Andy Gray

What's going on with Arsenal? We've seen some pretty odd things happening in their matches this season: a loss at home to Spurs when they were ahead, Cesc Fabregas allegedly making some accusatory comments to the ref during their recent match against Everton, Abou Diaby retaliating after a heavy Joey Barton tackle and of course... the subsequent loss of a four goal lead in that very match.

I think the answer is that the pressure is starting to get to them. The pressure of not having won a trophy for more than five years. Once they win one I wouldn't be surprised to see them go on and land more silverware soon after. But, until they get over the line, I can see the players and indeed Arsene Wenger getting frustrated and allowing their emotions to get the better of them. Especially when a few things start going against them. Fabregas' reaction was a result of Louis Saha's goal standing despite the Everton man being in an off-side position and Diaby's reaction was as a result of being on the wrong end of a slightly reckless challenge.

So it's a mental thing really that could be Arsenal's undoing because they've got a fine squad at the moment crammed with classy experienced players and promising youngsters. Robin van Persie has been excellent since he returned and up to a few weeks ago (when he got injured) Samir Nasri wasn't far off being the player of the season.

What they maybe don't do as well as the likes of Manchester United is defend leads. When they're a goal up their instinct is to keep attacking and going for more. Sometimes that's going to work but on other occasions it's going to leave you exposed at the back; sometimes you need to win ugly. Just ask George Graham!

Barcelona may prove too strong in Europe and it's a four-way fight in the Premier League so you've got to say they'd have to play unbelievably well to win the title this year. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you should be backing at them at prohibitively short odds-on for the Carling Cup but I wouldn't put anyone off backing them to win the FA Cup at 5.1. It was the last competition they won and I can see them repeating the feat this year.

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