You’d think the first thing I have to do when I wake up is brush my teeth then indulge in my Honey Nut Cornflakes, but not as an Arsenal fan.

The first thing I do is stay in bed for an extra ten minutes on Twitter checking out the latest injury news. As I do that I play a game… Who will it be this time? I almost never get it right but it’s still entertaining.

Every week it's someone new. Currently Arsenal has seven first team players sidelined to injuries according to Arsenal Report. Many have claim that this is due to the strenuous training regimes Arsene Wenger has in place. It has been reported that Wenger’s intense training methods are specifically for improving stamina in the last the minutes of games. We’ve seen it somewhat beneficial this season already with the last minute point earned in the 2-2 draw with Everton.

Yet it is also detrimental to the players, leaving them fatigued in the long run. This fatigue is what inevitably lands so many of Arsenal players in the physic room and out for long periods of time.

One player who is no longer on the treatment table is Abou Diaby after recently managing to get through 45 minutes in a reserves game against West Brom.

With the assistance of Shad Forsythe, Diaby should be able to bounce back better than ever. Hopefully he can restore the fans' faith by making up for Arsenal’s failure to sign a holding midfielder and slot neatly into the role. He’s even stated himself that every season he’s like a new signing, so maybe he is finally prepared to take on the challenge of a full Premier League campaign.

To be honest, I was hoping that we wouldn’t have so many players sidelined so early. As much as I have faith in Mr Forsythe I am still a tiny bit concerned that there are seven players out. For me the real barometer of improvement in fitness this season will be Abou Diaby. If he can sustain a full season with less time on the bench through injury then we can safely say the ‘Forsythe Era’ is underway.

Some tell me I am too quick to judge. As the famous saying goes: 'Rome wasn’t built in a day,' so perhaps my expectations are a tad premature. But football is so fast these days and waits for no one. To wait one season feels like almost an eternity these days.

I’m willing to give it time but not without the Gunners winning some silverware to prove the doubters wrong. Arsenal need to be amongst the top of the table again this season and pushing harder towards the end. Whilst at the summit they will need the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all to stay 100% fit. If that happens then Arsenal are sure to capitalise on where they failed last season.

And if you put Shad Forsythe’s wealth of experience alongside stalwart Tony Colbert then that is sure to be a formula for success for many a season to come, especially considering Forsythe spent a decade with the German’s up until their World Cup triumph, which gives me a slight feeling of optimism.

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