

Arsene spoke of the atmosphere that is expected:

You expect a massive support at Celtic.  Scotland is always a very special atmosphere, a special noise in the stands. But we have played everywhere in Europe and we can deal with that. It will be down to us and how well we play.

That is the key to this. This squad has been to a number of stadia in the Champions League where the atmosphere is described as hostile and yet to freeze because of that reason. Tonight should be no different.

In terms of the line-up, there seems little point in making changes to the starting XI from Goodison Park. The midfield worked well as did the attack and defence. As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it so a team of:

Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Fabregas, Denilson, Arshavin, Bendtner, van Persie

should be expected. I guess the only change Arsene may be tempted into would be putting Eboue on the right and withdrawing Denilson more to the left flank, making the formation more of a 4-4-1-1 than the 4-3-3 which was so effective at the weekend. Whilst I can understand a certain amount of caution in his thinking, there has to be a question of whether the benefit of such caution is outweighed by the effectiveness of the performances to come. That would suggest an element of fear in his preparation, something which he was at pains to point out did not enter his mind.

Wenger will be facing quite possibly the simplest team talk that he will ever have to give;

“Remember what you did on Saturday, you know the good defending, the pressing all over the pitch and the sharpness in front of goal? Can you do that again, please.“

Whilst Celtic will no doubt provide more endeavour than Everton, if Arsenal hit the same form as Saturday, then I do not believe Celtic will come through this game unscathed.

For those looking for omens, try your local Blockbuster. There simply aren’t any for this fixture. Celtic have lost once at home to an English team, Nottingham Forest winning 2-1 in 1983/84 in a UEFA Cup third round tie. Overall, they have played 8 matches against English sides at Celtic Park, winning four, drawing three and losing the one.

Don’t forget that you can subscribe to ACLF via email by clicking here, Twitterers here, RSS here and all other manner of things in the section on your right called, originally enough, All For You.

Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

Fabregas, Vermaelen On A Quiet Monday

The media still refuse to accept that Arsenal are title contenders, something that will not be bothering Arsene or the squad one little bit. Or at least you hope that is the case since it is a great motivational tool for the manager to use when the going gets tough.

Cesc responded to Emmanuel Adebayor‘s observations about Arsenal lacking a bank balance big enough for his wages, sorry, lacking ambition:

They are both great players. But they had problems and didn’t want to continue at Arsenal, so leaving was the best thing they could do. It was best for us because we want players who are committed

Bless him. More importantly, Fabregas is keeping his feet on terra firma and trying not to get carried away:

It is just the first game in the title race, that’s all. We must keep going like this. We know we can do that if we continue to play like we did against Everton. But I must underline that it is just the first game. We won 6-1, but this is football, one day you are the best and two days later you are the worst team in the world. Let’s keep it real, this is game one and there are 37 to go so we will talk at the end to see how we have done

Therein is the rub. Football is a game of extreme emotions, supporters prone to mood swings of great magnitude following a result or performance that lives / does not live up to expectations.

To put the win into perspective, it was probably the performance of the weekend. Certainly, better than anything that the other members of the big four put together. Tottenham deserved their win over Liverpool and that immediately puts pressure on any title ambitions that Benitez and his players may have had. No doubt Liverpool fans will be comforting themselves with the thought that everyone still has to go to Tottenham this season and that defeat may not be that costly.

Yet there is no one outstanding team in the Premier League this season. United has been weakened through the sale of Ronaldo but probably strengthened by the realisation that the players now have to act as a unit, rather than looking to one person to get them out of the hole. Chelsea, meanwhile, has plenty of experience but a narrowness of play on Saturday that a stronger team might well have taken more advantage than Hull could. All of the squads have strengths and weaknesses.

The Premier League though is on hold for 48 hours, the small matter of the first leg of the Champions League qualifiers taking place tomorrow. Thomas Vermaelen is looking forward to the Celtic match:

I don’t know too much about Celtic but they have some good, physical players up front and I think it could be a similar match to Everton. I think it will be similar to Goodison Park, with a fanatical crowd and we will have to play the same as we did against Everton. We will have to be physical again and also play our own game

Perhaps someone should have a quick word with the Belgian. I would expect it to be a totally different match to Everton – the home side will be trying for one. He is right of course in that the crowd will be positively rabid, wanting to ram the comments of the English media down the Arsenal throats. Whilst Celtic are strong at home and have beaten a number of good sides at Parkhead in the Champions League over the years, their away form is abysmal despite winning in Moscow.

