talkingOfArsenal.com

A splendid display by Rooney playing for England, got me wondering - has he learnt his lesson?

From a selfish point of view, I'd sometimes, periodiocially, rather he didn't, considering that every time he loses his sense of perspective, it's Manchester Utd who suffer for it. Having said that, I don't buy the whole argument about taming Rooney being the end to his talent. Many footballers have had to go through this phase, where they learn to channel their aggression, into their game. Much as non-Manchester Utd supporters would like to think, Rooney is not irredeemable - sooner or later, if not now, I'm sure he'll learn to react less, and think more.

Onto Arshavin.

Most non-Arsenal fans probably don't appreciate the full extent of Arshavin's influence on the Arsenal squad. Every time he gets the ball, he turns and drives forward. Being the inventive player that he is, this makes the other Arsenal players instinctively run into spaces giving the little Russian magician options - most of which he uses quite efficiently.

It is beginning to look more and more, that the signing of Arshavin could well be the catalyst to us winning some silverware that we've been waiting for. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

So Fabregas says he believes in miracles.

I think what we've heard him say about Arsenal not having completely lost hope of being able to claim the title is very likely to have come directly from Wenger. However even Wenger surely now knows that it is extremely unlikely that Arsenal will win the league this year, however it does give the team something to work towards.

And although I think winning the league is very, very unlikely (probably bordering on impossible), there is in the team, I think, a belief that they could beat Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester Utd (however improbable) and claw back 9 points against the three other top-4 teams. And the truth is, they could do it - it's the so-called lower-table teams that will likely put any kind of resurgent league title hopes to bed, if our track record this season is anything to go by.

When it comes to our beloved Arsenal, I'm usually more optimistic that most, however winning the league this season is something I won't be holding my breath for.

It's mathematically possible, but for me preparing for next season has already started. And what I wouldn't give to be wrong.

C'mon the Arsenal!