Good Friday to you all.

It's kinda quiet even though we've got a big game against Villa tomorrow. I suppose we can start with team news. There will be fitness tests for Almunia and Adebayor, which is a bit of surprise. Almunia is still recovering from the kick in the face he got from Michael Carrick but Adebayor seems have recovered a bit quicker than expected from the ankle injury he got against Stoke.

With so many big games coming up this month I can't see the manager taking any risks if he isn't 100% though. We're still without the injured Eboue and the suspended Robin van Persie. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the same team that started against United. Villa are a decent side although their recent form hasn't been brilliant.

In John Carew they have a player we know all about. From that goal he scored for Valencia to the shocking challenge on Hleb in last year's game at Villa Park he's one of those whose father you wish had just had one more wank in his lifetime before he got Mrs Carew up the spout. If he plays, there are doubts because of injury, then it'll be a test for Sylvester and Gallas. In Ashley Young and Agbonlahor they've got quality too and they're very solid at the back.

Last weekend's win over Manchester United lifted the spirits and showed what this team is capable of. However, the worries over their consistency remain so a good performance and three points against Villa is vital to show that a corner has been turned. The pressure's back on but if we play with the same commitment and energy as we did against United then we're more than capable of winning the game.

Abou Diaby looks set to continue and he calls Patrick Vieira his role model. In reality the similarities between them are mostly physical. Diaby seems much more comfortable in a more advanced, attacking role and he's yet to show that he can come close to what Vieira did in central midfield. Still, if that's who he's holding himself up against then at least he's learning from a great player.

Youngster Abu 'Wakemeupbeforeyou' Ogogo has joined Barnet on a one month loan deal while William Gallas says he's a good captain.

Any beyond that there's not much news. As usual Saturday morning will be busy with the various bits and pieces that come out of the manager's press conference but for now we'll move on with the Arsecast and it's Arsecast number 100. Holy moly, that's a lot of Arsecast.

On this week's momentous show I chat with Goonerholic, one of the only people old enough to remember Arsecast 1, about the Carling Cup, the United game and tomorrow's game against Villa. As well as that there's The man in the bar, Eboue, Adebayor, Arsene Wenger Hawkins and more.

There's also the chance to win yourself a Savile Rogue scarf, unquestionably the finest football scarf known to man. Just listen and answer the question. Winner announced on next week's show, plus Savile Rogue will give you a 10% discount on any purchase if you use the code ARSEBLOG at checkout. 

You can subscribe to the Arsecast iTunes by clicking here. Or if you want to subscribe directly to the feed URL you can do so too. To download this week's arsecast directly - click here (18mb MP3) or you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

Ok, enjoy the 'cast, have yourselves a fine stress free Friday and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Good morning to you all. I hope your head does not hurt like mine. That's a lie. I hope it does. A problem shared and all that. Although I hope the pain is caused by over indulgence in alcohol and not some kind of tumour.

It's United tomorrow and in team news the boss is reporting that Gallas and Walcott are both 50-50, Sagna is a 'slight concern', while Eboue, Adebayor, van Persie, Chris Kiwomya and Ted Drake are all out due to injury, suspension, old age and corpseosity. Although a zombie Ted Drake would be awesome. He'd put the shits right up Ronaldo and keep him on his feet. He wouldn't possibly dare roll around on the ground lest zombie Ted devour his braaaaaaaaaiiiiiiinnnnnns. Mmmmm, brains. Sylvester may be used as a 'gamble' and I might just have a punt on him scoring against his old team. If it's the winner I may even start to like him. Only a little bit though.

There's a lot of talk coming from United about how they still know they're going to have to play well despite the fact Arsenal are going through a difficult time. I've read Trainspotting star and Ronaldo going on about it. What a pair of cunts. I'm not going to link to them but how dare they be in any way reasonable about anything. I bet they had their fingers crossed when they said it. Look, here's the thing about Trainspotting star and Ronaldo, they're cunts and they'd kill your mum given half a chance. Frankly, that the newspapers give them any time at all to air their poisonous, vitriolic views is a disgrace. Of all the United players to hate this weekend these two deserve the most contempt.

