I've been to a few of football conferences with senior FIFA/UEFA bods (including one at FIFA in Zurich before Christmas which was especially interesting) and I can tell you, their definition of "financial fair play" is different to everyone else's. They see it as a mechanism to stop clubs overspending and thus undermining both themselves and the leagues. So the Leeds or Portsmouth scenarios, for example. They aren't interested in clubs who have pots of money being prevented from spending said pots. Its also about protecting the individual, but especially the young players and their families, in this brave new and almost border-less football world.

Maybe his brief is to win them the Champions League, that will be challenging enough, even with all their money.

Would have loved to have seen him at the Emirates though that's for sure.

Yes lucky City

Debuchy gone on loan to Bordeaux

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/...linkname=sport

Will we sign anyone? Dont bet on it.

One thing I saw go through on Skys ticker last night was the Gibbs wasn't going out on loan as he had been given assurances about playing time. I'd not heard anything else about this. Bit surprised as I can't see him getting many games for us.

I suppose there's always the FA Cup for him (and suspensions).

Going for a 2-0 home win tonight, can't be dropping points at home from now on, we've got some tricky away ties the rest of the season.

Sanogoals has joined Charlton on loan, although I'd be surprised if he comes back in the same way as Coq. Speaking of which, at Charlton, Sanogoals is joined by the hilariously named Rod Fanni, surely the best of both worlds??

Mertesacker and Walcott dropped for Gabriel and Alexis.

Flamini starts with Coq on the bench.

Elneny has only been here 5 mins and he's out injured already.

Looking forward to seeing Ozil and Alexis back on the pitch together though.

He'll do for me. Proper Arsenal.

Flamini starts? Not impressed with that... Campbell is a surprise but I can live with that, Walcott needs some confidence but maybe he can get in late and grab a goal. Is Merts still suspended?

Elneny out already? Fitting in like a true gunner already!

Hmmm. We must win tonight to keep up with all at the top.

Not turned up again.

Another spectacular first half display.

Playing like we're short of confidence. Atmosphere is poor as usual.

As it stands we'll drop down to fourth. No change there then.

Seem clueless against anyone with some tactics.

I've not bothered to even try to find this one live. I can't watch more of this turgid underachievement.
Here's hoping Alexis can pull something out of the fire for us though. Both City and Spurs winning. If we lose, do Spurs go above us?

Spurs indeed go ahead. But the top four will be playing each other in the coming weeks, so things are going to change real quick.


This seems to happen every season. A run of good form, followed by weeks of mundane football.

Wenger has a lot to answer for if he doesn't win the title this season.

Have only heard brief reports but seems like we have been uninspiring to say the least. Am hoping we can improve in the 2nd half but not that confident tbh. Can see them nicking it.

I feel the same.

Theo to the rescue? On for Campbell.

Starting to think Leicester might win this league....

Walcott spurns a good chance. Forster looks unbeatable.

Great control and shot from Alexis. Cleared off the line.

At least we're creating chances with some regularity now.

I'm about to throw my remote at the telly. Just how many chances do we need????

Talk about Groundhog Day