The plush grass carpet of Ashburton Grove has been cropped and trimmed for this week’s opener against Pompey, and there is still much to be known and much to be asked of the Arsenal. Of course, one could say the same of any club at such an early stage, and especially in this, what looks to be the most open of Premier League title chases in recent memory. But two wins from two played and eight goals scored to one conceded is at the very least encouraging. The one goal allowed was a poached effort by the familiar face of Louis Saha, who appears set on hiding from the ever-lurking plague of injury under cover of a copper-bleached head of hair. Maybe he should try in Fellaini’s afro,
As free-flowing and inventive a display the 6-1 thrashing of Everton at Goodison appeared to be, the Tofeemen were, to be fair, a shell of the normally resilient selves. Phil Jagielka watched in street clothes, and with every glaring look from David Moyes, Joleon Lescott and his hi-top fade looked like the kid who pissed the bed at a sleepover; sheepish, sulking, and desperately wanting to get the fuck out. An absolute Southwest Airlines commercial candidate. And of our 2-0 triumph at Parkhead, it was a professional if not fortunate display, and exactly the kind of win a champion caliber side must pull out.
An identical starting XI in both games, it has proven to be a potent group despite many key names being sold or lost to injury. And it sure is nice to see Alexandre Song bustling into challenges, stomping on the line between clumsy and clinical with half-baked aplomb. I am tempted even to dream he has become the cunning badass midfielder we all prayed would come to Arsenal this transfer window, even if he does look like he just finished smoking j’s with my brother in the garage. If only this were London and not Los Angeles. Pass that shit, Song.
As the minutes tick closer to this season’s first home fixture, a heatfelt highlight-reel runs through my mind of Pires and Bergkamp cruising through the park, or Henry scorching past players, the very soul of the Arsenal breathing with his every burst. Alas, the history, class, and romance of Highbury has been traded for the pomp and profit of the Emirates, and yet the Gunners fight on. With the other three lacking conviction, especially Manchester and their lovely loss to Burnley (eat it goofy smug Canadian asshole on Fox Soccer Report), I quote Arsene Wenger on my thoughts for this season: “I see Arsenal at the top, and the rest all chasing.” What do you know about the Arsenal?
