Hull Preview & A Bit On Arshavin

Tomorrow afternoon is the game against Hull at their KC Stadium. It's a match that I'm looking forward to, despite the fact that we lost to Hull so painfully last time we faced them. But I think the tides have turned since then and we will be walking away tomorrow with all three points.

Hull have now lost four on the trot as their early season form has crumbled. All this whilst we are on a seven match unbeaten run. We have been grinding out results as of late, with the old classic of "One-nil to the Arsenal" very much being the norm. Unfortunately this has been because of a lack of creativity, but I still think we'll have enough to beat Hull tomorrow.

This lack of creativity is perhaps a bit worrying, as it has now overshadowed our defensive problems of earlier in the season. Arsene Wenger is quite right in saying that the defense has improved as indeed it has: the stats back this up. And whilst we still don't have a stellar defense it is now at least decent and capable of winning us clean sheets. No, what we need now is someone who will come in and bring that creative spark that we have been missing since the loss of both Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas to injuries.

And it would seem Arsene Wenger believes the Russian midfielder (or is he a striker?) Arshavin is the solution. I can't say I've seen to much of the lad myself, having missed Russia's knockout-stage matches during EURO 2008 and having never seen the Russian League. But he seems to be the real deal and quite capable of fitting into the side. For me he seems like a Samir Nasri, although he could also be likened to Van Persie in where on the pitch he usually plays.

If he came I think it would do a wonderful job of vitalising this stuttering attack force of ours and scoring us more goals. At the moment we just seemed starved of idea and style. Bar Robin Van Persie, no one in the present attack or midfield seems capable of that one moment of magic or that killer pass that will unlock an opponent's defense. Maybe Arshavin will provide just that and allow us to once again be incisive.

Actually, my biggest worry is where Arshavin will fit in once our four injured players have returned. He will surely cover Rosicky's place, but if the Czech ever gets fit then we have a dilemma. And of course once Fabregas's inspiration and Walcott's penetration are back in the squad, I have a very difficult time visualising where Arshaving would fit into the system. More than anything his signing, if it happens, seems like a replacement for Rosicky, who perhaps Arsene Wenger has given up on. Of course, he'll never say it, but I think that Arsene knows we may never get back the same player who was injured one year ago against Newcastle.

So we'll see how it all plays out. I wasn't overly thrilled when I hear we were after Arshavin because I couldn't see how he would add anything to the squad. But with our recent lack of creativity on the pitch, perhaps he would be the perfect tonic to our ailing attack. Maybe this, combined with our improving defense, will allow us to finally win some silverware this season. But until then the focus needs to be on immediate matters such as the trip to Hull tomorrow.

Here's hoping for a win there and maybe even the signing of Arshavin in the next few weeks. Till next time,

Fab 4