• 24 Mannone
• 03 Sagna
• 05 Vermaelen
• 10 Gallas
• 22 Clichy
• 02 Diaby
• 04 Fabregas
• 07 Rosicky
• 17 Song Billong
• 23 Arshavin
• 11 Van Persie

Substitutes

• 53 Szczesny,
• 18 Silvestre,
• 27 Eboue,
• 28 Gibbs,
• 14 Walcott,
• 16 Ramsey,
• 52 Bendtner

Blackburn

• 01 Robinson
• 02 Jacobsen
• 05 Givet
• 21 Olsson
• 39 Chimbonda
• 07 Emerton
• 08 Dunn
• 15 Nzonzi
• 17 Andrews
• 18 Diouf
• 26 Di Santo

Substitutes

• 32 Brown,
• 27 Salgado,
• 28 Jones,
• 12 Pedersen,
• 10 McCarthy,
• 22 Kalinic,
• 23 Hoilett

Arsenal needed late goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin to see off Olympiakos despite dominating their Champions League Group H clash. The Gunners wasted a series of chances, with Cesc Fabregas firing against the bar and Antonis Nikopolidis making a succession of saves for the Greek side. Van Persie finally broke the deadlock with 12 minutes left, slotting home Eduardo’s cross after a neat move. Arshavin made it 2-0 with a clever flick, despite appearing to be offside. The win continues Arsenal’s 100% start to their European campaign and they sit on top of their group after AZ Alkmaar drew with Standard Liege.

Arsene Wenger had this to say:

 
“I’m very happy because we had a great first half with outstanding quality. Unfortunately we couldn’t take advantage of it and at half time it was 0-0. It’s difficult to maintain that pace and quality for 90 minutes. In the second half our physicality dropped a little and our fluency went a little bit as well. It’s important then not to make a mistake and to dig deep and hope that they die a little bit more than us and take advantage in the last 20 minutes. That’s what happened. I think we dominated from the first to the last minute and Olympiacos defended very well. They were well organised and disciplined and gave absolutely everything for 90 minutes.”

Reports in today’s papers and online media have suggested that Carlos Vela could be heading out on loan in the winter transfer market. The 20 year old Mexican has been hampered by an ankle complaint picked up on International duty for Mexico in the recent Gold Cup which has limited his appearances to a solitary substitute appearance against West Brom in the Carling Cup.

However a Xerex spokesman has added fuel to the rumours by stating that:

“We are looking to bring in a forward who can stop the lack of goals in the team,” a Xerez spokesperson said.

“We are looking at a number of options in the European and Spanish markets and it is possible that Carlos will arrive in the winter market.”

Wenger recently stated after the West Brom game that:

“He needs more time, he is not ready. He was not even ready to start tonight but he needs to work. We have Van Persie, Bendtner, Eduardo and Vela as strikers, because we count Walcott more as a midfielder, as a right-winger. Of course he is in my plans, he can play as a winger as well. He can play wide left, wide right, he can play central, he gives you plenty of options.”

With Adebayor departing I really cannot see Wenger letting Vela go now he is just starting to force his way into Arsene’s plans.

Arsenal faced a late Fulham resurgence to claim all three points against a determined and dogged Fulham side. Arsenal had rookie goalkeeper Vito Mannone to thank as he produced a terrific MOTM display to keep Fulham at bay. A delightful pass by Cesc Fabregas set up Robin Van Persie who took his chance well and his right foot shot nestled in the far corner.

Arsene Wenger had these thoughts on the game:

“The three points are the most important thing because we played against a very good Fulham side today. I believe we had problems in the first half, especially to find our game. They stopped us from playing, they played a very good game today – committed, aggressive, well organised. You needed to be special to come out with three points.

“In the second half we had plenty of opportunities but we took one of them very well after a very good pass from Cesc Fabregas to Robin Van Persie. After that we had many opportunities to score a second goal. We were more dominant in the second half but Fulham always looked dangerous on set pieces, on the counter attack and they did try down to the last second.”

Arsenal were defeated here last season and Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, who lost Damien Duff to a worrying calf injury, said after watching his players snap and harry and swarm around their opponents: “I don’t honestly think we can play any better than we have played. I don’t think for our 1-0 victory last year we played any better.”

Despite a quiet performance from the diminutive Russian, speaking after the Fulham game, Andrey has allayed any further injury concerns following his recent setback.

The pain I do not feel, and because of a big break in match practise I do not have certainty in all movements 

Andrey also had praise for Fulham claiming their well organised display caused Arsenal problems throughout the game. Andrey further pointed out the MOTM performance of Mannone as a key reason for victory and the assist from Cesc Fabregas was worthy of special mention. Andrey ended on a positive note by stating that:

I repeat the main thing – no pain. So I look with optimism to the future

Although Arshavin was quiet throughout the game one cannot question his ability to provide the necessary spark to conjure free flowing attacks. With a home tie against Olympiakos upcoming in midweek it provides Arshavin with an opportune moment to showcase his skills.

