The first pre-season game is in the bag. I caught the 10-minute highlights on Arsenal TV Online; recommended for all Gooners.
The first goal came form Jay Simpson, with the kind of finish you'd expect from a 20-goal striker. The Londoner Simpson then had the assist for the second goal to Nacer Barazite, whose finish was right off the top shelf. Barazite is a name that is known to the hard-core Arsenal faithful who have monitored the results of previous reserve-side outings; he gets his name onto the teamsheet from time to time. The Dutchman Barazite looks like he could be useful in the first-team squad. Of course, I said the same thing about Kieran Gibbs after a pre-season game last year, and he never made another appearance.
So a goal and an assist to Simpson, and the winner from Barazite. Both from top finishes. The kind of finishing that the first team desperately needs, especially with Thierry Henry now long gone, and Eduardo on the mend, after what had been an up and down start to his time at Arsenal.
But what do you miss if you only watch 10 minutes of highlights? The other 80 minutes. That's why I encourage you to do as I do, and keep up with the Goonerholic blog. We've added the time stamp in the side bar to let you know when a fresh one is up.
Goonerholic spins a yarn about midfielders Aaron Ramsey (an actual bona-fide member of the Arsenal.com first team with the number 16 strip) and Jack Wilshere being the key players.
Ramsey wasn't the only first-team player in there. Goalkeeper Almunia came off decidedly 2nd best for Barnet's opener, and there were others who were more anonymous, like Sagna, Clichy, Denilson, and Walcott.
59 minutes ago
Posts
3 deflections:
I saw the entire game and must say that most of the first-teamers didn't quite put in a day's worth of work. I'm a little disappointed by Denilson who I thought should have been able to impose himself on the game. But it was Ramsey who makes the best impression. He shows good vision, nice pace, and good movement. There was definitely a disconnect between the midfield and the front two and that was apparent from the first half score line. I won't get into detailed description and analysis of the others as I think it was the first game of the pre-season and a lot of players look rusty and short of match fitness.
The Arsenal U18 team that played the second half were more energetic and more entertaining. I am impressed by Jack Wiltshere who I think could be even better than Aaron Ramsey although the latter is taller and stronger. Wiltshere actually could control the game whereas Denilson failed to do in the fist half. Jay Simpson has the physical attributes quite comparable to Adebayor and if that finish is what he can do consistently, he will be the one to watch up front. Nacer Barazite is very active and in fact performed better than Bendtner did in this match.
It is exciting time! From what can be seen in this first game, Arsenal have most of the ingredients for a successful season. However, who will be Cesc Fabregas' partner in the center of midfield is still quite a mystery. The constitution of the front line would be an interesting item for speculation.
You write very well.
Annis - Thank you so much.
I occasionally look at traffic stats for the site, and this post gets a lot of hits in Google searches.
Post a Comment