I was looking at the photographs of yesterday’s training session on Arsenal.com and it got me to thinking. Shouldn’t the club photographer get a winter break? Is it really fair to expect him to work on Christmas Day, away from his friends and family, missing out on Eastenders and the Queen’s speech? Isn’t there a danger he’ll suffer burn out from too many photocalls in the middle of winter when his fingers are at their coldest and his equipment is vulnerable from the rain and the wind? The ill judged composition of the shot of Calum Chambers with another player’s head seeming to grow from his left shoulder and a poorly placed horizon line breaking the rule of thirds is surely a sign of a photographer taking pictures in the red zone.

From these obvious and serious concerns it was but a small step to realise that bloggers too deserve a break over the festive season. I type with two fingers. That’s perhaps why so often I seem to be saying a massive fuck you to the football establishment, media and referees not to mention many of our fans. Those two fingers are getting worn down and I fear that three matches in a few days is asking far too much of my sadly over exercised digits. How can we expect to attract and keep the best writers in the world if we don’t give them a break when the days are short and the house full of discarded wrapping paper? It makes you think.

The other group of people trying to rouse themselves from their festive torpor today are the players. Arsenal travel to the south coast to face a side they’ve not beaten there since December 29th 2003. Last season we went there on new year’s day and suffered a two nil defeat at the hands of a Southampton side who were in fine fettle and good for their win. This time around Ronald Koeman’s men have not had such a great time of it and it is my fervent Christmas wish that their indifferent form continues for at least one more match.

Today will, I believe, be a test of resilience. A sorely depleted squad desperately in need of big performances from a supporting cast and with just a whiff of a hangover from their stoicism against a resurgent second half Man City will be up against it today. The last thing I’d want to see is another long backs to the wall defence of a slender lead.

If it should come to that of course we can be sure the players will be up for it. The one thing we know for certain about Arsène Wenger’s teams through the ages is that they have guts. Rightly famed for their silky skills and fluid passing his sides have always shown equal measures of fight and determination. Just because the clichéd script of the hacks in the television studios and the chip wrappers refuse to recognise this doesn’t mean it isn’t true. If they can summon the energy for a couple more performances of courage and endurance then we will end the year on a real high and the ludicrous fixture schedule which has blighted the holiday season will suddenly not seem such a stupid idea.

I know it’s traditional and I know that some people look forward to it as the best part of Christmas but I look at the number of games our first eleven is navigating without much respite and I fear for the health and well being of a squad which simply cannot afford any more injuries. On the flip side of that coin Calum and Kieran are getting a bit of game time these days and should be able to slot in more comfortably if called upon so to do. Also, we can expect some of the wounded to return soon, if not soon enough to make a difference to our end of year schedule.

Santi is effectively gone from the equation and the length of time out for Danny and Jack will surely see them eased in very gently when they are fit. I’m picturing a similar scenario to that we witnessed with Theo’s return last season. Maybe one or both will be able to make an impact in one or other of the cup finals but we can’t expect them to play a major role in winning the league.

Still, like that new mountain bike you didn’t get for Christmas there is no point in griping about the things which cannot be changed. Some might suggest the boss and Ivan can alter things in the upcoming transfer window but new faces take time to bed in and it is fanciful or at the very best blindly optimistic to expect anyone bought in to make an immediate impact.

So it’s a case of fingers crossed. Or if you lack the belief in such precautions against the ravages of cruel fate, que sera, sera. Maybe the Saints will be suffering from a surfeit of Christmas pud and come stumbling from the blocks without the panache they showed around this time last year. Maybe Mathieu’s hamstrings can twang on happily for a few weeks yet and Per’s long legs continue to be planted in the right place at the right time without suffering any nasty knocks.

I said during the pre season on these very pages just let Mesut and Aaron remain fit for the duration and we’ll be all right. Well I haven’t been granted that wish with our Welsh wonder already spending time in the MASH tent so I’m going to amend it and ask that they remain in harness for the rest of the campaign.

As Francis and Joel have shown us last season and this help can come from unexpected quarters when most needed. I firmly believe there is enough ability and mental strength left in our squad to keep up with Leicester City’s fabulous start to the season. Whether we will have enough in the tank to overhaul them at the end remains to be seen but if we can just stagger through against the two south coast teams then the Foxes will feel our hot steamy breath on the backs of their necks. This is the hardest pressure of all when there is no one in front of you to aim at and the baying hounds are at your heels. Will they be able to withstand it? If not we need to be in a position to pounce.

Whether I’ll be able to think of anything to write on Monday and how the club photographer will find time to develop his film are other matters all together. At the moment my left index finger is showing signs of a small blister, but I’ll tell you this – if birthday boy Aaron Ramsey can keep running the length of the pitch to the very last whistle then it would be churlish of me to complain so I’ll keep applying the Germolene and just pray that Andy Nic has enough ribbon in his Remington to write another glowing review of another famous victory come Sunday morning.

