"Czech Mate" for Liverpool and Benetiz...

Nothing easier than a first tie away to the cup holders, at Anfield of all places. Nothing could be more simple than going to a team who had not lost at home, to a domestic side, for the better part of 6 months. Add in Liverpool's recent form, 4 wins out of their last 5 in all competitions, Arsenal could not have asked for a more simple, routine outing in their first expedition in a competition they themselves have dominated throughout the 2000's. The performance Arsenal delivered justifies my wry sarcasm.

Arsenal's defending is what impressed me the most during the match. Crouch was well contained, Xabi Alonso was almost anonymous, and Gerrard was a peripheral figure for most of the game. Liverpool had all of the ball for the first 30 mins until we ventured forward and produced and truly stunning strike out of the blue.

That is an ingredient that Arsenal have been missing this season. The patience and maturity to wait for the right moment to come forward and attack; particularly in away matches. The saying "football is like a game of chess" really is true. Teams have to wait for the right moments in a game to push forward for a goal-especially when the game is tight. This is similar to a chess player knowing the right moment to bring out his Queen, or Bishop. Some of the Gunners' defeats this season have seen Arsenal start as the dominant side in the match, Bolton, Man City, and West Ham, and the other teams have come back and hit us where it hurts with swift counter attacks and profited from costly mistakes.

I think the tactical approach to the game at Liverpool was "spot on". We allowed Liverpool all the ball, all the possession, let them shoot wildly from 30 yards, dealt with the second ball from Crouch - and suckered them on the counter attack. If only we could treat every away game this way, especially against the so called "physical teams" in the Premiership, we might even be in the thick of the title race.

Nonetheless, yesterday's performance was a strong suggestion that Arsenal can, and will win silverware this season. I have not totally written off our chances of catching Chelsea, if they continue to stumble, we could steal second place this season. And if we could win a trophy to accompany the league performance, that would spell a successful season for the gunners. Whether that be in the champions league, FA cup, or carling cup.... who knows, what is for certain is that yesterday's annihilation of a team who not only were holders of the FA Cup, but who are above us in the league, proves Arsenal are ready to re-launch their season. This coupled provide Wenger with the perfect platform to make 2007 a year to remember for Arsenal, and abolish some of the more painful memories of 2006.....
...especially that night in Paris!