Positives and Negatives from Today

Positives:
1)We seem to have adopted a new defensive strategy, and it looked solid:
For years, Arsenal's defence has been criticised for leaking goals - despite quality individual players, there just never seems to be any cohesiveness.
Personally, I've always blamed our defensive mishaps on the system and a generally lack of cover for the centre-backs. We've always operated with full-backs providing width, but unless either one stays back whilst the other pushes forward, or a midfielder drops in to fill the void, such a tactic leaves the centre-back pairing very isolated and vulnerable.
It's an idea I touched on a few years ago in an article I wrote on ArsenalColumn (very good site, BTW):
http://arsenalcolumn.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/arsenal-system-too-unconventional/
But it seems as though Bould's impact has had an immediate effect, if today is anything to go by.
For the first time in a while, we saw a less gung-ho approach from our defenders; when one full-back pushed forward, the other tucked in to support the centre-backs; when one of Arteta or Diaby pushed forward, the other dropped in to sit in in front of the defence.
Are we beginning to learn from our defensive mistakes in the past?

2) Cazorla was fantastic:
Not much that needs to be said about this one. He had a few stray passes which I feel resulted from mix-ups with other players - understandable considering it was his debut - but other than that, he was fantastic. His decision-making was sound, his close control was excellent, and he picked some absolutely fantastic passes out. I don't like to speak too soon, but I think we may well have the world-class playmaker we've been lacking since Fabregas' departure.

3) Gervinho showed how dangerous he is:
While the Ivorian's final product leaves something to be desired, his acceleration, balance, and directness means he's always going to be a threat to teams.
A good final ball is what is stopping him from being a truly top-class wing-forward, but even without the finishing touches to runs, his ability to force defenders to backtrack allows him to take the ball in a nonthreatening area and drive into the final third - such runs were invaluable for us today.

Negatives:
1) Podolski didn't look overly comfortable as the lone striker:
The German didn't quite look suited to the role he was asked to play; he dropped back very deep to collect the ball, and looked a little uncomfortable when being harried by an opposition defender with his back-to-goal.
I don't think this is too big an issue, because:
a) It is his first game, so he probably needs time to settle, and:
b) Giroud is likely to play in the lone striker role more, with Podolski playing out on the left.
However, if he can't settle, then it might be a bit of a worry if Giroud gets injured.

2) We couldn't finish our chances:
Bit of an obvious one, but it's still a pressing issue. I think we looked better when Giroud came on, but the Frenchman was guilty of missing perhaps our clearest opportunity.
For now, I'm not too concerned about this either; we have new players settling in, and I still think on another day, we would have won this game quite comfortably.

I think a lot of people saw this as a game we should be winning, so 2 points dropped is obviously a disappointment. However, it is not all doom and gloom, IMO; we looked good today, and we still have a few players returning from injury to look forward to, as well as the likelihood of one or two additional signings before the transfer window closes.

The start wasn't ideal, but I still believe this could be the best season we've had in years.