As per his usual, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger provided an update on the injured players ahead of the next game, with the Frenchman clearly frustrated with the news on Andrey Arshavin.

Wenger said:

We are upset because he should not have played. He was not in a condition where he could afford to play 90 minutes.

Fabregas rips into banned Adebayor
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LONDON — Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has hit out at former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor's violent conduct which led to a three-match ban for the Manchester City striker on Thursday.

Adebayor was handed the ban by the Football Association for stamping on the face of Arsenal's Robin van Persie during a stormy Premier League match which City won 4-2 last week.

After Tomas Rosicky announced he is ready to play for his national side despite not 100% fit, Russian midfielder Andrey Arshavin declared he has a good chance to face Wales on Saturday.

The Arsenal player, who scored a fabulous goal last Saturday against Manchester United said:

I definitely won't be ready to play against Liechtenstein.

A large number of our players are away on international duty at the moment. Let's hope they all return safely next Thursday/Friday.

My beloved Wales, all but eliminated from the World Cup next year in South Africa are home against Russia next Wednesday evening in Cardiff.

Arsenal and Russia midfielder Andrey Arshavin has given his complete support to the Council of Europe's "Speak out against Discrimination" campaign.

Speaking of football as a game which unites everyone regardless of race, religion, or social origin, the 28-year old also added how life can easily be compared to the game.

Who would you select as the best starting 11 from all the Premier League clubs? Here's my list, with the stipulation that I can only select one player from a single team (that makes it much harder given that the top clubs have multiple players that I would select otherwise):

GK - Shay Given (Man City)
D - John Painstil (Fulham)
D - Gary Cahill (Bolton)
D - Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
D - Leighton Baines (Everton)
M - Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
M - Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
M - Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
M - Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
F - Wayne Rooney (Man United)
F - Jermaine Defoe (Spurs)

Here's a second team:

GK - Robert Green (West Ham)
D - Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
D - Michael Turner (Sunderland)
D - Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
D - Nemanja Vidic (Man United)
M - Aaron Lennon (Spurs)
M - Tim Cahill (Everton)
M - Shawn Wright-Phillips (Man City)
M - Matt Taylor (Bolton)
F - Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
F - Robin van Persie (Arsenal)

And a third:

GK - Brian Jenson (Burnley)
D - Sebastian Bassong (Spurs)
D - Rio Ferdinand (Man United)
D - Gael Givet (Blackburn)
D - Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
M - Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal)
M - Jordi Gomez (Wigan)
M - Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)
M - Stephen Hunt (Hull City)
F - Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
F - Emanuel Adebayor (Man City)

The one player per team rule really made this a difficult task.

Home banker?

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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie should return from a knee injury but Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin remains sidelined by a groin problem.
Manuel Almunia is still suffering from a chest infection so young keeper Vito Mannone is set to continue in goal.

Matuidi

So here we are again, its not that long ago I was here throughout the Andrey Arshavin saga. Well, thats what it feels like anyway.

You can get all the rumours, confirmation of signings and general deadline day talk right here on The Goon Blog.

The most likely signings are Blaise Matuidi and Marouane Chamakh and the most likely departure is one Philippe Senderos who at one point, had a sealed move to Everton.

Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin has become the latest high profile celebrity to back the Council of Europe's ‘Speak Out Against Discrimination' campaign. "I want everyone to support the campaign against discrimination," the 28-year-old midfielder declared. He added: "Football gives every player the opportunity to express his or her talent and contribute to the team, [.

I knew it was too much to ask for for our players to get through an international break without getting injured, and I was right. Andrei Arshavin, who had to come off injured with a groin injury against Manchester United, rushed back too early to play in yesterday's game against Wales. Guus Hiddink, being the loyal Chelsea man he is, made sure Arshavin played all 90 minutes, and of course he re-injured his groin, and will now miss our next two matches the league fixture against Manchester City and the Champions League match-up with Standard Liege.

After Wednesday night's drama in Belgium I'm hoping for something a little more tranquil at the Grove tomorrow afternoon. Being Arsenal I doubt if we'll get it. Doing things the most difficult way possible is a proud club tradition!

What we do need to do LIVELY is learn the lessons from Wednesday without obsessing too much.

That headline is somewhat contrived. But it does underscore an important point: a year ago, Arsenal wouldn't have won 1-0 yesterday. Mr. Wenger often says the team is growing but year-on-year between 07-08 and 08-09 it seemed to have gone backwards not forwards. We were toothless in midfield and conceding stupid goals.

The Game

Having escaped an early first game scare away at Standard Liege, the Gunners will face Greek leaders Olympiacos in today's Champions League game. Nicklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott and Denilson, together with Samir Nasri and Manuel Almunia are all ruled out of the game.

Manchester United beat Arsenal 2-1 on Saturday after the Gunners dominated much of the play. Worryingly for them, they couldn't finish off a United side who were enduring what will probably be remembered as their worst performance of the season. Regardless, Arsenal tested Ben Foster on just one occasion after scoring, which allowed United back in to the game.

Let the booing commence.

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Robinho is a doubt for Manchester City after picking up an injury in Brazil's win against Argentina last weekend.

Carlos Tevez is out after twisting his knee in the same match, although City are hopeful he could play some part against Manchester United next Sunday.

Wenger won't revive Chamakh bid
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he has no plans to revive his bid to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh in January.

Chamakh was a target for Wenger in the summer, but the Gunners were unwilling to meet Bordeaux's asking price for the Morocco international.

Late goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin secured victory for Arsenal after dominating much of the game against Olympiacos. More to come.

Who: Manchester City (4th) Vs Arsenal (6th)
Critics say that Manchester City could displace Arsenal in the Big 4 this season, and perhaps, this is the most vital game in that battle. Arsenal would be looking to come back strong after the loss the Manchester United a couple of weeks back, and push the Citizens off the track.

Fabregas rips into banned Adebayor
Full Article

LONDON — Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has hit out at former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor's violent conduct which led to a three-match ban for the Manchester City striker on Thursday.

Adebayor was handed the ban by the Football Association for stamping on the face of Arsenal's Robin van Persie during a stormy Premier League match which City won 4-2 last week.

Wenger won't revive Chamakh bid
Full Article

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he has no plans to revive his bid to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh in January.

Chamakh was a target for Wenger in the summer, but the Gunners were unwilling to meet Bordeaux's asking price for the Morocco international.

Who: Fulham (14th) Vs Arsenal (7th)
The London clubs will be looking for a win, as both of them have not made the best of starts to the season..
What: Barclays Premier League, Round 6 for both teams.
Where: Craven Cottage, London, England.

North meets West in this London derby.

Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin returns after three games out with injury while Theo Walcott could feature in his first game of the season for the Gunners.
But Manuel Almunia is still out with a chest infection so Vito Mannone is likely to deputise in goal again.

The Game

Having escaped an early first game scare away at Standard Liege, the Gunners will face Greek leaders Olympiacos in today's Champions League game. Nicklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott and Denilson, together with Samir Nasri and Manuel Almunia are all ruled out of the game.