Bolton 1 - 3 Arsenal
Firstly, I recently won an award of sorts - Best Commenter on the World Of Arsenal blog. Most of my comments end up longer than I intend and so usually end up forming the basis of my own blog posts here. The blog is well written and insightful - anyone Arsenal orientated should add it to their bookmarks.
Onto Bolton - Arsenal. I must admit I was worried before the match that midweek exertions in Russia would leave us a bit jaded, and after Bolton took the lead (and to be fair continued to threaten throughout the match) I thought my fears had materialised. However, the spirit of Arsenal’s reply allayed my worst fears for this season - we were strong and resolute. However - Adebayor missed another golden opportunity, so he remains a doubt in my mind.
I wasn’t surprised by the two changes Arsenal made, though the commentators seemed shocked! Seriously where do they get these “pundits” from? Two changes wouldn’t normally be considered a major weakening as suggested, especially when you consider we changed a 19 year old boy for a player with 110 first team appearances and Champions League final experience who’s still only 24, the other change being RVP replaced by Nik Bendtner - Bendtner scored 4 in his previous six starts (5 in 7 now!) so again not really much of a weakening gesture. Chelsea call it squad rotation, but I suspect the mainstream media are still labouring under the misapprehension that Arsenal have a tiny squad. Its not that bad fellas!
Anyway, Song played well again and could make the defensive midfield position his own if he keeps it up, although Cesc still doesn’t look like he’s anywhere near top speed. Gallas and Toure seemed a little steadier at the back (goal aside) and the match got me thinking - I’ve previously made a big deal out of the two most recent trips to the grim north (i live here, its OK) and we’ve won both and scored 7 goals. Now, Arsenal are nowhere near their best. Our two main strikers don’t have their sights in and have been wasteful, our midfield heart was constantly mis-passing (I don’t care how highly the papers rated his performance) and our defence still look a bit nervous. Can you imagine how we’ll fare when it all goes “right”?
Almunia played well and is actually beginning to look nothing like the 30 year old almost-was that arrived at Arsenal, Song/Denilson are both making strides this season, Walcott is beggining to look the real deal with some confidence - hell even Eboue has stopped being a dick and messing up our attacking play with stray eyes closed passes, and has been rewarded with a richly deserved first league goal.
I’m actually looking forward to playing Man United in November now - and there’s still 6 weeks to get up to speed.
Filed by Kieran at September 21st, 2008 under Football