Cesc Back To Face Manchester City And More

Morning all. I'm watching Family Feud this morning, because there isn't much else on tv and for some strange reason I do enjoy family feud. This braniac on there just had this question:

Host: "Name something that has wings."

Wife: "A bird!"

Host: "Do I see a bird? Yes, number one answer! Ok now you sir, name something with wings."

Husband: "A chicken!"

Host: "Amazingly sir, the judges classify a chicken as a bird. Try again."

Husband: "A pidgeon!"

Yes, he really had that exchange. That is why I watch this show, because of fools like that man there.

On to Arsenal news though, and it looks like Cesc Fabregas is going to be back playing this weekend against Manchester City! Arsene Wenger had this to say:

“He is ready to play again. But he needs three games to be back [at his best]. We are due to play eight games in 25 days, which are all decisive.”

It's true they are all key games. We've got the match ups with Villareal which are of course a huge priority and we also have to keep the space between ourselves and Aston Villa with some tough league matches left to go. Cesc is the captain of our team and the creative force behind it, one that has been sorely lacking before the arrival of Arshavin. With Nasri, Arshavin, and Cesc in as creative hubs, the goals have the potential to start flying in, granted our strikers can finish.

Striker could be a problem for the weekend, with RvP and Bendtner injured on international duty. It looks like Adebayor is ready to go though, as he made a scoring return for Togo over the last week. He could be paired with Eduardo, which would be interesting, or he could be up front on his own, which would allow a five man midfield with Cesc, Nasri, Arshavin, Denilson, and Song. Either of those would be good to see and we need to avenge the beating City gave us earlier in the year. We were playing like shite back then though and we're playing well now, not to mention we have Arshavin and Eduardo with the squad now who we didn't have back then. I'm really looking forward to Saturday.

Bakary Sagna has been linked with a move to Juventus, but he basically told them that they could blow him. He said he's happy at Arsenal and has a contract till 2014, which I thought was a ridiculously long contract when I read it until I realized that that is only five years. Can you believe in five years it'll be 2014? Crazy. But yes, he said he enjoys playing for the club, likes the team, likes the manager, and doesn't want to leave. That's the best answer you could possibly give. Full credit to Bak on that one, and that's why he's one of my favorite players.

There isn't much else today. Match Saturday, NBA playoffs coming up (Go Celtics!), and baseball starts again for me tonight so there is a lot going on in the next couple of weeks. Hope you all have a good one. Cheers.

Arsenal Leaves A Sour Taste Yet Again

Our third 0-0 draw in a row in the Premiership. First time it's happened in ten and a half years. The last time that happened, I was only eleven years old. I cant remember anything more frustrating in my entire life than watching this season's Arsenal team play. When a match is at home to Sunderland, you expect Arsenal to take care of business. You know they are only going to defend, so you should be prepared for that, but in the past we've been able to beat teams like this and that is how we have won titles. Our inability to break down opponents seriously has to be right up there with shooting yourself in the leg like Plaxico Burress. It's painful and ridiculous.

Let me first start with the good. Is it just me or did Kolo and Gallas magically become the partnership that we have all hoped they could be when Gallas first got here? I know it's Sunderland and they barely attacked but three clean sheets in a row is impressive no matter who it's against. They looked comfortable with each other at the back and while they are still shaky on high balls they are still both very good defenders.

The frustrating thing, as I said, is in attack. It's bloody Sunderland. It's not Barcelona, Milan, Man United, or Chelsea. It's Sunderland, and it's a game where you have to be able to score. Vela, RvP, and Bendtner all had decent or good chances, yet none really looked like scoring. Vela especially was poor in his short cameo. I feel for him because he doesn't get to play very much but when you are paid like these players are you expect him to convert some of his chances. I thought van Persie was going to score for sure when he had his chance in the 94th minute but even he kicked it straight at the keeper. I'm not sure what the team needs really. We had Arshavin, Vela, Nasri, RvP, Bendtner all in the game as attacking players, and on paper that seems like a group that should be able to create one goal. Alex Song is certainly no help to all that, because I can pick out a pass better than he can.

I think one of the real problems is our lack of a player who can just create that magical moment like Thierry could. RvP is the closest thing we have but Thierry was someone who could get the ball anywhere on the field and take it for a goal. I can't ever see Bendtner or Adebayor having a moment like that, and I think it hurts us. We rely too much on the creativity of Cesc Fabregas for goals, and while he's been out, they have dried up.

I don't really know what else to say, just a bit frustrated again. We needed to make up ground after Villa lost today, and yet we couldn't even manage it against a weak side at home. Fifth place is starting to look like a real possibility if something doesn't click into place soon.

Leave thoughts. Cheers.

Oh How I Hate Tottenham....Plus Emirates Cup Stuff

Morning all. Yesterday we beat Real Madrid 1-0 through a beautiful penalty from Adebayor. I don't care how much you hate him, he makes our team better. If you boo him then go to hell. I don't boo Arsenal players, even Eboue, so piss off for booing our 30 goal scorer. He isn't perfect by any means but who is in today's footballing world? Point is he is our best striker for the time being and everyone should deal with it. As Arsene Wenger said, "A plane load of money wouldn't buy him right now."

RvP won us the penalty and went down like a rag doll. I thought he was going to be out for the rest of the season judging by the way he went down and stayed there. I've lost my confidence in his ability to stay fit. Luckily he's fine as far as I know. He's a great player, but for God's sake, play a whole season.

But the main point of this article, which I'm writing now because I can't sleep, is how much I hate Tottenham Hotspur.

1. I hate Sp*rs more than I hate Barack Obama...which is a ridiculous amount.

2. I hate Sp*rs more than I hate skanks that put up facebook pictures in bikinis. I hate that a lot.

3. I hate Sp*rs more than I hate the last two Eminem albums, and I really hate them.

4. I hate Sp*rs more than I hate Bolton, which is saying something.

5. I hate Sp*rs more than I hate that Thierry Henry left Arsenal, and I that just about killed me.

6. I hate Sp*rs so much that I wish their manager was Steve McClaren so they would lose every match.

7. I hate Sp*rs so much that I wish Juande Ramos would be hit by a bus, then run over with a lawnmower...that would hurt.

I could think of more reasons but that's enough for the night.

Jack Wilshere is going to be a legend. I love the kid. I don't think that Cesc even had the skills this kid has at that age. If he did, then it's comparable. I expect big things. I don't want the pressure heaped on him at this age but I know he will be incredible.

That's all I've got. Cheers.