The On and Off pre season is finally over and we look forward to a new beginning with a ray of optimism after winning Atletico Madrid and Rangers convincingly and Cesc lifting his first trophy of the season. The loss against Valencia was a total nervous test for the young guns. The second team could not cope up with the fluid passing and speed movement of Valencia but still we came out with few positives from the match.

The part of the midfield is enjoying their life with Physio. Abou, Walcott,Nasri,Rosicky,Djourou and Fabianski to miss the start of the season which could certainly affect the arsenal form for the first few matches and not to forget we need to play Man United and Man City within 1 month. A winning start will set the tempo flying high and the next match against Celtic is the most crucial match for all the gunners. Celtic are not an easy team to play against and Arsenal needs to take advantage while Tony Mowbray’s team get adopted to his beautiful football approach.

The departure of Kolo and Emmanuel for a fat salary is not a bad business for us and will only provide a serene atmosphere amongst the players. Kolo is out of his old form at the end of the last season and the only controversial player of the team is also left, the team right now is full of energy for the start. Vermaelen and Gallas can make a nice partnership at the back with sagna and Clichy fully fit there should not be any excuses for the defensive errors this time.

We have not witnessed the real Arshavin show yet. Midfield is the area where Arsene tried his new possibilities in pre season and it came out very well. A 4-3-3 formation seems good for us but back four needs to be on their toes to take over any air ball that comes while attacking. With Fabregas, Song, Denilson Arshavin sometimes at the whole and Nasri,Rosicky to create chances and Walcott to get more chances to shoot this time, the midfield is perfectly balanced one and is the best in the premier league.

Look at the finishing rate of Van Persie and Eduardo, you will frankly accept they are the world class. Though few say, Bendtner and Torres are equal in finishing ratio, I think this season is the right time for him to prove that he is no lesser than torres and though not Henry, if he can fill up the boots of Adebayor, it will be praised. With Vela and Walcott turning to a striker , the striking force is better than Chelsea,Liverpool and man united.

Evertonians are looking for a flying start at home with a nice attacking team includes Jo, Saha, Cahill, Osman, Pienaar and Rodwell, it is our time to show gunners are a strong side to compete for the title in this brand new season

This weekend clash against wigan at JJB stadium is the third this season with Arsene’s team coming on top in both occasions with a spectacular 3-0 win in carling cup against a strong latics lineup. Adebayor netted the only goal of the game in december in PL. We had 0-0 draw in both occasions last season and that was the only time arsenal failed to defeat wigan in last 8 seasons. Wigan was thumped 4-0 by everton last week and that was their third defeat in last nine games and first time beaten by more than a single goal in the league since 2-0 reverse at fulham back in october. Latics have the ambition to finish at 7th spot, a position which will give wigan a European cup spot next season. There is no doubt that a tough game can be expected for arsenal this weekend.

Post UCL match at Spain, Wenger has revealed the true cause of arsenals 1-1 draw against villarreal on tuesday night. The professor was delighted his team comes from behind in el madrigal but established defense players Gallas – out for the season with a knee ligament injury and almunia ruled out for three weeks with an ankle problem. Clichy completed his 90 minutes of game but out for two weeks after hurting his back.

Coach was left with a lot of attacking options when Van Persie and Eduardo comes back but the defense looks very thin and it is right time for Fabianski, gibbs and Djourou to prove their presence which can earn a fixed place in starting lineup.Wenger though more concerned with the injuries learnt it’s really necessary for a team to have a world class keeper as a second in a team. He added there are quite replacements available in the squad and arshavin also comes back for saturday’s game who was cup tied on tuesday.

Arsenal Reserves undone by two superb direct free kicks 3-0 in north london derby and found spurs top of them and in inspired form. Arsenal suffered from lack of penetration and a disappointment evening for reserves.

Coming from behind is not special for arsenal and they have done it once again. The hosts are better and composed in first half and took lead in 10th minute with an astounding strike from Captain Marcos Senna. Everything went wrong for gunners in first half as Almunia picked up a knock after clashing with yellow winger Rossi outside the box and replaced by Fabianski. Gallas tried to clear the ball at 38th minute clashed with Llorente and stretchered out with an injury and ultimately replaced by Djourou.

