Three points, three goals and a fantastic feeling for finally coming out of a weekend beating another top team.
Sunday afternoon almost felt like a make or break game for many fans, had we suffered a defeat after Man U and Chelsea both winning we would have really found ourselves on the back foot for the rest of the season and with the dreaded Christmas period coming up we cannot afford to have to enter a long run of games playing catch up - not because we don't have the quality to get through them but because we would not of had the confidence or 'winner' experience to see those games through.
As soon as Man City went a man down we had to leave Manchester with all three points and our boys did not disappoint. We showed against Liverpool on the opening day of the season that we could struggle to play against 10 men, we didn't spread the play, make Liverpool work hard enough or follow any rules that apply to playing with an extra man. At City we did everything right, they could not cope with our attacking play, we moved the ball over the entire width of the pitch and the boys in blue struggled to keep up with us.
So, what have we learned between Anfield and Sunday?
We have learnt that in Fabianski we have a good keeper who can make those important saves to earn us points. We have learnt that we have two players for every slot of the back four and any one of them can put in a performance. We've learnt that we have a more mature midfield with players showing more defensive awareness and ability, in particular Diaby. We have also learnt that our future is still very bright with the likes Jack Wilshere showing the footballing world just how much of a phenomenon he is going to be. We have learnt that we have a attacking force within our squad that would make most clubs jealous, the likes of Walcott, Nasri, Chamakh, Arshavin, Rosicky, Bendtner, Vela and lets not forget a certain Mr Van Persie give us plenty of options and all of them are quality options. Can you name another team in the Premier League with options like that? What about in Europe? We have learnt that Arshavin is lazy..... oh hold on, we knew that already but we have, thanks to Wenger pointing it out, learnt that despite his apparent laziness he has a massive contribution to our teams goals.
Arsene Wenger has also taught us ( a lesson that I hope continues on Wednesday) that he is taking the Carling cup a little more seriously by playing reserves rather than the youth team.
We have learnt that our injury curse is not going anywhere but in all seriousness, did anyone expect it to?
Samir Nasri has taught us that out number 8 shirt has found yet another superb occupant, he showed in pre-season that he had improved as a player and has done nothing to suggest he won't continue to improve.
We have unfortunately learnt that we still fall short against Chelsea but I for one am looking forward to the return leg of that game after Christmas. We outplayed them but failed to finish our chances. We have also learnt thanks to West Brom, we cannot underestimate anyone.
Lessons will continue to be learnt as the season progresses but from what we have seen so far we can be optimistic. The Man City game is not a reason to get over excited or complacent but the difference between that game and the game at Liverpool in performance, attitude and of course result has to be a positive note and a great feeling for everyone involved with Arsenal FC.
Till next time Gooners,
Goonerfish.
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