Mesut Ozil's somewhat dip in performance rate of late has been picked up in the Metro newspaper, something which I have noted in the last few weeks.
Reading Gavin Brown's article on the train this morning, he isn't particularly downgrading or calling Ozil a bad player (that would be absurd) but he is maybe missing the winter break he became accustomed to back in Spain. He is 'missing in action', as Brown puts it.
As I said in a previous post, perhaps he is feeling the pressure of his high price tag, while his slight injury picked up in the last couple of months will have hindered him after his fine start since joining from Read Madrid in August.
But yes I agree with Brown's point regarding the winter break also, and he suggests Ozil is perhaps in a winter-break mindset. If that is the case, let's hope he picks up form shortly. In contrast however, Ozil recently revealed how he is enjoying playing in England without the winter break he has become accustomed to. He revealed he wants to continue improving, which he may have to based on his recent form, and puts a lot of that down to playing more regular games which happens during the winter period. Maybe he is putting too much pressure on himself?
I think a lot of fans are choosing to ignore Ozil's dip in form, perhaps not wanting to come to terms with our expensive talisman being in need of finding his way again. Of course there is no doubting his talents; he has proven himself in English football as he showed to us all when joining on transfer deadline day.
We take on Fulham tomorrow afternoon (3pm GMT kick off) in what should be a relatively straight forward task. René Meulensteen's side are battling to stay in the Barclays Premier League, with only two points separating them and the drop, with all three teams in the relegation zone sharing seventeen points.
Rosicky and Monreal are expected to return for tomorrow's game. Rosicky could feature with a mask after braking his nose against Aston Villa which forced him to be a substituted sub. Monreal meanwhile should be available despite a twisted ligament in his foot.
Despite Olivier Giroud's well taken and somewhat fortuitous goal last Monday, he still needs to do a lot more upfront to prove he is our main man up-front. Arsene believes in him to prove why we won't be delving into the January transfer market for a striker, but I think I still need persuading.
Enjoy the game tomorrow. For the Metro's feature on Mesut Ozil, click here.
Ozil: the centre of attention after signing from Real Madrid in August
At time of writing Liverpool and Everton have just drawn 3-3 in an exciting Merseyside derby, with Liverpool twice having taken the lead in today's lunchtime kick off! This gives us a chance to gain an extra two points on the Reds if we beat Southampton later. I love listening to BBC Radio 5 Live's football commentaries and I'm more than excited for coverage of Southampton's trip up to London. It's Saturday. It's matchday. It's the return of the Premier League!
But The Saints have almost certainly been the surprise package this year. No-one believed we would be top of the table at any stage, and nobody certainly would have expected to see Southampton flying high in third! But they deserve to be where they are with some very good displays this year, having lost just the one league game against Norwich at the end of August.
They're a side currently on an eight-game unbeaten league run with points gained against the likes of teams considered bigger than them in Liverpool, Manchester United and Swansea. They'll come to the Emirates Stadium with mental belief because of more international players breaking through (Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Vincent Wanyama, Gastron Ramirez), of course their form, and with ourselves coming off the back of a disappointing loss against Manchester United last weekend.
I think we'll need to pick ourselves up following what happened at Old Trafford. Theo Walcott is finally back and refreshed having not played for England in the recent friendlies and could face the side where he learned the ropes. His pace will certainly give us something though I still doubt a lot of his end product.
A lot is being made of Ozil against Lallana but based on their playing history you'd feel the German would be laughing at the opponent's talent in comparison. But Southampton simply aren't a side to not do your homework on, and I still feel Ozil is adapting to the English game. Thankfully he was rested for Germany's matches and will be fully fit for this afternoon's clash which could prove the difference, although as I said, Lallana will be buoyed by his recent England call up, and midfield battles can prove who determines the points.
Mertesacker missed the Manchester United game last time and so be a big difference to our back four as he has proved this season. Of course he scored the goal which beat England in mid-week with Lambert not exactly causing him problems and so we'll hope for the same again today.
It makes for an interesting match up but Arsenal will need to find composure in front of their own fans quickly and eradicate the disappointment of Old Trafford as we look to gain extra points out in front ahead of Liverpool, the Saints, and Chelsea. Of course United, Everton, Spurs and City aren't all that far away either as the Premier League looks to be as close a run thing as ever. Unexpected and surprising things are happening, and none-more so than Southampton.
Arsenal v Southampton is due to have kicked off as I write this (just gone 3pm) but due to issues on the Piccadilly underground line in London, the kick off has been pushed back 15 minutes.
Ahead of the game: Mertesacker will need to be solid again against high flying Saints
Are Arsenal showing the signs of title contenders? We may
have been sunk by a single Van Persie goal at Old Trafford Sunday before last,
ending our unbeaten league run and undefeated away streak, but we should come
back from the international friendlies full of the confidence we have shown throughout
the majority of the season.
