Wow...so we cut it fine in progressing to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, but we're through and now have a mass of tough matches as we look to see in the new year.
Perhaps not helped by Arteta's sending off, the thoughts of playing Manchester City next on Sunday, or knowing simply a draw would have been enough for top spot, we were undone eventually by Gonzalo Higuain and Napoli.
Rumoured as one of our major transfer targets last summer, Higuain gave Napoli the lead in Naples on Wednesday night, before Jose Calejon chipped in a last gasp second, but still we qualified from the group in second place with Napoli looking ahead to Europa League action instead.
Gonzalo Higuain opens the scoring.
Borussia Dortmund beat Marseille 2-1 in the other group match, scoring the winner in the last minutes, which edges them in front of us on goal difference. Of course for us, as runners up, we now have to face the reality of playing either Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, Atletico Madrid, or last year's winners Bayern Munich and we shall find out when the draw is made on Monday (16.12.2013).
I've heard Arteta's tackles were "needless" which resulted in his two yellow cards. I feel the Spaniard is not on par with Flamini in the defensive midfield position and I would certainly continue to pick the Frenchman over the Spaniard any day of the week. Having said that I guess Flamini can be a little reckless but he gets more stuck in with a hard but fair mentality which we haven't seen for some years in an Arsenal midfield.
We just had to make sure on Wednesday night that we didn't lose by more than three goals and when the second went in, our hearts both slowed right down and quickened in pace all at the same time. But the referee ended the game to the delight (sort of) of Arsenal fans (perhaps more relief) that we had progressed to the knock-out rounds.
Face of disbelief: Arteta feels the bookings were harsh.
Yes it will be difficult whoever we face but we have done well to be in with a chance of facing those clubs I listed earlier, considering I and a lot others, thought we would struggle in our group as of match-day one. We've proved fans wrong time and time again this season though, so we should take confidence despite Wednesday night's disappointing scoreline.
Of course Wenger has enjoyed reminding us all of the fixture congestion and the trip to Manchester on Saturday will have been in his mind when picking his side to play against Napoli. After City on Saturday we play Chelsea the following Monday (23.12.2013); the first time we have a whole week between fixtures since our loss to Manchester United. 65 hours separate our kick offs from Naples and Manchester and it is certainly going to be tough for us, especially when Manchester City maintain a 100% home record so far this season!
With a trip to Etihad Stadium followed by our home match against Chelsea, we travel to West Ham and Newcastle in the Christmas - New Year week, before hosting Cardiff on New Year's Day. Our F.A Cup campaign will begin against our greatest local rivals Spurs three days later, before we play against Villa; the side against who our season began.
For now let us hope to see our gap at the top of the league increase with a point or three gained against City, and await our fate in the Champions League last 16 draw at he start of next week. The match tomorrow kicks off at 12:45pm, UK time.
Old Boys: Former Gunners Song and Nasri during an Arsenal v Manchester City fixture.
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.
Arsenal fans will be in anticipation tonight (I'm less interested in Saturdays when we aren't playing!) as they look forward to seeing an in-form Arsenal side return to the Hawthorns tomorrow (6/10/2013, 4:00pm k/o BST).
The Gunners knocked West Brom out of the Capital One Cup at the Hawthorns only a couple of weeks ago (1-1; Arsenal won 4-3 on penalties), and I am sure Steve Clarke will be looking for his side to flip the result in the Baggies favour this time round.
League points are up for grabs this time, rather than a place in the next round of a cup, but we have seen Arsenal play this season as though every game is a cup final.
Ozil and Ramsey have been mesmerising, as a team we have been organised and defended really well, and Giroud is providing more for the team as well as getting goals himself.
Of course the likes of those we'd expect in Arsene Wenger's starting XI didn't feature in the cup fixture last month, so this game is bound to be very different from the last. However, I'd expect Arsenal to continue their fine form tomorrow and return to the top of the Premier League, following Liverpool's 3-1 win over Crystal Palace today which has put them currently a point clear.
