History is on Arsenal's side for the encounter against Manchester City. Including the League Cup, City have lost 21 of their last 28 visits to Arsenal, failing to score in 18 of those games.

I haven't checked the details but I think West Brom had a similar record. Add the wealth Citeh have been able to splash out and it's not difficult to see history will have little bearing on the outcome of this particular match.

It's all over for another year and in case you're wondering we're 107 days away from the next bank holiday and long weekend. Kill me now!! What a festive period we've had though, with three wins out of three, two clean sheets, 5 goals scored and two red cards. I haven't updated much because quite frankly I haven't had the time or inclination to do anything between watching Spurs, other football, darts, pulling all nighters to watch the Ashes and eating more food than a really hungry fat man.

Now we are well in to the second-half of the 2010/2011 season, who are this terms top performers racking up the points in various fantasy leagues, and putting themselves in the running for the EPL team of the year. Maybe surprisingly, as the debate rages about the influx of foreign players in to the EPL, many homegrown British and Irish players are proving that if you are good enough, you can still claim a place in the top English sides.

With the Transfer Window in full swing for Europe's top leagues, many of the United States' top players are up for moves across the continent. For the most part, the National Team should see benefit from the new placement of many of its stars and the casual American supporter now has some new and interesting clubs to follow:

Reus and Bradley.

We're now 20 games into 2010/11 so it's time to compare this season with 2009/10 once again. As we're only four points better off than the last post, the gap to last year, however you slice or dice it, has grown. After the first 20 games last year, we had 35 points and by comparing the same fixtures, apples for apples, we had 32 points compared to 21 points this year.

We're now 20 games into 2010/11 so it's time to compare this season with 2009/10 once again. As we're only four points better off than the last post, the gap to last year, however you slice or dice it, has grown. After the first 20 games last year, we had 35 points and by comparing the same fixtures, apples for apples, we had 32 points compared to 21 points this year.

On Tuesday afternoon the Los Angeles Galaxy came to terms with veteran defender Greeg Berhalter and re-signed him to a one year contract. With this new signing, Berhalter became the first player in team history to serve as player and assistant coach.

"We are very excited to have re-signed Gregg Berhalter and look forward to having his experience and leadership for the upcoming season," said Galaxy GM and Head Coach Bruce Arena in the press release.

What a fantastic performance. What rotten luck. One stupid moment!

I must say this game turned out to be the reverse of what I'd expected. The first ten minutes were the most exciting and Arsenal had City on the ropes for that period. After that the visitors found their defensive shape and made it much more difficult for Arsenal to open them up.

Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City

In the pub beforehand, there wasn't a single member of our party who envisaged anything other than a home win, and some of us thought we might get three goals (I think I went for 2-1). All I can say in hindsight is it's a good job none of us are bookmakers by trade.

Hmmm. And flying forward in attack at every opportunity, in gung-ho and open manner, irrespective of who we were playing, where we playing and whether or not we were even in possession of the ball, had seemed like such a fool-proof plan. After all, if 2010 taught us anything it is surely that no matter how many we concede we will always score more?

They qualified impressively for the Champions League last season, can they go one better this time around?...

Do Spurs have the Beck's Factor needed to win the league? (see what I did there...)

They've improved on their exciting team from last year with the bargain signing of Van der Vaart from Real Madrid, and he's certainly been a big hit at White Hart Lane this season.

Following the goalless draw at the Lane on Sunday, the media have, rather predictably, focused on United and their chances of staying unbeaten this season, rather than the fact that Spurs should have inflicted their first defeat.

Harry Redknapp, speaking on the club's official website said: "Chances were few and far between but I felt we edged the game.

Tweet

Time to make it count..

Arsenal travel to Elland Road on Wednesday night to face Leeds United in their FA Cup replay match; the Gunners coming back off a 3-0 away against West Ham at the weekend. Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna is available after completing a ban and winger Tomas Rosicky is expected back after recovering from a virus.

Heurelho Gomes has shown that he has adjusted well to British football by announcing that Spurs must ‘take each game as it comes.'

We are heading towards some crunch fixtures which will be pivotal in our desire for success this season. There are some vital games ahead in the league, while our FA Cup 4th round tie and the AC Milan clash begin to loom large.

Steven Gerrard is hopeful that Liverpool's new first-team coach Steve Clarke can help improve the team's defence and attack, after what has been a largely underwhelming campaign.
The Reds have managed to keep only six clean sheets in their 22 Premier League games, and have conceded 31 goals in the process.

GOLAZO!

For weeks now, we've waited for a sign. A moment that would signal the return to form for the club, and serve as a definitive period on the statement of malaise we've left on the pitch for the last eight weeks. Tonight, there were many such moments that could qualify.

It is ok, I forgive you for laying in and waiting until later than usual for your transfer news update from Just Arsenal after watching the team reach the Carling Cup Final last night. That win last night was rather nice wasn't it! Sadly it seems that recent performances (and clean sheets!!) have persuaded the [.

One was pushed, one jumped. Both were idiots and their archaic chauvinism wore out a long time ago. Thankfully, that is the end of them.

On the pitch however, Dimitar Berbatov showed just how much he has adapted to his new, adopted home country by going out binging. The Bulgarian obviously likes to wallow around biding his time and then goes crazy, unleashing himself on whoever happens to be there at the time.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is hoping that the club's new found defensive strength can provide the platform to push further up the table.
Despite a poor start to the season, the Reds now sit seventh in the Premier League after the 1-0 win against Fulham on Wednesday night.
It followed the 3-0 victory against Wolves at the weekend, which means they have now kept two clean sheets in a row - for just the second time this season.

It had been widely expected and all but confirmed, but yesterday, Edwin van der Sar confirmed that he will be retiring at the end of the season.

Following Peter Schmeichel's departure after the historic 1999 season, Manchester United went through a number of keepers without finding the same consistent excellence that marked Schmeichel's highly successful run at Old Trafford.

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina reflected the optimistic mood infusing the squad after back-to-back wins by talking about an "exciting time" ahead.
Contrasting victories over Wolves and Fulham have lifted the Reds into seventh in the Barclays Premier League, their highest position all season after the worst start since 1953/54.

Martin Skrtel believes Liverpool's defensive problems are on the mend thanks in no small part to the presence of Martin Kelly.
Caretaker boss Kenny Dalglish had to wait until his fourth game back in charge for a victory due to a clutch of rearguard lapses.
Successive clean sheets have helped Liverpool collect six points from their last two fixtures - evidence that work on the training ground is paying off, according to Skrtel.