Arsenal 1 – 0 West Bromwich Albion

1 – 0 Nasri (4)

The Premier League season kicked off with a win, three points taken from a fixture where no less would have been expected. It was not the best Arsenal performance that will be seen this season at The Emirates but it was not the best Arsenal team that you would expect to see during the coming nine months either. Bereft of half a dozen players from the starting line-up, the outcome was not that surprising. To dismiss title hopes on one performance is naive at best; to ponder what would have happened had we been playing one of the better sides in the division is an exercise in futility. We were not; yesterday’s opponents were West Bromwich Albion, no-one else.

That does not mean that some questions cannot be asked but before doing so it is worth looking at the bright spots. Samir Nasri removed a millstone from around his neck with his first goal and a cracking one it was too. Bendtner’s deft pass to Clichy and Denilson’s run followed by the cutback for Nasri to score were worthy of any first choice XI. That it was the peak of the afternoon does not diminish the play or goal. It was a promising debut by the new boy and already he is pushing Hleb’s total goals for a season. If he can keep it up, there is every reason to be optimistic that he is more a return to Pires than the Byelorussian.

A major plus point was the performance of Johan Djourou. He looked solid and with his pace, has the ability to cover behind Gallas. It was fairly obvious that the two could not really compete in an aerial duel with Miller but Djourou showed a positional awareness that belied his young years. Gallas meanwhile played his best game for the club for a while and I hope that is a sign of things to come. He and Djourou outthought their opponents and whilst not shutting them out completely – a rarity in any match these days – they compensated for their disadvantages well. Gallas was unlucky with a twenty-five yard shot that proved Toure is not the only centre back at the club who can strike the ball cleanly.

Sagna and Clichy were their ever dependable selves. The former is keeping up his performance levels from last season whilst Clichy never ceases to impress with his energy. Between the four of them, they kept Albion chances to a minimum and having kept two clean sheets, there is no certainty for Toure to be a shoo-in once he is fully fit although I suspect he will replace Djourou at Fulham. Almunia, meanwhile, did all that was required of him. His distribution was a tad wayward at times but that can be worked on and should improve as matches come thick and fast.

Playing Eboue in the centre of midfield was the logical step with Nasri and Walcott on the flanks. His defensive understanding freed Denilson to allow his attacking tendencies to flourish more readily than in Arnhem during the week. Eboue may get slated somewhat unfairly at times but he brought balance to the midfield and covered well on the right when Sagna pushed forward. It is too early to say whether this is a more natural position for him but if he can produce the solidity of performance on a regular basis, who knows?

For those positives, some concerns. Adebayor looked sluggish. His touch is out but that will hopefully return with more matches. However, the jeering he received is counter-productive. It might have only been a ‘one-off’ but it does not send a message of support for the team, irrespective that it was directed at one player. Adebayor cannot be faulted for his effort; he covered a lot of ground in attack. Time perhaps for the summer shenanigans to be put to one side as the season proper has started.

Alongside him, Bendtner displayed some good touches but he had a tendency to drop too deep at times. He is more effective in the box and will be disappointed not to have scored with a free header. The final player who caused headscratching was Theo. It was a mixed bag from him. Some good runs and delivery but easily channelled into cul-de-sac’s by defenders. He has, we are told, been working on this area of his game in the summer but there was little evidence of it yesterday.

It is too early to condemn individuals but a full strength Arsenal side may well have torn Albion to pieces. They worked hard and had one very good chance when Djourou cleared off the line. With bringing a couple of saves out of Almunia, their contribution to the game is being ‘upped’ but in truth, had they scored I think we would have nicked another.

Arsene said after the game,

I’m not really worried about the lack of goals because I don’t feel we were sharp enough to finish off what we created. I believe when everyone is fit we can create clear cut chances. At times today the final ball was not good enough, too heavy, not timed well enough, and I feel we will improve a lot on that.

He summed up the game pretty well, I think. It is too soon to judge but it will be better when the injured are walking again.

Justin Hoyte joined Middlesbrough yesterday and I wish him well. Not much speculation about concerning Arsene’s one signing before the second leg of the Champions League although signing Xabi Alonso seems unlikely given that he is cup-tied for the whole of the European campaign. Liverpool may want £16m for him but it seems that they will be unlikely to get that sum. I know that it is one season out of a five-year deal but given the tournament is one that Arsene has prioritised, it would be a strange signing in that respect. No doubt that he will bring one of his usual style of signings to the club instead.

’til Tomorrow.