Review: Arsenal 4 - Portsmouth 1

(London) A good result, no doubt; highly satisfying, but still some room for work. First, our first 20 minutes were out of this world. Two very good goals from Diaby, and at times, we seemed to be toying with Pompey. The game should have been out far far away from Pompey by half time, but we somehow contrived to allow Pompey a soft soft goal (their first for the season!). It was clear and simple what happened. We had an early two goal lead, started to think ahead to Wednesday and Saturday, and already started to take the foot off the accelerator.

Before our third, the main people to blame then were Almunia (for falling asleep for the goal, and allowing Spurs reject Younes Kaboul to outjump him) and RVP (for still not finding his shooting boots three games into the season). Some of his finishing was really quite awful. At 2-1, the defining moment of the game must've been Billy's "tackle" on Utaka. It was dodgy to say the least, and Billy could very easily have been sent off.

But the star of the game was clearly Abou - who sparkled. His industry was top notch, and we can only guess what might've been (or still might be) if he weren't made of glass. Fingers crossed on that. Elsewhere, there were some not-so-great performances around as well, with Arshavin having another not-so-spectacular performance too. Must say that Gibbs and Eboue did pretty decently standing in for Clichy and Sagna - the boss clearly doing the right thing by giving them a rest.

Speaking of rest, incidentally, perhaps Cesc could've done with some too. He can give Celtic a miss. But rest up for next week, young man.

Anyways - to the game. Guess what. Mohawk Billy's now our top scorer. Three goals. One with his face, one with his back, and now one with his face. Top notch defender, I tell you. Ramsey - what a finish. Now all we need are some of our strikers to score some goals. On this score, Amy Lawrence alludes to our "total football", so who knows. Maybe she means total as in the ability to score goals with anoy part of the anatomy save the hands. In any case, looks like we can wait for our strikers.

Player ratings:

Almunia 6.5 - At fault for the goal, but a few other worthy interventions showed that he was at least half awake.

Eboue 7.5 - Good show, and has proven that right back might indeed be his best position. Assist in the second Diaby goal. May prove to be good cover at the right either in defence or midfield this season.

Gallas 7.5 - Another competent show, master goalscorer, but could very easily have been sent off. Let's put that down as a perfect tackle. ha.

Vermaelen 7.5 - Tony, take your words back. Did everything called upon.

Gibbs 7.5 - The boy continues to grow up. Come to think of it, for all the talk of our defensive frailties, three games in, even our second string covers are doing solidly.

Diaby 9 - Two goals, and was everywhere. Centre, in the box, defence, left, right, Pompey just couldn't manage.

Cesc 8 - Pulled the strings while Diaby shone in the first half. That groin had better rest up.

Denilson 7 - Let's call this the Denilson-esque display. Quiet, nothing spectacular, but was there when needed.

Arshavin 7 - A few tricks, showed some quick feet, but probably still not into the full swing of things this season just yet.

RVP - Oh man. He alone should've had two more.

Eduardo 8 - Great movement to set up the first, and if he keeps fit, will be cornerstone for our season.

Ramsey 7.5 - Hey, it was almost as if Cesc hadn't left. Some very assured distribution, and a classy finish. Yum. Give the boy 90 minutes on Wednesday!

Two games into the season, 6 points, 10 goals scored, GD of 8. Couldn't ask for more. The crunch, though, comes now. Man U, then Citeh. Wonder what the odds would be for Ade£$%&! to score... but shite, let's get to that later.

More to report on the Arse visit and other happenings later. Signing off for now.

Ciao.