Arsenal (0) – (2) Liverpool
The Emirates Stadium, London

Although Arsenal lost this afternoon, there are a lot of positives to take from the game.

First of all, I thought Frimpong was excellent. He bossed the midfield, passed the ball well and was everywhere on the pitch. The first booking was just inexperience and the second although rash, was deserved. Replays showed he raised his foot and you can’t do that in the modern game. But apart from that, he was was on our best players.

Defensively as well, we were solid on the whole. Vermaelen, the man I thought should have been made Arsenal captain, was immense. He was Man of the Match for me and was outstanding. He made important tackle after important tackle and kept the Liverpool attacking threat to a minimum. And considering he was playing alongside two inexperienced defenders – 19 year old Carl Jenkinson and 18 year old Ignasi Miquel – the performance is even more impressive.

The two young defenders were also fantastic as well. Carl Jenkinson played well at right-back, and was impressive on his debut. Miquel was also thrown into the action when Koscielny went off injured after 15 minutes, and he was assured throughout the game. He actually intercepted the ball on the Aaron Ramsey own goal and that was hugely unlucky as that could have deflected anywhere.

Also, Szczesny in goal was, again, excellent. Commanding, confident and decisive, he is hopefully the long-term solution to Arsenal’s goalkeeping problems. He couldn’t do anything about either goals and made some important saves throughout the game.

So despite losing Fabregas, Eboue and Clichy to transfers, have Vela and Denilson on loan, and are missing Song, Gibbs, Koscielny, Gervinho, Wilshere, Rosicky and Diaby through a combination of injury and suspension, we competed well with a Liverpool side that have invested huge amounts of money over the last two transfer windows.

In all honesty, a draw would have been a fair result on the balance of play. Both sides struggled to really create anything and Liverpool only really looked dangerous once Arsenal went down to 10 men.

Suarez and Meireles completely changed the game once they came on with their guile, intelligence and creativeness in front of goal. Something which Arsenal are in desperate need of at the moment.

The Arsenal line-up had the surprise inclusion of Samir Nasri, who we all believe to be off to Manchester City very soon. But it is not out of the realms of possibility that looking at the threadbare nature of the squad, Arsene decides to keep him for the year and risk losing him on a free next summer. Because he is the only player in the squad that has any creativity.

We have a far more important game coming up against Udinese which is the one we need to win out of our matches against Liverpool, Udinese and Manchester United.

It is only the start of the season and I am still optimistic! Keep the faith Gooners, things can’t get any worse from here on out!

Player Ratings:

Wojciech Szczesny: 8/10
Commanding and confident. Came well for crosses and corners and couldn’t do anything for the two goals.

Carl Jenkinson: 8/10
Impressed on his debut. Defended well and push forward at times with confidence.

Thomas Vermaelen: 9/10
Outstanding. Showed what we were missing last season. Man of the Match for me and the scoreline could have been a lot worse if we didn’t have Vermaelen in the side. Sadly, probably our most dangerous attacking threat as well.

Ignasi Miquel: 8/10
Without having played a senior game before he did excellently. Intercepted and tackled well and looked settled alongside Vermaelen. Unlucky on the own goal.

Bacary Sagna: 8/10
Did well considering he was playing on the other side of the pitch. Got up and down the pitch well and kept Downing and Henderson quiet when they were on his side.

Emmanuel Frimpong: 8/10
Big, strong and is very quick. Perhaps a little to eager at times, he played well and made some important interceptions. Clearly has an excellent engine and he really impressed me with his performance today.

Aaron Ramsey: 5/10
Wasn’t in the game at all. Struggled to make any kind of impact (except the wrong kind) and Frimpong was left to cope a lot with the defending in the middle.

Samir Nasri: 7/10
Played well, considering the circumstances. Will he stay? Who knows, but if he is leaving then his inclusion in the team today shows how desperate things currently are at Arsenal.

Andrei Arshavin: 4/10
I lost count how many times he lost the ball today. Where is his head at? Because it is clearly not on playing well for Arsenal. The amount of times he lost possession was shocking and he was more of a hindrance to the team today.

Robin van Persie: 6/10
Was isolated and couldn’t get into the game at all as a result. Sad really because he is an outstanding finisher but we can’t must the service he needs. Under the current circumstances he is wasted on the pitch. He did have one guilt-edged chance which he probably should have done better with and it may have changed the game.

