Arsenal: We are top of the league, say we are top of the league!
Posted by Young'un in Arsenal | 21 September 2008
This weekend has been a huge step forward for Arsene Wenger's side, as they stormed to the top of the Barclays Premier League for the first time since the opening day. An impressive 3-1 victory at Bolton put The Gunners in pole position on Saturday night, but many thought they would be overtaken by in-form Chelsea the next day. But a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge saw Arsenal remain top of the pile, and in good shape going into three consecutive home games.
But it was Arsenal's brilliant performance in the North West that is getting rave reviews. Three brilliantly worked goals were just reward for the brilliant football on show. The first was scored by Emmanuel Eboue, who has been a different player lately to the one we saw last season, as Arsenal looked to respond from Kevin Davies' early opener. It was Eboue's first ever league goal, and a well-deserved one judging by his recent performances. The Ivorian has come in for lots of criticism, for his play-acting and lack of an end product. But some terrific performances against Newcastle, Blackburn, and again on Saturday against Bolton, have given Arsenal fans something to think about. Maybe he isn't the childish, cheating little bugger we thought he was, as Eboue has adapted to his role on the left of midfield, cutting in to help create chances, brilliantly. Which gives Wenger a real selection headache in that position. With Eboue in fine form, he deserves a place in the line-up. But then again, so do Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri and Denilson. Not to mention Tomas Rosicky, Carlos Vela and Robin van Persie who can also play on the left. It's a problem, but a good one to have.
The second goal came just over a minute later. A typical flowing Arsenal move saw Nicklas Bendtner convert Denilson's cut-back. The danish striker is also one who Gunners fans sometimes doubt. But his off-the-ball movement, winning mentality, and dominance in the air (which gives us another dimension) make him a very useful weapon. And it's good to have players who can come in and score when the likes of Eduardo and van Persie are missing. Staying on teh subject of strikers, I felt Adebayor had a sound game, too. He's strong, quick, powerful in the air, he can come deep and link up with the midfield, he can finish, and his workrate is second to none. Pretty much the complete striker in my opinion. Of course he can still add to his game, but the ingredients are there and Ade doesn't seem to stop improving. And he played a vital part in the third Arsenal goal. Subsitute Theo Walcott skipped past two players effortlessly, before playing in Adebayor on the right. 'The Togonator' slid the ball across the face of goal, for Denilson at the back post, who finished with ease.
Theo Walcott's cameo appearance was another piece of evidence that the teenager is growing in confidence and consistency. Theo has come on laps and bounds in the last six months, with major impacts in big games such as the famous run to set up Adebayor against Liverpool, another mazy run to set up van Persie last week at Blackburn, and of course, the famous hattrick for England in Croatia. His pace, well-timed runs and clinical finishing will be a major asset for Arsenal, and if the other players can also keep up this form, there's no stopping this team.
We rested a couple of key players, and still have Nasri, Eduardo, Rosicky, Silvestre, Diaby and Bischoff to come back. I'd say this is our strongest team:
------------------Almunia---------------------
Sagna-----Toure-----Gallas-----Clichy
---------Cesc----Diaby-----Nasri---------
Walcott------------------------van Persie
-----------------Adebayor-------------------
I doubt Wenger would use that formation but it's pretty mouthwatering. Apparently we have no strength in depth, but with a second string of........
Fabianski
Djourou, Song, Silvestre, Gibbs
Eboue, Denilson, Bischoff, Rosicky
Eduardo, Bendtner
PLUS The promising likes of: Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, and Traore and possibly Senderos to return from loan deals. Things are looking good at the Emirates. Long may it continue.
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