Broken and Battered Gunners still fighting for Top Slot

Greetings and most sincere apologies for not updating this page for over a month's time due to some unconventional excuse. 

Nonetheless, here's a fresh, just out of the oven post about the Gunner's complete see saw month which saw them crashed down at Allianz Arena (Bayern Munich) and The Hawthorns (West Brom), picking single point results against Spurs in North London derby at home and away at Carrow Road against Norwich and most importantly, losing three of the most important players they have depended upon since last season.

,Cazorla, Sanchez & Coquelin.

The Trio lost to injuries before festive period.

However, Arsenal did pick two crucial wins at home with last week in the UEFA Champions League tie against Dynamo Zagreb and last night against Sunderland in the Premiere League to go second on the table. Positives during this time span were the return of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey and Walcott and along with the fact that Joel Campbell has started to make his presence felt on the pitch by scoring a goal and an assist in the last three games he has started in two weeks.

The King of Assist is back.

More importantly, a new leader has emerged and is now being seen as the catalyst behind almost every other goal scored by Gunners and he is none other than Mesut Ozil who has now 12 assists in the league in 15 games with two goals as cherry on the top. Training hard to make runs, re-tracking and winning possession and finding space on his own, Ozil has become the driving force in the Arsenal's offensive unit, feeding goal scoring passes at times out of nowhere and in games that have mattered in the season.

Nonetheless, it was a nervous win last night which saw an own goal from Giroud who later cancelled it with a spectacular header to put the Gunners back in the lead and revealed clear signs of vulnerability in defense and hesitation in picking up passes in the last third. This shows how much of a difference does the presence of Coquelin, Cazorla and Sanchez make in the game.

History depicts that although Arsenal has seen many injury filled seasons over the last decade but this time just when the tide has started to favor them, these injuries have started to wear down the team in the most crucial phase of the season. The fact that Arsenal are just two points behind league leaders Leicester City with the spread among the top five of only six points proves that our chances of winning the league title this season are quite high.

Wenger needs to find the perfect DM cover for Coquelin

The only drawback is the lengthy list of injured players who can actually make up of almost the entire first team and their long term absence would prove the Gunner's boss Arsene Wenger wrong in his decision to not buy during the summer transfer window. Although very edgy whenever asked about the injuries and January transfer window, Mr. Wenger would have to admit that he would need to find decent cover for the team in the midfield to progress swiftly towards the title challenge. 

Last night's performance may have boosted a load of confidence among the players but make sure that Coquelin and Cazorla's absence at the heart of the pitch is not felt so much, at least two potential signings should be on for the upcoming January window. If not two, then at least a central defensive midfielder to enforce and release the pressure off the back four. 

For now, a still very decent unit is available for the make or break Champions League away tie at Olympiakos on Wednesday evening with an outside chance that Mr. Sanchez may be seen on the bench while completely ignoring the hamstring he picked up against Norwich unless he is locked down in the infirmary by the Boss himself.

Only the game night would reveal the rest so till then, that's all for now. Leave a comment to speak your mind and thank you so much for reading patiently. Salud & COYG!!

Arsenal Low on Cover as Bayern Clash closes in

Well, Well, Well, as I last wrote about the fragility in the squad despite strong performances in the premiere league, it feels that there is much more to it than it meets the eye.

Campbell finally makes his mark for Gunners

Yes, we pulled another victory last night against Swansea City with goals from the French duo (Giroud & Koscielny) once again along with the long lost child Joel Campbell who finally showed the skills to stick in the first team. Once again, Ozil took the front seat with Alexis Sanchez finding his 'born to kill' talent again on the pitch.

The result has left us level on top with Manchester City on points in the league while the latter takes top slot on goal difference. However, the result seems to have covered up the clear flaws which have been a problem for Arsenal. Particularly, the outcome of the Capitol One Cup exit to the hands of Sheffield Wednesday at their home.

Walcott back in infirmary.

