Struggling... Can Arsenal find a way out of this rut?

As a self confessed Gooner myself, I admit the start to this season has easily been the hardest since my affiliation with the club began back in the late 90’s.

Going down to Blackburn like we did really hurt, especially the way in which you almost knew it was coming.

But as testing as it’s been I will never stop supporting the club. Easy to say now yes, but I honestly believe that.

This is why it’s been disappointing to see fellow Arsenal ‘fans’ throwing the towel in already. I mean for goodness sake it’s only been five out of 38 games in the Premier League and I hear people having a whinge that the season is over for us and that we seriously face relegation.

My gosh, please.

The top four is our realistic goal for the season, like it or not. If you have an issue with that, you clearly are not a supporter of the club.

What annoys me a little bit more is people having a go when they didn’t even watch the game.

The first 45 minutes against Blackburn was some of the best football we’ve played all season. We put away two great goals and it could have easily been four or five.

Against United, we scored two goals. That was the first time that’s happened in years.

So, clearly as a fluid attacking team we have much quality. Gervinho looks hungry for goals, Mikel Arteta has fitted in seamlessly and Theo continues to impress.

The defence needs mountains of work. But you really didn’t need me to tell you that.

I believe Koscielny will be a very good player in the future, but at the moment he is just not first team quality.

Don’t get me, or any Arsenal fan for that matter, started on Djourou. He has quite honestly lost the plot and will need some amazing performances to get the fans back on his side.

Mertersacker needs to work on his pace, cause he got turned to many times at Blackburn, but he is quality and will go some way to fixing our aerial issues.

Now to the gaffer.

Arsene Wenger has copped it recently, fairly or not? I’ll let you decide. But either way he WILL be our manager this season unless he decides to walk. Which he has said many times, he won’t.

Faith is needed in him though, for we need to believe in him and his philosophy to get anything out of this season.

I will say this though, a certain number of fans, particularly in North London, have been amazing.

Ever since that famous booing of Eboue, Arsenal fans have never been thought much of.

But during games like United and Blackburn it was nothing short of amazing to hear the support that was being given to the players. Hopefully they can return the favour soon.

Don’t forget that arguably our best defender and midfielder in Vermaelen and Wilshere have also barely played this season. You can already tell how important they are – and it looks like they’ll both return around November-December, fitness permitting.

All that and we haven’t even touched on the best young keeper in the league in Wojciech Szczęsny, arguably our player of the season thus far.

It’s tough times at Arsenal at the moment, but every club has them. It’s certainly not the time to rebuke and go crazy, not yet at least. At this moment of time, we need the fans that are willing to stay on the ship even though waters are rough. If you want to get off now, I think it’s fair to say that most people related to the club wouldn’t want you back on.

Stay loyal Gooners.

Scroll down to check out some of the big current rumours coming out of England!

Our Pick

Cole seeks fresh challenge

Joe Cole endured a disaster first season at Liverpool, starting okay with Roy Hodgson and then barely getting a game under Kenny Dalglish. The midfielder might still have a bit to offer and with the mountains of experience he has, the likes of QPR, Fulham and Tottenham have all been linked. His 3-4 million pound asking price probably rules out the likes of QPR, with Tottenham rumoured to be in pole position to land the England international.

Will Samir Stay? Pressure mounts on Gunners

Say What?!

Nasri eyes Arsenal exit

The curious case of Samir Nasri continues to boil over, with reported interest now from Bayern Munich. There has also been a quiet word that Bastian Schweinsteiger might be involved in a swap for the French ace. Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be interested

Ronaldo wants 400k per week at City

In an absolute cracker of a story, it is believed that Crisitiano Ronaldo is prepared to leave Real Madrid after continuous falling outs with Jose Mourinho and head to old rivals Manchester City. City is probably the only club in the world who could seriously afford his wages, but 400k a week? Come on CR7, no one is paying you over 20 million pounds a year just to play footy!

United look at Modric, Schneider

Manchester United is keeping tabs on Luka Modric and Wesley Schneider as they look to bring in a replacement for recently retired Paul Scholes. The midfield, in particularly central, lacks some depth and the addition of either would add some real class. However, Harry Redknapp has come out saying that his Croatian maestro is not going anywhere.

Which shade of red for Phil Jones?

