That's good to hear @Taz (that no arsenal would console themselves as such)...I agree that they've lost Sanchez, Zapata and Gokhan but Di Natale was pivotal to their success, much like Modric to Spurs reaching CL qualification the season before last. If the tie is not wrapped up at Emirates (as you assert) there'll be frayed nerves at the return.

However, Gervinho is in top form and has hit the ground running, such players can make a difference.

Here's what the pundits think...

http://www.goal.com/en-g...g-winners-losers-of-the

5000Kshs?

@Nostoppingthis: Arsenal
@Kingfisher: Chelsea

DEAL?

@Taz, Arsenal writes its own chances off every season. The collapse doesnt come from the media but within. Unless something changes, the status quo remains.

@ Jus Blazin....

if we play badly and win then we're lucky but if any other team does it (chelsea, man u, liverpool) then that's grit and determination.

if we play well and don't win then "it's no good playing well and not winning" but if it's any other team (chelsea, man u, liverpool) then they're just unlucky.

if we play badly and don't win then we are rubbish but if it's any other team (chelsea, man u, liverpool) then they just had bad luck but deserved to win.

if we score a late winner its considered to be luck "they struggled to get the winner" but if any other team does it (chelsea, man u, liverpool) ooh sijui thats what champions are made of or they praise their "winning mentality"

They've attacked our defense as being bad but if you look at last season's statistics Koscielny & Co (without Vermaelen) only conceeded 6 goals more than Vidic & Co....come to think of it it was 4th best in the league. Its for that reason @ Smano, i say we only need one defender with physical presence to take care of the set pieces. They always have something negative to say but statistics show otherwise. If David De Gea was an Arsenal Keeper he would be facing all sorts of criticism for his performance against Man City.

So many of our top players have left the club and we've also had so many bad games/seasons but still our worst performance has been 4th place. How much have our "rivals" spent in transfers and what have they achieved?

@ McReggae....True but whats the obssession with Arsenal's trophy drought! When's the last time L'pool & Spurs won a trophy....better yet Man City have only won the FA Cup (2011) in 30 yrs. Chelsea have 4 EPL titles compared to Arsenal's 13.

DEAL. whose the custodian?

FINALLY, Barcelona are set to announce Fabregas signing in the next few hours....all the best to El Capitan its been real, wish him all the best. Next on the chop board Samir Nasri....25m pounds is good money for him. I believe Wenger should sell anyone who is not settled, Shakhtar's Jadson to replace Cesc and HOPEFULLY Mata/willan to replace Nasri. In defense we seem to be in advanced talks to sign Birmgham Scott Dann who just the kind of player we need at the back...though i wouldn't mind if we signed Cahill too.

On tomorrow's match..RVP, Theo, TV5 & Gibbs are all fit to play. The midfield will hold for now with Gervinho, Ramsey and Song.

QPR will top the table today but will be at the bottom at the end of the season.

@jguru. Did i say top? Oh sorry coz they are at the bottom. I am not seeing then leave that spot.

"... I am very happy with our performance, especially Gervinho who was shown a red card. We were missing key players like Nasri and Fabregas, when they come back we'll be stronger..." TAZ Mutua