Meanwhile Emmanuel Adebayor has obviously taken a serious blow to the head as he says he wouldn't take any players from the United team to play for Arsenal. Now, leaving aside the fact they're all a bunch of mum killing cuntbutlers, some of them are quite good at football and would make us better. Honestly, anyone who wouldn't, on a purely football level, swap Eboue for Ronaldo, for example, is clearly deranged. Sure, Ronaldo doesn't look as good in a tiger suit but he does have the handy knack of actually scoring goals and winning games. But I can see where Ade's coming from. It's all well and good saying 'Leaving aside the fact they're all a bunch of mum killing cuntbutlers', but you can't leave it aside, can you? 

To be honest the only way I'd swap one of our players for theirs is so we could drown them in a vat of slurry, the poxbottles. 

Necklace Bender says Arsenal should not be written off in the title race and that he loves playing for Arsenal. I'd love playing for Arsenal too. It was something I dreamt about as a kid and I figured that even if my footballing limitations were exposed I would make up for it with hard work or by doing press interviews calling opposition players 'cunts', thereby endearing me to the fans who would share my beliefs. Of course my teenage years spent drinking flagons of cheap cider and falling over did little for my football career and I never had the chance to go on Football Focus and say "Well you know, Bob, it's going to be a tough game this weekend but the one thing we have going for us is that we're not despicable, mum killing cunts". Bob would have nodded sagely. He'd have understood. 

Right, that's about as much as I can muster this morning so we'll carry on with the Arsecast, shall we? On this week's show I'm joined by Amy Lawrence from the Observer to talk about Cesc, the United game and the state of things in general. As well as that there's a player history from the Man in the Bar, Amaury Bischoff PI, Sylvester and other stuff too.

You can subscribe to the Arsecast iTunes by clicking here. Or if you want to subscribe directly to the feed URL you can do so too. To download this week's arsecast directly - click here (18mb MP3) or you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

Right, that's it. I must drink more coffee. 

Quite a lot to get through this morning so let's go for it.

The AGM took place yesterday with shareholders and supporters groups present as the club gave its presentation. Some of the main issues in bullet points:

• Chairman Peter Hill-Wood assured fans that the club would not sell out to foreign owners, saying "Arsenal runs through my veins and we do not want control handed over to somebody who has not got Arsenal in their blood.Rest assured, we are not going to sell out to the first man who comes along".
• He also said 'expenditure on players' remains the top priority. Interesting that he didn't say expenditure on transfers.
• A new MD will be appointed 'fairly shortly'. The delay is down to making sure they find the right person and not being 'inept'.
• Stan Kroenke was officially introduced as a member of the Arsenal board
• Three new busts were unveiled - Denis Hill-Wood, Herbert Chapman (as the old one remains at Highbury) and Arsene Wenger.
• Arsene Wenger won't rule out January signings but has urged fans to be more vocal in support of the young team, saying younger players need more help from the crowd.
• Eduardo is set to return to full training in about three weeks and once he builds some match fitness will be available for selection. Good news. Not so good for Rosicky whose return is now expected 'after Christmas'. Which year was not revealed.

There was more and I'll come to that in a little bit. The main bit from a fan's point of view is the manager's call for more support for the team. He said to those attending the AGM:

You are all very quiet, a little bit like the game on Saturday. It is a recession mood, but it will not last, do not worry. Instead of showing resentment, we have to believe in our team, more than ever because this team will deliver.

But the younger you are, the more you need support and the belief in the quality of these young players. I ask you as well to be proud of them and to show your support. At the moment I do not feel that either from the media or our supporters that this team gets the support that it deserves.

In black and white those are fairly strong words but I'm told Arsene was very passionate when delivering them, not angry or anything like it. I think the headlines saying Wenger has 'attacked' or 'lambasted' the fans are well over the top. Typical media shit stirring, of course.

I don't think too many fans would argue that atmosphere in the ground could improve at times, especially when the team is losing. I touch on this in the Arsecast but there's a level of expectation built by the manager that makes it hard when you're losing to Hull for people to sing and shout. And I think there's probably a lack of belief in the team at times. It's easier to get behind the side when you know they're capable of turning a game around. Perhaps this team is suffering a bit because of that, we're not sure if they can.

Anyway, the manager wants more from the fans, the fans want more from the players. We all want more - but sometimes you have be a giver before you can be a taker. I think that's the message anyway. The AST have backed the manager's calls, saying:

We believe that through the use of giveaways such as red and white scarves, better music and using the scoreboard that the club and fans could improve the atmosphere.

Wenger himself should appeal to the fans for more support. As his performance at today's AGM demonstrated he is passionate and persuasive about his players.

