Alex Oxlade & The Chamberlain of Secrets

It's a secret that has become increasingly hard to fathom. A secret that's so poorly kept it's no longer a secret. But the secret it is this... and if you whisper loud enough, Kenny Dalglish might not hear you at Anfield... English players are a rip-off.

Now take our new signing Alex Oxlade Chamberlain for example. Fresh faced (erm, well, actually not by the looks of him!) and bushy tailed, the midfielder is one of the hottest prospects in the country and fresh from a Southampton production line including PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale and our very own top scorer for the season so far, Theo Walcott. But fifteen million? For a player that has experienced one good season in the third tier of English football? It seems excessive to say the least!

The trend started in January of this year as Darren Bent completed a £24m move to Aston Villa. The fee was way over Bent's estimated value but for a proven Premier League goalscorer, it was vaguely understandable. Then came the transfer that really rocked the economy of the transfer market as after only half a decent season in the top flight, Andy Carroll put the finishing touches to a £35m move to Liverpool.
Sure, the price was inflated by Liverpool's need to replace Chelsea-bound Torres on the transfer deadline day, but to squeeze perhaps treble the player's worth was a shrewd move from Newcastle.

Liverpool didn't stop there. Like Carroll, Jordan Henderson had half a good season in last season's Prem. His valued price at Anfield's transfer negotiating department? £20m.

Next came Stewart Downing. £10m perhaps? Nope, again £20m. Phil Jones, the Blackburn youngster with only one full Prem season under his belt? A staggering £17m switch to Man United. It's easy to see why Wenger was priced out of a move for ex-Wigan left-back Leighton Baines with Everton asking for a fee in excess of £15m. And with that in mind, and the transfer window closing in a matter of hours, let's take a look at our reported defensive targets and if buying British really is worth it...

Phil Jagielka
Nationality: English
Value: £17m

An England international, Jag's form at Everton has been a revelation since his conversion from a central midfielder at Sheffield United just four years ago. Jagielka is strong in the air, a sound tackler and marker, and has great positional sense. There is no doubting he would be the kind of signing we are really looking for right now but after having a 10m move rebuffed in January, is Arsene really ready to almost his offer for a player with no previous Champions League experience? After all, only one of his past 11 purchases have been domestically based, and the less said about that (Mikael Silvestre) the better!

Gary Cahill
Nationality: English
Value: £16m

After Bolton chairman Phil Gartside rejected a £6m offer for Cahill last week, Arsene Wenger declared he "won't be held to ransom" for the former Aston Villa defender. Yet the reality is, with time ticking down until the transfer window slams shut for another year, Wenger's search for a centre-back draws to a frantic close and Cahill is his no.1 target. Bolton's £16m valuation seems very steep for a player with such little international and big-game experience but strong in the air and dangerous from set pieces, Cahill could be the long term partner for Thomas Vermaelen we've been searching for.

Scott Dann
Nationality: English
Value: £6m

At £6m, Dann is the cheapest of the available English options but a lack of any real experience at international level may prove to be a problem against some of the more experienced strikers. Having first catching Wenger's eye with an impressive start to the 2010/11 season, Dann is thought to have been on the Frenchman's "to scout" list for some time. A blossoming partnership with Roger Johnson at the back of the Blue's line-up may be a stumbling block in persuading the Midlands club to sell yet stepping up from Championship football will no doubt be a selling point to the Englishman. Strong in the tackle and still young, Dann is not to be messed with. Yet at this moment in time, it seems there are more suitable alternatives in terms of experience.

Chris Samba
Nationality: Congolese
Value: £8m

With Spurs snooping around, the battle for Samba in intense. Though what the Congolese skipper lacks in technical ability, he more than makes up form in physical presence. Strong in the air, ruthless in the tackle, Samba can also play as an emergency striker - something that may prove vital given the current form of the woeful Marouane Chamakh. With six seasons of Premiership experience under his belt, Samba has the know-how to deal with most of the league's strikers.

Jan Vertonghen
Nationality: Belgian
Value: £11m

Vermaelen's former partner at Ajax, and for the Belgian national team, it's suprising Wenger hasn't moved for the versatile defender sooner. Capable of playing across the backline or in midfield, Vertonghen isn't scraed of shooting from range, utilising his rocket of a left-foot. However, two left-footers at the back doesn't seem ideal and playing in the Dutch league, will the Belgian be able to make the step up to Premier League football?