Theo Walcott: 5/10
A lot has been said about “footballing intelligence” and Theo showed no signs of that today. Far to often he received the ball and then proceeded to run directly in a straight line. He doesn’t shift the ball, try some kind of skill to beat a defender, he is far to predictable and that’s why the Jose Enrique had him in his pocket for the entire match.

Arsenal (1) – (0) Udinese
Walcott (4′)
The Emirates Stadium, London

After the turbulent few weeks and months with the Cesc Fabregas transfer, and Arsenal legends such as Emmanuel Eboue, Carlos Vela and Denilson leaving the club, the most important thing was for the players still wearing an Arsenal shirt to show what they were made of. And on the whole, Arsenal did excellently I thought.

Arsenal started brightly and within a few minutes a great cross from Aaron Ramsey picked out Theo for the opening goal, which is exactly what was required. After that both Arsenal and Udinese had spells throughout the game which was so open that it was amazing that neither side actually added more goals to the game.

Udinese were impressive considering their domestic league hadn’t started yet and their build up play was excellent. The only criticism you could have against them was that they were to Arsenal-like. They got into dangerous positions but when they got in front of goal, they were wasteful. And it was the same for Arsenal.

Walcott took his first goal well but in all honesty could, and probably should, have bagged a hattrick.

But the main aim was to score a goal and not concede so it depends on how you look at things. You can either be positive and say were lucky not to concede so a 1-0 lead is great, or you can be negative and say we should have won by more than one goal.

As a spectacle, the game was entertaining and both goalkeepers were made to make some important saves.

Personally, and this may surprise you, I feel positive about the result.

We kept another clean sheet, the defence worked well together (considering the pressure Udinese put on) and Szczesny looks more and more confident in goal. Song played well, and Aaron Ramsey looks like he could be the answer to Arsenal’s creative problems.

On the not so good side, Walcott aside, the attack was slightly powderpuff at times. Gervinho couldn’t get into the game and I hate to say it, but Chamakh looked lost. And I hate saying that because I want him to come good again. I know he’s a quality player but I don’t know why he’s so out of form. If he can find his form again then he could be like a new signing.

Another problem was the injury to Gibbs. He’s played well over the last week or so but tonight should be a reminder to Arsene that we cannot rely on him for the whole season and the left back position needs strengthening. And same goes for central defence too, as Djourou went off with a hamstring problem as well. He only lasted 10 minutes, did he not warm up properly?

The return leg in Italy will be another tough game but if Arsenal can nick a goal from somewhere then it makes our life a whole lot easier. On the evidence of tonight, Udinese will fancy their chances of getting a good result at home so Arsenal need to be focused and ensure they put in a professional performance.

But let’s be positive, 2 games into the new season, 2 clean sheets and we are currently unbeaten.

Onwards and upwards I say.

Newcastle (0) – (0) Arsenal
St James’ Park, Newcastle

Well where do I start with our opening game of the season?

The main talking point will be the sheer idiocy of Joey Barton. Seriously, that guy is a complete c*nt and his disgusting attitude and behaviour has no place on a football pitch.

When you consider the country was virtually on its needs with mindless thuggery with the riots in major cities, Joey Barton is just a disgrace. If he wasn’t a footballer he’d be rioting like the rest of those muppets.

His antics started when he scythed through Alex Song when attempting to get the ball. Song responded by treading on the back of Barton’s leg and that set him off. I would have far more sympathy if it wasn’t Joey Barton but in that moment my respect for Alex Song grew immensely. Unfortunately, he went down in my estimations almost immediately when he was seen laughing and hugging Joey Barton after the Gervinho sending off.

What the hell was that about?

The game on the whole was surreal. Gervinho looked very bright but his final ball was lacking. Unfortunately I think he’s spent far too much time with Arsene Wenger and he’s obviously been told that you can’t shoot and have to walk the ball into the net, in typical Arsenal fashion.

Despite the lions share of possession, it was the same old story when Cesc isn’t in the team. Arsenal severely lacked in creativity and failed to really make a clear cut chance, which against a Newcastle team who have lost Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique, was disappointing. The game was stale and neither side looked like they were going to score.

