As far as comfortable wins though, this will be right up there this season. Three nil at home is always a score that oozes a comfortable vibe and a clean sheet after the madness at Stamford Bridge was a warm welcome in the league.
From the moment that Robin Van Persie slotted home from ten yards after Walcott’s saved shot, this game was always in the bag.
There was a new feeling of absolute confidence and calmness around the Emirates which is starting to become a regular feeling after our nightmare start to the season. With West Brom having no Shane Long or Odemwingie in their side, they posed little threat to the Arsenal goal.
Robin and Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey showed once again today why there is life after Cesc. As the season progresses Aaron is starting to boss the central midfield position, and with Arteta and Song beside him, he is in his element. His pass that led to the first goal today was exquisite and we can look forward to him providing class like that throughout the season.
As for Robin, what can we say about this man? The sooner he gets pen to paper on a new contract the better for all Arsenal fans out there praying that this isn’t a repeat of the Nasri affair. Due to the loss of Cesc and Samir Nasri, Mr Persie has become one of the most important players at the club for years.
I think it’s unfair to label us as a one man team, but the stats don’t lie. Today he was magnificent. Scoring one and creating two, this guy really does have it all. For me, he and Thomas Vermaelen must stay fit all year for our season to be a success.
Vermaelen’s goal today was a reminder of his ability to score from defence, and his partnership with Koscielny was promising as they dominated aerially and on the ground. Leaving Mertesacker on the bench showed the strength of our squad and to have serious competition for the centre back position is a massive plus. In my opinion Mertesacker and Vermaelen will start most games, due to the pure height and physicality of the German and Vermaelen is by far the best centre back at the club.
Team Ethic
What is starting to look clear now is that the group of players at the club are really starting to come together as a team. The experienced signing of Arteta, a proven Premier League player along with the youth of Jenkinson today worked well.
Jenkinson in particular after a nervy start to the season is really starting to look like a prospect and for the fans it’s always good to see British talent in the team. If we remember this kid was playing non-league football last year and now he’s playing weekly for Arsenal, it’s really quite something.
Without the egos of players such as Gallas, Bendtner and Nasri, replaced with personalities such as Mertesacker and Arteta, the team seems closer as a unit and united in Wenger’s Cause.
Arteta has changed his game from the one he was used to at Everton where he would be the primary playmaker, sitting deep alongside Song and allowing Ramsey to play the ‘Cesc’ role. His fine finish today for the last of the 3 goals capped a fine selfless performance from the Spaniard, and the fact that he won’t be on international duty is a big plus for all of us.
The Emirates seemed to have more people today and hopefully the growing crowds will continue to happen as the season goes on. Overall it was a great day, capped with a fantastic typo in a tweet from the ever unpredictable Andres Santos. ‘Very good win gays’. Indeed it was Andres.
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