See this is not your everyday match report. I also promised "and More." So be expectant although there isn't all that much more to write about today.
Our performance against Newcastle was brilliant for the youngsters but very frustrating for the first 83 minutes or so. I couldn't see the match because it wasn't on anywhere in the world so I was watching a text alert gamecast. We were taking a startling amount of shots, especially in the second half, and none of them were going in. After watching the highlights I realized that we were in possession of the ball for most of the game and had most of the attacks, although the first real chance went to Obafemi Martins. He got a head on a cross and should have put it in from about five feet away but Fabianski made a fantastic stop.
Eduardo had a couple of chances as well as Eboue and Walcott, but we just couldn't beat Shay Given as he was blocking everything we hit at him. Bendtner also sent a header over the crossbar when he probably should have scored.
Finally the breakthrough came. Eduardo fed Traore down the left and he whipped in a cross that Bendtner headed into the corner superbly. It was his first goal for the club and a brilliant one at that. You could feel the goal coming and it finally did unlike last year when we would have all the chances and never score. Good for Bendtner to get off the mark.
Another young gun got his first strike just five minutes later. Diaby made a good run into the box and beat two defenders before feeding Denilson just outside of the box who put a scorcher into the top corner and Given really had no chance. A great strike and his first for the club.
So the match ended 2-0 to the Arsenal and we're on a winning streak. It was a good all around performance for our young guns and they showed the quality they have by beating a full strength Newcastle side. Man of the match will go to Traore for me, good in defense and good going up the flank and crossing. Senderos was a bit shaky again but I really do think he will come around eventually.
So on to some other news...
Manuel Almunia says that the number 1 keeper jersey is his and Jens can keep his hands off of it. He says, "I need to hold onto the number 1 jersey with all my strength and not let go of it." He has looked quite good so far this season and I think Jens and Almunia will possibly have to fight it out, like fist-fight, cuz Jens is quite mad and I think he really wants to be first team as well. Competition is good though.
Gilberto is wanting a new deal. His current one expires at the end of 2009 and I think he'll be 32 at that time, correct me if I'm wrong. I honestly think he'll be on the way out at that point and don't think he'll get a new deal. Flamini is playing well and Diarra looks good and they both play the same role as the old Brazilian. I like Gilberto a lot but I just don't see Wenger keeping him past 2009.
Nick Bendtner told reporters that confidence is "sky high" in the Arsenal dressing room right now.
"At the moment the confidence is really, really high. The win over Newcastle was just another showing of what the club is going through at the moment.
"We are doing everything really well. Everyone is really happy and wants to play for the club."
That's all for the day, I'll try to do better tomorrow. Later
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