By Chris Wright

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has admitted that it was his side's repeated failure to 'rise to the occassion' that saw them lose out 1-0 to Manchester United last Monday:

"The difference on the night (against United) was that we were scared of losing but they were not scared of winning.

If you didn't understand Arsene Wenger's faith in this team, watch this game again and again.

If you didn't believe the earlier games between the sides were close and the first goal made a big difference, watch this game again.

I don't want to get too excited over one win. That's not in my nature.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has once again reiterated his belief in the solidarity of a defense that has looked painfully vulnerable at several occasions this season.

The Gunners may be top of the table having played a game more than rivals Manchester United but in recent weeks, their defensive woes have led to home defeats against Newcastle and Tottenham.

Being on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline hurts. It doesn't matter which team we put out there. Even if it was an Academy side, it hurts because its still a Manchester United eleven. I still haven't caught the highlights (and I don't know if I really want to), so I can't quite comment on how the game unfolded.

Gareth Bale has become one of the most impressive player this season and it's actually a pretty surprising thing for many football viewers even for Bale himself simply because in most part of last season he wasn't even playing that much due to injury problems.

Despite the exquisite talent that he already possessed since his youth days with Southampton, another thing that the Welshman confirmed as the key for his current success is the work ethic that he installed especially after recovering from injury.

The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom.

Danny Blanchflower, Spurs and Northern Ireland captain.

BLACKBURN, England Sam Allardyce was sacked because his football vision did not fit in with that of Blackburn Rovers' new Indian owners who believe the club should be fourth or fifth in the Premier League. Allardyce said he was "shocked and disappointed" after being axed on Monday despite the club winning four of its [.

Cesc Fabregas has revealed that Arsenal are lacking the right mentality to win the big games. So far this season they have lost to United, Chelsea and Spurs, leaving their captain believing it is their fear of losing which is effecting them.

"They were more aggressive than us," Fábregas said.

21 year old Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has raised more than a few eyebrows with his unwise comments that a belief of going through the Premier League season unbeaten is starting to...
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Before the game I billed it as the time Arsenal really do have to come to life and beat a title challenger lose and we were as far off as ever win and we can start to think differently. From the first minute the players really, really wanted that win.

What really got me was that there was no fear, respect for them, but they didn't stand off Chelsea and let them play a part in the match.

At last Johan Djourou is beginning to gain some recognition.
I've rated this fella for a long time and have always believed that he could become a top-class centre-back.
The other night he had Didier Drogba in his pocket so much so I wouldn't be surprised if Drogba was still in there next to some lint and a two bob note.

For many Liverpool supporters who were holding out faith for Roy Hodgson to turn the team around, many lost their belief in Hodgson after Wednesday night's pathetic performance against Wolves.

At this rate, Hodgson's position as Liverpool manager is tenuous. But who do you think should replace him?