I'm Following Cesc Fabregas On Twitter

He's never had a single update but he has managed to get 202 followers somehow. Such is the magical power of Cesc Fabregas. If he ever does update it will probably be in Spanish like Sergio Ramos' anyways, meaning that I can't even read it. F my life. I like twitter but there's not a lot of things you can do with it. 140 characters is not a lot to speak your mind so you can pretty much only say things like "off to the Grocery Store" and "Robbie Keane is a cartwheeling cunt." However if you do want to take part in the twittering you can follow me here.

Not a whole lot in the way of news today besides that Adebayor is going to play for Togo. He wasn't going to supposedly when we allowed him to go join up with the squad last week but now it has come out that he will indeed be playing even though he's been out for quite a while with a hamstring injury. It pisses me off a bit because if Arsenal didn't want him to play then they shouldn't have even let him go to Togo. At the same time though, if Togo said that they wouldn't play him to Arsenal and then they decide to play him later, then that is just wrong.

It won't matter at all in the long run as long as he makes it through the match without getting injured again. In fact, then it will be a bonus that he plays because he can regain some match fitness. When he returns it opens up another whole debate about which strikers (Eddy, RvP, Adebayor, Bendtner) should play the majority of the matches the rest of this year. Personally I like RvP and Adebayor together and I think they compliment each other pretty well, but a lot of you will probably disagree with me.

Oh yeah, this is completely irrelevant but I figured I'd throw this out there. That 4-2-3-1 I was talking about yesterday? I said I would try it out on Football Manager and indeed I did. I went with this as my default lineup:

Almunia
Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy
Denilson/Diaby-Cesc
Nasri-Maxi Rodriguez-Arhavin
Adebayor

I signed Maxi Rodriguez because Walcott is still learning to play center attacking mid plus he's incredible so that helps too. The formation has worked remarkably well though, having beaten Liverpool, drawn away to United, and not lost a league match through eleven games. Unfortunately we're not top of the league though because Chelsea haven't drawn a game all year and they've only lost once. Eduardo is getting pissed because I never play him but I do try to get him in for the cup matches and group stage games.

That has nothing to do with anything really but there really isn't a lot to talk about during these long breaks so sue me. You know who I hate? Tim Tebow. That's right.

I don't have anything else to say really. Time to make some coffee. My last exam of the quarter is tonight, on safety and sanitation in the kitchen. I got that on lock though. Cheers all.

Who sits, Nasri, Theo, or Arshy? Should Arsenal Play 4-2-3-1?

Morning all. Not a whole lot going on this week. I really wish I had a lot to write about but there just isn't anything to write about. Everyone is away on international duty for the next week plus, so stories are few and far between, but I'll try to come up with something mildly entertaining as I drink my morning coffee.

First off we may as well start with some transfer rumors, and the first one is Raul Albiol of Valencia saying he would be interested in a move to one of the "big clubs in the Premiership." While I don't watch him week in and week out I do think he's at least the type of defender that would be a good addition to our squad, and with Gallas not getting any younger and Valencia being cash strapped, it could maybe happen.

Gael Clichy has been linked with a move to AC Milan, and was asked about it by a reporter.

"I don't know anything.

"I am very happy at Arsenal. It is true AC Milan are a great club. It is flattering to know you are followed by such a team."

I think Clichy is the type (hopefully) that would like to stay at Arsenal for a long time so I don't really see a lot to this story. Hopefully we'll secure our Champions League spot for next year pretty soon and that should kill off some of these transfer rumors of our big players leaving. Clichy hasn't been at his best this year but there is a reason that AC Milan are following him and a reason he was in the team of the year last year, and that's because he's absolute quality. Not only that but he's a perfect team player, never runs his mouth, and always has a great attitude. He's the type of player great teams are made of.

Alright so on to my main topic today, and that is one I have been discussing with Joaquin over the last few days. With the return of Cesc soon after the international break, where do all of our attacking midfielders play? Obviously Cesc, being the captain and being brilliant and amazing, gets in the side no question. But what about Theo, Nasri, and Arshavin? While Theo was out and Cesc was out there was lots of space to move Nasri and Arshy around, but with all of them healthy, as well as having Adebayor back up front, it does give you lots of options.

