Last time we see all 3 on the pitch at the same time?

Haven't written in a while, therefore this will be more of a short summation on things that have happened in the past week. No place better to start than with the players.

Emmanuel Frimpong will be out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

Just another week in paradise. With the resignation of Fabio Capello from his post as England Manager / press voodoo doll, we're being reminded of some of the less savoury sides of the game. The politicking, the whooping hyenas in the press, the reminder that the never ending cuntishness of John Terry seems to hurt everybody expect John Terry.

The tackle that started the comeback

The team needed a lift after results of recent weeks. A 1-0 win is great but coming back from 2 goals down to win it, is surely going to give the team the boost that we so desperately need. A game of two halves is the old cliche but certainly applies in this scenario.

Benjamin Franklin once said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. With this definition in mind events at the Emirates stadium on Sunday could lead some Arsenal supporters to question the mental health of their manager.

Sunday 28th August 2011 will be a date forever etched on the minds of Arsenal and Manchester United supporters alike, remembered with very differing degrees of fondness.

Sorry about the title, but I can't resist a good pun if possible. Misleading as it might be, I must stress that I am not saying Johan Djourou deserves any credit for his performance against Manchester United.

However, for all the criticism surrounding Arsene Wenger for his choice to remove Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain just as he'd made our equaliser and was at the centre of everything good we were doing, a rather more bold move by the boss has gone largely ignored: replacing the more experienced Djourou, terrible as he was, for Premier League debutant Nico Yennaris, a move that proved more successful than bringing on Andrey Arshavin later.

Over the last few seasons Arsene Wenger has gathered an assortment of players, paid them good wages and has waited for them to deliver. Unfortunately, they have not delivered the goods nor have they developed into the world class players we thought they would turn into.

For a few transfer windows we have been expecting these players to be sold, but the ridiculous wages, for their limited wages has meant we have not been able to get rid of these deadwood players.

By Chris Wright

United made it Manchester 2-0 North London in the second of Sunday's super-duper all-singing-all-dancing encounters, beating Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates to whittle City's lead at the summit of the Premier League back down from six points to three.

Not the debut we hoped for

A 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United with each side coming on top in one half is not the worst of results. However, the manner in which we lost the game, left a bitter taste in the mouth. After what happened in the reverse fixture early in August, many Arsenal fans (including me) wanted to exact revenge but also conscious of the fact that we want to avoid another thrashing.

szólj hozzá: Arsenal v Man United 1:2 MOTD

It was the 74th minute when Arsene Wenger went from mere arrogance to sheer incompetence. Replacing Alex Oxlade Chamberlain with Andrey Arshavin. The Ox had been Arsenal's best player on the pitch providing the side with desperately needed speed, ambition, and some quality skills.

Arsenal vice-captain Thomas Vermaelen has returned to fitness in time for this evening's massive home fixture against Manchester United while there were also another two surprises in the Gunners' starting line-up against the reigning champions.

The 18-year old summer signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain makes a memorable debut while Tomas Rosicky also starts over Andrei Arshavin and Yossi Benayoun, who have previously been preferred to him this season.

On Sunday, January 22, 2012, Manchester United will take the pitch against Arsenal at the Emirates. Cognizant of the simple fact that Manchester United handed Arsenal an 8-2 loss that is counted amongst the very worst in a period of 100 years, no one is giving much reason to believe that the Gunners have a chance against the Red Devils.

The time has finally come to play out the reverse fixture of the 8-2 defeat that Arsenal suffered at the hands of Manchester United on that horrific August evening at Old Trafford. The memories of that mauling are fresh on the minds of not only the Gunners fans but also European bookies like Champions League betting, which is why Arsenal have been priced as the underdogs even though this Sunday's match is taking place in the North Londoners' own backyard.

szólj hozzá: Swansea City 3-2 Arsenal

Arsenal's bright start through who else but Robin Van Persie was dashed within minutes as Aaron Ramsey brought down Nathan Dyer, an absolute pest to the Gunners, and Scott Sinclair converted the penalty. The foul looked pretty soft. Andrey Arshavin who had threaded the pass through for RVP's goal was guilty of less precision in the second half as Ramsey could not latch onto his errant service gifting the ball to Joe Allen.

A real 3 pointer today, what with Spurs and Liverpool dropping points at home.