Number one as highlighted in the earlier post is the number of injured players Arsenal now have so far after the League cup exit. Walcott and Chamberlain picked up injuries within the span of 20 minutes of the Capitol One Cup fixture and they joined Ramsey, Wilshere. Welbeck, Ospina, Arteta and Rosicky. None of them available for the UEFA Champions League tie with Bayern at Allianz Arena which leaves Giroud the lone central striker for Gunners till at least December.

Chamberlain out till Int'l break.

Moreover with no further addition during the transfer window, things have started to look quite tight with availability of strong back-ups in the midfield and as well as on the offense. The right flank especially is placed open for Joel Campbell who showed strong legs and fine set of talent for just one game now so far.

The other option is the Academy boy Alex Iwobi who has been in sparkling form in the youth team. Unfortunately, Santi Cazorla and Francios Coquelin have to be cautious and extra vigilant about their fitness level as they have no back-up so far.

Defense still a concern for Arsenal.

Second major problem which is seen in this past week is the complacency in the defensive line which resulted in a humiliating loss in Capitol One Cup and as well as gave Swansea City two absolutely clear goal opportunities which were ruined by Swansea striker Bafetimbe Gomis and cleared by Hector-Flash Bellerin. No matter how strong it may have been for Gunners to have Petr Cech as their ultimate savior, Arsenal back four should not be caught napping in any game.

This sort of stance is what Bayern would be looking for in the Arsenal team to exploit when they meet at Munich for another crunch tie which would determine the course of Arsenal's progress in the UEFA Champion's League this season. 

With full strength in the squad and a clear eye of vengeance, the German champions would strike hard against the Gunners at home and a slight lack of concentration could cause a lot of turbulence in the European competition as well as the title challenge in the Premiere League.

Tell us how what you think through a comment and thank you for reading patiently.

COYG! Salud. 

Feiry Flams & Stunning Sanchez: Reasons for Gunners to Rejoice

Last week's dreadful show and this week's display makes a perfect moment to recall a famous line of Al Pacino in The Godfather III movie which was, "Äs soon as I thought I was out, they pulled me back in."

Yes, this is the week to bask in immense delight for all the Goonars as Arsenal made a statement to quiet down all the doubters and put a stop to the taunts by many that a top class proven striker is what Gunners actually require to fight for the title. Well, not so much if you take in the accounts of how we played at White Hart Lane in our Capitol One Cup tie against Tottenham but last night practically shut down all the critics who has the fan drive against the Gunner's boss.

Wednesday night seemed to be a bit of stuttering approach as fresh loss to Chelsea was looming over the players and the absence of Coquelin, due to injury, saw two veterans Arteta and Flamini filling in the position with no Cazorla in the squad along with Ospina, Debuchy and Campbell coming in the line up.

Flamini Shines for Arsenal in Capital One Cup

That seemed to be working against the team until Flamini popped in the picture, scoring his first on the rebound, followed by a spectacular volley finish that completely broke down Spurs and saw them out of the competition on a night where Giroud again came a bit clueless with his approach on the goal.

However when dumping our North London rivals in a slightly fortunate manner wasn't enough, a complete assault came in at Leicester in the Premiere League fixture yesterday where the Gunners finally went in with all guns blazing on the offensive, particularly with the man in question who lead the Arsenal goal scoring stat last season - Alexis Sanchez And also especially against the only team with an unbeaten record in the League which seemed unstoppable till the very game at their home.

Alexis Sanchez is back with a Bang.

After giving away the first goal in the early minutes of the game, Arsenal had the hard work cut out against a strong team laid out in front of them by Claudio Raneiri but the counter attacking mindset paid off with Walcott equalizing due to an excellent pass by Santi Cazorla.

Then came in the dazzling Chilean with an appetite, scoring his first of the season on a Bellerin cross, then heading off an excellent Ozil lob for his second which by his his trademark long shot finish from 20 odd yards to bag his first hat-trick in the Premiere League.

Although, Jamie Vardy scored again following his first to make the Gunners nervous but Giroud came off the bench to grab the fifth and end the powerful run of Leicester City to a complete stop.

Wenger rejoiced following Arsenal's strong Comeback.

