The good news is, we have not conceded a goal yet!

On the positive side...our defense is good!

...the bad news is, we have not scored one yet.

Another 0-0 draw. This time with Stoke. Considering it was at the Britannia stadium, away from home, and everything that has happened, and we had a back up goal keeper (Good work Mannone, and get well soon Woj!).

But the lack of goals is frustrating, especially when we are dominating offensively.

Both Sunderland and Stoke were the same. Nether team deserved to win, they just parked the bus. Stoke had hardly any chances, especially in the 2nd half, and then they came off and gloated that they had got a point off a top team.

I do not like teams that play passive football. It makes the games boring, and stops the flow. I am looking forward to game a fortnight away, against Southampton. They gave Man City a run for their money. They actually want to play football.

The players in the final third is what needs work. I am not going to mention he-who-must-not-be-named.  As for the new strikers, Giroud has been right up there, playing well, but unable to capitalise. Santi Cazorla has likewise been an impressive signing, and is amazing in the midfield, but he is a playmaker, not a finisher. Wenger has noticed this. He might sign another striker. I don't like to speculate on transfer rumours, but another striker would be good.

Could it be a chemistry problem? I think it could be, the team need to adapt to playing with each other. I like Giroud as a striker, and he has been very open and honest about the fact that he has to play better and get the ball in the back of the net.

I think these players still look a bit unaware. Where everyone is, where the other players are, what other opportunities are being created. This is a new look Arsenal, and the team still need to find their rhythm.

Liverpool next week at Anfield is a big game. Come on you Gunners!
- KiwiGoonerGirl

Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland

Giroud's 80th minute miss could have been the decider

This was our third draw to start the season in a row.

It wasn't as bad as last season's opener against Newcastle, where we drew 0-0 and had the whole Gervinho/Barton red card debacle.

There were plenty of negative things to dwell on. The commentators consistant mentioning of van Persie's departure, Song's impending move (now confirmed by Barcelona) and Fabregas and Nasri's transfer's last season...it was difficult to watch.

However, as an optimistic gooner, I'd rather look at the positive side.

Positives:

• Santi Cazorla - what a signing! Was creating beautiful football, and had more than a few chances.
•  New look side - Arsenal had a completely different team to what we've been used to. We seemed to function pretty well on the whole. Obviously the new players need a bit more time to adapt, but I think it all looks pretty positive.
• Clean sheet - We kept them scoreless. Always a positive.
• All the chances - once Giroud and Podolski find their stride, we'll be scoring goals.
• Vermaelen as captain! - Great to see.
• We got a point.
  
• We're not Liverpool. Losing to West Brom 3-0. Eeeek. Nasty.
• We're not Spurs. Enough said.
  

Giroud's chance...yes. It was a clear goal opportunity. But anyone could have missed that. I don't think we should be too quick to judge Giroud.

We can't be too quick to judge the whole team! There were a lot of positives to take from the match, and for the season as a whole. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Doesn't matter if we didn't win our first game. We've got the whole rest of the season to make up for it.

Here's hoping Man Utd lose tomorrow.
- KiwiGoonerGirl

And so ends another Arsenal transfer saga.

Was the little boy inside screaming Manchester United?

Van Persie is gone. It hurts to see him in a United jersey, and being honest, this is a massive blow. Manchester United have possibly made the best signing in the transfer window. Really all we can do now is accept it and move on.

Lets look on the positive side.

He had only one year left on his contract. He wanted to go. I think we made a good deal to sell him for 24 million pounds. In that way we were very lucky. Selling an aging, injury prone player for that amount of money was a very sensible business move.

After the PR disaster which was his website statement, we had no choice but to see him. He had to be sold. He wanted to go, and Wenger wanted him to stay, but at the same time, Wenger understood we can't put up with a player who wants to leave on the team, no matter how talented the player is.

Arsenal have lost their influencer, captain, and world class striker. But no one player is bigger than the team.

Once again, Arsenal are underdogs going into this season. If we can pull this off, it will be spectacular. Our team is looking strong, with Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla fantastic signings. But losing van Persie was a blow, it is undeniable. 

Whatever happens, BRING ON SUNDERLAND.

I cannot wait.

The wait is over. EPL begins tonight.

- KiwiGoonerGirl

Cazorla confirmed!

It's official, Arsenal football club have officially signed Santi Cazorla!

Cazorla is a great signing for the club. He has been one of the best players in La Liga outside Real Madrid and Barcelona. I think signing an attacking midfielder is a positive step for Arsenal, because we really need that stability in our midfield. I am also pleased he is 27, so we haven't signed a young player, he can help the young guys with his experience. Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and the like are fantastic young players, but they need leadership in the midfield. We really missed Wilshere last season, and the loss of Fabregas and Nasri meant our midfield was weak, and passes were slipping through.

Arteta should combine well with Cazorla, they are both Spanish so the communication between them will be good. I feel as though Arteta really helped set the pace last season, as the metronome. So I am happy to see them collaborate.

So that brings our total spendings for this transfer window up to £35 million, the same amount Liverpool payed for Andy Carrol, and we've got Giroud, Cazorla and Podolski. Wenger is great at bargain finding. We will see how they all adapt to the English game, but overall I am optimistic with the signings Arsenal have made.

Until next time,
- Emma

Transfers, Ramsey, Olympics and me...

This morning, in Arsenal transfer news headlines:

Mirror: van Persie wants to stay and he's gonna do a u-turn.
Daily Mail: van Persie is going to Manchester United

Well this is reliable.

In more concrete transfer rumor news, Cazorla is undergoing a medical with Arsenal. While I don't like to speculate on rumors until they have been confirmed by the Arsenal website, reports from The Guardian and the Independent seem more reliable and trustworthy.

There have been suggestions that Robin van Persie has made a tactical move against the club, in order to get us to sign more quality players, in order to re-sign and prove Arsenal does have ambition. While this is a very optimistic outlook, and I'd love if he stayed, I am not sure this was his intention. Overall I think his plan to get as many bids as possible has failed. Of his legitimate options, the only appealing one is Juventus. He probably does not want to go to another English club.  However with his injury concerns and age, I think clubs are unwilling to spend so much money on him. We will see how it pans out.


Aaron  Ramsey: The kid has balls. 3 penalties. 1 missed. I am happy for him that he got 2 of them, and proud of his performance overall. He played really well and I am upset GB are not through to the semi-finals.


Olympics: I've been watching, New Zealand have more golds than Australia! So proud to be a kiwi! Love it! How many dudes you know row like this? Not many, if any.

I'm excited as well for Jessice Ennis, she is a true inspiration and role model to me.

Also in unrelated and very uninteresting sports news, I finally graded to my 1st kyu in karate. One away from black belt now. It was an intense grading but worth it in the end.

- Emma aka KiwiGoonerGirl