Preview - Norwich vs Arsenal

Regular action returns after the totally boring two-week international break.It's been hard not having normal Arsenal action to look forward to every four days.

On the injury front, it seems Gibbs will be out for a further 4-5 weeks and Jenkinson has a mysterious stress fracture. That means we are a bit short in both full back positions.The regular eleven are largely injury free, so i expect a familiar line-up at Carrow Road tomorrow.

Norwich, well i don't really know much about them but they outplayed Liverpool for about twenty minutes a couple of weeks ago. They are a decent side obviously. Arsene Wenger will have to keep his charges focused for this one as we dropped a lot of points against the promoted teams last season.

I expect the team to line up this way barring any last minute injuries -

Defence - Chesney continues in goal of course. At left back we have just Santos, so he plays obviously.I expect Wenger to field Mert and Verm as his center backs. Norwich would like to use set pieces to distabilize the gunners so Mertesacker's aerial dominance will be needed. Johan should get a game at right back.

Midfield - Song, Arteta and Ramsey should continue their good partnership.

Attack - I expect Arsene to go for pace and guile on both flanks with the man of the monent,Robin leading the line, that means Gervinho on the left and Theo on the right.

Prediction - I will go for a 3-1 scoreline to Arsenal with Robin Van Persie (2) and Gervinho scoring.

Arsenal is defending better - TR7

Tomas Rosicky believes Arsenal’s resurgence in the Premier League is down to the squad’s defensive discipline.

Arsène Wenger’s side have conceded just six goals in their last seven matches in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in their most recent fixtures against West Brom and Marseille.

Arsenal travel to Carrow Road to face Norwich on Saturday as they look to continue the run that has fired them back into top-four contention. And Rosicky says the squad is keen to get back to domestic duties.

“We are looking forward to the next month because we are back on track again and have some positive results behind us,” he told Arsenal Player.

“Sometimes when new faces come in you need time to gel and I think the last month was much better from us. We were good defensively and much more compact. I think we will show that in the coming months as well.

“I wouldn't say just the midfield, it's the whole squad as a unit that have defended better,” he added. “I wouldn't pick out one particular part, it's the whole team that has gelled together. Hopefully we can continue to do that.”

Arsenal slowly finding thier rythm/ United, Chelsea and Liverpool drop points

It was always going to be a test of Arsenals collective attitude and confidence as a team. Stoke City isn't Arsenals favourite opponents due to thier direct and very physical approach. Arsenal started brightly, knocking the ball around with ease while Stock defended deep. It was always going to be a question of nerves and how creative and persistent the home team could be. The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Ramsey sent a lovely weighted chip over the Stock defence, Gervinho chested down and blasted a left footed effort past Begovic. We were cruising.

But if thier is a lesson we have learned over the years, it is not to trust a one goal lead by Arsenal. Complacency soon set in. Begovic sent a ball forward and Crouch was fouled and from the resulting free kick the equalised. Chamakh was having a horrible game and was replaced in the second half by Robin. Arshavin came on for the wasteful Walcott. From then on it was all Arsenal. Gervinho popped up on both flanks to set up two for Robin.3-1 and 3 points well earned.

Elsewhere The Red Mancs were battered by thier so-called noisy neighbours. Chelsea fell to QPR with Drogba and Bosingwa seeing red. Overall it was a good weekend for Arsenal. Next weekend we play away to Chelsea. Hoping to see The Ox and Park play against Bolton in the carling cup.

Silly Season.

It's officially the silly season once more. The period when the rumuor mill goes into overdrive with stories that are essentially rumuors.So far, we have had only few significant transfer activity with Manchester United splashing the cash on Phil Jones and Ashley Young on a combined fee of 36.5 million pounds,with the spanish keeper David De Gea set to follow. Liverpool also forked out about 16 million pounds for Henderson who is still unproven and flopped at the on-going Uefa under-21 championships.Meanwhile, Arsenal fans are going crazy over the clubs seeming non-activity on the transfer front so far.

However, it's been reported that Arsene Wenger had a bid accepted for Blackburn Rovers england u-21 captain, Phil Jones before he made a last minute u-turn to join Man United. Ricky Alvarez, Gervinho, Alex Oxlade Chamberlaine are all close to signing with Arsenal with Samba and/or Cahiil still a possibility. I will have more updates in the coming days.