One day to go and the football season already feels like it is in full swing. ’til Tomorrow.

Good Start, High Benchmark Set. Now Match It Every Week.

Everton 1 – 6 Arsenal

0 – 1 Denilson (26)
0 – 2 Vermaelen (37)
0 – 3 Gallas (41)
0 – 4 Fabregas (48)
0 – 5 Fabregas (69)
0 – 6 Eduardo (88)
1 – 6 Saha (90)

Nothing like setting the bar high. A solid defensive performance, dominant midfield and livewire passing. Pretty much all that Arsene could have wished for from the opening day. And a bit more thrown in. No matter what excuses pundits and hacks might like to make for the paucity of the Everton, no matter how many times we will be told that it was an aberration, the truth of the matter is that Arsenal can only beat the opposition that is in front of them. And annihilation would be a better description.

6 – 1 flatters Everton, both in the number Arsenal scored and the Saha goal in injury time. Even before Denilson’s opener, Arsenal were on top, retaining possession well and moving with the freshness of Spring lambs. When the first came, it was a marker for the rest of the season. Bendtner worked well before feeding Fabregas. The Spaniard moved the ball square before the Brazilian set himself, rifling the shot past Howard. Everton must be wondering when the midfielders of Arsenal decided shooting from distance was a tremendous option for technically gifted players.

If the midfield scoring was not expected, the brace that followed came from equally unlikely sources. van Persie’s swirling free kick was met with power as Vermaelen rose unmarked at the far post to guide the ball across Howard. Five minutes later, Fabregas repeated the delivery from the left to find William Gallas unmarked on the six yard area, Howard left as helpless as he had been with the previous goal.

Three goals to the good and no doubt Arsene warned the players to keep it tight to weather the expected storm before taking Everton apart in the final quarter of the match. The storm duly arrived but not from Everton. van Persie set Fabregas for the fourth three minutes into the second half with a well-placed shot. Twenty minutes later, picking the ball up in his own half, the Spaniard ran half the length of the pitch before taking up the Everton invitation to shoot, in doing so he left Howard grasping at air.

The rout was completed when Eduardo poked home from close range after Arshavin’s bobbler hit the far post. Having been involved earlier in the move, the run that Eduardo made into the area in case of a rebound was pure striking instinct: follow the ball in, wait for the rebound. Nine times out of ten, it does not arrive but always be there for the one that does.

It would be easy to be carried away with the victory or be too ‘safe’ with praise. A mixture of both should pervade the Arsenal air today. An excellent performance that brought out everything that is good in their football yet it is only the first game, the start of four tough away games at teams deemed or pretending to be title rivals. The confidence gained from the performance should not be underestimated.

The first time that Wenger has used 4-3-3 in the Premier League was resoundingly successful but only because the players worked exceptionally hard for each other. Maintaining that work rate is going to be key. Vermaelen exuded an air of quiet authority in the centre with Gallas. The Belgian probably expecte more of a test and that will no doubt come but whilst he is working his way into English football, such games are highly welcomed.

In midfield, Song and Denilson worked well in tandem to support Cesc and allow him to move forward not unimpeded but certainly with relative ease. For the former duo, it is too much to expect detractors to revert their stance since it is only one match but surely a relaxing of their beliefs is necessary? Denilson put forward another strong case for regular inclusion, indicating quite how far Diaby must raise his game when he is fit. The Brazilian offered the right balance between attack and defence, as well as a good understanding with his colleagues. Song meanwhile was quietly efficient in his work, the trio providing a strong base for springing forward or recovering positions.

The forward trio worked to close from the front, Bendtner in particular on the right was excellent in that respect. Crucial to all of this is the ball retention. Some stray passes are to be expected but the accuracy of the team was of the highest order yesterday. Arshavin and van Persie worked hard to put pressure on the defence and link with supporting players when attacking. It was a mouth watering taster of what may come for the rest of this campaign.

With that in place, the counter-attacking masterclass was handed out. It allowed Wenger to rotate the squad with Celtic in mind without detriment to the result. Three points were gained with goals from midfield and defence. When that happens early in a season, confidence builds as the momentum grows. A solid base to start from which leaves a very satisfying few days before the next match.

