At last, Hell week is over.

Evening Gooners,

What a week!! Apologies for the lack of blogs during the week but I have not been my normal positive self and the stuff that I did write was not very pleasant. I will attempt to return to some form of regularity.

I  am going to pretend that I have been sleeping for the last seven days as I have no intention of following the trend and describing my disappointment, frustration and anger at almost everything that has happened in the Arsenal world.

I heard a funny joke yesterday though, there was this man in a bar and he said to his mate "I really think the power in North London has changed from red to white"......................... That's it, that's the whole joke. Spuds and parts of the media alike all seem to think that as Spurs have had a better week than us they are now the better team. I'm not one for name calling or sh*t stirring  but I thought to be a better team than us you need to be above us in the league? or is that just my opinion? seriously, you give a charity case a single season in the Champions league (yes spuds, that's all your getting!!) and they think they are the best club in the world. All I hope is they remember these taunts and this optimism in May when they are fighting for a place in the Europe League.

Other news from this week included Robin Van Persie's return then being rested and then a whole load of confusion over whether or not he is fit, these stories will hopefully be put to rest when he starts up front Saturday lunch time. If he plays he will find himself up against a true Arsenal legend, Bobby Pires. Pires enjoyed years of success at Arsenal and was of course a member of our invincibles team. He has now moved on to Aston Villa after a month or so of training with our first team to keep his fitness up. I'm sure there isn't a Gooner on the planet that doesn't wish him all the luck in the world - after Saturday.

More good news was the mid week return of Aaron Ramsey. Rambo made his returns in the reserves and played 45 minutes and although I didn't see it I'm told he played very well and looked strong. This was quickly followed by the surprise news that he has joined Notts Forest on loan until January. Personally I'm quite happy he's going to get some game time but also petrified he's going to get kicked off the park. We'll all find out in the new year how heavily Rambo is involved in Wenger's plans for the rest of the year. Lansbury has also left on loan, joining Norwich.

Anyway, I have finally come out of my misery and am ready to rejoin the living world. I'll be back tomorrow with a preview of yet another 'most important game of the season'

Till next time Gooners,
Goonerfish.

Time to smash some spuds and top the table. Spurs Preview

Here we go, at last the world famous superstar that is his welsh highness sir Gareth of Bale will finally grace the pitch at the Emirates with his presence. I need to make a note of my exact location so I can tell my Grand kids "I was there"

Sorry, sarcasm aside today sees our inferior neighbours pop over for a friendly game of footie. Every professional you speak to will tell you it's just another game but it's not, it's just not, it's one of the first fixtures you look for when they're released in the summer and a victory against the spuds tastes just a little sweeter than any other.

Spurs fans will tell you that they've finally closed that gap between us and by qualifying for the Champions League for the first time they feel the clubs are on par. We suggested they may be mistaken when our reserves beat them 4 - 1 at their place in the Carling Cup. Now it's time to prove the clubs are still miles apart.

Our injury list is looking better and better at the moment and considering we've just had an international
break I never thought I'd say that. RVP got through his midweek appearance and said he feels fine and Wilshere has passed a fitness teat for today's game so it seems that the only regular out at the moment is TV5.

Koscielny returns from his suspension and should step straight back into the team and I expect the experienced head of Squillaci to be stood right next to him.

Arsene Wenger must be smiling from ear to ear at the moment, with so many players available to play in each position competition must be fierce and that can only be a good thing. I wonder if Wenger will do anything to protect us against Bale's pace and give Eboue the start at right back in what looks like it will be a very attacking game or if Eboue's habit to concentrate more on attacking than defending will leave to much space to be attacked by Spurs. Our midfield and attack could take almost any combination, Walcott's pace Vs Nasri's skill and form, Arshavin's ability against Rosicky's reliability and of course Chamakh's fitness against Van Persie's..... um everything. I'm not sure if Wenger will risk Van Persie from the begining as he did such that against Blackburn and he didn't last a half before breaking.

Goonerfish's Line-up:

Fabianski


Sagna - Koscielny - Squillaci - Clichy


Song


Fabregas (c) - Wilshere


Nasri - Arshavin

Chamakh




Score Arsenal 3 - 1 Spuds

I wouldn't be surprised to see Spurs score first although we will be too much for them in the end.
You'll notice I haven't even mentioned a certain Billy Gallas. That's because I don't care. He was a player that would have been handy to have in the squad but in all honesty his menstrual cycle was a little to random for my liking.

Anyway, go find a perch wear your Arsenal red and sing all the songs (try to ignore Sky's inevitable bias towards the Spuds) and then after the game find every person you can find and scream right in their face "WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE"

Till next time,
Goonerfish.