Jack Wilshere may have been talking about his own performances on the club website, but the expectations of Arsenal as a whole are now high themselves, as they've set a standard to be carried on.
Overall there is no doubting the unexpected start to the
2013/14 football season that Arsenal have had. I think I speak for all
supporters who are feeling more confident than in recent years of a solid
campaign. Whispers had been circulating of
invincibility in the league, a feat they conquered exactly ten seasons ago.
They might not be able to do that this year, but having lost only two league games,
and four for the season so far, it makes for something interesting when these
international friendlies are done with. We sit top of the Premier League table,
are oozing in confidence, and playing styles of football not seen in an Arsenal
side for some time.
In contention with Gareth Bale’s move to Madrid, Mesut Ozil’s
transfer to Arsenal was considered the signing of the summer. His quality has
certainly helped to bring out the best in the likes of Ramsey, Cazorla,
Wilshere, and even Giroud has proved a little more deadly with help of the
German assist-master. Club legend and one of our former invincibles, Robert
Pires, revealed on Tribal Football
that Ozil’s “quality” and “experience” at Madrid give Arsenal are shot at the
title race this year.
The Mirror Online were
quick to make us title contenders further after Ozil’s debut against
Sunderland. Steve Simmons and Matt Law write the club even then “served notice
that they deserve acclaim as potential champions”, adding of the improved
performances of Ramsey seeking a place in what has proven to be a rather
exciting looking midfield.
Eurosport believe
this is the Gunners’ year too, showing an example of the side’s ability against
Swansea where “their big players
stepped up and bang, bang, bang, the game was over. Any team who have the
ability to do that consistently will always be title contenders”.
On the other
hand, former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen has made it no secret that he
doesn’t feel our club will be champions come May. Writing in The Telegraph he says, “They will not
end the season as champions” with still work needed on their defensive play.
Hansen adds, “their critical is that they are just not good enough when they do
not have the ball.”
So what’s it like in the camp itself? As much as confidence
is high, Mikel Arteta played down talk of comparisons to that of the 2003/04
side. He told Sky Sports, “I don't think we are at
that level yet, but competition makes everyone work harder so it is a great
thing because it raises the level” but feels firmly about Ozil’s arrival as a
“great message from the club.”
We do look good, but for how long they can maintain their class is anyone’s guess
as we head into Arsenal’s dreaded winter period - if history tells you much.
They were unfortunate in their losses to Borussia Dortmund and Manchester
United while a weakened side saw them go out of the Capital One Cup to Chelsea.
But we proved to be too much for Liverpool who, if they can keep things going,
will certainly be in contention as well next May. If we can keep the quality,
get the likes of Podolski, Ox and Walcott back from injury and defeat the
lesser sides who we’ve struggled to get results against in previous years, then
we’ll have the points to prove the big club we know we are. The league returns on Saturday (23/11) with Arsenal at home to high flying Southampton at the Emirates (3pm kick off).
Arsenal have pushed on from their early good form and proved the critics wrong, by establishing themselves as a side ready to fight to keep their place at the top of the table.
Only one game has been drawn since my last review and the side continue to look more and more like the great sides of the past.
Norwich proved to be the next team to be swept aside by our in-form Arsenal, albeit a little lethargic Arsenal side. Looking a little tired, perhaps understandably with players only just returning from injury or international fixtures respectively, they mustered four goals against the Canaries, with some pure class football on display I'm sure Barcelona would be proud of.
We are now eight games into the league (with only one draw and loss), on match-day three of the Champions League Group Stages (already taken six points from six), and are through to the next round of the League Cup. It certainly hasn't been a bad couple of months since the season started.
So since that opening day horror, Arsenal haven't lost a match and, well, we are flying. Liverpool remain our closest threat in second place in the Premier League but with Mesut Ozil's influence on this side, there doesn't appear to be a team who can really match us at the moment.
Alongside Ozil, Ramsey has continued to be one of our best players and he scored yet another well taken goal n Saturday, cutting inside defenders before calmly drilling past Ruddy in the Norwich goal. He now has nine goals in the last 12 matches and there appears to be no stopping him.
Target man Giroud with the in form duo of Ozil and Ramsey.
The Champions League continues tomorrow, and Arsenal are already looking set to progress to the knock-out stages in style. Comfortable wins in Marseille and against Napoli have given us maximum points but last year's finalists Borussia Dortmund are up next tomorrow night (22/10 7:45pm k/o BST). They could be our toughest fixture yet, being a side who reflect Germany's position as a footballing force.
