Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did not look as though he would be given a schoolboy contract by Southampton because he was told that he was too small for the game.

A year later, when he was 15, he was looking around sixth-form colleges to consider what career he might pursue if he could not become a professional footballer.

RVP Won't Stay Unless Arsenal Sign Quality Players

Robin van Persie has reportedly told Arsenal that he will sign a new contract only if they can assure him that the team will end their trophy drought next year. (The Daily Star)

The 28-year-old striker was Arsenal's best player in the recently concluded season and scored a remarkable 37 goals for the Gunners in all competition.

Good sleepy morning from a very warm Edinburgh.

Last night was one of those where I lay down, immediately couldn't sleep, so moved to the sofa in the sitting room so as not to disturb the soon to be marathon running Mrs Blogs. I couldn't sleep there either so I was treated to the sound of late night Scotland.

There are moments in a football life that live forever. We all have them -Micky T at Anfield, TA6′s goal v Everton, TH14′s v MU, Dennis at Newcastle or Freddie in Cardiff. But it is the childhoood memories which really stand out and for me they are often connected to the '70-'71 Double team. One of my favourite ever goals was scored by one of my early heroes George Graham.

There are moments in a football life that live forever. We all have them -Micky T at Anfield, TA6′s goal v Everton, TH14′s v MU, Dennis at Newcastle or Freddie in Cardiff. But it is the childhoood memories which really stand out and for me they are often connected to the '70-'71 Double team. One of my favourite ever goals was scored by one of my early heroes George Graham.

Let me start by reiterating where I stand re Aaron Ramsey, or for that matter, on any young Gunner who wears the shirt with pride and gives their all for the team: I support them unreservedly.

For me, they are not machines from which we can pull the plug if we don't like what we are seeing.

Let me start by reiterating where I stand re Aaron Ramsey, or for that matter, on any young Gunner who wears the shirt with pride and gives their all for the team: I support them unreservedly.

For me, they are not machines from which we can pull the plug if we don't like what we are seeing.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that the strong criticism unleashed at youngster Aaron Ramsey in recent weeks will only make the midfielder emerge as a stronger player.

Wenger, who signed Ramsey from Cardiff City in 2008, has helped the Welshman gradually developed into one of the regulars in the Gunners side but despite the player's tremendous promise, certain sections of the club's supporters have lost patience with the 21-year old.

Match report Video By the numbers

And so did venture a pack of brave knights into a land where did live monsters. The monsters did try and slay the knights through tactics of brute strength. They did lob high missiles into the air and a crumply giant did strike the first blow of the battle.

Match report Video By the numbers

And so did venture a pack of brave knights into a land where did live monsters. The monsters did try and slay the knights through tactics of brute strength. They did lob high missiles into the air and a crumply giant did strike the first blow of the battle.

A third trip to the Britannia in three seasons brought with it some mixed emotions. The 2009/10 game was played in February, a month after being beaten by the Stokies in the 4th round of the FA Cup. Ramsey's leg snapped like a twig but the team responded magnificently to record a fine 3-1 victory.

A third trip to the Britannia in three seasons brought with it some mixed emotions. The 2009/10 game was played in February, a month after being beaten by the Stokies in the 4th round of the FA Cup. Ramsey's leg snapped like a twig but the team responded magnificently to record a fine 3-1 victory.

Chest bump

In the end, a point was all we took home from Britannia Stadium. The most despicable place on Earth (that's saying a lot considering my contempt of this place call Shite Hart Lane) where education was never taught to these people and the still use fire as their form of light source.

Some time ago I made a decision to stop belittling our opponents. This was due to a rash of defeats to lesser team following an abusive prematch (yes, I have that much power). But sometimes needs must, plus I have to be realistic and accept my posts have no impact whatsoever of the result of the game.

Some time ago I made a decision to stop belittling our opponents. This was due to a rash of defeats to lesser team following an abusive prematch (yes, I have that much power). But sometimes needs must, plus I have to be realistic and accept my posts have no impact whatsoever of the result of the game.

