Arsenal looking to qualify to Champions League knockouts with duo set for return

I say 'duo set for' but one's already back in contention, while the other's return may only be a couple of weeks away. Of course I'm talking about the returns to bolster our attacking capabilities in Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski.

Theo Walcott came on as a second half substitute against his former club Southampton on Saturday, although Giroud was the forward who grabbed the goals to secure our 2-0 win (albeit with a little help from Artur Boruc!)

Arsenal are currently leading at home to Marseille thanks to Jack Wilshere's brilliant goal after 28 seconds, with our group looking as tough as expected and a win tonight is crucial. We need to make sure we do the business in both matches remaining to be sure of qualifying!

Walcott is on the bench tonight as Wenger slowly reintroduces our pacey winger who will be itching to get on and improve for both club and country bosses. Walcott had been sidelined because of an abdominal injury picked up in September so I can see why Wenger may rest him for most, if not all of tonight. Other good news this week however is the potential return of Lukas Podolski in the coming weeks. Wenger has announced the German attacker has been back in training though isn't ready just yet. Giroud is tiring and Podolski will be a welcomed return when fit, after having been out since August with a hamstring problem.

Back in training: Podolski (far right) back in training with the rest of the squad.

Giroud has stated he is tired, and at this level we can't rely on calling upon Bendtner or Park who will both surely be shifted on one way or another at the end of the season (though preferably in the January window). Walcott's pace offers something different and there aren't many who can keep up with him and Podolski isn't afraid to have a go and is a proven goalscorer. With these two back we'll have the attacking force to keep our momentum and see us go strong into the new year.

Speaking of Bendtner, and Henry's been back training with us now the MLS season has finished and yet I'd still rather see him up at the age of 36 up front than that Danish numpty.

Though tonight's game is too soon for Podolski (Everton next month may be a potential return date) who needs more time in training, Walcott may make another substitute's appearance as we look to secure a win in Group F, and do the double over their French visitor's, who we beat 2-1 on match-day 1 back in September.

Oh and Ozil missed a penalty...and it was poorly taken. Questions are being asked if Ramsey was fouled inside or outside the box which is very much up for discussion as is, I feel, whether he goes down too softly.

It's half time at the Emirates with Arsenal leading 1-0. Enjoy the rest of the game and let's hope we keep or extend our lead and take the points!

Like the old days...Henry and Pires work on their fitness as they train at Arsenal's
 London Colney training ground.

Rise of the Saints: Why Southampton will be no easy contest

At time of writing Liverpool and Everton have just drawn 3-3 in an exciting Merseyside derby, with Liverpool twice having taken the lead in today's lunchtime kick off! This gives us a chance to gain an extra two points on the Reds if we beat Southampton later. I love listening to BBC Radio 5 Live's football commentaries and I'm more than excited for coverage of Southampton's trip up to London. It's Saturday. It's matchday. It's the return of the Premier League!

But The Saints have almost certainly been the surprise package this year. No-one believed we would be top of the table at any stage, and nobody certainly would have expected to see Southampton flying high in third! But they deserve to be where they are with some very good displays this year, having lost just the one league game against Norwich at the end of August.

They're a side currently on an eight-game unbeaten league run with points gained against the likes of teams considered bigger than them in Liverpool, Manchester United and Swansea. They'll come to the Emirates Stadium with mental belief because of more international players breaking through (Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Vincent Wanyama, Gastron Ramirez), of course their form, and with ourselves coming off the back of a disappointing loss against Manchester United last weekend.

I think we'll need to pick ourselves up following what happened at Old Trafford. Theo Walcott is finally back and refreshed having not played for England in the recent friendlies and could face the side where he learned the ropes. His pace will certainly give us something though I still doubt a lot of his end product.

A lot is being made of Ozil against Lallana but based on their playing history you'd feel the German would be laughing at the opponent's talent in comparison. But Southampton simply aren't a side to not do your homework on, and I still feel Ozil is adapting to the English game. Thankfully he was rested for Germany's matches and will be fully fit for this afternoon's clash which could prove the difference, although as I said, Lallana will be buoyed by his recent England call up, and midfield battles can prove who determines the points.

Mertesacker missed the Manchester United game last time and so be a big difference to our back four as he has proved this season. Of course he scored the goal which beat England in mid-week with Lambert not exactly causing him problems and so we'll hope for the same again today.

It makes for an interesting match up but Arsenal will need to find composure in front of their own fans quickly and eradicate the disappointment of Old Trafford as we look to gain extra points out in front ahead of Liverpool, the Saints, and Chelsea. Of course United, Everton, Spurs and City aren't all that far away either as the Premier League looks to be as close a run thing as ever. Unexpected and surprising things are happening, and none-more so than Southampton.

