Mikel Arteta? Yes, please.

The Guardian is reporting that we are making a bid for Mikel Arteta. Excerpts:

Arsène Wenger...[is] prepared to break with tradition and spend a considerable fee on a more experienced player [Arteta] during the transfer window.

Moyes and his chairman, Bill Kenwright, have stressed that they will be dismissive of interest in their players in the transfer window. "None of our players is for sale," said Kenwright this week. Yet Arsenal could test that resolve and would be prepared to pay up to £12m...Any successful move for Arteta would probably require the midfielder to agitate for a transfer — he has consistently indicated he is content on Merseyside in recent times — but the lure of Champions League football and, consequently, a higher profile with which finally to claim international recognition, having featured earlier for the Under-21s, would be enticing. The 26-year-old is in the highest bracket of earners at Goodison, though Arsenal would improve his wages and, ultimately, he may end up a more viable option for Wenger to pursue than Arshavin.

Having had my heart broken this summer over Alonso, I am trying not to get too excited or hopeful, but this would be so perfect (see my wish list). Like Alonso, I've liked Arteta for quite a while -- I really do think he's the mirror image of Cesc. Very Arsenal in his style of play (I remember watching an Everton game earlier this year where the commentator said the same thing).

As to the veracity of the report, besides the fact that the Guardian is a reputable paper? Hmm.

1) A price of £12 million seems about right for us -- the £20 million asking price for Arshavin is the main reason I don't think that's going to happen. Unless, of course, we do both. HA.

2) He is from a "lower" club, so the chance to play for Arsenal, and in the Champions League, would be a big draw for him (as opposed to someone like Alonso). As the story notes, playing at Arsenal would also help his international career. Not 100% on this, but I believe he has yet to be capped.

3) He has Premier League experience.

4) He is not cup-tied.

5) Everton could use the money, and presumably they could use it to buy a couple more players, including strikers (to replace, I read somewhere, Louis Saha -- the "Tomas Rosicky of France." Ha.).

On the other hand, Arteta is arguably their most influential player (with Cahill), so I'm not sure why Moyes would let him go. Maybe if we upped the price and he put in a transfer request? Not sure. All I know is that I REALLY HOPE THIS HAPPENS.

What is it with me and Spanish midfielders?

One - Nil To Arsenal Over Tony Adams How Fitting

It was William Gallas who scored the game winner in the 81st minute of the match for Arsenal to take a 1-0 victory over Portsmouth.

Not sure if this will change Gallas's status with the team or if he will even be around for the next match. The transfer window opens Thursday and it is thought that he may be on his way out. I guess we will just have to see what happens. Personally I'm not a fan and I'd like to see him depart.

Still thanks to Gallas we get the 3 points and hold on for another week. Now let's keep doing it to them before they do it to us!

Come on Arsenal!

We Did It Again :-(

Boxing day wasn't so exciting for Arsenal fans today. With a 2-0 lead we managed to once again fall apart and let two goals slip to end up in a draw with Villa. Denilson scored first followed up by a nice Diaby goal that he and Eboue worked nice together on.

Then is was good old Gallas making, what could be his final marks on Arsenal by going for a tackle on the edge of the box and getting a penalty. Barry put it in and then in the 91st minute of the match we let up in the middle again and Villa put the second one in to draw.

We were missing Ade and Cesc, we didn't create many chances and over all is was a sloppy match. I can't say we really deserved to win the way we played for the first 20 minutes and then for the last 20. In between we played good, but still not our best.

I really would love to see us dump Gallas and pick up a couple people to fill in the middle both D & Mid.

Come On Arsenal!