After all the transfer talk and media attention it received, I feel I should comment comment on the return of Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan has fulfilled his match suspensions, following his bite on Ivanovich last season, and has returned to Brendan Rodgers' first team.
He's been described as one of the top class strikers around and is on-par with Van Persie and on his day, I wouldn't disagree. He opened the scoring today and I know will be a big asset to Liverpool (yet again) this season.
However, I don't feel we have missed out. Arsene's £40,000,001 offer in the summer was rejected, but then he didn't exactly follow up with another offer. As a result, we have since seen Giroud be more consistent in front of goal and other players showing more attacking qualities (Ramsey springs to mind!) Yes Arsenal could do with another striker with injuries to Podolski and Walcott but Liverpool can stick with their number 7.
Bendtner played in the cup game and has since found a place on the bench, but should we really welcome someone back who said they would never want to put on an Arsenal shirt again? The there's Park...but I'm not even sure he's an actual footballer. Who else would make a decent back-up to Giroud?
Other injury news wise, Sagna will be out of action for a few weeks following an injury he picked up against Napoli last Tuesday. I have been impressed with the form of the French defender who has developed well to playing at centre-back when needed. Having come under some criticism, he has been excellent for us, like so many others, this year. Jenkinson will get another chance to prove himself in the right back position, starting with the trip at West Brom tomorrow and Arsenal will be looking to both extend their incredible away, and undefeated runs.
Target man: Giroud has impressed this season. Dare he get injured!
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli: Arsenal celebrate their 10th successive win of the campaign as I look back over Arsene Wenger's reign in charge of the Gunners.
Tonight's 2-0 win against Napoli was the perfect way to celebrate Arsene Wenger's 17 year mark at the club.
The magnificent Mesut Ozil scored a beautiful goal to open his Arsenal account, before teeing up Giroud as Arsenal emphatically saw off their Italian opponents making it 10 consecutive wins.
They are now top of Group F with six points from a possible six, on the day where in 1996 a certain Frenchman was introduced as the new boss at Highbury. Nobody would have predicted the success that would follow under his reign.
Oozing with class: Mesut Ozil scores his first Arsenal goal in the 2-0 win against Napoli
Not particularly well known around the world as he is now, Wenger had managerial and coaching experiences with AS Cannes, Nancy, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus Eight before joining his friend David Dein at Arsenal, where he replaced Bruce Rioch.
He arrived at Highbury inheriting a side with the likes of Bould, Adams, Parlour and Wright, to name a few, and other world class talent would later arrive.
In only his second year in North London, Arsenal did the double with Wenger (and it wouldn't be their only double winning season as we well known). They finished top with a mere point more than Manchester United with players such as Overmars and Petit enjoying their opening seasons in England.
Wenger continued to attract big names to Highbury in Vieira, Bergkamp, Henry, Pires, Ljungberg...I could go on! But Arsene is known for nurturing talent and Thierry Henry is perhaps the obvious example to choose here.
The French winger, as he was then, joined the Gunners from Juventus, but Wenger knew him from his managerial days at Monaco where Henry had played. Arsene was keen to bring in the 22-year-old Henry as a replaceent for Anelka...and the rest is history as they say.
Thierry Henry, one of the best strikers ever to grace the Premier League, signs for Arsenal in 1999.
Arsenal did the double yet again under Wenger in the 2001-2002 season: another magnificent achievement for the club but something perhaps just as great was only two seasons down the line. The Premier League was won in 2002, rather significantly perhaps, with Wiltord securing a win and the title at Old Trafford!
Two years on then and having moulded into a striker and with support in the likes of Bergkamp, Vieira, Ljungbery and Pires, Thierry Henry and co completed what only Preston North End had done 115 years before, and went the whole season unbeaten in the 2003-2004 campaign.