It's an interesting debate and one that I think everyone is going to have a view on. Even the most passionate fans in the world sit on their hands when their team is losing, look at how quiet it went in Turkey the other night, but it would be great if the Grove was louder and more passionate at times. There was a voicemail during the week for the Arsecast which I didn't have time to include on this week's show talking about how away fans were allowed to stand and jump around whereas home fans are more strictly 'stewarded' by the club. Something worth discussing? Remember your thoughts on this or any other matter are always welcome on the Arsecast hotline - details below.

Anyway, there's more on the AGM in today's Arsecast.

In other news Robin van Persie says Eduardo's return is vital and that we need the Crozilian back. I maintain if he hadn't been injured last season we'd have won the league. Obviously we may need to give him time to get himself sorted once he starts playing again. Will he be affected by the injury physically and mentally? Arsene has been talking a lot about what a strong character he is so fingers crossed he can find his shooting boots as quickly as possible. I'm looking forward to seeing him back.

Team news ahead of West Ham sees Gallas and Toure fit again but Sagna's return will not happen until the midweek game against Sp*rs.

Dennis Bergkamp wants to come back to Arsenal and be a coach.

*creams pants*

Watching that interview there on the BBC makes me all wistful and somewhat teary. I love Dennis. Why couldn't he have just stayed 29 forever? WHY?

Right then, today's Arsecast. On the show I chat to Tim Payton of the AST about the AGM, he was there, and we cover stuff like the finances, the property side of things, our wage bill, Kroenke, Usmanov, Arsene's plea for more support and a book handed out by the AST called 'Custodianship at Arsenal'. It's interesting stuff.

As well as that there's a player history from the Man in the Bar and Sylvester reflects upon his debut.

You can subscribe to the Arsecast iTunes by clicking here. Or if you want to subscribe directly to the feed URL you can do so too. To download this week's arsecast directly - click here (16mb MP3) or you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

Right so, that's that. More in the mañana.

Wonderful, someone has taken the eager, trusting Interlull and brought it for a walk in the woods. Then they've thrown a stick and said 'Go on boy, fetch', and as he bounds across the leaves, tongue hanging out with the sheer joy of going to fetch a stick, they've nipped back into their car and driven off.

We won't see Interlull again till February, which is a good thing. We have a game against Everton tomorrow and it's vital we get back into the swing of things. Nothing less than three points required but there are some injury issues.

We'll be without Gallas, Sagna and Bendtner for tomorrow and for the Champions League trip to Turkey in midweek. With Johann Djourou recovering from concussion we'll probably see Eboue at right back for Sagna and Sylvester make his debut alongside Toure in the centre of defence.

Cesc has broken his nose but is likely to play while Robin van Persie faces a fitness test over a muscular problem. And amazingly Abou Diaby is fit again. Whether he's fit enough to start remains to be seen but the return of any central midfielder to the squad can't be a bad thing. Hopefully he can stay fit and take his chance if he's given it.

On the official site Cesc has clarified his comments from yesterday saying he's 100% behind the boss and his young team mates. He says:

Arsène has built an unbelievable squad here. We have great spirit and I have complete trust in the manager’s policy. Yes we do have a lot of young players, but they have all shown they can handle it at the top level in the Premier League and Champions League.

It’s hard to imagine I’m one of the oldest players at the Club now but it will be a privilege to help guide some of these youngsters through. We’re the envy of every other club and it’s so exciting to be a part of that.

As I said yesterday I didn't think he was being critical, merely stating the facts. And that he's come out so quickly to ensure there's no negative spin put on what he said is a measure of his character. Cesc for captain? Fuck that, Cesc for Master of the Universe. That's what I say.

Craig Bellamy bigs up Aaron Ramsey. Which is a bit like ...erm... being bigged up by ... er ... a thick necked cunt with legs of balsa wood. You see.

In a bid to get himself fit I'm told Tomas Rosicky is now practicing yoga (cheers, Mart). Well, it can't hurt, can it?

Not much else going on so it's Arsecast time. In this week's show I chat to Goodplaya about Everton and other stuff, Arsene Wenger Hawkins is back, the Man in the Bar pops up somewhere, Amaury Bischoff PI receives an unwelcome visitor and there's the usual waffle.

