Morning Gooners

Bit of good news doing the rounds today and that’s about Jack Wilshere. He said he never wants to leave the club and wants to emulate Tony Adams. He also said he totally understands why Cesc Fabregas forced his move to Barcelona as having family close by makes life so much better and nothing for him is better than Arsenal.

Not such good news comes from the Daily Mirror. In a long article they slip in that Wenger has ruled out a Diaby return until after Christmas. I haven’t seen that anywhere else though. The ย article is quite interesting, Wenger talks about Vermaelen’s lack of confidence and how Podolski is struggling with life in the Premier League.

Onto today.

Fulham are the one’s heading across town to try and achieve something they are yet to do, and that’s beat us at our own ground.

I strongly suspect they believe they will too.!

We however, need to to ensure that we get back to winning ways fast and it’s about time we stopped conceding goals!

Last weekend we were dire with no pace to our game and very few chances on goal, again that is something we need to change.

Midweek we were better against a strong Schalke side, but there were still too many errors all over the pitch to convince fans that today will be an easy game. Unlike a few years ago when this fixture was a certain three points.

We now sit 7th in the league, just one place above Fulham, goal difference being the only reason for that. As said earlier, we are yet to lose to our London neigbours at home in any competition, winning 22 and drawing four in 26 meetings.

The last time we met though, Martin Jol got the better of Wenger at Craven Cottage and he’ll be out to get another one over the Frenchman today.

Unlike us, Fulham are on an unbeaten run, but they have only won one of their last four games, drawing the others of course and last weekend they held Everton to 2-2 with Arsenal old boy, Steve Sidwell, snatching a last-gasp equaliser.

Jack Wilshere is out after being sent off last weekend, Diaby, Gibbs, Rosicky, Gervinho and Fabianski are all still missing, while Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain face a late fitness test. However, there is some good news surrounding Tomas, he was back training yesterday, albeit alone, but maybe that was to keep him away from Diaby in case his 3 week, going on 7 week injury is catching.

Fulham midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is a doubt for today and Simon Davies misses out after undergoing a hip operation.

Stats from opta:

  1. Arsenal have made their worst start in the Premier League under Arsene Wenger, taking just 15 points from their opening 10 games.
  2. Fulham have lost 12 points from winning positions this season, more than any other side.
  3. 38% of the 13 Premier League own goals this season haveย benefitedย either Fulham (3) or Arsenal (2)

Well those stats are interesting aren’t they!!

Arsene Wenger has apparently told the players that it’s about time they changed the atmosphereย amongstย the fans. He wants a display which will give the fans something to sing about.

We just have to play good games. The atmosphere comes from the team, not the fans, and we have to think like that.ย The vibes come out with the quality of our game, the fans are behind the team. That is what is about us.

I agree we had one or two flat games at home, especially against Schalke, even the game against QPR. I believe that it is down to the quality of our game – that is our responsibility.

Fulham can score goals, they have chalked up far more than us so far this season, their tally of 21 league goals is only bettered byย Manchester Unitedย andย Chelsea,.

They have Rodallega and Berbatov, both experienced players who will hurt us if we don’t take control of the game from the off. We need to get some pace, quick passing and urgency back in our performance, not just all possession and no end product.

Use the wings and feed the ball into the big guy up front and in the air, give him chance do what we witnessed against Schalke. Start Walcott and use his pace, no playing Ramsey on the wing, he’s not a winger.

If Wenger doesn’t want to start Walcott centrally, then give Podolski a try, what have we got to lose? Santos is no defender, try him on the wing where he can use hisย Brazilianย skills and punish the opposition.

We are at home, let’s mean business! We must take the game to Fulham, not sit back and let them batter on our defensive doors.

Something has to change and we all know that. We need a greatย performanceย and a convincing victory before the old enemy come visiting next weekend!

That’s it for another day…..

I truly hope for all of us, it’s a good one……