Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0
Aug 3rd, 2008 by 'holic
Long before the weekend action kicked off at the Grove I made the point that performances were more important than results at this stage of the season. Against Real Madrid we knew we would see what amounted to the first team as Arsene Wenger sees it at present. Because Kolo Toure and Cesc Fabregas were the last to return to pre-season training they were ‘deputed’ for by Senderos and Denilson, both of whom were encouragingly good.
The biggest question mark, however, remains. Abou Diaby looks to be in pole position for the defensive midfield berth alongside Cesc. Sadly over the weekend his distribution has really let him down at the time when we had hoped he would finally show his true worth to the club.
I suspect he will get one of the two games at the Amsterdam tournament to redeem himself, but in my humble view he now has to overtake Aaron Ramsey. The seventeen year old needs to demonstrate he can cover the gaps in front of the back four, but he looks to have time on the ball when in possession, and picks his passes well.
Of course Ramsey is not the only teenager to make an impact in the last couple of weeks. Jack Wilshere produced another stunning cameo from the bench, and showed no respect at all to the hugely-experienced Salgado. I have a feeling that Wilshere may have earned himself a place on the bench when the serious stuff begins, at least until Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo are back to full fitness.
The unfortunate Salgado endured a torrid afternoon, chasing shadows for much of the game as Samir Nasri showed mouthwatering glimpses of what he will bring to the side. The Spaniard’s discomfort was complete when he clattered into Robin van Persie, conceding the penalty that was crashed home by Emmanuel Adebayor for the winner.
Adebayor duly kissed the badge, milked the applause, and in fairness he deserved it for putting in a full shift. Still there was no song in his honour. The damage he has done to his relationship with the supporters this summer is still fresh in the memory. Sign the contract, score thirty goals, look like you’re enjoying it, and you will win them back fella.
So all four competing clubs won one and lost one over the weekend. Outsiders Hamburg take the trophy by virtue of the stoppage time goals they ran in against Juventus, and I suppose that means the least attractive of the four sides will have to be invited back next season. The sponsors at least will be pleased.
As for Arsenal, the performance report so far will read ‘Not bad, but could do better’. The tremendous football has to be gilded with goals. I have a feeling they may not be far away. More encouraging is the way the defence seems to have improved with every game.
I think we have much to look forward to in the next nine months.
18 Responses to “Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0”
Sorry Jackster
Yeah and good luck with the interview KT
*Laughs at Jackster*
Well done KT.
“I think we have much to look forward to in the next nine months.”
Are you pregnant?
No Chambo, just a prolapsed chest 😉
Good stuff, Holic. You summed things up well, as usual. I finished today’s game feeling quite elated (yes, I know, it was only a friendly). Friendly or not, it was one that Real Madrid wanted to win, evidenced by the arrival of Robben, Van Nistelroy and Schneider in the second half. My big take-aways were:
1. Denilson is now delivering on the promise that has flickered uncertainly for the last couple of seasons.
2. Nasri for Hleb….YES!
3. Robin v Persie looks fit and strong. After Cesc, he’s our best player.
4. The defence exceeded my expectations. Almunia, Djourou, Senderos and Gallas looking good beside the two best full backs in the game.
5. Vela, Ramsey, Wilshire, Gibbs, Theo…what a talent pipeline
6. I need to see more of Diaby before I count him out. There is greatness inside that big frame.
7. Eboue has no long term future in our mid-field.
So, all in all, great to see these Young Guns play Spain’s best off the field. I’m enjoying the opportunity these friendlies bring to see our youngsters. Jack’s a star.
Rumourmill has it that we will sign Alonso.
Morn ing H,
Morning all others
Bergkamp’s The Man’s comment is spot-on. Did you notice that former Manc Heinze got booed constantly, but RVN and Robben only got booed two or three times each. Why? Because that’s how many times they touched the ball!
Great to see Eduardo getting the biggest cheer of the afternoon.
Spot on holic. I felt confident last season after this tourney but I feel we are in a better position than we were last year as players like Denilson seem to have stepped up a class. I think he is going from strength to strength. And what about young Jack??? He came on yesterday and looked totally comfortable and I have to say I am very excited about this lads future. Was great to see Eduardo walking so well too. I think we have a lot to look forward to this term and lets hope we don’t get the awful luck that plauged us last season on so many occasions. We can win anything we want with this squad as we do have some awesome talent. Roll on 16th August!!!!!!
Agreed Holic.
I think Diaby’s still short of match fitness so we can’t gauge form yet. But his defensive skills still got me worried about the possibility of playing him as a DM. Not just this issue with his tackling, but also that given that he’s so attack-minded (you can look at his ATVO interview last week), I’m not sure if he’s ready to put in so much effort to improve his defensive skills and work rate. I agree with you guys that Denilson has impressed me and looks more ready to play alongside Cesc as things stand.
Of course I’d still like Arsene to bring in an experienced DM and have Denilson as his understudy. There’s still an experience gap in midfield and Arsene acknowledges as such. I also agree: Alonso is better than Barry, if Yaya is out of the question now.
Jack Wilshere has really impressed me ever since I started watching him in the reserves last season. This boy can do a Cesc and make his debut in the CC. Arsene has just promoted him to the first team squad, taking Gilberto’s No. 19 shirt. Congrats Jack!
I think I will have an early drink, as suggested, ‘holic.
Helping myself as nobody is around….
I really do hope diaby can make the step up, he looks almost there apart from the poor distribution. Hopefully it’s a Lack of match fitness and not a lack of talent or inteligence
I see Jackster got pipped to the post.
Again.
Diaby just doesn’t float my boat. Like Wiltord, good player, but holds onto the ball too long to compliment our style of play. I was enthused by the link up play between Theo, RvP and Ade in the first half. Ade played like a man who realised he had some good will to rebuild, but spare the badge kissing. Ugh! Oh and nice choice of hol picks again! 🙂
Can’t disagree with anything you said ‘holic – It’s always great to read your blogs because they are so reasonable and balanced – no unnecessary over-reactions one way or the other.
I thought Diaby looked better against Juve than against Madrid and considering it was only his second pre-season appearance, I will not judge his performance too harshly. Denilson is really looking promising for a regular spot in the midfield.
A pint of double diamond? Is it still in date?
Heh. Because I came in half way through a wine-testing lesson thirty years ago, Snaily, I actually laid down three dozen pints of DD. I can now exclusively confirm there is no such thing as bad beer.
Some, however, tastes distinctly better than others 😉
Home brew DD kits?