Ooof. I knew that today was going to be difficult. Palace came in with a big opening win, we looked like shite in our first match and this one was a derby away. Not exactly what you would want to instill confidence going forward. Alexis, the little engine that forever could, started and whatever rust we suddenly found ourselves with needed to be knocked off immediately.

We started well and good enough; great link up play, Ozil creating like CRAZY but we just couldn’t find the net. The fact that Sanchez had not one but two clear chances and converted neither was not the best sign of things to come. It wasn’t until a beautiful cross found a half bicycle from Giroud that had me dreaming goal across my living room to the excitement of my son. I had hope that was a sure sing of many more to come but a screamer from Palace put squarely into the perfect spot had us going into half 1-1. I have to say on replay two it was tough watching a player grab crotch and chest as he twisted away from a defender’s low shot. Really? REALLY? Ugh. This can’t be the way to instill confidence between our back line and Cech (which looks scarily shaky at best but they’re getting much more leeway given the quality of both and unfamiliarity of play).

Second half saw us push hard again but once Cabaye had help we quickly were squeezed out of the middle of the box… Which had us turn to a dangerous counter after multiple scares from both sides. We still never quite looked dominate and I felt like the ghosts of years past were filling the room again (you know, where a 2-1 lead meant we’d likely give up a goal in the 90th minute?). We were fortunate to find an OG put us through for 3 points though nothing like seeing little ol’Sanchez climb over the top for a header. The guy just won’t stop and I have a feeling that tenacity is going to be god’s gift to some points this year… Just love the close up where he finds out he is being subbed and I swear I thought i saw him mouth, “me? fuck.”. Wenger is a damn genius for landing that lad…

The Coq made way for the Ox after he just couldn’t quite keep his pecker out of everyone. Happy to see him avoid the second yellow but he did exactly what was expected of him for his position. It was great seeing Mikel get out there as well and settle things down with some big tackles toward the end. Our counter really should have seen us go up 3-1 with chances coming through Sanit and even Rambo. I’m really going to chalk this up to early season crap where I am much more concerned about just keeping pace with points than I am scrutinizing each little tactic or mistake here and there.

All in all, really glad to see a win against a very tough side away. Palace is going to surprise some folks this year. They have pace and Cabaye is awesome. I was pissed we missed out on him a year or two ago. Good to see him back and playing. That being said, we really need Cech and our back line to get on the same page. I am confident once they do we’ll see much more confidence and continuity in the play that will assure us of more points in the end; just too much talent and experience there.

Alright lads, COYG. Feels great to be back into the season and know exactly what I am doing every weekend morning.

My pastor knows exactly how Arsenal played based upon my look when I walk through the Church doors on Sunday mornings… you can guess what he saw this morning. Look, it’s early in the season. I’m not about to make heads or tails over what happened today. Giroud and Ozil had chances that easily could have gone in. Ramsey squandered a chances by pushing wide when he had Debuchy screaming in space (can’t blame him too much as it barely went wide and if in we wouldn’t even consider the discussion and applaud him for being aggressive). A set piece cost us and a low shot after giving up the ball to a back heeled Cech. This game could have easily been 3-2, 2-2, 0-0, 2-0 and our sad result…

After the first goal, West Ham sat like a fat lady after a shopping spree. They had no reason to press ahead and we lacked the ability to catch that lucky break or needed movement. Oh, forgot Alexis almost had one today too (that guy just loves football; such a pleasure to see and have him in our squad). The set piece was just blundered. Not sure what happened. Nerves? Unfamiliarity with defense? We didn’t help Cech today so I can’t wholly blame him but it was weird to see him come off his line with a set piece to far away… that said, I’m not about to question a keeper of his proven caliber. Just forget and move on. This is a long season and we’ve clearly seen that leading at the start doesn’t mean shit at the end.

You just have to give credit where it is due, applaud the Hammers and move on. We have Palace next week, who scored like crazy in the opener. A fully fit Alexis should be present and hopefully that injects what we need into a full 90 to come out with 3 points. I fully expect to see him start and his energy should help some (but we really can’t wait for him to be there given the talent that surrounds him too so no fucking excuses). Hats off to West Ham, they came in a punched us in the damn mouth. Get off yer arses boys and make a run on this shit from now on.

On another note, I finally went to a match this last spring. I was able to witness Swansea break my fucking heart at the Emirates. It was an emotional and enthralling experience capped with lots of pints and an absolute joy of an experience. It is now my goal to go to a match every other year. I can’t stand the idea of not seeing the Gunners live at least every other year. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and I would be a damn liar if I said I didn’t tear up walking to my seat for the match.

As a side note to that, what the fuck is up with being asked to goddamn sit for the fucking match?! You’re kidding me right? I fly halfway around the world to watch my team play live and you want me to sit? Needless to say I didn’t and I was damn proud the locals threw the middle finger to match enforcement so we didn’t have to… even picked up a shouting match with some Swansea fans during the match; it was glorious.

Right, well, thank God we don’t have a bloody mid week match like Man Pukey for Champions League. Suck it.

It’s been a LONG wait for the match against Blue Balls. We’ve led up with solid hardware in the minor warm ups but that’s nothing to be discounted. The team seems to be playing with some swagger missing from the last few seasons. Leading up to the Community Shield match I couldn’t help but be crazy nervous. It’s a game that we lose and the boo birds come out but win and it gets minimized to “that isn’t really a game” montage. Truth is, a gaffer like Mou doesn’t like to lose. Ever. Certainly not to AW. The thing is, AW turned it upside down on him by beating him at his own game. This time, the TEAM approach really took charge and what I clearly saw was a club capable of taking the league.

Little side note here, years ago I played competitive baseball and was on a travel team that including guys that had played together for years. One summer we really hit that groove, where no matter the score or game we just knew we were going to pull it out and win the game. There were many tournaments where we would be down 5 or 10 runs halfway through and then all of a sudden we’d go on a run, not allow another run and pull out the win. This Arsenal teams reminds me of that type of team/experience; they are starting to really exude the mentality that goes with just accepting the game is going to be a win no matter what.

Now, I am not about to compare this squad to the invisibles but it’s damn hard to ignore the talent and compatibility of this squad. We finally have depth across all fronts (ok, maybe not the central striker role) and a real sense that this team KNOWS how to play together. On twitter I have re-watched the ticky-tacky play where Cesc did about three pirouettes and just can’t help but smile and think to myself “damn, they are starting something here”. Now, typically pressure mounts on a squad like this BUT for some reason I feel like they are playing lighter than usual. They’ve won hardware recently and really, they don’t have anything to prove. Blue balls are defenders, Man City continues to spend out the nose, Man U needs to make a title challenge… barring injury (don’t even get me started) I think Arsenal actually could slip in and really get a run going this year.

Yes, I am excited for this year. You have to remember, I became a supporter DURING the hardware drought. I didn’t get the joy of Invincibles or league trophies. I was damn happy this squad finally didn’t have early UCL matches and some real depth across the entire of our lines. This is an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan: we have talent, depth, youth, pace, a brilliant manager… and now confidence. That my friends could be what we need to finally press to the top and stay there for the entirety of the season.

Oh, and I don’t care how the damn game is won. One nil to the Arsenal is always a happy tune… especially when it comes at the expense of “The dipshit One”.

COYG.