I hate to be the gloomy, rain-on-the-parade sort, you will excuse me if I blame it on living in a part of my country which is known for, historically, gloomy weather and raining on parades (and pretty much everything else).

I am desperately trying to convince myself that Arsenal, as a club, have turned a corner. Recent history suggests that the string of positive results the Gunners have put together is just setting us up for certain humiliation, ensuring that the same tiredly-repetitive questions will be asked at least once more by the media.

Like a rider who has been thrown off the horse and kicked in the teeth, I find myself hesitant to jump back on. Sunday’s match with Stoke will be massive, there’s no doubt. Every match is massive when your club is on the brink of a meltdown, as Arsene Wenger revealed to be the case this summer.

After reading about players queuing up to leave when Cesc and Nasri departed, it almost seems a miracle we are where we are now! Expectations and concerns put aside for the moment, Arsenal’s worst start in 30-odd years is a bit easier to digest when you realize the last 9 months may have been one of worst stretches in the club’s 125-year history.

If this anniversary season should remind us of anything, it’s that we love this club, not for the trophies or flash, we love it because it is ARSENAL.

Stoke City, on the other hand, have become media darlings over the summer. Amazing what a little investment, and the first timid steps out of the primordial ooze of self-imposed rugby/football-hybrid hell can do for a club’s image, at least in the eyes of the English media.

When did Tony Pulis suddenly become a footballing purist and a pioneer of the modern game? I must have missed that memo. And it really is too bad that poor Ryan Shawcross had to suffer, being vilified for something that was obviously not his fault. It’s pretty clear, in hindsight, he got the worst of THAT situation, didn’t he?

Anyhow, now that my sarcastic rant on Stoke City is over, I will say that if there ever was a time to play them, it’s probably now. Both clubs are coming off European ties in midweek, but despite an ever-growing injury list (seriously, does anyone at Arsenal ever get better?), I still have to think that Arsenal are better prepared for the short layoff. Stoke are following the tradition of European nights leading to domestic hangovers.

Arsenal are also doing well at home, and are bolstered by that massive win in France. Three points will ensure we keep climbing the table, and hopefully allow me a little ray of sunshine in the midst of Seattle’s cloud and rain-filled October.

In other news, Vermaelen and (am I reading this correctly?) Diaby have both resumed training, and Arsene Wenger said he expects them to be back within the next two weeks or so. It will be interesting to see how quickly they are brought back, and how much of an impact Diaby especially can have.

The midfield has been struggling to find it’s form since the beginning of the season, hopefully Diaby can stick around long enough to have an impact.

And finally, a few transfer rumors to get you in the mood for the upcoming holiday season. To the relief of everyone, a certain Arsenal striker has pledged that he has no intention of leaving the club. Yes, it’s true, you can all sleep soundly this evening knowing that Marouane Chamakh has no intention of looking elsewhere.

Sky Sports reported Chamakh’s agent issued the following statement: “The news about Marouane and Roma is absolutely unfounded. My client is happy at Arsenal and will remain here. There is no doubt.”

In other, less joyous transfer news, rumor has it that OSC Lille have slapped a £40m price tag on their young starlet, Eden Hazard. With Clubs like Real Madrid beginning to sniff around this hot prospect, the window for Arsenal to compete for the young Belgian’s signature is quickly closing.