There were some people who had problems last week with it on iTunes so please make sure you're subscribed to the correct one, which you can do by clicking here. Or if you want to subscribe directly to the feed URL you can do so too. To download this week's arsecast directly - click here (12mb MP3) or you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

Right then, have a good Friday and get yourself prepared for the return of football tomorrow. Can. Not. Wait.

Morning all, it's Friday. Hurrah for Fridays.

After yesterday's troubles you thought things couldn't get any worse for William Gallas, well, you were wrong. He's pulled out of the French squad with a thigh injury and apparently this has added to Arsene Wenger's woes.

It strikes me it might be quite convenient for the manager. He can change things around in his defence without having to drop his captain, which is always a difficult thing to do. That's providing the injury keeps him out of our games and not just the French ones, of course. If that is the case it'll be interesting to see who comes in. Will he bring in Djourou who will add height and pace to the centre of the defence or will he play it safe and bring in Sylvester to add some funk?

I know who I'd play and it wouldn't be the fishfaced disco queen but we all know how conservative Arsene at times. Nevertheless, it's an indication of how poor Gallas has been that nobody is bemoaning the injury in the same way we would if it were an important player like Cesc, for example.

Meanwhile Robert Pires has urged the French Football Federation to bring in Arsene Wenger to replace Raymond Domenech. There's no love lost between the two, Pires was not selected by Domenech because he was the wrong star sign (no, really) and, of course, Domenech is a poxy cunt who should be sodomised by an angry bear every day of his life. It's a good bit of a rant by Le Bob but I don't see Wenger in international management just yet.

You know the Interlull is well and truly upon us when you see stories like 'YouTube star linked with Gunners'. Of course my first thought was that we were going to sign the Chocolate Rain kid to add some depth to the midfield but apparently it's just some cunt who scored a good goal. The story was nearly interesting for a few seconds when I read the name of the team he scored against as Titburger but on second reading it wasn't.

If we could sign any YouTube star who would it be? If it were up to me I'd sign the motorbike that blew up Anthea Turner. That's the kind of attitude we're missing at the moment. We need to be more explodey, there's no doubt about it.

Lukasz Fabianski says he's happy enough on the Arsenal bench at the moment but insists he's learning and getting better all the time. He also talks about Tomas Rosicky (as Poland play the Czechs on Saturday), saying:

I hoped we would meet each other at international level this weekend, but that is not going to happen. I am very sorry for him. He loves football and Arsenal have missed him.

Poor old Tomas. But good old Lukasz. Well, good young Lukasz. And his bowler haircut.

Right, enough of the nothing and on to the something that is the Arsecast. On this week's show Amy Lawrence talks sense around my preposterous waffle, the Man in the Bar is there and there's talk of Bourbon creams. Don't ask me.

To subscribe to the Arsecast in iTunes simply click here, the direct feed URL is here, to download this week's arsecast directly - click here (16mb MP3). You can find the arsecast archives here. And you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

Finally for today, and as I completely forgot to put it in the Arsecast coz I am Johnny Forgetful at the moment - congratulations to David "Cassmahass" Casson, occasional arsebloggerer and friend of Boghog (which is not unlike friend of Dorothy I'm told), on his nuptials which take place today. Wishing you many hours of happiness.

Ok then Arsebandits, have yourselves a good Friday and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Friday again, wooo hooo!

I think I shall be taking it rather easy this weekend. Compared to last weekend at least. Arsenal are on the telly here so that's something.

The early team news for the Sunderland game is that we have no new injuries but Alex Song, who was missing from the Champions League squad, may return. He might even start. An away game against a Sunderland team built in the image of their manager might require a bit more physicality in midfield and after the Hull debacle it wouldn't be a surprise if he was drafted in.

There's still no sign of Diaby whose thigh injury has kept him out since pre-season. Unless some kind of worm ate away most of his thigh it seems like an inordinately long time to be missing. Eduardo too is progressing while Wenger didn't sound as confident as you might like when talking about Rosicky, saying:

I monitor Rosicky's progress very closely but at the moment it is very difficult to put a date on his comeback. We are not pessimistic about the future of his career but we still need more patience.

It's the first time we've heard any kind of hint about his career so it is a worry. Even if he is saying they're not pessimistic they're not saying they're optimistic either. Fingers crossed he can get through it. We're really missing someone to score that 4th goal when we're 3-1 up!

