Come back when the transfer window has closed and we know who we, and everybody else, have on board. It is my stock answer when people ask me to follow the trend for pre-season predictions.

I’ll try and keep this mercifully brief because you will be able to hear some of my thoughts on Friday’s excellent Arsecast, where the host is joined by Gilberto Silver from Gunnerblog, Rotor Goat from East Lower, and Goodplaya, as well as yours truly, for a round table discussion on what lies in store.

As you will hear what I think will happen depends on the question being asked. Can Arsenal win the Premiership? Oh yes. Will Arsenal win the Premiership? I fear not, but you won’t be surprised to hear I cannot accept we will lose our status as a top three club.

Those who argue that will happen point at the failure to add a goalkeeper to the squad, and I cannot disagree vehemently. I would argue we have the same four we started last season and they were good enough to secure the third place finish for us, despite widespread criticism, sometimes warranted but with the benefit of hindsight sometimes hysterical.

I still believe that Schwarzer was not the answer, and I am persuaded he became the only actively pursued target when Ajax qualified for the Champions League and our interest in Maarten Stekelenburg was thwarted, but that is based on nothing but decidedly dodgy (yet common sense) hearsay.

Indeed all of the question marks about Arsenal’s challenge for honours this season are in defensive areas. Will Squillaci provide the experience and leadership lost when Gallas, and particularly Campbell, went elsewhere? Will Koscielny add consistency to promise, or will his vulnerability to balls played in behind him remain an issue? And what will we do if we lose Alex Song from the holding role for any length of time.

I do understand when people use these as reasons why we may again fail to lift silverware. Even if I disagree on the degree of handicap it burdens us with, I will accept that I am surprised we did not appear to make a greater effort to add a couple more faces.

Now if I concede that our defence is likely to see us fall short of the biggest prize, I have to balance that out by saying I believe we have a richer array of attacking talent than any of our domestic rivals, bar none. When, or more realistically I should say if, we get everybody fit then how will we accommodate Fabregas, Nasri, Rosicky, Ramsay, Wilshere, Diaby, Arshavin, Walcott, Vela, Denilson, Eboue? Of course we cannot, but what a fabulous problem for Arsene to face should it happen.

I’ve left out the big men up front. The uncertainty surrounding Nicklas Bendtner’s fitness right now would have been a real body-blow last season. When he was ruled out at the same time as van Persie, Eduardo, and Vela, and we were forced to play with Arshavin up front some significant points were surrendered. Now we have Chamakh.

We haven’t had a player with Chamakh’s qualities since Alan Smith was in his prime. Great control with his back to goal, able to bring supporting midfielders into the game, comfortable on the flanks with the ball at his feet and a threat in the box, particularly in the air. I have said before I think he will score a lot of goals with this Arsenal midfield providing the ammunition.

Then there is van Persie. I still believe we have to find a way of playing him and Chamakh, not him or Chamakh. I’m sure they will end up sharing the central role and one of the wide berths, interchanging to disrupt opponents defensive organisation. This assumes of course that Robin can spend more time on the pitch than in the Lewin infirmary.

That array of attacking talent will make us a threat in knock-out competitions, and of course chief among these is the Champions League. I’m starting to dare to dream that having played our Champions League fixtures at Wembley at the turn of the century, we are destined to return there to put the record straight. Get to the knock-out phase, and go for it. Are we likely winners? Perhaps not, but can we win it? Oh yes, I have absolutely no doubt about that.

Roll on March, April, and May, for that is when the arguments will play out to a finish. Those who blindly swear we cannot win anything with this squad have a distinct statistical advantage. It is odds on they will be right. However, I’ve never been afraid to take a little punt on an outsider, and three ‘holic pounds are invested. (No, not the Carling Cup, sorry.)

Cheers ‘holics.

I know people will be expecting a bit more than I am able to offer tonight or tomorrow. For a variety of reasons I am in the middle of two very long days, and today has helped put some of the events, or should I say non-events, of today into some perspective. I have time for just a brief overview of where I stand tonight.

I do appreciate though how much people were looking forward to the arrival of a new goalkeeper today. I cannot lie and say I wasn’t one. Having said that it is a matter of record that I thought that if Mark Schwarzer was the answer, then we were asking the wrong question.

I have some sympathy with those expressing their displeasure, but would caution against aiming your fire at individuals. Particularly the wrong individuals. Arsene Wenger identifies his targets, but it is down to others to seal the deal.

There is something less comforting about this affair though. It is extremely un-Arsenal like to have so publicly courted an individual. The undisguised attempts to woo Schwarzer must have had an effect on the four ‘keepers who currently remain on the books, and on whom we will now need to depend until at very least January. The Highbury House inquest should include a resolution to return to the days when ALL potential deals were kept quiet until sealed.

I have to pray though that some semblance of calm is maintained. We are second in the table with one of the competitive away fixtures behind us. On Saturday there were glimpses of the Manuel Almunia of 2008. A much better goalkeeper I would suggest than Mark Schwarzer of 2010.There are better, I’ll grant you, but the Fulham veteran isn’t one.

