I haven't given up on Arsenal making the top four because I can't.
Despite Arsenal appearing to want to make it as difficult as possible to get there, something inside me makes it hard for me to believe we won't make it. And that something inside me is certainly not wind.
Perhaps its the season when we needed a Lasagna to make it happen gives me belief.

Arsenal supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated at the club's recent failure to compete for major honours in the past 7 years.

The ‘so near yet so far' statement could not ring more true than it does for the Gunners and the fans are starting to lose patience.

The poisonous atmosphere that has swept across the Emirates Stadium in back-to-back games against Manchester United and Aston Villa must be a worry to both the manager and the board.

Arsenal head into Sunday's FA Cup fourth round clash with Aston Villa on the back of three consecutive league defeats, but they have still been deemed the favourites by many European bookmakers to emerge victorious.

Arsenal and Villa last played an FA Cup match nearly 29 years ago at the good old Highbury, where the Gunners progressed courtesy of a 2-0 win.

The quietness. It's so loud. In its quietness, of course.

According to various reports in The Sun (not linking) and The Express (won't link because of auto-playing video), there was something of a team meeting at the training ground this week. Some might call it 'crisis talks', some might call it 'group therapy', some might call it 'Trevor'.

Some historical context first.
Back in March, 2004, we were leading United by a single goal at Highbury. As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Arsene put Pascal Cygan (remember him) on for Freddie Ljunberg, in an attempt to sure up our defence and see the game out. Instead, Cygan went AWOL up the field, United pushed forward, and Saha scored a later equalizer to deny us the victory.

For today's introduction we are going back into the mists of time, when men were men and not floppy overcooked strings of spaghetti like Busquets, Nani and Pepe.

England were World Champions and Man Utd had recently won the European Cup. For the younger reader who has grown up in the Sky era, there can be no understanding of the excitement and national pride that both events stirred.

I was lucky when I first used to go to Manchester United matches, over fifty years ago. Although the team was in the painful early stages of recovery from the Munich Air Crash they still often managed to play wonderfully expressive football in keeping with the finest traditions of the club.

Earlier in the week Chairman Peter Hill-Wood said that while he'd obviously like Arsenal to finish in the top four, it wouldn't be a 'disaster' if that didn't happen.

Obviously he was talking about it from a financial point of view. The implications of playing Europa League instead of Champions League are obvious.

It's interesting how certain Premier League fixtures come and go as being a ‘must see' or a top of the table clash, but one that has always whet the appetite is whenever Arsenal come up against Manchester United. However this Sunday will mark the first time I've missed the visit of United in nearly 12 years.

Ahead of the Big Game at the Weekend..... A "What if ".......

Charybdis. If you value your health ..... don't read this.

Some of our younger bloggers may not know that Sir Alex Ferguson almost became Arsenal manager before Mr Graham. The Don Howe era had come to a sticky end with Steve Burtenshaw acting as caretaker manager, therefore Ferguson who was the hot young manager following his superb job at Aberdeen was approached by Arsenal and according to him, turned them down after lengthy negotiations.

Ahead of the Big Game at the Weekend..... A "What if ".......

Charybdis. If you value your health ..... don't read this.

Some of our younger bloggers may not know that Sir Alex Ferguson almost became Arsenal manager before Mr Graham. The Don Howe era had come to a sticky end with Steve Burtenshaw acting as caretaker manager, therefore Ferguson who was the hot young manager following his superb job at Aberdeen was approached by Arsenal and according to him, turned them down after lengthy negotiations.

When it was first announced that Thierry Henry would be returning to the club, as an Arsenal fan, it was always going to be impossible not to get excited about the move.

Some people however, were quick to criticize the deal, stating the 34-year old forward was "past it" and this was just another "desperate" signing by Arsene Wenger.

It was billed one the homecoming for Thierry Henry and in the end, the ending matched the expectation at the start. A single goal separated Arsenal from Leeds United and advances us to the next stage of the competition. A home tie against Aston Villa is the prize that we got and it was a moment of history being reenacted that sent us through.

If ever there was a match made in Heaven in the footballing world, it would have to be between Arsenal and Thierry Henry, who have found each other again after a five-year absence, with the magic the same as it ever was.

