Swans gift the gunners but a win is a win!

Morning Gooners,

Yesterday saw a must win game for Arsenal at the Emirates. The fact that we are talking about must win games only 4 games into the season is a scary thought in itself but I won't go into that as I'm determined this is going to be a positive blog.

Swansea City came to town full of intent to take advantage of a frail Arsenal and felt confident they could not only score their first goal in the Premiership but maybe take their first win too. The men from across the bridge looked good. They were sharp, attacking and well organised, I'd even go as far to say if they were playing the team we didn't put out when we didn't play Man Utd a couple of weeks ago that they would have won the game.

As it turned out they didn't, Arsenal did. The goal itself was a very odd goal, it's not something Arsenal fans aren't used to seeing, it's just the fact that it went for us rather than against us that left the crowd perplexed. The Swansea keeper, eager to start another attack rolled the ball out to his right back only for it to bounce back off his heel to the feet of Arshavin on the side edge of the penalty area and he managed to keep his cool and slotted the ball home into the back of the net producing the only goal of the game. The little Russian is constantly coming under a lot of criticism but when you step back and look at the facts, his goal and assist records are excellent. Yes, he appears lazy some most of the time but he has a wonderful habit of popping up in the right place at the right time for that vital flick on, pass or finish that produces a goal and that sort of player is vital for a successful team.

Now, if we're honest then we have to say that the teams performance wasn't one of the best anyone will have seen at Ashburton Grove. We still lack that killer instinct that is needed to be a top, top club. Confidence is nowhere near as high as it needs to be and we still have players that are performing way under their full potential. However, as I said at the beginning, this is going to be a positive blog. First point is that the fans were excellent during the whole game, especially the last 10 minutes to see the result through. There were glimpses of lovely free flowing football throughout the game. We had (admittedly very short) spells of short, quick passing and movement that made me think back to the football Arsenal FC have become famous for under Arsene Wenger's reign. When confidence returns to this team we could be looking forward to something very special and with our next few games all being games that - on paper - we should be picking up maximum points from then hopefully that confidence will be returning sooner rather than later.

Another big thing people were watching for yesterday was of course the performances of our new recruits. Arteta and Mertesacker both started the game whilst Park, Benayoun and Santos took their places on the on the bench. Arteta looked like he had been playing with his new team mates for years. He fitted in perfectly to our midfield, interestingly he took a deeper role than I expected with Ramsey taking responsibility for the more attacking role in our midfield trio. Our new number 8 still managed to enforce himself on the game and was fundamental in most of our attacking flurries.

Mertesacker on the other hand looks like he will need a little longer to settle. On a few occasions his lack of pace and inability to turn as quickly as needed almost got him into trouble but on the positive side, his positional awareness was excellent and his input to the overall defensive organisation was there for all to see. Benayoun was the third player to make his debut when he replaced Arshavin in the second half and looked sharp and competitive and I think he will become a very useful addition to the squad.

At the end of the day Gooners, we won and that is surely the most important thing. We get just as many points for our 'lucky' win against Swansea as Utd did when they beat us and replacing Blackpool with Swansea, we are only 1 point down on the same fixtures last year. On top of all this we have Vermaelen, Song, Wilshere and Gervinho all to come back, all of whom would have started the game and two of whom will be back for our next game.

The team's minds now need to turn to the Champions League and Dortmund before we travel to Ewood Park to face Blackburn. Now our squad is settled they need to string together a series of wins and with the confidence that will provide the performances we are used to seeing from players wearing our cannon will quickly return.

Till next time,
Goonerfish.

Don't forget to follow me on twitter for more ramblings on all things Arsenal - you can do it here @goonerfishblog

FORWARD ARSENAL: Swansea preview.

Morning Gooners,


Here we go, match day!

I can't believe how contrasting my feelings can be before two consecutive league games. As we approached the game against Utd a couple of weeks ago I was full of fear and dread. I knew we were outclassed and although I am a hugely optimistic gooner, the best possible scenario I could muster in my mind was holding out for a 0-0 draw and maybe, just maybe, getting lucky and stealing a  sneaky 1-0 win. But as there was no football that weekend I guess we'll never know.

