Up For Grabs Now

Arsenal 1 Dynamo Kiev 0

Well thank heavens for that. One nil to the Arsenal, and have you ever been more relieved to hear those words? Unconvincing, certainly, and I suspect there were a few hearts in mouths during the second half. With Porto winning we’ve cemented our position in the last sixteen of the Champions League, and also secured ourselves a semi-dead rubber in Portugal.

Thoughts?

Positives: The win. Cesc’s first match as captain a victory, and a strong performance from him. Gallas getting his head down and doing a job, though he looked shaky at times. Almunia’s save in the second half. Vela’s brightness in the first half, a bit of breathing space before business resumes in earnest on Sunday. Young Jack Wilshere looking as promising as usual. Comedy opposition sending off – ‘headless chicken kiev’?

Negatives: The shakiness we’ve seen in recent games, particularly in the back half of midfield and defence, was still there. Chelsea, not to mention the other big European teams, will hardly be quaking in their boots at the thought of playing our team. Still, we’ve got players to come back, and morale will pick up. Denilson is not a winger.

So. Things to correct. A good night for the Arsenal. What do you reckon? 

William Gallas is back, eh? 

Why, Arsene, why? 

Actually I can think of a couple of reasons. I mean, he has been on occasion a world-class defender. He is also hugely experienced, more so than perhaps anyone else in the current side. Although that said I’m probably more experienced than most of the current side. Certainly at some things.

Who knows what’s going on at the moment with Gallas. To be stripped of the captaincy and then return to the dressing room - as chastening for him as it would be odd (and perhaps satisfying) for the other players. Some players might respond to this kind of pressure, but I suspect LeGal is not one of them – he’s already decided he’s the best player and Capi in the world, so I doubt being dropped will make him better. 

Anyway. I suppose I’d rather have him defending against Kiev than Gavin Hoyte.