Per Mertesacker
Nationality: German
Value: £6m

A cut-price deal for a highly experienced international defender may prove to provide a twinkle in the eye of bargain hunter Wenger. The wantaway Werder Bremen skipper only has one year remaining on his contract at the Bundesliga club and offers a great aerial presence. Some have labelled Mertesacker 'clumsy' - a stumbling block against he nippier of Premier League strikers, but having playing at two World Cups and a European Championship, it's hard to argue the cause against the signing of the German.

A Walk In The Park...

After a horrifically unproductive close season in the transfer market, the rebuilding has finally started as the club confirmed they are close to announcing the £6m signing of Fenerbahce left-back Andre Santos, 28, who has 22 caps for the Brazil national team.
They are also expected to complete the signing of South Korean striker Park Chu-Young from Monaco and have confirmed an enquiry has been made to Chelsea for Yossi Benayoun. Park, who is 26 and is also wanted by Lille , is obliged to do two years' national service with the South Korean armed forces. While the rules stipulate that it has to be done before the age of 28, it is Arsenal's understanding that Park will be able to give the club three seasons before having to complete his service. There's hope though: United's Park Ji-Sung was exempted from national service for being part of the side which reached the 2002 World Cup semi-finals. Maybe if the new boy inspires Arsenal to a league title...?

Yesterday a source at the club said that there was no question of Wenger's position being unstable in spite of Sunday's defeat to Manchester United, which leaves the us with one point from our first three games. A source close to the club board said yesterday: "The club is 100 per cent behind Arsène. The guy has given us 15 years of unprecedented success and that is not going to change. It is not even an issue.

"Everyone is right behind him from Stan [who owns 63 per cent of the club] to Ivan [Gazidis, the club's American chief executive] and we are working hard to bring some players in before the end of the [transfer] window [tomorrow]. We have a strong squad and we believe that we are in a good place, we just need a few more in between now and our next game. There will not be any knee-jerk reactions and that comes right from the very top."

The arrival of Santos has also precipitated the sale of left-back Armand Traoré, who played in the defeat on Sunday, to Queens Park Rangers. There is also still interest from in Bolton centre-half Gary Cahill and the Sochaux midfielder Marvin Martin, a France international. Though given that we've been drawn in the same Champions League group as Marseilles , our proposed loan move for the Argentine midfielder Lucho Gonzalez, who plays for the French club, would appear to be a non-starter. However, rumours are circulating that we retain an interest in Yann M'Vila of Rennes , although the €20m (£17.7m) asking price is the key problem.

Post Match Reaction: Man Utd (A)

Where do we start? Our most embarrassing defeat, perhaps ever, has left many of feeling ashamed to be a Gooner this morning.

The Talking Point:
There were eight of them. And they all hit the back of our net. Other than that, RVP's penalty miss with the score at 1-0 felt liek a huge turning point, with Ashley Young scoring United's second just minutes later.

Positives:
Erm...... 3 goals in 3 for Walcott?

Negatives:
Okay, here goes.... Armand Traore. Like seriously, WTF? The boy has never been good enough. I remember us getting hammered 4-0 in an FA Cup game at Old Trafford in 2008. Pretty much all of the goals were as a result of his naivity from a positional point of view. Since then, not even a loan spell at Juventus has improved him and I think I'm right in thinking a League Two left-back could have done better yesterday.

Carl Jenkinson. So far, he's looked pretty solid. But yesterday, wow! Out of position all game long, at fault for the free-kick that led to United's third, and of course, a red card to top it all off. As a 19 year-old fresh from the books of League One's Charlton Athletic, the young Finn shouldn't be thrust into such a high profile encounter, and for that, you have to blame Wenger and his lack of strength in depth.

The whole defence. Djourou and Koscielny literally looked they had met for the first time in the car park before the game at times. The way Nani was left all alone for United's fifth, the way Welbeck had 3-4 seconds to run onto a header for the first, there were so many individual mistakes from these two it was awful. The sooner Vermaelen is back the better.

Arshavin, Rosicky, a lack of commitment. Never have I seen someone look so half arses as Arshavin yesterday. Truth be told, he's looked off the pace for two seasons now and both have outstayed their welcome at Arsenal. The former openly admitted he had lost his passion for the game following Russia's failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup whilst the way the latter didn't even bother to turn round as Rooney smashed in his first free-kick yesterday was mystifying.

