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.