I am not too sure if Arsenal would have beat Liverpool even if he had played the whole game;  as I said in my preview for that game Liverpool are not Man U or Chelsea, they grind out results, mainly draws of late. Yes it was a good display by a ten men team, better than when they had eleven.  

Bury the title? 

 Will this Arsenal team become inspired and win the league for its captain? Of course in the pages of boys’ comics they would have done, but think back to last year when they lost Eduardo to a vile tackle. Did they bounce back? No they flopped.

Now that was a team with Flamini, Cesc, Hleb and Gilberto, and Walcott plus the doubtful options of Song, Diaby and Denilson. All that’s left now are the doubtful options, and the untried options of Wilshire and Ramsey. The quality players are long gone or injured.

 Now I don’t want to take anyone’s dummy away, especially at Christmas, but I can’t see this team winning anything now, and even fourth place could be a struggle. If only Wenger had bought that extra midfielder, at £3 million over the odds it would now look a bargain. Now that clubs know he is desperate it is hardly likely to get any cheaper.

Nor is one good midfielder enough, the team needed one before Cesc’s injury, so now two are required. So if Arsene couldn’t find one where will he find two? Why not save money on SMERSH Wenger’s world-wide scouting scheme? What’s the point of them if they can never find a grown up player when you want one? Even if Wenger finds one or two midfielders they will need time to settle in. I wouldn’t get too het up about proving we are title contenders Arsene, if the team can get fourth place by the skin of their teeth it will be a great act of overachievement.   

 Villa Preview

Arsenal have not lost at Villa Park for ten years, but this year records’ like that have been toppled on a regular basis. If Laursen doesn’t play then Arsenal might have a better chance. The Gunners were insipid against Villa earlier this season, will they be much that better without Adebayor and Cesc? Is Bendtner available and does it matter? I can’t help thinking that a central midfield three of Sidwell, Petrov and Barry will be too much for our central pairing of Denilson and Song. 

Nasri must step up

A midfield five including Nasri in the Cesc position might the better option. Nasri has rarely shown his best form away, now he has to deliver. He is the one player with the art and skill of a Fabregas. The rest are too predictable. Song has the turning circle of an oil tanker, but my hasn't he grown. He is only a little smaller than an oil tanker.

The Team in Form

To continue on my theme of festive cheer it is worth noting that Villa are the on form team of the Premiership.  On the basis of the last six games they are on better form than Liverpool or Chelsea. I will be a happy with a draw as it will stop the gap widening between us and the top four.  Of course a win would be ideal, but a defeat will as good as six points lost, and that would really cap it all. A draw will give Arsenal time to regroup and hopefully solve the problem of life without Cesc. 

Merry Christmas to all Arsenal Times Readers and let’s hope we get a few worthwhile presents when the transfer window opens.   

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