I cannot believe how big Jay Emmanuel-Thomas looks. He is a Gooner and I was in the stands yet I was still petrified of him. JET had a good game on the right of the attack, perhaps not the perfect position for him given his size but his feet allowed him to play that role well
At long last we have our Arsenal back, I have something interesting to write about. The world cup, speculation and Spanish football clubs can be shoved into a box and tucked away under the bed for now. I will dip into the box and pull out the speculation in future but the rest can certainly stay away for a long, long while.
I had been looking forward to the Barnet game since I purchased my ticket and was even more excited when I read which players were taking part on Arsenal.com.
My Gooner pal had decided to drive instead of take the tube so I made my way to Finsbury park, jumped in his car and we headed down to Barnet. After fighting through the traffic and finding the correct gates we took up our positions roughly on the half way line. The terracing brought back many memories of the old Highbury days. Relaxed and free, you certainly feel a sense of togetherness with your own supporters when standing instead of the seats that we have all become so used to nowadays.
Behind the Barnet goal a few Arsenal fans had created a banner which epitomised exactly how I was feeling. ‘Barca F**k U’ simple yet to the point. It may not have been as well crafted as the Aaron Ramsey banners but it did exactly what it said the tin. The banner was moved away from behind the goal shortly after being placed there, surely that was down to a steward or two having something to say about the content.
Before the kick off, the stewards had one more issue to deal with, well two as two Gooners had found themselves on the pitch taking shots at the empty goal. One of the fans probably fuelled with alcohol applauded the supporters who chanted ‘You fat bastard!, You fat bastard!’ which brought a wry smile to my face. The pair staggered off the pitch to a rapturous applause before the real players trotted out onto the Underhill pitch.
As expected the starting line up was a mixture of first team experience mixed in with a blend of youthful talent. Vermaelen and Koscielny started the game together and that was an interesting choice. Was there anything to read into that? When Vermaelen joined the club, Arsene paired him up with Gallas as much as possible to make the pair develop an understanding and work as a partnership.
Andrey Arshavin looked in better shape this Barnet than he did last Barnet. Hopefully plates of pelmeni, dumpling, with sour cream and onion have been kept down to a minimum. Arshavin was frequently used in the first half, sometimes I feel the players were a little too keen to use the Russian, as plenty of balls sailed over his head and out of touch. I put that down to pre season rust.. I hope.
Laurent Koscielny was guilty of a few misplaced passes. I read somewhere that he gave the ball away a little too frequently last season in the French league. However he does seem to come from the same defensive school as Gael Clichy and Francis Coquelin. On a few occasions Koscielny stepped out ahead of his man and won the ball. Physically he isn’t the largest so his reading of the game may come in handy.
Emmanuel Frimpong was a little shaky starting off, miscontrolling a pass and playing an early pass to a team mate with a little too much venom but once he got into his stride he was very impressive. Squid boy made the comparison on Twitter between our tigerish number 4 and Michael Essien and without wanting to hype the lad up, I can perfectly understand the comparison. Determined, brave, aggressive and skilful. Judging by the reserve games I have watched him in, I still feel like he needs to improve his composure and decision making at times but he is certainly another to look out for. He does have some very healthy competition in his position along with Craig Eastmond who was right back for second half and Francis Coquelin who is gaining some valuable experience at Koscielny’s old club Lorient.
I cannot believe how big Jay Emmanuel-Thomas looks. He is a Gooner and I was in the stands yet I was still petrified of him. JET had a good game on the right of the attack, perhaps not the perfect position for him given his size but his feet allowed him to play that role well.
Arshavin’s goal was very well worked in the first couple of minutes. Tomas Rosicky sporting a new trim linked up well with Arshavin and the pair cut through Barnet as if they were not there. It looked like Arshavin took it too wide from where I was standing but he was able to roll it into the empty net with ease.
Jack Wilshere playing in Cesc’s attacking midfield role had a very good game and was involved with most of the first half action when Arsenal had the ball. I would really like him to stay at Arsenal this season and make his mark from the bench but it is looking likely that another loan spell is around the corner for the talented youngster.
It was Wilshere who set up two goals for Jay Simpson, the hard working burley striker who will score goals at his next club. He is a natural goal scorer but may not be technically good enough for Arsene Wenger for the longer term. I like Simpson, and like the fact that he is a real Gooner but not everyone can make it at Arsenal.
Arshavin struck the bar, Wilshere dragged a right footed shot wide and JET stung the palms of Jake Cole in the Barnet goal and that was it for the first half. It was all change as far as the Arsenal team went.
Marouane Chamakh started the second half as the lone forward in a 4-3-3 which could indicate that Arsene wants to continue using his new system but we will know more when the world cup players return for the next fixtures.
Samir Nasri was chief orchestrator in the middle of midfield and fulfilled the role expertly. Whilst English duo Eastmond and Gibbs filled in as full backs very well. Johan Djourou minus knee strapping came into the center of defence and did ok but like his first half center half team mates, he wasn’t tested very much.
Samir Nasri capitalised on a defensive mistake and slotted past the keeper for the only goal in the second half. Barazite may not have stood out to most but the ease of his touches and decisions was impressive. A player who could really blossom if given half a chance. A chance that many are queuing up for I may add.
That was all the action I saw as my lift had to leave five minutes early to avoid the Underhill rush, not an act that I’d usually agree to but as my bag was in his car I didn’t argue too much.
Back in the stands, some of the songs and banter was worth the admission fee alone. We all had a good sing at the ‘Ten men went to bed, went to bed with Ashley, 10 men, 9 men, 8 men, 7 men, 6 men, 5 men, 4 men, 3 men, 2 men, 1 man, and his mobile phone, went to bed with Ashley’
The Chamakh song was born at Underhill. It may have been conceived elsewhere but it was certainly born yesterday afternoon. ‘Chamakh, Chamakh, Chamakh Chamakh Chamakh!!’ sung with plenty of aggression and justiculating.
It was a lovely day out. A little expensive given the fact that it was a friendly against Barnet but it certainly was worth the money. I would have enjoyed it more had the Arsenal first half team taken on the second half team but never mind. Manuel Almunia and Eduardo both missed the game, we shall see if it spells the end for either player or that there is a perfectly good reason for the players to be absent.
Seven players return on Monday, so Austria here we come.
On Facebook? Why not join the new Facebook group. Just click this link
Click to follow Arsenal Vision on Twitter
EXAMPLE OF AD POSITION