Wenger suggested his side could do this only the year before, but we'll let The Professor off for being a year out. Maybe he might predict something similar again soon? They remained unbeaten going into the 2004-2005 season, and the Invincibles as they became known as, finally managed a staggering 49-game unbeaten run which ended in October 2005.
The club weren't able to maintain their title the following year but instead lifted the FA Cup, with a penalty shoot-out win against Manchester United. The winning spot kick that afternoon, proved to be the last kick in Vieira's Arsenal career. Thus began trophy-less Arsenal.
So despite all the successes, then came the downs as well. 2006 saw Arsenal make a step-up with the big sides in Europe, and for the first time in their history, made the final of the Champions League.
Sol Campbell headed Arsenal in front as they gave their all against Barcelona in Paris. The crazy yet much-loved Jens Lehmann was sent off in the first half forcing Arsenal to play with ten men for the majority of the match, and many still question Arsene's decision to bring off Pires that evening. Eventually, a fatigued Arsenal were undone and Barcelona won 2-1 to lift the trophy.
Disappointment: Champions League defeat
Since then Arsenal have made finals such as the League Cup in 2007 and 2011 but have fallen short while there have been no more Premier League titles to add to their trophy cabinet either.
There is no doubting it has taken time for Arsenal to settle in their new home of the Emirates Stadium. Highbury, in my opinion, remains the home of Arsenal but the Emirates has slowly grown into the hearts of fans since its initial opening in 2006. It is a wonderful stadium but the debt it accumulated had been a crucial factor in Arsenal's ability to spend in order to keep up with the other big clubs in modern football.
Top players have also gone year on year and Wenger has come under huge scrutiny for his attitude in the transfer market. Vieira started the trend having left at the end of the 2004-2005 season, followed by Henry, Nasri, Fabregas, Cole *cough*, Song, Van Persie etc. But this season we have seen the return of Flamini and Wenger finally splashed the cash on Ozil as they look to be considered one of the big threats in the world of football.
However, Arsenal's defence and midfield has more maturity, organisation and stability this year with Flamini's return and with former defender Bould returning to Arsenal in a coaching role. Ozil has to be the signing of the summer and he has been influential in the midfield, with the rest of the squad oozing with confidence and playing world-class football once again.
There is great positivity around Arsenal these days, as they look to master the style of football we haven't really seen for some time at the club. There are signs this could be a promising year for the club, but they have to maintain this fine form.
Arsene's contract runs out at the end of the season, and all those shouts for a change of manager are now gone. Whatever happens between now and next summer, who could really imagine an Arsenal without Arsene Wenger at the helm?
The Professor has kept Arsenal in the Champions League
every season since he has been in charge.
A friend of mine and fellow Gooner (@squeakykygreeky if you're on Twitter) sent this to me, but I have only just seen it! It comes from the warm up prior to Arsenal v Swansea on Saturday. Love it.
Back to the serious stuff however, and in just a few hours Arsenal will host Napoli in their second Champions League Group F game (7:45pm k/o).
The two sides last played each other in the Emirates Cup earlier in the summer with the Italians taking a 2-0 lead before the Gunners fought back to a 2-2 draw.
We've come a long way since then however. They side are playing like the are a different club and have only lost one game all season.
Of course Arsenal will still have to be alert to the threat Napoli pose and Higuain in particular. I am sure he will be the centre of much booing by the home fans, as the Argentine was on the verge of signing for Arsenal in the summer.
Rosicky is back in the side tonight, after remaining sidelined through an injury picked up on international duty last month. The likes of Walcott, Chamberlain and Cazorla are still out through their respective injuries but I wouldn't be surprised to see Serge Gnabry start out on the wing for the third time in a row. The 18-year-old German has played brilliantly since being called up to the first team and I don't think any Arsenal fan would have any qualms about the youngster playing against those with more experience. He's looked like he's been in the first team at Arsenal for a little while himself!
