Arsenalist

It’s amazing how quickly football can toy with and transform your emotions. The nervous anticipation of the derby built up and up throughout last week, culminating in euphoria and the glorious sight of a rocking Emirates as Cesc bagged the second goal just before half time.

The Carling Cup draw, made on the same day, will mean a return to Eastlands and a meeting with our over-celebrating, stamping friend Mr Adebayor. RvP summed up the mood nicely when he declared he wanted to be involved, despite Arsene’s preference to play the kids. It seems a safe football bet that revenge is in the air.

Then, as we let the dust settle and began to gloat to our Spurs supporting friends, we were dragged a little closer to earth with the news that Clichy and Bendtner would be out for up to a month; in Clichy’s case it could be more with a stress fracture of the back. Ouch.

Some fans I’ve spoken to say Bendtner will be the biggest miss despite his other limitations, partly because of his strength and effectiveness as an ‘out-ball’, something we don’t really have with our other forward players. But another reason why he will be a greater loss is because in Clichy’s case we have a ready-made replacement in Kieran Gibbs.

I always said in the summer that if a big bid came in for Clichy we should cash in because of Gibbs’ potential. He has matured dramatically over the past year and I remember being impressed with his performance levels for England U21s at the World Cup.

Arsene has predictably come out and backed his man, or should I say boy, as he rightly should. He has even compared him to Ashley Cole, although I hope that is in terms of his on-pitch skills rather than any petulant money grabbing, mercenary-esque tendencies he may share with our Cashley.

I don’t think the fans need convincing of his abilities and have every confidence he can slot right into the starting XI and even keep Clichy out of the side when he does return. And with a certain tournament taking place in South Africa next summer, I recommend Mr Capello to check out a few Arsenal games in the next few weeks.