Three yellow cards, two injured and substituted, one goal behind and this is what arsenal deserved at the end of first half.

Second half started with a slick passing and plenty of possession by the gunners and attack looks good and way improved than the first half. Fabregas and adebayor partnership finally broke the deadlock at 65th minute when the air ball was beautifully controlled and a moment of brilliance, his bicycle kick left the Villarreal men stunned. This is the third time in two matches Cesc and Emmanuel links well and scored an important away goal for the gunners. It is just one more added to adebayor’s collection and reminds one of his spectacular goal against spurs last season at WHL.

Villarreal appears to be tired for the mid twenty minutes in the second half as gunners created two more easy chances which could have killed the quarter final in first leg itself. Walcott slashed the easy one over the bar and counter attack by adebayor and Fabregas is passed onto Nasri and he should have tackled defender and shot into the net instead swings the ball just inches wide to the right post. Former Arsenal man Pires was introduced after 70 minutes and made a couple of good runs but was marked perfectly by Denilson.

Last ten minutes was an intensive attack from Rossi and Senna could have almost earned a second goal for Senna. But gunners came out handling the pressure very well and finally a justified result for both the teams. Fabregas and Senna proved again they are the reason for Spain to be Euro champions. A breathtaking beautiful passing football appears to be watching arsenal against arsenal.

The climax is at Emirates next week and gunners know what they have to do to go through. A clean sheet is a must for us as we cannot repeat Roma clash and a goal is vital for villarreal, it is going to be a massive match for both teams to climb up and are also fighting for a champions league spot in the league.

Arsenal going into the match with a record of 16 unbeaten Premier League matches. Gunners met their last defeat in the league against Man City way back in November. Gunners are thrashed to their big defeat of the season 3-0 at the city of Manchester stadium. Now, the league matches carry on after a long international break adding more woes to both the sides. The return of trio Cesc, Adebayor, Walcott back in the squad will be an advantage for gunners. Cesc was seen last time in arsenal shirt before Christmas against Liverpool, the heavy tackle by his own Spaniard Alonso made him sit out for more than four months. It will be a great treat for fans to watch how Fabregas and Adebayor get linked with Arshavin. Russian is back after running 90 minutes for Russia. Adebayor out for two months with a thigh injury is back after scoring a vital goal for his country Togo. Eduardo is back in style scored a yet another volley for Croatia. The Attack doesn’t seem to be a problem for gunners. The defense may seem to be tired after Toure,Sagna,Gallas played full 90 minutes for internationals. The current squad is a lot of injury prone and the latest one to join with Rosicky are Gallas (groin) ,Nasri(flu) and Diaby . Still, the midfield and attack looks completely fit. So, there should not be any excuses if gunners misfire.

Almunia

Sagna Toure Djourou Clichy

Walcott Fabregas/Song Denilson Arshavin

Adebayor Eduardo

City’s lack of form is evident form their previous PL matches and the minor injuries picked up by Robinho, kompany,Given, Bellamy,SWP and Bojinov have provided quite a headache to Hughes in team selection. A tough open contest can be witnessed and I go for a gunners win with a brace from arshavin.

The climax is almost near for the gunners to showcase their presence in premier league and speed up ahead to Wembley for FA semi finals. Villareal adds up in the middle to grant/deny visa for the semi finals of elite UCL. April is going to be a massive test of patience and character for the young guns which will settle this season as an yet another trophy less one or double is on its way.

Manchester City – April 4, 2009 English Premier League

City sitting comfortably at the mid of the table with a hefty of talent at their store. The DLWLW results in their last five league meetings indicates the form and confidence is sightly missing within the team. But, the return of Bojinov,Petrov,De Jong along with the classy SWP and Robinho can allow for a serious fight for gunners at their own den. The fluid passing and running in between the defenders are back for the gunners and the return of Cesc and Emmanuel can add their style to their game. With Arshavin,Song/Diaby,Cesc,Denilson at the middle and Nasri playing at the hole, goal scoring should not be a problem for Adebayor. A win can put arsenal in a secured place and will let them focus on the UCL against Villareal within 3 days.