Wenger. Dude seriously, buy some f**king players! Our bench yesterday contained the likes of Sunu and Ozyakup. Yes, we had 10 or 11 players out through injury and suspension but if United had the same kind of problems, they'd still be able to field an XI containing the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji Sung, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez - Players all left on the bench or at home by Sir Alex yesterday!

Conclusion:
Our league form since February's Carling Cup Final has read DDDWDDLWLLDDLL and the pressure on Wenger is now mounting to almost unbearable levels. This result was the final humiliation for many and Arsene really now has work to do if he is to regain the support of us, the fans. As do the board, who have offered supporters who made the trip to Old Trafford yesterday, a full ticket refund.

Theatre of Screams: Man Utd (A)

What used to be our biggest game of the season has somewhat lost it's sting in recent years due to the growing gap in quality between ourselves and, what used to be, our most fierce rivals.

Despite recording a 1-0 win over United courtesy of an Aaron Ramsey strike back in May, our preparations for Sunday's clash are somewhat hampered this time around with
Kieran Gibbs, Sebastien Squillaci, Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Nicklas Bendtner ruled out on the treatment table and Alex Song, Emmanuel Frimpong and Gervinho missing out through suspension.

Laurent Koscileny and Tomas Rosicky are fit though Thomas Vermaelen faces a late fitness test.

Wenger has promised an improved performance as we look to make ground on United, who so far have six from a possible six. The signings of Phil Jones and in particular Ashley Young, have looked inspired moves, whilst Chris Smalling continues to excel in his new right-back role and Tom Cleverley adds creativity to the United midfield.
If there is a weak are to pinpoint, it perhaps comes in the form of David De Gea. The new keeper has looked far from convincing so far, making high profile errors against both Man City and West Brom, and then again flapping at various shots against Tottenham on Monday night.

We're due a win at Old Trafford with our last coming there in 2006; a 1-0 win courtesy of now Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

On current form, I'm not expecting anything. But here's hoping we're all pleasantly suprised!

Post Match Reaction: Udinese (A)

The strongest comeback we've pulled off in recent years has seen us qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the fifteenth season in succession.

The Talking Point:
Wojciech Sczescny's 60th minute penalty save was a huge point in both the match, and the young Pole's so far flourishing career. With the scores evenly poised at 1-1, Udinese would have taken the lead and only needed one more with a full 30 minutes of home support behind them to find the goal needed to knock us out. As it was, Sczescny's save kept the scores level, and just five minutes later, Theo added the vital second away goal that killed the tie.

Positives:
Yet another goal for Walcott, who has started the season in blistering form, whilst Gervinho was outstanding throughout, leading former Gooner Lee Dixon to compare him to Thierry Henry on BBC Radio 5 Live's commentary. Sczescny was outstanding once more between the sticks and Tomas Rosicky's creativity following his half-time introduction really changed the flow of the midfield battle.

Negatives:
Di Natale once again caused the Arsenal backline a whole host of problems and ghosted away from Djourou for the opener in a way he shouldn't have been allowed.

Conclusion:
1-0 down at half-time and on the verge of heading out of Europe, our resilience in the second half proved even their most hardcore of doubters wrong. Wenger talks about 'mental strength' but tonight, the boys truly came good in one of their finest European performances in recent years.

Udi-Man! Udinese (A)

Tonight, we travel to Italy for the second leg of our Champions League qualifier with a 1-0 lead intact from the first leg last Tuesday.

The impressive Gervinho returns after his domestic suspension, as does Alex Song to shield the back four. Frimpong is also available whilst Johan Djourou also returns. Skipper Robin Van Persie's European suspension is also over but Kieran Gibbs, Koscielny and Diaby all remain sidelined.

Udinese, Serie A's top scorers last season, are no mugs and a trip to Italy is never easy. Jack Wilshere has unfortunately suffered a setback in training so he will most likely miss tomorrow’s and Sunday’s games, big shame of course.

Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin, has warned his players not to be fooled by Arsenal's off-field problems as they seek to avoid dropping into the Europa League.

He said: "I do not think there is a crisis at Arsenal - they are used to playing under pressure and have always been able to react to difficult moments. Like I said, we will have to be very good, not make mistakes and try to be sharp."

