Morning Gooners,

Let’s start by congratulating the Arsenal Ladies who yesterday beat Birmingham 1-0 to win the WSL Continental Cup trophy.

They have already secured the WSL title and like their male counterparts in 2003/04, they went unbeaten the entire season! The ladies are the 2012/13 Invincibles and well done to them!

A few of the players suggested winning this latest trophy makes up for not getting to the FA Cup Final, although deep down, I bet it doesn’t, this group want to win all that is on offer these days, and they very often do. Their Champions League campaign continues on the 1st November with the first of two legs against FFC Turbine Potsdam which takes place at Boreham Wood.

Over the last few weeks, maybe longer, I’m not sure if it’s my imagination but seldom do we hear much from our current captain, Thomas Vermaelen. More often than not, Mikel Arteta has been the one with something to talk about with the guys/gals on the official site.

He’s talked about all sorts and that obviously carries on into the changing room as we all read the interview with Santi Cazorla, who said that he looked upon Mikel as the captain in any case because he always has wise words to speak.

Maybe that’s the just the way it’s all been agreed, Thomas does his bit on the pitch and off the pitch, Arteta takes over. I am guessing of course.

Finally though, our proper captain has a few words to say, and that’s on our young midfielder Jack, who he believes will lift the whole squad when he finally steps out for the first team.

You know what he did in his first full season for Arsenal – he was amazing. For me, he can be one of the best midfielders in the world. He has the potential for that.

I’m really happy he’s coming back now. He’s working on his match fitness and that’s the most important thing. I think in the future [he] will lift the team.

When I was out with injury, I was in the gym a lot, Jack was in the gym even longer working hard on his weaknesses.

You can see that now in his body on the pitch. For me he looks much stronger and that’s good. Sometimes you have to take the positives when you’re out for more than a year and I think he’s done that.

Thomas Vermaelen is right of course, not only will Jack’s return lift the squad, it will lift the fans too.

Now to get Rosicky and Diaby out of the physio room!

That’s it for another day, have a good one….