They badly need Vermaelen back, without him they have no defence leader in the team, they also need back up or someone to play alongside him so that when hes injured they still have a leader back there.

They need a quick midfielder with power and the ability to tackle but to be fair Frimpong should do that job just nicely.

What they lack is that cutting edge that they had from midfield with Nas and Fab, the players they have now just dont have that ability to pick out a killer pass, or in Nasri's case just fly past the defenders.

Arsenal are offering to compensate fans who travelled to Sunday's 8-2 thrashing by Manchester United with a free ticket to a future away match.

The Gunners conceded eight goals for the first time since 1896 in the embarrassing reverse at Old Trafford.

A club statement said: "Sunday's result was obviously disappointing for everyone connected with the club.

"Our travelling fans were magnificent throughout and we want to recognise their fantastic support."

The club will be writing to fans with more details of the offer.

LOL, got to love the way they are now patronising the fans with a free away game.

Think you will find that quite a few teams Refund Supporters after a poor performance, hardly patronising, its good of them, they dont have to do it afterall, and im sure all the Arsenal Away Support will appreciate the gesture.

Not being funny but what if they decide to give City v Arsenal tickets to them and they lose 5-0.

And tbh, most fans go to watch the big games and pay extra to do so...

So if they risk giving them a big game, and they get battered again it will be negative...

And if they decide to give you Swansea away, thats not exactly what they wanted now is it.

So either way I think its tricky for the club.

Credit must go to the fans at the game though, they wern't leaving and continued singing. even when getting smashed to pieces.

Also, I think anyway watching the game live, all you could hear was the United fans "Six years and you've won frick all" as well as other belittling demoralising songs.

I think Gooners would rather just pay their money and their side win, or pay their money and Arsene use it to buy players than have a free ticket to an away game.

Suprised at them United songs Derry usually it is just anti-Liverpool song after another.

I heard "are you watching merseyside" at least 5 times, build a bombfire about 8 times, and Park, Park whereever you may be around 6 or 7.

And yeah Arsenal fans were decent, which is suprising as usually they are very quiet.

Edited at 18:26 Mon 29/08/11 (BST)

Just watched Barca hammer Villareal 5-0. They only had 1 recognised defender in Abidal, yet Villareal only had one shot on goal.

Thiago was immense, with him and Fabregas they have already got the players to replace Xavi.

Lio Messi was class as ever as well. 2 goals for him, 1 for Cesc.

His ball through for Fabregas was perfection.

Barcelona play like me of Fifa. Its just magical.

3-1-3-1-2 Formation I use, and I just spank everyone by around 6 goals and let in very few!

My bet tonight -
Southampton 2-0 up
Huddersfield were 1-0 up but its 1-1
Bournemouth were 1-0 down but now its 1-1

Cheeky treble. Win back some lost profit over the last week.

Still £2500 down due to Arteta's last minute penalty and not forgotting stokes 89th minute goal that cost me £600 the very next day!

Wahay!

Huddersfield 2-1
Bournemouth 4-1
Southampton 3-1

£137.53, thank you very much!

Tuesday night Bradford City knocked out Sheffield Wednesday in the Johnstones Paint Trophy on Penalties however.....

Owls boss Gary Megson made 3 substitutions during this match...

Nicky Weaver was replaced after 2 minutes
David Prutton was replaced after 17 minutes
Jose Semedo was replaced after 17 minutes

Under Trophy rules, participating clubs must begin each game with a minimum of six players who have made the most appearances so far this season. But Megson's substitutions mean Wednesday will avoid a potential fine of up to £5,000 for failing to field their strongest side, as per rule 7.3 of the competition. So in other words he didnt break the rules technically.... but took off 3 first team players within 20 minutes so that they would be rested haha

How crafty of Megson....

^ The Ginger Mourinho!

Comment!

Need -

Tranmere Rovers to win one bet

Walsall to let on ein and draw to win another bet

Both those results for another bet

Gillingham to win for another bet

Huddersfield for another bet

Crawley to conceed two goals for another bet (lol)

Come on! Do me proud lads!

Gilliang miss a penalty and lose to a 90th minute penalty.

Huddersfield failed to beat 10 man Oldham.

Walsall couldnt manage a home draw.

Tranmere Rovers could have went second but didnt fancy it!

You know you have been unlucky when you lay out £130 in bets and only lose £5.

Had 4/5/6folds with Southend draw, Mk Dons, Sheff Utd, Stevenage...they won but then walsall lost 1-0 when needing a draw and Tranmere drew when needed them to win.

So made £125.12 back for those four.

I dont look at it as I lost £5 though.

that's because you only lost £4.88

Smart @ss! Get your games played for Carom! You are breaking my heart!

Trying! not only my fault blame my mum for booking a holiday and eveyone else for not giving up their lives to be on at the same time as me!

Scotland 2 - 2 Czech Republic

Scotland kicking off the scoring with a nice goal from Kenny Miller for a 1-0 HT lead. Czech Republic strike back with a goal from Jaroslav Plasil to level things at 1-1 with just over 10 minutes remaining before full time. Miller then broke through a slack czech defence and passed to the captain Darren Fletcher who scored his 1st goal in 5 years and 1st goal in 30 international games to lead 2-1.

Czech republic were awarded a controversial penalty which the ref gave for tripping when instant replays show he was taken down with the gentlest of taps, which was an extremely harsh decision from the referee. Michal Kadlec smashes the penalty into the roof of the net to level things at 2-2 in the early minutes of injury. Christophe Berra for scotland was tackled dangerously in the box 2 minutes later and was booked for diving.

Scotland should've been awarded the penalty and shoulda walked away with 3 points.

He was booked because he did dive, that was never a penatly!

The other chap should have been sent of if scotlands shout wasn't a penalty...