Man Utd 0 - 1 Arsenal

Hah!!

What a match! The last 20 minutes was unbelieveable. In the last 20 minutes, Arsenal played the way a champion should play. Full of energy, full of desire.

Jens Lehmann. The majestic tower behind a makeshift back four. The save against Ronaldo and the full stretch save against Solsjaer- magnificent.

Kolo Toure. He was obviously not fit but his performance today was heroic. I may be a minority here but I believe that Kolo and Jens are more important than Thierry. We just can't afford to be without both of them!! And I do believe that Kolo will make a great captain.

Of course the other players were superb too. Rosicky in particular was our most dangerous player. You have to admire Adebayor for his workrate even if you find him a bit frustating at times. And he did score THAT goal!!

Well I am sure others will give all the detail and analysis and there is no need for me to talk too much. I just want to enjoy this win.

Getting the first three points at Old Trafford; what else can you ask for??!

First Three Points!!!

And it comes from a Champions League away game that would have been interesting but for the unnecessary red card.

Hamburg may not be a popular name but if you care to look at their squad, they do have good players. Daniel Ljuboja (not sure the spelling), Vincent Kompany, and Nigel de Jong are few quality players they have on their side. I am especially interested in Kompany, the young Belgian who, if memory serves, rejected Chelsea and chose Hamburg. Wise lad.

I didn't watch the game so I won't comment on anyone's performance. But I will praise Gilberto for taking on the captain armband and having the nerve to convert the penalty. Rosicky's goal is about time. He admitted that he won't be as prolific as Bobby but I am fine with that as long as he fights for the team and provide assists.

The 1-2 score and the red card tell us few things.

They tell us that this young team needs to be more disciplined and focused no matter how easy the game is. They will learn.

They also tell us that the most important thing this team needs at the moment is confidence. Continuing last season's form, this team know they could do well in CL and they got the result.

They still have doubt over their ability to win domestic games.

The Man Utd game will be massive. A win will give us an invaluable boost. Frankly speaking, I think we are still a level below Man Utd at the moment. We need to step up and give our 120% to silence Old Trafford. Can we do that? Of course we can!! The Arsenal that I fell in love with had this unyielding spirit that fear no one. I wish to see that in this young team.

And by doing that, proving to Cole that these young players can actually fight. Cole may have lied many times but no one lies all the time. I read his story on the lack of bonding and fighting spirit in current team. Anyone who remember how our players showed that "one for all and all for one" spirit during our unbeatable season will realise that Cole did say something right though the purpose of him saying that is wrong.

CL Campaign Kick off

Now that I am calm, I shall look back at the match against Boro with more positive attitude.

To begin with, Wenger's post match response was making a lot of sense. He often said useless post match stuff but this time he was spot on.

Le Prof said:
"I feel it is terrible for us because we could not win against a team who had one shot on goal but it is like that and we have to redress that problem by using the width of the pitch, by being more penetrative from deeper positions and by being sharper in front of goal."

Yes, yes, and YES! Use the width, more penetration from deeper position. That's what we need. Redress that Sir! Thank you very much.

He also said that there was a huge potential within the team (I think he also said this last season), and this time it makes sense to me. Ian Grant of ANR said that the team towards the end of the match was a totally different team. I agree 2/3 of his comment. Rosicky and Baptista looked interesting but Adebayor was clueless.

I said before that in the situation where the opposition are happy to sit back, we should take Gilberto out and bring Baptista in. The big no. 9 was still adapting to his new teammates last Saturday but I am glad that the idea was there. Wenger's substitution made sense for once.

If it's up to me, I would have kept van Persie though. I would send Rosicky upfront, playing 4-3-3 with Henry on the left and van Persie on the right. Hleb and Cesc would support the attack from deep while Baptista will play Lampard role. Well.. what do I know? I am only a mortal after all.

I have no problem with us not winning. That is football. But I have problem with us not addressing the obvious problems. Now that Wenger has said that he would take care of them, I am a happy man.

Tomorrow we will kick off our CL campaign and I am sure everyone expect Arsenal to repeat last season's trend. It won't be as easy though. We started off last season CL campaign as a big team known for their luckless history in the competition. But today, we are a force everyone are aware of. We have tougher group too. But I reckon we will win our first match.

Arsenal 1:1 Boro

I was really tempted to say nothing as I really do not know what to say with regards to our result. The players tried, they really did. But we know what the opposition would do and we know that as long as we are not in our 100% condition, most likely the opposition's plan would work. Simple as that. Too obvious that it's boring.

I don't need anyone to tell me that we would eventually win points and er.. be free from relegation battle (unfamilar situation?). But is this our target for the season?

