Arsenal

[The Fox]

Mirror reporting Sagna is back for Man City.

[Dude Ranch]

If a set of freak results meant we won the Champion's League by beating Leverkusen, Schalke, Galatasaray and then Olympiakos in the final we'd be like, yeah, we won the Champion's League, but it would be really fucking unsatisfying.

Yeah I'd hate that.

[Larsen B]

Normally when we get knocked out of the Champions League at the second or third hurdle, we go on an impressive domestic run to secure qualification for next season's competition.

Entirely glad to do the same thing if we're chasing the title.

[The Fox]

Arsene says Walcott has taken time to regain his sharpness in training, but that he's confident he's now ready. Seems a bit weird to me - wouldn't his quest to regain sharpness have been helped by getting more minutes under his belt against Hull or Napoli?

Also says he's confident Sagna will be ok for Man City, which is massive. Podolski is available technically but unlikely to be in the matchday squad just yet.

[SeanR]

[Stagger Lee]

Dick Dastardly?

[Rev]

[Lucky]

That's more like the Van Persie we know and love, out for a month and will miss 8 games after he got injured taking a corner.

[hauk]

Podolski being available is a big plus, not for Saturday but just in general. Any news on when the Ox will be back?

[The Fox]

Think Ox is still 2-3 weeks away from full training, he knacked his knee up pretty good.

[hauk]

Doesn't sounds like he is not going to be back for the Xmas/new year period, but maybe in time for the Feb fixture pileup. Not seen any news on transfers, still hoping we can bring in another attacking player. Also, am also surprised Wenger hasn't used Vermaelen more. He was decent enough against Man United and surely Mertesacker and/or Koscielny could do with a break.

[The Fox]

Wenger has basically stated he doesn't think centre backs run around enough to need much resting. I do feel a bit sorry for Verm but what can you do? He's not good enough to warrant a first XI place, simple as that.

[toythatkills]

Yeah I'd hate that.

Maybe I'm on my own. Obviously it'd be awesome to win the Champion's League, but I'd much rather do it beating the top teams than the dregs that are left in it. I don't want us to be Chelsea. I don't want us to muddle our way to the title. I'd rather win it the right way, because isn't that what Arsenal's about?

[The Fox]

Chelsea beat Bayern and Barca tbf.

[toythatkills]

Chelsea muddled past Bayern and Barca.

[The Fox]

Nah it might not have been pretty and they rode their luck massively, but I'm not sure it's fair to say they "muddled past", particularly the Barca game.

Anyway Wenger says Sagna could imminently sign a new deal, which is superb news as he's been the best RB in the league this season.

[Silent Runner]

Nacho and Sagna starting, says twitter. Good news.

[TonyPlay]

Anyone know any good streams of the match?

Anyone know any good streams of the match?

[The Fox]

How I hope we'll start on Saturday:

----------------Szczesny--------------

Sagna--Mertesacker---Koscielny--Monreal

-----------Ramsey----Arteta------------

---Walcott-----Ozil-----Wilshere-----

-----------------Giroud----------------

Wenger, m8! I can live with Flamini as Arteta is probably tired.

[Jonathan_Kerr]

1-0. Bloody hell. They're all over us.

[Dude Ranch]

To be expected. The schedule has been cruel to us but getting anything against City at home is a lot to ask.

[Silent Runner]

Best bit of football we've played all day. Lovely move.

[pinholestar]

Ohhhhhh yes!

Özil really is a class act. Waited & held the ball up to pick that pass beautifully.

[Silent Runner]

Koscielny injured. Fucked now.

[The Fox]

Hopefully just a gash on his leg and not ligaments.

Wilshere has been utterly appalling on and off the ball. If ever any performance deserved getting hauled off at half time, that is it. Even worse than he was first half at West Brom.

[pinholestar]

Fuck, that looks like it's a bad one...

[Silent Runner]

This fucking linesman, Christ.

[The Fox]

Deep laceration on his leg apparently, guess he got raked with some studs. Rather that than an ACL injury but he's gonna be out for a while.

[Mars]

This linesman is wank.

[Shoes]

Hopefully, Vermaelen will step it up. I still see us getting something out of this.