Udinese competed well in the first leg and will be confident of overturning the one-goal deficit at the Stadio Friuli, which was something of a fortress in Serie A last season as they finished fourth.

The Sam Old Story; Nasri Leaves

After months of speculation, today we have lost another key first team star as the new 'Cashley', Samir Nasri, completed a £25m switch to moneybags Man City. The French midfielder, who was a contender for the PFA Player of the Year award last season, will wear the number 19 shirt at Eastlands and his move comes as another huge blow following Cesc's departure to Barcelona last week.

The Arsenal midfield now looks vastly inexperienced and it will be up to Wenger to find a fast replacement for the man who provided 15 goals and the most successful amount of passes in the division last season. What puzzles me is how Wenger has sat back all sumer and allowed this to happening without drafting in a replacement. Let's be honest, as soon as he saw the size of his promised pay packet, Nasri's commitment to the club that made him flew out of the window faster than Dennis Bergkamp's bowels on a European flight. But finding a replacement for such an undeniably talented player is going to prove more than tricky.

Who will replace him?
Various targets including a loan deal for former Ballon D'Or winner Kaka have been rumoured, though Mourinho is believed to be looking for a permanent deal. It looks unlikely that Arsene will cough up the Brazilian's £17.5m asking fee and reported £130,000 per week wages, so a deal for Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard may be more likely. It's a bitter blow for Gooners after Wenger released the following statement at the start of July:

"‎Imagine the worst situation - we lose (Cesc) Fabregas and (Samir) Nasri - you cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. I believe for us it is important the message we give out. For example, you talk about Fabregas leaving, Nasri leaving. If you give that message out, you cannot pretend you are a big club."

Post Match Reaction: Liverpool (H)

A downpour at the Emirates gave an early indications of the struggles we may face this season as BBC's Guy Mowbray summed Wenger's current situation up perfectly. It never rains, it pours.

The Talking Point:
With the game evenly poised and twenty minutes remaining, Frimpong saw red for a second bookable offence on Lucas Leiva. It was undoubtedly the turning point in the match as Liverpool took the ascendancy thanks to the introductions of Luis Suarez and Raul Mereiles off the subs bench.

Positives:
Despite the dismissal, Frimpong's emergence in the holding role on his full Premier League debut was more than encouraging and shows we perhaps have a worthy stand-in for Alex Song when he ventures to the African Cup of Nations in January. Bustling and busy all game, the lad's enthusiasm proved to be his undoing with a few reckless challenges but there's no doubt he'll only improve as time goes on and learn from his mistake.

Negatives:
To lose at home is always a disappointment. But to a potential title/top four rival, it's a real crush. Liverpool are arguably our nearest challengers for the hallowed top four position and if we can't record a victory against them then we can only fear for upcoming fixtures against the likes of United and Chelsea. Wenger's lack of activity in the summer transfer market is looking more and more unwise as the weeks go on and after both Koscielny and Djourou's injuries, the defence is truly threadbare. Young sub's Ignasi Miquel's inexperience was a prime example in both goals whilst going forward, a real lack of penetration was once again a problem.


Conclusion:
The problems are worsening, and with today looking like Samir Nasri's last ever appearance in a red and white shirt, Wenger needs to act in the transfer market and fast if he wants to make ground on the early leaders.

Flying Like a Kuyt: Liverpool (H)

It's just lucky Eboue is in Turkey.

I'm sure I don't need to remind you of Liverpool's last visit to North London but let's just say taking the lead in the 95th minute would usually mean 3 points for any side in the world... Not Arsenal! Eboue's clumsy challenge and Dirty Dirk's subsequent pen (see above) effectively ended our title challenge so this all about revenge.

After seeing Gibbs and Djourou pull up short with hamstring problems against Udinese in midweek, and Alex Song face a three game suspension (including the Man Utd match), our already thread-bare squad is looking a little thin on the ground. Gervinho's ban also starts tomorrow whilst Traore, Diaby, Wilshere, and now Rosicky miss out once again. Young Emmanuel Frimpong has a huge job to do in midfield against the likes of the creative Charlie Adam and Suarez, who will drop deep to feed off Carroll.

Liverpool meanwhile, look a different club under Dalglish and may prove our closest challengers in the battle for the top four this season. However,last week's drab home draw against Sunderland shows there is still room for improvement in the Anfield side.