’til Tomorrow.

The Big Kick-Off: Everton Preview

Cast your minds back to 15th August, 1970. If you were not even a tadpole at that point, consult your history books. 2 – 2 the final score but by the end of the season, the FA Cup and the League Championship were nestling quite nicely, side by side in the Highbury trophy cabinet. As omens go, that is a  startling good one.

History will count for nothing come kick-off. The sense of anticipation is high amongst supporters and for players alike. For them, it is the culmination of six weeks of pre-season training; anguish and joy collide in a nine month quest for silverware. The twists and turns that the season will take begin to unfurl today. Opening weekends are notoriously difficult to predict. Traditional gubbings are handed out, the like of which may not be seen until next season, surprise results accompanying them.

Short of meeting Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea, the visit to Goodison Park is about as difficult a start as you could wish to have. Follow that with a visit to Parkhead and the crucial nature of finishing in the top three is immediately apparent. Depending on how full your glass is, that is the pit and height of achievement capable by the squad this season.

Arsene made it abundantly clear that no-one, not even the constantly Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabregas else is leaving this summer other than Philippe Senderos, whilst there are potentially one or two arrivals to be had. Interestingly, Wenger played a minor psychological card in his comments about the captain. Knowing that they all feel a sense of personal debt to the manager, the Frenchman called it in:

A man is always defined by the way he is committed to his contracts and that has nothing to do with the blood you have

A gentle reminder to them of his own loyalties and expectations in that department from the players under his charge. Blunt, to the point, questioning, “Are you men or mice?”. Do you have the cojones for the fight? Knowing full well, no doubt, that his captain is not going to make a transfer request this summer.

And so to this evening’s fixture. A good start to the campaign is vital for several reasons, not least of which is to stop pressure building from the first match. A defeat will start a loud campaign to do a Viv Nicholson, a situation not helped much I suspect, by the observation Wenger made on the official site yesterday about there being only ten players whom Arsenal cannot afford.

In winning, they keep pace with expected victories for Chelsea and United, whilst it would be surprising if Liverpool do not overcome Tottenham. There is no one team that stands head and shoulders of the rest, the top four fairly evenly matched with their own strengths and weaknesses. How many points they rack up in the matches outside of that quartet is going to be the deciding factor.

The defence this season is going to be under close scrutiny. Already in various papers, they have been calld pixies and dwarves, as if height is the only thing that matters. Technique is more important. Vermaelen will be partnering Gallas in the centre which will need some time to work properly, especially since the Belgian missed a few pre-season friendlies.

In midfield, I would expect Arsene to be conservative in his choice. Eboue will probably come in on the right of Fabregas and Song, as opposed to Denilson. The key there is balance with Eboue more naturally inclined to stay on the flanks, with Arshavin on the left. Having started like an express train, great expectations accompany the Russian’s first full season, presumably he will also get a special welcome from the more agricultural of his opposite numbers. Up front, I suspect Eduardo will not be starting, Bendtner likely to partner van Persie.

Fluidity of formation has been apparent in pre-season, 4-3-3 in attack mutating into 4-5-1 when the opposition has possession. Everton are one of the best disciplined of the Premier League sides in their pressing game so an early goal will be crucial in derailing that. Wenger has drilled his players to defend well and in the pairing of Arshavin and Cesc, he has two gifted players who are prepared to work hard to recover the ball. That should be an example to the rest of the squad.

The line-up I would expect is:

Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy; Eboue, Fabregas, Song; Bendtner, van Persie, Arshavin

I do not believe there is any reason why the squad assembled by Wenger cannot challenge for top spot, aside from the usual proviso about injuries. It seems I am in good company:

The ambition is to win the title but there is a maximum aspiration and a minimum aspiration. Of course you want minimum to be in the top four and maximum to win the title.

Time please, Gentlemen, to deliver. Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ’til Tomorrow.

What Injury Crisis & Arsene Is Opposed To Doping

Carry On Doctor

Is it me or is the whole injury situation being a tad overblown with the opening fixture looming on the horizon? Screaming headlines of doom, despondency and despair, about how the title challenge is being wrecked before it is even started have been shown to be well wide of the mark. According to Arsene, there are no fewer than six squad members injured.

