A funny 'ole start

It's surely be a strange little start to the season eh? But first, Arsenews.

Sevilla seem convinced that they've sold Squillaci to the Arse. They've even said so. Themselves, on their official website. All subject to a medical with us today. So great. Nice bit of reinforcement, and with both Koscielny and Squillaci, you do have to feel that our defence is, overall, in better shape than with Gallas and Silvestre. If Djourou keeps fit, and with Song keeping up his immense covering performances, I think we're looking just about decent in defence.

Theo's been talking about both the Blackpool game and looking ahead. He's said the right things:

"We want to be winning these games and the most important thing is how we react to Blackburn next week, an early kick off. "

"They are the games we need to be winning, the games that might have let us down last season so that's where we will show our character."

Yessirree. The last game with Blackburn away was certainly a let-down. Pathetic capitulation after going a goal up in our penultimate game of the season. So let's give them a good hiding this time, alright? Six won't be necessary. A nice comfortable 2 or 3-0 would do just fine.

Watched the Fulham - Man U game yesterday. Apart from the fact that it was a cracking, cracking game (more on that later), it was nice to see Schwarzer nowhere near the pitch. Hope he was checking out his bus routes like I suggested. Also, not sure since when commentators became the purveyors of rumours, but our friends there did suggest that somewhere, somehow, there were whisperings that Schwarzer had failed his medical with us. Huh? Had we even agreed a fee? Anyhooos. Fools making the most of the suggestion that he might have a back injury? What. Ev. Er.

So, more on the start to the season. Quite incredible. At the very least:

1. After two games, only Chelski have a 100% record. (I won't mention their GD).
2. The 6-0 scorelines! How many? Four.
3. And the hat-tricks too...

And the entertainment. I suppose it's all blow-back from the dismal goalscoring we witnessed in South Africa, but just on Sunday: first Newcastle against a pathetic, roll-over, play dead Villa, then Fulham-Man U. Just classic that. You gotta love the EPL for that alone.

Fulham in the ascendancy before and after their first equaliser, Man U showing the requisite class and determination to get their second, a sorry OG from Hangeland of all people, then Nani (Nani??!!) stepping up to take, and miss a dismal penalty to seal the deal, and Hangeland of all people to step up a power in a header to get their deserved point. Just excellent. Now Man U know what it's like to throw points away. It's not just us! Yay!! But you gotta say, Sir's been pretty magnanimous, so good for him:

"In fairness to Fulham they were the better team in the second half. I don't think we deserved to be in front at 2-1... We can't complain in terms of the run of the game.''

Good man. Said it right.

Oh yeah, wanted to say something about Fulham's stand-in goalie. David Stockdale. Not bad at all, man. A fit thick in the sides, but I'd say on this performance, good enough replacement, no? So let it go, Mark. But no way in hell are you getting 4 million quid for a (crocked?) 37-year old with one year left on his contract.

Monday, and finally - Monday night footie. How nice. Gives me some reason to get some exercise out of the elliptical in front of the tellie. Ciao then. Till tomorrow, when we get our new goalie and defender.