One down, six to go in the month of hell. It might just be a month of glory too if we keep our form up.

Following speculation around the contracts of van Persie and Theo Walcott, Wenger has stopped all contract negotiations until the end of the season as it all starts to hot up. Its a brave move because its sure to mean a deluge of stories about other clubs eying up moves for our players, it has to be said if that is the price to pay for glory this season, I’m willing to pay it. Wenger said:

“My thinking is that we focus completely on the short term and not long term, we have such important targets in front of us that we have to show maturity and get rid of all the talks which are not helping us to win the games. We have to because we play every three days and we cannot sit around with players. It does not affect anything, because we can always talk to the agents, but I believe when a player comes back from an away game you do not want to be sitting around the desk at eight o’clock in the morning. You want him to recover, rest and prepare for the next game. We have taken this approach because we have a tight schedule.”

There is enough time for that in the summer, I’m sure we will announce a flurry of new deals for players when the season is over and there is time to sit down and talk. Arsenal have not had this kind of run in for many a year…. Its not about the teams we are facing, its about whats at steak. When was the last time we were fighting for the Champions League and FA cup at this stage of the season, whilst also looking to cement a top four place at the same time? This season could still be great for the club, even with all the misery so far.

One man determined to make it happen is Emmanuel Adebayor who had a rather good weekend, he was back to his old self and whilst it is too early to judge whether he is back on song like last season, it must me said that he will be vital in the next nine weeks. The Tognator said:

“When I came to this club from Monaco in 2006, I was told by my friends and team-mates I had a great chance of winning something but for the last three years I’ve gone on holiday having not won a trophy and with an empty heart. So now it is time to achieve things, starting with two games against Villarreal. We have to believe we can do it.”

He really wants to win something, you can tell. The team is desperate for a trophy and the fans are as well, its not his desire that is welcome to hear here, its this:

“There is a feel-good factor back at the club and the fans are pleased to see us playing with fast movement and good football again.”

After murmurings of infighting earlier in the season this is a delight to hear. We don’t want a team at each other throats because we need them to pull together and win us something, i have said many a time that one trophy…any trophy…will be the making of this side.

Andrey Arshavin – a player who has won things in his career has been praising the return of Cesc Fabregas, a player who it seems he admires:

“We managed to play good and fast football and I think it was due to Cesc’s brilliant play, he reads situations on the pitch so well and knows instantly how to organise an attack.”

He sure does make a difference, i actually forgot how good he was! What a player.

Onto a little blog news now and as you can see (hopefully!), the place has  a brand new look and i for one rather like it. I need to know you opinions on it because this site is for you readers so if you could drop me a very quick line in the comments it would be greatly appreciated! If you would like to contact me privately go to the about&contact section or mail me at goonblogger@googlemail.com

I’ll be back tomorrow with a full look ahead to the Villarreal game and the team news will be out later today. Samir Nasri sadly looks to be out of the game which will be a big miss. More on that in the preview.

’til tomorrow