Would it be remiss to suggest that blood pressure levels amongst Premier League managers skyrockets during an international break? Constantly on tenterhooks praying that their key players return unscathed with a clean bill of health. It's little wonder then that Arsene Wenger will be cursing his luck after Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott returned to the Emirates Stadium carrying injuries after representing their country during the week. The potential loss of Diaby, in particular, will come as a huge blow to Wenger given the France international's excellent start to the season and rendering Alex Song a distant memory in the Gunners midfield. After six stop-start years in North London the 26-year-old was finally starting to exhibit his undoubted talent that often saw him compared to Patrick Vieira forging a superb connection with Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla in the first three games of the campaign. There is no doubt that keeping Diaby fit and flying will be key to the Gunners achieving their goals this term and proving once and for all that he has what it takes to cut the top-flight mustard.
This week on FFC how important will the Gunners' collaboration with the MLS be in years to come and which Atletico striker is Wenger keeping tabs on?
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Best of FFC
Does he really still have a future at Arsenal?
Is there anything wrong with Bacary Sagna’s comments?
An ideal partnership for Arsenal to consider?
Bould-ly going where Arsenal have never gone before?
Is Wenger Paying The Price For Their Ineptitude?
Arsene Wenger issues ultimatum
Arsenal and Spurs on £14.5m alert as contract talks stall
The Boy’s A Bit Special…Ignasi Miquel
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Best of WEB
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Pantomime Villains On The Arsenal Horizon - A Cultured Left Foot
Should Wenger stick with this youngster even when Sagna returns? - Gunnersphere
Long Live Project Youth - Online Gooner
Why Wenger should NOT send this midfield starlet out on loan this winter - Gunnersphere
Here we go again - Arseblog
Does Arsene Wenger deserve a new 4 year deal? - Le Grove
Diaby out, Theo sick & Is Sagna fearing for his place in the side? - Highbury House
Is Adrian Lopez The Missing Piece Of A North London Puzzle? - Transfer Tavern
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Quote of the Week
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"In the past I have always shown my commitment to the club, and at the moment I am not in the mood to think about the long-term future because we want to do well this season. I am an Arsenal
man and I think I have always shown that, but I have to consider whether I do well or not, and if I don't do well then I have to consider my future. I am long enough at the club to have the confidence of people I work with, but I will assess my own performances and whether I do well enough for the club. At the moment we are not there. Two years is a long time in my job, so I just want to do as well for the club as long as I can and accept all the rest." Arsene Wenger claims he could step down as Arsenal boss if he considers himself to be doing a poor job