Possibly on Thursday I will expand a bit on this, and cast in concrete my hopes and predictions for the season now that we are where we are. Until then may I express the wish that you and yours are all fit and well, ‘holics.

Cheers.

As a babe I was carried to that place in N5,

Where in time I felt all between dead and alive.

I’m six when begins my hazy recall,

Of so many in red who could master the ball.

Joe Baker, George Eastham, first idols of mine,

So many would follow, and join in that line,

Two years at Wembley, the pain and the tears,

But thirteen and fourteen were my special years.

Eddie, Raddy, Jon Sammels scored the goals on the night

That won the Fairs Cup, put the Belgians to flight.

Twelve months on at the Lane, Arsenal did it again,

Ray Kennedy’s header meant that title we gained.

Back at Wembley that May Eddie did it once more,

Then Charlie beat Clemence, and lay on the floor.

Too soon that side found itself broken up,

And eight more years we would wait for a Cup.

No more Frankie Mac, or wee George on the wing,

No more ‘Storey, Storey do your job, would we sing.

On the Bank we would suffer, whether ‘middle’ or ‘top’,

But unlike Mancs and Tottenham we avoided the drop.

When spring turned to summer, the first week in May,

I was proud to see young Liam Brady at play.

With the last weaving run, fed incredible cross,

They set up our ‘Sundy’ to apply the gloss.

In Brussels we wept as he waved us goodbye,

For a while it was just like a part of us died.

Then along came George Graham, a stroller they said,

Put his faith in the youth, and the force back in red.

In Adams, O’Leary, and Bould, he took pride,

And landed the title up on Merseyside.

In Denmark’s main city his patched-up young pups,

Turned over great Parma in the Cup Winners Cup.

Three years on came the man with the oh-so-apt name,

To introduce us to a whole new ball game.

In his first full season, the double was won,

Bouldy fed Adams, a great day in the sun.

Wrighty went east, and Thierry arrived,

Dennis, and Paddy, and Bobby, they thrived.

A double again, won with guile and flair,

“It’s only Ray Parlour”, and Freddie’s red hair.

But the feat that surely surpasses them all,

Was thirty-eight games, and lost BUGGERALL!

The difference between the makeshift eleven who lost at Blackburn in May, and the side that travelled to Ewood today, was greater than just the seven different faces in the starting line-up. It was also the mindset of those who battled through an opening 45 minutes that could have gone either way before imposing their style and dominance on proceedings in the second-half.

From the off there were no surprises. Blackburn took every opportunity to apply pressure on, and in front of, Manuel Almunia. It has to be said though, as I am quick to criticise the Spaniard, that today he was back to somewhere close to his best, and possibly motivated by being goaded at the first opportunity by the loathesome El-Hadji Diouf.

I doubt anybody was surprised that Nelsen and Samba had Rovers best chances of the opening spell. The former was denied by a Cesc Fabregas clearance, while the latter headed over the bar. It wasn’t all one way traffic though, and Blackburn escaped more by luck than judgement when a deflected Abou Diaby effort cannoned away to safety off Robinson’s knee.

It wasn’t long though before the familiar cry of “It’s behind you!” was being directed at our favourite opposition ‘keeper. In the space of twenty seconds, as Sky were quick to point out, a quickly taken free-kick by Almunia was transported via half a dozen exquisite passes into the path of the on form Theo Walcott, who broke not only Blackburn’s resistance, but also the Aldi ‘value’ goalnet.

Tempted to attack in increasing numbers by the advantage, Arsenal were caught by a very good equaliser on the counter, although Laurent Koscielny, otherwise solid, will need to spend some time with the dvd understanding what you can and cannot get away with at this level. His one bad mistake cost us dear as the despicable Diouf cleverly set up his namesake.

More disturbing was the injury to Robin van Persie who, after two spells of treatment, hobbled off to be replaced by Chamakh, unlucky to be rested in my humble opinion. Our brittle Dutch genius will hopefully be ruled out of Holland’s matches with San Marino and Finland in the next ten days. It must be pointed out that the injury was more unfortunate than the result of a bad challenge. Blackburn may test the patience and the laws of the game in and around the box, but there were no ‘nasty’ tackles at all.

Somewhat surprisingly, given the three spells of treatment for van Persie and Pedersen, and the fifteen minutes the ball spent in a towel, only three minutes were added at the end of the half. It proved to be a significant break, however.

The whistle to begin the second-half saw the visitors establish a dominance they had earned by matching the battling qualities of their hosts in the opening spell. Six minutes in the previously anonymous Arshavin finished superbly at the far post and I must say I was expecting to collect on the ‘holic pound thereafter. The half century of Arsenal goals against Paul Robinson was celebrated with a drop of the black stuff. (Edit. It would appear I was a bit late with this particular celebration. It seems today took Robbo to 59 let in against Arsenal. Top lad!)

It’s behind you, again!