On the face of it, that is a hefty number to be carrying. However, Nasri’s injury happened three or so weeks ago. Rosicky two. Djourou a week as was Fabianksi’s. Abou Diaby? Well, let’s be honest, he has yet to regain full fitness from last season so his is no surprise. The only new injury that was suffered this week, as far as I can tell, was Theo Walcott.

With that in mind, none of the above impacted the starting XI that I mentally put together earlier this week. Walcott, I presumed, would be on the bench due to being a week or two behind everyone else in pre-season training, a thought borne out by Wenger’s observation that the player needed the international this week to improve his sharpness; it is hard to envisage that the manager would have welcomed the fixtures for any reason at all, as events turned out he probably will be reluctant to show any joy in the future.

Of those lost in the last week, it is fair to say that Djourou would have been the one in contention but even that was thrown into doubt with the news that Vermaelen could have played in Valencia if the need had been there. In other words, if the fixture mattered. Once that genie was out of the bottle, the Belgian international was pretty much a certainty to start, his international appearance confirming that.

Undoubtedly, the bench is not as strong as it might otherwise have been but that is a problem that can be overcome by other players in the squad. More will become apparent at Arsene’s pre-match press conference at lunchtime. Will any of these force Wenger into the transfer market? I doubt it other than plans he may have already had. Arsene has already identified central defence as one area he is looking at so incoming players will not be any different to those targetted.

Midfield is not a burning issue for him, or does not appear to be so. Diaby may be fit for Saturday which indicates the problem is not as big as being made out. I suppose the only time Arsene may be forced to act is if new injuries occur before the transfer window closes.

Funny Money

Michel Platini and Arsene rarely see eye to eye on footballing matters. The UEFA head is an eternal romantic, trying to be a Robin Hood in the football world. Wenger may have romantic notions of how to play the game but he is pragmatic regarding off the field matters.

In an interview with The Times, Wenger observed the fundamental flaw in Platini’s theory regarding the levels of indebtedness, and by extension, club ownership:

I make a complete difference [between various types of debt]. We have big debts because we have built a stadium and when the stadium will be paid off, the club will be bigger and have active capital because of the stadium. What Platini does not know is that in London just to buy the site we had to pay £125 million. In France [because of local authority assistance] they get it for one euro.

Platini is certainly aware of local authority subsidies that happen in Europe, not just France. He is also aware of the differing reasons for debts being incurred. He simply does not care; all Platini sees is the Premier League awash with cash, La Liga becoming richer and the same clubs dominating European club competitions. Rather than being the dream scenario, he finds it a nightmare. His solution shows total disregard for supporters of the larger clubs.

Whilst he believes that most would be happy with clubs having an equal chance of winning the Champions League, he shies away from salary caps and the like simply because he knows them to be unworkable. Moreover, artificially inducing competition denies football’s strengths at the top level. We want to see the best players in the world at our club. When they are not direct opponents, most football supporters will enjoy watching a match between two good footballing sides. Money is one solution to bringing that to bear. Arsenal has opted for a different route.

It has not been without pain. Wenger had to quell Board statements about his transfer funding. It started with Keith Edelman and has been continued by Fiszman and Hill-Wood. The latter duo were not so brazen as the former, preferring to disingenuously claim that the directors had never refused Arsene money, insinuating that large pots were available.

Of course, the truth is a little different since Wenger quite probably he did not ask for moneys that exceeded his transfer / contract renewals budget. This is part of the cause of resentment of not signing ‘big’ players and has thankfully, quietly slowed to a trickle. It will never stop as the political machinations will not cease until a trophy is delivered. Hopefully this season will see that happen.

’til Tomorrow.

Injuries, Cesc, RvP & Should Arsene Take The Carling Cup More Seriously?

International week, eh? Eduardo goal for Croatia, check. England take the field without an Arsenal player, check. Eduardo scores for Croatia, check. A whole load of the squad are due to return to London today with injuries, check.

Whatever the circumstances of their knocks, strains and pulls, little wonder why international football is not the most popular actvity in whcih players participate. It might be a bit of a stretch but it is not unlikely that Arsene would probably prefer his squad to go out for a night on the sauce than turn up for meaningless friendlies that insidiously permeate the football calendar.