It was an otherwise drab encounter, with little to get excited about as a makeshift Arsenal team struggled to break down a determined and dogged Leeds side coming with only one intention a lucrative replay.

Today's post is written by Neil, a QPR supporter who we met up with before the game last Saturday. These are his thoughts on the game and the Emirates experience.

I got the chance to visit the Emirates stadium as I have always wanted to, as iI had heard a lot about it and it always looks great on TV.

It's that time of year again when I allow myself to go all misty-eyed about the FA Cup while the less sentimental (and perhaps younger) among us tut-tut and denounce the old jug as a busted flush.

The Champions League is bigger, bolder, more watched, more important and above all more lucrative than the FA Cup, this we all know.

New Years Eve brought Queens Park Rangers to the Emirates for the final match of the 2011 calendar year, and van Persie's last chance to match or break Shearer's record.

Wenger rang in the changes to the starting line up from the disappointing draw versus Wolves on Tuesday, with Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and a surprising Andrei Arshavin getting starts.

The visit of Wolves over the last two seasons has produced two wins for the boys in red and white keeping clean sheets on both occasions. Although Wolves have some robust players McCarthy tries to get them to play football.

He is one of the few managers who I like listening to in post match interviews as he rarely complains about decisions and outcomes of games, choosing instead to inject some humour in his "call a spade a spade" approach to cross examination.

A Gooner's Christmas Carol

By Festive Brian

On the first day of Christmas, my True Love sent to me a team called Arsenal FC.

On the second day of Christmas, my Arsenal sent to me the library at Highbury and the first game ever live on TV.

On the third day of Christmas, my Arsenal [.

The world of football has changed in so many ways since first I clambered up the steps at Highbury and looked down in awe at the scene before me; an oblong of green set at the bottom of a man made bowl, the concrete sides towering above it. There it was the home of my schoolboy dreams, the canvass on which I had for all my growing years drawn in my mind's eye the daring deeds which I, "Roy of the Arsenal" had performed heroically, defeating all and sundry with magical skills and wondrous last minute goals.

The world of football has changed in so many ways since first I clambered up the steps at Highbury and looked down in awe at the scene before me; an oblong of green set at the bottom of a man made bowl, the concrete sides towering above it. There it was the home of my schoolboy dreams, the canvass on which I had for all my growing years drawn in my mind's eye the daring deeds which I, "Roy of the Arsenal" had performed heroically, defeating all and sundry with magical skills and wondrous last minute goals.

The world of football has changed in so many ways since first I clambered up the steps at Highbury and looked down in awe at the scene before me; an oblong of green set at the bottom of a man made bowl, the concrete sides towering above it. There it was the home of my schoolboy dreams, the canvass on which I had for all my growing years drawn in my mind's eye the daring deeds which I, "Roy of the Arsenal" had performed heroically, defeating all and sundry with magical skills and wondrous last minute goals.

The world of football has changed in so many ways since first I clambered up the steps at Highbury and looked down in awe at the scene before me; an oblong of green set at the bottom of a man made bowl, the concrete sides towering above it. There it was the home of my schoolboy dreams, the canvass on which I had for all my growing years drawn in my mind's eye the daring deeds which I, "Roy of the Arsenal" had performed heroically, defeating all and sundry with magical skills and wondrous last minute goals.

How times have changed. So many times in the past the FA Cup giant-killers, Yeovil Town, now stalwart members of League One were knocked out themselves this evening, at home in an FA Cup Second Round replay, by a non-league club. The Glovers had been comfortable in the first match against Blue Square Premier promotion chasers Fleetwood Town with a two goal lead, but two late Fleetwood goals earned a replay at Huish Park and this evening the non-league club finished off the job with a two goal win that hands them arguably the tie of their dreams at the start of January.

Would you believe it!!!

Sometimes in life, you realise there are things you only realise you can't live without once it's gone. For me today, the realisation is one to do with computer. My laptop died on me today and suddenly there's a huge void in my life. Luckily, I've managed to borrow one but I'm sure that's not what you want to read.

Arsenal have unveiled statues of Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry to mark the club's 125th anniversary this weekend.

The official unveiling of the statues outside the Emirates Stadium as part of the club's celebrations took place this afternoon.

Chapman, who led the club to their first league titles in 1931 and 1933, Adams, who captained Arsenal to five league titles across three decades, and Henry, the club's record goalscorer with 226, were the men honoured.

