Lucky Swans

You have to walk before you can run, and run before you can fly, and all that. For Arsenal, it was inevitably a case of 3 points needed. How we got them didn't matter.

Let's be honest, the performance was a bit lackluster. We did create chances however, with Aaron and Theo, both of whom should have done better in the early stages of the first half. In the second, RvP hit the outside of the post and Chamakh went close with a header.

Positives
Both Arteta and Mertesacker had good debuts with a cameo from Yossi also welcome. The two starters were composed and while neither had a perfect debut, the experience and passing completion rates for both were welcome to see.

Chesney once more pulled off an unbelieveable save in the first half to deny Swansea going ahead. It really was an amazing point blank stop with his left hand. He did have a bit of a flap at the end where Swansea really should have leveled but for that particular set piece I'd look to the entire team as he was challenging multiple Swansea players.

Arshavin and Chamakh (albeit for only 14 minutes for the latter) played better than I have seen them play in quite some time. Arshavin was lively and set up Theo's chance nicely while the goal I feel was one very few players in the PL would score. It was an awful angle and curling away from goal. I was genuinely a little shocked when it rattled the net. Chamakh was lively and got on the end of a good cross from Gibbs. Some say he should have done better but I thought it was a very good save from Vorm who, blunder aside, did well. Let's hope they are coming back to form.

                             

Some fans will never be happy but I thought 3 points and a clean sheet when our starting 11 with everyone fit and available (wishful thinking you say? Possibly) we could start with TV5, Wilshere, Gervinho and Santos. For me TV5 and Wilshere, along with RvP are our best players. Gervinho also brings some directness to the table and while too early to tell if he is on the same level, he has the potential to be. And lets not commend the swans for a fine fearless performance. It's not hard to see why they kept Wigan and Sunderland scoreless.

Negatives
I'm not going to dwell too much on the bad today as we got the most important thing and that was the 3 points but here's a few quick points:

- I felt bad for Chamakh not being able to find anyone to give the armband to. I don't think it's a disgrace that he wore it himself but for me Sagna was the right one for it. That said when you have a team with 3 debutants, 5 others in the very early 20s it does limit the options. This I believe is the state of transition that we are currently in
- While Gibbs may have been poor, he has the excuse of lack of match fitness. Theo has no such excuse and may not be a regular starter once Gervinho comes back. He needs to up his game.
- RvP has had glimpses but was found far too deep at times yesterday with no one filling in for him up front. Time will tell if a formation built around Cesc will work without him.

With an important CL game on Tuesday coming up it was vital we got some confidence back. With Song and Gervinho back in the squad it may be enough to pick up another 3 points against Dortmund. Until then though it's job done.

Onward and upward. One game at a time.

Arteta is sexy

I've just stuffed myself with bacon, eggs and cheese bread. Vermont cheddar cheese bread to be precise. Needless to say pretty much every Irish lad could open a restaurant if all that was on the menu was a fry up. It'd be quite the menu: 

     Appetizers: Fry Up 

     Main Course: Fry Up

     Dessert: Fry Up

Excuse me waiter, do you have anything else other than a fry up?

No, sir. 

That's the only option?

Yes, sir. 

But you have more alcoholic options than food options. 

Sir, you do know this is a Irish restaurant yea? 

Anyway, my point is - a fry up is a great way to start the week. Or end the weekend for that matter, as you see today is Labor (without the U) Day here in America. I suppose I should figure out why today is a holiday but I think it's funnier to just imagine a day off for labor day. I mean, think about it, lets do nothing and call it a work day. 

Moving swiftly along, welcome to a new week of Arsenal folks, one which ends with the much anticipated game against Swansea. A little over a week ago this wasn't very anticipated at all. In fact it may have been dreaded for some. A absolute drubbing against United and practically no players left available in the squad. No new signings had appeared. Park had been mentioned but not officially announced. We all know what happened next. I must say out of all the players we've signed I really only got anxious and excited about one - Mikel Arteta. Well, that's not entirely true. I mean who doesn't get excited about a 6' 6 German? But Arteta was the one for me. 

He even looks like Cesc, especially the bottom half of the face, he's just older and sexier. When the news came out on deadline day that the deal was off I was gutted. Back on again and I was jumping around the place? Why? Can this guy really replace Cesc? Not alone, no. But I think he has a lot of the same qualities that Cesc had. He's very creative and a big step up in our resources at set pieces. 

Since Arteta joined Everton in 2004, here's how his contribution has been to the team. I've averaged the goals per game for Everton and goals (scored or assisted) per game for Arteta and calculated Arteta's number as a percentage of Evertons. For example, if Everton score 38 goals in a season, that would be 1 goal per game. And if Arteta played 20 games and scored or assisted 20 times then Artetas contribution would be 100% for all the games he played in. Confused yet? Good. 

04/05 - 19%

05/06 - 30%

06/07 - 39%

07/08 - 21%

08/09 - 31% (suffered knee injury in Feb 09)

09/10 - 32% (Arteta returned for 16 games)

10/11 - 16% 

Why Arteta was only half as effective last season as he was in previous seasons I cannot tell you. You'll have to ask an Everton fan whether it was a lack of form, playing out of position or simply didn't play as much (ie used more a sub - I based the statistics strictly on appearances, not starts). I don't put it down to him being past it or as a result of his knee injury. However, if he can make the step up at Arsenal and come out with figures around the 30% mark, then replace Cesc I think he can help with. As a comparison Cesc figures for the last 4 seasons comes out at 39%. RvPs average over the last 4 seasons is 40.5%. If Arteta could reproduce the form of 06/07 then he is in the same class as Cesc and RvP. Either way I think he can contribute a huge amount to our season. A good player should only look better when playing with better players. Take a look at Ashley Young if you think otherwise. 

Reports came out today that the reserves were impressed by Arteta in training. Not saying much really though is it. I mean, I could look good in one Arsenal training session, sticking to my 'tricks'. As long as someone didn't ask me to pass them the ball I'd be fine. Especially not with my left foot. I literally don't have a left foot. If I had to use it I'd be out the door sharpish. Unless of course the manager was Jamie Redknapp. Then I'd be made captain.

Till next time. Don't dream about Mikel too much. Oh go on then.