The only real positive was that we looked solid in defence but over the coming season we’re going to face far tougher challenges than Shola Ameobi and Demba Ba.

Szczesny looked commanding in goal and confidently came for crosses, which is another positive.

But in midfield, without departing Nasri and Cesc, and injured Wilshere, we lacked urgency, penetration and creativity, which are hallmarks of Arsene Wenger sides. Apart from the Walcott chance late in the second half, the only other moment of creativity was when Arshavin looped a through ball into the path of Van Persie, who failed to make any telling connection.

Another thing that was also disappointing was the lack of discipline shown by the players. Alex Song must realise that the game is televised so to stamp on Joey Barton is just asking for trouble. Joey Barton is a despicable person and by retaliating to his idiotic behaviour is exactly what he wants. I don’t blame Gervinho for his actions however because it was hardly a punch and his actions must have been instinctive. After all, what the f*ck would you do if some tw*t drags you from the ground and looks like he’s going to beat the sh*t out of you? You’re going to try and defend yourself.

The referee was also a disgrace, and the way he bottled sending off Joey Barton was pitiful.

But that doesn’t hide the fact we failed to beat a very poor Newcastle team. They are having troubles of their own and without any creative spark we struggled, badly.

Do Arsenal still need to play 4-3-3? The system was implemented to accommodate Cesc’s creativity but without him, or even Nasri, we will struggle. Reverting to 4-4-2 would surely give Arsenal a more solid base to work from and share the creative load. And it would also leave us less susceptible to conceding goals on the counter attack.

The screams of “spend some f*cking money” could be heard around the ground and it’s hard to argue with that sentiment, if we are going to challenge at the top of the league this season.

Player Ratings:

Wojciech Szczesny: 8/10
Commanding in goal and came out confidently for crosses and set-pieces, which is something an Arsenal goalkeeper needs to do. Didn’t really have a save to make but keeping a clean sheet is a good start to the season for him and can only give him confidence.

Bacary Sagna: 7/10
Up and down the right hand side again but his crossing was not great again. But solid at the back and made a number of important interceptions.

Thomas Vermaelen: 8/10
Solid, commanding and sorely missed at the heart of Arsenal’s defence. Makes a big difference and hopefully he can remain injury free for the rest of the season.

Laurent Koscielny: 8/10
Coped well and kept Ameobi and Ba relatively quiet. Is he the man to partner Vermaelen for the rest of the season? Only time will tell.

Kieran Gibbs: 7/10
Solid performance and looks like he actually talks to his back four more than Clichy does. Good start to the season for him.

Alex Song: 7/10
Defending the back four well but his lack of discipline is worrying. Could have easily been sent off for his stamp on Barton and that would have put Arsenal in all kinds of problems. And hugging the c*nt isn’t going to endear you to the Arsenal fans.

Aaron Ramsey: 6/10
Looked a bit lost without Wilshere to play off. If Arsene sees him as the long term solution to our former captain’s departure, then we will have to give him time.

Tomas Rosicky: 6/10
I like the guy but I’m not sure how he gets into the side sometimes. He is committed which is all you can ask but just lacks that half a yard and bit of quality needed at this level.

Andrei Arshavin: 6/10
Not really in the game and whether that was due to a lack of determination or lack of movement from the rest of the team is debatable. Looks like a shadow of the player that first joined Arsenal.

Gervinho: 7/10
Looked bright throughout the match and was Arsenal’s most dangerous offensive player. But his final ball was lacking but that will come with time. Eventful debut with the sending off but he will be an important player for Arsenal this season.

Robin van Persie: 7/10
Isolated and had no service. 4-3-3 with Van Persie only really works with Cesc so Arsene needs to seriously consider changing the team’s formation.

Arsenal are horribly predictable.

They say we play the best football in the league but honestly, it’s quite boring to me now. It’s the same old predictable football which never has an end product.

Someone should tell Arsene Wenger football is about scoring goals, not pointless passing that never really troubles teams who are well organised. All teams have to do is sit back and they know that we will run out of ideas.

And another thing which is horribly predictable is the way Arsenal collapse.

I tell you, if this Arsenal team had some balls or a spine, we’d be dangerous.

