A Champion League material, finally?

Emerging from a relatively easy group as the clear no.1, outplaying the then on form Real Madrid and now, outplaying the Serie A leader in the first leg of quaterfinal- Suddenly everyone begin to believe that Arsenal have what it takes to go all the way and do a 'Liverpool' this year.

In previous years, Arsenal would usually drop points during the group phase no matter how 'easy' the group was. We would sometimes have to wait till the last group game was played to know whether we qualified. We would enjoy some glorious months where we found ourselves sitting on the top or second place of the Premiership table, with prospect of winning League Cup, FA Cup, and CL. Everything were great.

Then February would come, fixtures started piling up and Wenger would start complaining while losing points here and there. And come the end of March we would find ourselves so expectedly kicked out of the CL for various reasons. The press would come up with those familiar stories of how Arsenal were looking like a totally different team in the CL. And by then the least prioritized League Cup would have been out of picture as well.

But this season everything was different. We never had such glorious moments but for the first month of the season. We are getting ourselves used to checking out on Bolton, Blackburn, and Spurs' result. We have neither League Cup nor FA Cup to fight for. But hey, are we not over the moon at the moment? Had there been any season in the last 9 years which equal this one in terms of the emotion and excitement that it brings?

The calculative Wenger suddenly turned adventurous. He sold his captain before finding a replacement. He could have bought an emergency leftback during the January transfer window but no, he threw Flamini in. He started believing in the need of strong forward and bought Adebayor. The worshipper of 4-4-2 formation has suddenly turned to 4-5-1 for numerous times this season.

Many of us criticised Wenger's negative approach. I remember how I criticised our performance against Spurs, playing without any players in the final third of the pitch for the entire first half. But the 4-5-1 has slowly evolved. I don't know how Wenger did it but suddenty the 4-5-1 was no longer negative. They suddenly defend and attack like waves. When Juve had the ball, no longer did our players look like some headless chickens running here and there, chasing the opponents. They tracked back with discipline and the backfour were so calm that they could almost always read Juve's intention. Who teach them all that?!This team have and are still evolving.

Myles Palmer compares our current team with the 1998 one (quoted from www.arsenalnewsreview.co.uk):
"This team can dominate a game with sheer running power, as the Petit-Parlour-Overmars team did in 1998.But this team's passing style is more intricate, less dynamic, than eight years ago. They cannot win the ball early in the same way, but they have more variation, more angles."

I have to agree. Completely.

This explains our good form in the CL this season. We had players such as Petit, Parlour and PV in the past. Players who could break up play and carry the ball forwards. The 1998 Arsenal played with power and pace. Awesome. But in the CL they were often outplayed by continental teams who play with well planned tactic and better techique. Teams who attack with purpose. Teams who let you come at them and then make interception at the most critical moments.

Fast forward 2005. Arsenal now have Pires, Henry, Cesc, Gilberto, Reyes, and Hleb. They are players capable of playing continental football. But they still fail in the CL. Why? Because they are a young side. Bayern were not much better but Bayern knew how to exploit our inexperience.

Added to that, this young gifted side also suffer in the league. Teams know that we dislike physical games. They play rough. Wenger complain, we complain. But we have to thank those teams. Yes, we have to thank Bolton and Blackburn.

They complete us.

We were times and again bullied out of the park but his young team refused to give up. They knew they were superior technically. They only had to mix that with some physical approach. Players such as Cesc and Reyes were nurtured in the more technical Spanish football world. It was never easy to accept the fact that they have to get used to being kicked every week. But they persevered. And they reap the reward.

Real had expected that it was the case of your players technique against our plyayers technique. They could not have guessed that we would challenge for every ball. We close them down all the time and once we got the ball, we turn into the technical Arsenal with our crisp passing and movement.

The old galacticos couldn't play that way. They were either too 'elegant' or too fat to do that.

Juventus suffered the same fate in the first leg. PV couldn't believe his eyes when he fell and realized that Pires has just robbed him. The Robert Pires he knew couldn't do that. Even Pires was surprised with himself. The gutso young players have rekindled the flame in our senior players' heart. That long lost passion. For once he forgot about his contract. He only knew that this was the kind of match footballers live for. The fourth muskeeter was back for the night.

