Watching the highlights of the FA Cup matches played since Friday, I noticed in Fleetwood’s 0-0 draw against Leicester City that their home is called HIGHBURY STADIUM. I was surprised. Apart from failing to register a shot on target, Leicester City didn’t have Ahmed Musa in the team and Kelechi Iheanacho came in after 80 minutes. Nigerians would worry.

To some Arsenal Worries, Arsenal needed a late goal from Bellerin to share the spoils against Chelsea on Wednesday to wrap up the matches in the festive season. Wilshere scored, Hazard won and scored a contentious penalty before Alonso silenced the Emirates. Bellerin saved some Gunning pride and Wenger didn’t mince words at the press conference. It was Arsenal’s third draw in four matches and extends their unbeaten run to 9 matches.

Wenger’s New Year eve’s comment about officiating got him a 3 match ban from the FA. Goonerdaily writes about the FA ban and converses for VAR but Wenger will now miss Arsenal’s FA Cup match against Nottingham Forest, the Carabao Cup semifinal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and the Premier League encounter away at Bournemouth. Three consecutive away matches to be missed by the Manager. Will he be in the stands or join George Weah in his inauguration as Liberian president?

The summer transfer window looks like yesterday but another window is before us – The January Window. Until Liverpool got Virgil van Dirjk, I had forgotten about it. Yes, the question mark over the future of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere makes the window dreadful. We can only hope despite the uncertainties.

There are transfer news for Arsenal this January. First, Konstantinos Mavropanus joined the club from PAS Giannina. The 20-year old defender made 16 Greek Super League appearances since breaking into the first team last season. He is expected to be sent out on loan to get further experience. This sounds like good news to Per’s retirement at the end of the season and Koscielny’s decline.

Xavier Amaechi also signed his first professional contract with Arsenal on Thursday. The Nigerian turned 17 and has been with the club since he was 12. Will he take break into the first team like Maitland-Niles or his compatriot Alex Iwobi? Will he feature for Nigeria?

Nottingham Forest is next for the Gunners. Arsenal will need to overcome Bendtner’s former team to nurse hopes of silverware this season. Can the Gunners win without Wenger? Can you guess the starting XI? There would be changes.

Time to have a nap. Till moro.

Advertisement