We all know that Swansea are a very difficult side to beat at the Liberty Stadium, in fact only MU have won there this season. The Swans have conceded just 4 goals at home (compared to AFC's 6) and have drawn half their home games (5/10) Spurs gained a very squeaky point a couple of weeks ago and Swansea will go into the game full of confidence.

So there is at last some good news on the injury front, Carl Jenkinson has had positive scan results and is back in training, TV5 is not far off and may be back for Manu. Per looks unlikely to beat his flu in time for Swansea, while Johan Djourou is back from suspension. It still means that our back four this sunday will be rather ropey and may contain Squillaci, not good.

Things just go from bad to worse in the Arsenal back line with a never-ending litany of injuries. The Gunners had already lost Sagna, Gibbs, Jenkinson and Santos long before Christmas, and Wenger had no choice but to use all four centre-backs as cover. Then Johan Djourou got sent off at the same time as [.

Losing to Fulham to start 2012 hurt but it has hopefully served as a wakeup call for Arsene Wenger that his side cannot continue to challenge for the top four without recognised fullbacks. The regulars are out injured and have been for a considerable time. Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos and Carl Jenkinson are on the treatment table for the foreseeable future so now the January transfer window is open, Wenger must invest.

It's my first article of the new year and despite witnessing our agonising collapse at Craven Cottage last night, the Arsenal have still managed to put a smile on my face.

Even with a defiant cold/hangover that refuses to go away, the club have been able to keep me in good spirits. More on that later I'll get the depressing stuff out of the way first.

John Arne Riise hits back at Arsene Wenger over Johan Djourou red card

John Arne Riise has denied Fulham players deliberately tried to get Arsenal defender Johan Djourou sent off. The Gunners looked set for a fifth victory in six away Barclays Premier League matches until the home side's late comeback at Craven Cottage.

Arsene Wenger made it clear that poor officiating has taken its toll on Arsenal's season but admitted that his own defense was 'stupid' in conceding twice at Fulham last night.

The Gunners were leading 1-0 through Laurent Koscielny's early goal but a disappointing second half performance allowed their opponents to bounce right back into the match.

Debatable decisions from an otherwise horrible refereeing

In the two games that we've played Fulham this season, we've only managed to garner 1 point. For a club with ambitions of winning trophies and finishing as high up the league table as possible, that is simply not good enough. With Chelsea winning their match before the start of ours, it was imperative for us to match their result to maintain our 4th spot in the league.

szólj hozzá: Fulham vs Arsenal 2:1 MOTD

Depressing. Very depressing. As bright and incandescent as Arsenal were the first half, the second half was an absolute blight. The Gunners looked drained, bereft of ideas, and they let Fulham walk all over them. It was an reversion to many a game last season where Arsenal showed distinctly no ambition other than to run out 90 minutes.

This shot of Andre Villas-Boas subtly reminds us of a similar pose Dunga held two years ago when Brazil were losing to the Netherlands en route to the World Cup semi-finals! It's one that screams "Estou desesperada!" (I'm desperate!) .

Arsene Wenger has been known to scrutinize the officiating in the Premier League, particularly when it is against his Arsenal side.

Hence, it comes as no surprise that the Frenchman has once again questioned why some of the key decisions in recent matches have gone against the Gunners.

Despite being 1-0 up with 12 minutes to go at Fulham, Wenger's men completely lost control of matters following the dismissal of defender Johan Djourou for a second bookable offence.

Arsene Wenger has been known to scrutinize the officiating in the Premier League, particularly when it is against his Arsenal side.

Hence, it comes as no surprise that the Frenchman has once again questioned why some of the key decisions in recent matches have gone against the Gunners.

Despite being 1-0 up with 12 minutes to go at Fulham, Wenger's men completely lost control of matters following the dismissal of defender Johan Djourou for a second bookable offence.

Clint Dempsey and Fulham headlined another day of National Teamers in action in England's Premier League. Fulham beat Arsenal 2-1 at Craven Cottage, the latest in a series of games where elite clubs have stumbled. Arsenal led from the 21st minute, but were reduced to ten men when Johan Djourou was sent off in the 78th.

Chelsea moved back up to fourth place in the Premier League after picking up a 2-1 away victory against Wolves, although it took an 89th-minute winner by Frank Lampard to end Chelsea's four-match winless run.