Napoli beat Borussia Dortmund in their opening game, and with Arsenal heading into tonight's game in exceptional form, it makes for a great match up, but one I believe the Gunners will again be victorious in.
Arsenal extended their consecutive away wins to 12 games this evening, and went back to the top of the Premier League, with a well deserved 2-1 win at The Liberty Stadium.
The two sides are well known for their similar styles and I personally had this down as Arsenal's toughest test this season so far, but the Gunners proved they are much harder to break through this year.
A lovely, we'll worked move was finished off by the impressive Serge Gnabry, minutes before Aaron Ramsey (who else?) doubled the lead with a shot into the roof of the net. The defence were undone however as full time approached when The Swans Davies snuck in behind Mertesacker.
It was a tense game from start to finish and though there were few clear cut chances, this was a game where two attacking sides were bound to score. Giroud came closest in the opening half, right at the end of it actually, but he dragged his shot wide of Worm's goal.
Swansea looked impressive, particularly when playing through Shelvey but their final ball lacked and Arsenal were tough in the tackle and applying excellent pressure. Perhaps the travelling fans were initimidating the home support, who could often be heard above the Swansea faithful. I only really heard them make noise through booing whenever Ramsey touched the ball!
Wenger knew a win would put Arsenal in a nice place this weekend with Spurs and Chelsea drawing against each other, Manchester City losing, and Manchester United continuing their sluggish start to the league losing to West Brom (now their worst start to a league season in some time!)
Szczesny had an up-and-down game with his touches and decision making questionable, among making a couple of good saves. In the first half notably, having seen the ball marginally cross the line for a goal kick, had a Swansea player attempt to keep the ball in-play and put the ball inches wide of an open goal. Fortunately the officials made the right call, having seen the ball cross the line but on another day, the confident Szczesny might not have been smiling afterwards.
Ramsey was awarded the Man of the Match award by Sky Sports however Gnabry was an outstanding performer in this game, especially for someone with little experience. Like his fellow teammates, who have played a lot more at this level, he showed the desire and skill needed in a game like this which is very promising. The German finished off a fine move to open the scoring and he was fully deserving of his excellent goal. Let's hope he continues in a similar fashion as Walcott and Chamberlain remain sidelined.
I don't feel Ozil had his greatest game with passes failing more often than we have become accustomed to. He could also have scored his first Arsenal goal but when 1v1 with Worm, the Dutch keeper stuck out a firm hand to deny the German. Ramsey however continued to excel in the midfield and like I mentioned, continued his fine goal scoring form this year to make it four in the league already.
Morale is high and the team are playing excellently from defence to attack. It's the return of the Champions League on Tuesday and Arsenal host Napoli (7.45pm k/o) in their second group stage match.
The two sides drew 2-2 in the Emirates Cup match in the summer but I expect a very different game this time around.
The former Cardiff kid secures the points against the Swans
Arsenal finally did enough to see off Marseille in their opening Champions League encounter last night thanks to two second half goals by Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey.
Walcott smashed in a rocket of a shot to open his scoring account for the season, before Ramsey drove through the Marseille half before unleashing a deflected shot past Mandanda, to continue his fine form. In the 90th minute he was then deemed to have caught Andre Ayew in the box (though replays showed he got the ball with Ayew making the most of minimal 'contact') whose brother Jordan scored from the spot.
The home side's goal came too late however as Arsenal ran out winners in this tie, marking their tenth successive away win; a run which dates back to Arsenal's 2-0 win on March 13 against Bayern Munich, and is a new club record.
It also marks Arsenal's sixth successive win on the trot this season as the Gunners haven't lost a game since the opening day of the campaign against Aston Villa.
The Gunners enjoyed periods of control, particularly in the opening twenty minutes, but the hosts looked a little threatening on the attack but their shots were limited and from range, with Arsenal's defence showing significant improvements have been made in this area. Szczesny had little to do but looked assured when needing to make a save.