I personally enjoyed watching Eboue's battle with Mutu. The young Ivorian silenced Mutu all night. They are so used to the bullish Bolton and Blackburn that Juventus pale in comparison.

And here comes the final key. Cesc Fabregas. He makes our passing and movement intricate. Always involved in every attack, he was often like someone who plays the console football game. He seems to have that bird eye view of the pitch in his head. He has also learned to control his temper. He knows that he has become our midfield pivot. Great boy, great professional.

We have finally got it. Personnel-wise we are still somewhat lacking. We have so far made up for that with determination. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't win the CL this season. But the fact that no one would be surprised should we win it says a lot.

Nedved said that he believed Juve's CL campaign is over. Don't believe that. The Turin club are not called Old Lady for no reason. Anything could happen. Even if we beat Juve, we still have three games to go in order to do a Liverpool. Let's not expect too much. We know that this team have gone beyond our wildest expectation this season. They have made us proud to call ourselves gooner.

I can't believe how hardworking I was yesterday. My boss should really pray for Arsenal to win the CL. I could probably work overtime for one week if that happens.

Arsenal 2 - 0 Juventus

What can I say? Arsene said last year that "this young team will surprise you". Up until yesterday, I always considered that as something he said out of faith rather than fact.

I was thrilled when we won against Real but I maintained that this young side wouldn't have done so well against a more compact and disciplined teams such as.. Juventus. In Capello, they had one of the very best tacticians in the game. They know how to grind results and they are efficient.

But last night? I was totally dumbfounded. This young team surprised me, big time!

You sense the fear in those black and white army. THIS JUVENTUS TEAM, CONSISTING OF PLAYERS WHO HAVE SEEN ALL, FEAR THIS ARSENAL SIDE. Yes we had quite a good history against Juve but I am sure that was not the reason. These old veterans had fear for our young side simply because we were playing against them without fear.

How could players such as Flamini, Eboue, Senderos and Cesc play without fear against them?
Camoranesi probably never heard of Flamini two months ago. Mutu probably never knew about Eboue as well.
Makeshift defense? what makeshift? This is our best defense line this season. They have surpassed all expectation, so much so that you could hardly miss Campbell, Lauren, and to certain extent, Cole.

I predicted that Juve would be able to force Arsenal into playing their cautious game. I was wrong. Horribly wrong. We forced them into catching up with us instead. The Juve side who have played on Saturday were slowly exhausting themselves in the process.

Although, as Capello said, that was not the reason why they lost. Gut and determination were the reason. The gut you never expect would come from Pires as he dispossessed his ex-captain, passed it to Henry who in turn fed Cesc who didn't even notice that he was up against the great Thuram. One twist, one shot, and Highbury went crazy.

Pires has got his fair share of criticism this season but he proved last night that he was still the Pires who was always up for such big games. He did very well to compensate for the loss of Ljungberg. Partly I believe he was motivated by this little 18 years old Spaniard who played with such determination.

Cesc Fabregas is one of the major driving forces who carry the team forward. Liam Brady said that he has always been the brain of the team. More than that, he has been the heart of the team. Heck we should have got him under contract till 2020!

Reyes, though not as spectacular, was hugely impressive, playing the way he did against Real. I said that Camoranesi would be a great threat down the flank. Again I was proven wrong. He was under great threat instead. He even got himself a second yellow for a foul on van Persie later on. I don't know when Reyes would start scoring but his spirit and hardwork alone are good enough for me at the moment.

Kolo's pace, as I said, was essential as he times and again denied Juve's attempt to score. Senderos was equally solid and overall the defense was magnificent.

This Arsenal side, they are different from the one which played against Real. They have grown in such a short space of time. The joy of witnessing how fast a child can pick up language.. can you see the similarity? This young side learn fast. They are willing to learn from mistakes and change.

I don't know how the Turin game would turn out. It is in our hands now but everything is possible in football. I don't want to talk about it now. Let's savour the great moment and that's it. Players such as Eboue, Senderos, Flamini, Cesc, Reyes, Hleb, and van Persie- they will be the first generation of the new stadium era. Three years down the road, they will be the backbone of the team.

