Dennis 'god' Bergkamp At Hand To Pass The Baton, Mesut Ozil MIA

I was up for a six, but in the end it was three points, a three goal difference gained and three different scorers in a 4-1 mauling of Sunderland at the Emirates. To be honest I expected more of the black cats, something close to the verve of their display in the first twenty minutes or so of the second half.

The flying Dutchman. Image BBC/PA

A lot of positives from this game, first to mind is the consistency we have shown, now in two consecutive games, to impose ourselves early on.  For huge swatches of this season, we have been stronger as the game wore on the.

This ‘patient play’ approach has done some obvious good, but as Liverpool (we were on the receiving end here), the Bayern Munich game (where we had the ‘best team in the world’ on the ropes) and Southampton (an example of the most lethargic of starts to a game) illustrated, a controlled gung-ho approach is an important arsenal in one’s armory.

What was most pleasing is that this high energy start came in the heels of energy sapping 50+ minutes of chasing shadows against Bayern in midweek. The choice of the starting cast (finally some squad rotation- another plus) against Sunderland played its hand with Arteta stealing the show acting as the sinoatrial node, setting the pace for a pulsating attack.

Jack was at his best with archetypal thrusts from deep, to hug the edge of the Sunderland box and be available for that decisive, extra, deft touch. (a)Santi Cazorla, his usual self, putting a thorough attack and defense shift on the right, you only can thank him. Little Mozart strum the strings with so much gusto allowing Wenger to conclude that his number 10 display was the closest Arsenal had witnessed since the now immortalized Dennis ‘god’ Bergkamp.

Santi Cazorla Karibu Arsenal

Heading off to work today suffering I was from intractable Monday blues. Maybe it was the fine August weather that screamed holiday, maybe it’s because schools are out on holiday. I loathed my career choice, wishing to be a teacher, to get enjoy the school breaks with the kiddies. So intense was the feeling that for an untempth time, like many an adult, I wished to be kid once again
.
People, I got my wish. Cazorla is in and it feels like Christmas when I still believed in Santa Claus.

Early morning surfing on the phone, Cazorla Santi was still a ghost deal. The evidence was everywhere:  footprints in the mud, rearranged furniture, eerie sounds but no sight of the form responsible. Inside, it felt as a kid, like that unsettling wait for the holidays when daddy would take you camping. Like an orgasm that wouldn’t burst into fireworks.

Fans Verdict: Samir Nasri Is Arsenal Player Of The Season

Samir Nasri Image: epltalk

As the 2010/11 season kicked off, the team here at  Arsenalii in keeping with our philosophy of keeping this platform an inerractive one, ran a poll where fellow Arsenal fans could have their say on who among the Arsenal players contributed most towards the Arsenal fc motto: 'Victory Through Harmony'.

Thousands of views later- appreciately fewer votes cast- from across the globe from places like Island of Man, Nigeria, Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kenya, The UK, USA , India, China and Malysia; the verdict is out. In the Arsenalii polldaddy suported 'Arsenal Player of The Season', a few surprises against common perseptions but nonetheless a worthy winner....

Denilson/Diaby: With The Injury Shadow Overcast at The Emirates, Which Midfeilder Should Wenger place his faith in?

At least going by sentiments of the majority of Gunners on the two, this should be a no brainer; and this post ought to be an overzealous effort at stating the plain to see. Nonetheless, the Brazilian or the Frenchman? I ask again. Not so an easy choice as it appears on the surface. Moreover, if this contest were to be a match, in the eyes of many Gunner fans, the  score ought resemble the Brazil- France 1998 World Cup final at the Stade de France.

Deni and Diaby Celebrate together: Image:soccer-portal.org

However,  I am  hard placed finding a single all season Denilson  fan. Likewise, it's equally hard to locate an all weather Diaby critic. Such is their fate: The former only seems to draw in the critics while the later happens to have mastered the art of winning over hearts.

In the Foot Steps Of Roger Milla and Samuel Eto'o: The coming Of Age Of Arsenal's Song

Roger Miller
First it was Roger Miller, the Cameroonian great who with something short of a cameo appearance, and with age laden legs set the 1990 Italy world cup with his infamous corner flag celebration. So symbolic was his dance that coca cola based one of it's promotions during the first world cup hosted in Africa -the 19th edition in South Africa- on Roger Miller's corner flag jig.

So mercurial was his Roger Miller's performance at this world cup with four goals as at the ripe age of 38, Roger Miller showed the world that Africa could compete at football's largest stage by leading Cameroon to the quarter finals. The first time for an African nation at the last entertaining World cup if the sentiments of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson are to be believed.


Samuel Eto'o
Then it was Samuel Eo'o. The young Cameroonian striker who after failing to make the cut at galatico obsessed Real Madrid,  shone at Real Mallorca before lighting the stage at Barcelona. Now at Inter Milan, Samuel Eto'o is to me  the face of FIFA's anti-racism campaign. In the short history of African imports to European leagues, none has suffered more ridicule as the former African footballer of the year and African cup all time top goal scorer.

So bad is the Eto'o situation that sometimes supporters of clubs he has turned out for have sadly been part of the derogatory monkey calls brigade. In all this negativity, he has three champions league titles to his name, several domestic cups in Spain and Italy; including unprecedented back- to- back treble wins with two different clubs in two different countries- Inter Milan and Barcelona.

Enter the third Cameroonian

Alex Song of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on December 27, 2009 in London, England.

(December 26, 2009 - Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images Europe)

Robert Pires To Do A Campbell? Or Is It More Of A David Beckham

Two members of the invincibles:Kolo Toure and Robert Pires. Image courtesy of thesun.co.uk

Today, the only invincible in any Arsenal fans mind is the mighty Didier Drogba. Considering that the Ivory Coast captain and Chelsea front man has buried 13 goals in the last 12 matches against Arsenal, it is easy to understand the genesis of that title. In contrast, the last time North London held the air of invincibility was back in 2003/2004 season.

Fabregas With 50:50 Chance To Face Chelsea At The bridge

In a freak hamstring injury that led to an even freakier goal against Sunderland two weekends and four matches ago, Arsenal's skipper Cesc fabregas has a slim chance of adding to his already 200+ appearances for the club.
 Arsene Wenger while giving an update of the ever full treatment room at the Groove however refused to completely rule out the World Cup winning spaniard who he considers to be the leader of his young guns

"I don't know about Cesc...It looks a 50:50 but a 50:50 balancing on the negative side. I will find out on Saturday morning."

Considering Wenger's earlier remarks in the week where he expressed slim chances of Cesc Fabregas playing, this latest update appears a little more optimistic. Fabregas has continuously maintained that he would like to be fit to face the champions at their own backyard in Stamford Bridge this coming Sunday the 3rd of October.

Barcelona's feelings hurt as Cesc Fabregas Stays On at Arsenal.....But Just

In a read statement, Arsenal Captain, Cesc Fabregas, committed his future to Arsenal. The contents of the statement confirmed all that was already in the public domain on matters transfer of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.

With this show of loyalty, it appears that the curtains are falling for the end of season one of the Arsenal- Barcelona Spanish soap opera. A long drawn transfer saga that seems to have taken a break until further notice.

Based on that hunch that all sports fans know too well of, I have this uncanny felling that more is yet to come. Might I add, not in the distant future but smack in the heart of the coming season.