It will test the squad early in the season. Theo Walcott, already behind the rest in terms of fitness, has apparently suffered a side strain, Bendtner a hamstring injury and Ramsey a swift kick on an indeterminate part of the lower leg. With Djourou sidelined for the trip to Goodison Park, anybody travelling to the game with a pair of boots and ability to run 100 metres in under 20 minutes may well find themselves on the bench.

More will no doubt become apparent today and tomorrow but options are limited. I guess if you are going to suffer the injuries, however minor, it is better to get it out of the way now rather than when the fixtures are coming thick and fast. Oh, erm, I see a flaw in that theory with something like six matches between now and the next bout of knacks, sorry, internationals.

The squad may be under even more pressure since Cesc is off to Barcelona before he becomes cup-tied for the Champions League. Apparently the Catalans have are preparing or have lodged a bid with Arsenal for anywhere between £27m and £40m pounds. Arsenal meanwhile are considering the offer or will consider the offer when it arrives, but are likely to hold out for anywhere between £40m and £60m. The permutations depend upon which source you choose to believe or disbelieve, and it is becoming harder and harder to disseminate the source since the two nations press are often quoting each other. This one, I think, has originated in Spain, hardly surprising given the international which took place last night.

It seems Arsene has pulled out of the race for Marouane Chamakh, which quite probably means he will be arriving this weekend. Bordeaux has been contacted by Fulham and West Ham, according to sources, both with offers lower than the £6m which was snaffled up in the tablecloth and put back in the Arsenal club safe.

Dennis Bergkamp has praised Robin van Persie on his development at Arsenal:

He has so much class. It was great to see him gel into the team. It was clear that Wenger made a right decision with him, he is 100% football. In everything he does, he is the real pro. And today, he’s one of the key players although his best years are still ahead of him.

That RvP has signed a new contract is, of course, a great boost for the belief of the squad. Having shown what he can do last season, it is crucial to any challenge for honours that the Dutchman remains injury free. He and Arshavin emerged as the key providers and scorers in the second half of the season. In turn, that alieviates some of the pressure on Cesc and may well improve his scoring record.

The squad though need to win something. Not just because it is there but to get that first trophy out of the way. Whilst no change should be expected, perhaps it may be an idea for Arsene to take the Carling Cup a little more seriously if the younger players can get to the latter stages. It is harsh on those who miss out to be omitted but does the psychology of the first silverware outweigh the advantages of blooding youth?

Squads are there to be rotated, and Wenger has always played an element of the first team to guide the younger players through but if you look at the trophy droughts suffered by the top four, the Carling Cup has always been the prelude to more silverware coming to a club. Whether that is coincidence or not is hard to tell. Ferguson won it when United were rebuilding and Liverpool likewise prior to the FA Cup and Champions League being won. Mourinho’s first trophy at Chelsea was that competition.

The biggest factor will no doubt be the position in the Premier and Champions League, as well as the fitness of the main players but perhaps the gain is bigger by winning that than nothing?

’til Tomorrow.

Season Preview

The summers turbulence is over, the only departure left on the cards would seem to be Philippe Senderos, a player who essentially left the club last season for pastures new. A brief resurrection in midfield during the short central European tour quite possibly a false dawn for the player, his omission from The Emirates Cup more telling about his future plans. It leaves one new player arriving although rumours persist that Vermaelen will not be the last. Most probably Marouane Chamakh, a direct replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor.

Much has been made of last season’s shortcomings when the crunch came. The players must grow from such adversity if they are to bring silverware home. The Champions League exit was inevitable once one hundred minutes of the tie had been played. The FA Cup? Partly poor performance but also the inexplicable decision to leave Arshavin on the bench, at that time the team’s most potent goal threat. I still do not subscribe to Wenger’s theory that the team had to know that they could win without him. They knew they could having done so in previous seasons. It suggested that the attitude which Manuel Almunia pointed to needed adjusting – was it confidence or genuine underestimation of their own abilities?

Whatever the reason for the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea, dwelling upon it should not happen. Instead, much confidence should be taken from the twenty-one game unbeaten run. Those spring months proved that this squad could beat the teams from the lower echelons of the Premier League, victories that guarantee a title challenge if that form is maintained over the course of a season.

The spell included too many draws, particularly early as winter turned to spring yet confidence should be taken from those games. It was a signal that the much criticised inability to grind out a result when performances were poor, had been to some extent eradicated. A pity that it took so long to achieve that last season, the damage done already by five defeats in the opening fourteen games.

