No rest for the wicked...

Never mind Liddlepuddle, we're facing the Spuds tomorrow. Let's hope Bacary Sagna is able to return after resting this weekend, as Emmanuel Eboue is a bit of a liability at the back as usual. With Carl Jenkinson set to sign in the summer, is this the end of the road for Eboue's Arsenal career? Talkshitesport have been talking as well; with Perry Groves saying we should sell Cesc Fabregas if the right offer comes in. I think the problem is that the right offer isn't coming in, rather than us not accepting it. The club have been linked with Frieburg forward Papiss Demba Cisse, but speculation is that the club will need to part with £13million to sign him. A striker coming in? You'd have to think that this heralds either a return to the 4-4-2 or an exit this summer for one of our current strikers.

I've also heard (from admittedly an unreliable source) that the club have offered PSG £13million for Mamadou Sakho, but the Mirror reckon he's content to stay in France for the next few seasons. The Mirror also have a piece on Jack Wilshere, wanting not only to play for the U-21s this summer, but in the Olympics next summer as well as the European Championships. I understand that he's young and wants to play as much football as possible, but isn't that stretching it a bit?

Wojciech Szczesny has been talking about how he hopes to cement his position as the No.1 at the club so that the boss doesn't need to buy a keeper in the summer. With Fabianski and Szczesny both kicking on this season, I don't see why a keeper would be brought in during the summer, with Mannone more than adequate as a No.3. Theo Walcott has also been talking about how he has kicked on this season, he's been both scoring and assisting more and it's been good seeing him do so well.

Finally, a piece in LadyArse about Benik Afobe's loan spell written by a Huddersfield fan and a match report as Arsenal cruised into the semi-finals of the Dallas Cup with a 6-0 victory over Panamian Chorillo FC.

A few videos for you then pre-match interviews ahead of tomorrow from Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie. A Theo Walcott compilation as well, plus Carlos Vela vs Chelsea and Henri Lansbury vs Nottingham Forest. Enjoy.

Be sure to comment or contact me (details near the bottom) if you have something to say. Have a nice Tuesday and lets hope the barcodes win today. ;)

It's been just like a mini-interlull

Having used up it's supply of soft-news in the interlull, Arsenal have been under some kind of media-lock down; with pretty much nothing coming out except a bit of chat from Emmanuel Frimpong. Anyways, Arsene Wenger had his pre-match press conference today, but I'm afraid I don't have a video for you as of yet. I do have the news though, Manuel Almunia is set to continue in goal, Nasri deserves being nominated for PFA player of the Year and that the team 'want to show they're up for it'. Heard it all before springs to mind, seen it all before doesn't, but with reports of a few chats behind the scenes, let's hope some of the players are a bit more motivated than they have been in recent months weeks. Obviously a lot of Arsenal fans have been disappointed with recent results, but I think it's only fair to wait until the end of the season before judging, a la Arsenal Supporter's Trust.

The boss reckons that it's vital to trust the players now, having put in so much energy to bring them this far. I agree with him in general, and I don't think any of us disagree with bringing up young players, youth certainly isn't an impediment to success; but it's hard to trust a player who doesn't show any desire to win. At the end of the day, all we ask of players, at least all I would ever ask is that they give their all. Some of them haven't in the past, so why should I trust them to in the future? Sometimes you have to prove yourself. Anyway, as I said hopefully they've had a banana shoved up their back-sides and are ready to turn over anyone we face in the next eight games.

A bit of an early Blackpool preview then, as already mentioned Manuel Almunia will carry on in goal. Cesc Fabregas is fit to start against Blackpool but Alex Song is set to miss out, he will probably be joined on the sidelines by Bacary Sagna who won't be risked after a knock on his knee. Theo Walcott faces a late fitness test while Aaron Ramsey looks likely to feature in the squad after overcoming a groin problem.

In nice news, Arsenal Ladies travel to Lyon for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Saturday evening. Let's hope they do better than the men have this season.

Now although I don't have Wenger's pre-match press conference for you (yet), I do have some other videos; a compilation of potential Arsenal full-back Carl Jenkinson playing for Charlton vs. Notts County. Take a look at Eboue's replacement?

We've also got an interview with Jeremie Aliadiere talking about random stuff, I think his Arsenal career is mentioned. He hasn't looked too bad for the reserves barring a bit of rustiness, is a contract really that unlikely? Who knows.

Anyways, that's it for now. I might update later if I get the pre-match press conference soon, it not then I'll probably have it by tomorrow. Have a good Friday night. :)

P.S. Vote in the poll!!! Right hand side of the page: 'Can Arsenal win the League?'