That has to be the most drawn out double of all time :lol:

One says goal, the other finish. Sly way of adding to the post count.

LOL I didn't even realise I said that earlier. I remember thinking it this morning, but i didn't think I'd posted it :lol:

[size=6]Vermaelen is available for Chelsea match[/size]

Arsenal centre back Thomas Vermaelen is available for selection for Saturday's big London derby at Chelsea.

The defender came off with cramp in his calf towards the end of his comeback in last night's 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Bolton but following a good night's rest he has reported for training today.

Speaking after the game Thomas said: "It was great to be back and to get time on the pitch. I felt fresh, I’m OK and am available for Saturday."
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/vermaelen-available-for-chelsea-match

[size=6]Fabianski - It's tough but I must be patient[/size]

Lukasz Fabianski is fighting every day to get his first-team place back.

The Polish goalkeeper was installed as Arsenal's No 1 this time last year following an injury to Manuel Almunia but, in January, Fabianski suffered a similar fate and was sidelined for the rest of the season.

Since then Wojciech Szczesny has established himself between the posts and impressed so much that he was voted the Club's Player of the Month for August and September.

Fabianski got the gloves back for Tuesday night's Carling Cup win over Bolton - and made a string of good stops - but he knows he must be patient and wait for his next opportunity.

"Of course, not playing doesn’t make me happy. I want to play, that’s my goal," said Fabianski. "But sometimes you have to be patient.

"I am just fighting, fighting [for my chance]. If there is an opportunity I want to play as well as I can and help the team. We will see what happens.

"I am just focused on the game and of course it is hard for the keepers, especially for me as I was out for a long time, more than seven months. I am coming back from the injury and for the keepers the most important thing is to play regularly. Then you can build up your confidence.

"I am just trying to take every single opportunity to show that I am deserving my chance."

Fabianski has done his prospects no harm with two solid displays in the Carling Cup and Arsène Wenger reiterated his faith in the Polish international after Tuesday's game. The 26-year-old is likely to be back on the bench at Chelsea on Saturday - but he will be ready for action.

"I don’t want to be focused only on the Carling Cup and wait for that as you never know what happens during the league, and you have to be prepared for every single game," he said.

"We are playing Chelsea and obviously Wojciech will start, but I have to be ready as well. Like I said, I have to work hard and we will see what happens. What else can I say about it? It is difficult but I have to accept it."
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/fabianski-it-s-tough-but-i-must-be-patient

[size=6]Behind The Numbers: 100 up at the Emirates[/size]

This week our statistician Josh James looks at the figures behind the first 100 league games at Emirates Stadium.

Sunday’s victory over Stoke City was Arsenal’s 100th Premier League game at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have won 67, drawn 22 and lost 11 of the century, scoring 201 goals and conceding 77. The team racked up 223 points in that time.

The first league game was also the first ever competitive fixture at the venue. Gilberto scored Arsenal’s first league goal at Emirates – a second-half equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on August 19, 2006.

The first league win came in the third match – 3-0 over Sheffield United (coincidentally the three goalscorers that day – Thierry Henry, William Gallas and Phil Jagielka (og) – all share a birthday).

The first league defeat was also the first defeat at Emirates Stadium in any competition, coming against West Ham on April 7, 2007. Very much against the run of play, and thanks in no small part to Robert Green, the Hammers triumphed 1-0 in what was the 15th league match at the new stadium. It was also the only time Arsenal failed to score in a home league game at all that season, the next time they fired a blank was 19 months later against Aston Villa.

Arsenal ended their debut season at the Emirates with a league record of P19 W12 D6 L1, amassing 42 points.

The following campaign Arsenal were unbeaten at home in the league, conceding just 11 goals, and earning 47 points. Completing an unbeaten home campaign in the league is something that took Arsenal 47 seasons to achieve (1970/71) after moving into Highbury in 1913/14, and then only four times subsequently (1980/81, 1990/91, 1998/99 and 2003/04).

In 2009/10 Arsenal won 15 home league games, a tally never surpassed during a 38-game season at Highbury.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/40180/behind-the-numbers

Really feel for him tbh. Didn't do anything wrong last season and really came in and showed just how good he can be.

It was the season before that which he did wrong :lol:

People form opinions and that is hard to change. I don't think Wenger would be confident of throwing him in for an extended period due to what he has done in the past. Yes, he was 1000 times better last year but it is much easier to remember the bad and I think that is what most do including Wenger and most Arsenal fans.

I do hope he gets a chance soon, love watching him play :d

Well I doubt Wenger would come out and say how bad a keeper he has on his books. He was always going to stick up for him and rightly so.

Did that run in the side come during the title run in?

[youtube]Nio_7hgcumw[/youtube]

Wenger's speech at the AGM today.

http://player.arsenal.com/home/player/1117-wenger-at-the-agm

Interesting, I found myself in two minds about it. I couldn't work out if I was genuinely inspired and enthused about it, yes the words were fine and yes he carried the club line well and made some strong points, but that cynical prick in the back of my mind kept saying "he sounds like a losing General trying to get his boys up to charge, knowing they are out gunned. His words are empty, they dont mean anything"

Well, I found his words as very honest. He made point of acknowledging what went wrong, what his decisions were based upon (the values and vision of the club), which suggests to me that no players will ever be bigger than the club. He seems to still have the 'team' spirit there, I believe that when he says they are "ready to go" that we can mount a charge once more. After all, it sort of is somewhat of a mini rebuilding phase, but that can be fast tracked as the core is still there.

I find that the inspirational aspect comes through in the way he asks of us to support and back the club and make us always look united on the outside. I really do buy into that, and I would like to give him our trust. There is a plan, short term and long term, it requires even now, being careful economically (evident by our wage constraints), in which Wenger has already predicted football will face the backlash of the GFC.

I didn't sense the level in his tone or demeanour that he felt he may have been patching a sinking ship or as you point out, "sounds like a losing General trying to get his boys up to charge, knowing they are out gunned". I felt, rather, he has been re-enthused, supported, and asks of the fans to similarly portray for ourselves, the current players and most importantly the club of a united front which will remain and continue to be a top level machine.

His faith in Arsenal and the players has never once faultered, not even after the 8-2 loss when most people would look at our team and just shake their head.

I agree with all that you said. But after the Old Trafford game, didn't he go and buy 3 new players the next day :d

he did also steer us into the storm this off season,