Arsenal v Southampton is due to have kicked off as I write this (just gone 3pm) but due to issues on the Piccadilly underground line in London, the kick off has been pushed back 15 minutes.

Ahead of the game: Mertesacker will need to be solid again against high flying Saints

A strong start but are cracks showing? Arsenal in the media

Are Arsenal showing the signs of title contenders? We may have been sunk by a single Van Persie goal at Old Trafford Sunday before last, ending our unbeaten league run and undefeated away streak, but we should come back from the international friendlies full of the confidence we have shown throughout the majority of the season.

Jack Wilshere may have been talking about his own performances on the club website, but the expectations of Arsenal as a whole are now high themselves, as they've set a standard to be carried on.

Overall there is no doubting the unexpected start to the 2013/14 football season that Arsenal have had. I think I speak for all supporters who are feeling more confident than in recent years of a solid campaign.  Whispers had been circulating of invincibility in the league, a feat they conquered exactly ten seasons ago. They might not be able to do that this year, but having lost only two league games, and four for the season so far, it makes for something interesting when these international friendlies are done with. We sit top of the Premier League table, are oozing in confidence, and playing styles of football not seen in an Arsenal side for some time.

In contention with Gareth Bale’s move to Madrid, Mesut Ozil’s transfer to Arsenal was considered the signing of the summer. His quality has certainly helped to bring out the best in the likes of Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, and even Giroud has proved a little more deadly with help of the German assist-master. Club legend and one of our former invincibles, Robert Pires, revealed on Tribal Football that Ozil’s “quality” and “experience” at Madrid give Arsenal are shot at the title race this year.

The Mirror Online were quick to make us title contenders further after Ozil’s debut against Sunderland. Steve Simmons and Matt Law write the club even then “served notice that they deserve acclaim as potential champions”, adding of the improved performances of Ramsey seeking a place in what has proven to be a rather exciting looking midfield.

Eurosport believe this is the Gunners’ year too, showing an example of the side’s ability against Swansea where “their big players stepped up and bang, bang, bang, the game was over. Any team who have the ability to do that consistently will always be title contenders”.

On the other hand, former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen has made it no secret that he doesn’t feel our club will be champions come May. Writing in The Telegraph he says, “They will not end the season as champions” with still work needed on their defensive play. Hansen adds, “their critical is that they are just not good enough when they do not have the ball.”

So what’s it like in the camp itself? As much as confidence is high, Mikel Arteta played down talk of comparisons to that of the 2003/04 side. He told Sky Sports, “I don't think we are at that level yet, but competition makes everyone work harder so it is a great thing because it raises the level” but feels firmly about Ozil’s arrival as a “great message from the club.”

We do look good, but for how long they can maintain their class is anyone’s guess as we head into Arsenal’s dreaded winter period - if history tells you much. They were unfortunate in their losses to Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United while a weakened side saw them go out of the Capital One Cup to Chelsea. 

But we proved to be too much for Liverpool who, if they can keep things going, will certainly be in contention as well next May. If we can keep the quality, get the likes of Podolski, Ox and Walcott back from injury and defeat the lesser sides who we’ve struggled to get results against in previous years, then we’ll have the points to prove the big club we know we are.

The league returns on Saturday (23/11) with Arsenal at home to high flying Southampton at the Emirates (3pm kick off). 

Who's number 1? Oh yeah

Manchester United v Arsenal: Hernandez to face his future club?

No Arsenal fan will need reminding of tomorrow's big Premier League clash against the 'mighty' Manchester United.

I use the word mighty very loosely based on David Moyes' side's season so far. They currently lie in eighth position in the Barclay Premier League, eight points behind us who are enjoying life at the top.

Wenger has called things weird without Sir Alex Ferguson in charge of Manchester United but the Red Devils will need to give David Moyes some time to take control of a club of such stature. To be fair to the Scot, he's been doing okay of late - some kind of revival perhaps? 

There is still plenty of football to be played and so likewise, Arsenal haven't won the title yet. That would be ridiculous to claim with Liverpool only two points behind at the moment. Chelsea's 2-2 with West Brom this afternoon however helps us to see off other competition for another couple of weeks, but we have to start off by going back five points clear of Liverpool, and then extending the points difference.

We'll take confidence from having been resilient against Borussia Dortmund in the week and gaining our revenge over the German side, following the unfortunate 2-1 loss last month, and our 2-0 win over second-placed Liverpool last weekend.