I have not talked about PV so far. There were so many things in the game that seem to underline the fact that we have really moved on. It's sad that he was booed. I believe he was hurting. Yes many footballers nowadays are playing for money and fame. But PV is different. He might have looked cold during the press conference but you can't expect him to be in tears right? He has to look strong even if he is in turmoil. When his contract with Juve ends I would love to see him return to his spiritual home, the way Brady did, and get involved in coaching. Cesc is a prodigy but PV is a legend. Cesc is a Catalan but PV is a GOONER.

I wish him many great perfomances with Juve ahead (as long as it is not against us).

Bolton, Juve, and PV

I don't usually comment much on other club's match but Bolton are gaining my attention lately. Point-wise, they can potentially be more dangerous than Spurs in the competition for 4th place. I said yesterday that our match postphonement could work for us because, and this is only my stupid psychology theory, they would go into the Boro game getting all excited that a win would see them climb above us with a game in hand. They unintentionally created a pressure to themselves. Had we played Porsmouth and won, things would be different.

But of course that was my baseless theory that I create for fun, and of course as I said yesterday, we can only tell whether indeed the postphoned match work for or against us after all the "Ifs" are fulfilled.

The first "If" would be "if we prevail in tomorrow's match". Nedved and Camoranesi are two players who can hurt us seriously considering we are playing with makeshift fullback. But Nedved was suspended. He may be the more dangerous of the two but I somewhat wish that Camoranesi, who operates on the right flank, is the one who won't play tomorrow. It is no secret that Flamini-Senderos partnership is much much weaker than Eboue-Toure's. Camoranesi is an experienced and skillful player who knows exactly how to handle inexperienced defenders. Flamini will need to stay back and mark Camoranesi closely for 90 minutes. In fact we will need the left winger to help out the defense.

This is not to say that Juventus' left wing can be totally abandoned due to Nedved's absence. I have not watched Juventus for a long time and correct me if I am wrong, but do they not have Ruben Oliviera? A young Uruguay midfielder who I once hoped we would buy. Wenger would love him.

In the wake of the clash, PV explained that he was not at his best during the last few seasons at Highbury due to the lack of "hunger" and "winning mentality" within the Arsenal camp, something which he finally found in Juventus. How he remained not at his best and even considered Juventus' weak link by some despite the "hunger" is beyond me.

Admittedly, he may have read Wenger's remark on him being past his best and now our ex-captain is trying to restore some pride. Fair enough. Everyone are free to say what they want but in the end the result of tomorrow's match and the April 5th's second leg is the one thing that matters.

The Granted Wish

I said that I wish we don't have to play Cesc for 90 minutes against Porsmouth and guess what, it was granted. The match was postphoned. And well, depending on many "Ifs", this could well be one of the most critical events to ever take place for us this season.

If the extra freshness after resting for more than one week proves good enough to win us the Tuesday's match..

This could also proves crucial in our race for 4th spot if you really think about it.

Let's wait and see.

Wenger the Tactician

So Wenger has finally revealed his true feeling regarding the decision of selling PV. He said:
"It is always difficult to tell a player he is no longer wanted when you have been in battle together and given everything together."

So you would expect PV to be extra motivated when he comes to play against us. You can only hope that Gilberto is good enough to handle his ex partner.

The Juventus game will be very interesting. I feel that both teams will be playing cautiously, trying to exploit the opposition's mistakes.

Trezeguet and Ibrahimovic are no Drobga but they will nonetheless pose serious physical threat with their size. With Sol not playing against Porsmouth, Wenger would logically play Senderos. While Senderos is quite good against aerial attack, he must remain alert for the whole 90 minutes. Both strikers are extremely dangerous once they got inside the box. You can't even allow then half the chance. They are no Peter Crouch. Kolo's pace will be essential. I am afraid we will have to endure some last ditch tackles and desperate clearances from our young back four.

This is the kind of game that requires Wenger's tactical ability to bring us through.

