We have six absolutely huge games coming up. Milan [CL] (a), Sunderland [FA Cup] (a), Spurs (h), Liverpool (a), Milan [CL] (h), Newcastle (h).

It is quite conceivable that two poor performances in the next week could land us on the brink of a Champions League exit and out of the only trophy we have a real chance of winning, the FA Cup. We just have to show up, there are no two ways about it. Our last two results have given us a good platform to build some momentum, contrasting wins that show this side can produce when it matters and can be ruthless when needed to be. We now sit 4th on goals scored, ten points behind Spurs, but only four points off 7th place. Two wins out of the three league games in that set of fixtures I wrote above would set us up very well. Anything less than that would have us staring at a massive uphill task once again.

We could have done with keeping Henry until the Spurs game in my opinion, the fact that he was picked over Chamakh and Park shows just what Wenger does think about his other attacking options – any hope that the African Cup of Nations would provide Chamakh with a bit of confidence has been well and truly buried, our options are about to be significantly reduced with Henry’s return to New York after the Milan game midweek.

His contribution has been noticeable, three goals, two of them winners towards the end of games – the winner against Sunderland on Saturday was a vital, vital goal, and the winner against Leeds equally vital in ending a run of very poor results. There is no doubt his return gave everyone a boost, we didn’t just need a player of quality, we needed the feel-good factor that having that guy around brings – a glimpse back to days of slightly more success. I’m gutted we won’t see him on the pitch against Spurs again – not this season anyway. Who knows what the future holds?

But first, AC Milan. A great club but a team which we should really be beating. The Milan of recent times is not a patch on previous teams, or a patch on the team we knocked out the Champions League a few years ago. Our best chances of getting a result will be utilizing the pace that we have on the flanks, Chamberlain and Walcott must start regardless of Theo’s somewhat erratic form.  We need to take the game to them, scoring an away goal or two is vital – we need breathing space for the game at the Emirates, scoring an away goal piles pressure onto Milan – keeping it tight at the back goes without saying.

So, time to perform. Come on Arsenal, show us this season isn’t as much of a wreck as it seemed to be a few months ago.

We are shorn of three of the most influential players we have but we should still have more than enough to see off Sunderland this afternoon, and if we are in with the slightest chance of overtaking United winning is the only option. It is time to really show our strength.

Right from the start of the season these set of fixtures have been looked upon as the fixtures where we have to rack up the points so there can be no excuses if we fail, it isn’t the fault of injuries – but just familiar failings. It is time to banish them, and the memories of Sunday, for good.

You get the sense right now that nobody quite believes that Arsenal are potential champions because for so many years we have lacked the ruthless streak that others have possessed, the fans can see that this team has turned the corner but the pundits are still skeptical. Time to prove them wrong.

The win over Leyton Orient has eased the sores of Sunday, or at least provided a few good units of alcohol to numb the pain, the proper healing must be done on the pitch this afternoon.  A win and watching United drop points on Sunday would possibly bring a greater amount of happiness than the cup final would have and maybe, just maybe, we will see the old days of war return between the two clubs.

Sunderland are a good team having a very good season. They lay two points off sixth and have already smashed Chelsea this season playing the kind of football that teams have done against us at home in the past couple of years and come away with something, we must be wary.

There is big pressure on Nicklas Bendtner to deliver and, judging by the reaction on Twitter when I asked if Bendtner or Chamakh should start, there are a lot of people backing him. Coming off a three goal salvo against Orient midweek the only way for him is now down and if he misses a couple of chances tomorrow people will be on his back again. For once, everyone, lets just get behind him yeah? I am fed up of having to defend the guy.

Yes, he has an ego.

Yes, he has said misguided things in the press.

But, the media have painted a picture of a guy who is arrogant and thinks he is the best in the world. Quotes have been spun, translations have been done mischievously.

The thing is, can anybody put across an argument that Chamakh is a better option than him right now?

Thoughts of Barcelona need to be kept until after this game, it is far more important in the grand scale of our season that Tuesday night in my opinion. Barcelona may be more glamorous but overtaking United would be a massive step towards success.

Time to show your true colours lads.

COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!

I was told by a reliable source last night that Arsenal are keeping their eyes on one transfer target in January and it is 50/50 whether they make a move for him, the only other information is that available to me is the nationality and age of the target – German and 25 – no other information  has been made available to me on that front.

A lot of fans are interested in the future of Denilson, and the boss is reluctant to sell anybody at all in January according to my source, but would find it difficult to ignore offers above the £11-12 million mark for him, the sort of offer you couldn’t just turn your back on.

If an offer comes in for a sale-able and replaceable player over the January transfer window, the chances are it would be accepted.

Any sale of Denilson would also open up funds to be re-invested in the summer, Eden Hazard is believed to be a target for when the season finishes after the manager has had a long-held interest in him. Rumours of a £2 million down-payment made to Lille are false, however we do have first refusal on him.

Looking forward to Wigan later…

After the brilliant win on Monday and Man United’s slip up yesterday this has quickly become a win-at-all-costs game, it is a big chance to put some big pressure on United and with the big game against City closing in we need to start to build up a good run on wins.

The chances of us seeing a fair few changes are high, the intensity of the Chelsea game was much higher than usual with the increased pressing and a similar shift needs to be put in tonight – Diaby, Arshavin and Rosicky will probably all get their chance, Chamakh or Bendtner too.

It is the sort of game where an early goal really, really helps. It cuts frustration out and is a nice confidence booster, not that confidence should be low after beating Chelsea. The main thing to look out for is rustiness and changing the line-up too much, the nucleus of the team that faced Chelsea needs to be retained for this game despite only having one days rest.

Here’s to another win,

Come on you reds!!!