Arsenal 4-1 Portsmouth: Should We Start Getting Used To This?

Well, I though is was going to be an easy game and in a way I was right. As expect a flurry of goals, most of them well taken. Arsenal also definitively had their passing boots on, being a delight on the eye. And our top striker of the season is starting to emerge. You will know more after reading this post.

Sum-up

Our playmaking was superb, but we lacked the cutting edge, if we had worked hard all game, we could of have won about 7-0. Pompy were awful but they really never gave up and Arsenal didn't work hard enough to overcome that in the last half-hour. The defence was mainly solid but had a few concentration lapses The midfield was great going forward but didn't cover defensively the back four well enough, which left us sometimes vulnerable. Arshavin, Eduardo and Bendtner all work tremendously to create and feed Van Persie lots of balls,who lacked luck and skill to convert. On the whole, a satisfying performance would be the right term.

Performance

Well, what actually happened today? Good question. Arsenal and their fans went into the game knowing that Portsmouth were in crisis zone, and if pressure was maintained up front, then they wouldn't not have a chance. Good prediction by everybody, Arsenal storming their third half really was the key. The game started at high tempo, but the only ones that could keep up were the Arsenal. Building on a creative midfield, the forwards worked hard to get the ball up front to try to deliver the perfect ball. This resulted in the first goal: Eduardo humiliated his man and squared nicely with Diaby who fired in the first. Pompey tried hopefully to turn the tie, but before they knew it, Eboue was storming the right hand side and offered Diaby the perfect pass for him to finish nicely. It looked like game over. Arsenal's midfield was great going forward but sometimes left the defence a bit exposed. Belhadj crosses the ball in the box, nobody thought it was worth it till Kaboul rises and scores, poor defending, I think just a costly concentration lapse. Half-time and The Emirates is a bit disappointed. The next goal is crucial and both teams know it. Portsmouth give it all they've got which amounts in a few half-chances. Utaka suddenly burst through, he and Gallas shoulder to shoulder, but then the Portsmouth man crumbles to the ground. Erh... What is that, we were lucky Gallas didn't get a red card? N'importe quoi is what Gallas would say, and the replay shows that Utaka trips over on his own, I don't even think it was a dive. So where is all the fuss coming from? Sometimes the footballing world is beyond me. Anyway Gallas shows them who's Boss when he scores the goal of the season ( in the comical category of course) and enjoyed his third headed goal in three games. Game over for sure now, Arsenal seem to have become a bit careless, but still inspired as they continue the assaults up front. R.V.P puts Ramsey through and the bloke won't take a miss for an option, as he slots past Calamity James with some talent. After that Arsenal's defence fell asleep  a few times and Piquionne drifted through to threaten. But up front, we always looked like a menace. So in the end three well deserved, although not hard worked, points. The gooners continue their explosive start, and one can only wonder if this will be the season's trend or a one off  string of wins.

Goals

Well now here are the five goals:

Arsenal 1-0 Portsmouth : 17min25s: Fabregas finds Eduardo on the left and the Croatian beats his man almost without noticing, arrives in the box, slides the ball out to Diaby who smashes it into the net. Great finish ( I've noticed Diaby likes to smash them hard and hight, just like a guy called Vieira) and great skill by Eduardo ( Hadn't realised that side of him). Enjoy it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye-V0hj3X2s

Arsenal 2-0 Portsmouth: 20min58s: And before you know it, they've done it again! Who else but Fabregas to feed a brilliant ball over the top of the Pompey defence to find the infamous Eboue who skips like lightening before delivering the perfect ball for Diaby who sweeps it past the goal keeper peacefully. Eboue ripped apart the right side and execute the milimetered pass needed. Hands up for him. Enjoy it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYPeIIdE_eI

Arsenal 2-1 Portsmouth: 36min36s ( Ha!): Well, not quiet sure what happened here. Belhadj swings in a hopeful ball in the box. Everybody expects Almunia to catch it or the defence to deal with but the only one that can be bothered is Kaboul who towers in the air to head in from probably 1m out. Curse at it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JTW_rCdQbE

