Barcelona’s 4-3-3 is perfect for Cesc Fabregas, it gives him the freedom to get forward and supply killer passes, it also gives him the opportunity to make forward runs and get beyond the front players

The team yesterday were on track for the new season, we witnessed the highest quality of football from our pre season matches last night. Cesc Fabregas was back for his first outing of this years warm up games.

It looks like the 4-3-3 or a version of that is here to stay. Alex Song and Denilson protected the back four and Cesc was allowed to get on the ball and pick his passes.

At the end of last season Cesc was shifted into a role behind the striker which did not suit his game, Wenger made that change to add a defensive balance to the team, he clearly thinks that Cesc cannot play in central midfield in a two man midfield and be strong enough to help the team defensively. Ironically enough, Barcelona’s 4-3-3 is perfect for Cesc Fabregas, it gives him the freedom to get forward and supply killer passes, it also gives him the opportunity to make forward runs and get beyond the front players.

The goal that won the game was a thing of beauty. Typical Arsenal, slicing through the opposition with quick passing and movement. Bendtner from the right scooped a pass into Van Persie who controlled and turned onto his left. Cesc Fabregas made the type of run that he made two seasons ago and the Dutchman’s slide pass through the Hannover 96 defence was inch perfect. Van Persie already scored the goal for Cesc. Cesc didn’t have to think about what to do, Van Persie’s pass already took out the goalkeeper who was racing for the ball.

Robin Van Persie had already attempted to get Cesc Fabregas through with a pass that was intercepted. Perhaps this will be a regular feature in this new team set up.

The first half performance was far higher than the 7-1 and 5-0 recent pre season games.

An interesting choice of fullbacks by the manager. With two defensive midfielders in Song and Denilson, Wenger opted for the more attacking Eboue and Traore at right back and left back respectively. You would imagine that Clichy and Sagna will have more licence to get forward if Wenger does continue with two defensive minded players in the heart of midfield.

Andrey Arshavin is currently not at his best, his previous pre season games have seen him somewhat behind the pace but we know that it is only a matter of time before he gets to the level that he is capable of. Cesc played the Russian in through the left channel but instead of finding the right pass the self confident Arshavin went for a left foot shot that was saved. Van Persie central and Bendtner at the far post would have been better options.

Bendtner and Van Persie seemed to have a good understanding together, frequently switching positions and playing one-two’s. Bendtner has had an impressive pre season and it will be interesting to see where Wenger places him on his striker rank list.

We dropped off in quality in the second half, Cesc was replaced for Ramsey and Traore came off injured for Silvestre so we lost a fair chunk of our attacking threat. Hannover 96 quickened their tempo and attacked us more often.

Van Persie had his usual pre season spat with an opponent and Eduardo who replaced Van Persie couldn’t quite freeze time and score the way he has done in the past, his effort was blocked.

All in all it was an impressive display of pass and move and pre season looks to be doing its job.

We have already been given some answers so far and that is Vermaelen and Gallas will start the season at center back. The formation question has pretty much been answered also, Either 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, with rotational forward players.

The questions I have after the Hannover 96 game is, do we need one defensive midfielder if we can play two which allows Cesc freedom to get forward. Clearly we are short in numbers in that area but do we need someone to take over from the two young improving midfielders?

The other question is that of Eduardo or Bendtner? Who is the priority? The finishing of Eduardo or the link up and aerial power of Bendtner?

We may know more about what Wenger is thinking over the weekend when we face Atletico Madrid in the Emirates cup.