The squad itself looks more balanced to me this summer than last. Almunia is a better goalkeeper than twelve months ago, Fabianski will have benefitted from the games he played at the tailend of last season, no matter how painful the results then. At full back, Wenger is spoiled. His first choice pairing of Sagna and Clichy are two of the most consistent. A couple of goals from each of them in a season would make them the best in the Premier League, without argument. In reserve, Eboue and Gibbs are more than capable of playing for sustained runs should injury strike.

Centrally, questions remain. Vermaelen is no slouch, you cannot be captain of a side and play internationally without a modicum of talent. The Premier League is different but one aspect of Wenger’s reign is the depth with which the Belgian will have been scouted. He and Gallas need to develop a solid understanding quickly. In reserve is where the inexperience lies. Song and Djourou have not played a great deal of time in the centre of the defence yet when called upon, neither has let the side down individually.

Midfield has already felt the blow of injuries. Nasri will miss the first month whilst Rosicky, well goodness knows when or for how long he will return, more is the pity. To have him on the bench for the first eight weeks whilst he regained his match fitness, would have been a tangible boost to the squad. As it is, the quality is still there, Fabregas, Walcott, Arshavin and Song range from the world class to the highly promising. Diaby and Denilson more than ample back up to the more traditional midfield role. Yet question marks still hang over those perceived as lesser members.

In the case of the Brazilian I am not sure why. Denilson uses possession well. The Arsenal way requires ball retention, very much based on pass and move. Denilson carries that ethos and would rather find a colleague in free space than hit hopeful balls forwards into space where possession may be surrendered. It says much about how people watch the game that the basics, such as sensible ball usage, interceptions and tackles are overlooked, the adventurous praised, without realising that the pair are inextricably linked; one cannot thrive without the other.

The strength in depth of the squad shows with the younger players but some reticence in the fulsome praise is required. Without completing a full Premier League game, Jack Wilshere is already being booked a seat on board the England charter jet for South Africa next summer. That reflects more the paucity of talent available to Fabio Capello than Wilshere’s abilities. No disrespect is intended to Wilshere in that but if an untried teenager is the great hope of English football, little wonder that in excess of 50% of the players in the Premier League are not natives.

In terms of readiness, Aaron Ramsey is a season ahead. Whilst he showed glimpses of the talent that persuaded Wenger to spend £5m last summer, he needs more playing time to build the consistency that a first team spot requires. He will, like Traore, be spending a lot of time on the bench gaining that experience this season.

The strikeforce has the potential for goals but is equally prone to injuries which gives sense to Wenger’s pursuit of Chamakh. Eduardo’s lengthy recovery nears its completion but we have already seen that hamstring and other strains can do for a player in their rehabilitation. He has the potential to score 20 goals, his international record and the form he found himself in before Martin Taylor’s assault were testament to that. He does not appear to have suffered ill-effects mentally although I am sure that niggling doubts still remain in his mind and will do so until the first crunching tackle is overcome.

Bendtner showed good form in the latter stages of the season and I suspect, will be one of Arsene’s first choice strikers in the early part of the season, at least. He needs to score quickly, not just for his confidence, but to ensure that he does not become the target for hecklers. Vela likewise showed promise at the tail end of the season with some good performances. He will develop more this season and I believe play a larger role although perhaps more as an understudy for Arshavin.

Crucial to the forward line is van Persie, for goals and creation. He seems likely to be the spearhead in any 4-3-3/4-5-1 and has proven his eye for goal. Having signed a new contract, expressing his desire to win trophies, much of that responsibility will fall on his shoulders in terms of the goals. He should be capable of 20 per season which if matched by one of his partners, will set the team well.

A repetitious point I know but every season the common theme is that the midfield need to score more frequently. Walcott and Fabregas should, between them, be scoring 20 goals per season. They do not and although hampered by injuries, their goals per game ratio is not good enough. The season before, goals came from the midfield and a title challenge mounted. For the latter, the former has to happen.

And therein is the rub. The expectations outside of the club are that we will retain our top four place but nothing more. The most optimistic prediction I have seen was 2nd place. This squad can go further than that but they need to start well, keep fit but most importantly, believe. Oh, and the small matter of us getting behind them vocally rather than to knife them in the back may well help.

’til Tomorrow.