Three games to go in this extraordinary season.

Three games to secure third place and a guarantee of Champions League football next year (not to mention the increased likelihood of retaining the services of a certain Dutchman who finds the net at moments of his own choosing).

Or three games to slip to fourth, maybe even fifth and re-ignite the poisonous debate about the future of our club and its most successful modern manager.

Three games to go in this extraordinary season.

Three games to secure third place and a guarantee of Champions League football next year (not to mention the increased likelihood of retaining the services of a certain Dutchman who finds the net at moments of his own choosing).

Or three games to slip to fourth, maybe even fifth and re-ignite the poisonous debate about the future of our club and its most successful modern manager.

If Aaron Ramsey wasn't entirely sure whether he was out of form, he knew now. Because it had quite literally, snuck up behind him. Fernando Torres, desperately out of form himself and hoping he would be rewarded through hard-work, dispossessed Ramsey on at least two occasions and the Emirates crowd quickly grew restless at his lack of urgency early on in the goalless draw with Chelsea.

Match report Video By the numbers

I have to admit I was a bit confused by the end of match reaction yesterday. Sky lauded Chelsea for grabbing a draw, Roberto di Matteo called it a 'great point', and they interviewed Gary Cahill who stood there gabbering as if they'd taken a giant step towards the title or something.

Unleash the Ox

Match day. 5 days too long to make up for what happened on Monday night. Days in between where our opponent for the day managed to replicate what we did last season, that is beating Barcelona at home in the first leg of the semifinal of their Champions League tie. Which should really set them up nicely for this match but I have a different idea where that is going.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has accepted the harsh criticism that has been unleashed at him ever since Monday's 2-1 defeat at home to Wigan but remains committed to bouncing back from the setback against the Latics.

Ramsey entered Monday evening's match as an early substitute for Mikel Arteta and with the Gunners falling two goals behind within the opening eight minutes, there was heavy pressure on the Welshman to deliver against a relegation-threatened opposition.

Its saddens me when I hear about all the abuse Ramsey has been receiving. Fans are the first ones to complain when a player hints at a move, they criticize and call him all sorts of names e.g Na$ri.

If you want loyal players "ARSENAL FANS" then should you also be loyal to them. Imagine if Ramsey had a contract until 2014, Wenger continues to show the faith he has shown in him next season.

Predicting results at this stage of the season becomes something of a fool's errand. Easter time has always thrown up shock results. The only surprise is that we continue to be surprised by it. There are just so many factors at this stage of the season that make facing Wigan in December, for instance, a much, much different prospect to facing them in April.

Wenger Wants Arsenal Quartet to Withdraw From Olympics

According to The Telegraph's website, Arsene Wenger has told Jack Wilshere to withdraw his name from the Olympics-bound Great Britain team and the injured midfielder is all set to act upon his club manager's advice.

The weight of expectation on Chamberlain is bewildering
Considering I often complain about the crowd getting on players' backs, this might seem perverse, but the cheering for Chamberlain is ridiculous and unhelpful to the other players.
While the game was still going on with Arsenal on the attack, Chamberlain went over to the bench to get ready to come on.

Apart from supporters of the doomed bottom 3 is there a football fan who doesn't want Wigan to escape relegation? Their PL survival is a mystery given the small ground, low attendances and limited finances - they are the (Leyton) Orient of Manchester. And yet they survive without resorting to hoof ball and dull physical football, maintaining an admirable allegiance to playing attractive football.

Apart from supporters of the doomed bottom 3 is there a football fan who doesn't want Wigan to escape relegation? Their PL survival is a mystery given the small ground, low attendances and limited finances - they are the (Leyton) Orient of Manchester. And yet they survive without resorting to hoof ball and dull physical football, maintaining an admirable allegiance to playing attractive football.

Since Nasri left Arsenal, Our left wing position has been a bit of a problem.

