Emerites Cup Begins

Hello all, or nobody as the case may be,
Today was our first game in the Emerites Cup, as I'm sure you know. We played Atletico Madrid, who aren't a bad side, they just wouldn't have been our best opposition in the last couple of Emerites Cups. We're the only top four team that doesn't go on a publicity bananza tour for their pre season and perhaps it shows in our very small spending but I like the Emerites Cup, I like that it's our little tradition, that we're raking in the bucks and that we're getting better competition than the others, despite this installments lack of the big boys.

We won the game 2 to 1 somehow. The first half was tame but reasonable for the circumstances. Our line up was interesting, we played a 4 3 3 again with Rosicky startin as one of the midfield three with Eboue playing further up. It was interesting that Eboue started after his goodbye wave, maybe this means we won't be selling him. If we were really intending on banking in on him I don't think we'd risk him getting injured.

Rosicky had a goal disallowed, or rather he scored after the whistle, but what a finish. Really, what a finish! It was bang in the top corner of the far post, it couldn't have got more into the top corner, skimming both post and cross bar on its way in. Rosicky looked athletic and on the pace enough, hopefully he'll come through pre season and be able to get in on the action right away.

The second half saw Rosicky, Eboue and Traore come off and Merida, Clichy and Wilshere come on. The first half midfield three of Rosicky, Denilson and Ramsey never really worked particularly well, although I was fairly impressed with some of Denilson, his body language looks better, he looks more mature and in control. But when Merida and Wilshere came on they were very impressive. I have no real comment on Eboue or Traore except that Eboue gave something a bit below par and Traore wasn't really challenged. Wilshere was far better than Eboue, playing excellently, with great skill and vision and good running and defending, he really tackles hard that boy. Merida was quite impressive as well, really good on the ball, well composed and played very few passes that didn't get to where they were meant to. Clichy wasn't too impressive, but he did look very black, blacker than I've ever seen him.

I'm not sure what to make of Wenger playing Mannone so often. Almunia hasn't had a taxing summer, he played zero internationals and he's not injured. Fabianski hasn't been playing either. Perhaps Fabianski is being surpassed by Mannone and Almunia just wants an extra couple of weeks holiday. Mannone is OK but he's surely not anywhere near a starting keeper. I'm sure Almunia will play at some point in the Emerites Cup and be the not that good but sometimes very good keeper that we're used to.

The second half, (this writing is so loose), was more entertaining than the first with Wilshere running riot down the right and Merida running the game. All of our chances came from Wilshere's good work with Van Persie having a Cryuff flick cleared off the line, Ramsey seeing a shot saved and Bentner missing the target from a narrow angle when he probably should have done better.

The game sort of lulled out after those chances and then Atletico seemed to take over, taking advantage of space between the midfield and defence and countering well. They had a couple of shots from distance and one opportunity in the box after a 4 v 3 that Maxi Rodriguez should have scored.

Then, with a few minutes to go we managed a goal. The ball came to the left side of the area where Cesc cut the ball back and chipped it across to Arshavin who was waiting in a mile of space on the far post. He volleyed first time and the keeper parried it into the goal. It was a fine finish and a good ball over but the defending was gash, we can't expect to score goals like that during the season. And then, as the TV was showing the replay, it cut back to the game and Atletico had a 1 v 1 and scored. I didn't see how it happened but again there was space between the midfield and defense, they beat the offsides trap and Mannone made no effort to do anything and their forward slotted home. And then, as they were playing the replay of that, they cut to Arshavin chasing down a back header to the keeper, sending the ball to the byline wide of the goal with a toe poke away from the keeper, chasing the ball down and sliding to the line to keep it in play and scoring. A truly athletic and skillful goal. Great play from Arshavin, I'm sure we'll see more of it during the season.

It wasn't a totally boring game and it was great to see the boys back in action, really, really, really great. I'm hoping we keep Eboue and that we buy another center mid, but I'm looking forward to Denilson and Song continuing their good work and to Wilshere and Merida coming through the lines.

I'll be back tomorrow with more action from our second game against Rangers, or PSG or whatever.

Highbury86