The summer transfer window dealings had a much better impact than I expected. I thought back on all the transfers made and I just realised Arsenal signed their first striker since Adebayor way back in 2006. It has taken sometime to fine-tune this team and Arsenal supporters have gone through very painful trial and error lessons of sub-par players. It was not a very impressive lineup of signings to start with but the impact has already been felt.
Arsenal can no longer hold on to mediocre players and this transfer window we got rid of most of the underperforming players. Players like Gallas, Silvestre, Campbell and Senderos who are either way past their prime or who simply aren't good enough have been 'weeded out'. They've given some exceptional performances during their time but their consistency were lacking and it has cost us on many occasions. And now we got Koscielny and Squillaci. Straight into the frame of the first team against Braga. One has CL experience with Sevilla and the other is making his CL debut. It wasn't the toughest test we could expect but not to concede a goal was a step in progress. The defence hasn't settled really well yet as a whole, but I would expect things to only get better. When Vermaelen returns, he can partner either one of them. Koscielny has made a few errors, although it hasn't cost us points, I could already see him improving by the week. He has moved to the toughest league in football and for his level of adaptation at this point I'm quite satisfied.
We played without Van Persie, Bendtner, Diaby or Walcott yesterday. But we lacked no firepower really, Fabregas, Nasri, Chamakh and Arshavin combined was so lethal we could compete with any top team. For Arsenal to have the whole team back and not achieving anything this season really makes no sense to me. There's enough talent in this team for sure.
Notables. Fabregas was a big notable yesterday. He probably played his best game this season.I'm really glad the patient buildup towards full fitness has gone well. He was such a maestro in the game, he showed the world once again what an extraordinary player he is. I don't want to be thinking whether his days are numbered. To see him playing at such a level in an Arsenal shirt is one of the most pleasing things I could watch today. His passing, vision and control in the game was something very rare in today's game. The Catalans are finding more reason to get their hands on him and the Arsenal board are probably thinking every day how is this 'fairytale' going to last. To me it is unreal he actually stayed, I anticipated disaster, considering his heart was already back in Catalunya, I thought it was more likely he didn't stay.
Seeing this
and this
That happiness in my heart was indescribable. Having Cesc playing for Arsenal is something you cannot put a any dollar amount on. For him to stay on and still play at his best will earn him lots of respect from the fans.
Another few notables are Jack Wilshere and Alex Song. A few people realise Jack made it into the Arsenal first team at the age of 16. It was definitely for a reason, he is really talented. Still a lot of learning to go but he is making the starting line in CL, that is quite a statement. That incredibly instinctive flick/pass to Chamakh just made me watch in awe. He plays very similar to the departed Fran Merida, and I am feeling a lot better now.
Alex Song was a master in midfield in the match and over the weekend against Bolton. The 2.5m signing from Bastia 4 years ago is showing the exactly why his move was made permanent after a loan. Possession wise he was just superb, it was exactly what you would have expected from a defensive midfield. Feeling better without Flamini, yea...
And also, Chamakh who continues his scoring streak. First goal by his foot? Haha, a stat there.Played in the CL last season and was in familiar territory. Showed his athletic abilities and his mould into to Arsenal style is almost in place.
Good start again this season...I'm not looking very far but I am expecting a lot more this season.
~deyao~