This victorious week has given great boost to the fact that Arsene Wenger had given the fans a great reason to get behind him and most importantly the team itself. Moreover, questions that loomed about having a renowned proven striker signing might be out to rest as all three designated forwards were on the score sheet.

However, the need of a strong defensive midfield back up seems to be the area that should concern Wenger the most as Flamini and Arteta could only provide limited cover for Coquelin, the man who has become the actual anchor for Arsenal since last season.

Although he would be back in a week's time to face Manchester United at home but any serious injury to him may leave Gunners on the back-foot so let's hope he stays fit along with Arteta and Flamini in the squad till January transfer window.


What's your opinion on it? Do tell through your comments and Thank you once again for reading. Till next time, Come On You Gunners!! Cheers.

Stoke Test Cleared, Dynamo Up Next. Champion's League Dream begins "Again"

Gunners Relieved to have their names in the Scoring sheet against Stoke City .

Greetings as I write this post on almost the eve of the Europe's's greatest club football competition of this season involving all the big guns. And with delight too as Arsenal picked up three comfortable points as they won strongly.Especially after a lot of disappointing criticism made of the club's transfer handling this season following by some really nervous performances up front.

Waclott embraced on his fist PL goal of the Season

Some solid performances from Coquelin in the heart of midfield with Cazorla and it would be quite impossible not to mention Ozil and who was the caterer of the attack fest with Ramsey and Sanchez to give Walcott numerous opportunities to score. And score he did in the first half following by a strong headed finish by the much crticized Arsenal front man Giroud.

All in all, a great comeback performance by the team as for at least a few days, Arsene Wenger would find himself in a slight comfort zone and so will Giroud and Walcott. As for some fans who would still say that Gunners were not really convincing last evening winning against Stoke City at home, I would say that they expect far too much, watching far too many games of star studded opposition teams annihilating mid table to lower grade teams. 

Finally some joy for the Frenchman

Just to give them a comparison of yesterday's fixtures in the League, our London rivals Chelsea (Defending Champions - Premiere League) were crushed by Everton at Goodison Park, making it their third defeat already in total of 5 matches so far with just 4 points.

However, we now move on to the bigger stage as the battlegrounds are now being ready in Europe for the UEFA Champion's League with us drawn against Dynamo Zagreb, Olympiakos and German Champions Bayern Munich . Most importantly, all that talk of getting a star signing up front would really come into question as we visit Dynamo at their home for our first game of group stages. 

So far, Arsenal have not made it further than the last 16 in the UCL since last 5 seasons and being one of top renowned clubs among the Europe's elite, it is a huge concern for Wenger whose dream to win the Champions League has gradually transformed into a fantasy. 

Wenger not deserting hope for UCL Glory

The pressure to perform well against Dynamo in a away game shouldn't be of too much intensity for a top club but for Arsenal, there is always tons of pressure to do well in the Champion's League. Now with a shameful benchmark set by the club as per past performances in UCL, the primary objective for Arsene Wenger should be the breaking of that self created "Round 16" barrier convincingly and taking each games piece by piece. Rest is all faith

To say that the Dream can become reality for the Professor would be a far fetched idea but for sure, almost fans would get really excited to see Arsenal in the Quarter Finals at the Champion's league.

What do you think? Do leave a comment below and thanks again for reading patiently! Salud. COYG!!

Would signing Benzema or Cavani mean writing Death Warrant for Walcott?

And I am back with my latest post after two years with a whole new different way of giving an insight of what's happening and what's not happening at Gunner's home.

Recently, we have seen massive flooding of rumors of us signing Superstar forwards with the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Cavani, Thomas Muller, Gonzalo Higuain and even the ever 'Majestic' Zlatan Ibrahimovic to provide cover and strong competition for our out-and-out striker Olivier Giroud.

Benzema Happy to stay at Bernabeu.

However, the rumor that doesn't seem to go away is that of Karim Benzema which seems to be getting stronger as the Summer Transfer window comes to a close.

The Los Blancos Goal Scoring machine has been on the wishlist of every Goonar and to some point, a source of admiration for Arsene Wenger and some of the star players like Cazorla.