Ljungberg won't play against Porsmouth so there is chance he will play against Juventus and, fingers crossed, score against them one more time! This is probably the best time for our Super Swede to break the duck. His presence will be massive against the Italian. I would expect him starting in the left with Hleb taking the right wing position.

We will be missing Henry's partnership with Adebayor but probably van Persie will take the chance to prove that he is more than a match for the Togolese. Competition is always good.

I have concerns for Cesc though. I will hope that we don't need to play him for 90 minutes tomorrow. He needs to be at his best physically and mentally against Juve. His passing can be the key to our attack.

So I will hope the formation to be this way (R to L):
The back four will remain the same, i.e: Eboue, Kolo, Senderos, Flamini.
The midfield will be: Hleb, Gilberto, Cesc, Ljungberg.
And van Persie partners Henry upfront.

Of course Wenger may well start with his now preferred 4-5-1 formation. But Juve is not Real. Their players are capable of sending out quality long balls if they are given room. They don't need to go through our midfield barrier to launch an attack. We must pressurise them from the front (if only Adebayor can play). We must make use of Highbury's narrow space to force them into making mistake and counter attack.

And therefore, we need van Persie and Henry to be aggresive and alert upfront. van Persie, the king of cage, is often amazing playing in narrow space.

If it remains 0-0 for the first 45 minutes then we can probably send in Reyes to replace Ljungberg. The Spaniard at his best may just be the right player to change the game. But I would still favor Ljungberg to start if he is fit.

As for tomorrow's game, I will expect us to win. Not because Porsmouth is not good enough, but Arsenal are not in the position to let any point slip off their hands. We just have to win each and every remaining league game.

Adebayor will score again tomorrow! Well, I hope so.

Players Here and There

Sometimes ago, I was amused upon reading the news that Wenger was targeting a Greek striker called Samaras. I thought he was quite handsome but seriously, can Greece ever produce a quality striker?
Now that he is scoring goals for Man City, I must admit that he is indeed a quality player. The one that got away.

But of course we bought Adebayor instead. He hasn't won me over, but if he keeps on scoring such un-Wenger goals for us, I must say that he can turn out to be the missing piece we long for.

With regards to Spurs' form, I believe Edgar Davids is the one player that makes the difference for them. His existence raises their standard. Another person who has been instrumental for them is Michael Carrick. Another player we could have bought.

Now that Chelsea have stocked their midfield with so many players, we should have no problem in pursuing midfielders on the next transfer window. Didier Zokora and Javier Mascherano are both linked with us in the past. I rate both players.

As for our ongoing transfer target, Yobo's name has been added to the list recently. Yobo was, few seasons ago, one of the best defenders in Premiership. This season he lost his place to senior defender as Everton seeks stability. Yobo is typically athletic. Most African defenders are. But he, in my opinion, is somewhat erratic. Why not get Yaya Toure instead? I am sure the lad can play as centreback. For the reported 6 million fee, I think we can even get Milito. Is Mexes available by the way?

What I know for sure is that Senderos is not ready. If Sol Campbell fails to bounce back and perform, we really need a strong and experienced defender come next season.

What about keeper? I can't really think of anyone who is better than Lehmann at the moment. Shay Given is top quality but he is not available.

Anyway, our reserve won 2-0 against Charlton with Theo Walcott scoring the first goal. I can't wait to see him playing.

Arsenal 3 - 0 Charlton

TH has this to say when asked about our performance:

"I don't know about that because in the second half we forgot the basics of the game. When you play football you have to pass the ball and try to put in the other guy who is in a better position rather than try to go on your own all the time. So the second half was pretty boring. I don't evven know if we put them under trouble. Whether it's 1-0. 3-0 or 6-0 we should still respect the game and then the game will give you something back. If you don't release the ball early for the striker to try to cross the ball back for the midfielder coming in, then it's more difficult to score. When we were 3-0 up we stopped doing it. Why change?"

While the score was convincing, I thought the game was indeed pretty boring at times. Charlton were not posing any real threat and as Wenger said, it was too easy in a way.

