Something has changed. Recently I’ve been watching the big games with a sense of dread. So often last season we were short when it really mattered.
This season it feels different. Despite the evidence of the opening games I felt we were stronger. My renewed faith took a knock in the West Brom game, but survived – mainly because our rivals slipped up too. Even after the Chelsea game I didn’t feel as down as last season because I thought we played well and deserved something more from the game. Plus we had players to come back. Yesterday I was really looking forward to the game.
So, the game! Fantastic game to watch. Right from the start. Fabianski got a great save in early and carried on in the same style. Excellent performance and a clean sheet. This should really build his confidence and keep him in the team ahead of Almunia. I’m not completely convinced yet but Arsenal have nothing to lose playing him ahead of the Spaniard.
Then at the other end a perfect pass put Chamakh in on goal and Boyata brought him down. It has to be a red card. Boyata is the last man and it was clearly a foul. I see that Mancini has been blaming the referee, saying that it wasn’t a clear chance on goal because Chamakh’s next touch would put it in the goalkeeper’s hands or out for a goalkick. Arrogant rubbish. What happened was that a great Arsenal pass split City open and a player he brought in panicked. Definite sending off. The rule may be a harsh one, but referee Clattenburg got it absolutely right.
Soon after Djourou missed good header chance. He also got caught out a bit during the game. He wasn’t bad, none of the team were on Sunday, but he was probably the least impressive. For a while in the first half it looked like Arshavin was going to give another frustrating performance with the loose passing that can cost us. But as the game went on he got more and more into it, even tracking back and covering leftback when Clichy got caught miles out of position upfield. In the end Arshavin had his best game this season. Clichy was OK, but we still looked weakest on the left.
On the right we looked great. Sagna had a fantastic game. Terrific work rate, covering the length of the pitch and he got a lot of help from Nasri. Samir Nasri is my player of the season so far, the guy has matured so much. Maybe the absence of Fabregas has helped bring him on as a player, giving him the incentive to play a more responsible, decisive game. Whatever it is, he has been immense. He as quick feet, he reads the game and has a high workrate. His goal was terrific, fast one-two and buried it. Top, top player.
Fabregas had a great game too, despite missing the penalty. Unusual blunder form Kompany, who is a player I really like, but he didn’t need to take out Fabregas there and a great save from Hart kept City in it. It was a good save, although Cesc’s kick was at a well reachable height. He may have fluffed the penalty but it was the only thing Fabregas got wrong in the whole game. The King is back!
By half-time all our midfielders and a few others were on yellow cards. Hard to argue with, except maybe Djourou’s was a bit harsh. It really put the pressure on second half to judge tackle right and stay disciplined – but they did it.
I think that we still waste a lot of freekicks and corners, especially now we have Chamakh and Squillaci to aim at. But as as the second half went on Arsenal dominated. Song‘s goal was excellent. He pounced on the loose ball and finished brilliantly.
I thought that Wenger might use his subs to protect the yellow-carded midfield but no, it was attack all the way with Rosicky, Walcott and Bendtner getting time on the pitch. Rosicky and Bendtner didn’t get the opportunity to make much impact, but Bendtner picked up where Chamakh left off. He made a well-timed run and asked for the ball ahead of him, Nasri obliged and he coolly finished it to make it three nil.
It could have been four near the end when Sagna dragged one wide but it didn’t matter. It was a great performance that will answer a lot of critics. Keeping a clean sheet is another plus, particularly against a big team. Squillaci had a good solid game. Denilson did well, very discplined in his task and hardworking. He’s going to have a hard time getting in past Jack Wilshere now, but yesterday he showed that he is up to the job.
Top game, top team. Bring on Newcastle and West Ham.
Fabianski and Nasri are still neck and neck in our Man of the Match poll. You can add your vote here.