There was one gasp in the second half however when the keeper and Mertesacker appeared to lack communication, with the tall German looping the ball over the Polishman as he left his line. Fortunately Gibbs read it and headed the ball off the line before a Marseille player could attack.
Walcott had had previous chances and following his recent form, continued to prove his lack of finishing in front of goal, though he smashed in his only goal of the game here. Perhaps he had some anger behind the strike, and quite rightly so for someone who claims to want to be a striker but needs chance after chance to get one goal. However Wenger now believes the Englishman will find his eye for goal and fans will certainly hope so too with Giroud our only other injury-free, recognised forward.
Ramsey was pulling the strings yet again in midfield and being involved in all of Arsenal's movement up and down the pitch. Is there any stopping the Welshman who now has six goals in seven appearances so far this season?
Arsenal will welcome last year's Champions League runner's up Borussia Dortmund, who lost 2-0 away to Napoli last night, to the Emirates in the next European encounter, but despite conceding yet another penalty late on this time around, will be pleased to have their Champions League campaign up and running with three points from the first game.
Arsenal continue to be growing in confidence and this bodes well as attentions now turn back to the Premier League. Dogged Stoke are the visitors to London on Sunday (22/09 - k/o 13:30pm GMT) and may be the next side to feel the wrath of Ramsey and co.
Goals scored:
Walcott (65')
Ramsey (84')
Can anyone stop him? Ramsey drives in Arsenal's second at the Stade Velodrome
The draw for the Champions League Group Stages has been concluded placing Arsenal (seeded 1st) in Group F alongside Marseille, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli.
This will prove a stern test for the Gunners who have often had little trouble in qualifying to the knockout rounds of the competition. Of course I don't think there are many fans who believe the club have the capabilities to win the Champions League just yet, but I am concerned, looking at Group F, that Arsenal will even be able to go on past the groups.
Arsenal struggled against Napoli in the Emirates Cup earlier in the summer, as both sides battled to a 2-2 draw (which included a Giroud overhead kick). Of course that was pre-season and Arsenal didn't look ready for the new season at that point, as proved two weeks later in their opening day disaster against Aston Villa.
Higuain featured that afternoon; the striker reportedly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, before moving to the Italian side. He was booed, and I am sure he will be again when the sides meet in the Champions League. They looked good on the attack, showing the vulnerabilities in Arsenal's lacklustre defence.
Dortmund meanwhile have the likes of Subotic, Hummels, Bender, Blasczczykowski, and Lewandowski and German teams, as we are seeing, are making names for themselves in modern football. They finished second in the Bundesliga last year and were runners up against Bayern Munich in last year's Champions League final which they lost 2-1. Of course the last time we came close to the cup was the final of 2006, but let's not linger our thoughts there.
Flamini re-signs on a three-year deal
In other news, Flamini has signed for the club, making his second spell with Arsenal. He had been training in pre-season after completing his contract with AC Milan, who he signed for in 2008. The 29-year-old is a versatile midfielder who can also play at either left or right back, and I think all Arsenal fans will be pleased to have him back.
Of course supporters still want money to be spent, but time continues to be against Arsene, who has reiterated he is still looking to spend big before Monday's deadline.
2013/14 Champions League Group Draw:
Group A - Manchester United; Shakhtar Donetsk; Bayer Leverkusen; Real Sociedad.
Group B - Real Madrid; Juventus; Galatasary; Copenhagen.
Group C - Benfica; PSG; Olympiakos; Anderlecht.
Group D - Bayern Munich; CSKA Moscow; Manchester City; Viktoria Plzen.
Group E - Chelsea; Schalke; Basel; Steaua Bucharest.
Group F - Arsenal; Marseille; Borussia Dortmund; Napoli.
Group G - Porto; Atletico Madrid; Zenit St. Petersburg; Austria Vienna.
