Arsenal's in-Between Days

This is going to be a long week without football, as we don't play again until Saturday evening.

Between now and then, I'm going to have to find a few things to write about. I suppose I could take a look at how the fantasy football is progressing. I haven't done an update in a while, but there's a very good reason for that which is that my team is sliding faster than an bobsledder in Vancouver.

It seems that every player I pick either gets injured or loses his form completely and utterly.

This week, I had Rooney as my captain, and so far he has done nothing, although that might change tonight. I could live with it if he got sent off and gave me a minus score so long as it's of benefit to Arsenal. With West Ham fighting for survival, I hope they can make a game of it tonight and maybe get the sort of result they have managed against Manure a few times in the past.

The boss spoke today about the terrible pressure on Theo Walcott ahead of the World Cup. He said that back in his and Capello's day there were not TV cameras at every game, and every game wasn't analysed ad nauseum. Walcott has only started five Premier League games this season due to his commitments to England's senior, and under-21 squads last summer.

The manager was furious when he played in an under-21 tournament for England as well as for the senior team. When he ended up injured, it was no surprise at all.

Today, we have headlines stating that Stuart Pearce left walcot off of the under-21 squad. In my opinion, he should never be playing for the under 21's if he is part of the senior squad. The under-21 team is there to develop players for the senior squad, but Pearce wanted to win the European championship or whatever meaningless tournament they were playing in last summer and picked Walcott to help that cause.

Although, I think they lost the final in the end.

The big loser was Walcott. It is now February and his lack of a pre-season from the injury he suffered has led to more injuries and could ultimately cost him a World Cup place. If it does, I hope Pearce is happy with himself because it's down to him more than anyone else. 

The boss spoke about our chances of winning the league this season. He said that if we can show the spirit, belief and togetherness that we did on Saturday, then we have a chance. He also said that we go to Stoke on Saturday, and we have to turn up with full belief and commitment or our dream will be shattered. Does that mean he believes that we have to win at Stoke or we are out of the title race completely?

It is not an easy place to get a result, and we lost there in the league last season when we were kicked up and down the pitch with no protection from the referee at all.

We also lost there during the FA Cup this season, although we had a very weakened team.

It's been a very different story at home, where we have beaten them relatively easily in the two league games that we have played since they were promoted. We're favoured third with the bookies for the league, but the boss says we will fight for our dream.

The club is holding a question and answer session on Wednesday from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., and the players present will be Rosicky and Traore.

Another youngster has signed professional terms for the club is Benik Afobe, who has been with the club since he was eight. He signed up yesterday, only 10 days after his 17th birthday.

Bendtner, Ramsey and Walcott all spoke on Arsenal TV yesterday about their belief in our ability to win the league and the importance of winning on Saturday after the disappointment of Porto last Wednesday night. Let's hope that we can show that belief and ability along with a hell of a lot of fighting spirit on Saturday. That's it for today. 

Here's a little bit of what Theo can do when he's at his best.

And to finish today's title track from The Cure. Today is one of those in between days when nothing much is happening from an Arsenal perspective.

See You Tomorrow.