New White Kit - Diaby 2

Eduardo 9?

Van Persie 11?

Rosicky 7?

For a split second even Ljungberg 8.

But in the end I went for Diaby 2. He may not play as often as Cesc, Van Persie or Toure this season but I feel he is essential for our drive to win the league this season. His power in midfield and his surprising ability on the ball and in getting forward mark Diaby as a goliath for the future and essential midfield powerhouse for today.

Right. So there I am in line to have names on backs (and numbers on shorts) and a ticker comes across Sky Sports News quoting AP that Manchester United have signed Carlos Tevez. Seeing this there was an audible groan in the Amoury. Tevez is a fantastic signing for United. Even if they send Louis Saha on his way to West Ham in exchange, Tevez addition is a major statement of intent for United. More so than the depth and youth additions of Nani, Anderson and Hargreaves (in spite of their collective cost). In SPITE of myself, I was thinking of how well Rooney and Tevez could link together. But quickly I moved on and Diaby 2 was firmly sealed into my new away kit.

Walking around the Amoury was interesting this morning. There are statements posted from Thierry Henry thanking the fans for their support and such. Funnier still is the sale area which almost exclusively featured all manner of Henry hats, shirts, buttons and books. I noticed also that the "Way Out" in Arsenal Station had been returned to the panoramic photo (above) throughout the store but with Henry miraculously erased. Clearly with our support of course.

I noticed also that we still sell Dennis Bergkamp action figures. These were NOT on sale. Interesting.

On the way to the ground The Guardian informed me that the club are very confident of Arsene Wenger resigning for another 3-4 years. That's good if perhaps complacent. I would like to see Wenger sign his contract before this calendar year in over to allieviate the nagging concerns of supporters. I feel the players must present Wenger with fulfilment of their full potential as payback for his enduring trust. This is essential for Arsene Wenger to feel confident about realising his dreams with Arsenal Football Club. Abou Diaby can be a big part of those dreams.

Rock Bottom

Where to go from here.

I don't know.

Since the Walcott goal against Chelsea five seemingly endless weeks ago, the wheels have come completely off the wagon of Arsenal Football Club. Let me start by noting while it is no embarrassment to lose to Liverpool at Anfield, the way in which we shipped the four goals today is absolutely unacceptable.

Our much vaunted first team back five were all in the side today for (as far as I can remember) the very first time this season. But Clichy, Eboue, Gallas, Toure and Lehmann did not look the class apart the Gooners had come to believe. Kolo Toure in particular was poor today.

Very poor.

So poor in fact that his efforts finally realised all of the hints and warnings I have been quietly making of his perforances in recent weeks. He looks very awkward at the moment. I do hope however that Wenger allows him play his way into form. A Gallas/Toure central defence should be the rock upon which a challenge for the league next year is built. With Swiss Tony and Djourou for cover as well as perhaps some cup matches for young Gavin Hoyte and this part of the side should be very well looked after.

On paper.

But matches arsen't played on paper. And so the Arsenal were unable to turnover a side clearly selected with a Champions League match in mind (don't get me started). Rarely have I seen this side play so badly as it did today. Were it not for Adebayor's industry and penetration, the match could be been a slaughter. But as it was, Manu hit the woodwork twice and miss two other strong chances. But none of the others players decided to stand up and be counted.

Ok, its going to be a hard slog to reach the end of this miserable season. But we cannot simply cruise to a Champions League position. Where is the hunger, lads?

Enough on that.

On another matter. What on earth is Diaby doing on the left? I thought today that Wenger was very clever to do this to match Diaby with Stevie Me on the Liverpool right. Well, it didnt work. Cesc more than certainly needs a stronger presense in the middle than an 19 year old Denilson. Diaby is this player. And proved it for France midweek.

Anyway. We still have sp*rs away and two lovely matches against Bolton and Chelsea to play. This season will never end.

I hate football.

Haahahaha... Good one, Kolo

I love the Carling Cup.

I've said it before, this competition have proven vital to Arsene Wenger in giving our youth phenoms an opportunity to prove their worth to the club and a chance to push into the first team.

Over recent years we've seen the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Johan Djourou and Gael Clichy make their names in this competition. And once again, the Cup has given a lifeline this year to the once forgotten Jeremie Aliaidiere and has offered a platform for the likes of Denilson and Armand Traore to shine.

The club never gets an easy ride in this competition. We always seem to be facing Premiership competition with kids in this Cup and so it proved this year, with Arsenal's kids having to initially navigate through tough away fixtures at West Brom (0-2), Everton (0-1), and Liverpool (3-6) and then a bloodied two legged semi-final against our friends down the road (2-2 and 3-1).

And with Chelsea in the final, things are certainly not getting any easier. The chavs tend to play their best side throughout the competition. Given the fact they have no youth prospects to speak (highly) of, I suppose you can see their point.

The mind wanders to Traore marking Robben and to a Senderos tussle with Drogba and to all of the little stories that surround this match featuring Moaninho, Baptista, Wenger, Ashley Cole... etc etc.

But let's have faith. Our kids can win this. And in doing so because the youngest team ever to win a domestic cup final (by over 2 years on average).

C'mon the ARSENAL!

ARSENAL 3 (Baptista Gilberto Walcott)
CHELSEA 1 (Cole)

PREDICTED LINE UP

GK
Almunia

LB
Clichy (Late fitness test)
or Traore

RB
Hoyte (Late fitness test)
Djourou

CB
Toure
Senderos/Djourou

ML
Denilson

MC
Gilberto (C)
Fabregas

MR
Walcott

ST
Baptista
Aliadiere

Bench
Poom, Rosicky, Diaby, Adebayor, Senderos/Djourou