Javier Hernandez, who Wenger has pretty much denied interest in, may start tomorrow against us with Welbeck sidelined through injury. I'm sure he'll feature at the very least, with Rooney and Van Persie however the likely pairing, and I'm sure I speak for all Gooners who will hope our defence give the Dutchman a torrid time. Flamini could be back tomorrow which will certainly be helpful against United's attacking force.

I'll be keeping up with the Hernandez talk. As I've said before he would be a great asset up-front, particularly with Walcott, Podolski and Sanogo (though is he as useless as Bendtner and Park?) injured. He's hinted at his intentions of leaving Old Trafford but is yet to speak about the issue in the media.

In other news BT Sport have announced their winning bid in providing all Champions League TV coverage for at least three years from the start of the 2015/16 season. As if there wasn't enough money in football, they are taking away the free-to-air coverage of the Champions League meaning there will be only international matches available on ITV, while if you are a sky customer, you'll be losing all Champions League coverage too. It's frustrating as football should be free for all to view but money rules I guess which is the sorry state of the industry. You'd hope Sky would consider lowering their sports package by then due to the competition but I very much doubt that will happen!

With that off my chest,the game tomorrow kicks off at 4:10pm GMT, and is live on Sky Sports...although some of us have the unfortunate reality of being at work which sort of sucks! I'm sure I'll enjoy the result either way though. 2-1 Arsenal win!

Moving on? Chicarito Hernandez

Arsenal take five point lead at Premier League summit

It was a good weekend results-wise for Arsenal, not only beating second placed Liverpool 2-0 themselves, but Chelsea lost unexpectedly against Newcastle, while Spurs could only draw with Everton.

Highlights (foreign commentary) from Saturday's win.

In doing so it's a wonderful sight to see us edge just that little more out in front of Chelsea and Liverpool who sit second and third respectively. Beating Rodgers' side on Saturday shows Arsenal are up to the challenge this year by beating the bigger clubs when we have a full strength side out. 

We certainly made the most of Liverpool's three at the back system in the first half and it certainly helped us gain momentum. We played the game our way and attacked really well. Cazorla's goal was well taken, albeit through a little luck with his initial header rebounding off the post, but you need that sometimes. 

Arteta was in for the instrumental Flamini in the holding midfield role again and he deserved much praise for his display on Saturday. While many questioned Flamini's return to the Emirates, he has helped to boost Arsenal's defensive qualities and organisational play. We've certainly missed him over the last couple of weeks but Arteta was on top form on Saturday in his stead which is promising for a side who lack a lot of strength in depth.

The ever impressive Aaron Ramsey grabbed his tenth goal of the season and potentially another goal of the season contender at the same time. As great as it is for us and for Ramsey, our attackers aren't the ones scoring the goals. Giroud, as much as he has grown more confident in England, still needs chance after chance after chance to put the ball in the back of the net.

The French striker has eight goals to his name but this isn't the kind of stat seen by top class out-and-out forwards. And we can't call upon Bendtner or Park who are far from showing the qualities needed to even play football if I'm being totally honest! Other than Thierry Henry and what Van Persie showed during his time here (when he was fit at least), we haven't had a top class striker who has lit the Premier League alight in recent years. Having said that, he holds the ball up well and brings in others to join attacks but we would be much more ruthless if he didn't need X amount of shots before converting one to a goal himself.

I agree with most others that Wenger still needs to spend on another striker. With Podolski and Walcott still sidelined (and Walcott again needs chances after chances to find the net), Wenger needs to spend big on a household name up front. Of course we had our chances over the summer but then the signing of Ozil wasn't too bad I suppose. But other big names which circulated round the media and in an area we lack in disappeared in Higuain, Rooney and Suarez. Chelsea were reluctant to loan out Demba Ba to us but then Wenger wasn't prepared to match their £3m offer for the move.

I've always liked Javier Hernandez at Manchester United and he's not exactly been a starting choice for them over the years. He's even doubting his future at the club (Telegraph.co.uk - opens in new tab). He's still experienced and is a great striker, often finding goals when he gets chances. I'm surprised there wasn't a Van Persie for Hernandez offer when we sold RVP to the Red Devils, and if the latest news is true, Wenger needs to listen and make a move for the Mexican!

Arsenal travel to Borussia Dortmund for tomorrow night's Champions League encounter. Hopefully we'll be the team to come away with something this time. At the Emirates last month we were robbed by one-counter attack move and we were much the dominant side, particularly in the second half. Hopefully we can take our momentum and confidence to Germany and have our revenge.

Still, Dortmund won't be make things easy at their place but we've an undefeated-away streak to maintain!

Leading the line...kind of. Olivier Giroud.