Do you remember the unbelievable collapse at St James’ Park when we were 4-0 up? Newcastle United, of all teams, managed to peg us back to 4-4. That is the only time in Premier League history that a team has blown a 4-0 lead. Quite an achievement if you ask me.

And I don’t need to remind you about the ridiculous Carling Cup Final.

So when Eboue inexplicably fouled Lucas after Arsenal had done all the hard work and got the lead through a van Persie penalty, you weren’t surprised.

This team doesn’t have any leaders, or players with back bone. Fabregas doesn’t want to be here, and too many players are pampered and hide when the going gets tough. Arsenal are regularly accused of trying to score the “perfect goal” but in reality, most of the players don’t have the balls to take responsibility so are passing the ball so they don’t have to do anything themselves.  They over pass because it’s easier to give someone else the ball instead of taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

We cross the ball but no-one ever has the intelligence to actually make a run into the box and get on the end of them.

And why the hell does Wenger persist in putting Bendtner on the right? Surely if you’re after a goal and crossing the ball Bendtner is the man you want on the end of the crosses?

Defensively Arsenal are fragile. If Suarez wasn’t so wasteful in possession, Liverpool probably could have beaten us today. And for all Arsenal’s possession, Reina hardly had to make a save. All that possession but no-one has the balls to take a shot.

Arsenal need a change of personnel and a change of philosophy. Van Persie aside, we have no-one in the team with a winner’s mentality. We over play and waste a lot of chances. We need to be far more direct and clinical, we seem to pass the ball around for the sake of it. Barcelona’s passing game is neat one-touch football which usually results in a chance after 9/10 passes. We take far too many touches and the decision making at times is awful.

Arsene Wenger was in disbelief after the game but he has to take a look at himself. It’s been the same old story for the last 7 seasons now and things have to change. I’ve been a supporter of Arsene’s approach over the baron seasons but now enough is enough.

Barcelona (3) – (1) Arsenal
Arsenal lose 4-3 on aggregate
Busquets O.G. (’53)
Camp Nou, Barcelona

I’m not going to lie, I am absolutely gutted.

Arsenal were always going to be up against it against Barcelona at the Camp Nou so to have a referee as biased and incompetent as the one we had made the task even more impossible. He was a fucking disgrace.

The decisions he made were blatantly for the home side and Van Persie’s sending off was ridiculous. The refereeing was as bad as it was in the Champions League Final the last time we played Barcelona.

Don’t get me wrong, Barcelona were immense but to have key decisions go against you is basically finishing the game before it has even started.

And for all of Barcelona’s dominance, possession and beautiful football, the fact that Arsenal were unfairly reduced to ten men, and our goalkeeper was injured early on, the crazy thing was Arsenal could have gone through tonight.

The brilliant Jack Wilshere put in Bendtner who should have knocked out Barcelona, only to fluff his lines and miscontrol the ball badly.

And the diving and rolling around from the Barcelona players was disgraceful. Beautiful football maybe, but their players know how to con the referee, which wasn’t hard as he was shite anyway. They play great football but you can’t help feeling all of the Barcelona players are just a bunch of tossers, they really are. They’re gifted and they come across like a bunch of arrogant arseholes.

It was brave performance from the Arsenal team but fundamentally Arsene made some errors in his team selection. Tomas Rosicky seems to get the big games but just hasn’t had the form or performances to justify his selection. Arshavin would have been a better choice to start the match, as he was the only player in the squad (apart from Nasri and the injured Walcott) with any genuine pace.

And it’s hard to argue against the fact that Arsene Wenger can’t make decent substitutions. From the moment Robin van Persie lost his rag in the first half, it was clear that he was ticking time bomb that could blow up at any moment. Added to the fact that he was isolated and completely ineffective, replacing him with Arshavin or Bendtner before he was sent off made a lot of sense. Unfortunately Arsene didn’t make that call.

Finally we come to the captain. I touched on this after the first leg, Fabregas clearly either gets overwhelmed about playing Barcelona or he feels uncomfortable about playing against his mates. The ridiculous back heel summed up his contribution really. His performances have been below par in both legs and even when Arsenal equalised he hardly celebrated. Let’s get £40 million for him in the summer because Jack Wilshere is outperforming him this season on a consistent basis.