Reviews

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was perhaps slightly overshadowed by Aaron Ramsey in pre season but not by a long way. He was looking very sharp and had the same look about him as the Welshman had back in July. He had visibly matured and was impressing in central midfield. After creating the opening goal on the first day of the season his impressive start was snatched away from him due to

We badly miss Theo Walcott, I'd much rather have Theo alongside Bendtner for a stretch of games than having a back up striker. We really do not have any players who are looking to run in behind. One time in the first half, Serge Gnabry cut inside and was heading infield creating spaces, given that Southampton were pressing high, they had quite a tasty high line to try and get into. As Gnabry drifting inside, Santi on the left came towards the ball with his hand outstretched indicating for the German to pass him the ball to feet. There wasn't any need for that, Gnabry had space to move into and we need players to run into scoring positions so they can be found and not only to come short to get the ball into feet just like everybody else wants to do in our team.

Coventry City had a good go in the second half and should be proud of themselves in the way they passed the ball around at times. Even if we cranked up the handbrake in the first half of the second period, the League one side did very well to put pressure on us at times. If I was to compare another team that have been comparable I would say Tottenham in the FA Cup victory a few weeks ago. In fact I think Coventry were more threatening yesterday so they should feel proud of themselves, especially when you consider the amount of money our neighbours spent last summer.

There was a switch during the game with Cazorla and Gnabry moving to opposite sides. Greater tactical minds than myself may be able to explain the reason for this change. Serge Gnabry was able to unleash a few shots cutting onto his stronger right foot even if most of them were blazed over the bar. Given that Gnabry is more creative than outlet, I wonder if a switch to the left would get more out of him, especially as Cazorla can come inside on his left equally as well as his right. Lukas Podolski came on with 20 minutes to go and looked like he had a point to prove. He got on the ball a lot, had some long range shots, one that smacked off the post via the keepers and even went in for a 50/50 tackle on the touchline.

Serge Gnabry was preferred over Lukas Podolski and that must surely send alarm bells ringing around the German's head. I'm not sure I buy the fitness excuse to be honest, especially when you consider the amount of starts he has had since Tomas Rosicky replaced him in the starting eleven last season. What I find incredible about Gnabry is his awareness and willingness to put in a defensive shift for the team. You get the sense that players like Özil, Walcott, Arshavin before them have to force themselves to think about that side of the game. To go against their nature which is normal for an attacking player but even at 18 years of age, tracking his man and ending up in the right back position is almost second nature. His powerful frame is also used to barge into opponents

I thought Theo had done well, he looked better than he did during his stints as centre forward last season. Finishing aside, I think he played better yesterday than he did when he scored a hat trick against Newcastle in the 7-3 victory last season. More than Theo's individual performance I thought it made the whole team look more dangerous when attacking. The ball never stuck in the way it would do with Giroud and our link up play from striker to midfield wasn't anywhere near as good but when midfielders had the ball in the Tottenham half they didn't just have a 10 yard passing radius, all of a sudden Theo Walcott stretches out the pitch and gives his team mates a bigger area to pass into. I'd even go as far as to say Walcott's centre forward impersonation is better than any of

It is nice and rather unusual to see Arsenal causing all sorts of problems from crosses. It was a cross that finally broke Cardiff City two minutes from time. Nacho Monreal swung in a deep cross at the far post, Bacary Sagna is one of the few players who could have won that header. The keeper could only parry the ball into the path of Nicklas Bendtner to rifle into the roof of the net from close range.

Mesut Özil has been given some time off, possibly disguised as a shoulder injury. Aaron Ramsey picked up a knee injury against West Ham on Boxing day and Mikel Arteta was rested to the bench. This meant that our midfield was all taken up by second choice players. Mathieu Flamini, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky came into the team. I think it is lazy to say that Arsenal have a weak squad without acknowledging that certain areas of the squad is actually very strong. I thought that Oliver Giroud may have been rested for this one but thankfully he played another game. He might get that rest against Cardiff City on Wednesday and maybe again against Tottenham in the FA cup

Arsenal had looked unsteady on their feet after the Cole goal. almost like a boxer stumbling around trying to refocus but Cole and company could not take advantage, spurning good chances. Aaron Ramsey had suffered a knee injury and it was that injury that turned the game, Podolski replaced him and we had end product

Arsene who started with Walcott on the right and Flamini on the bench had other ideas. But Arsenal are not playing with the confidence and fluidity of August so breaking through Chelsea's narrow block proved too difficult. It is difficult enough trying to break down a mid-table side let alone a squad that costs more than most in world football. It is hard to imagine that the weather did not have some sort