All I want for Christmas is a point at The Dell, or wherever it is that Southampton play these days and a home win against Bournemouth a mere two days later. Actually a little less than two days given the late Boxing Day kick off, though the Cherries themselves have a home game against Palace to get over.  And then a whole year to recover in time to welcome Newcastle, so that should be fine, as long as the Boss has managed to squeeze a little rotation into our threadbare squad and provided of course that nobody else is injured or otherwise gone missing over the festive season.  Which has sometimes proved to be the case, especially on New Year’s Day, I suspect. Still, enough of all that – what goes on tour stays on tour etc and all I would say is that highly paid though they are, they are also young men full of the joys of and it must be hard to stay focussed at Christmas time.

Some would say that nothing less than nine points as a festive return would be acceptable, but to be honest what I would happily settle for would be a run of games with no more injuries.  Everyone I suspect has their own favourite player, but it has seemed to me for a while that the one player we struggle to do without is Aaron Ramsey, so much energy, belief and skill does he bring. So a fit and healthy rest of year and season for him, please Santa – and if he can go on to have a great summer with Wales and at the same time persuade his friend to come our way that would be a bonus. Although perhaps not the greatest Gareth to play football for the principality, under this particular code he is pretty special and if it is ever appropriate for someone of my age to covet a young man (and an ex-spud to boot) then that is my next wish should I prove to have been a good boy this year.

I am getting very worried about Welbeck: it has been a long absence and the various medical bulletins that we have been privilege to have not revealed much, other than vague talk of bone bruising, which doesn’t sound much but is in reality a lot more serious than many imagine. It is actually a fracture of the inner layer of bone, caused either by traumatic impact, or, more likely repetitive stress. So my next item on the list is a full and happy recovery to him of course, but also a greater understanding of the injury factors that surround these athletes. I am as certain as I can be that the medical staff at all the top clubs have as good an appreciation of sports injury as any medics in the world, and The Arsenal staff will be no exception – but I would like the pundits to educate the fans about some of the issues involved, and just how fit you need to be to play at the very highest level. But the problem with pundits is that the non-players just don’t know, and the ex-players are normally so busy promoting the notion that things were better in their day that they haven’t much time for the upstarts who now occupy their position in the sun. Which is a shame, because a better educated fan base would eventually lead to higher standards throughout the game. And also, maybe, a realisation that by the time a player is 23 he is going to have kicked a lot of footballs, done a lot of running, been the target for a lot of mistimed tackles. They aren’t machines (unless there is an unscrupulous Dr Needles in the background) so let’s not be too harsh on extended periods on the easy list for the younger players. And may I also ask for a greater seriousness from the authorities about the whole business of drug testing, because it would be nice to know for sure that the field of play is as level as possible.

Am I allowed to ask for new signings in the January window? Everybody else seems to, equating transfer activity and money (huge money) spent as an indication of ambition and seriousness. We can’t win unless we have a this or a that, goes the cry, but Pinter has taught me not to pin all my hopes on a promised land, and certainly not on Sidcup or a pair of DMs. So I will let others do the asking for that, and content myself with the fact that most needs are merely greeds by another name, that we have much to be grateful for with the players so carefully assembled by the manager, and that if he spots a good one who is available he will know a lot more about him than I do and will act decisively. And in any case, Joel Campbell has already proved to be this season’s proverbial “new signing”, and it wouldn’t be the greatest surprise in the world if Callum Chambers stepped forward to play a major role too. I certainly hope so as he seems the sort of boy next door you’d hope your daughter might fall for.

So reading this back it seems that I actually want quite a lot for Christmas, which is a bit rich given how much this club has already give me this last year. Frustrations at times to be sure, but also another glorious cup-run (that Welbeck winner my stand-out moment for on so many reasons), the joy of watching us put Bayern to the sword whilst on holiday in a German resort and also the sheer wonderment at the skills of Ozil on show every time he graces the field: that young man is a bit special and we are lucky to have him. You will all have your special memories too, and also a few things that you would like this Christmas; no doubt  you will share them in the comments section. But finally, it would seem appropriate to save my biggest wish for last, and also to hope that it is one that we all might echo. Blackburn George, the founder of this site, and the most resolutely positive of us all, is not so very well at this moment. It would make this Christmas a lot happier should he be on the mend, and I wish him the best of all health, as I do to you all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSyx6DaUwxA

Hello Positivistas far and near,

Three games, eight days, three wins, eight goals scored, one conceded and that blemish was off the boot of Olivier in a moment of Gallic over-exuberance. Our French hit man moves to 50 goals. Our Czech keeper to a record 169 PL games with no goals conceded. Goodness knows where Petr will leave that record when he finally hangs up his helmet! We sit top of the League with a small but useful margin of a point and a two goal+ difference, CL draw this morning and this evening more grief either for Jose or a check on the aspirations of the formidably improved Leicester. Tricky innit ?

But enough crowing around the farmyard Andrew, what of yesterday’s match ?