Of course this is a good problem to have, much better than having everyone injured like we did, but I really want to know what you all think. What is your ideal first eleven for Arsenal with everyone healthy? I suppose mine would look like this:

Almunia
Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy
Nasri-Denilson-Cesc-Arshavin
RvP-Adebayor

But Joaquin had an interesting idea that I'd like to throw out there now. What if Arsenal switched it up and ran a 4-2-3-1? I know 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 are Arsene's ideal formations but with the players we have a 4-2-3-1 could work effectively. Have a look at this:

Almunia
Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy
Denilson-Cesc
Walcott-Nasri-Arshavin
Ade/Nik/RvP/Eddy

Obviously RvP and Eddy at least have the ability to play in that line of 3 instead of Theo, Nasri, or Arshy too if needed and Ade and Nik can both play a lone striker role fairly well. I think it's something that should be considered maybe because the possibilities are endless. Imagine what all of those guys on the pitch at the same time could create. I'm actually about to try it out on football manager now and see if they can pull it off. Not that that is a good sign or anything but its still fun for me.

So I want to know your opinions on this one. If we stick with 4-4-2, where does everyone get into the team, and what do you think of at least the IDEA of the 4-2-3-1? It gives you something to think about over the international break at very least.

Hope you all have a good day. Cheers.

Arsenal Draw Villareal, Then Man United

Morning all. The Champions League draw was this morning for the next two rounds, and would you believe it, we've avoided another English team and drawn Villareal. I don't think it could have happened much better for us. Barca get drawn with a tough team in Bayern Munich, either Chelsea or Liverpool HAVE to go out since they are drawn against each other, and we won't have to face the Mancunian scum until next round as long as we both get through!

I have to say that I'm thrilled with the draw. I think Villareal are a team we should be able to beat if we're playing at our best, plus it means the return of Robert Pires to Arsenal! Everyone loves Robert Pires, so it should be just look Henry or Vieira returning in terms of the warm reception he'll get.

Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis, who remember is somewhat newly arrived, said this could be our year in the Champions League after he saw the draw this morning, and although this quote from his is really long, it's really good so I want to include the whole thing.

"We are laser-focused on the next round. We think we can get a result, but when we played them in 2006 we only just squeaked by. It will be a difficult test.

"The one thing we do believe in is not just the quality of the team, but also the character of our team. I think we saw that in the really difficult environment in Rome.

"Young player after young player made their penalty kicks when they had to. And we will have to draw on those reserves of character to get past Villarreal.

"We have never lost belief in ourselves. We have a superb group of young players. We still believe there is a potential for a really great season for us.

"We can beat anybody on our day. But we can't think beyond Villarreal. We will worry about the next step if we can get by the Yellow Submarine.

"In 2006 we missed out on this trophy by a nose. It might be our year this year. But it is not going to happen just because we want it to. Don't underestimate the depth of character we have."

He's absolutely right I think. The draw sets up favorably for us, and Roma I think really did give our players a leap of confidence. Remember Theo after we won the shootout said it was like celebrating winning the World Cup in the dressing room. I'm getting really f'ing excited about the chances of winning the FA Cup or the Champions League this year. Obviously I want the Champions League more but just winning a trophy again would be magnificent.

Liverpool vs Chelsea for the 5th straight year is really a worry for me. Don't they know that these ties between these two teams are the most boring ties in the history of football? What's worse, I'm sure these will be the matches choosen for television coverage here, because they always favor Liverpool, Chelsea, and United over here in the states. So with two of them in the same match it's a given, which leaves me watching Arsenal on my computer. I'll live through it though, because I think we have a good chance to make it through to the semi-finals for the first time in...I think ever, since 2005.

In other great news, Cesc Fabregas was back in training for the first time yesterday. That's the most welcome news I've heard in months. Imagine him back playing with Arshavin. Won't that just be amazing? I hope we have room for Arshy, Nasri, Cesc, and Theo though once they're all healthy. It would be a crying shame to have to leave any of those magicians out.

There is however, some bad news today, as Theo Walcott suffered a knee injury in training. Arsene Wenger says it locked up while walking back from training, and thinks it could be a cartilage problem. He said he is "surprised and worried" which is never good, and it makes me surprised and worried as well. Theo has been great since we got him back from injury and he brings a whole new dimension to our attack when he's able to go on the right side. They are scanning the knee to see how long he'll be out but fingers crossed that it's only minor.

