Perfect Start To The New Year

Welcome all,

Well I don't think any of us could have asked for a better start to 2011? St Andrews is one of the hardest places to go and get three points but we made it look so so easy. Wenger has come in for critisism this week for resting several players against Wigan. We saw yesterday just why he did it. We were fresh and hungry for goals. Birmingham, who played the exact same eleven that took a point off United Tuesday night, looked tired and lacked ideas throughout the game. You'd be surprised what a good rest can do to the way your perform on the pitch. We have come very close to completing a perfect Christmas. The draw at Wigan was very disappointing but if you offered me seven points out of the last three games I would have bit your hand off.

Prior to the gameI stated that it was a must win obviously because we dropped two valuable points at the DW Stadium midweek. We began this one brightly, Walcott getting the better of Ridgwell before hitting the side net. Van Persie then tested Foster's resolve after being set up by Fabregas. Roger Johnson somehow escaped a red card after he went in to a challenge with Cesc with his studs up. Despite the commentator saying "he went for the ball" it was obvious he also wanted to make his presence known as he caught the Spaniard on the shin. Thankfully though he got up and carried on without making a fuss of the challenge. soon after Van Persie was fouled by Scott Dann outside the box. There didn't seem to be much contact and the Dutchman took the free-kick himself. His shot took a deflection off Lee Bowyer, sent Foster the wrong way and found its way into the back of the net. 1-0 Arsenal. As much as the Brum players were disgusted at the foul which led to the free, it was justice for Johnson's wreckless tackle on Cesc.

Birmingham nearly responded immediately. Fabregas conceded a cheap free-kick just outside the box. Up stepped our former player Sebastien Larsson and he forced a fantastic save from Fabianski. Shortly afterwards we should have made it two. Nasri went on one of his dazzling runs before slipping through Van Persie with a clever pass but he miscontrolled the pass and it rolled harmlessly to Foster. Birmingham were struggling to carve their way through us so they reverted to long balls as expected. We were dealing with them well but got off the hook on one occasion when RVP appeared to handle the ball in the area. Much to our relief the referee waved play away. The Dutchman was at the centre of attention again as he wasted another opportunity. He was set through one on one with Foster again but instead of doing the basic thing and putting his foot through the ball, he decided to try and chip the keeper but didn't get enough height on it and he saved with ease. You get the feeling a Van Persie at 100% would have put away all of these chances. We were very nearly made to pay as Roger Johnson got on the end of another long ball but he blazed over from about six yards. The replays showed he was offside but thankfully we weren't punished.

At half-time the majority of us were worried that we weren't taking our chances and if this continued it would have resulted in similar fashion to previous games at St Andrews. We needed to take our chances. Shortly after the game resumed for the second half Wilshere wasted a magnificent opportunity. Walcott's cross found Nasri who brought it down perfectly for the birthday buy but he blazed over. As my nerves grew and nails began to disappear we soon found the goal we all craved. Nasri and Cesc exchanged passes beautifully before the Frenchman finished past the helpless Foster. 2-0 and I was dreaming of a long awaited victory at St Andrews.

Eight minutes later we wrapped up the three points in somewhat bizarre fashion. Nasri picked the ball up in the box, he slid through Fabregas who shot from a narrow angle, Foster saved and the ball rebounded off Dann and then Johnson and somehow found its way into the net. It was quite hilarious and you did have to laugh as you celebrated at that massive cunt Johnson. In previous games you still felt nervous when we were 3-0 just because of our past. But now you get the feeling lessons have been learned and the boss has a good idea of what his X1 is. We could have had more if Fabregas, Walcott and Van Persie were a bit more clinical in front of goal but 3-0 was more than expected and capped off a truly magnificent display. Birmingham did all they could to try and stop us playing. The pitch was awful and I'm pretty sure instructions were given to the ground staff to have it that way. There were also several challenges from the opposition which should be reviewed and will be if the FA have any sense. Lee Bowyer took two swipes at Sagna yesterday. One was a stamp and would have definately been a straight red had the referee seen it. Cameron Jerome also tried to play Mr innocent as he trodded on Koscielny's ankle. These thugs will get their come uppings hopefully.

Let's not take the shine off what was a performance full of steel and resilliance. That was our first clean sheet in a long time and its not just coincidence that they come around when Djourou plays. I have to say now that the Squillaci - Koscielny partnership is one that should be avoided. they are both defenders I like but they're also both generally small for centre halves and lack Premier League experience. Djourou has all the aspects of a quality centre-back. I'm actually shocked at how much progress he has made in the last few years. I honestly looked upon him as just another Justin Hoyte who we would try and make money out of. Clearly this lad is determined to make it at the top level. Its a pity he stuggles to play two games back to back but I'm sure he'll be 100% soon.

Anyway here are the plater ratings from yesterday's game:
Fabianski: 7 - Wasnt too busy but made a brilliant save just after we scored.
Sagna: 7 - I said he's the best right-back in the Premier League and I've been proven right.
Djourou: 7 - Another solid display, improving with every game.
Koscielny: 7 - I thought he'd struggle against Birmingham's big players but he put in another sturdy display.
Clichy: 7 - Reasonably untroubled but solid throughout.
Song: 7 - Beginning to remember he's actually a holding midfielder again. Played well and broke up the play.
Wilshere: 7 - The birthday boy impressed once again but should have scored.
Fabregas: 8 - Looks to be finally over his injury worries. Brilliant and gets my man of the match.
Nasri: 8 - Another sublime display. Just behind Cesc for man of the match.
Walcott: 7 - Caused Ridgwell problems.
Van Persie: 7 - Scored but should have had a lot more.
Subs:
Denilson: 6 - Did his job.
Arshavin: 7 - Realises he's got a lot to do to get on the team. Nearly scored.

The big games just keep on coming now. We've got a huge game against City Wednesday night at the Grove and then we entertain Leeds in the FA Cup. Two games I'm confident we can win if and that's a big if, we play the way we have recently. Otherwise question marks will resurface about this team.

Arsene has been speaking about transfers again:
“I haven’t ruled out signings,” he said at Friday’s press conference. “If I have an outstanding opportunity, maybe I will take it.
 “I do not want to sit here and say we won’t, then people can come back and say ‘but you said you wouldn’t sign anyone’.
 “There’s still a big chance we won’t sign anyone because it’s difficult to find better players than what we have, but if there’s an exceptional opportunity, you never know.”

We shouldn't expect anything to be honest. In my opinion we've got great strenght in areas all over the pitch. Enough to cope if we're hit with a similar injury crisis to that we suffered last season. Its always nice to get a few fresh faces in though so if Arsene feels the need to open the wallet, I won't complain. Anyway I think I've blabbered enough for one day. Back soon.