Tonight’s game is in my opinion the most important of the season so far, we must score an away goal. That’s my thinking on it.

Villarreal are a team blessed with great technique and they really like to play football, this game is very winnable by all means but it is also very easy to lose because complacency will be punished at this stage of the Champions League. Much of the fanfare has been about us playing against the great Robert Pires again, a player i have admired for many years. I was so so sad when he left but i think the move came at the right time for him, he was never happy on the bench. Pires aside we have to watch out for Marcos Senna who is one hell of a player, its going to be a tussle between him and Fabregas for the control of the game and thats where i think the support from Song and Denilson will come in helpful, thats why i feel all three will start with Nasri coming in for Arshavin who is ineligible.

Much has been made about the ‘inexperience’ of our side but Almunia thinks we are well capable of progressing:

“It looks to be the season for the young players to be man enough to face all the big competitions we have. Players like Alex Song, Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott – when these players are 100 per cent fit, they can be mentally prepared to be totally professional, and they have the potential to win trophies. We can win every single game and we are here to do it.”

I am relieved that he and the others appreciate how good Villarreal are because if they go in with the wrong mentality we will be booted out. Simple as that. Al will have to be on his toes tonight.

Getting the attitude right has also been the topic of Toure’s comments, Toure being the only goalscorer in 2006 when we met them in the Semi’s:

“When we played them in 2006 they made us work hard. I was happy to score a goal in that first match but the second game was really difficult and in the end we were lucky that Jens saved the penalty. This time it is going to be really tight again. We have to concentrate and not think it is going to be easy. The atmosphere there is unbelievable, you can feel the pressure from the fans because they are so close. However, we are used to that in the Premier League, which is going to help us a lot.”

Focus is the order of the day. Personally, I think we will get that away goal and that would give us a massive boost going into the home leg. A cagey start will probably occur as both the sides eye each other up but with the defensive cushion of Song and Denilson we effectively have a back six if needed so the onus will be on not conceding, its probably as important as getting an away goal.

There is a lot of competition in midfield and this is welcomed by Denilson.

Our season is coming together now and it really is crunch time. Arsenal need to stand up and be counted out there in a stadium that an English team has never won before. We did it at Real Madrid and AC Milan, lets do it at Villarreal tonight.

Let me know your predictions, enjoy the game and i will be back fresh and early tomorrow.

’til then.

Earlier today he said to me:

“I don’t agree with the rumors linking Rosina to Arsenal, im pretty sure he will stay in Torino and fight for his place because it really is a poor season for the midfielder.”

That was before the news about the president of Torino broke where he said Rosina would definitely be staying at the club. This journalist runs his own sport website, you can see it on the right hand side of the page in the links section. Sadly, the blog website is in Italian!

There are some rumors going around that Eboue can leave on a free at the end of the season and Inter Milan are watching his situation with interest as his contract is up in the summer, making him free to talk to other clubs. I think its another issue that has been left for Glazidis to sort out.

In a rather amusing article, Hleb is considering leaving that hamlet of Barcelona because he can’t speak the language. What a total and utter tool, maybe you can’t get decent ice cream in Barcelona?

Now i really need to pass some time because there is not much else kicking about, there is a couple of articles about Toure leaving but as it was only a couple of days ago Arsene said he is staying, i can’t see much truth in it.

Right, the players (in the first team), that we should look out for in 2009. I won’t include players like Wilshere and Ramsey because they are still classed as ‘youth’ in my opinion.

Van Persie

I think its his time now, he can fire us to a trophy and fourth in the Premiership. Its time that he really fulfilled his potential and he has risen to the occasion a few times this season when we have really needed him, Liverpool, Chelsea and Pymouth to a certain extent too, he was a true leader and without Cesc and with Ade not on top form, he could be the difference between winning something and ending up in the Uefa Cup next season.

Denilson

I think he has been the unsung hero of this season and its now his chance to really state his claim to have a nailed down place in the team. He is learning the defensive side of the game and at 20 years of age, most central midfielder’s are not regulars. He has a good passing range and is not as lightweight as people think, he works hard and can pop up with big goals. He was tipped to be a future star, we can see the potential, lets see him become a star in 2009.

Djourou

Its a big year for the Swiss as he is another player that can cement his place in  the starting line up, Toure’s future is in the balance, as is Gallas’s so it really is a big chance for him. I really think that he could be a fantastic centre half and with both central defensive places up for grabs, mango man could really profit.

Watch out for them, they have points to prove and 2009 is a massive season for all of them. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments, this blog is as much about the reader as it is me chatting shite!

Right, i’ll give three more players tomorrow so tune in for that, there is not much else floating around so i will leave it there, sorry this is pubished early but i really need an early night!

Til’ tomorrow

well…nearly!