Yeah, I said it. I’ve made it clear time and time again that I am in no way a fan of the little Brazilian and am never convinced when people try to use his stats to convince me he is even a good player let alone one befitting of a starting place in the Arsenal team

Observations from the opening week. In LIST form!

1. We don’t need our strikers to score

8 goals in two games and only ONE of those has come from a recognised striker (Eddie). Aside from being a full-on, open-palmed, extended finger, shoulder-hyper-extending slap in the face for all the nay-sayers who thought we’d struggle for goals without that money-grabbing ingrate for whom I shall not speak his name, it’s an encouragement to know that goals can come from any area of the team. And as well of the variation in goalscorers, the Everton game was a real exhibition of different types of goals. There was a good mix of Long range (Denison, Cesc), Set pieces/headers (Tommy V & Billy G), team (Cesc again) and scrappy (Eddie). Hopefully the accusation that Arsenal are always guilty of trying to ‘score the perfect goal’ can be dismissed once and for all this season.

2. 4-3-3 seems to be working a treat

Ok. It’s only the first week of the season but in our two games our brand-spanking, new, fresh out the box formation has been massively successful. Two very good performances (away from home no less) would suggest that Arsenal’s new style is one that could prove very troublesome for many teams that we face this season. There have been groans in some quarters that our strikers have struggled but in the same way we cant get carried away with our start, we cant say that Van Persie et al wont adapt to it soon enough. I’ll admit I was sceptical about trying to play the ‘Barcelona’ way given that we don’t have the personnel good enough to pull it off but thus far, it seems to be bringing the best out of even our worst players. Which brings me nicely onto…

3. Denilson DOES have some use

Yeah, I said it. I’ve made it clear time and time again that I am in no way a fan of the little Brazilian and am never convinced when people try to use his stats to convince me he is even a good player let alone one befitting of a starting place in the Arsenal team. However, in the first two games this term he has really raised his game and actually looks somewhat comfortable in that central midfield role allowing Cesc to do his thing and Song to clean up behind him. A fantastic goal and altogether tidy performance against Everton followed by a more subdued but acceptable stint (one pathetic attempt at a tackle aside which almost allowed them in during the first half) against Celtic suggest that HOPEFULLY the lad can go from strength to strength and make me eat that big slice of humble pie everyone keeps on telling me about…. Mmmm, Pie.

4. Tony Adams, legend that he was on the pitch, doesn’t really have a clue does he?

Remember his comments when we signed Tommy V? Something along the lines of being too small or something? Again, without getting too carried away after just two games, The Beast from Belgium has rammed those words right down the throat of our former skipper with two incredible games and a goal to boot! (I’m impressed with how much he loves a header). Tone, you were a fantastic player, our greatest captain and all that but given that your managerial career has been nothing short of a complete shambles, it’s probably best that you keep your opinions about football and footballers to yourself.

5. The Joy of Cesc

There were some outlandish suggestions towards the end of last season and over the summer that we should cut our losses and get rid of wee Fab. I don’t even have to explain how insane such talk is. All I need to do is point to two goals and three assists this week. As our hands-down most influential player, we can only hope he stays injury free and regains his form from the first half of the 07/08 season. An in-form Cesc will almost certainly mean we’ll challenging for top honours at the business end of the season.

6. Arsenal dont respect silly things like records

Everton’s biggest opening day defeat since the Battle of Hastings, the biggest premier league opening day win, Celtic’s first loss at home to English opposition since the last supper etc etc. Add that to the first English team to win both at the Bernabeau and San Siro in recent years as well as the biggest win (at the time – cant rack my brian to think if it’s been beaten since) by an English side away from home against Inter and of course some silly unbeaten run we had way back when and you wonder why people even bother keeping records with Arsene Wenger’s team around.

7. As fans, we know nothing

“We need new signings” “Song is rubbish” “Wenger’s lost it” “we’re going to finish 8th” “relax, that wart is harmless” are among some of the things that have been bandied around all summer and, at the time of writing, the pessimism has been wholly unwarranted. One thing for sure is that whether or not “Arsene Knows”, he certainly knows a fuckload more than any of us.

8. Despite what anyone says, Arsenal made their own luck

I don’t believe in luck. Never have, never will. If I win the lottery it’s because I took the chance and bought a ticket. If I get hit by a car it’s because I’m a dumb-arse who should look before crossing the road. Luck is something that people use as an excuse for sometimes unexpected good or bad fortune (Fortune by the way is an often mistaken synonym for luck when in actual fact fortune simply means a positive turn of events). My point? (yes, there is one) Many are suggesting that Arsenal were lucky against Celtic this week. If we are to accept that there is a thing vaguely resembling luck, it cannot be denied that you make your own luck through your own actions. Gallas created his luck by first making the decisive run then ducking to avoid Cesc’s the shot. Clichy created his own luck by crossing the ball into the danger area. Simples!