Arsenal finally scored their first goal of the season at the weekend; in fact they grabbed 2 as they ran out comfortable winners over a fruitless Liverpool side. Vito Mannone continued in goal as Wojciech Szscesny continues his rehabilitation from a rib injury but was rarely challenged by a Liverpool side whose main threat came from 17 year old winger Raheem Sterling.
But it was the new boys that did the damage as Santi Cazorla provided Lukas Podolski with a perfectly weighted pass onto his deadly left foot to give Arsenal a first half lead. In the second half Podolski returned the favour teeing Santi up for a driving finish, however he was ably assisted by the uncharacteristic flaw made by Santi’s former team-mate Pepe Reina. Arsenal were solid throughout and again did not concede as they won 2-0 at Anfield.
Abou Diaby was the man of the match in that game after a swashbuckling performance from the Arsenal midfield. However he has made it clear that he does not want to be referred to as the replacement for the recently departed Alex Song. Instead the more attacking minded Frenchman wishes to be seen in the mould of Manchester City’s midfield maestro Yaya Toure as he feels they are a more similar match.
Despite the transfer window being closed that doesn’t stop the scouting net being cast out as Arsenal look to reel in new faces come January. In this case The Metro report that Arsenal are emerging as one of many teams to be chasing Leicester City’s 19-year-old centre back Liam Moore. After impressing at Bradford City on loan from The Foxes last season Arsenal now appear ready to do battle with the likes of Everton, Manchester United and Aston Villa for the talented centre halves signature in a potential £5 million deal.
Meanwhile Arsenal have discovered who they will face in the Capital One Cup third round today; they will welcome Coventry City to The Emirates stadium on the evening of September 26th. Coventry were relegated from the Champiosnhip last season and recently sacked manager Andy Thorn so Arsenal will be hoping to give some of their talented youngsters and fringe players the opportunity to shine during the tie. Coventry beat Birmingham City in the second round and have never won the League Cup.
Meanwhile in a real turn of good fortune it appears Arsenal may finally be on the verge of welcoming Jack Wilshere back to the first team fold as he nears ever closer to a return from his series of ankle and knee injuries. Wenger expects to see him challenging for the first team next month and after the form of Abou Diaby since returning Arsenal fans will be hoping for Jack to make a similar barnstorming impact.
What are your views on everything happening at Arsenal FC on the 3rd September 2012?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
Mathew Nash
@hitcmathewnashGoogle+more stories from Mathew Nash
I’m Mathew Nash a 23 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.
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