Our trip to Villa Park yesterday was like consuming a bowl of raspberries, a portion left at the back of the fridge that I had overlooked in recent days. The fruit had begun to soften, to just be past their crispest best, but with that change the berries had become a little juicier and sweet. Armed with a simple spoon and just a dash of fresh single cream the dish was quickly empty, delicious and wholesome.

Aaron and Mesut ran offensive operations yesterday and when they switched on the gas they were simply far too fast for the Villans. Campbell looks as though he has been doing the job for ages. Our defensive organisations squeezed what little threat the home side had into a couple of speculative long shots and misdirected headers. Cech had his quietest afternoon of the season, as far as I can recall. And when the chances came they were converted. I have ranted about efficiency this season, and yesterday was efficient. 2-0 is a score line so, so much better than 1-0. Ask Everton, and ask the ever entertaining Tottingham.

Theo was a little unlucky that his late first half goal was disallowed for offside, the decision debatable and probably wrong. 3-0 would probably have been a more accurate recognition of the gulf between the teams but there we are. I have no particular gripes with Mr Kevin Friend. Why he gave the penalty, given that he was behind the action involving Theo and Hutton, I am not sure. The right decision however so even referees are allowed a little luck from time to time.

I can find little comfort for Villa from yesterday’s display. They were abject in the first half and by the 38^th minute and our second goal any hopes they may have had of nicking a point a la Norwich had been extinguished. They roused themselves a little more in the second half but not to the extent of exerting real pressure. Even their four corners in a row never looked like generating even a single effort on goal or forcing a save from Cech.

Nothing is impossible in football but the home side had the pallor of the condemned man about them, with relegation a nigh on certainty. The occasional view of their fans provided faces of those who have arrived at A&E with an injured relative and anticipate a long wait until the unfortunate victim can be seen to. Resigned and anticipating the worst. Derby must have feared their 11 point disaster in 2008 might never be bettered but I feel this Villa side could have it in them. I really do Clive.

Some hard work for the players and Remi Garde if they are not to be relegated with the lowest ever points total in the PL.

But Remi, might I suggest one small improvement that will cost neither money nor much disruption to team affairs?

Tell Alan Hutton to shut the f*** up on the pitch and stop wasting his time and energy rowing with the officials about every single decision.

That will do nicely for this morning. For those of you with an eye to later today 11 UK time for the CL draw.

Enjoy your week.

Kaliméra Positivistas,

Another good start to a Thursday with the glow of a memorable victory last night warming my cockles (?).

For twenty minutes the home side made a battle of it and stuck to their pre-game promise to try and take the contest to us. They created a couple of half chances during the period but failed to hit the target or test Cech. With no top, top striker they were not equipped last night to hurt. How very different from the Bavarians.

Commendable performance from Mr Rizzoli who faced down the intimidating atmosphere from the first whistle, as well as spotting a bit of work in the finest traditions of Greek theatre from Fortounis. If ever a yellow card was justly deserved for diving that was it. It set a good marker down for what the official would, and would not, tolerate. The possible high point of Olympiakos assault was the yellow picked up by Aaron which set off the jitters with more than 70 minutes to go at that stage. I was tense, I admit.

By the 20^th minute we began go roll forward, retain possession, pick out accurate passes. The Flamster rattled the bar, defying his legion of critics who curse him crossing the half way line. Then Mesut got out his protractors and set square, railed the ball through to the Welshman, on to Olivier’s sharp head and the group was burst wide open. I see a lot of criticism of the keeper Roberto in the media this morning and that Giroud’s effort was a poor header to let in ? Looked all right to me.

And another goal in or around the 29^th minute ! Have you see how many goals we score recently at or around that stage of the football match ? There is some physical/psychological dynamic at work there – it will take wiser minds than I to discern it.

We negotiated the deadly 10 minute pre half time period when we have a weekly wobble with no ill effects. We roared out in the second half, and by 49 minutes, with lovely work from Campbell the contest was tilted in our direction, the Olympiakos boat on the point of capsize. Just one smart save required from Cech around the hour mark and that was about that. After the somewhat harsh penalty award the home side played out the tie, as deflated as the crowd. An evening that started with such promise for them turned to ashes. They kept their discipline though to the final whistle and will be a tricky opponent for any English/Spanish/German club in the Thursday night Cup.

No Man of the Match last night, super team performance, from the back to the front. Professional, efficient and with flashes of excellence and art. As Olivier picked up his first hat-trick, the first of many in an Arsenal shirt I am sure, he earns the opening picture today.

Finally a little excerpt for your delectation that I picked up and retained from the mainstream media on Tuesday;

Asked this week for their predictions concerning the final round of CL group games the football experts of the responded thus;

Times writers predict which English sides will be knocked out this week.

Oliver Kay One. Arsenal.

Matt Hughes One. Arsenal.

Matt Dickinson One. Arsenal.

James Ducker Two. Arsenal and Manchester United.

Rory Smith One. Arsenal.

Tony Cascarino Two. Arsenal and Manchester United

Don’t give up the day job lads.

Enjoy your Thursday.