Tuesday night was good for a few things. Firstly it blew away the cobwebs growing over the players following the inept performance against the Boing Boing Baggies. They needed a result. Confidence should be high leading into this weekends game and that can only be a good thing.
Secondly it gave Fabianski another chance to prove himself and I think he aquitted himself well, faultless for the penalty, his penalty save and the following block from Iliev was class and will give him plenty of confidence. Now Wenger is faced with a dilemma, Almunia or Fabianski. He cannot doubt that Fab is in better form following tuesday, but his past performances against Chelski have left much to be desired. Still, selection headaches are part of the job and I don't intend to second-guess Wenger, many have tried and failed.
Thirdly, we will never see the goals scored against Partisan in the prem, because most of the attacking football followed the same formula, Song > Arshavin/Wilshire who burst forward into space and pass to Wilshire/Arshavin and try and create a goal scoring opportunity for each other. Wilshire and Arshavin have a good understanding already. Arshavin can see that its a player he can trust with the ball, someone who will give it back when he needs it. Another ally amongst those that aren't good enough to play with. Premier league midfielders would get tighter than Partisan and make it tougher to make these combinations.
Arshavin, Wilshire, Fabregas, Ramsey, Rosicky, Nasri are on the same wavelength. Chamakh is getting there, he's already making the right runs, Rosicky's cross to pick him out against Partisan was an awesome, curving, undefendable ball right onto his bonce.
Something worth mentioning, (putting my stat hat on) 9 games in (all comps) and Arshavin has scored 5, Chamakh 4, Nasri 4, Walcott 4, Fabregas 3, Vela 3, and 5 others have a single goal.
Thats 28 goals in 10 games, an average of 2.8 goals per game.
Going forwards, we are better than we have been for a long time. Defensively is a different kettle of fish. Potentially we have a very good defence. Just too many new ingredients being added to the recipe at any one time. Squillaci has done well, Koscielny has done well. We need to consider our centre backs haven't played much together and they're both Premier League newbies. We need Vermaelen back for this weekend or I fear we'll get mugged by Chelski.
Fingers crossed for the Arsenal medical team, for the training this week to proceed without incident and Fabregas and Vermaelen to return this weekend.
Til then gooners
WG
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