That's all I've got. I'll try to get a match preview up for Newcastle tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the fact that we got a good draw and Cesc's return! Cheers

Phil Brown vs Cesc Fabregas

Morning all. After our great comeback against Hull all the talk has been about Cesc Fabregas' alleged spitting instead of our comeback win to get us to Wembley. It's a shame but that's just how the media is. I wanted to be a journalist once, then I realized that if I ever had to write bad things about the Jaguars or the Seminoles or the All Blacks or Arsenal then I'd want to stick my head in a fryer, so I decided I'd rather be a chef. Maybe Phil Brown should have stuck his head in a fryer at a young age too so we would never have to listen to his horrible lies.

Vs.

So the story is as follows, apparently as the teams were walking down the tunnel, Phil Brown says that Cesc Fabregas came and spit at his assistant manager's feet. Cesc of course denies any such incident occured.

"I will leave it in the FA's hands for the time being - I will wait to see what they say," he told The Sun. I've absolutely nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. The simple fact is I did not spit at the assistant manager of Hull City."

And of course Cesc is completely right. Phil Brown was just pissed off that his team can't win a match to save their lives or their season and so he made up a story that he knew would be damaging because it's our captain, even though he didn't play in the match.

Phil Brown's story, on the other hand, went like this:

"The pictures in the national papers verify the aggression he was showing towards players and staff after the game."

"I could go on but I am not one for crying over spilt milk.

"I then witnessed him going down the tunnel and turning around and spitting at my assistant manager's feet.

"Whichever way you want to look at it, he addressed that spitting incident at my assistant manager, who has managed probably 1,200 games in his career. Disgraceful act.

"I am not going to report it, I am not going tittle-tattling to the FA - if they want to investigate that is their decision, and if Brian Horton wants to take it further he will get the full support of Hull City."

The problem is that he DID go report it and the FA IS investigating the incident, or lack thereof. He's spent the last two days moping about telling anyone who will listen how terrible Arsenal is and how they need to be punished for doing nothing wrong. If Cesc had spit at Phil Brown he's still be right, because Phil Brown clearly deserves it, the cunt.

Brown also claimed that Arsene Wenger refused to shake his hand after both of the matches against Hull in the league this year, even though there is video and pictorial evidence showing that handshakes did indeed take place. He also decided criticizing Cesc's attire would help his case, which is totally unfair because I think, in a non-gay way of course, that Cesc looked quite good in his jacket and jeans, while Phil Brown looks more like Vince with ShamWOW.


The headset really makes the resemblance there. In fact that's possibly the only thing they have in common, but whenever I see Phil Brown and his queer headset I think of Vince with ShamWOW.

The moral of the story is that Phil Brown is a cunt, who's charges will not lead to any punishment against Arsenal or our beloved captain, and it would be nice if he would just do the world a huge favor and pour meat all over him and jump into a tank full of sharks.

Champions League draw is tomorrow morning. I'm hoping for Barcelona but I think most of you want Porto or Villareal. I want to see Henry come home though. Plus I think we can take Barca. Maybe I'm just hoping, but I can see it happening. Cheers all.

Happy St. Patrick's Day From ArseNole.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! By the time those of you in Europe and Asia read this it'll already be night and you'll already be very drunk, so hopefully that picture of the leprechaun will make your day. I must warn you before you read any further that this post is going to have almost no Arsenal content at all. In fact, it is going to have almost no content period. I'm going to put a lot of shamrocks and such and maybe have a bit about Arsenal here and there.

I just tried to dye my coffee green, and that didn't work out so well. I have to go to the dentist in an hour so it's just coffee for me this morning. I suppose that Cesc Fabregas, Aaron Ramsey, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy, and Eduardo could start early on their beers, since they aren't playing tonight vs Hull.

What's your favorite beer to drink on St. Patty's day? I know a lot of people roll with the Guiness, being Irish and all, but some people keep it cheap and go for whatever they dye green at the bars, usually Pabst Blue Ribbon or Natty Light. Personally, I'll probably do it like this:

6pm tonight: Using 25 dollar gift card for Olive Garden at the bar to order several Guiness. Might as well have the good beers while I'm still sober.

9pm tonight: Meeting friends at Ale House where they will be serving pitchers of green beer. As mentioned earlier, this will be a ridiculously cheap beer that they have dyed green.

12am tonight: Heading over to Zack's house for the after-party and some more drinking, probably champagne. Very cheap kind though like 5 dollar bottles of Andre.

If you follow that schedule, I promise you you can have an amazing night that you will not remember and will probably regret tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will be playing, and I'll probably only see the first half. I'll check the score of course but I'll admit that I won't stay home to watch the whole thing.

I don't really have much else. Time for the dentist and then we'll see where the day takes us. C'mon you Gunners! Cheers all and be safe.