Technical difficulties...Last day to win a free St Michael Thomas t-shirt..

Firstly Gooner's a big welcome back, as you may have noticed there's been no new post since last week Thursday this is all due to 'technical difficulties'. Anyhow we seem to be up and running now a bit like our young 'uns. Paul Wright our roving reporter's column was due to be posted on Friday prior to our opening win of the season against northern monkeys West Brom of the Albion where Samir Nasri scored a debutante goal. Just think another ten goals from the youngster and we WILL all be thinking Alex Who? Any road up take your mind back pre-weekend and read the post below and enjoy it Gooner's, some of the content has been changed slightly just to confuse you into thinking you've just stepped out of a time machine. Please - read on.

Lightweights to win the league...

Looking at the Arsenal squad for the match played last week against FC Twente was a strange thing. Here we were playing a game, which along with the return leg back at The Grove, was worth 20 Million Euros for the winner, and we were going into it with a 17yr old debutante at the heart of our team, hoping to be dragged through by the relative experience of a 19yr old with just 23 appearances for the club. I know it's Olympic season, and the gymnasts and divers all seem to be getting younger, but this was getting ridiculous. We had 16 year old Jack Wilshere on the bench just in case one of the 'older' pro's got injured. It's just mental.

But we got through the away game, and I guess it's all experience for our kids. And we beat Steve McClaren.. and that makes me very happy indeed. They now have to come back to our place by which time we should have Cesc and Nasri back, Touré should be fit, and fingers crossed for no injuries we should spank them good and proper. Still no signings though, and with a lot of our reputed targets going and cup toeing themselves it's starting to get a bit worrying. But I'm sure Le Gaffer has a plan to bring in a 4 yr old goalkeeper from Finland and will convert him into a rugged hard tackling midfielder in the Vieira mould.

Still, the strange thing is, despite all this youth and me panicking, we're not actually doing to bad so far. We hardly struggled in pre-season and a lot of our fringe players look like they could step up, Bendtner in particular looked very impressive. And if this slightly lightweight squad can win things and force our inexperienced players to quickly gain experience, then when the likes of Rosicky and Eduardo get back, things might not look nearly so bad.

In other news our old friend Jose Moaninho has been spouting off a lot recently about us. I couldn't be bothered to read any of it to be honest - can't someone run him over repeatedly with a bus? With spikes on the tyres. Then parade his pulped head around the ground at the first game of the season. That would really make me feel a lot better about football in Europe. I'm sure the 'mind games' will begin with Sir Manure shortly too. A week before the season he always seems to decide to take a swipe at whoever is threatening him that particular week. Trouble is, until they get a translator in, nobody can understand a word he says. And while we are busily worrying about our lads, United have no Ronaldo and Rooney is off round the back of the training sheds having five quick cigarettes, and Liverpool are doing their usual trick of forgetting to score goals. We know Sp*rs will implode and Chelski.. well who knows about them. They could just as soon appoint Vladimir Putin as their new manager should 'Big Phil' not win 9 - 0 in his opening fixture. So all in all i'm quite hopeful for this season, despite the slight concerns about our squad depth.

Anyway... see y'all on the other side kids... lets get some of those Chinese synchronised divers in - they seem to know how to win stuff and if nothing else would probably win a shed load of free kicks!

Post by Paul Wright - Roving reporter

LAST DAY TO ENTER: It's up for grabs - it is now - Win a 'St Michael Thomas' t-shirt

You lucky people have the chance to win an Arsenal inspired t-shirt. We've added some new wares to the Allgoonerdup Online Shop and you can be the proud owner of this brand spanking new Michael Thomas inspired number. All you need to tell us is, what number was Michael Thomas wearing when he scored 'that' goal at Anfield in our title winning match up on 26 May 1989?

Send your answer, t-shirt size, name and postal address to: iwannafreebie@allgoonerdup.com

Competition closes Monday 18 August.

Good luck Gooners.

Girl in a shirt

Allgoonerdup is looking to give the Goonerbabe page a bit of a boost and we're going for a 'Girl in the Shirt' approach. Do you have any pictures of your girl in the shirt or girls get yourself seen on the Goonerbabe wall and send in your own pictures. Lets get this party started right. Send your pictures in and tell us your name, favourite player, favourite all time player, favourite drink and if you have anything else to declare to babe@allgoonerdup.com

Son of Allgoonerdup comments section

As well as the main site Allgoonerdup has the comments section Son of Allgoonerdup courtesy of WordPress. The stories on the main site will appear on the comments section so you Gooner's will have the pleasure to have some banter with one another and see just what the general shenanigans of the day is, let your fellow Gooner mates know about it too and lets share in all things Arsenal. You don't need to sign up, there's no long drawn out signing up process either - so jump on and have a skive when the boss isn't looking.