On Hleb, who was the man of the match, he said:
"He's on fire. It takes time to get used to the English game, he had an injury, then he came back and wasn't really playing, the team wasn't playing so good. What I like about him is that he is always turning, going forward and always have a go at the left back and willing to attack. That is what defenders hate the most."

I thought Pires was slightly better this time and he even scored a goal. Rumour has it that he will move to Ibrox this summer. If he does, I can only wish him all the best, and thank him for the great moment he has given us. To me, Robert Pires will always be one of the finest players Arsenal have ever had.

The Adebayor goal- The way he held off the defender as he took the ball. Was it my stupid imagination or did he actually resembled Drogba somewhat? Anyway.. three goals out of seven games played, and some wasted golden chances.. we've got our Andy Cole? It's too early to judge the player. Let's see how he turns out next season.

Glad to see van Persie returning to the team. His touch was still a bit rusty but he will get better. It will be a headache for Wenger, Adebayor's physical presence or van Persie's finishing?

On Thierry Henry

Yes.. after PV is gone now it's TH's turn. I never like to speculate on whether he is going to stay or not. Actually, I don't think he would leave. But for the sake of keeping my mind busy, I'd love to look at this news saying that Wenger would sign Fernando Torres if Henry were to leave.

I believe that won't work.

At least for the first season after Henry leaves, it won't work.

This team has been counting on Vieira to win the ball and Henry to score, we have been doing this for years. That's why it takes so long for us to rediscover our form this season. But we are still up there because we still got Henry. His presence alone is enough to keep the opponents from going all out against us. In this season where some of our most experienced players fail to perform, Henry's ever presence has been vital. He had bad games as usual but he won us points as well.

There are parts of Henry which I don't like, his attitude towards teammates for example. Or his tendency to lose interest in certain games. I know that it is a trait you often find in brilliant people. Still I wish he can change that habit.

But there is one thing about him that I have to admit we can't do without. Where else can you find such a fit striker? Playing in almost all games and very very seldom substituted. His luck with injury has also been quite good. And this is not the typical striker that just sit and wait for chance. He may not be always running about the way Reyes does but when he does, he pulls no break.

This is one aspect where you just can't replace easily. Torres won't be able to take on that responsibility. He has no idea how teams in the Premiership play and he won't survive the first 6 months uninjured should he play week in week out.

This is not to say that Torres is not good enough. He may be a better finisher in fact. But Henry is not only about finishing. It will take some time for Torres or anyone you can name to take over Henry's role in this Arsenal team. And the only way he can ever grasp the idea is by playing alongside the maestro.

Yes. Torres should be bought to play with Henry. Only then would we know whether he can replace Henry or not. Reyes, van Persie, and I dare to say, Adebayor, are not the ones with the right material to replace Henry. Excluding the impossible such as Ronaldinho and Rooney, I believe Torres and probably Tevez are the only two I know who may fit the bill. I am sure there would be someone else who I fail to remember.

You don't sell your best player without knowing whether you have the right person to replace him. If we were to do the same mistake again, we will certainly suffer a more serious setback next season.

But of course I didn't factor in Wenger's ability to turn things around. He has always been very good with that.

I Love Gerrard

Arsenal Muse had just mentioned the Liverpool captain in his post and I just want to say this one more time. Steven Gerrard is one of the greatest players I have seen playing ever since I started watching football.

Yes he doesn't have Zidane's skill, or Vieira's power. But he has that kind of driving force that is capable of lifting the whole team. His technique is of course, nearly flawless. I said that I would pick him over Beckham anytime. In fact I would also pick him over Lampard or even Rooney. But that is unlikely to happen because he is really, really, the one player that Liverpool should never part with no matter what.

Liverpool's fans deserve to be proud of having such a captain. The fact that he was the product of Liverpool academy (wasn't he?) makes it even more meaningful.

Please Gerrard, I would love to see you continue on playing for your beloved club but if you ever contemplate on moving, don't ever ever go to Chelsea. You will be wasted there. Let Ballack go there. Better still, come to us =)

Arsenal 2 -1 Liverpool

It was the nine times European champion few days ago and yesterday, it was the five times European champion. Things do look good at the moment but here comes the most important part of the season. Let's pray that Arsene and his boys can give their 100% focus right to the end.

