By Boris Mellor
December 26 2006

The most consistent thing about Arsenal this season is their inconsistency. Of course some of this is due to the fact that the team is so young. Young players are inconsistent by definition; they are not so attuned to routine as older professionals.

Youngsters find it easier to motivate themselves for Manchester United, than for Fulham midweek. Nor do they have as much long-term stamina as the older player. Successful marathon runners are not teenagers.

However it would be unfair to give the youngsters as the only reason, and it is not they that pick the team, Wenger does that. This brings us to another major reason for the inconsistency of the team, the rotation system that Arsene has used. To be fair he has not always had a lot of choice, injuries, international breaks and a crowded fixture list have all combined to undermine his efforts. But against Fulham he clearly could have played a far stronger team. His selection there cost Arsenal three valuable points. It was one of very few matches that the Gunners deserved to lose.

Arsenal’s December has been so much better than November. In November the Gunners only won one Premiership game, in December it is 3 wins already, and still two matches to go.

For any of Wenger’s talk about still contesting the Championship to mean anything the team must go on a run. That means that Watford must be beaten on Boxing Day. Watford looks like a game that Arsenal should win, but this season that is the type of game that the Gunners have lost points in. The games that most pundits gave Arsenal no chance in are the ones that Arsenal played best.

Blackburn was a great result, but defensive frailties remain, now Watford do not score many at home (7 so far) but they don’t concede many either (7 so far), they don’t win many at home (only 1 win), nor do they lose many (2). So it should not be assumed that this will be a walkover. Watford will play a long ball game, just the kind of game known to unsettle Arsenal.

No need to tinker

If Arsene wants to get a run going then he could take advantage of the fact that there were no new injuries on Saturday. Maybe one or two need resting, but the team is beginning to find its shape. The attack is gelling, why not start with the best team, and then rest players when the match is won.

All teams have a busy Xmas programme, true a few, and it is only a few teams, have a strong squad that can cope. But surely it is better to get the points in the bag? Losing points does not do a lot for energy and motivation levels. Arsene has said that he has to play Adebayor every match from now on, so it sounds like good news as far as Manu goes. As for Arsenal being a one man team built round Henry we can now see that is not entirely the case. These days we are more likely to miss Fabregas.

I would love to see the same team go out two matches running. Once you have a settled team then it easier it is to make rotational changes. Once a team gets used to winning then increased motivation absorbs players more easily. Come on Arsene, we had a great Xmas present, but don’t forget that Boxing Day is also a day for gifts. The present I would like is no tinkering.

Predictions: Don’t forget to enter your prediction on the table

Arsenal Possible Squad: Lehmann, Hoyte, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky, Adebayor, van Persie, Almunia, Walcott, Flamini, Senderos, Baptista, Aliadiere, Song.