MERRY X'MAS and HAPPY 2013 in advance!

Hi all,

In what is a bit of a spoilsport, Arsenal won't be playing on Boxing Day tonight. (London strike for the metro trains in Arsenal Picadilly Line side) So we will have to do with watching the potential Top8-ers fight it out for that lucrative Champions League Slots.

To be fair, i think Arsene and myself ain't aiming so low as fourth. We know that with a good run, we can be 3rd. To be top-2 would have seen the most ludicrous drop of points by Manc. clubcs ever to lose a championship. But alas, Transfer Window is coming soon.

With rumours we be off-loading Arshavin and prob one or two others on loans, that paves the way for some reinforcements.

Many Arsenal fans are budging at the door to be heard and they all want more players to revive our season. Let's see if the rumours to the Ba / L. Biglia / A. Lopez / Diame / K. Strootman transfers have legs. To be frank, i think we will see one out of those few mentioned arrive but with one more "Lesser-known" up-coming youngster signing. E.g. Wilfred Zaha or another French youngster from Ligue 1 or the Barca academy?

Well we will wait in anticipation. Until the next Arsenal game this coming Sat, lets enjoy our festive meals and time spent with loved ones.

COYGs!

The Brash 5 - New contracts for 5 Brits bar Walcott - UCL Draw tonight!

The latest news and PR stint to stem the fans and media. Arsenal announce signing extension 5 year deals to 5 Brits. Yes. Walcott is not one of them. So what? He better get his head right soon or Wenger won't be missing him much come January.

Let's stick to the positives k, gooners? We have the British core i mentioned. Wenger's last real shot at keeping them together. It is good and a morale booster for the club both on player level as well as club level.

I can also sense the air of expectancy as Wenger IS serious this time to bolster his team in Jan. He most undoubtedly will buy someone. Let's await in Wenger-esque anticipation again. He never reveals the targets openly even if it were blatant. That's the magic of Wenger, like it or not. Fine with me as long as the business side of the deals gets done.

I personally think we will bring in a striker. Who you ask? My hunch is that Wenger will try to "unsettle" Villa and if that fails. F. Llorente will come through the door just before the window closes. That Zambian kid will be the first announcement. One for the future again. Let's not comment too much. Some purchases just have to be made when they are available. And i can sense that he will look at a powerful DM with ball skills. Remember J. Vertonghen's comments? That he was asked to play DM role in Arsenal but he baulked at the idea at first and chose the path up Seven Sisters Road. Congratulations Jan, you have not only failed to displace Gallas regularly yet and end up on the Left Back role. Doesn't the DM role sound more enticing? Back to the DM role, we have been rumoured with L. Biglia in the past. Though let me say this. I think that there will be a "shock" purchase with regards to that position again from Wenger, i really have no clue who it is! It is so Wenger style, a new lad will come in and do well.

In any case, X'mas is coming and with Wigan up next. A thorough well-fought 2-0 win would warm all Arsenal supporter's hearts. With no Boxing day fixture as well, perhaps the timing is perfect to watch the drama of Wenger's Top Secret Transfer List Targets unfold.

Can Wenger galvanise the creativity levels of the football we play and bolster the squad sufficiently come January?

I sense good things a-coming at Arsenal. Despite our "crisis" and new 30m pounds per year Transfer Kitty added onto the rumoured 70m pounds Transfer War Chest we already accumulated. X'mas Giving and Receiving is just around the corner.

Smile and be merry all Gooners.

Come On You Gooners! (COYG)

WENGER's FINAL STAND - Be proud Gooners!

I write this piece not with any knowledge or acknowledgement that Wenger is going. Or be it i agree with the catcalls from some "would-be" fans that Wenger should go soon.

I am writing this piece because i have a gut-feel that Wenger is taking his last bet on building a Champion Team (Premier League or Champions League for that matter). Let's face it, time and time again Wenger has been "betrayed" to some extent on the faith he has put in building his would-be Champion Teams. I write with almost full passion writhing in my body when i think of the Champions League Final in 2006. The missed opportunity for the League and Cup double when Eduardo broke his leg and subsequently, inadvertently de-railed the Champions season that year. We sure were flying high at different times across the span of 6-years now since 2006. The badge-kissing mercernaries that came and went. Ade-"Kiss my badge" -Yor to the ever-prickly Samir Nasri.

