OK, stop giggling at the back, it's impossible to write a headline about the proposed new signing without a Carry On stylee double-entendre. So back to the point. Loads has been written about who he is and why he is a good player, but what has made Arsene so interested in the guy, what will he bring to the club? One thing you can't guarantee is immediate impact. He hasn't been playing competitive football for a while now, and whilst I don't suppose a trip up north in the worst possible weather would freak someone from Russia out unduly, he's going to take a while to get up to Prem speed. If he doesn't manage to settle in as quickly as Sagna or Nasri, he is not going to show his best until the end of the season. So I don't see how he can be aiming to cover for Cesc in the immediate future.

I think we can also discount any idea that he was available at a bargain price. If we do buy him he's going to cost a record for the club.

Is Arsene finally buying a little more strength in depth? Well yes, but Arshavin has been used to being the main man, he won't be that at Arsenal whilst Cesc is still around. It's hard to tell what his temperament is really like with all the reports and counter reports flying around, but I'm guessing he isn't going to be happy sitting on the bench too much.

That means Arsene has to have some idea about how to play him in the same team as Cesc unless he is trying to cover for when Cesc is no longer around? Maybe he sees him as a Bergie style player playing off the main striker(s), but that's going to cramp Cesc's style a tad unless they get a good understanding.

It's a shedload of money to spend to prove a point, but buying a recognised star will get rid of a lot of the heat from fans and who knows, even the Board. But that would be so un-Wenger to give in you'd have to discount it.

So what does Arshavin bring to the Arsenal party? Well actually I have to say I am at a bit of a loss. Yes he is an excellent player at his best, but there are some concerns over his temperament. We can't afford another Reyes, particularly at a backs to the wall time like now. In the end I just have to figure that there are very good reasons why Arsene is manager and so many more reasons why I am not. And give him the benefit of the doubt due to his track record.

Typically ATVO is re-running some of our more significant victories against Everton. What I wouldn't give for more of the same tonight. I am sick to death of hearing the phrase 'kick-start our season' so I'm not going to use it, but a good win would do wonders for our self-belief. Trouble is, they are a different class to previous seasons and without a recognised strike force they will most likely crowd midfield. Although we are getting better at it, we still can't play well against that sort of tactic. Our main hope I think is that RVP is at his best and a couple of swivel and shots work out, or that he finally gets his range for free kicks. Wouldn't hurt if Ade finally got himself in gear either. Whilst I'm a bit happier about our resilience now, it's still going to be a tough match that we could easily lose. Obviously Cahill is going to be a big headache for a defence who don't seem to be aware of opposition players who actually run around, particularly those who are good in the air. Now if Arshavin was a big, strong centre back.....