It’s the eve of the Hamburg game, and some interesting soundbites from the ever-soundbiteable Wenger.

“When you are more experienced you are more consistent. That’s what we are missing at the moment” he is quoted as saying in Middle England’s favourite rag.

So, you’d think it was a tacit admission that this team – who the boss believes in so much (he uses the word ‘potential’ about ten times every interview), is not yet there, wouldn’t you?

But not a bit of it – Wenger’s not giving up, and I suppose, we’d be concerned if he did. “It’s not impossible,” he said. “We just have to fight to win the next game and see where that takes us. If players want to play regularly for Arsenal and they give up when we are still in November, there is just no point in any of us being here. Other teams can slip up as well.”

Team news for tomorrow’s game is mixed, but not too bad all things considered. Buffalo Bill Gallas tweaked something in training, which opens the door to either Phil Senderos or Jo Djourou – hardly a crisis as it’s one position we’re well covered in.

And we have both Gilberto and Ljungberg available, with van Persie possibly not as crocked as first feared either.

Suffice to say, it would be nice not to let in a Hackney Marshes goal again tomorrow.

Nothing but a win will do.