One nil to the Arsenal!

Arsenal 1- WBA 0, was how it finished up at Ashburton Grove. The very impressive Samir Nasri scoring on his Premier League debut. It was the decider as it turned out in what was a tasty move and wraps up a rather good week of competitive football for us.

It was not the most commanding performance by an Arsenal team but it still is three valuable points and a good start to the domestic campaign. I missed the first 38 minutes of the match due to circumstances that can best be summed up as "following football in a non-footballing country." Any hoo will leave it at that.

I was more surprised than shocked that Arsene started Eboue as holding midfielder along side Denilson. Nasri played wide left and Theo right. The usual back four was missing Kolo Toure and Djourou took up his starting position next to Gallas. Ade had Bendtner up top for company, and the rest was more familiar.

From the highlights of the first half I gathered that we created a few chances in the first half after scoring as early as the fourth minute. It was neat move down the left with Clichy in the thick of it.

A through ball in the box was collected by Denilson for him to cutback to Nasri yards away from goal and was slotted into the goal, all one touch stuff. Good awareness and positioning by the young French winger. The finish reminded me so much of the way Freddie used to play for us.

After that we created a few chances. Bendtner's header off a corner, Ade had a couple of pops goalward and Nasri and Gallas had some long rangers. I don't remember Almunia having too busy of a first half. He was called upon once though, making a fine finger-tip save. We failed to really go for the jugular and put it to bed. But will reserve further comment on the first half as I missed the majority of it.

In the second half we had more of the ball, but weren't as decisive as we should have been. Nasri showed us what he was capable of, good skills on the ball with upper body strength to match. A fine signing indeed and MOTM in my opinion.

Nasri it was who played a delightful ball to Adebayor who was one on one with the goalkeeper but failed to squeeze the ball between the keeper and the post, his shot ending just wide of the right upright. Van Persie came on for Bendtner and his simultaneous spin and shot in the box missed the target by a small margin. A splendid move and he just might be the name I would get on my new jersey.

These were as about as close as we got to doubling our lead. Meanwhile while we had the majority of the possession, West Brom hit us on the break and there were one or two heart in mouth moments, including a goal mouth clearance by Djourou.

But we survived it all. Arsenal.com as they are wont to do have put up a more comprehensive match summary and can be found here

I expected us to score maybe one more goal, but in the end it was the result that mattered. We were missing some key players and with maybe one more signing in central midfield we could do the business this season.

It was a rusty performance, but I'm not perturbed at all. It's just the start of the season, and I'm sure we will click in to gear in due course. If the pre-season was all about performance and not the result the regular season is more about the result than anything else. And that's three points in the bag, thank you!

And oh the Scum lost, after all that pre season talk and signings (seven mill we made off Bentley, remember) ! Fine start to the season for them innit? Brilliant stuff!

After the game Arsene said:

"I am pleased with the fact that we didn't concede a goal. We scored two on Wednesday, one today, so it's better than the reverse. Overall it was a good week for us. A winning start, a win in the Champions League, so yes a good week."

On our prospects this season, Le Gaffer said:

"We made 83 points last year and lost only three games. We have stability in this Club that allows us to feel that we can improve on last year. We lost three games and in two of the games we were leading 1-0 with 20 minutes to go. We lost some big names but what is important is what we produce on the pitch.

"Last year we were four points behind Man United and we didn't win a trophy. However we won the trophy of the most unlucky team. We had injuries to players for very long periods too. We lost [Tomas] Rosicky, [Robin] van Persie and Eduardo."

We don't want to win the trophy of the most unlucky team again this season again, so let's see how this one pans out, a long road ahead though!

The Hull City manager remarked after their win yesterday that "one swallow doesn't the summer make." This win yesterday really made my weekend though.

A fine Arsenal week it was, and dear goodness me the footers back, for crying out loud!

Have a good one arsefans!