We totally deserved the three points last night. I sincerely hope that van Persie is back with the team. We wasted so many chances. But then Adebayor's physical presence was important too. The problem with the Togolese is that he just doesn't have what it takes to convert the chances.

Rafa Benitez criticized the ref for Alonso's second yellow and I can only say that his other unpunished foul has earned them the goal so at least it wasn't too bad.

As for Steven Gerrard, I think we should symphatize with him. He is a great and honest player. He was the first to admit his mistake and the fact that they didn't deserve to win. His thunderous shot that opened the chance for Garcia to score almost earned them 1 point. I know our fans were mocking him with that "One Steven Gerrard" after his dissasterous backpass but really, there isn't many players who has such a big heart like his. I will take Gerrard over Beckham anytime.

Anyway, it seems that the Beckham to Arsenal story is picking up. Initially I didn't think that would happen but probably I was wrong. I would rather Wenger getting younger and faster wingers but as many have said, Beckham is probably still the best passer of the ball at the moment. So I can't really oppose the idea, can I?

Now let's get back to our players' performance.

The first person that comes to mind is Flamini. He was massive last night! He was rarely beaten and he closed down very well.
Hleb was again industrious and Cesc.. well.. his passings were simply top notch. His assist for Henry left me breathless.

Which makes GIlberto looks much worse. This guy is just horrible when it comes to passing the ball. He earned is credit though by making some important interceptions and helping out the back four to close down the gaps. He also made some useful tactical fouls.

As for Pires, he is still good at making attacking runs but he was totally useless (or not interested) in defending. Did he not say that he wants to learn to defend? He can learn from Hleb.

Lehmann and the rest of the back four was doing well. Adebayor was working hard and Henry was taking the game seriously and his luck was extremely good. I couldn't believe my eyes when Gerrard made that backpass and Henry snatched it. Amazing. Bergkamp came on for Adebayor but didn't do much and his touches was quite poor by his standard.

I remember Pardew was complaining about our lack of Englishmen so I hope he watched the game last night and caught the appearance of two Englishmen who supposedly play in the first team. One was injured and the other one was even worse, injured and brokenhearted.

In the end it was a well-deserved three points then. Great job gunners!

My Thougt On..

Jens Lehmann

I was among those who strongly criticized the German few seasons back. I was never convinced by his tendency to rush off his line and his temperament was not what you'd like to see in a keeper. But I always remember that David Seaman once said that 'Lehmann is a bloody good keeper'. I also remember how Lehmann was once interviewed and asked what he considered as his weakness. He typically answered 'Weakness? No. I don't think I have any weakness. I just have to perform'. Well not the exact words but something along that line.

And this is the season where he has proven his remarks. He had no significant weakness. He made many costly mistakes in the past and that was because he couldn't find the right motivation for him to concentrate fully and perform. This season he had found the right motivation, the World Cup. We benefit from his competition with Kahn. This is the season where the German proves that he is the worthy successor of Big Dave's gloves. But can he still perform at such level after the World Cup?

Mathieu Flamini

Not once but twice he managed to survive the Real's 90 minutes attack. I always considered him as the jack of all trade who is probably decent enough to play in various positions. But all the same time I thought he lacks mastery in any particular aspect or skill. The only thing I couldn't have predicted was how much determination this kid had in him.

He put all his heart into his game. It doesn't seem to bother him how he was played out of position. Nor does it concern him that he won't be playing there anymore the moment Cole and Clichy recovers. He was like an elite soldier who only cares to get his tasks done. A humble soldier. He makes mistakes now and then but how could you even blame him when he gives his everything week in week out? A real gem.

Alexander Hleb

I had said much about him in my post few weeks ago. I am not the best of judge when it comes to player's potential but I always believed that Hleb will be awesome the moment Wenger find the right way to play him, and play him often. The Belarussian has got his confidence back now and began to show us what a great midfielder he is.

