What a brilliant performance from the team against Cologne. Vermaelan scored the first from a corner after the ball was flicked from the near post by Mertesacker. Cazorla was incredible. He has impeccable vision and can execute stunning passes with his left and right foot. He started in the central attacking role and excelled often dropping deep and exchanging positions with Oxlade Chamberlain who was playing in the Arteta role. He basically made the midfield tick and the fact that we scored 3 of the 4 goals when he was on the pitch is testament to that. Olivier Giroud didn't manage to find the net but he could have scored a hatrick. He is a predator in the box, is good at holding the ball up and his knock downs in the box are first class. He almost got an assist after his trademark knock down to the feet of the onrushing Cazorla but the Cologne keeper made a great save. Then there is Lukas Podolski. His official position was on the left wing but he drifted inside and made an effort to get involved in the game. His penalty was slotted calmly in the bottom left corner and his second was finished with aplomb after good work from Gibbs. He seems a great finisher and is one of those players who makes you think he will score every chance he gets. The defense had a decent game and weren't really caught out at all besides for some worrying moments when the midfield gave the ball away needlessly. Gervinho had another great game and is showing some promising form. His run down the left wing from the half way line was reminiscent of the one when he scored in the AFCON. He was clever in his finish faking a cross when he slyly slotted in the near post. Interestingly Robin Van Persie came on in the 70th minute wearing the armband. Would a player supposedly on the move to Manchester be wearing the armband? I wouldn't think so but stranger things have happened. I don't think we should get ahead of ourselves though. It is still preseason and we played a team currently sitting in 14th position in the German second division. There is still work to be done and I'm sure Wenger knows that.
I must admit I was completely wrong with my squad prediction this morning. Turns out Walcott, Giroud, Mertesacker, Yennaris, Chamberlain and Coquelin all started. It is quite satisfying though that we have so many options that I cannot even come close predict a starting XI. Talk of a lack of competition for places should be well and truly out the window now.
In some transfer news, Yann M'Vila has been subject to a bid from an English team. Rumour has it that the team is Tottenham though I am not completely sure. We are still interested so the bid could be from us. We are looking for a defensive midfielder and have been linked with just about every good one in Europe. I must say though that we won't sign both M'Vila and Sahin, its one or the other.
According to reports from Italy, AC Milan are offering Phillipe Mexes in a swap deal for Nicklas Bendtner. I'm not sure I like Mexes. When I saw him at the European championships he was France's worst defender by far. As a replacement for Squillaci though I won't be complaining.
That's it for today.
'Till Tomorrow
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