The Arsenal-Mania Player of the Month: January

Things have seemed to get from bad to worse for our club as we saw the horrible form from December continue into January. We had all hoped that the New Year would bring a change in our form and our luck but it was not to be. This month saw action in the premiership, Carling Cup, FA Cup and finally the transfer window.

We started off the month and the year at home against bitter rivals Man Utd. It was a low tempered affair compared to previous seasons due mainly to the absence former club captains Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. The match ended 0-0, quite a good result for both teams however we had our chances to take all three points.

The following weekend saw us begin the defence of our FA Cup title at home to Cardiff City. The shuffled Arsenal side secured their place in the next round with a 2-1 victory thanks to two goals from Robért Píres. The draw for the next round was made days later with us being paired against bogey team Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok stadium.

The Carling Cup semi-final first leg between Wigan Athletic and us was played out on the following Tuesday. Wenger shuffled his pack again sending out many of the young lads that had gotten us this far in the first place. The gamble didn't pay off with Wigan recording a 1-0 victory to give them the advantage ahead of the second leg in two weeks time.

Middlesbrough made their way to Highbury for the last time the next Saturday and fielded a makeshift side that was well and truly punished. We absolutely thumped Boro 7-0 thanks to goals from Thierry Henry (3), Phil Senderos, Robért Píres, Gilberto and Alexander Hleb. It was a brilliant day for the club with Thierry Henry equalling Cliff Bastin's league goals record, Senderos scoring his first goal at Highbury and Hleb scoring his first Arsenal goal.

Us fans were absolutely blown away by that result, sure we had seen our team hand out large drubbings before but this time it was different. We were in a very bad run of form and thought our season was over but that result lifted our spirits just in time for them to be crushed back down as you will later find out.

Everton were our next opponents and looking at the way we played the week before we could have been forgiven for expecting a win and another 3 vital points but as I said before our renewed confidence was squashed back down with Everton recording a 1-0 win. Their goal came early on and we couldn't seem to find a way back (maybe we shouldn't have scored all 7 goals last weekend and saved some for this match). To make the day even worse Cesc Fabregas was sent off late on and was banned for our next three matches.

The second leg of our semi-final against Wigan was played out on the following Tuesday at Highbury. Wenger brought back some of the experienced players that were absent in the first leg and it looked to have paid off until the final minute of time when Wigan grabbed a valuable away goal to send us out of the cup on the away goals rule.

The following Saturday wasn't much better for our lads with yet another defeat sending us out of the FA Cup. Bolton Wanderers sealed a place in the next round with a last minute goal when it looked almost certain that a replay would have to be played.

On a brighter note, Arsène made his move in the winter transfer market buying Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott. So far we have only seen Diaby make his Arsenal debut and I was quite impressed, he looks like a good buy and also has many similarities to a certain former captain.

And that is the way the month ended, 3 victories, 1 draws and 3 defeats. January has been a very disappointing month that had its share of highs and lows. Next month we can look forward to the first leg of our Champions League Round of 16 clash with Real Madrid as well as action in the premiership as we aim for the final Champions League spot.

After thinking and discussing about all that has happened during the month the Arsenal-Mania forum users have decided that the Arsenal-Mania Player of the Month for January is Kerrea Gilbert.

Kerrea Gilbert was dumped into the first team after Cygan and Cole (again) were sidelined due to injury and has done a very good job. He looked comfortable out there against Wigan in the CC and against Bolton last Saturday. He is very quick and looks good going forward even setting up Thierry for a HEADED goal against Wigan where he also won the Arsenal-Mania MOTM award. He is a good prospect for the future and it looks as if we will see a lot more of him this season due to our defensive injury crisis.

Kerrea won the award with 67% of the votes followed by José Antonio Reyes who had 10% and both Thierry Henry and Abou Diaby who had 8% each.

Kerrea Gilbert's stats for January:
Appearances: 3
Goals: 0
A-M Man of the Match awards: Wigan Athletic

Best quotes from the POTM voters on the forum

Kerrea Gilbert for me, he's come into an Arsenal side performing under-par and looked quality.
Tegh

I gave my vote to Gilbert, he done what was asked and more after being asked to take a huge step up. Fair play to the lad.
qs

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