Of course he still has problem in scoring and I have to say that I don't think he will ever turn into a goalscoring midfielder. Not that it should hinder us from playing him. All we need is a striker with first class instinct (what we thought Jeffers would turn out to be) to play with him. Maybe van Persie can be that person. Or Lupoli. But Adebayor certainly isn't one.

Hleb's main asset is his ability to tackle, hold up ball, and dribble extremely well. His problem apart from scoring is his tendency to make difficult passes which often don't come off. He has a good vision though.

Freddie Ljungberg

Another person who I mistakenly judge. I never knew he could play in a different role that well. I thought his asset has solely been his run into the box and his fine finishing. Now that he plays this well in the centre midfield, I can only conclude that determination can indeed do wonder.

Wenger should fill his squad with these type of players. At the moment, he has Toure, Flamini, Cesc, and Ljungberg who show that kind of determination consistently.

Arsenal 0 - 0 Real Madrid

Urm.. er.. what can I say? There are times when words are just not good enough. The way they defended, the way Lehmann played, the way the football was played. It was all Wenger could ever ask for. As for us, the fans, it was simply heroic. Into the last eight!

Fulham 0 - 4 Arsenal

It could have been 7 or 8 and Chris Coleman had his goalkeeper to thank for the scoreline. Such was Arsenal's dominance. Fulham was missing their holding midfielder Diop badly. They are a good side but they conceded 4 goals for the second time this season against us. Does that mean Bolton, Blackburn, and Newcastle are far superior? Or does that mean Arsenal have improved significantly? I think it just means that no matter who you are, once you allow Arsenal to play you are going to be in trouble, a big one.

Nonetheless, I thank Chris Coleman to let us play (finally, some proper football for Arsenal in EPL), and my salute to Fulham fans who applauded Henry as he was substituted.

The first goal was interesting because Henry usually would aim low at the farpost. The keeper anticipated that pattern and went down fast, too fast. Henry's reaction was at his best though as he hit the ball high with his left foot. Nice one.

The Adebayor goal was ordinary but the through pass that Ljungberg unleashed was perfectly measured. The Fulham game indicated one thing with regards to Adebayor; he is not a goalscoring machine. Our best finisher in the first team may still be van Persie. I would love to see Lupoli in action though.

The 4th goal was my favorite. It was such a team goal. Flamini, as my brother put it, did a Cole by making that crucial run as probably every Fulham defender's attention were fixed to Ljungberg. Admittedly, I was a bit unsure when Flamini took the ball. I totally forgot how he had made such assist from the right flank before. He did it again this time as his low cross went pass Reyes and found Cesc who tricked Warner into the wrong way as he buried the ball into the left corner. Now Adebayor better learn from that Spaniard. It was really kind of embarassing the way Adebayor missed his chance when he was one-on-one with Warner.

Of course I couldn't complain much.

Apart from Gilberto who is just okay, almost everyone were really having one of their best games of the season. My special praise for Ljungberg who really worked hard, extremely hard. We were 4-0 up and yet he was still making spirited attacking runs. He wanted that goal, badly. He was really angry with himself. He knew all too well why he was in the squad and he wanted to make sure he deserved his place. It warms my heart. It made me proud. To me that means more than the two goals Henry scored. I said before that he is no longer the 24-25 years old super swede who scored goals like a striker would. But he is really making it hard to part with him, the way he played. Such a fighter.

Blackburn 1 - 0 Arsenal

Nothing to analyze. As I said, Real's game WAS different. It was a great victory but probably 80% of the teams in EPL don't play like that against us. I wasn't unhappy with the players and I feel for Senderos. He was really trying hard but he is still too young. He has been playing in games where not even one mistake is allowed.

We are now seventh, and probably there won't be CL next season for us. But maybe that is better. Teams adjust their approach depending on opponents they face. Some are very good at that, some are very bad at that. Arsenal are very bad at that. When you don't know how to:
- defend against set pieces
- defend against long balls
- win aerial and physical battle
- send in crosses
- score from corners
I guess there is only very limited options for you to vary your play and there will be ways for others to exploit all these weaknesses.
Arsenal are indeed in transition period but very much will depend on how Wenger sees the future Arsenal playing. I hope he bears in mind that we are not playing in Spanish League.