Villareal – April 7, 2009 UCL QF First Leg, El Madrigal

Panathinaikos was knocked out in a narrow showdown after being held 1-1 at Villareal, the yellow submarines has managed to score two away goals at the second leg and drove them into the quarters.Flashing 3 years back, the two met in the semi finals of 2006,the only goal from Toure and a critical penalty save by Jens helped the gunners reach finals.The return of Master class playmaker Pires who was on the winning side at 2006 is now leading Villareal to beat his favorite team and it is a very special moment for him to come back to home of Arsenal after 3 seasons.The fitness level of the team is so vital because there’s a lot of crucial matches arriving in the near future .Van Persie and Bendtner must be back for this game and defense still has to find out something which they failed to keep up for leaking an easy goal against Roma. Gunners are not lacking any creativity at present, the ball just flows naturally into box, but final touch which was missed against Roma at Emirates should not happen again. The one or two away goals can kill this game off.

The Arsene’s words after the match would be ” The Confidence is there. The mental Strength is present and I am happy to come away with a two nil Victory”

Wigan Athletic – April 11, 2009 English Premier League

A sense of confidence and expectations are surrounding the Latics this season after a promising start of the season so far for Steve. A win against Everton can put Wigan within a four point bracket of the UEFA cup spot. Wenger’s men have to travel to JJB after their away at Spain. I remember arsenal struggled to pass the ball because of the dump of the pitch last season when gunners travelled to JJB stadium after their beautiful victory at San Siro. Wenger must rest the first team and to go for a major 5 or 6 changes. This match will not be given much of importance from gunners if they can sit comfortably at fourth. Still a win is essential for the team to fight for a 3rd spot in the league.

Villareal – April 15, 2009 UCL QF Second Leg, Emirates

A mental and emotional strain will be witnessed on the pitch. Young Guns need to keep them cool and composed throughout 90 minutes and to come out with a clean sheet against such a tough opposition means a lot for us. Pires can throw a fulfledged attack with his yellow army and is prepared to prove Wenger how much Gunners are missing him. The experience is there at the current squad to slow the game whenever possibe and possess the caliber to score goals and defend it will be sufficient for the gunners to go through to semis. Guns can shoot the submarine down when plan of attack was executed in right fashion

Chelsea – April 18, 2009 FA semi final, Wembley

Last time these two met at Wembley, the bunch of kids overpowered mighty blues in Carling cup final at 2007 but mikel’s tackle against toure ended the match in brawl and biased refereeing gave an unnecessary red to Adebayor and toure and it afforded a cup for the kids. The kids are now more experienced and more talented Men and are facing the same old expensive legs of blues. The breathing space is less for both the teams as they have to step to the fore again within three days. This is an absolute cracker for both the Russians as Arshavin meets his boss Hiddink for the first time in opponent seat. It is not going to be an easy game for gunners and wenger knows his men can prove against chelsea once again this season and tell blues that there is another date and we will be back in May too.

Liverpool – April 21, 2009 Anfield

Walcott’s run at the 85th minute and adebayor puts the team level 2-2 and through to the semis of UCL. The dreams are shattered within a minute by Babel at the other end diving in for a penalty and referees denied Visa to semis of europe last season. Its gunners at anfield once again, putting all those bad experiences besides, a win/draw can do for us. This match is not of much importance for the gunners as Villa continues its losing streak in the league whilst every point signifes a title decider for reds.If gunners are into a fine form till this match, then reds have to sit and admire gunners passing style.

Middlesborough – April 26, 2009 English Premier League

Boros are 4 points behind safety zone are in a serious threat of relegation. They are always capable of scoring well against the top clubs but someway things started getting worser this time.
The coming matches against bolton,hull and fulham before meeting with arsenal are very important for such a club who always had a comfort level of sitting at the mid of table.

7 can turn to 8 in April if Arsenal qualifies for the semis in UCL and that means a cakewalk against porto or war against fiercest rivals at old trafford can be expected on 28th.