Because next weekend is international fixtures, so this was the only opportunity for the clubs who wanted to do so, to mark the occasion.

Fair enough. The commentator still needs a history lesson though.

Ozil talking about his best moments of his career

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

Looks like Alexis could be properly crocked. Suspected torn calf muscle. All we need.

Apparently, Özil's close to agreeing a new deal, or at least seriously considering it. Good news, now let's tie up Bellerin and Sanchez!

Saying a 'low grade' muscle tear.

I'm presuming that's a good thing, relatively speaking?

Our medical team haven't got their hands on him yet!

Awful news on Sanchez, I hope he's not out too long, but this is Arsenal, so we may not see him for a while.

Back to Giroud or Wilshire up front it is for the foreseeable future. Perez is also out for another six weeks (at least). The squad looked deeper, but we're now a bit light again. Time for Iwobi to step up again as well, he's faded slightly the last few games.

Where has the Alan Davis Tuesday club gone? I know on the last podcast of last season they were disgusted, downbeat and a few other adjectives but I thought they would be bouyed by the start to the season and come back.

I was thinking the same as I'm missing it

Scouring Twitter, it seems they're on an extended hiatus because they are all very busy.

Shame as its hilarious and the guys are very knowledgeable in all things Arsenal.

Bellerin out for a month.

Happy November folks!

Sanchez has a minor injury.

Happy November folks!

Bellerin has almost been as important as Sanchez, so we'll be massively weaker without both in the team. Saturday's game against ManU is going to be interesting, that's for sure. Hopefully, Giroud can find some form and do the business.

ODL should really pull his finger out and get Ozil and Sanchez's contracts extended, I believe Bellerin signed a new 6-year deal, which is great news.

Sanchez isn't out yet. Apparently he will play for Chile tonight – I wish he wouldn't though. I get their point – it's a world cup qualifier against Uruguay, they can't afford to rest him, but I suspect he isn't 100% and they're just like "Well if we make him more injured, that's Arsenal's problem not ours."

International breaks are a present from Satan!

On Alexis, there is talk doing the rounds that he is unhappy with the training methods at Arsenal. Usual uncredited sources of course. Story is he doesn't think they are pushed hard enough in training.

I can believe that. Didn't he himself say publicly once that he wanted to train more but wasn't allowed to?

Out of all the contracts that need to be tied down, his is the one I am least confident about. I'm just not sure he cares all that much about Arsenal. Sure, he loves football, but strikes me as a player who'd be happy playing it anywhere.

Alexis scores the winner against Uruguay to keep Chile's hopes alive of qualifying for the WC.

He has to start at Old Trafford.

Gotta be careful not to risk further injury though, there's not much turnaround between him travelling back from South America and us playing United.

It's Alexis! Unless he is properly injured he will want to play football!

agree and he looks a bit of a loner, not as much of a bond with his teammates as Ozil does. I think it'll depend on who else wants him and how much they'll pay him.
He scored twice for Chile but with a heavily strapped thigh. Clearly not fit but it was a crucial match vs Uruguay. I'm unconvinced he'll be fit enough to play on saturday, and he'll be jet lagged.

I'd personally risk it against ManU for one half at least, that too is a crucial game for us and we do really need him.

If it's not safe to play, or we are winning, we can revert to Plan D (Donkey). If he knows he's likely to play only one half, I'm hoping he'll put everything into the performance and work harder/smarter than he already does.

ManU seem to be in more trouble than us in term of injuries amd suspensions, but they are marked as slight favourites and of course, Maureen will do anything he can to beat ODL.

Not expecting much, tbh, certainly not a big win. It probably won't be a great game considering Ronald McDonald's likely to start. Going to be tough for the likes of Ozil to get time on the ball. Cazorla's still a few weeks away from injury, I read, we'll miss him but hopefully Xhaka will play. He'll need to keep a cool head though, he'll get some rough treatment from Fellaini, no doubt.

the lack of Bellerin worries me more.
Yes, I'd start Sanchez then bring Giroud off the bench in the 70th min
His Maj will probably do the opposite.
Had a dream this morning that Wenger played Ozil in goal, as he'd shoehorned Ramsey and Wilshire into midfield. Ozil faced 3 pens and didn't get near any of them.
(should I seek professional help? )

You mean Carl Jenkinson doesn't fill you with confidence?

Is Debuchy still around?
He's 10 times the player Jenkinson is- if he's got his head right.

This man is going to kick your butts tomorrow!

http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/...pswlfc7dfj.jpg