One thing I noticed after the Sheffield United match is that we still have something to add to this squad. This is either new players who have finally adapted, old squad players rejuvinated and even first teamers ready to force their way back into the team. The match away begun with controversy hanging over it like a bad smell. Gilberto is a professional and has always given his all to this team, I for one respect the guy and could never see him having a strop over losing his place. He knows Flamini has been in top form and having missed the start of the season Gilberto has no divine right to play alongside Fabregas in central midfield. As Wenger said, the stories come from nowhere and I'm sure they have no truth to them whatsoever. Wenger didnt help the matter with his strange decision to select Fabianski as his captain. I have no reason to suggest as to this selection but I do know that Gilberto was excellent last night and gave this team an old head amongst a squad with the average age of just over 20. 3-0 away at Sheffield United is a good result in itself, but when you go there with a makeshift defence and face a team with a major threat in the air, it is more than just good, its fantastic.Alexandre Song has taken some stick recently but in the Carling Cup he has shown some true potential. He seems more settled as centre back. He has the strength to play there and has a strong tackle. He can pass the ball well from the back and in each game has looked composed alongside his defensive partner. Hoyte did well alongside him and I would really like him to succeed at Arsenal, he has stuck loyal to the club he loves and I hope he can make it here, maybe in the centre instead of at right back. Lassana Diarra and Kieran Gibbs were selected at right and left back respectively and they deserve special mention.
Many people did not know how good Diarra was when he switched from the blue of Chelsea to the red of Arsenal. Having many Chelsea fans as friends (disgraceful I know!) has given me the chance to see him in action and I was always impressed. He seemed to be a carbon copy of Makelele but with more pace; he was strong in the tackle, had a great reading of the game as well as a great calmness on the ball. Although he is a central midfielder by trade he can cope at right back and last night was excellent. He is a much more of a solid back up to Sagna than Eboue and we may see Diarra become permanent 2nd choice, especially if Hoyte moves inside. Having seen him both at right back and central midfield I think he would definitely be better used in the centre of the park as Gilberto/Flamini's replacement. Diarra could really compliment Fabregas and give the Spaniard the freedom to roam just like Flamini has so far this season. Like Diarra, Kieran Gibbs is naturally a left sided midfield player but was asked to do a job at left back. He was only selected due to Armand Traore's absence and when the Frenchman returns he will come back into the team in this competition. However Gibbs is an exciting talent and can fill the void left in our squad after Reyes left. We have no natural left footed winger and sometimes this is needed to add balance to a team in some matches. Rosicky does a different job out there and sometimes you need a player that will get to the byline and whip in crosses for the strikers to attack. He played well in the Emirates Cup and has impressed in every game I've seen him. His pass for Eduardo's goal showed the great vision and potential he has. They are both new players to the squad who can add something different to the squad in what will be a difficult season.
Theo Walcott looks like a different player now he has come confidence. During his last few games he has shown brilliant pace and has added an end product to his game. Denilson also has more confidence having signed his new contract and is ready to push on and try and oust one of the midfielders. His passing is not far off the level of Fabregas' and despite his build he can put himself about. These players again have a hard battle to get into the team but they have the ability to do so and if they warrant a chance, Wenger is the manager to give it to them. The depth is exciting but it is up front that gives me the most hope.
Eduardo came to this team with a lot of expectation, too much in my eyes. He started quite well and got a few goals in the appearances he made but did not hit the ground running as too many over expectant Arsenal fans wanted. He was then hit with an ankle injury that hindered his adaptation to a new league and a new team. There is a reason Wenger gives players 6 months to settle in before he passes judgement and we as fans must do the same. Last night he finally showed the sort of form he has for Croatia. His first goal was fantastic and showed real strikers' instinct. He knew where the goal was and had his mind made up as soon as he received the ball from Bendtner and sent a shot towards goal with such power that the 'keeper could not react as the ball flew into the top corner. His second goal had less force to it but showed something else Eduardo posseses. Picking up the ball from Gibbs' pass, he took the ball down easily and with great assurance he sent the keeper the wrong way as he slotted the ball into the bottom corner. The ease with which he put the ball away really encouraged me. He never looked like missing and this is why Wenger bought him; he has the ability to score with just a sniff of a chance. Wenger may think about starting him on Saturday after this performance; chances may be scarce against Man Utd and he may be the man to put anything we get away.
Alongside the Croatian striker was Nicklas Bendtner. He has demanded first team football and had something to prove after wasting the chance to win the game on Sunday with his horrendous miss. Last night he went someway towards redeeming himself. The Sheffield United defence couldn't handle him with his pace, strength and close control. He showed great skill and directness to set up Eduardo for his goal and was awkward for the oppositon throughout the game. He adds something different to our team when he comes on. He has great aerial ability mixed with skill on the ground with a decent ability in front of goal. The key thing for him to realise is that he is a rough diamond and under the guidance of Wenger he can become world class. He will get a few chances this season but mainly in the Cups, if he takes them, keeps his head down and works hard he can become an intengral part of this squad.
Once more our 'kids' have done us proud. This was a difficult away game and we came through with flying colours. Although I picked out Diarra, Gibbs, Eduardo and Bendtner for special praise, the whole team was excellent for the 90 minutes. The players who came on to make their debuts also looked decent in the short spell they had on the pitch. Hopefully we get a good draw at home in the next round so we can get another look at the second strong up close.
Next is Manchester United and although most of this team will not start, they showed the confidence and togetherness of the entire squad.
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