Hello Everyone !
Finally our Arsenal is back, not fully but still it's back. We finally finished a game with all 11 men on the field, we finally scored a goal in our home in EPL and more importantly, we finally took all three points from a game. It was not a really convincing, no nonsense normal Arsenal victory. It was a close one, we weren't fluid, our passing wasn't on form, but at this point of our season, three points is all matters and I am really glad that we got it.
As expected Mertesacker & Arteta made their Arsenal debut. I expected Benayoun to start too but Arshavin kept his place in the starting line up. Arsenal started well. Arteta settled with the Arsenal way without any fuss and it was he who created our first chance of the game. His beautifully weighted pass set up Ramsey but he somehow fired it over. That was the start of a disappointing game for Ramsey. Swansea, well known for their beautiful football started to settle in now. Szczesny was called up to make a stunning save from Graham's header. Arteta was simply awesome for Arsenal in the first half. He was linking up with Van Persie like he has played with him week in week out. At the back, Mertesacker & especially Koscielny (The Birthday boy) were bossing the defense. I am a big fan of Koscielny since his debut for us last year and I am glad that he is catching everyone's eyes now. Mertesacker, as expected covered his lack of pace with his very good positioning.
After Szczesny's save, Arsenal almost went ahead with Theo's shot which was cleared on the line by the very good Caulker. Arsenal had further chances with Frimpong & Walcott. Swansea also had some good chances. Then came the pivotal moment in the game. Theo took a shot which went well wide of the goal and Vorm gathered it safely. Vorm tried to release the ball quickly and unfortunately for him, it hit the heels of Rangel and the lively Arshavin was on hand to put the ball in the empty net to give Arsenal the lead. First half ended 1-0 with the two debutant's performing admirably for Arsenal.
Theo & Ramsey had a poor first half & it continued in the second half too. Theo's final ball & his finishing were really poor. Ramsey was taking too much time on the ball which not only slowed our game but also meant that he was in danger of getting dispossessed often. Swansea on the other hand hit a free kick onto the bar. Robin, the Arsenal captain was having one of his disappointing game. His first touches were beautiful but his finishing was poor. He did use his technique to take a beautiful right foot shot in the second half but unfortunately it clipped the outside of the post & went out. Robin & his love for the post...sigh. Arsene took off Arshavin and a bit later Robin for Benayoun & Chamakh. Benayoun was lively and Chamakh almost made a immediate impact. Gibbs, who had a very good game put in a beautiful cross but Chamakh's well taken header was saved comfortably by Vorm. Arsenal almost bottled it at the 90th minute. A high ball was sent into the Arsenal box and Szczesny went for it & missed it. The ball fell kindly for Graham but with the a open goal in front of him, he somehow shot over. Arsenal saw out the injury time safely and 1-0 it finished. Arsenal got their first victory of the season.
The game was not pleasing to the eyes but that's expected when you have many debutants and players returning from International break. Three point is all matters and we should feel happy that we got it. The fluidity will return once the players gel more and this victory will surely raise our confidence ahead of our trip to Germany. Arteta & Mertesacker had very good debuts and that was good to see. Yossi & Chamakh were bright when they came on and that's another plus. The game against Dortmund should be a cracking one and I can't wait for it.
Until then, Take care everyone !
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