The Gunners started off the new season with a 1-0 home victory over newly promoted West Brom. They dominated the game, with just a couple of chances for the visitors, but were unable to kill the match off after debutant Samir Nasri gave them the lead inside 5 minutes.
Brought in from Olympique de Marseille, the 21 year old Nasri was undoubtedly the star of today's season opener. Many of Arsenal's attacks during the game, and especially in the second half, came down the left with Nasri and Clichy combining nicely to cause West Brom some worry. Denilson also put in a polished performance, manning the central midfield in the absence of the injured Cesc Fabregas.
The team still looks a bit rusty despite the pre-season tournaments. Djourou's lapse of concentration almost cost the team, but he got back and made a goal-line clearance. Adebayor had at least a couple of great chances to open his Premier League account but he wasn't able to capitalise on them. Emmanuel Eboue hasn't gained any in the patience department since last season. He took some wild shots at goal, and either didn't get any power behind his shots, or was completely off-target. Gallas's long range effort came much closer, and Van Persie (on for Bendtner) almost pulled off a beauty, but it wasn't to be.
But as Wenger and Adebayor said in the run up to the game, it's about winning, not just being easy on the eye. By those standards, Arsenal is off to the start they wanted.
Transfer News
Justing Hoyte completed his move to Middlesborough for an 'undisclosed' fee. Word is that it's around the 3 million pound mark, for a 4 year term. He joins fellow ex-Gunner Aliadiere, who is at the moment causing some panic in the Spuds' back four.
Apart from Nasri, Arsenal have brought in Amaury Bischoff, 21, from Werder Bremen. The Portugese midfielder is yet to recover from his groin surgery. It was a bit strange for Wenger to bring him in injured, but perhaps he had him scouted before the injury took place.
The 16 year old Welsh prodigy, Aaron Ramsey, was signed from Cardiff as well. While this doesn't necessarily translate into another regular first-team option, we can take some joy in that he was hotly pursued by the Mancs but "chose" Arsenal.
Wenger says he's definitely bringing in a new player before the transfer window closes. Let's hope he isn't kidding around because we've lost a lot of experienced players already - Jens Lehmann, Gilberto Silva, Alex Pleb and Mathieu Flamoney. Rumours are that it's Inler from Udinese, but I'd rather not join the conjecture until it actually happens.
Brought in from Olympique de Marseille, the 21 year old Nasri was undoubtedly the star of today's season opener. Many of Arsenal's attacks during the game, and especially in the second half, came down the left with Nasri and Clichy combining nicely to cause West Brom some worry. Denilson also put in a polished performance, manning the central midfield in the absence of the injured Cesc Fabregas.
The team still looks a bit rusty despite the pre-season tournaments. Djourou's lapse of concentration almost cost the team, but he got back and made a goal-line clearance. Adebayor had at least a couple of great chances to open his Premier League account but he wasn't able to capitalise on them. Emmanuel Eboue hasn't gained any in the patience department since last season. He took some wild shots at goal, and either didn't get any power behind his shots, or was completely off-target. Gallas's long range effort came much closer, and Van Persie (on for Bendtner) almost pulled off a beauty, but it wasn't to be.
But as Wenger and Adebayor said in the run up to the game, it's about winning, not just being easy on the eye. By those standards, Arsenal is off to the start they wanted.
Transfer News
Justing Hoyte completed his move to Middlesborough for an 'undisclosed' fee. Word is that it's around the 3 million pound mark, for a 4 year term. He joins fellow ex-Gunner Aliadiere, who is at the moment causing some panic in the Spuds' back four.
Apart from Nasri, Arsenal have brought in Amaury Bischoff, 21, from Werder Bremen. The Portugese midfielder is yet to recover from his groin surgery. It was a bit strange for Wenger to bring him in injured, but perhaps he had him scouted before the injury took place.
The 16 year old Welsh prodigy, Aaron Ramsey, was signed from Cardiff as well. While this doesn't necessarily translate into another regular first-team option, we can take some joy in that he was hotly pursued by the Mancs but "chose" Arsenal.
Wenger says he's definitely bringing in a new player before the transfer window closes. Let's hope he isn't kidding around because we've lost a lot of experienced players already - Jens Lehmann, Gilberto Silva, Alex Pleb and Mathieu Flamoney. Rumours are that it's Inler from Udinese, but I'd rather not join the conjecture until it actually happens.
