Here is my thinking:

1. Harry is battered and bruised after the court case, just look at the interview this morning outside his home in Dorset. Think all the media pressure and the cushy job at Spuds, no doubt a massive pay rise and more money for players to come from Levy will mean... thanks but no thanks.

I was not happy after Villa Why? Cos minus 2 penalties and a fluke goal, we played average at best. We rarely created any real goalscoring opportunities from open play. I am never over enthused with Arsenal when we don't actually play Wengerball.

When we get those slick passing triangles going, opening up a host of chances.

Yup he has suffered another stress fracture... to the same BLEEPING ankle!!

This news has only just broken in the last few minutes, and I'm sure there will be plenty more to follow throughout the day.

Don't blame me.... just the messenger.

I can see where this is going to go now, if we suffer a poor result tonight at the Reebok it's going to be Wenger's fault for not buying a player to cover for Jack.

When Wenger first came to England, the other title contenders had more or less sewn up the scouting network on the British Isles, the next George Best or Denis Law was going to be snapped up by United or Liverpool.

He had his connections in France and other parts of the continent... he stole a massive march on Fergie and Co by signing the likes of Anelka and Fabregras whilst the rest were scouting on a cold evening at Turf Moor.

Before I go on, let me state for the record that I swore just as much you when Wenger took off The OX last weekend, he messed it up, no doubting that but please don't tell me he done it by purpose or that he just cannot cut it anymore. He made a judgement call and got it hopelessly wrong, that's life.

We need more potency in the final third, that much was clearly on show on Monday against Fulham.

We dominated and played some of the best football this season, but we could not finish.... second half we took off pace and just got straight out pummeled for 30 minutes.

Say what you want about the ref, red cards, penalties etc.

Hold on, calm down, deep breaths.... hear me out, then shout/speak/swear !!

Before I start my reasoning, if you can call it that, I want to say how much I love Robin to bits, he is just the kind of Captain the club needed after being diddled somewhat by the last few. His goals this year, in particular this season, have potentially saved us from a major crisis.

So the January transfer madness is almost upon us and tonight we are told by a Spanish paper that Arsenal have contacted AC Milan and offered 30M Euros for the incredibly decent Alexandre Pato if this happened, it would easily be the greatest transfer in the Wenger era.

The duck, as Pato is affectionately known as in Brazil, is one hell of a talented striker and just the kind of speedy, clinical type we have needed at the club since Henry left.

City will come with a physically strong side, in the hope of bullying our Young Guns out of the Carling Cup tonight. This does not have to be the case if Wenger deploys his squad correctly.

Bosnian hitman, Dzeko, will be the only player who can win this game for City... and with Adam Johnson a certain starter, it's pretty easy to see the tactics Mancini will employ.

Whilst discussing the barrage of abuse new German recruit, Per Mertesecker, has received from all quarters Wenger inadvertently confirmed the back four to start the most important game of the season for Arsenal against Dortmund in the Champions League penultimate group game.

"The criticism in the papers has been very harsh, but when you play for a big team, you have to accept that.

Speaking at his weekly presser ahead of the Norwich game Wenger was asked whether or not he believed there was adequate cover in the full-back areas following the fresh injuries to Gibbs and Jenkinson, he responded with a resounding "frankly speaking NO"

A stress fracture to the lower back and a hernia operation for the pair respectively, means there is a very good chance neither player will be in first team action again in 2011.

I find these words from our esteemed manager very interesting in the context of the Youth V Experience argument that has raged like a wildfire throughout goonerland over the past 5 years.

Wenger gave us this quote today, speaking to Arsenal Player, when asked about the difference the 5 new players signed in the dying days of the last transfer window had made to the team.

The best goalie in the league will clearly keep his place Chezney

Full Backs Keep the Brazilian Santos going at Left Back, and hopefully bring in a proper Right Back in Jenko, who seems to be back fit. Djourou done ok against Stoke, but eventually a good winger will destroy a Centre Back playing in a makeshift full back role.

Ok, this is a weird one, and I'm still not entirely sure why I am bothering to post this up, but I have, and you are now reading it, so let's crack on.

I had what can only be described as the most vivid, lucid dream / premonition with regards to Arsenal drawing Manchester United in the Carling Cup quarters.

September 1996 marked the arrival of the man who changed English football forever, all the science and technology that surrounds every club these days is 100% down to Wenger's original ideas and methods.

Fergie may have more silverware.... but he has not implemented and introduced methods which the entire league have picked up and copied.