My (Transfer) Christmas Wish List

In no particular order, and for the most part limited to the realm of the possible (if not probable):

1) Xabi Alonso. See 500 previous postings. A combination of Cesc and defensive midfielder. Perfect.
2) Mikael Arteta. Loong shot but I love him and he'd be great.
3) Andrei Arshavin. Good, but £20 million? Seems most likely though.
4) Alex. Apparently doesn't want to stay at Chelsea. Don't know his game all that well, but he does seem like he'd fit in. Whatever, we need a defender.
5) Juan Roman Riquelme. How's that for an outside-the-box long shot? But he's really good and I imagine Boca would sell if he was willing to leave.
6) Nico Krancjar. Better than any non-Cesc thing we got in central midfield. Plus I do like him.
7) Marcos Senna. He is reportedly interested in ManCity, so presumably he would leave for the right deal. Plus he and Cesc already play together. The only thing is his age - he's already in his 30s, and knowing Arsene, unlikely.
8) Morten Gamst Pedersen. Seems like a cut above the rest of Blackburn, and weren't we supposed to be interested in him over the summer?
9) Speaking of Blackburn, Roque Santa Cruz. He's good, he's cute, he can replace Bendtner.

Hmm. There's someone from the Dutch national team, but I can't think of his name. Who else?

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool: Cesc Injured, Ade Suspended...but Robin's Chocolate Leg Alive and Well

I guess there's two ways to look at this: 1) We lost points on a game we should have won, and more or less had to win, at home. That once again, we couldn't f'ing hang on to a lead, and gave up a soft goal.

or

2) We held the league leaders to a draw with 10 men. That Robin is starting to deliver, and in big games. That the fans showed their love in general -- nice boos every time L'pool got the ball -- and in particular for Eboue. Nice.

Since I am an optimist at heart, I'll take the latter. A point isn't sooo bad, and I would be madder if I were a Liverpool fan -- even I can't believe they couldn't get a second with a one-man advantage AND Cesc off. We didn't play poorly, at least in the first half. But then I thought Diaby was pretty bad -- and even Almunia couldn't get the ball where he wanted it. Oy. Arsene Wenger, as angry as I've ever seen him, gives his thoughts here.

So look, let's just move on. My thoughts on the season so far haven't changed: it's worrying, it's annoying, but our team needs our support. And some -- er, a lot -- money in January and June.

Latest reports link us with Arshavin (okay...) and Tevez (no way) and my favorite, Alonso. (I don't believe it...and I still love him, but that tackle on Cesc make me really f'ing mad. I almost got tears in my eyes, watching a clearly in-pain and upset Cesc limp off.)

My transfer wish list coming soon.

Aston Villa next...dammit.

ManUre's Ferdinand Is A TWAT

Good old Rio opening his mouth again saying Arsenal has no hope of winning the League.

He says it's his personal opinion and if I were him I would keep it to myself. He says that Chelsea, Liverpool and ManUre will take the top three spots.

Last I looked we were only 2 points off ManUre, who does have a game in hand, Seven off Chelsea and 8 of Pool. Well we know Pool is going to screw up and drop a bunch of points, including this weekend to Arsenal. The question is can Chelsea and ManUre hold on. Now I remember Arsenal blowing at this point last year, but it can easily be one of the other two that do.

Rio needs to shut up and play. The guy is old and sucks and has almost nothing left in him that can run but his mouth. So F**K OFF Rio!

Blackburn Sack Manager Paul Ince - Who's Next

After a poor start to the season with Blackburn selling off some key players and with only 3 wins of 17 matches played they sit in second to last place in the league.

So one thing to be said is that not all great players make great coaches. Blackburn will be looking to get a replacement in as soon as possible. They play Stoke City this weekend.

Graeme Souness, Sam Allardyce, and Alan Curbishley have been linked to the job. So why not replace one sacked coach with another sacked coach. Personally I think Big Sam would be the one to pick.

Eduardo On His Way Back

Eduardo will be playing in tonights Reserve Match against Portsmouth - good to see him getting back out on the field. I hope he will be back to normal in the next couple months. I know Super Bob Pires took a little while to get back and never really was as good after his injury, but still he had some fantastic goals. So I hope Eduardo is on his way to a full recovery.

Patrick Vieira has comment that Cesc would have been his choice as captain as well. He's mature for his age and has played in over 200 matches at the senior level. Still, even with a Draw, Cesc is still do well as captain and keeping things in order.

All I want for Christmas is Arsenal to win the League and the Champions League - hope I'm not pushing it!