Jay Bothroyd will retire from football with a stash of cash in the bank, a luxurious mansion, one or two flash motors and a ton of memories. He made it. He is one out of all the thousands of budding stars grafting to become a professional.

He is a Premier League striker with QPR.

By Adam Summerton, writing from Nottinghamshire

Chelsea's 5-3 defeat against Arsenal was one of those freak games the Premier League has produced over the years – comparable to a heavy-weight slug-fest where both fighters forget to use their guard.

Another away London derby and one which has always been special to me.

When I was "maturing" the Chelsea side were terrific, no, not just terrific they were Glamourous. The Kings Road, Osgood, Tambling, Charlie Cooke etc etc they were seriously cool and going to their ground had a certain frisson which was very different to going to Highbury (Fulham Rd v Holloway Rd you get my drift?

Singing for your contract Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has revealed his 11-year stint at the club was due in no small part to the Eurovision Song Contest. The Dutchman has revealed he has to thank Ireland's Johnny Logan, whose track What's Another Year? one Eurovision in 1980, for maintaining his longevity at Highbury.

On a serious level, and I mean deadly serious, I cannot believe that I am seeing Per Mertesacker being criticized for his Arsenal performances.
The man has played less than a handful of games for the club and some people are writing him off quicker than Mel Gibson's 2008 Maserati.
Ze German has played for his country at least 1000 times and has top-level experience in the Champions League.

Howdy Arse lovers. I write a few hours in advance of the fixture with Olympiacos. Far from ideal as it's likely you'll read this in wake of that game. But it was so nearly worse dear reader. I did originally flounce off in a massive huff and refuse to produce the column altogether. This was until my lawyer forced me to release a statement explaining that it had all been a misunderstanding.

Have scum put a curse on the Emirates?

I was told this story some time ago but have never passed it on because, well, frankly, I didn't give it much credence.

It came from a relative who worked on the demolition of Highbury and the construction of the Emirates.

He is not a football fan and has no axe to grind as far as the Arsenal is concerned.

The game is underway, the action has reached a point of let's be honest, boredom. The Emirates crowd is hushed awaiting some excitement, it doesn't come, a player makes a mistake, groans cascade down towards the pitch, a young man stands up and with arms aloft sings "Arsenal, Arsenal Arsenal" at the top of his voice.

Wolves v Spurs has thrown up its fair share of classic encounters over the years and for Tottenham, Molineux has generally been a difficult place to travel to. There's often plenty of goals too as last year's 3-3 draw underlines.

When you think of memorable games from the past, two will always come to mind – (for Spurs fans anyway).

Former Arsenal boss Bruce Rioch knows all about pressure having experienced plenty during his one year reign at Highbury. He may not be remembered for his results on the pitch, but he should always be remembered for bringing Dennis Bergkamp to the club. Rioch has urged Wenger to look back over his time at Arsenal [.

Written by Illybongani

Much has been said about the perceived success (or lack of it), of Wenger's ‘Project Youth', particularly since the move to the Emirates. Arsenal Football Club are now seen as standard bearers in the development of young professional footballers. But is this accolade warranted or is it a misnomer?

Arsene Wenger has tabled an offer of only £6m, plus extras, for England international defender Gary Cahill just a third of Bolton's valuation of the player. That's according to the Daily Mirror this morning.

The paper says Arsenal have turned their attention to Cahill after failing with a £12m offer for Everton's Phil Jagielka, and stepping back from Blackburn skipper Chris Samba because of his price-tag.

Samir Nasri ending all the fuss and buzz about his future after officially signing a four years deal with Manchester City for an amount reportedly around 24 million pound, joining his colleague, Gael Clichy, who already joined the Eastands earlier.

Speaking in his first interview as a City player, Nasri revealed that he had an input from Patrick Vierra, which convinced him in choosing Roberto Mancini's side, as the multimillionaire club have a huge project and have more chance to win more titles in the future.

By Chris Wright

Granted, it's not actually that grievous a jibe but, upon his arrival at Man City, Samir Nasri questioned the 'passion' of Arsenal fans the very same supporters that took the time to sing him a hearty, fully personalised chant for the entirety of the season opener against Newcastle but a fortnight ago.