Poor show, Arsenal

What a nasty way to start the season. Despite an air of pessimism in the Arsenal world recently, I think the prospect of forgetting all our woes and enjoying an actual game of football was one that was actually giving gooners something to be excited about at last.

And what better response would there be, than to return to the scene of one of our most spectular cock-ups, and shut everyone up with a win on opening day?

Sadly we were reminded all too quickly that there is a distinct lack of quality in this side without Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, and a lot to be desired from some of our players’ mental approach to this game.

Wenger himself said in the pre-match buildup that Abou Diaby’s sending off at St James’ Park last season was what started our downfall in that horrific game. But at the first sign of provocation from Joey Barton, Alex Song, already booked, was stupid enough to try and sink his studs into Barton’s leg. As his protest was more subtle than that of Diaby’s strangling attempt last season, he got away with it, but what the hell was he thinking? Even if you are Arsenal, it’s one thing to take risks at 4-0 up, but at 0-0? Pathetic behaviour from Song, who should start acting like the experienced head that he is in this increasingly young team.

I guess it didn’t matter in the end, as new boy Gervinho spoiled an anotherwise impressive debut by slapping Barton in the face. Sure, if he was given a red, then so should Barton for starting the fight in the first place, but if there’s one thing to learn when you play for Arsenal it’s that you’re rarely going to get favours from refs, so don’t raise your hands, and don’t expect to win a penalty for a pretty poor dive. Also, I know it’s not exactly the done thing at the club, but try taking a shot now and then!

It’s very depressing to be talking about all this after months without football, but today’s match barely resembled a football game. We were overly cautious with our play, passing it around slowly without any real invention to our play and, if I recall correctly, managed one shot on goal.

Gervinho was at least lively, getting into some good positions and running at defenders, but, being an Arsenal player, his final poor was pretty poor. I guess we’ll now have to wait a while following his three-match ban to see if he can work on that. Elsewhere, van Persie and Arshavin were very disappointing, and as for our ‘creative’ players in midfield Rosicky and Ramsey…well, let’s just say if Cesc and Nasri go Wenger had better have some replacements in mind.

Of course, if he had maybe sorted out the whole situation earlier in the summer this wouldn’t be an issue, but that’s for a whole other article. As I said recently, a proper season preview will have to wait until the transfer window closes.

Having realy looked forward to this day, I can’t help but feel pretty deflated. Surely things can only get better? Haven’t we been thinking that for the last five years? Better not open that can of worms…