Nine Jimmy Rimmers – Arsenal and Football

Where to start.  First, just shear relief.  The tension in the team, club, the fans over these opening games of the season.  Now we can get started.

Arsenal started well but then Udinese got back into it and it was end to end.  But we looked vulnerable.  Sagna was looking uncomfortable on the left and Jenkinson was getting beaten on the right.

Starting with two holding players didn’t seem to work either.  They were doing a job, but the team wasn’t flowing.  It just didn’t seem to fit Arsenal.

The Udinese goal, when it came, felt inevitable and you began to worry.  Di Natalie got between Vermaelen and Djourou, no-one attacking the ball.  Di Natalie did brilliantly to put enough pace on a gentle cross and in it went.  Arsenal needed half time.

After the break the Song/Frimpong pairing was ditched and Rosicky came on.  Immediately the play was better.  The passing began to flow.  Rosicky began to play the best game I’ve seen.

Then Gervinho picked up a deflected ball and took on a defender, put the ball in the middle of the six yard box and Robin Van Persie stuck in the crucial away goal.

Now Udinese had to score another two goals.  Could Arsenal relax?  Not yet.  Udinese got a penalty after the ball hit both Vermaelen’s arms.  It didn’t look deliberate but it was a penalty.

But not a goal, thanks to a fantastic save from Wojciech Szczesny.  He’s a big keeper and he guessed the right way, but it was still a fantastic save.

Now Arsenal could relax because the penalty miss definitely deflated Udinese.  It fact they began to get a bit ratty.

Meanwhile, Rosicky was not only helping the passes to flow, he was also putting in some great tackles.

Then came the goal that put it to bed. Strong running from Walcott and a fantastic finish.  If ever there was a time that Theo made a case for being a striker, this was it.

Now the whole team was playing well. Jenkinson had the right under control.  Gervinho was running with the ball, doing something different for the team.

In the end this was a great result.  Arsenal got better and better.  It should give them some much needed confidence.

So, Champions League status retained, money in the bank.  Now it’s time to fill some holes.

Tonight was fantastic, restorative, but there is more to do and let’s not kid ourselves.

But for tonight we can celebrate, or even just sleep easy, and wonder at the list of players Arsenal will be linked with in the morning!

***** Vote for your Arsenal Man of the Match here. *****

Starters: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Chamakh, Gervinho.

Goals: Walcott (4)

Subs: Gibbs off at half-time with a hamstring problem, Djourou the replacement, Vermaelen to left back. Ten minutes later Djourou comes off with a hamstring problem too. Jenkinson on, Vermaelen back on position. Later Frimpong replaced Rosicky.

Ramsey set up the goal for Walcott four minutes in and you hoped that we would go on to get more but is wasn’t to be. Udinese, and particularly Di Natalie, are no mugs and they put in some good pressurizing moves.

With the disruption at the back the mood went from pleasure to nervous tension. But we kept it together and saw out the win.

Another nervy performance like Saturday, but unlike then no-one went mental. So a win and another clean sheet.

Could have done with another goal of course, but given everything else that’s going on round the club – it’ll do for today.

We were more sparky in the first half, a bit limp second which invited pressure. But we kept them out with some good work from Szczesny.

Jenkinson did ok. He looks calm and confident despite going from Charlton to looking after Di Natalie in the Champions League.

Gervinho still looks promising but just not quite on it yet. But you get the feeling he’ll make it work.

Frimpong did more than just shore things up. He has great physical presence and he makes powerful runs forward with the ball.

We still need more, the central defender, the midfield replacements, the forward that backs up Van Persie. But the show is still on the road and everyone needs to get behind the team now.

What did you think?