Alot of high profile departures, that its no wonder the media would feast on the scoop like Zombies to fresh meat. It all started i remember with $$Cashley$$ Cole - Remember the man that we supposedly "Loved Henry over him" that broke the final straw? But even for Cole, i felt that kudos to him, even in his last games he was professional to the end. Besides we had gotten a good run of seasons with him already and he didn't leave us dry. We got the still-young Gallas in return with 5m. A decent if not good deal if you were forced to make one. Wenger was frustrated yes, but even then, there never was as much betrayal as compared to the Flamini-saga.

A talented young player that grew in Arsene's heart and with the fans too as he formed such a dynamic partnership with Fabregas that made many heads turn. But alas, it was the lad whose head and loyalty turned first. Without warning, he turned contract rebel and refused to sign and decided to invoke Bosman. Leaving us with no opportunity to even find the time to sell him. Wenger to this day in past interviews deeply felt that one.

It is with this mentality, although stubborn to some extent that he never ever wished a repeat. He still had faith that players would pay him back. Cesc, Toure, Clichy did with their fortitude in long service. But unknown to Wenger then, he would have the most painful departures till date. (Not all are deemed betrayals, but they are significant players in their times with Arsenal)

Flamini / Adebayor / K. Toure / Hleb / Clichy / Gallas / Fabregas / Nasri / Song / RVP

There are others. But i focused on these few more important ones. Sorry David Bentley.

Thus, the Wenger that many knew since the first day with Arsenal has indeed changed despite the media rants that Wenger is still stubborn and refuses to sign BIG name players and rely on youngsters. Have they been seeing the last 2 transfer seasons? Ya, the youngsters aside. The quality, not age of players is now Wenger's only concern. Plus, he had made a conscientious effort to sign and rely on more English players echoed 2-years ago. The last few departures were the final straw if you will and he has set his blueprint for a British Arsenal to come. Weird if you know the Wenger that first signed for Arsenal. Famously, Wenger was the first manager to field an all Non-English starting XI and subs!

So let's be sure on one thing, Wenger has a plan. HE IS LISTENING to feedback on his transfer policies. And be prepared, for the first time i can be certain that if not this January, come August next year you will see signings that will be his last bet. Oh and if you were thinking if he'd resigned or be sacked by then? I can assure you one thing. Wenger is a real gentleman in terms of his contract. If he says he is contracted to 2014 then believe it, he will see it out to the end. But i think he is on his last season next year. It's a make or break. If we do go out all guns blazing next season and actually win something. I can only say there is only one manager in the world i would love to have lifting the trophy for Arsenal.

There is only one Wenger, One Ar-Sene Wenger! Only one Ar-Sene Wenger! One Ar-Sene Wen-Ger! There's only one Ar-Sene Wen-Ger.

In Arsene We I Trust

Having fun with Uruguay - First friendly with Italy!

Haha,

You may have seen me playing more WCCF recently. Been enjoying my La Celeste - Uruguay Team.

Ever since moved Suarez to main striker has been flowing goals more.

But going to keep rotating and testing try other combos. Like FA Recoba instead of D. Fonseca.

Today was at JCube short while in morning and met a fellow player i also have not seen a long time. Sorry dude. Forget your name liao. Only know your two teams: Italy and the other Santos (All in Jap characters)

But ya, while we talked a bit. Our teams were chosen as opponents for a Regular League Premier Division match. Guess what his team is also a country team: Italy. Both our team same size graph approx. Both played approx. 50 games.

Was a good match. I kept probing his Centre and my Giacomazzi had a superb game roaming form MF line to the penalty area. Pulling lots of MF and DMs to give lotsa space for Forlan to score playing as a 2nd Top.

Of course, Uruguay had its Defensive frailties on the side. Particularly with A. Pereira. Italy bounced back.

But ya was a good game overall. I had a chance with my Forlan and Giacomazzi playing superbly well.