Ramsey, as clever as he is. Lacks both the pace and dribbling skills Alex and Gervinho have. He does how ever have this ability to always be at the right place at the right time.

He lacks the ability to take on a player and win -consistently that is-.

The 2011-2012 Season started in the worst way imaginable for everyone associated with Arsenal. Cesc Fabregas Left Arsenal For Barcelona, When the announcement was made Arsenal fans hoped it was a terrible joke, I know I did.

But it wasn't and we all had to move on, Arsenal had to move on.

So, the great goal droughts are finally over.

Liverpool's Andy Carroll (£35m, 9 games without a goal, 4 EPL goals so far this season) netted against Blackburn on Tuesday and Robin van Persie (£2.75m, 4 games without a goal, 27 EPL goals this season) scored against Wolves last night.

Not much to choose between them really.

So, the great goal droughts are finally over.

Liverpool's Andy Carroll (£35m, 9 games without a goal, 4 EPL goals so far this season) netted against Blackburn on Tuesday and Robin van Persie (£2.75m, 4 games without a goal, 27 EPL goals this season) scored against Wolves last night.

Not much to choose between them really.

So, the great goal droughts are finally over.

Liverpool's Andy Carroll (£35m, 9 games without a goal, 4 EPL goals so far this season) netted against Blackburn on Tuesday and Robin van Persie (£2.75m, 4 games without a goal, 27 EPL goals this season) scored against Wolves last night.

Not much to choose between them really.

Match Report Video -

It was a game that potentially could have been a banana skin. In the end we took the skin off the banana, ate the banana, then put the skin under Wolves who seemed unaware of the danger of a banana skin, thinking that oranges were the only fruit.

It was over as a contest in the first 11 minutes.

Down one goes and out the other goes

Ok, that's a lame title. Well, they are Wolves and we didn't lose, you get my drift. In essence, that's what it was. Wolves were a side low on confidence and the slightest change completely offset them. The red card ended the game as a contest and Arsenal strolled to a 5 point lead over the 4th place team.

Down one goes and out the other goes

Ok, that's a lame title. Well, they are Wolves and we didn't lose, you get my drift. In essence, that's what it was. Wolves were a side low on confidence and the slightest change completely offset them. The red card ended the game as a contest and Arsenal strolled to a 5 point lead over the 4th place team.

Yossi Benayoun probably hasn't done enough to achieve cult status. His imprint is far larger amongst the squad than the fans. When he scored the winner against Aston Villa in December the euphoria in the celebrations said it all. It wasn't just that it was such a crucial goal, it was scored by a popular player in the team and one of the signings who did much to improve morale amongst the group.

Aaron Ramsey's cameo appearance in our "class versus cash" victory over Abu Dhabi Oil Inc was not his greatest moment in an Arsenal shirt.

He had slotted in pretty well after coming on in the 78th minute to replace Yossi "Busy Bee" Benayoun.

But what we will all remember is the moment at the death where he was through on goal with a chance to make it 2-0 and with Oxlade-Chamberlain and van Persie waiting in the middle to side foot the ball into an empty net.

Aaron Ramsey's cameo appearance in our "class versus cash" victory over Abu Dhabi Oil Inc was not his greatest moment in an Arsenal shirt.

He had slotted in pretty well after coming on in the 78th minute to replace Yossi "Busy Bee" Benayoun.

But what we will all remember is the moment at the death where he was through on goal with a chance to make it 2-0 and with Oxlade-Chamberlain and van Persie waiting in the middle to side foot the ball into an empty net.

Few people have wanted to write about our losses this season there have been too many sadly and yesterday was no exception. Watching the game on a good stream it was difficult to draw any positives from a lacklustre performance that was more reminiscent of the dark days in January than the recent exciting football we have witnessed.

Few people have wanted to write about our losses this season there have been too many sadly and yesterday was no exception. Watching the game on a good stream it was difficult to draw any positives from a lacklustre performance that was more reminiscent of the dark days in January than the recent exciting football we have witnessed.