The kids are alright

Two goals from perennial underachiever Jeremie Aliadiere sealed a solid win in a tricky away to to the Baggies, who have been in storming form since their managerial shift around, and sees Arsene's second string through to the next round of the league cup. As I didn't see the game here's a decent report in the Guardian, although they seem to think Armand Traore is a striker.

I do like seeing big Phil in that number 6 shirt.

By all accounts we played well, and the kids tried to emulate their older peers by playing sweeping, passing football which is great so see. Wenger's footballing philosophy is not restricted to the first XI, and if any youth player wants to get into that starting line up they know the way that they have to play to get there.

Footage of the goals below. I particularly like Aliadiere's turn whilst he's on the left wing before he bursts into the box to win the penalty.



In YAMA's patented loan watch, both Nicklas Bendtner and Seb Larsson got on the score sheet to hand under pressure Blues boss Steve Bruce a welcome win over Premiership strugglers Sheffield United. Any fixture which results in Neil Warnock getting stuffed 4-2 is fine by me.

In other news King Kolo has signed a new "long term" contract and I'm pleased as punch. Kolo is without doubt in my top three favourite players at Arsenal at the moment, his infectious enthusiasm, determination, high level of ability and all around top bloke-ness makes him such an asset to the club and long may he remain in the red half of north London.

And lastly Arsene is obviously a big YAMA fan, as he's come out and said he plans on playing Theo on the wings for the next couple of season until he develops a little more, as I've been banging on about for a while. Personally I think he needs to develop quite a lot more physically before he'll be able to ride the kicks and heavy challenges of the Premiership. Yes he's rapid, yes he may even be quicker than Thierry, but everyone forgets that Thierry's 6"1 and bloody strong.