Test 1, 2, 3

Back from the US just in time to watch Nasri and Co take apart England. Samir and Sagna both played well and more importantly went uninjured (though arseblog is cautious regarding Sagna who was subbed late in the game). Gibbs looked rusty but considering he has been out for a while that was expected. RVP played 45 minutes for the Netherlands and by all accounts did well and looks healthy. Cesc had 45 minutes of frustration as Spain got spanked by Portugal. Hopefully the bitter taste will remain and he will be fired up for Spurs, while Chamakh maintained his taste for scoring, notching another for Morocco.


All things considered, the Arsenal have weathered the storm well enough this month. The defeat to Newcastle was painful, one of those games where you watch and wait, hoping that what you are seeing is some sort of dream being played out in the dark corners of your mind. Losing in and of itself is not the problem. Playing so poorly most certainly is. The game at Everton righted so many wrongs and, combined with results for Man U and Chelsea, left the Gunners in a very healthy state.


This weekend will be difficult. Spurs are a strong side, with attacking potential and the midfield will be put to a serious test. As much as I have enjoyed watching Song getting forward, restraint will be required Saturday.




Victoria Concordia Crescit

Pain in the Ukraine

Shakhtar 2  Arsenal 1

Prior to this game I was hopeful that a lineup of new faces, or at the very least relatively old faces at new positions, might lead to a spirited performance. As the final scoreline indicates the only spirit displayed was perhaps the ghost of past away Champions League displays by Arsenal.

The early goal by Theo was lovely but disguised the fact that the team was struggling to establish their game. A combination of Arsenal miscues and Shakhtar determination dictated play and denied the Gunners their usual display of flowing football.

At home, Shakhtar were energized by their boisterous supporters and obviously anxious to redress public opinion following the previous meeting at the Emirates. Errors in judgement by Arsenal were at the root of both Shakhtar goals but it would be disingenuous to deny that skill and tenacity put the ball in the net. They tested Fabianski several more times and were unlucky not to register a third.

Arsenal looked disorganized. Wilshere had a mixed game, with good play interrupted by the occasional poor pass. His shot on goal in the second half seemed to sum up his evening. A great opportunity to equalize undone by a slip in quality.

Eastmond was disappointing. He seemed to be out of his element and the close up of he and Squillaci just before the start of the second half was telling. Squillaci appearing frustrated, almost desperate, instructing a non-responsive Eastmond.

Eboue had nothing to offer. Usually I am a fan, happy with his bursts up the field to open things up for others around him, or his ability to defend in place of Sagna. But tonight he provided neither and gave the ball away when forward and out of position when retreating.

Overall a real disappointment, and perhaps most troubling in that the performance clouds the issues regarding squad depth and positional strengths rather than clarify.

Focus on the League becomes a priority now and confidence must be regained.

Victoria Concordia Crescit

Anticipation

Over the past few years pundits, opposition managers and fans have all criticized Arsene Wenger for his decision to field "reserve" squads in the Carling Cup competition. Now, when Man U, Spurs, Chelsea and the like have all elected to follow suit, those critics have gone silent. Not the first time Wenger has been proved right, and no doubt it will not be the last. His fiscal prudence and shrewd signings of young talent are already viewed as the future of responsible football management. So tonight, when we will likely see an Arsenal squad nearly full of "first-team" players take the field against Newcastle, we should expect a backlash of criticism with claims of "bullying" or even "desperation" in pursuit of silverware.

What I do not expect is for those same critics to comprehend why it is wise to use this competition, and more specifically this game, to reintroduce players such as Bendtner, Walcott, Koscielny and Gibbs following their injury layoffs. And give valuable minutes to Djourou, Denilson and Eboue. Players who may find the opportunities for playing time more and more scarce as the season progresses.

Vela, our constant when it comes to this competition, must be viewed as the man in the middle, caught between limited first team action and the mounting pressure from, ironically, the new youngsters. It certainly helps that he seems to always wear a smile and enjoys a good relationship with the Arsenal faithful, but rumbling through the blogs is a heightened anticipation of the potential of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Henri Lansbury. Both offer what Gunner fans have been craving; talent, determination and strength. While the Mexican can not be faulted for his skill on the ball and obvious poaching ability, those are talents others also possess. To his relief, Arshavin has not been setting the world on fire this season, and Eduardo's departure reduced the numbers in his favor. To his dismay, Samir Nasri has displayed a wonderful ability to be both playmaker and goal scorer, and Chamakh the type of player opponents fear ignoring.

Wojciech Szczesny is expected to play, another highly anticipated appearance, and his burden will be to match the hype. Earlier this year he declared his ambition and frustration, and the scrutiny will be intense.

Newcastle should not be taken lightly. Knocking out Chelsea was a huge feather in their cap and they must view winning this competition a real possibility. Playing them on their home ground is never an easy task and the young Gunners must be prepared mentally. The (restrained) euphoria following our win against City will hopefully be transformed into determined confidence allowing our superior quality to triumph.

Victoria Concordia Crescit

Return to Eastlands

"27 Minutes of Brilliance"

Tomorrow sees a return to Manchester City and an opportunity to show that Arsenal are legitimate contenders for the title. Last year was memorable for two reasons, one a display of arrogance and the other a display of poor football. Adebayor revealing to the world why he was no longer wanted at the Emirates and the Gunners looking very tired indeed following an international break. Despite a solid starting lineup, the team looked sluggish and uninspired.

This year there will be no Bellamy, which pleases me no end as he is one of those players who seems to find a way to make life difficult for our back four no matter what kit he is wearing. The downside is that Man City has a revitalized Tevez and a new face in Silva. Their midfield is stronger and we have to hope that Song wears the right boots and performs in the holding role in a manner more akin to last season. His elevation from "work in progress" to solid starter last season was not due to his touch in front of goal.

Defensively City look vulnerable and, as always, an early goal would most certainly help to unsettle their game plan. Like Chelsea, they are not a team that performs well when chasing. Pace will be important on both ends. In their defeat of Chelsea they displayed the tenacity and speed we were hoping to implement at Stamford Bridge, and it will be interesting to see if that blueprint is laid out today.

A win would be superb, delicious, massively satisfying and confidence boosted to dizzying heights. A draw acceptable but perhaps only to Arsenal fans, much in the same way as the Chelsea result. One only needed to witness the transition City made as a result of their victory over Chelsea to comprehend the importance of a win over a "top four" rival. Not only in the eyes of the press and pundits, but in the minds of opposition managers and their players. And most certainly to Arsenal players, their confidence and belief reinforced.

Wilshire missing is a blow. He seems to provide an energy in the midfield that allows Fabregas time on the ball while also relieving him of the physical burden required when having to be both playmaker and midfield "disruptor". With Song needed further back, and Diaby better suited to a more forward role, the responsibility may fall to Denilson.

Cesc played well and looked fit in the Champions League victory over FC Shakhtar Donetsk but hamstring injuries are notorious for never really going away. With the right effort from those around him he will be able to play his game without requiring the performance he heroically displayed last season against Aston Villa.


"27 Minutes of Brilliance"


Victoria Concordia Crescit