Pradeep Kachhala
Super Samir Nasri - quite possibly the player of the year so far - considering how these things are decided in January I am sure he will be at the top of many awards come the end of the season if he keeps his tremendous run of form up.
The difference in a rather turgid display last Saturday against Fulham was the presence of a player who can pull the proverbial "rabbit out the hat". In the past we always had an Henry or Bergkamp capable of changing the game and hopefully more of the current crop can follow Nasri's lead in the coming months.
The problem remains with "sweaty bum defending". Our attack continues to bail our defence out of problems that are very much self-made. Every Gooner would pick Djourou ahead of the lightweight Koscielny, at times his pairing with the competent Squillaci makes it seem as if we have the Chuckle Brothers in defence.
The Vermaelen mystery continues, as do the links to Bolton's Gary Cahill. My personal belief is to write off the Verminator for the season, which would indicate the need for an additional central defender. I would ignore Wenger's quotes regarding not spending in January. This week's rumour that Koscielny was out until the New Year underlines the reality that we may still be short at the back.
The Partizan game was as expected, AFC continue to put their fans through agony before putting a winnable game to rest. Possibly the only reason I can see this team not winning silverware is their continual love of shooting themselves in the foot. I am beginning to believe that this mentality may now be permanently engraved in the team’s psyche.
Comic moment of the week - Barry Bendtner coming on against Partizan and managing to take RVP’s chance away from him.
Tragedy of the week - Gibbs again. A player no matter how promising, will not improve until he takes part in a decent run of games. See Walcott, Theo. I am also starting to think that Clichy has put a gypsy curse on Gibbs.
Speaking of Theo, well taken goal on Wednesday - he is very much a momentum player who scores in bursts and is obviously not a winger. The problem is that there are at least three ahead of him in the pecking order for such a role.
Interesting point in the recent Gooner podcast, regarding which youngsters that have been let go are better than what we currently have? My first thought would be Birmingham's Seb Larsson at left back. A very influential player who is part of one of the league’s meaner defences. Also extremely adept at set pieces. Certainly a player I would welcome back to Arsenal. Other than him one could possibly include Stuart Taylor, the Man City number two or perhaps Muamba of Bolton.
Without meaning to bring up the same point every week, but how many times did Denilson give the ball away against Partizan?
Finally, Monday sees us go to Old Trafford. I recall twice in the past three seasons we have scored first only to lose. It all depends on who Wenger chooses at centre back. As shown by Diouf, Drogba and Ameobi this season, Koscielny struggles against powerful strikers. Rooney has a frustratingly good record against us, and would be salivating at the prospect of facing Alan Smith's French lovechild. Wenger must play Djourou. If we are to win, the onus will be upon Arshavin, Nasri and RVP to lead the way.
My prediction? A draw but would happily be proved wrong by an Arsenal victory.
