There will many disappointed Gooners out there tonight. Disappointed because we haven't made any
signings today or since Thomas Vermaelen arrived at the club. I can understand your frustrations. I
would have loved Arsene Wenger to make a couple of signings too. But he hasn't. And I'm not that
disappointed to honest.
The first defeat of the season is always the most tricky one to deal with. Perhaps that explains
why some feel that the earlier it comes, the better. At the beginning of the 2007-08
season, a determined young Arsenal squad made a typically flying start to
the campaign.
Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie declared he's delighted to have defender Thomas Vermaelen on
his side, rather than against him. Recalling the spat between the two in the 2007 Amsterdan
Tournament and speaking of the Belgian's impact on the Arsenal squad, the Dutch striker said:
He is hard and played very strong on me physically and I was a little bit upset about that.
Regular readers of my space will know how much I adore Carlos Vela and how much I love to watch
him play and also, how many times I wanted him to start last season, something which, alas, rarely
happened.
Vela and I
The first time I heard about Carlos and Arsenal was when a friend of mine, a Real Madrid fan,
was surprised to find out that the little striker who zig-zagged his way past Sergio Ramos and
Madrid's back four was actually an Arsenal player loaned out to the Spanish Liga.
5 years without a trophy and Arsene Wenger will once again use the Carling Cup as a chance for
the younger players in the squad to prove their worth. On the eve of this year's first League Cup
encounter for Arsenal, I look at whether Wenger should be taking this competition more
seriously.
Regular readers of my space will know how much I adore Carlos Vela and how much I love to watch
him play and also, how many times I wanted him to start last season, something which, alas, rarely
happened.
Vela and I
The first time I heard about Carlos and Arsenal was when a friend of mine, a Real Madrid fan,
was surprised to find out that the little striker who zig-zagged his way past Sergio Ramos and
Madrid's back four was actually an Arsenal player loaned out to the Spanish Liga.
The Game
Having lost back to back games away at Manchester, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal will try to get back
to winning terms as they face Standard Liege away from home in their first Champions League group
game. Bacary Sagna is on the bench with Emmanuel Eboue taking his place.
Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie declared he's delighted to have defender Thomas Vermaelen on
his side, rather than against him. Recalling the spat between the two in the 2007 Amsterdan
Tournament and speaking of the Belgian's impact on the Arsenal squad, the Dutch striker said:
He is hard and played very strong on me physically and I was a little bit upset about that.
Arsenal midfielder Theo Walcott is back with the rest of the squad. After facing months on the
sidelines due to a back injury, the youngster may feature in this weekend's game away at
Fulham.
Speaking of the injury, the former Southampton player said:
I've trained all week, hopefully I will play some part at the weekend and then we will go from
there," he highlighted.
Arsenal midfielder Theo Walcott is back with the rest of the squad. After facing months on the
sidelines due to a back injury, the youngster may feature in this weekend's game away at
Fulham.
Speaking of the injury, the former Southampton player said:
I've trained all week, hopefully I will play some part at the weekend and then we will go from
there," he highlighted.
