Er, who ordered the snow?

First day back to work, alarm goes off, look out of the window, snow everywhere, old bill blocking the road to work cos of an accident. Come on - give me a break!!

I was delighted with the draw yesterday. Ninian Parks farewell season so it’s good to tick that off before it’s Morrisons or Lidl or something. Been there a few times for parking pre-cup finals but not for a game. I’m sure it’ll be an intimidating atmosphere but there will be a fair few gooners there to give it our best. Most importantly it’ll be a good piss-up. Ramsey will certainly be up for it!!

Swap deals seems to be the talk of the town. Now it’s Toure for Ireland and others are talking about Richards or Dunne as part of a swap deal. Bendtnerfor Upson? If we’re going to put two and two together and get eight why don’t we swap Bendtner for Arteta? Everton need a froward and we need a middle man, makes sense, and as for Toure, I’m not sure he’s done at Arsenal.

I don’t want to comment on this Theo bullshit. To me it is just that. As far as I know Theo loves being at Arsenal and doesn’t have any ambitions at 19 to be anywhere else. I can’t see Arsenal not wanting to give him a good deal either. As with all this January talk it is all speculation and people just trying to fill up column inches.

Our January signings seem to just be about contract renewals at the moment. One that is worth all the tea in China is Jack Wilshere. He is going to be a fantastic player and it is going to be really exciting watching him come through the ranks.

Silvestre added to our injury problems on Saturday. At least we get a full week off and Clichy should be back on Saturday against Bolton.

Car Crash Face is showing himself up to be the scum bag I knew he was. What class he has. Talking about everyone elses players. Just cos nobody wants any of his!! His constant chat about Downing and Defoe has lead both players to hand in transfer requests. As with his referee outburst last month it’s sure to go unpunished by the FA. Tapping Up in it’s easiest form. SCUM!! Everybody hates the scum for good reason. This is just more proof.

Until tomorrow Gooners.

Both the results today went in favour of the premiership teams, but even so there were lots of good trips in the draw.  I was after an away trip to a ground outside our league, so was delighted with drawing Cardiff - we’ll get to stand on a proper terrace for a change, and I think they’re moving grounds next year as well so a great draw from that point of view.  Football wise however it will be a tough trip - intimidating atmosphere and an up for it Championship side.  But there were definitely worse draws we could’ve had.

Our result yesterday was exactly what I was expecting - an average performance, but a safeish win.  I’m not sure any Prem teams breezed through - sides from lower leagues are always so up for it, it’s their biggest game of the year so obviously they make it hard.  A first time win was all we needed - just look at Chelsea!  Drawing at home to Southend, or Man City getting thrashed at home by Forest.

The latest transfer news is that Wenger is after Stephen Ireland.  It’s a weird one - he’s been in great form this season, but he just doesn’t seem like a Wenger-type player.  Can’t really put my finger on it.  Still I think he would provide a bit of a creative spark and strenthen our squad, plus he’s used to English football.  Mind you it will almost certainly never happen now as we’ve heard about it in the press!  

Centre mid/wing is probably the area I think we need to strengthen most, so I do hope we buy someone.  We do have a number of options in our own squad but they are clearly not good enough right now for where we would like to be.  All this ‘protecting the young players’ talk frustrates me - if we get someone in, the young players will force their way into the team if they’re good enough.  If they can’t, then they aren’t good enough, end of.  Cesc broke into the team when we had a lot of big name midfielders, Vieira, Gilberto, Edu etc.  At the end of the day he had the quality.

It will be an interesting month!

What can I say about the first half. It was crap and I could hardly see it as we were in the RedSection today. Turfed out of the clockend in favour of some weirdo southerners.

Plymouth are what I expected a very ordinary Championship side with not much craft or threat and thankfully not too much fight. With no game in midweek I was pleased to see Arsene name a strong side. Still though Vela could not make the first XI even with out hats on show!!

So the second half was much more pleasurable and started with me missing our goal. Too busy buying beer - sad really!! Samir Nasri floated a corner over only 50 seconds into the half and CAPTAIN Van Persie headed it in from the middle of the box. It was only minutes later when Eboue found Van Persie. His cross to Bendy was bundled in by on loan Manq David Gray (brilliant!!). Bendtner claimed the goal. Wally!!

As per the usual script we managed to let them score when Fabianksi flapped at another cross. Hmmmmmmmm we’re not winning this years FA Cup if he stays in goal. Arsenal sealed it in the 85th minute. Samir again set Van up. Van chipped the keeper but he rose and got a hand on it. Robin had kept running and met the ball the other side of the keeper. He smashed it in off the cross bar. Que Sombreros flying in the air.

Arsenal make the draw tomorrow along with Cardiff, Coventry, Hartlepool, Torquay, Watford, and the mighty Kettering. What’s the bets we get bloody Boro away!!

Arsenal:Fabianski, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Silvestre (Gibbs 30), Eboue (Vela 70), Diaby, Nasri, Ramsey, Van Persie, Bendtner (Wilshere 86). Subs Not Used: Almunia, Adebayor, Bischoff, Randall.

Booked:Bendtner.

Goals:Van Persie 47, Gray 50 og, Van Persie 85.

Att: 59,424

Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).

Ay, caramba! We’re getting a teensy bit eccentric for the first game of 2009. With 9,000 Plymouth Argyle fans gracing our away end in an effort to make their day out one to remember, we’re offering Gooners the chance to get hold of a sombrero at The Rocket!

Why? Well we could say it’s in tribute to our little Mexican star Carlos Vela or to keep the scorching sun off your necks this January but the first answer to “why?” is “why not?!”. A bit of silliness in the stands to match the silliness that’ll be on the back pages throughout this January transfer window! Also, we’re asking Gooners who want a sombrero to make a minimum donation of £3 instead of an actual purchase price. ALL proceeds will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust so please dig deep.

Doors open at The Rocket at 11am for a 3pm kick off where we can either watch the Monkey Hangers vs the Potters or we can have our Chant Of The Month “Sos Cagon” on the big screen a couple of times before The March.

Oh Vela, Vela,
Our Mexican superstar,
He’s better than Cantona!
Oh Vela, Vela.

Hope to see you all there before seeing Carlos Vela and co. hopefully progress to the fourth round of the F.A. Cup!

Victory Through Harmony