Arsenal 3-1 Portsmouth: 50min11s: the ball is inswinged by Andrey  and Vermaelen slides/kicks it towards goal. Instead of finding the net, the ball comes to Gallas, who tries to control, but the ball swirls up and hits him in his face, bouncing into the net. What a finish and Gallas makes it 3/3. Laugh at it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBoyj1C_8CI

Arsenal 4-1 Portsmouth: 67min56s: Van Persie slides the ball in to Ramsey, their defence is pathetically static, and Ramsey steadies himself and finishes elegantly past James. Enjoy it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0GceU6Nj9o

Nominations

What happens here, sir? Well only the most prestigious nominations and the most exigent ratings my boy!

THE GOONER:Well that ain't easy, the team looked solid, robust and focused, always going forward. But the man who impressed today was Diaby, with his volatile play, with is great goals and Vieira like break up play, he is the one who held the team together. Bravo to him for what is so hard to achieve, Abou,you've been promoted to the GOONER status!

THE LOOSER: Now this practically impossible!As explained before, the team really worked as a whole today, and single performances didn't really stand out. But the law dictates that one must be the LOOSER, and for me Denilson did very well, but wasn't present enough over the pitch, is role wasn't clearly obvious and sometimes lingered a bit on the ball. I know this is harsh on your delicate little ears, Deni, but you are the LOOSER.

GOAL OF THE MATCH: Ready for a controversial decision ( as an Arsenal fan you should be used to them by now). Don't get me wrong, I know Diaby's first goal is easily the best, but for my own satisfaction, I am going to go for Gallas's goal. Why? Well because it is one of the most hilarious goals in the universe. He tries to control it and it smacks him in his face. This is the BBC's official description of the goal : "William Gallas grabs a headed goal from inside the six-yard box.". Brilliant. But the best part is him actually celebrating the goal! Ah, Big Will when will you understand that you don't score goals on purpose.

SUB OF THE MATCH: All subs used today, and all looked very sharp. But I think Bendtner work very hard as always, and maintained that pressure on the right hand side. Good job Nick.

THEIR USELESS MAN OF THE MATCH: Easy peasy, Piquionne played at world class level today and could have single-handed drawn with us. Fortunately that didn't occur, but he still deserves the highly craved reward of being THEIR USELESS MAN OF THE MATCH. Clap Clap.

Here are now the ratings outa 10:

REFERING TEAM: Well, I must admit that the referee was pretty cool and intelligent today, and had a good game. The linesman though were sometimes wrong but on the whole did a nice job. 7/10

HOME SUPPORT: Those free scarfs really lightened the whole stadium ( I bought one of those for seven quid during the Emirates Cup, how lucky am I?). The Grove was in great voice gearing up for the Celtic game.8/10

AWAY SUPPORT: Made a lot noise although their team didn't really stand up to their chants? 6/10

WENGER'S TACTICTS:  Wow, a new feature, this one seems to rate the tactical decisions made by Arsene Wenger during the game, how cool is that?It is very cool indeed, especially as we will open this new feature with a high grade. Wenger let his team play their own football, and insured the pressure up front to be fully maintained with those substitutions. I also think it was wise to take Cesc off at half-time if he had a niggle..He definitively won't risk a player like that. Also him resting Song was a good thing, we will definitively need all he's got on Wednesday. Monsieur Wenger, you have earned yourself a good 7/10.