The two goalscorers had opportunities to double their tally and provide me with a tidy little tickle at 12/1, but the chances went begging, and caused the final fifteen minutes to be a little more nervy than they needed to be. Blackburn’s attempts to draw level might have yielded something more substantial had they not spent so long tumbling theatrically at every opportunity.

Jack Wilshere arrived and was presented with a close range chance that had me celebrating a tidy profit, but his standing leg ‘did a Terry’, and so 2-1 it remained. The people at sportingbet may have my money, but that matters not at the end of the day.

What was important was that the three points were secured and that we showed evidence of eliminating the soft centre that cost us so dear in the closing weeks of last season. What was also very pleasing was to see the vile-chanting scummy minority of Blackburn ’supporters’ departing with their tails between their legs.

Carling Cup Draw Sends The Kids To The Lane

The lunchtime draw for the third round of the Beer Cup has given the latest clutch of young Gunners a chance to follow in the footsteps of the 2006 brood. Tottenham away will be a real test of how near or far they are from being the finished article.

The beauty of the draw is that you know Tottenham will throw their strongest side out. The accused always targets this competition and his side will be on a hiding to nothing against the lads likely to be wearing red. The lads will be up against it though, as we saw later today when Spurs limited Wigan to just a single goal triumph at the Lane. They are on fire!

“IT’S BEHIND YOU, ROBBO!”

Go on. Yell it out. Like any true old friend it makes you feel better as the good memories come flooding back.

“YOU WANT US TO PUT A BELL IN THE BALL SO YOU CAN HEAR IT COMING, FATGUTS?”

Ever was it so when Paul Robinson, once of the parish of Twitching-in-the-Marshes, came up against the mighty Arsenal. Saturday lunchtime gives the former England ‘keeper the opportunity to rack up a remarkable half-century of goals conceded against North London’s finest. Just two more are required for this astonishing landmark.

The tubby one will be quick to point out that in his last meeting with us he ended up on the winning side after surrendering his customary opening goal to Robin van Persie. Two weeks after the shambolic defeat at Wigan had ended our title hopes a makeshift Arsenal side were bullied out of the contest with Lukasz Fabianski in particular coming under pressure from set pieces.

In the aftermath of that performance I wrote,

“Did Blackburn take the laws of the game and ride as close to the edge as possible? Well, yes, but don’t tell me anybody in the away team dressing room hadn’t been prepared for that. It was hardly a surprise. Teams like Blackburn have to scrap against us and, Pedersen’s ‘challenge’ on van Persie aside, there was nothing that could have been expected to cause serious injury.”

Tomorrow is unlikely to provide any surprises in terms of the pressure Fat Sam’s stormtroopers are likely to attempt to exert. They will try to compress play, tug shirts, nick ankles, tumble theatrically (yes, Pedersen is still there!) and generally do what they have to in order to disrupt the flow of the game. They know if we establish a passing game they are dead meat.

At set pieces they will stand on Manuel’s toes and block his route to the ball. Frankly I would like us to clear the six yard box just before each corner is taken. Risky as that sounds it will leave attackers in offside positions if they don’t react, and Manuel will have a clear view of any attempt on goal if we make a horlicks of it.

The point I am seriously over-labouring is that we all know what is coming. Arsene and his highly professional coaching staff know what is coming. It would be a huge disappointment to a lot of people if we allowed ourselves to fall for those tactics again. We are prepared, aren’t we?

After last Saturday’s excellent win there is some serious competition for places. Koscielny returns from suspension, which in turn frees up Song to contest the anchor role in a midfield that will be seriously difficult to select.

The skipper must return, mustn’t he, but Rosicky is at his best, Wilshere and Diaby have started well, and Denilson is also in contention for the first time this season. My guess is that Song, Diaby, and Cesc will get the nod given the nature of the opposition, with Jack permanently warming up on the sideline ready to get stuck in when required.

Two decisions need making up front. Walcott, Chamakh, and Arshavin, face competition from van Persie and Eboue. My heart says you cannot drop a hat-trick scorer, and van Persie should get the nod ahead of Arshavin against his old foe in the Blackburn goal. My head says Arsene will select van Persie ahead of Walcott, and keep the Russian in for the unexpected.

The ‘holic pound was decided for me by chippy in the drinks this morning. I like the look of 3-1 to a much stronger Arsenal side than appeared at Ewood in May. I wan’t to see Fat Sam as sick as the proverbial in his post-match growl. I have an account with sportingbet.com who offer 12/1. I’ll have some of that.

Paddy Power appears to have withdrawn his Arsenal special of 10/1 against Maroune Chamakh scoring first. I’m mighty pleased I was on it in time!

So, travelling Gooners, have a great day, and don’t eat too many meat and potato pies. Good luck those on the stream hunt too. Negotiations complete, I will be accompanied by the management on the sofa. On this bank holiday weekend we are having a boozy Saturday watching the Arsenal and then I will try and produce some sort of report before reaching the point of no return.

Callers on Sunday morning will get short shrift I predict!

All the best for now, ‘holics.