I also don't need Wenger to remind me that the way we play is the very way that won us the title during the unbeatable season. But the simple truth is that many weaker teams have found way to counter our game, and many times it works.

There is this wonderful theory that a manager who has brought you all these titles and a great revolution to the club will never go wrong. He knows. He always does.

And it goes without saying that anyone who dare to question such manager is an ungrateful glory hunter who could only whine when we are not winning.

But I simply can't bring myself to say that "given the possesion, we deserve to win today's game". I can't bring myself to blame the International games or the referee or Boro players or the pitch.

Arrogance.. that is really the word that comes to my head.

Finally, A Settled Side

Though Chelsea are still attempting some stupid bite at Gallas in response to his comment that Mourinho has mistreated him. Well.. Victor Predictor said it well that if everything said about Gallas was true, why then were Chelsea trying so hard to keep Gallas? If Buffon says that he will deliberately concede goal unless he is sold, I am sure Juve will be more than happy to sell him the first day they are allowed to do so.

Also, Gallas is a France international and he knows well that scoring an own goal is never good for his reputation. When you consider every player wanted to do their best to earn their place in World Cup, there was no way Gallas would attempt such stupid thing last season. I am not saying that Gallas is the most loyal servant around but I believe Chelsea were not saying the exact truth there. Not that they should say anything to begin with.

I'm still waiting for Mourinho to come up with his arrogant comment though. It just isn't complete without a quote for him.

That aside, we are now having a settled camp fully focused on the new season, hopefully.

Defenders

Assuming that Gallas is genuinely happy to play for us, we now have the kind of centreback partnership that I always yearn for. Two quick and strong centrebacks with authority. They may need time to understand each other but the moment they adapt, they will be our rock.

I am not forgetting Djorou whom I rate above Senderos. In three years time, Senderos may grow into a superb defender but at the moment, the big Swiss is still not completely ready. Gallas will not harm his progress. Gallas is an experienced world class player who will help our young defenders to progress. They only need to be patient.

I reckon Wenger will still look for a quality left back as Clichy is injury prone and apart from him, we do not have a natural player in that position. Djorou should be able to play in that position though. Flamini too has proven that he is reliable. This guy seems to be happy to play anywhere; precious soldier indeed. Eboue needs polishing but he has the potential.

Farewell Cygan. I am sorry for all the criticism from me and many other fans. You are definitely a professional and humble player who was genuinely proud to play for Arsenal.

Attackers

I wanted to separate midfielders from strikers but it seems that they affect each other.

Many seem to worry about Adebayor and van Persie now that Wenger has brought in Baptista who, according to le boss, will be playing as half striker or attacking midfielder. Surely Gilberto's coverage is essential in our attacking play and Cesc is the conductor. Baptista has shown that despite the claim that he is versatile to play anywhere, he is not too effective playing as winger. Therefore, it seems logical that Baptista's presence will only affect Adebayor, van Persie and probably Aliadiere.

I disagree though.

I think Baptista is a wild card who gives Wenger more option in his tactical approach. There are times when teams are just staying in their own half and this is the time where we could afford to take Gilberto out and send Baptista in to cause some damage from the midfield.

There are times when the priority is to avoid conceeding. We could play 4-5-1 with Cesc-Gilberto-Baptista in the centre midfield. Baptista's physical presence will give Cesc more protection and take away some attention from the Spaniard.

I think Wenger knows that van Persie is a very special player. He will have his chance this season. He needs to improve his teamwork though.

Hleb still struggles to find consistency but I think he will recapture his previous season's form in few weeks time.

Now Rosicky is a tricky one. I still believe that he is much much better playing in the centre midfield, Fabregas role. I know almost all Arsenal fans (apart from Anti probably) will not want to see Cesc's place challenged by anyone else. If Wenger were to bid for Kaka, probably most Arsenal fans would ask 'What will happen to Cesc?'. Yes.. we love him that much.

But Rosicky is a very good player and he deserves his chance to play in his best position. Sometimes Cesc does not play well and that is the time Wenger should try to move Rosicky to the centre midfield and allow him to impose himself there. Rosicky is not at his best playing wide. Don't we have Walcott and Ljungberg to play left wing?

It seems that we suddenly run out of winger this time around.

Conclusion

I have not talked about Lehmann, Almunia, Lauren, etc. I think they will have no issue. Denilson get no.15 and I wonder if he will follow the previous no.15's path to become a revelation this season.

All in all, this season will not be less exciting. We are theoritically much stronger this time around. We have adapted to the lost of Vieira, we have young talents who have matured significantly, and we have some top addition to the squad.

Bring on Boro!