Hello everyone,
As Arsenal return to England after a very successful Asia tour, I decided to look back at our two games so far this season, how we have performed in it and what it actually means to the club.
This was Arsenal's first Asia tour since 1999 and the reception that players received both in Malaysia & China were phenomenal. I hope this amazing support shown by the Asian fans would have convinced Arsene & Gazidis to make more pre-season tours to Asia in the future.
Moving onto the pre-season games, Arsenal took on a Malaysian XI team in their first pre-season game of the season. Our only new signing of the season (so far) Jenkinson and our young sensation Ryo Miyaichi started the game and that was more than enough to get the Gooners excited. Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners with goals from Ramsey, Walcott, Vela and Rosicky. As this is pre-season Arsene played almost two entirely different sides in either halves. I was really impressed with Jenkinson. He has lot of energy and decent pace too and considering that we bought him for just 1million, its a great bargain from Arsene. Miyaichi also impressed with his pace & trickery. Ramsey, Wilshere, Walcott, Rosicky and Vela also had a really good game.
It was really good to see Ramsey, Vela & Rosicky score a goal. Although its just pre-season, those three needed that goal for various reasons. Our defense kept a clean sheet and everyone were so happy obviously. Our players enjoyed their time in Malaysia and so then moved on to China for the second & final part of our Asia tour.
Arsenal arrived in China with a huge reception at the airport. It was so great that Arsene himself was so surprised to see it (as was most of our non Asian fans). Arsenal played their second pre-season game against the Chinese team Hangzhou Greentown on a fine Saturday evening. We started the game with Squillaci & Djourou (our best CB pairing of last season statistically) with a front three of Arshavin, RVP & Vela. Frimpong also started in DM position instead of Song. We started the game very slowly and it was Greentown who opened the scoring first. It was from a set piece and so almost every Gooner on the planet started abusing Arsene & our defense (especially Squillaci) for this mistake. Now if u look at the goal Squillaci was no where responsible for the goal and if there was one to blame for the goal, then its Mannone. Vela was played on the right wing and to be honest he did struggle a bit initially. Nasri played in the Cesc position and was not really effective. Arshavin, who was a bit quiet so far in the game played a brilliant pass on to RVP who volleyed it. The keeper saved it but the rebound fell to Vela who tapped it in to get Arsenal back on level terms. Just like Malaysia, Arsene made a lot of changes for the second half and this time a whole new team came out. Suddenly Arsenal became more fluid and if it was not for some poor finishing by Walcott and some great goalkeeping from the Greeentown Keeper, we would have easily won the game.
After the game a lot of Gooners were upset and started to worry that Arsenal have not changed or learned from last season and so were calling out for some signings. But what they have failed to understand is , pre-season games are just meant for building up fitness and getting used to the feel of game atmosphere. Ramsey nailed it perfectly saying that " The pre-season was more for the work out and getting match fit again ". Most of our fans were also crying out for Arsene to sign Cahill or Samba, I do like them but even if we sign one of those, they will be behind Koscielny in the pecking order to partner Vermaelen. The Verm-Kosh partnership against Greentown in the second half was simply fantastic and Kosceilny in particular did not put even a foot wrong and I am really excited to seem them week in week out in the Premier League.
Of course its a concern to see us concede another set piece goal but that's exactly why there is pre-season games. They just show Arsene where we need to improve, how much our players are match fit and who are the youngsters that are ready to step up to the first team. When Vela & Rosicky scored in the first game I saw some people saying that they can score ONLY against Malaysia and that shows their quality. Well if that's the case, then the likes of RVP & Nasri should have scored hat-tricks each right ? I do respect everyone's opinion but saying that our season is doomed and we haven't improved before the season has even started is a bit too harsh on our team. Arsene is using this Asia tour to just understand about some of his players and tactics and that's how we have to see it too.
Arsenal now return to London and in a weeks time will play FC Cologne in Germany in another friendly game in their build up to The Emirates Cup. Now if we repeat the same kind of mistakes in the Emirates Cup then there is a cause for concern but pressing the panic button at this stage is a bit too early. Arsene will have two more weeks to have a close look at our players and our system and I am sure he will correct our mistakes and add the required new players before the Emirates Cup comes calling.
Until then, take care & keep the faith
