Yesterday

Missed the match yesterday but watched the recording when I got home last night.

Although I was hoping for a result of some kind for us yesterday, I never take anything for granted when we play Arsenal.
As usual they played through the middle with pace & good passing which at times made us look pedestrian.

I thought Ramsey had a very good game, as did Koscielny & Flamini looked as though he had never been away when he came on.

Giroud took his goal very well, however I think Dawson & Rose were at fault here & if they had been more alert it might have been different. All credit to Giroud though, sharp & very simple finishing!

From our side, Lloris showed what a top class keeper he is with some great saves & speed off his line.

Our back four was a little wobbly at times & I think Walker needs to sharpen his marking skills. I think it is inevitable that Kaboul will once again once fully fit regain his place, probably at Dawson's expense.

Chiriches will I am sure be introduced very soon, he has the added advantage of being able to play anywhere across the back too.

Rose is still learning & has to learn how to deal with players like Walcott & their pace.

In the middle of the park, where we have spent a lot of money, we were in my opinion too one dimensional with no cutting edge going forward. The obvious need is for a "creative" player to orchestrate things for us. Is Eriksen the answer? I don't know, only time will tell.

Paulinho was under instructions to get forward as much as possible, which left Capoue a bit too exposed and over run at times. As for Moussa, I am not sure where his head is at, at present! He has gone awol this season & I think he could be a casualty come the next match.

Chadli started well & then fell away, I think he is struggling with the pace of the PL & he needs to up his game if he wants regular starts.

Townsend has been good so far, however he is fairly predictable & needs to bring more invention to his game. Hope he does not think he is the "New Bale" and has to cut in and shoot everytime

Lamela was not on long enough really to judge, however he showed that once he has settled he is going to be very useful indeed!

It is Soldado I feel sorry for, no service & almost totally isolated up top.

I think either Lamela or.......wait for it..........................Ade should be played alongside Soldado and then he might get the service he both needs & deserves.

Maybe a draw yesterday might have been a fair result, considering our domination in terms of possession, especially in the second half.

However take nothing away from Arsenal, they battled extremely hard to hold on to their lead & in fact could have increased it if not for Lloris.

Am I downhearted? Only in the usual way I am whenever we lose. However I am glad it is only the 3rd game from the start of the season & not the 3rd from the finish of the season. And we have 4 more points than we did last year after 3 games!

What I do know, is that no one is safe from defeat in the PL which results have indicated so far. I expect us to get stronger & better going forward and still remain optimistic about our chances this season.
Whatever happens though, I think Arsenal (especially if they sign big names today) will be there or thereabouts come next May!!