One thing us gooners have to endure is the seasonal spate of injuries that seem to curse our quest for major honours. Some blame the coaching others blame the lack of squad depth therefore forcing our players to play more. With the return of Eduardo and the desperately unfortunate Thomas Rosicky coming back to seemingly full fitness alongside the return in the coming weeks of Walcott, Vela, Arshavin and Nasri, what would our full strength starting eleven be?

With the plethora of attacking options seemingly close to return it will allow us to, in a good way, drop the likes of Eboue, Denilson and Diaby. These players although useful in a squad context do not have the quality (yet) to win us tight games on a regular occurrence. Could Eboue have scored that Arshavin screamer at Old Trafford?

Below are my thoughts on our best, injury free, side:

That side looks like it could win things in my eyes, with Van Persie leading the line supported by the pace of Walcott and the creativity of Arshavin goals are sure to flow. Eduardo, Vela and Bendtner will provide ample back up in the three attacking positions. In the three man midfield Song can hold whilst Nasri and Fabregas can dictate play ala Xavi and Iniesta. Wenger has highlighted Nasri’s ability to play as a box to box midfielder and Nasri himself is open to the possibility of being a ‘defensive midfielder’. Rosicky, Eboue, Diaby Ramsey, Denislon all highlight the strength in depth Arsenal have when there are no injuries, somewhat justifying Wenger’s reluctance to buy a central midfielder in the summer. The back five all look solid on paper but with Fabianski/Mannone, Gibbs, Senderos, Djourou, Eboue, Silvestre (no thanks) as the back ups the question marks on quality strength in dept are clearly obvious.

As we all know injuries are common place at Arsenal and it is very unlikely that we will have a period with no injuries but to provide abit of optimism on this Sunday evening just imagine it and revel in what a first XI that would be…

Arsenal

• 24 Mannone
• 03 Sagna
• 05 Vermaelen
• 10 Gallas
• 22 Clichy
• 27 Eboue
• 02 Diaby
• 04 Fabregas
• 17 Song Billong
• 09 Eduardo
• 11 Van Persie

Substitutes

• 53 Szczesny,
• 18 Silvestre,
• 28 Gibbs,
• 07 Rosicky,
• 16 Ramsey,
• 19 Wilshere,
• 52 Bendtner

Wigan

• 01 Kirkland
• 17 Boyce
• 19 Bramble
• 25 Melchiot
• 31 Figueroa
• 06 Thomas
• 10 Koumas
• 14 N’Zogbia
• 15 Gomez
• 27 Diame
• 20 Rodallega

Substitutes

• 12 Pollitt,
• 03 Edman,
• 07 Scharner,
• 05 Cho,
• 16 Sinclair,
• 09 Scotland,
• 30 King

Arsenal

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Denilson (back), van Persie (knee)

Injured: Almunia (chest infection), Djourou (knee), Fabianski (knee), Arshavin (groin), Nasri (leg), Walcott (back), Vela (ankle)

Wigan

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured: None

Are you confident of the three points?

Confirmed Arsenal Line up:

Arsenal

• 01 Almunia
• 03 Sagna
• 05 Vermaelen
• 10 Gallas
• 22 Clichy
• 02 Diaby
• 04 Fabregas
• 15 Denilson
• 17 Song Billong
• 11 Van Persie
• 52 Bendtner

Substitutes

• 24 Mannone,
• 18 Silvestre,
• 27 Eboue,
• 28 Gibbs,
• 07 Rosicky,
• 16 Ramsey,
• 09 Eduardo

Man City

• 01 Given
• 02 Richards
• 03 Bridge
• 19 Lescott
• 28 Toure
• 07 Ireland
• 08 Wright-Phillips
• 18 Barry
• 34 De Jong
• 25 Adebayor
• 39 Bellamy

Substitutes

• 12 Taylor,
• 04 Onuoha,
• 05 Zabaleta,
• 16 Sylvinho,
• 36 Vidal,
• 17 Petrov,
• 40 Weiss

Manchester City

Suspended: None Doubtful: Robinho (ankle)

Injured: Johnson (groin), Kompany (toe), Santa Cruz & Tevez (knee)

Arsenal

Suspended: None Doubtful: Vela (ankle)

Injured: Arshavin (groin), Djourou (knee), Fabianski (knee),
Nasri (leg), Walcott (back)

What do you think of this line up – can Arsenal win? How much will we miss Arshavin?