Morning Gooners,So here we are, the 2011/12 season has finally started. We kicked off our season with an overall disappointing result at St James Park drawing 0-0 with the Toon Army.
Those that have read my stuff before know I'm not going to go over the match minute by minute, there's enough reports on the internet. What I will do is share what I have learnt from the match and invite you to do the same.
I thought we started the game quite well and created a couple of chances early on and considering RVP and Gervinho are still forming their partnership I'm quite excited about what the future holds when they finally click completely. However, as the match carried on it was obvious that we lacked that final cutting edge, that little spark that would normally be provided by Cesc or Nasri or Wilshere. Rosciky and Ramsey are capable but weren't able to produce the goods on enough occasions for one to matter.
RVP still didn't look sharp enough for me. His normally perfect first touch was often off and on a couple of occasions he was put through and he couldn't get the ball under control quickly enough to get a shot away. The sharpness will come with games but for me the team as a whole just don't look ready.
Our normal attacking fluidity was missing yesterday but the work Wenger and his team have done over the summer with the defence was evident for all to see. We looked pretty solid at the back. TV5 and Kos seem to have a great understanding between them and Song worked hard helping out at the back but more importantly stopping Newcastle getting that far in the first place. Particular mention should go to Keiran Gibbs. Left back is a position that many fans - including myself - have hoped would be reinforced over the summer as the general feeling was that Gibbs is not ready to be a regular starter. I will be the first to admit that Gibbs has impressed me over pre season and he continued to do so at Newcastle. I think he has earned the chance to show his worth, I just hope he manages to stay fit.
Of course the main talking point of the match is Gervinho's rash decision to do what 90% of the UK's population would love to have the chance to do and slap Joey Barton across the face. Gervinho worked his way into the box and was clipped and as a result went down. Barton seemed to take offence to this and proceeded to lift Gervinho from the ground by his throat, a bit of handbags followed among half a dozen players which ended in Gervinho raising his hands and clipping Barton round the ear. Joey Barton then decided the contact was enough to hit the floor like a sack of spuds and Gervinho was finally given his marching orders.
The irony of Barton reacting so angrily to Gervinho making the most of contact only to do exactly the same thing himself 2 minutes later will be lost on the player himself. Gervinho raised his hands to an opponent's face so deserved to go but Barton's reaction is laughable.
Earlier in the match Song gave a sly stamp onto Bartons's leg while he was on the floor and should also have been sent off leaving us with 9 men at the finish but we ended the game with 10 which is a shame in itself because 11 on 11 for the remainder of that match and the way Newcastle were tiring, we would've had enough to grab a late goal and the win.
Afterthe game Wenger gave credit to the team saying:
"I thought we had a solid performance and were in control.
They organised not to concede goals, defended well and it was very difficult for us because we played a team who was highly focused to defend.
We missed something, the regret is that we missed something in the final third and in the speed of our passing. But, overall, we had a good performance."
I have to say that's a fair assessment of the performance. Our game will improve and overall a point at St James Park is not a bad result especially when you consider the uncertainness among our squad at the moment with the Nasregas Saga still not ending and players still as unsure about who they will be playing along side this year as we are. Yesterday also showed that reinforcements are more important than ever as the youth and inexperience of top level football on our bench was worrying and will not be enough to challenge on all fronts.
Attention now needs to be turned to Tuesday night which is a much bigger game for our season than yesterday was. A win is a must as is another good performance from our defence. Champions league football is essential to Arsenal staying among the top teams in England so not qualifying is unthinkable.
I'm off to get ready for the return of Sky's Super Sunday and suggest you do the same. Football is back people, lets enjoy it.
Till next time,
Goonerfish
Don't forget, you can follow me on twitter for more ramblings throughout the day here: @goonerfishblog
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