Merry Christmas to One and All!

(Unless you're a Chelsea fan.)

Loss to Porto and onto to Boro

So the trip to Porto didn't go so well, but Saturday we have M'Boro and many of our injured this week will be back. After losing 2-0 in a rather mediocre performance, Arsenal need to focus on the league this weekend and bring home 3 points.

Captain Cesc still has a winning streak going so let's hope that he can bring the team through this weekend and get us 3 points.

Come on Arsenal!

Come on Reds!

We are on to the next round, so we will certainly be seeing a diffeent team in tonights match. No Cesc, RvP, Nasri, Ade, Sagna, Toure or Clichy.

The big question is who will be captain? My guess is it will be Almunia.

I don't think it's going to be a really good match based of the team we have. Don't get me wrong, they are all fantastic players, but I think the experience level just isn't there tonight.

Hope the boys just have fun and make a good match of it.

Here's the travelling squad:

1. Manuel Almunia
21. Lukasz Fabianski
10. William Gallas
18. Mikael Silvestre
40. Kieran Gibbs
41. Gavin Hoyte
27. Emmanuel Eboue
20. Johan Djourou
17. Alex Song
15. Denilson
16. Aaron Ramsey
47. Mark Randall
2. Abou Diaby
43. Fran Merida
19. Jack Wilshere
26. Nicklas Bendtner
12. Carlos Vela
50. Jay Simpson

Schuster Sacked and Ramos is in at Real Madrid

Juande Ramos will take over immediately at Real Madrid after the sacking of Bernd Schuster. Ramos was sacked by Tottenham not because he sucked, but because Tomttenham sucks. So he may be right in his element taking over the 5th place team who is playing Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday in the Champions League.

The Real Board lost confidence in Schuster after a 4-3 defeat to Sevilla on Sunday and this follows already dropping out of the Copa del Ray, losing to Real Union.

The Real Board I don't think has confidence in anyone. They have shuffled coaches in and out of the years and should really take a look at themselves to see if maybe they are the reason the team has not has any success in the past couple years.

What Real Madrid need is some consistency and a coach that is given enough time to build a team and get them back on track. Barca lost some key players this year and still they are on top. That to me shows that you don't always need the best, but the best combo to get the job done.

I hated having Ramos at Tottenham for fear that he might build them up to a good team, but that's like asking him to turn water into wine. Tottenham will always suck no matter who coaches them and Ramos, if given a chance will make Real Madrid a contender for the league and well as the Champions League.

Where in the World is Rosicky!

We can start a new game and call it "Where in the World is Rosicky?". After an injury almost a year ago, Tomas Rosicky is still nowhere to be found. Originally due back in August to start the season and then it keeps draging on to September, October, November, December.......

Now it's said to be March. I thought you could grow a whole new limb in that amount of time or have a child and train and develop him into a super footy player. This Hamstring Tendon injury has really done a number on this guy. I do hope we might see him in an Arsenal uniform by 2010.

Since January is fast approaching the best thing for Arsenal is to remove him from the roster and pick someone up that can be effective for the second half of the year and get us up on top.

Remember - and I don't mean it in a good way, but trying to get a positive spin, we were on top of the league a year ago and thought that we were going to walk away with it and along came the rest of the pack and eat us up. So let's do it to them this year!

Robin's Chocolate Leg

From a story in the Daily Express, which I came upon because I don't want to write this stupid memo and am procrastinating:

Van Persie is renowned for his twinkle-toed skills and the venom of his left-foot shooting but he has been concentrating on his “wrong” foot recently – and is convinced it is paying off. He said: “I know I can shoot with my right leg. Of course my left one’s better but it’s down to your belief in the power of your wrong leg. In Holland we call it your chocolate leg.”

Van Persie...added: “Positive thinking is the key for me – when I have a chance I think positively. I think this is a good chance with my right foot – I can score this one. And I think you will miss many more chances with your chocolate leg if you think negatively, thinking that it’s not your strong foot."

Chocolate leg. That's cute, and there is he is, scoring with his.