Analysis

Analyse Hour! Ready or not here it comes. Today we will start with the midfield. Diaby, Denilson and Fabregas all performed well, and insured an almost infinite supply of balls for the boys up front, just as they have been doing during the last two games. But I think they almost looked too offensive today, not properly covering our defence, which allowed Portsmouth a few avoidable chances. Cesc was intensely creative, but had to come off at half-time due to a hamstring fear. Ramsey replaced him and did a fine job indeed. He plays deeper than Cesc but in his way he definitively contributed in the chances. Diaby was popping up all over the place, so either I assume he had a licence to roam freely like a  dog of his leash or he was in great form and felt he was necessary all over the pitch. Fair play. The back four now. Centre backs and Almunia were mostly present, even though they experienced a few concentration problems, illustrate by the goal we conceded. We just need to iron out those frailties before the Manu game. Eboue look very sharp, offensively and defensive, it is good to know that not only Sagna can play well in that position. Gibbs laid back more but was mostly effective in defence, he is still learning his trade of course. Up front now. Well the main positive of the game, it seems to be all clicking together up there you know. Van Persie was doing those incisive runs and dribbles that were lacking, while Eduardo, Arshavin and the Bendt all started digging in properly from the sides, this meant that when we went forward the Pompy defence was completely stretched having to keep up with everybody. The three up front are still mainly providers at the moment which suits Arsenal's play. This means an assist and goal can come from anybody and anywhere on the pitch. A useful thing. At each game, we learn something new about this new formation, and it seems to be all coming together with explosive fashion. It's testing won't be complete though without it being challenged by a good team. Manu here we come. The subs Merida and Bendtner was a great move by Wenger, ensuring that the offensive play of Arsenal continued and that made life much harder for Portsmouth. A new point about the formation ( we really need to find a name for it, any ideas?) is that almost anybody can be fitted in it, and the players can adapt it depending on who there playing or what is happening on the field. Nice one Arsene, but can he promise us these heavy goal score-lines during the whole season? The signs were stating to emerge at the end of the last one so who knows. I think we've got as good as chance as anybody else, whatever you hear in the filthy press.

So in conclusion, a good result, but Arsenal could have made it so much easier for themselves.

Stats

Here the statistical data is displayed:

Possession:

Arsenal 60%-40% Portsmouth

Tackles:

Arsenal 19-22 Portsmouth

Fouls ( offsides):

Arsenal 9 ( 5)- 10 ( 2) Portsmouth

Shots ( on target):

Arsenal 19 ( 16)- 9 (4)

Corners:

Arsenal 9-4 Portsmouth

Passing rate:

Arsenal 89%-82% Portsmouth

And now it's time for the non-numerical stats! Ladies and Gents, a round of applauds for our top striker, GALLAS! You've heard it, you've seen it, you've smelt it, that's right Willie has done it again and he is a contender for the golden boot, let alone a goal of the season candidate. Diaby for his 100th appearance today offered two goals, he has now scored in the Prem three goals in his whole career, which is just as many goals Monsieur Gallas has achieved in 270 min. How about that! Crazy stuff really.

What Happened Elsewhere

What happened elsewhere? I'll tell what happened elsewhere . ManUre ( as they like to call themselves) were flattered by a 5-0 win against Wigan, during which their favourite caveman scored his 100th goal. Owen also scored a goal straight out from his youth . What a delight http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8209298.stm. And then, as if all this wasn't enough, Man city won against Wolverhampton, Adebayor on the score sheet again, http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8210640.stm.He has scored as many goals in the Premiership as our defender Gallas, so let the competition begin!. Nothing out of the ordinary elsewhere, more to come from Chelsea and Liverpool on Sunday.

Next game

The next game is none other than Celtic at home. The game won't look as easy as one might think. Celtic, having nothing to loose will go all out with heart and shoulder. If they score an early goal, then anything can happen. I am counting on Song to deal with the angry mid fielders, and the two centre backs to stand strong. Wenger might opt for a more defensive formation of 4-4-2 or maybe even 4-5-1. Who knows ( well Arsene does). Fabregas's injury could send him off the pitch for three weeks, or he could be back on Wednesday, but if he has got a niggle then I think he should be pulled out of the bloody battle of tackles that will be the Celtic game. I shall be reporting from the Emirates itself. The post shall be a bit later than of the ordinary, but it should be of more  depths as it's writer will have seen the game in the flesh. Till then, live well and sing it hard and loud:

Arsenal FC is The Best Team The World Shall Ever See.