Last night we beat AZ Alkmaar 4-1 (as I’m sure you’re quite aware…) and Wenger has labeled it ‘a brilliant performance’. The emphatic win wasn’t enough to put us through to the knockout stages though after Standard Liege beat Olympiacos 2-0 but we’re in a strong position going into our final two games. Highlights and goal videos are, as always, available on arsenalist.com.

Cesc Fabregas got another two goals to make it 8 in 14 appearances, Samir Nasri got one to mark his return from a broken leg and Diaby got the other. Arshavin had one of his better nights assisting 3 of those and all four were really well worked goals and taken brilliantly. A shame for Almunia not to keep the clean sheet after making a great save onto the bar but we were caught on the counter from a corner and Manuel got his balance wrong.

So another two for the captain and what form he’s in at the moment. Wenger has described him as the best he’s ever been and said the other day that he couldn’t have had scored that goal against Spurs aged 20. He’s been an absolute legend recently, not only has his football been sublime but he’s wearing that armband like it should be done. You can tell he really cares about this team and gives everything to the cause; He inspires the whole side and is easily our best player aged just 22.

He’s been named the best player in the league by fans this week too as he’s been awarded the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month. Well deserved, I don’t take much notice of how well players of other teams are doing but this boy’s been a star to us. Oh Cesc Fabregas, you are the love of my life, oh Cesc Fabregas, I’d let you shag my wife.

Anyway moving on and Arsene Wenger’s been talking this week. Firstly he’s thanked Ferguson for asking Man United fans to stop the ridiculous pedophile chanting. I don’t think it really gets to Arsene as much as the United fans would hope but it would be nice if they stopped. Man U. travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend and Le Boss says we must make the most of this chance to make ground. If we win at Wolves we’re guaranteed to catch up on one or the other and Wenger says he doesn’t care what the score is as long as we win our game. We’ll have a game in hand either way too so winning at Molineux will really put us in a good position. We need to get our heads down and concentrate on that one.

I’m going to Molineux on Saturday and I’m pretty excited. I’ll be my first away game of the season and I’m really looking forward to the trip. I’ll do a preview of the game tomorrow when we’ve got a better idea of team news but we know already Clichy and Bendtner will definitely be out. Gael’s picked up a stress fracture in his back which will see him out for a month or two at least. It’s the same problem he picked up last year allowing Kieron Gibbs to step up and he’s got his chance again now. Clichy played well against Spurs I thought so it’s a shame but hopefully he makes a speedy recovery.

Bendtner’s also out after coming off in the first half at the weekend. He’d just come back from a groin injury but was risked and ended up aggravating it. He’ll probably be out for another month but luckily we have cover in Nasri and Rosicky who’ve just come back.

Stan Kroenke has reached the magic 29.9% mark in shareholding and it has been officially announced on the website. He is now in a position where he can make a bid for the club but Wenger doesn’t think we’re going to get taken over. We still have no idea what Silent Stan’s intentions are but I’m expecting to find out very soon. We’ll just have to wait and see…

There’s a deal in place for Fran Merida according to Arsene, it is just yet to be officially signed. There’s been a bit of speculation recently about him moving away when his contract expires in the summer but I always knew Wenger would do everything to keep him. Sign on that dotted line Fran so we can all get giddy and excited about your future at Arsenal.

Finally before I go a shout out to Who Ate All The Pies for the mention, the cheque is in the post.

Right I better go now, this is turning into a bit of an essay. I thought I should make more of an effort though this evening after being a bit lazy on here recently… Speak to you tomorrow, thanks for reading.