The manager has also spoken out against abuse from the terraces. In the light of the slagging former Arsenal man Sol Campbell got from Sp*rs fans, he said:

Sometimes stupidity is contagious as well and sometimes in the crowd there is a competition to see who can be more stupid. That is why you should not let these people be together. My reaction is that abuse cannot be tolerated from anybody towards anybody in the world.

Now, it's a very noble thought but like it or not it's part of the game. A former player is going to get booed, a life long enemy (a Sheringham, for example), will always get stick from the crowd, and we cannot bemoan the atmosphere at football matches yet try to stop this kind of thing. However, there is a very definite line which sees regular banter and singing become something more sinister.

Arsene has obviously had first hand experience of this as idiots have sung that song about him. Everyone is ripe for a slagging, everyone, but to sing a song accusing somebody of being a paedophile is beyond the pale. Yet, the FA have done nothing about it over the years, even though it could quite easily have taken a stand against the clubs whose fans gleefully chant that in front of their chidren. And with Sol Campbell, not somebody I have a great deal of time for to be honest, it seems the Sp*rs fans not so much crossed the line as stomped over it, pissed on and beat a defenceless old granny around the head with it.

Anyway, it seems to me that it'd be easy enough to stop it. Threaten clubs with points deductions and the fans might realise they have to stay (somewhat) within the bounds of decency.

Stuart Pearce wants Theo Walcott for the England U21s. Arsene thinks that's a bad idea. I suspect particularly because it might extend Theo's season as the U21 European Championships take place next summer.

Arsene Wenger and Joe Kinnear, unlikely buddies.

Not much else happening just yet so let's get on with the Arsecast. On this week's show I revisit the Hull trip and try and address those who think our defeat was all my fault for just being there. There's some talk of Porto and Sunderland, as well as a player history from the Man in the Bar, a tale of the unexpected and Silvester.

To subscribe to the Arsecast in iTunes simply click here, the direct feed URL is here, to download this week's arsecast directly - click here (14mb MP3). You can find the arsecast archives here. And you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

Ok then, have a good Friday. More, and a fuller Sunderland preview, tomorrow.

Morning all,

a very quick one this morning as I have a load of stuff to do really early. Well, one thing to do really early but it might as well be loads of stuff. Which it isn't. But there you are.

Cesc has been praising the young guns, amazing to think that a 21 year old is considered one of the most experienced and senior players at the club, calling their display against Sheffield United 'sensational'. He also talks about Jack Wilshere and says the young man doesn't need his advice as his parents and family are keeping his feet firmly on the ground. I did like Arsene Wenger's quote about Wilshere though, he said:

He’s a natural. He’s focused and determined but he’s also still very young. I don’t think he even shaves yet!

Jack's bum-fluff will make itself known to us as time goes on, no doubt. But back to Cesc and while he's enjoying the stuff we're doing at the moment he knows there's still lots of football to be played yet, saying:

Last year everyone was talking about Arsenal and we were there for three quarters of the season, but we did not win it so we have to be cautious. We want to be there at the end of the season and the most important thing is to be there on the last game.

Bravo, Cesc. We need to turn potential into prizes and the line between failure and success is so fine sometimes. As an example, look at John Terry in the Champions League final. Might have been a hero, ended up a blubbering loser. Ahhh, nothing like good memories to get you in the mood on a Friday. But that's how close it is at times so let's hope this team can continuing progressing and improving and if that happens then silverware is a real possibility this season.

Ahead of the Hull game the injury news is that Gael Clichy is fit, hurrah! Also in the mix for the first time is Mikael Silvestre. No news yet of Nasri but hopefully he'll be back, the boss said last week he thought he'd be ready for this weekend.

The manager has also come to the defence of the defence, so to speak. He's right that our defensive record is good, on paper, but anyone who has seen the games can't help but be a little nervous about how frail we seem at times. Perhaps this vote of confidence will inspire them to up their game but, without trying to be too negative, they scare me like a vampire anteater and I'm terrified of vampire anteaters. Had a bad experience with one in Borneo many years ago. I like the t-shirts in Borneo.

Michel Platini has said he was 'too harsh' on Arsene Wenger. I say I wasn't harsh enough on Michel Platini so I am preparing a press release in which I accuse the head of UEFA of animal rape, genocide, the continued existence of Sp*rs and the death of 43 Ivorian refugees found in the back of a lorry having each paid £3,000 for a trial at Chelsea who paid Platini a £12,000,000 to keep his mouth shut.