Overall though his Italy team were better and could have gone on to win if not for M. Caceres and D. Godin.

Good Game. 2-2 result was interesting. Got a EUS J. Alba foil too after 7 games! Good luck to ya games. I will train this Uruguay team hard. Lots of work to do to make it better.

Delusion or Blind Loyalty? Arsene - Saint or False Phrophet?

It is funny how the phrase "....bites the very same hand that feeds him." keeps circling round the media these days. Football has never been a sport of loyalty these days. Gone are the days where fans are just that: Fans. Happy when the team wins and Very unhappy when they lose.

Nowadays, they have access to pre-game talkshows, formations, tactics and media over-hype. Its as if Fans nowadays are the "rightful managers" of their "beloved" clubs. Responding to my post earlier that this could be a good month in Dec for Arsenal, i obviously wasnt expecting a lapse of confidence (And effort) against Swamsea. Perhaps my delusional self had warranted that Arsenal could not get any worse could it? We did just that last weekend.

But it brings me back to my subject. After the game, the Black Scarf Movement and some other fans jeered the team at the end and was also asking questions of the team, board and Wenger. I feel it is justified to some extent. You pay good money nowadays to enjoy an Arsenal game and the over-hyped Wenger philosophy of attacking football and all you get is Pie in your face.

They have the right to boo as Arteta said as i back these section of fans. After a poor start this season (I mean the first 6 games or so), Wenger rallied the supporters. They responded! (A rare sensibility seldom seen in modern day fans) I remember clearly that after a horrendous showing in the last game we lost, the fans listened to Wenger and didn't get at the team and victimize our players. They rallied and supported, chanted even at Away games while losing till the 90th minute. But thereafter, we had false hope in some games, utter lack of urgency in most of the others led to this new melodramatic scene.

I can only say, it is time for the real characters in our team to stand up. Remember a certain Gallas slumping and refusing to get off the pitch in one game, thereafter criticisng his own teammates. Well ,his methods are wrong but he sure had the heart to want to change something. People have to have the fire in their belly like old Wrighty would say. So step up Walcott, Arteta (Went AWOL past 3 games i watched), Vermaelan (Stop those lapses and off-balance falls - They cost points!) and even Wilshere (Make us proud of the number 10 again!). Their game needs to step up

Other than the team, i feel that the protestors have got much of their anger directed wrongly though. It is in my view that their criticism of the board is unfounded and more a case of succumbing to media pressure and self over-hype. Because without the board's steady stewarding (Notice i used this word? It is in my view that the club shouldnt be sold like a company shares to the highest bidder. Look at Man Utd or Man. City or Chelsea. It should in part belong for the purpose of its fans.), Arsenal would definately have fallen to a much lower predicament it is in now.

Another false arrow lies in the blame on Wenger. Like i said, it is amazing how finally the core turns inwards to the very same hand that feeds them. Yes, i feel that Wenger is no saint or a perfect tactician. He has made several selection decisions this year that are indeed new lows for him. But if you were to analyze the games with the opposition strength, tactics and players fielded in mind, it is clear that the players let him down first and foremost. When this happens, it can become a slippery slope very quickly. But we have to ask the final question. Does he have control and hold over his players anymore. The answer is a resounding yes.

So alas, what is happening is unfixable? No, Wenger never gives up. Appreciate this trait of his if you still will. He will have tweaked his transfer policies, formations and strategies to match his ambition. People say he is a man happy with 3rd or 4th. I disagree. Circumstances made us 3rd and 4th. But look carefully what his ambition is and still is throughout the season even when hammered by the media and even our own fans, Wenger tends to say that winning it is still possible until the team gives up on him every year. Some part of that due to high-profile departures that set-back the Arsenal a few months each time.

