So the ups and not so ups of this season continued last night as we drew 2-2 away to Wigan.
Hugely disappointing, especially under the circumstances. They had just been reduced to 10 men
after N'Zogbia, clearly their most dangerous player, decided to use Jack Wilshere's face as the
ball and give it a little glancing header.
How quickly things change in the world of Arsenal injuries these days. Yesterday we expected to
lose Laurent Koscielny for a few games, which would allow Djourou his chance alongside Squillaci,
this morning the news is that Koscielny is fine and will play tonight while Djourou has a small
thigh problem which means he won't be involved at all.
Qualification to the knock-out stages of the Champions League was achieved last night in a game
that really doesn't merit a great deal of reporting.
Performance-wise it wasn't exactly great from an Arsenal point of view. We got the job done but
not without the now customary making it more difficult than it should have been part.
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has said that current Gunner Andrei Arshavin was
"disappointing" for Arsene Wenger's side in their last Champions League fixture. The North London
outfit needed a win against Partizan Belgrade earlier this week, and while they were delighted to
get the win, their Russian star left more to be desired.
Morning to you. The thaw is well and truly on, not in time to save football last night but
Sunday should be fine. I had to replace an hour of 5-a-side with an hour of drinking Rioja and
playing FIFA 11, it's close enough to what happens on the pitch.
Now, a lot has been said about the comments from Patrice Evra.
It has become a common theme in football now for Arsenal to lose when they face any sort of
stiff competition. Indeed they have lost 11 and drawn 1 of their last 12 games against Manchester
United and Chelsea, as well as more recently losing the edge to their major London rivals Tottenham
Hotspur.
At the very second the alarm went off my hand reached and in one smooth movement hit the button
for snooze. Another 9 minutes of blissful dozing.
"Wow", said Jack Wilshere from the other side of the room, "that was impressive".
"Jack Wilshere! What are you doing in my bedroom?", I asked.
Yesterday's results mean tonight's game is one in which we really can't lose. There were no
surprises. United and City both won meaning United extend their lead at the top to five points
while City have taken our second place. Sp*rs beat an insipid Villa side which means they've closed
the gap on us to just two points.
