Physically it was a tough game. What you can see is the spirit is strong in the team and that everybody works for each other. That is very positive

And there endeth today’s lesson. For those who felt that this side lacked the ability to mix it, they were answered in Amsterdam. Tempting though it would be to add the word ‘emphatically’, I think that would be stretching the point somewhat. However, the players on the pitch showed they will not easily be cowed, giving us hope that this can be transferred to a wet night in November where Arsenal teams in the past have failed to deliver.

A solid performance with both sides giving as good as they got. The team was selected to give more protection to the defence in the midfield but keeping the attacking threat, similar to the one that won at Old Trafford ten months ago. There were tangible improvements in defence, Toure and Gallas were much improved as a pairing. Not as imperious as you hope they will be in the season but getting there if they maintain the performance levels.

And the goal itself highlighted everything good and bad about the team. Bad? Why were Ajax allowed to travel so far with the ball without a challenge going in? Good? Denilson’s confident flick to relieve Ajax of the ball in the area; Gallas, Hleb and Clichy’s one touch football to set the latter off on a full pitch length sprint and Clichy keeping his head to tee-up RvP for a poachers finish. It would have been marvelled at if this were in the Premiership, for the final pre-season game, it was impressive stuff from the full back to have that much energy. Overall, it was an encouraging performance for the last pre-season game and a positive way to prepare the coming matches.

A pity about RvP’s knock at the end of the game although he bounded across the pitch afterwards like Bambi in a meadow afterwards so hopefully it is nothing too serious. His tongue has been sharp this weekend though in The News Of The World. Freddie cops it,

If you play nine years at a Club like Arsenal you can say some nice words. If you’re coming up with excuses about Thierry’s departure and about promises from the club it’s a bit weak. I was disappointed and I know a few others were as well. He had a fantastic period, he was once the best player in England, so come on be adult and say some nice things for this club, which is fantastic.

On AW’s contract,

It’s important that Arsene is here long term and signs a new Contract…Everyone will be a bit surprised if he left

AW himself was mischievious last night on TV, eh? Just about managing to confirm a contract negotiation before possibly disappearing off into convulsions of laughter at the discomfort of the Sky Reporter who had obviously been told to ask ‘the’ question.

The Sunday Mirror reckon we are one of ten clubs after Franco di Santo, an 18 year old Argentine forward, the best thing since sliced bread apparently. A one year loan deal followed by a £10m transfer is the asking price.

Not much else in the papers I’ve seen this morning other than their pre-season previews so ’til Tomorrow.