Speaking of Platini on today's Arsecast I've got a two part interview with Philippe Auclair of France Football who, in the first part, speaks about Platini's comments this week and the reasons behind them. In part two we talk about the Carling Cup win against Sheffield United and the emergence of these young players.

Also on today's Arsecast Eboue and some Talkshite radio. To subscribe to the Arsecast in iTunes simply click here, the direct feed URL is here, to download this week's arsecast directly - click here (15mb MP3). You can find the arsecast archives here. And you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

And that's really about that. I'm over with Mrs Blogs and the Mugsmasher for the Hull game. I won't have access to email from about 2pm so don't send me any! See some of you later tonight and more of you pre and post game tomorrow.

Tom will be here with the blog on Saturday and Sunday. No, really. He will be here. I've reminded him and everything. So he'll be earlier than last time. I estimate Saturday's blog will be somewhere around 2pm and Sunday's blog will appear at 1am Monday morning. Hah, I joke. Thanks to Tom, as always.

Talk to you on Monday and come on you reeeeeeeeeeeeds!

Happy Friday to you and we'll start with the early team news ahead of tomorrow's game against Bolton.

We've got no new injuries from the Kiev game, despite the Ukrainians trying to obliterate Theo Walcott. I suspect Bolton too will attempt to terminate him but Theo's strong enough to cope. In fact, displaying heretofore unknown masochistic tendencies, he says:

It’s a nice feeling when a defender is scared of you straight away. I got kicked a few times in Kiev but I got up and got on with it. I just love playing for this club and for my country.

However, we're without Abou Diaby, Mikael Silvestere and, unfortunately, Samir Nasri who hasn't recovered from his little knock. Nasri and Sylvester are expected back for the Hull game whereas Diaby will be out for another couple of weeks. And by weeks we mean months. And by months we mean dog months. His retirement party should be fun though!

Bolton is going to be a tough game, our third away game in a week, so let's hope the travel doesn't catch up with us. Last season's game at the Reebok was somewhat incredible. Pure despair in the first half, utter joy in the second. I'd settle for mild joy all the way through this time and I will have the one-eyed cat at the ready should he be required, don't worry about that. 

Going back to Theo and it's rare to hear Alex Ferguson talk sense but he does so when he compares the rise of Walcott to that of Ryan Giggs. Giggs might be a hairy scabby goal scoring cunthound but he is a tremendous professional and if Theo has a career as good as that then I think Arsenal fans will be more than happy. 

There's another story this morning about Arsene Wenger sharing dinners and glasses of wine with Demento but it's making me a little queasy thinking about it. Did they have two straws and eat spaghetti like Lady and the Tramp? Bleurgh. 

Granny Toure says both Arsene Wenger and his brother Kolo told him to join Arsenal this summer. He's happy in Barcelona though despite not getting a game after the arrival of that bloke Keita from Sevilla. Could be a January target? 

Emmanuel Adebayor backs William Gallas as captain. 

Right so, onto this week's Arsecast. In this episode I chat to the man from East Lower about the Blackburn and Kiev games, Alex Song's hair and more. There's a player history, some Talkshite radio, Eboue and more.

To subscribe to the Arsecast in iTunes simply click here, the direct feed URL is here, to download this week's arsecast directly - click here (15mb MP3). You can find the arsecast archives here. And you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

Ok, that's that. Have yourselves a good Friday, more in the morning. 

Morning all, just one day until we get a real game of football again. How splendid.

There's vague team news ahead of the Blackburn game at this stage. Carlos Vela will miss out because of his lengthy travels while there are doubts over Samir Nasri who has some kind of knee problem. Mikael Silvestre's eagerly awaited debut will have to wait as well. Aw shucks. We'll get more later as Arsene holds court at his usual pre-match press conference.

Despite the hat-trick against for England Theo Walcott is not guaranteed to start with the boss saying he'll have to rotate, especially for players who have been on international duty. Theo has played two games inside the last week and it wouldn't be a surprise if he started on the bench tomorrow. However, the manager was delighted with the three goal haul and Theo's reaction to it. His already high profile has been raised even higher and Arsene has made the point of calling for him to be protected by referees. With physical away games at Blackburn and Bolton to come in the next week or so those comments are timely.