Have faith. Wenger is a man with unbelievable faith. That is why his players work for him. Believe in their abilities and the coaching he does. It is the reason he has a doctorate in Psychology. He is a mind-obsessesd. And i can only assure true-hearted Gooner fans that he still bleeds Arsenal in him. So we need to turn the corner and stick together. It is a quest of a man whose stewardship is not the most successful i admit but with alot of spirit. There is a point i have to agree though. Supporting the modern day Arsenal is never easy. Always i hear, we have such a good squad, good football, it must be that we are champions this year or the next. But reality has it that the more beautiful the game you try to play, the task to win it or even win it consistently every few years is much much harder. No disrespecting Man Utd, Chelsea or Man City. The beautiful soccer isnt result-driven. It is much more played with heart. I can feel for my fellow Gooner fans having watched the telepathy in previous teams to expect the same. It takes time firstly, the correct hungry players with talent and the luck (Opposition form, decisions, etc) to win it in style like we used too.

Lets pray for more creativity in the park and the urgency back in our next game. Keep the faith. In Arsene we trust.

Happy playing with LE Ronaldo for the first time. Ronnie

Clearly happy with my new team and Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Even has Stankovic and Samuel. Many of my fav players. ;)

Also got my second foil the other day at JCube. U23S Pato! Good-looking stats on this one.

Good luck to foils people! Enjoy your games. Remember i also have many many 11-12 foils coming in regularly almost every week at my box in Hako Shop in JCube.

Thanks.

Saturday Round-Up - A good month to come for the Arsenal?

Call it unfounded faith in a football club. I have a hunch we be beating the next few Premier League opponents in December, Swansea, Wigan, West Ham, Newcastle. And even Olympiakos. (Though i still believe we end up 2nd coz Shalke04 will win the last game.)

If you have supported the Arsenal in the past decade, you would have come to know that Nov / Dec tends to be our weakness in terms of results. We have a knack of losing it what i call Black November. It is as if the Arsenal start to literally feel the chills and get cold on the pitch. More detailed observation is that Arsenal tends to have the worst of its injury situations right about now.

However, yes there have been some games we have drawn blanks and others we thrashed other teams empathically. But there seems a bit of difference to this team than just 2 seasons ago with Fabregas and RVP and Nasri and Clichy and Song around. This team is more balanced. I hate to say it but yes, Ramsey wasnt wrong in that observation lately. We are harder to beat. But with every balance comes its price. We tend to have more of our attacking tendencies stifled now that the team has a better tactical shape. In my own opinion, we have overly-relied on Carzola to deliver creativity side. Sure he is world class in keeping the ball but clearly he needs a breather if not for the mental aspect of it. It's like sitting a creative writer in a caravan and forcing him to write while on the road the whole time with no pitstops.

My point on the new team is this. Arsenal have now become a mixed passing team rather than the old short pass and move prbing style that similarly delighted comparisons with Barcelona and also irritated the hell out of many fans too with over-elaboration. Anyone surprised that we just dont hear that anymore? The commentator going "Nasri to Van Persie who lays it off for Arteta, back to Nasri who brings in Clichy, back to Nasri, dummy by Rosicky and Walcott cuts-in, he turns, lays it off to Sagna and he's found Rosicky with space! Shoot! The chance is over, Rosicky turns and tries to pick-out Van Persie but is covered. He really should have shot when he got the chance." Sound familiar?

With the previous style of pass-and-move, we had become the team that received the most number of fouls due to the intricacies of the flowing moves. Sometimes we were so good, the foul was the only way to stop us well. Also, it invited alot more tackles. Hence alot of people don't understand how hard it is to get a whole team to have the passing ethos like we did and accept the injuries that come with playing such a style.

But now, we are different. We employ the wings and crossing so much more. It even surprised a commentator at the start of the season that we crossed and scored a headed goal. Mark my words, we have changed to a bit of mixed attacking play. This also leads to lesser injuries as the players are not so much in close proximity as compared to with a short passing style. It alows us to be less subtle to the over-the-top long ball counter but with a more rigid shape, we also lost some fluidity that makes space for teammates to pass into. But you know what, with the correct world-beaters in the team, we are gearing up for an exciting Arsenal. Many teams are successful with this style. The best being Man Utd, R. Madrid and even Dortmund i feel.

Let's pray for less injuries this December then truly, i am sure Gunners will stand proud at the top summit end of Dec. Topped up with some additions in January, i am sure, the motvation levels from all will go up!

C'mon you Gooners!

Have a hunch it gonna be good for us this December. I gotta feeling.