Today however, I just can't wait for the game to get started. Fresh new faces in the squad, the Nasregas saga finally behind us for good, and a new feeling of optimism and hope flows across the Arsenal camp even Arsene Wenger looked more like his old self in his press conference. Getting through the internationals with no new injuries and our players scoring for fun it's turned out to be almost a perfect international break and it seems to me that just about everyone connected with our wonderful club is ready to go.

A couple of guys that are not ready to go are Jack Wilshere and Thomas Vermaelen. Both players face a continued spell on the sidelines and won't be back on the pitch for at least 6 weeks but at least now we have a squad big enough to field a team that will put up a decent fight.

I have for a long time believed that one of the biggest issues with our players is that they are too settled. Players who are at the club from a very early age then break into the first team and such is Wenger's nurturing nature that by the time they get their chance they don't have the same hunger to  perform and impress the manager that a player that is new to the club would. Mertesacker, Santos, Arteta, Benayoun, Park, AOC, Jenkinson and Gervinho all have that hunger and desire to impress and I honestly believe that difference will give us an edge for the remainder of the season.

On to the game. Swansea are a fantastic team to re-start our season against. They are weak in every department. They are yet to score a goal in the league and despite all their flaws they still play quite open football which should suit us perfectly.

Per Mertesacker should be the first new face we see at today's game standing in for the injured Vermaelen. Gibbs and Santos are both fit but Wenger has hinted he feels our new Brazilian may be just short of match sharpness so I'd expect Gibbs to get the nod to play at left back.

Frimpong returns from his suspension and will take his place in the holding midfield role he performed so well in against Liverpool. Frimpong's biggest problem at the moment is his inexperience and the rash decision making that comes with it. If he can control that today he should be very effective for us. He will also get opportunities to stride forward which he does with great power so I'm looking forward to seeing a couple of 'DEEEENCH' attacks. Arteta should be the next player to make his Arsenal bow today. The uncapped Spaniard will bring all of his creativeness and premiership experience to the table and today should be the first game of a successful Arsenal career. Everyone is excited about Arteta joining the club - if for nothing else it means that someone other than RVP can start taking free kicks - hopefully his debut will be one to remember.

The third midfielder of that trio should be either Ramsey or Rosicky. Rosicky has had a relatively rested international break whereas Ramsey played his arse off at Wembley against England so may still be feeling the fatigue. I hope it's Ramsey that enters from the tunnel as he and Arteta will be our first choice pairing in midfield for the next couple of months so the sooner they get their relationship going the better.

Walcott has been passed fit and Van Persie......wait for it....... has returned from Holland duties without a scratch on him, not a single broken bone, not even a bruise, nothing!! It looks doubtful that Park's paperwork will be sorted in time and even if it is done then the lack of practise with his new team mates will surely mean that a place on the bench is the best he will achieve. The only real question for our front line will be who joins Theo and RVP. For the first time this season we have options. Arshavin is most likely to start and this should be a game we don't need to panic over when it comes to his lack of defensive cover. Wenger may give yet another debut in the form of Benayoun or a full debut to Chamberlain both of whom will be desperate to get their chance to impress in front of the Emirates crowd.

My Line-up:

              Szczesny

Sagna - Kos - Mertesacker - Gibbs

              Frimpong

         Arteta - Ramsey

Walcott        -                   Arshavin

                 RVP

Yesterday saw this year's team photo finally taken and today marks the start of Arsenal's future. Arsenal football club must be looking for nothing other than a win against Swansea and I have a lovely feeling it could be a big one.

Today is not a time for negativity so I plea to anyone planning to take part in any protest, march or demonstration whether it be the 'Black Scarf' or otherwise please don't. Today is a day to get behind our club and our team and start our march FORWARD.

Until next time,
Goonerfish.