The boss has also been talking about money in football and how football is not a supermarket. You read what he says and it makes complete sense yet the reality is that clubs with wealthy owners will now spend whatever they want on a player and his wages and there's not much anybody can do to stop them. It must be particularly galling that after all the work of getting the stadium built, with the long-term aim of increasing the club's income, that this wave of sugar daddies has come along and done it the easy way, so to speak. They are the cheat in Championship Manager that gives you a £500m transfer chest to start the game with and it does make life easier for them and more difficult for the rest.

I don't really know what can be done about it though. Chelsea have operated at a massive loss for years, Man City are sure to do the same, and as long as the rich owners are there to pay the bills then there doesn't seem to be anything that the FA, FIFA or anyone can do. I did like AW's little dig at Robinho though, that was funny.

Reports yesterday linked us with a move for former Hertha Berlin player Mineiro. He's a free agent and could do a job in the short term, I suppose. He was at the training ground this week and I'm told he took some part in a behind closed doors game. Whether he did enough to impress remains to be seen.

Now then, time for the Arsecast, such as it is this week. There really has been a dearth of material so it's not the longest Arsecast of all time. Nevertheless I chat to Goonerholic about Theo's hat-trick, the upcoming away games and more. There's a player history, Silvester is there and ... erm ... that's about it really.

To subscribe to the Arsecast in iTunes simply click here, the direct feed URL is here, to download this week's arsecast directly - click here (16mb MP3). You can find the arsecast archives here. And you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

Right so, time to get ready to get prepared to get geared up for tomorrow. Until then.

Morning from a wet and dreary Dublin. I was really hoping for a bit of an Indian summer in September but it turns out the Indian summer is just another Irish summer, except a bit colder.

A few bits and bobs to talk about but as we are still in the midst of the Interlull it's all a bit quiet overall. Samir Nasri is settling in nicely and is rather enjoying himself at the Arsenal. He says:

I'm setting in nicely and I'm rather enjoying myself at the Arsenal.

But really he says:

I am very happy. I have been able to regain my place in the national side, there is a good atmosphere at the club, and we have a very young squad that shares my excitement.

He's played down talk of him being the 'new Pires', and rightly so. The lad has made a very bright start to his Arsenal career but it's a career that spans a whopping three or four games at the moment. He has been the bright spark amongst all the current darkness though. 

Gokhan Inler says he deliberated for a week about whether to move to Arsenal or not. Get to fuck you scaldy cunt. If you need a week to decide you want to move to Arsenal then you're a stupid scaldy spoon of a cunt. Maybe he likes Italian food though. And there's no better place to get Italian food than Italy. I've never been to Italy. Anyway, the point is Inler is a cunt. We never needed you anyway, bastard! That part may not exactly be true but I'm just bitter and lashing out.

Arsene Wenger says the appointment of a new Chief Executive will be made soon. The boss says:

I am involved in it and I am consulted for it but it is down to the Board to make that decision. Having consulted me, they will take the responsibility to name the right person. I think the decision will be made soon but I don’t know exactly when.

You know who would make a good Chief Executive? He-Man singing 4 non-blondes. He'd certainly bring some campness to the club which, frankly, we've been missing since Keith Edelman and his revolutionary 'Your own dress Friday' edict, which meant suits and ties were thrown aside for one day and everyone had to come to work in a frock. Failing that someone with business acumen and knowledge of football would do.

Beyond that there's not much to tell you so let's get on with this week's Arsecast. On the show I chat to Kevin Witcher of The Gooner about the transfer deadline day lack of business and the implications for the team and the manager, The Man in the Bar has a player history, there's a tale of the unexpected, Eboue and more.

To subscribe to the Arsecast in iTunes simply click here, the direct feed URL is here, to download this week's arsecast directly - click here (16mb MP3). You can find the arsecast archives here. And you can listen directly below without leaving this very page.

As well as that there's a dedicated Arsecast hotline available all season long should you desire to make a comment, get something off your chest, share a song a chant or hilarious anecdote. Feel free to call it any time during the week, it'll go to voicemail and you can leave your message. The number from inside the UK is 020 3286 6360 or from outside the UK it's +44 20 3286 6360.

And, as we're talking to Kevin from The Gooner, don't forget his book Arsènal - The making of a modern superclub is still available at a discount price to Arseblog readers.  To buy the book online, simply click here and select ‘buy now’. In the window that opens enter the word rocky in the promotion code box and your £2 will be discounted when you press the ‘go’ box next to it. The money you save will be donated to cancer charities so it's well worth it all round.

Right so, that's about that. More tomorrow, no doubt.