I had promised to take an overall look at the Premiership and how teams might fare this coming season, but that will have to go on the back burner as there are more important issues.

I want, first, to deal with a team close to my heart before looking at all the top-tier teams, Tottenham included.
Not that I hate all other teams in the league. In fact, I like all of them since they make “us” feel great - that is after beating them every other game and knowing that the best they will do is just draw with us in their own at backyard.

Arsenal fans are special. They are faithful to the team that plays the most beautiful game in the world. I don't think there is a team that comes closed to such a game - not even Chelsea, for all their big spending and rotation system. Perhaps Chelsea have already forgotten that they failed to beat us once in the Premiership last season - that is until they came up against our kids in the Carling Cup Final.

'All the negativity that we hear today about Arsenal's chances are a repeat of what we heard before their season of invincibility. History will repeat itself'


Not so long ago we went through an entire season unbeaten.In fact we went 49 matches unbeaten. This performance raised the bar for Arsenal to such a high level that people are still judging Arsenal on that unique achievement. against such a thrilling performance, and not what they are doing now.

All clubs and teams go through periods of change. Manchester United after their treble; Barcelona after their double. It is best not to judge them too hastily and that is why I am not prepared to judge Arsenal after two trophyless seasons. The departure of certain players, the arrival of new players - a period of change that might cause performance levels to drop as newcomers begin to integrate with the team.

I still have great hope and faith that this might be Arsenal's season. All the negativity that we hear today about Arsenal's chances are a repeat of what we heard before their season of invincibility. History will repeat itself.

But there are problems to sort out, not least of which are issues surrounding Williams Gallas, the Frenchman brought in as part of the Ashley Cole transfer to Chelsea. He was supposed to be the father figure at Arsenal, encouraging the youngsters around him and directing operations at the back. Instead he has caused a bit of a storm by his comments about the club's lack of commitment to bringing in new players.

That's not what we expect at Arsenal. We don't appreciate the over-hyped individuals who have been spoiled because their previous club had a habit of spending on football primadonnas. He's a pain in the Arsenal! In fact he is now a skunk, and we know how to deal with them. Having said that, we need his experience now and not his talking. He should emulate Gilberto and shut up, let his actions do the talking on the field.


What he should be saying is: “We didn't concede goals last season, but our strikers never scored either." But if he gets beaten by another striker will he expect us to believe him? Hell, no. That is why Jens Lehman had to wake him up with a few harsh words in one particular game last season.

Arsenal have the capacity, and the prowess to take it to another level. Arsene Wenger promised new signings and he has brought in a replacement for the departed Thierry Henry in Eduardo Da Silva. What we need now are real wingers and potential cover for injuries. Perhaps he can pull another rabbit out of the hat. In the end we must have faith in Wenger to do the right thing for the club.

All of us, you and me, have different expectations for the team this coming season. We would really like to win every other weekend and not struggle to equalise after going a goal down. But what we really want to see is Arsenal opening up a gap at the top of the Premiership by January.

It's a tall order, but if we can convince Gallas to use his mouth only for eating, then we might succeed. Good luck to the Arsenal.