We go to press before the Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Ipswich. It’s strange to think that this game has come to mean as much as it does, but Arsenal’s need for a trophy, even the League Cup, is pressing, and the opportunity to win one is very much there. Let’s hope by the time you are reading this that people are trying to secure tickets to the final. If Ipswich do manage to eliminate Arsène Wenger’s team (which one hopes will see the strongest line-up he can field), well… that’s a place I don’t want to go. What does seem clear to me though is that Arsenal’s chances of further success, specifically in their quest to win the Premier League, are dependent on the manager being able to field the strongest possible line-up his squad offers as frequently as possible. The majority of Arsenal’s most disappointing displays this season have come when he has rested key men. The development of the midfield triangle of Song, Wilshere and Fabregas has slowly evolved over recent months, and looks to have clicked. There is a huge fear that the return to fitness of Abou Diaby will see him usurp Wilshere as the first choice to partner Song. Such a decision by the manager would almost certainly see the Gunners’ title chances written off at a stroke and as a consequence unleash even more ire than Arsène Wenger has already received of this season. It’s interesting how situations sometimes aid the manager to utilise quality players he might otherwise not have persevered with. The Silvinho passport situation led to the retention of Ashley Cole and his part in the success that followed. Many obviously hate the player with a vengeance now; I just see him as a fool with little between his ears whose footballing talent has given his ignorance the kind of exposure that has done him few favours. Kolo Toure was a fill-in at centre back due to injuries, that suddenly solved the problem of Martin Keown getting old and Pascal Cygan’s mediocrity. Mathieu Flamini had a marvellous season in 2007-08 due to coming into the side when Gilberto went off to the Copa America. Now we have Wilshere, who, as a result of injuries to others, has played far more first team football than Wenger would ever have contemplated, and improved the team as a result. Song, Wilshere and Fabregas have developed an understanding that has led to some authoritative displays, and dare I say it, has the ring of a very successful unit. Other factors are key to the club actually following through and delivering on promise. Djourou, Nasri, Van Persie, Sagna and (purely for the chaos he creates) Walcott must all play most matches. Critically, Wenger must have the bollocks

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to retain Szczesny as his first choice keeper. The man not only commands his area, he informs his defenders in no uncertain terms exactly what they should be doing. It warms the heart to see a keeper whose will to win is so marked in the Arsenal goal once again. Lehmann had passion (or was nuts, depending on viewpoint), but he never liked being challenged physically. Szczesny seems completely unruffled by it. It’s too simplistic to say that Arsenal’s season depends on the manager continuing to favour the club’s two most prolific tweeters, Wilshere and Szczesny, but if he goes with Diaby and Fabianski once the latter duo are fit, the man simply doesn’t know. Arsenal’s defending seems to be slowly improving, with even the odd clean sheet. This is obviously key to success. Koscielny seems less of a liability alongside Djourou, helped I am sure by their knowledge that Szczesny’s decision making is both confident and generally on the money. Faith in the guy behind you always helps defenders. By hook or by crook, Wenger has managed to find a winning formula. The recent disappoint-