COULD THIS BE TRUE?? (Answer: no. But a girl can dream...)

I'm sure it's not. Not. Why would they let him go? They won't. Plus the source sucks, and there's no way he would cost only £12 million. Still, says the Daily Mirror:

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a new bid for Liverpool's Spanish midfield supremo Xabi Alonso - and bring his strength and experience into his side.

I refuse to get my hopes up (really), but wow, what if this were true? Wouldn't that be something. And just look how cute he is! (Sorry, Dave.) So...dubious fingers crossed. I guess I won't turn off my "Xabi Alonso Arsenal" Google alert for a while longer.

Everton 2-3 Aston Villa

What a game. Aston Villa didn't deserve to win, but I have mixed feelings about that team. I really do feel that Everton is the Tier 2 version of Arsenal -- no spending on big players, Cesc junior in midfield, a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. As a result, and largely because of Arteta, my #2 team is Everton. Aston Villa, on the other hand, is the Tier 2 Manchester United -- 2-3 outstanding players, arrogant, relentless style of play. That, combined with the fact that they might kick us out of the Champions League spot, sorta makes me hate them, even though I have to say I like Ashley Young.

So all this to say watching today's game was like watching an Arsenal game -- heart in mouth right till the very end, and then heartbreak. Poor Everton.

And now Aston Villa is only one point behind us. So you know, knowing us, I'm sure we'll lose to Middlesbrough next weekend and that'll be that. What a f'ing season.

Oh whatever, it's three points

I suppose this is what lack of confidence does, when our kids can beat these guys 3-0 and we feel pretty lucky to get a win. What happened to the team that beat Bolton and Newcastle with such class? Still, it's three points, and teams suck and win all the time, so it's unfair to demand beauty every time we play.

But WHAT IS UP with our defense? There were times we looked like schoolboys out there. Maybe we just need a new defense coach. It's ridiculous -- individually, we certainly have a better back four than Wigan, but you'd never know it. And we clearly have a severe midfield problem. Denilson's okay...but on my wishlist is two defenders and two midfielders. I suppose Alonso is no longer an option, dammit. That still breaks my heart.

Eboue was shocking at the end. It was like watching the Fulham game all over again. There were at least two passes where I thought -- maybe someone paid him to lose the game for us. I mean, there were NO red shirts to where he passed the ball. Yikes. But it's not cool to boo your own players, no matter what. I think the problem is that Arsenal fans have never liked Eboue, so he just has a smaller margin of error before people turn on him. Having had a shitty week myself -- ah, my job, it's so great -- I can only imagine what it must be like having 50,000 of your own people booing you -- on international TV, no less. Sometimes people just suck.

And was that Eduardo I saw on the bench? I know he's close to coming back, and I'm thrilled. We need to let Bendtner go -- he's just not an Arsenal player -- and stick with Robin, Ade, Eduardo and Vela.

Okay, that's it for my stream-of-conciousness post. On to Porto.

Carling Cup: Arsenal 0-2 Burnley - One Less Trophy Opportunity

Well the silverware opportunities have gone a little lighter after losing 0-2 to Burnley on Tuesday evening.

Arsene Wenger played the youngsters as always and Silvestre. The boys just couldn't get it done.

Kevin McDonald scored both goals for Burnley with the first one coming after just 6 minutes of play. The second one came early in the second half with a bender around Fabianski.

Sounds like we gave it a go at times and had several good opportunities to score. Bendy had a good shot and Vela as well both being saved.

We had some expereienced youngsters in the mix, but just couldn't get it done.

Here's the team we fielded for the match:

Arsenal: Fabianski, Hoyte, Silvestre, Ramsey, Gibbs, Rodgers (Lansbury 46), Randall (Bischoff 72), Merida, Wilshere (Simpson 63), Bendtner, Vela.

So it's back to reserve play and watching from the bench for many of the boys, but still look forward to seeing some of them get more time on the first team over the course of the year. Heads up boys!

Change - Let's Keep It Rolling

Wish they had a full size poster of this one!

Let's keep up the good work!