Reading v. Arsenal 1-3 (12/Nov/07)

Maybe not the brightest Arsenal match this season but yet a highly remarkable team effort to consolidate in the top of the premiership this monday against a nerve-breaking Reading. The overall performance of the well organized London side and the great performance by 'Manu' Adebayor and Alex Hleb were sufficient enough to make the ussual display of the visiting team to the revitalized and unbeaten eldest club in England.
The Ashburton Grovers sated nearly pragmatical neither efficient but with the same display of coherence and patience that had not been seen in previous seasons. In the 4' Adebayor's Henry sort of definition hited the woodwork and nearly grasped the old and traditional scoreline for the North London side. Arsenal kept the main line of the game with several opportunities until the advantage came in the last minutes of the first half when an excellent pass from Hleb followed by a deflected definition of Flamini entered the goalposts to ensure Arsenal overwhelming pace in the league. In a close shot to the bench in the second half we could watch a freezing Gilberto Silva. Whether it was obviously from the 4°C at pitch level or from the unactivity through the season, the old captain and emblematic symbol of the Gunners has been quite uncomfortable of swithching positions with the brilliant Mathieu Flamini which has earned his second international cap along with the Arsenal french legion. Regarding the frach legion Clichy's endurance and reliability had proved me wrong from my early reluctance in finding the Ashley Cole substitute and I dare to say that, he might be even better with time. Nevertheless Gallas and Touré had find there way in the team and seem to complement themselves perfectly even allowing Touré to forward his position and attack with full trust. Following the defensive review, the always overlapping Sagna has found his way into the team after a shy start of season. My main concern is the overall development of Eboué in his 'new' position. As David Young mentioned it in his Soccernet.com's review 'Voice of Fans', it is not the same to play fifteen meters ahead of the position which, as a footballer, you have been formed. Although he seem to complement Sagna, that dreamed overlapping of Wenger found in Hleb-Eboué, has not been totally convincing, but there is the element of adaptation and communication yet to improve between these two French speaking team mates.
Regarding to Hleb, I was a bit reluctant in the last couple season as many people but he has proved his value in the club. His tremendous technique, his passing and vision make them an excellent offensive midfielder that has a lot of talent to exploit. Another relevant and talented player is the Czech captain Tomás Rosicky, who in varied opinions, has been quite failed to impress the need of a Pires, who can either attack with a lighting pace or to give the prefect assist. So much has been said of this that Rosicky, as natural as any other player shows the contrary. His practiced technique and his aid to defend in Clichy's advances along with his cutting trhough the middle had been the mark of this player last season. This game he showed a full companionship devotion allowing Cesc Fábregas the pass to an excellent Adebayor finishing. 'Dinosaur' Bendtner and young Theo Walcott did not have the enough time to make use of their famous football faculties. An very Good display of the way Arsenal has come through the season, a lecture on patience, team effort and power that any previous Arsenal (but the Unbeaten)squad has shown in the last decade.

And besides that something has to be alarming major football managers not only around the island but in Europe; and I am referring to the declarations made by Carlo Ancelotti, Milan's manager. Something might be concerning them and is the way Arsenal plays, which is indeed alarming for them.