Firstly I would just like to point out that no-one should be forced to get up at 8.30 in the morning on a Sunday. Ever. It is just not right. However the chance to watch four of the worlds best teams play, I was willing to make an exception. My excitement was heightened by the fact that I was going to be sitting in club level and having a three course buffet meal with waitress’ to cater for your every need. But to keep up the traditions of the club you had to be smart casual and you do feel a bit of an idiot going to a football match in a shirt and suit jacket. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and I chuckled to myself as I saw a woman showing off her new shirt with the words ‘La Sagna Woooooo’ on the back. I feel I should make a brief mention to the first game. Hamburg played Juventus off the park. And they deserved to win for two reasons, firstly being they controlled the game from start to finish although I think the 3-0 score line was a bit much and secondly for the number of Hamburg fans who had travelled and didn’t stop singing for the entire 90mins and producing three Mexican waves.  They were a credit to there club. Between the two games the club level members were treated to afternoon tea, however this turned out to be a free for all as everyone descended on the vast array of scones and jam. It was disgraceful behaviour from supposedly classy ladies and gentlemen.  To be honest I liked the hospitality part of club level, they even have a club shop in there, but people kept coming in and/or leaving their seats which is annoying when you are trying to watch the game. Why spend all that money if your not going to watch the game? Also very few people sing in club level, which is incredibly frustrating when you want to stand up to hate Tottenham but fear doing so for annoying the people behind you so I watched in envy at the supporters elsewhere in the ground sing to their hearts content.
Anyway, as the ground filled up anticipation was high after the yesterdays disappointing loss as we took our seats on the half way line giving us a fantastic view of everything.  Arsenal started brightly playing the ball around in midfield in the usual way with Denilson and  Diaby starting the game in the slightly deeper role who had an excellent all afternoon, slightly ahead of him. I must be honest Diaby didn’t have a great game. His only major contribution to the game I felt was helping to injure Wesley Sneijder in what appeared to be a fairly innocuous challenge, but subsequently lead to the Dutchman being stretchered off only fifteen minutes after coming on. His passing was poor and he seemed very lethargic at times although he did make a 20 yard sprint to make a tackle, something that seemed to surprise everyone in the ground! After about half an hour the two of them started sharing the responsibility before eventually Denilson taking up the holding role completely after Ramsey came on who seemed totally at home in his new role.
The first chance was for Arsenal. A couple of quick neat one-twos from Adebayor and Van Persie  before the latter fed Walcott in on the right of the box and from a tight angle his shot produced a smart save from Dudek low to his right hand side. As Arsenal began to boss the midfield two more chances came in quick succession. A glorious chance to score came after Senderos powered forward out of defence before passing to to Nasri on the edge of the box who played a neat through ball to the Van Persie on the left handside before crossing  for Adebayor who had a free header which he should have scored from six yards out. Van Persie who was becoming the focus of all our attacks and he fed in Walcott who shot high and wide after beating two defenders. Nothing was really being created by Real Madrid as the back five dealt with any attacks the players made. There first real chance was a powerful shot by Garcia from thirty yards out which flew just over Almunia’s crossbar. The final chance of the half fell to Arsenal. The Real Madrid defence failed to deal with a corner as it bobbled in the air Adebayor did well to send a looping header over Dudek which the Polish international did well to tip over the bar as from where I was sitting it looked as though he wasn‘t going to reach it. Four minutes into the second half we finally broke the deadlock. A deep cross from Denilson from the right hand side towards Van Persie, but the Dutchman was clattered into from behind by veteran right back Salgardo and referee Mark Clattenberg didn’t hesitate to give the penalty. Adebayor immediately took the ball. No-one else was going to take it. This was plainly obvious he wanted to win the fans over and the crowd waited with baited breath as he went to take it. Adebayor versus a penalty saving master in Dudek, me muttering to myself ‘I‘ve never hated you Ade, Please score, please score please score.” But I needn’t have worried as he cooly powered the ball into the top corner.
Ade almost doubled his tally a few minutes later as he powered his way through a host of Madrid defenders he did well to get his shot away with Dudek closing in he stumbled after a challenge from Heinze (who was booed all afternoon) his shot agonisingly bobbled in and an inch past the post. I was right behind that and it seemed like it was in slow motion plus seeing it from there made it even more agonising!!! A chorus off boos then rang out with the introduction of your friend and mine Ruud Van Nistelrooy as well as Arjen Robben and he almost made an immediate impact. I couldn’t believe my eyes as it was a phenomenal experience and one I doubt will see again as he had a powerful shot from the edge of the area that was punched away by Almunia. Other than that he remained very quiet.
During the course of the second half, a host of substitutions were made as Ramsey, Bendtner,Vela Djourou Eboue and Wlishire replaced Diaby, Adebayor, Van Persie, Gallas, Walcott and Nasri respectively.
Wilshire seems to have reached legend status already as the biggest cheers, the equivelent to how we would great Bergkamp or Henry if they were introduced to the 60,081 strong crowd, greeted his introduction. I bet if you said to him a year ago  ‘Jack in 12months time you will have played against Juventus and Real Madrid’ he would want to have you locked up! You just wonder how long Wenger will keep him in the reserve team. He continued his fine form from pre-season as he bamboozled Garcia on the left hand side before providing a perfect cross to the far post for Bendtner but the Dane put it into side netting, proceeded to take his frustration out on the advertising hording. This proved to be the last action of what proved to be a very entertaining game. Getting out of the stadium was a nightmare in the pouring rain towards Finsbury Park tube, which was made worse by being dripped on by umbrellas and police kept stopping us for some reason, although to lighten the mood of being drowned, we were treated to some excellent entertainment from a guy who had obviously been enjoying one two many pints of Fosters wandering across the pavement being held up by his mate saying ’I’m not drunk, I never drink‘.  As we shuffled along I thought back to the match. Adebayor was clearly trying to make up for his comments he’s made and after the 50/50 combinations of cheers and boos’ when his name was read out by running like a headless chicken all over the pitch, not letting the Madrid players have the ball  at the back. The kissing of the badge was a bit much I feel. If he keeps playing like that, hopefully he will win the fans back and score more goals for us. I also see what Wenger means by if he didn’t bring anybody in the would be happy with the squad he has and I do see where he is coming from and seems to be linking up well with Van Persie who was the hub of a lot of the play. Nasri and Clichy seem to be building up a good understanding on the left although he still looks as if he needs a bit more time to settle in but that is understandable. Vela is settling in well, although he did struggle slightly against the Madrid backline, Ramsey is the new Fabregas and Wilshire is proving he can cut it at this level. I also must be forced to eat my words as I said that Denilson wasn’t ready, but he clearly proved that he was with a sound defensive display. All in all a lot of positives to be drawn out of today. The start of the Premiership is now less than two weeks away, and I cant wait!!