Benzema is the bridge between Ronaldo and Bale forming a Trident for Los Blancos in the front, which almost makes him an irreplacable force at Barnebeu.

Cavani wanting a New Scenery now?

While Edison Cavani rumor has recently gained strength over these last few weeks and being frustrated playing as second best to Ibrahimovich at PSG, he would most likely be benefiting the most to regain his superstar Reputation if Arsenal sign him in this window.


Both are top quality strikers and would give guaranteed boost for Arsenal to pose title challenge on both fronts; Premiere League and Europe.


However, what we have at our disposal in the front is quite sufficient to accompany Giroud such as Walcott and Welbeck along with Sanchez; all possessing speed, crafty dribbling and clinical finishing to change the game within a blink of an eye.

Options at hand for Wenger - Wellbeck & Walcott.

Not to forget the Youth Academy where Wenger has worked immensely to bring up has seemingly fit options in all departments to break into the first team such as Apkorn and Iwobi showing their skills up front in Emirates Cup and Barclays Asia Trophy this pre-season.

Walcott being the most strong contender for sentral striker position next to Giroud has been aching to make his place prominent but somehow some fans see things otherwise. For them, Cavani or Benzema are definite Title winners no matter how expensive they are for the club and a move for either move definitely mean the end of the line for Theo Walcott.

Giroud wot worried about new striker along with him at Emirates

Walcott has shown time to time how lethal can he be in the front replacing Giroud, giving more assurances to Wenger to let him play in his favorite position after starring in FA Cup Final and starting in 2015/16 Community Shield. Wenger had to work to convince Walcott to stay and signed for long term at the Emirates with promises of playing as a center forward as his usual position.


That promise can only be fulfilled if temptations and pressure to bring a mega star signing up front is made to quench the fan's thirst after Cech being the only signing to upgrade the long awaited keeping department.

So for Walcott, this Transfer window is crucial till the end and not a day before the close would pass for him without hoping that the status quo in the Arsenal offensive stays the same. We hope for the best for him as well.

That's all for now but give your view about what you thinkby leaving a comment and Thanks once again for reading patiently. Cheers!!

Capital Shootout Critically Dealt in Reading

And We are back with a late addition to cover the recent ridiculously symmetrical displays of Gunners at away games over the last 10 days. It also includes late night's overpowering away Victory at Reading in the Premiere League.

Yes, again the voices were raised and the mouths were left gaping in shock when Arsenal were seen off by a League 2 minnows Bradford in the Capital One Cup Quarter Final last Wednesday.

Another Tremor hitting performance where the Gunners played an all-strength team and their strikers still couldn't find the back of the opponent's net till the dying moments of the game; thanks to Le Capitiane Vermaelen who had to leave his defensive post to do the offensive task as well.

Bradford, in their home turf, seemed to dictate the terms to Arsenal in the end at the penalty shootout after being pressed on with only 36% possession on the field during the entire 120 minutes.

This humiliating elimination from the smallest competition added further fuel to the already fiery question among the critics and the Arsenal fans whether 'if Arsene Wenger can further do Arsenal any good".

Furthermore, Theo Walcott has become more adamant in signing a new deal with the Gunners and the talks of Henry's probably 3rd stint in the January Transfer with Usmanov mentioning him in a role more inspiring than just a borrowed player, has pushed Wenger a step closer to the electric chair.

Somehow, Wenger has silenced Arsenal critics with his side crushing Reading on the opponent's play-ground 5-2 where Santi 'Clause' Cazorla registered his first Hat-trick in the Premiere League.

Gunners Redeemed - For now.

This emphatic victory helped Arsenal to jump back up in the Top 5 of the League and maybe a slight outside chance to challenge the title race.

However, this could ll depend on what Wenger does in the January Transfer Window.

Other Positive news at the Emirates are the young starlets JackWilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain willing to re-new  their vows with the Club for longer terms.

Questions for now at the Emirates are: Will Theo leave? Can Wenger muster up some A-class confidence and sign a Star player?

Let's see how it pans out at this weekend's away Brawl at Wigan. Do let us know what you think about it and thanks again for patiently reading it.