The young defender has been suspect to huge interest of late and it appears as though Liverpool and Manchester United are the two remaining candidates. It was rumoured that Untied has locked in the defender up until Pool launched a late bid of over 25 million pounds as they look to rebuild their squad.

Rumoured News

Spurs and Liverpool interest in Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge enjoyed his best ever season in the Premier League last time round, showing some very promising signs at loan to Bolton and has hence received some interest from Spurs and Liverpool. It is believed Spurs is the more serious contender, with rumours they are looking to offload Defoe and Pavlyuchenko. However, Chelsea have strapped a 20 million price tag on his head, is he worth that much?

Where on earth is Gervinho going?

It appears no one has a clue where this Ivorian is going. Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool and Sunderland have all been linked with the forward and he has been quoted as saying that next season he will play in the EPL. However, it does seem he favours playing in the Champions League and there is only one club on that list that can offer it.

Cahill, Samba on Gunners target

No doubt Arsenal need to strengthen their defence this window and it appears Wenger might be favouring some experienced Premier League defenders in Gary Cahill and Chris Samba. Arsenal have a close relationship with Bolton and that might shave a few pounds of Cahill’s price tag, but one thinks he will still be around 10-15 million pounds. Samba might be a little bit cheaper, rumoured at a nine million fee.

Everton starlet Tottenham?

Jack Rodwell is drawing some heavy interest from Spurs right now as the youngster looks to play in Europe and get game time at a bigger club. Not sure, how much there is to this one though, he probably would spend most of his playing time off the bench at Tottenham.

Kewell and Neill to QPR?

The Aussie duo are both out of contract and have been told their Galatasaray contracts will not be renewed for next season. Newly promoted Premier League side Queens Park Rangers are said to be looking for some experience, the Australians certainly have that and still probably a few decent years left in them.

Ashley to leave Villa?

Ashley Young is apparently eying a move out of Aston Villa to win some trophies with Manchester United rumoured as potential suitors. But after losing the likes of Gareth Barry and James Milner in recent years, it appears Villa will be holding out for a massive fee if Young were to leave.

What Do You Think?

What are your thoughts on all these possible transfers? Which, if any do you think will materialize? Also, add any news you’ve heard in the comments section below and we’ll feature you in our next installation of Transfer Time!

They’re pretty bloody good! But surely everyone has that little voice in their head after the ‘special one’s’ latest comments.

After their 2-0 away win at Real Madrid this morning, Barca put one foot in the door of what could be another UCL final with Manchester United.

However, it was Madrid’s coach, the one-in-a-million, Jose Mourinho who stole the limelight with some classic post-match quotes.

The former Inter, Chelsea and Porto man claimed that he hoped one day Barcelona would win the Champions League ‘properly’.

The comments came after a Pepe straight red card saw Barcelona take full advantage slotting two goals after the dismissal.

It must be said, it was a yellow card tackle at best.

Mourinho felt teams have next to no chance of beating Barca in the Champions League. He noted, in particularly, Chelsea’s loss in the semi to Barca a few seasons back and also Arsenal’s quarter-final exit earlier this year.

“No-one else has any chance really. Arsène Wenger. Today myself. I don’t understand why. I hope one day I will find the answer.”

He even went as far as wondering whether Barca’s shirt partner UNICEF was a reason for their ‘power’ in world football.

“It must be difficult to get all this power. Where does this power come from? I don’t know if it’s because they give UNICEF publicity (on their shirts)?”

Barca are now considering taking legal action against Mourinho as his comments start to spread.

However, when one looks back at some of the, let’s say ‘controversial’, games Barca have been involved with in the Champions League in recent times, there is a slight sense of intrigue.

2004-5: Barcelona v Chelsea (Second Round – 1^st Leg)

Barcelona defeated Chelsea 2-1 at the Nou Camp this game. However, Chelsea led 1-0 until Didier Drogba was sent off for a challenge on Victor Valdes. Replays showed he pulled out and the challenge was quite minimal. Claims emerged that Frank Rijkaard, Barca manager at the time, had met the referee, Anders Frisk, during half time of the game – something strictly prohibited in FIFA laws. The meeting was confirmed and the Frisk retired weeks later.

2008-9: Chelsea v Barcelona (Semi Final – 2^nd Leg)

As much as I enjoy seeing Chelsea lose, they were robbed hardcore in this game. They could have easily had four penalties in this game, but got none. Add Iniesta’s late strike to the occasion and Barca went through by the skin of their teeth. How the ref missed some of the decisions no one will ever know.