Likely Arsenal Line-Up: Szceszney, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Jenkinson, Ramsey, Frimpong, Nasri, Walcott, Van Persie, Arshavin. Subs: Fabianski, Squillaci, Lansbury, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Myiachi, Chamakh, Bendtner

Post Match Reaction: Udinese (H)

A nervy night at the Emirates saw us march on to Italy with a 1-0 lead in the bag as Theo's early goal relieved post-Cesc depression early on.

The Talking Point:
With just four minutes on the clock, Walcott's neat sweeping finish from an Aaron Ramsey cross was just what we needed in a tricky qualifier. All that matters tonight is the lead to take to Italy, and the clean sheet.

Positives:
Starting his first game of the season, it was good to see the boy Walcott get on the scoresheet. He started last season in blistering form and we can only hope he improves once more this year. Big kudos to the defence again too as we managed to keep our second clean sheet in as many games, despite a few reshuffles due to injury in the second half. Meanwhile, Shezza looked solid between the sticks and kept Di Natale out well, who was a real handful all night. Gervinho was also compared to Thierry Henry by former Gunner Lee Dixon is his Radio 5 Live commentary for his pacy, direct, attacking style.

Negatives:
In a home tie like this, our tactics appeared somewhat negative after taking the lead. We were happy to sit and play for the 1-0 after the hour mark which is very un-Wenger like. Perhaps it's a new tactic for the coming season to be more Mourinho-esque but it would have been nice to see us push on and look for a second. We were also under the cosh for large periods in the final 20 minutes and Chamakh once again looked a forlorn figure upfront. Meanwhile at the back, injuries to Gibbs and Djourou will hardly help our already threadbare defence.

Conclusion:
Three points an a clean sheet is all we could have hoped for tonight and a 1-0 lead to take back to Italy should hold us in good stead, where Van Persie and Wilshere are likely to return. With Liverpool visiting at the weekend, a potential defence involving Carl Jenkinson and Armand Traore is a worry, though for tonight at least, a professional job was done well.

The Italian Job: Udinese (H)

When the Champions League Third Qualifying Round draw was made, I think I'm right in assuming we would have all liked to avoid Udinese. Arguarbly the trickiest side in the pot, the Italians were strong in Serie A last year, bolstered by the firepower of club captain Antonio Di Natale.

But fate, in it's usual cruel twist, decided to carry on it's usual tradition of pairing us with the hardest side in the draw (Barcelona two seasons running anyone?) and handed us the most difficult qualifying tie since Everton's visit to Vilarreal in 2005.

Nasri is suspended for this one (shame! could have cup tied him!), as is Van Persie, whilst Jacky Boy misses out once more and Walcott and Ro-shitsky face late fitness tests. Any doubt on the former can only be a positive, and so it looks like we will see Emmanuel Frimpong starting in our threadbare midfield whilst Marouane Chamakh will spearhead the attack.

Arsene Wenger had this to say earlier today, "You never knock somebody from Italy out in an easy way so we prepare ourselves for big challenges. We are ready to give our all to be part of the Champions League group stage."

Udinese 'keeper Samir Handanovic added, "We know Arsenal is a strong team, they usually get eliminated only by Barcelona, but Arsenal are not only Fabregas, Nasri and Van Persie. We are different than one year ago too."

In other news, two more of the troops left our ranks today as Eboue sealed a 3m switch to Galatasary whilst Carlos Vela packed his bags for Spain once more in a year-long loan deal at Real Sociedad. Neither will be particularly missed, (particularly the former) though to let two utility men leave when we are already low on numbers seems somewhat baffling. Vela, I suspect, much like Denilson, will be 'on loan' from the club permanently.

Anyway, that's all for today. Here's hoping for a clean sheet tonight and a fair few goals to cushion us for the away leg!

Absolutely Fabregas!

So, there you have it. He's gone.

Another one of our sons bids farewell to the Emirates and says 'Hola!' to the Nou Camp. Though for Fabregas and all his quality, I can't help but Fabregas might be another Overmars/Petit/Hleb/Henry in Catalonia. Even for a player of Cesc's calibre, breaking into an almost perfect midfield containing Busquets, Mascherano, Xavi and Iniesta is going to be an uphill challenge.

