Arsenal West Brom Wrap

First of all, I found this site for highlights, hopefully its like this all season.
http://blog.soccerslave.com/

It wasn't the most convincing performance, but Arsenal got their season off on the right foot (of Samir Nasri) with a 1-0 win at home to West Brom. I'll just take a moment to list the Arsenal Players in the order of their performance.

Nasri- Sometimes the goalscorer is just random or fortunate, but not this one. Nasri was the best player on the field and man of the match in my opinion. People want to compare him to Hleb, but I don't see it. He's more like somewhere in between Fabregas and Rosicky. A midfield with those three is a scary thought, only who is going to get them the ball?

Clichy- He continues to amaze with those barnstorming runs he makes from his own penalty area all the way to the opposing team's. There's not another left back in the world like him.

Djourou- Great performance from Johan, that will surely boost his confidence even more, being his second good game in a row. Him and Phillipe will be fighting it out now for 3rd choice center back.

Sagna- You can tell a lot about a team from its full backs. Sagna continues to provide good service and do a decent job in getting back when Arsenal are caught out upfield.

Almunia- He had one save to make and he made it.

Denilson- Pretty much non-influential, but for the second straight game he's provided the telling pass for the assist of the all important goal. He has good instincts in the area, something that could come in handy this year.

Gallas- This "new" Gallas still looks as volataile as ever, but you can't criticize as long as he performs. He seems to enjoy yelling at anyone who will listen whenever he gets the chance.

Eboue- I guess that was a decent game for him, although he made every Arsenal fan chuckle on four occasions when he "shot." Maybe he's better in the middle, but he still shoudln't be playing when we're at full strength.

Bendtner- Undeniable skill, but man is he selfish. I think he's much more effective off the bench, and he doesn't really fit the Arsenal mould, but he is always an aerial threat, something Arsenal lack. Way too flashy when the ball is on the ground too, he has a long way to go.

Adebayor- I said I wouldn't make any pre-season predictions but I did make one to myself. Emmanuel Adebayor will be flagged for offside more than any other player in the Prem this season, and not the good kind of offside.

Walcott- Much like Adebayor, he is far too obvious with the ball at times. I have a bit more faith in him now, but its clear he still suffers from rushes of blood to the head and he still is too wreckless.

Van Persie had a small injury, I guess that is why he did not start, the same is true for Toure. Both of them need to stay on the pitch for Arsenal to be themselves, that is no secret. Without Van Persie, Arsenal somehow have no one that can score off a free kick.

The addition of Nasri is a huge bonus. But it will take a lot to convince me that it makes up for the loss of Flamini. Arsenal are soft and vulnerable in the middle of the field, as Twente exposed. But that isn't that huge of a concern for me, at least at the moment. Who knows what Song or Diaby will be able to bring once they get back. But Arsenal should still be able to pass their way around smaller sides like West Brom, its only once we run into the big boys that we'll have problems. Stay tuned.