2009-10: Barcelona v Inter Milan (Semi Final – 2^nd Leg)

Inter actually won this game last year to get to the final, but it was Thiago Motta’s red card that nearly saw them exit the competition. A challenge on Sergio Busquets in the first half resulted in the red and some farcical scenes at the Nou Camp. Motta did raise his hand but contact was minimal. Busquets getting treatment after it was absolutely ridiculous though. Make what you want out of this one!

2010-11: Barcelona v Arsenal (Second Round – 2^nd Leg)

Arsenal held a 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg heading to the Nou Camp. However, after Arsenal much like Chelsea got the lead, ref Massimo Busacca proceeded to send off Robin Van Persie for a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. The Dutchman pleaded his case, noting the boisterous noise inside the stadium meant he didn’t hear the whistle; there weren’t even appeals from the Barca players. But he got red and the rest is history.

Those are just some thoughts for you to chew on. Are Barcelona cheats? No. Are they lucky? Yes.

No one can deny their ability to play football, but one does wonder about their reputation after such games.

The results included

Tuesday, 17^th February 2011

AC Milan 0-1 Tottenham
Valencia 1-1 Schalke

Wednesday, 18^th February 2011

Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona
Roma 2-3 Shakhtar Donetsk

Arguably one of the most remarkable ties of this year’s UCL came at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal, on the back foot for most of the match, staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Spanish Champions Barcelona 2-1.

Delight... Andrei Arshavin gave Arsenal an epic win over Barcelona.

In a game which emphasized what possession meant, it was Barcelona who unsurprisingly dominated much of that statistic in the first half.

Messi, who is still without a goal in England, laid on an assist for the opener, as he played in David Villa, the Spanish striker finishing smartly through Szczesny’s legs.

But Arsenal came out with intent in the second half.

However, it took them till the 78^th minute to find the equaliser, as Clichy lobbed in van Persie who, with arguably his toughest chance of the game, drilled past Valdes in goal.

Suddenly Arsenal was on the front foot, and just five minutes later relief turned to jubilation.

Samir Nasri burst through the right channel and squared up Arshavin who finished with class.

It sets up what should be a wonderful second leg at the Nou Camp in three weeks.

Meanwhile in the days other game, Roma were booed off as they lost 3-2 at home to Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk.

Things looked good at the start for the Italians as Perrotta ghosted in at the back post to finish well with his head, giving his side a comfortable lead.

It only lasted one minute.

In another quite amazing turnaround, Shakhtar went goal crazy.

First it was Jadson’s deflected strike which levelled the scores in the 29^th minute. Then a quite wonderful goal from Costa and an Adriano strike put Shakhtar in the most wonderful of positions.

Not only were they winning, but had three precious away goals by half time.

Roma needed to get back into the game and they did exactly that when Menez popped up to provide the slightest hope.

But that was as good as it got for them with the Italians now facing the daunting task of having to score at least two goals at Shakhtar to go through.

On Tuesday, the shock result was Tottenham’s 1-0 win over a poor Milan side.

As the Spurs UCL fairytale continues to role on, it was Peter Crouch who scored (with his feet if you can believe), to give Tottenham the edge.

It was a game surprisingly dominated by Tottenham, as Milan attacked mainly on the counter.

Fiery... Gattuso could face a lengthy UEFA ban.

The talking point was left to hard edged midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, the midfielder going toe-to-toe with one of the Spur’s coaching staff at the end of the game, which will certainly lead to some sort of sanction from UEFA.

It also left Tottenham with the Milan double, having beaten Inter at White Heart Lane in the Group Stage as well.

The other game on Tuesday was at Valencia as Raul added to his resume by becoming the sole top scorer in the UEFA Champions League.

It was Valencia however, who got the lead.

Soldado it was who pounced with a delightful finish to put his side up 1-0.

But not to be denied it was Raul, showcasing his full talent by cushioning the ball with his first touch and then slotting away with poise and elegance to claim an important draw for Schalke to take back to Germany.

Next week sees Chelsea travel to Kobenhaven and Real Madrid travel to Lyon in a tricky tie on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Manchester United visit Marseille, whilst we also have the much anticipated grand final replay from last season as Bayern Munich take on Inter Milan at the San Siro.