Twenty Nil Arsenal Two + Hoyte to go?
3 comments August 15th, 2008
Twente 0 – 2 Arsenal (Gallas 63, Adebayor 83)
Our first game of the season was a routine victory over Steve McClaren’s Twente. Two away goals and a clean sheet almost guarantee our place in the group stage of the Champions League.
Considering the side we were forced to field, it was an excellent result. Injuries to Kolo Toure and Philippe Senderos forced Johan Djourou into action at centre-half, whilst the situation in midfield was nothing short of dire, with seventeen-year old Aaron Ramsey forced to make his debut in European competition far earlier than Arsene would ever have anticipated – at least he can say his decision to join Arsenal for first-team opportunities is already being vindicated.
Ramsey and Denilson played relatively well, but their inexperience was evident as they were overrun by Twente’s five-man midfield. At the back, we were shaky, and twice relied on Manuel Almunia to mop up when Twente appeared to be in on goal.
Our passing game was not coming together, and that’s perhaps not surprising when you consider that our midfield was so shorn of senior players that Emmanuel Eboue spent large portions of the game on the left-wing.
Aside from a long range effort from Gael Clichy in the first half, I’m not sure we created a single chance other than the goals we scored. And even when they came, they were scrappy. An inswinging Van Persie free-kick was bundled in by William Gallas after one of his trademark back-post runs, before Theo Walcott got in behind and squared for Adebayor to sidefoot home.
Both goals demonstrated significant factors in our side for the forthcoming season – Gallas’ goal was all about his experience and knowhow. As by far our most experienced outfield player, he must step up to the plate and lead the side as the armband demands.
Walcott assisting Adebayor, meanwhile, is a combination that has already been somewhat productive. With Walcott expected to play on the right wing this season, he’ll have the chance to provide the ammunition for Adebayor to attempt to replicate his goalscoring heroics of last season.
So, the result we required, if not the performance we wanted. But as Adebayor points out, sometimes it’s important to win ugly – in fact, it’s something we’ve been accused of being incapable of in the past.
That said, it was painfully obvious a new midfielder is required. Whilst it’s extremely unlikely they’ll be in place before tomorrow’s game with West Brom, Samir Nasri and Kolo Toure could return (the latter’s availability would free up Djourou to play in midfield).
Finally, we have accepted a bid from Middlesbrough for Justin Hoyte. Now, Hoyte may not neccessarily decide to leave, but now he knows Arsene is prepared to let him go I suspect he’ll move for regular first-team football.
I’m not sure I ever thought I’d say this about Justin Hoyte, but I’m slightly loathe to lose him. Our squad is so tiny, and losing a player who can play anywhere across the back-line (albeit not massively well) is never a good thing. It would also mean an injury to Gael Clichy would force us to play the erratic Armand Traore with at left-back for a prolonged spell – a thought which terrifies me.
God, it’s good to be back. Back blogging, back in the football season, and back in London. The Gunnerblog End of Season Awards 2008 are finally up, and The Guns are working – don’t believe the display that says “0 guns”. Click that to access the comments. That little bug, as well as the couple of others on the site, is in the process of being fixellated.
Premier League tomorrow. I can’t wait.
