If Arsene Wenger did lose it in the dressing room at Anfield, it seems to have worked. He says he will not do it again, but I’m not too sure. Other famous managers have done and still do, so it’s not uncommon. Fabio Capello is a master of it, as were George Graham, Bill Shankly, Brian Clough etc and we all know about Fergie’s "hairdryer".

Wenger keeps on about the changes in the game and how you are always adapting to new things. Well his rant got a much-needed reaction out of the players and three points against Liverpool, so I think he should do it more often. Normally so calm with the occasional Gallic gesticulations on the touchline, maybe Wenger should lose it in the dressing room from time to time to keep the players out of their comfort zone, because let’s face it, these "kids" won’t be kids forever and they have to grow up sometime.

Footballers, especially at the top clubs as a whole get it way too easy these days. I wouldnt be surprised if Shrek has somebody to clean his behind for him. The manager was 100% right to tell them that "you’re not fit to wear the shirt". Anyone would be a fool if they thought the recent performances in the first half at Liverpool, Burnley and Hull were acceptable. The two teams ahead of us in the table dropped yet more points this weekend and it has set it up nicely for the Villa game on Sunday.

We need to be on the ball from start to finish as Villa have become a bit of a bogey side for us at home. They are one of a few teams that we have yet to beat at E******s Stadium. As it’s an early kick-off, it might be a bit sloppy to start with but I’m praying for a win as they are on the same points as us. Plus, we play a day later than everyone else for some reason, so if other teams around us win then we have to. We lost 0-2 at home last year and we can’t afford that again. It looked all doom and gloom but they collapsed afterwards.

I watch a lot of European matches when not watching ourselves, and I have seen some talent across the major leagues in Europe that wouldn’t cost the earth and its mother both in January and the summer. I would like to put a few names into the picture. In goal, Manuel Neuer of Schalke and Igor Akinfeev of Moscow. Both are relatively experienced. Also, since the inevitable sacking of Mark Hughes, I hear Shay Given and Craig Bellamy are considering their futures. Bellamy, hated by most crowds in the country, has that bit of attitude that’s missing from our team. He will have a go at his team-mates on the pitch when the going gets tough, which we don’t have at the moment. Yes he has a bit of a gob on him but I’m sure Wenger can handle that. He’s scored goals wherever he’s been.

In my view, we should have gone in for Shay Given, when he was leaving Newcastle. He’s a trophy winning keeper in the making and one of the top three keepers in the league. Almunia is good but is not going to win you cups. I guess we’ve seen that now. Both these City players would be eligible for Europe as well. It also looks like Gennaro Gattuso could on his way out of Milan. He would be another great addition to the squad. Again he wouldn’t cost a lot. He’s just come back from injury but he’s a fighter, strong in the tackle and a real character. At 32, even if we give him an 18 month deal, look how much the young players could learn from a man who’s done it all.

Another defender that has caught my eye from the Bundesliga is a Brazilian called Dante. He’s 27 years old, 6ft 3ins, played in the Champions League and UEFA cup, has a bit of pace, is good in the air and scores goals. Used as a centre back, he can also play at left back and in midfield. He was part of the Standard Liege team that so nearly eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League last season and was part of a defence that conceded just 19 goals in 38 league games. Ok it’s the Belgian league, but it’s still a good record. Just some food for thought for the boss but we will see what happens in January.

I would like to wish all my fellow Gooners a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Let’s hope that 2010 brings us a trophy or two.