Why did he go?
I think we all know the reason to this one. Cesc is a Catalan boy born and bred and has longed to return home for some time now. However, I can't help but feel that this is Wenger's fault. If Arsene had addressed our weaknesses some time ago and built the title winning side he could have with just a few minor tweaks in the transfer market, I'm sure Fabregas would have been happy to stay.

You can't blame a player for wanting to join the most successful side in world football right now and it is understandable that after only one trophy in 7 years at the club, Fabregas became disullusioned and impatient with the philosophy Wenger keeps insisting will work. Sadly, he is now the only one left that believes it.

But Fabregas was still under contract, right?
Again, the ball was in Wenger's court. Though it was no secret that our skipper wanted to return to his former club, Fabregas was indeed under contract at the club untill 2014. Not wanting to upset the very club that made him the player he is today, Fabregas never submitted an official transfer request.
With this is mind, I can't help but feel Wenger rolled over a bit easy when Barca came calling with this final bid. The transfer amounts to 29m plus add-ons worth a further 6m. Still a good five million short of our asking price.
If Barca wanted Cesc so bad but couldn't stump up the required cash, perhaps they shouldn't have splashed 23m on Alexis Sanchez earlier this month.

Will he be missed?
In recent seasons, the Spaniard failed to complete more than 27 league games due to various injuries. For that reason alone, the deal represents good value for the Gunners. However, in those seasons, the playmaker has still provided more goalscoring opportunities than any other player in Europe (see below).

Goalscoring opportunities created over 5 seasons:
1 Fabregas - 466
2 Xavi - 455
3 Lampard - 452
4 Pizarro - 427
5 Diego - 423
6 Gerrard - 396
7 Totti - 378
8 Giggs - 365
9 Nene - 361
10 Downing - 355

The now-Barca midfielder was also Arsenal's top provider for goalscoring opportunities last season, despite playing almost 33% less matches than second highest provider, Jack Wilshere.

1 Fabregas - 72 from 1887 minutes
2 Wilshere - 60 from 2650
3 Nasri - 58 from 2391
4 Arshavin - 55 from 2194
5 Van Persie - 44 from 1768
6 Chamakh - 40 from 1845
7 Song - 32 from 2594
8 Rosicky - 27 from 927
9 Sagna - 24 from 2969
10 Walcott - 23 from 1696

How will he be remembered?
Fabregas has undoubtedly been Arsenal's top performer over the past 5 years, though he leaves without the tag of 'club legend' firmly attached to him in the same way Bergkamp, Vieira or Henry did as a result of his lack of silverware with the club. Fabregas will be remembered as a great Arsenal midfielder, but perhaps not a truly iconic club figure.

Who will replace him?

A deal for Valencia's Juan Mata is expected to be tied up before the transfer window slams shut. Reports suggest Shakhtar's Brazilian playmaker Jadson could be jetting into London soon too. This comes after the Gunners were beaten to the signing of Argentine Ricky Alvarez by Internazionale earlier this summer. However, don't be suprised to see Wenger promote Aaron Ramsey into the Fabregas role and keep his purse strings once again well and truly closed.

Before I go Gunners, I shall leave with you with this amusing parody of Eminem's 2000 hit, Stan. A satirical look at the relationship between Monsieur Wenger and new owner, Stan Kroenke.

Post Match Reaction: Newcastle (A)

So, we are off and running for the season with a point at St. James'. Something that's proven to be oh-so-common there of late with 6 out of our last 9 visits ending in a stalemate. And just like last season, it was an Arsenal debutant that saw red.

The Talking Point:
With Laurent Koscielny receieving his marching orders at Anfield on the opening day of 2010/11, Arsenal would have been keen to avoid a repeat this year. But in the 75th minute, Gervinho took a tumble in the box and all hell broke loose. After reviewing the incident on MOTD2 a few times, I can't really fathom how Barton was not sent off too. Sure, Gervinho raised his hand which is always a no-go, but Barton both provoked the incident, and then took part in a moment of Rivaldo circa. 2002 play-acting to make sure the Ivorian saw red.

Later that night, the magpies midfielder tweeted: "I went down easy, no doubt. Still cant raise ur(sic) hands. Ref got it right."

"I don't understand the red card," said Wenger. "I am 100% sure the referee did not see what happened. I think he has his back turned to the incident. If he had seen it, he would have sent both of them off, or nobody. Will I appeal? I will have a good look at it but I am tempted to say yes."

