Arsenal win 3-1 (Sorry Jens)

An all round good night for the team as they cruised to a satisfying 3-1 victory against Vfb Stuttgart. The second half seemed especially exciting (although I wouldn't know for sure since I live in Asia and don't get Arsenal TV and have an especially shitty internet line so watching the match over the net was out :D)

Arsenal goals came from Vela (58), Bendtner (65) and Wilshere (73) after Bastürk's goal in the 51st minute gave us a rude awakening. I was a little surprised to see Ade-bye?-or and RVP not score but seeing as it was their first time in a competitive match in a few months, I don't think thats too much to worry about. What should be a source of delight to Arsenal fans is the performance that Bendtner and Vela put on. Vela especially has gelled quite well into our style of play and while I don't suggest making them the primary striking partnership, I would say that they're definately ones for the future and would be reliable backups if Ade, RVP or Eduardo suffer injuries. And seeing as Eduardo's foot is still fucked (for lack of a better term) and Van Persie is....well he's Van Persie, we might just be seeing more of them (especially Bendtner) in a 4-4-2. 

The rest of the team seems to be in good shape. Nasri impressed quite a few on his debut and although he didn't set the world alight, he did a fair job and....here's something unexected from a successor of Hleb, actually took a shot at goal. Or as Hleb would have called it, being a selfish basterd (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/08072008/58/premier-league-hleb-fabregas-selfish.html). I know that is hitting below the belt especially since he redacted that statement but, as an Arsenal fan I deserve to be petty at the very least. And anyays, I have a strong feeling that Nasri will score a fair amount more than  Dribbly McNoscore (as Arseblogger loves to call him) ever did in less than half the time. And he'll trounce him in assists too.

The biggest revalation of the Pre-Season seems to be Wilshere. Only 16 and that kind of talent. And lets be frank...this wasn't against some crappy team from no where that loses 10-2 (regardless of how good we were :D), this was a competitive German team that won won the Bundesliga quite recently (06-07 I believe and were 6th last season). So again, while its unwise to hype a player this young, I think it is something to be excited about.

Finally, I think I'll end this longish post with a quick question to you Gunners. I think must have been more than slightly pissed when they saw Eboue playing in midfield. Now although I would agree that he brings some defensive balance, which is what Arsene wants, I think its a poor choice, especially since Arsenal need a Holding player who can take over from Flamini and Gilberto. So my question is this, since we already know Arsenal wants one more Midfielder (Assuming it wasn't Amuary Pissoff that Arsene was talking about), who would your choice be?

Cheers

 P.S. Match Highlights can be found here, courtesy of Arsenalist: http://arsenalist.com/2008/07/30/arsenal-vs-stuttgart-highlights-and-goals-pre-season-friendly/