The best thing about last night was Mr Steve Van Den McClaren who after a few weeks in Holland has magically turned into a Dutchman

So it was a case of job done, but that was truly about it. I was unsure what kind of match I would witness before kick off. I thought that we would win the game 2-1 but what kind of performance would come from a midfield that lacked creativity.

Wenger didn’t go with 4-5-1 which to me was quite a surprise, especially given the fact that we were playing Aaron Ramsay alongside Denilson in the center of midfield.

Although Ramsay wasn’t great last night he does seem to have great mental strength as Arsene would say, no matter how many times he gives the ball away he always seems to make space and show for the ball. I can imagine him being a dominate midfielder when he is in his twenties.

I bet the Welshman is thanking his lucky stars that he choose Arsenal ahead of Manchester United as he would have been preparing for a match against Doncaster had he decided to join Alex Ferguson. Manchester United were going to loan him back to Cardiff if he signed for them.

It was quite apparent that we looked very light in midfield and the Arsenal midfield could not get control of the ball. The Cliche ‘games are won and lost in midfield’ isn’t far from the truth as we struggled to get into the game. The fullbacks could not attack they way we wanted them to because of this, Van Persie and Adebayor were starved of a supply line that Fabregas so wonderfully provides when he is jogging around the pitch.

I mentioned yesterday that Walcott would have an off day because of our lack of creativity and it was true. He ran into trouble, misplaced passes, didn’t look for passes earlier and generally had a poor game. Wenger must have kept him on to stretch the Twente side in the final stages as they were chasing the game following a very scrappy goal from Gallas.

I thought and was hoping that Wenger would bring Vela on to replace Van Persie in the last 10 minutes to give us a little extra on the break. Van Persie wasn’t at his best and once again he was getting frustrated. Like many Dutchmen of the past, Robin has that little nasty streak in him.

Theo set up Adebayor to practically end the tie. 1-0 we are in good shape for the next round, 2-0 and we need to big time collapse, but I cannot see it, especially as we SHOULD have more players available during that time.

We are all shouting and ranting about lack of depth and the need to new midfielders but which team could be able to lose 5 midfielders? (Cesc, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky and Song) Bischoff is another injured although he hasn’t played football yet. What would Manchester United with their so called wonderful squad look like with Scholes (Cesc), Giggs (Nasri), Hargreaves (Diaby), Carrick (Rosicky), and O’Shea (Song)

How about Liverpool who have spent millions each season. Gerrard (Cesc), Alonso (Diaby), Benayoun (Nasri), Babel (Rosicky), Pennant (Song).

Only perhaps Chelsea could field a half decent side with that amount of players missing. So with all those players coming back along with the experienced signing then it makes things look a little more rosy when you take step back.

The best thing about last night was Mr Steve Van Den McClaren who after a few weeks in Holland has magically turned into a Dutchman. Not only his accent but his gestures. What is going on? It is almost like he has forgotten that Setanta know that he is English!

I recorded it and had to share because I laughed my ass off when I watched it.

I cannot wait to hear him after a year! If he lasts that is.

Things will be much different against West Brom with Cesc Fabregas coming back into the side along with perhaps Nasri, that and being at home along with a little more match sharpness should see us improve as a team.

Check out Squid Boy’s Match Review on that yellowish linky thingy.

Have a good day. Drop your view in the comments.

Until tomorrow.

Update: Arsene Wenger has confirmed that a new midfielder will be expected by the return match (27th August 2008) So that indicates that a deal is pretty much done, probably just a case of medical and loose ends. It will be interesting to see who it is.

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