Stephen Ward thought he had done enough to earn Wolves their fourth consecutive draw when he cancelled out Ramires's second-half effort with just five minutes remaining, but Lampard pounced to take the Blues a point above Arsenal, who failed to reclaim fourth spot after losing 2-1 at Fulham.

Chelsea moved back up to fourth place in the Premier League after picking up a 2-1 away victory against Wolves, although it took an 89th-minute winner by Frank Lampard to end Chelsea's four-match winless run.

Stephen Ward thought he had done enough to earn Wolves their fourth consecutive draw when he cancelled out Ramires's second-half effort with just five minutes remaining, but Lampard pounced to take the Blues a point above Arsenal, who failed to reclaim fourth spot after losing 2-1 at Fulham.

Another one stopped

The final outcome was a result that we did not need and with Tottenham winning their latter game at Carrow Road, it makes me very uncomfortable with the gap that is opening up slightly between us. This was a chance to move ahead of Chelsea into 4th spot. It ended up being as frustrating a match to watch.

Another one stopped

The final outcome was a result that we did not need and with Tottenham winning their latter game at Carrow Road, it makes me very uncomfortable with the gap that is opening up slightly between us. This was a chance to move ahead of Chelsea into 4th spot. It ended up being as frustrating a match to watch.

Laurent Koscielny has no problem helping ease Arsenal's injury crisis by playing at full-back, claiminghis friends have grown so accustomed to seeing him in the position that they have started calling him the "white Cafu".

Arsenal head to Aston Villa without any recognised full-backs after a spate of injuries denied Arsene Wenger the services of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson.

Laurent Koscielny has no problem helping ease Arsenal's injury crisis by playing at full-back, claiminghis friends have grown so accustomed to seeing him in the position that they have started calling him the "white Cafu".

Arsenal head to Aston Villa without any recognised full-backs after a spate of injuries denied Arsene Wenger the services of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson.

Laurent Koscielny has no problem helping ease Arsenal's injury crisis by playing at full-back, claiminghis friends have grown so accustomed to seeing him in the position that they have started calling him the "white Cafu".

Arsenal head to Aston Villa without any recognised full-backs after a spate of injuries denied Arsene Wenger the services of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson.

Laurent Koscielny has no problem helping ease Arsenal's injury crisis by playing at full-back, claiminghis friends have grown so accustomed to seeing him in the position that they have started calling him the "white Cafu".

Arsenal head to Aston Villa without any recognised full-backs after a spate of injuries denied Arsene Wenger the services of Kieran Gibbs, Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson.

To lose all four of our first team fullbacks at once to long-term injuries really is unfortunate.

As an example of serious bad luck it's right up there with Wayne Rooney finding himself at Grab-a-Granny night in the local nightclub with both arms in plaster; or Harry Redknapp taking a wrong turn into an auction house and accidentally winning 53 bids on account of his twitch.

Subdued Song turned the game

We came, we fought and we came away with zero. Yet there's still much to admire about this Arsenal side. We did not get thrashed by the team supposedly to be champions elect. Neither were we outplayed and hung on by the skin of our teeth.

Arsene Wenger fielded the same line-up as the one that took to the field on our 125th anniversary celebrations.

By Alan Duffy

Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal Premier League 18th December 2011

Shorn of all four full-backs in their squad, it was always going to be a difficult task facing Arsenal as they headed to the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal ensured their 125th birthday celebrations were marked with a victory when defeating Everton 1-0 at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League thanks to a goal of outstanding beauty from Robin van Persie.

Just a day after the club unveiled statues of Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry outside their ground, Van Persie demonstrated why he may one day attain legendary status of his own in Islington with his 15th and best league goal of a wonderful season.

Arsenal ensured their 125th birthday celebrations were marked with a victory when defeating Everton 1-0 at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League thanks to a goal of outstanding beauty from Robin van Persie.

Just a day after the club unveiled statues of Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry outside their ground, Van Persie demonstrated why he may one day attain legendary status of his own in Islington with his 15th and best league goal of a wonderful season.

Thomas Vermaelen will play in the left back position

All four centre backs have been deployed against Everton. Thomas Vermaelen at left back, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny form the central pairing, and Johan Djourou at right.

For Arsenal the danger men are Tim Cahill who loves to lose himself in the thicket of tall defenders rising from nowhere for his headers, Leighton Baines who will fancy himself against a relatively static Djourou to bomb forward, and Louis Saha who still packs in an explosive finish.