Positives:
After a summer of worry over our defensive capabilities, it was reassuring to see us keep a clean sheet on our travels. Koscielny, who was interestingly preferred to Djourou as Vermaelen's defensive partner, performed admirably and came closest to breaking the deadlock whilst Gibbs looked assured in his new role as Arsenal's no.1 left-back.

Negatives:
With Fabregas gone and Nasri soon to follow, you have to question where the creativity will come from in the Gunners midfield. With Wilshere and Walcott also missing, the club lacked any real spark going forward and found breaking down a very average Newcastle defence very hard work.

Conclusion:
In a drab opening Premier League weekend, the highlight was perhaps Manchester United assistant Mick Phelan's new beard. And though the Gunners struggled in attack, a point away from home is never a bad start to the season, especially given the fact fellow rivals Liverpool and Chelsea also dropped points.

Tyne to step up: Newcastle (A)

Finally! The day is here! The start of a new season and all the optomism it brings.

For us Gooners, the latter has been in short supply this pre-season but today is the day to kickstart our season away to Newcastle. We all know how important it is to start strong this year, especially with fixtures against United and Liverpool in coming weeks. And our hosts today, like us, have had somewhat of a troubled summer. Diaby and Wilshere miss out through injury today (the former probably something of a blessing in disguise following his game-changing dismissal at St. James' Park last season) whilst Gibbs, Vermaelen and Walcott face late fitness tests. Wantaway pair Nasri and Fabregas were left out of the squad so it's Robin Van Persie who will lead us out on Tyneside.

Our luck hasn't been all that great in Newcastle recently. Just one league victory here since 2002, but after sensationally squandering a four goal lead here last February, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (who was yesterday confirmed by Wenger as our no.1 for the coming season) says he is determined to put last season’s memories of St James’ Park behind him.

The Polish goalkeeper feels the team lost the title that day, and wants to show it was just a one-off.

“There is a determination to win the game because I believe we lost the title at Newcastle last season,” he said.

“We want to turn up at Newcastle and show that it was a one-off accident and it will not happen again.”

The youngster added that the defence looks in good shape this year, and hopes the fans will not be too concerned by recent poor results in pre-season.

“I’m quite happy with the defensive side,” he added. “We didn’t concede in the first half [against Benfica] and I’m fairly happy with how we have done in pre-season.

“I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the results. The most important thing is fitness and showing the manager that you should be starting on August 13.”

Thomas Vermaelen echoed the words of his goalkeeper, as the two will look to be key members of a stronger Arsenal defence this season.

The Belgian said: “We have worked hard and I feel we are ready for it because the fitness is good in the team and we feel good.

About Me

My name is Jake Gable, an aspiring sports journalist about to head into my final year of a three year BA Hons Journalism degree at the University of Winchester.

Arsenal blood doesn't particularly run in my family. Unbeknownst to me at the time of supporting them, my great grandfather was a Gooner. But I've been lucky enough to grow up into a childhood of Wenger's glory years. And hoping, like all of you, they return very soon!

How did I come about supporting Arsenal?

Well, from what I remember, it was one of my uncle's football education lessons to both my four year-old cousin and I. My uncle was a former professional and much like myself, is a football obsessive. After listing out every team to us and telling us a little about them, I decided that Arsenal was the club for me. My cousin, unwittingly, plumped for Tottenham, and so a family rivalry began! Even at the age of four, it was the best choice I ever made.

My earliest memory was the 1997/98 season. I feel privileged!
The 1998 FA Cup Final was the first live match I watched all the way through, screaming on my own in the living room as my mum did the washing up. Needless to say, Marc Overmars rapidly became my favorite player.

As the generations went on, my love for the club only blossomed further. I was treated to bragging rights at secondary school as my club went the season unbeaten in 2004. The likes of Henry, Pires, Vieira and Bergkamp were always the players we wanted to be out on the school field at lunch.

Since then, the glory days have disappeared fast. As have the players. Campbell, Ljungberg, Cashley... Now Cesc. But my love for Arsenal has only deepened. Even if my feelings of Monsieur Wenger have somewhat waned over that period.

There is still alot of quality on the field we see before us. Vermaelen, the boy wonder Wilshere, and perhaps the greatest striker in world football right now in Robin Van Persie. I'll be here with you every step of the way!

Here's hoping for a happy 2011/12!