We all thought he was an assist magician rather than a goalscorer, but our own fantastic German Ozil has proved he knows where the net is at the Emirates. He opened his Arsenal account with a wonderful strike against Napoli and grabbed two at the weekend against Norwich. His talents are phenomenal and I'm sure even the stubborn Wenger will be pleased to see paying £42.5m has begun to pay off.
There has been negativity in the media though surrounding Jack Wilshere particularly, who was spotted smoking outside a club following our 2-1 win away to Swansea. Though he might not do his image any good to people who look up to him, he hasn't let this attention get to him as he helped lead England to the World Cup Finals, and has seen his overall form rise in an Arsenal shirt too!
After finding the next for the first time in around three years, he levelled against West Brom prior to the international fixtures and then I think we may have seen goal of the season on Saturday. Wilshere began the move from deep. As we burst forward Cazorla...well see for yourself!
Simply Sublime.
Since my last look at the season so far, Bendtner has slowly been reintroduced to the side - and I don't think many would have expected to see his face any time soon. He first played in the League Cup fixture against West Brom (of which he took and scored the first penalty in the shootout!) and he since featured on the bench a little before coming on as a sub against Norwich. He's in with a chance of establishing himself and, with a little more match experience to build his fitness, needs to prove himself. There will be no third chance.
Outside of Arsenal, England found the ability to raise their game and see off Poland in their final World Cup qualifier to finish top of the table and secure a place at next year's World Cup in Brazil. Gibbs got called up to stand in for (c)Ashley Cole but remained an unused sub with Leighton Baines starting at left back. Kept him fresh for us at least! Anyhow, it will be nice to see if Walcott, Wilshere, Gibbs, and/or Oxlade-Chambrlain get called up to go to Brazil but next year's tournament, regardless, will make for some exciting games to watch.
Arsenal will now play six games over the next three weeks with two against Borussia Dortmund, a League Cup fixture against Chelsea, and Premier League matches against Liverpool and a trip to Old Trafford, plus next weekend's trip away to Crystal Palace.
This period could prove a mammoth task for anyone, but we've continued our exceptional form and don't look like letting go of our focus. And as long as there are no more injuries, particularly up front, there is every chance we can take on all of these sides and take maximum points. There is certainly belief again, from both those involved at the club, and the fans.
We are considered to be title contenders after our great start, certainly alongside Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea (can eighth placed Manchester United close the gap?) Yet could we witness the return of the invincibles? 7/49 games to level the record so far...and counting!
As the Premier League returned this weekend, so did Arsenal's winning mentality as they brushed Norwich aside 4-1 at the Emirates.
Wilshere scored his second goal of the season, before Ozil grabbed a double with Ramsey, on as a substitute, adding a late fourth, and his ninth of the season.
Despite picking up a knee injury midweek, Ozil was declared fit enough to start on Saturday, which also saw the return of Cazorla and Sagna, and Bendtner featured as he replaced Giroud late on.
Congratulations go out to England, after they succeeded in topping their group in the World Cup qualifiers. In what was a tense, but enthralling encounter, seeing off Poland 2-0 ensured their place at next year's major tournament in Brazil. Of course nobody will expect them to go on and compete against the likes of Germany or Spain say, but I think we're seeing more young talent inject something a little more exciting and I can't wait to see the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wacott and Wilshere featuring more, alongside the country's new hero in Andros Townsend (This is no credit to Spurs!)
Having said that, few would have thought Arsenal would have been playing the football and be in the form they are, so who's to say England can't surprise a few.
So Arsenal returned to Premier League action with a good win over the Canaries; a win they knew which would see them go ahead Liverpool on points after they drew with Newcastle in the lunchtime kick off. And Manchester United ey? Who are they I hear you ask.
I think people expected them to be below the level we have associated the Red Devils as being with the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm. His successor David Moyes was hoping to have secured his first back-to-back win as manager but a late Southampton goal put an end to that. They are a force though with talent in the likes of De Gea, Rooney, Van Persie but this is the problem; they lack depth and talent throughout the squad. Fergie, for me, held the key to their success and now he has moved down from his managerial role, their bossiness and stature in the league has certainly slumped.
Are they en-route to do 'an Arsenal'? I don't think many will really see it coming (Van Persie certainly won't be hoping for it) but I have an inkling for some reason they face dark times ahead - something they aren't used to. Here's hoping anyway.
Arsenal play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday (22/10, 7:45 pm k/o BST), in what will be a great fixture against last year's finalists. Our good form will give us a fine chance and I can't wait to see how we do in what could be our biggest test of the season so far.
He's not had a great couple of weeks, media-wise, has Jack Wilshere? While international football has taken over, he's certainly kept Arsenal fans with something to talk about.
Firstly he was publicly ridiculed for smoking a cigarette outside a nightclub following Arsenal's 2-1 win against Swansea, and then criticised for comments made about what makes a footballer eligible to play for England.
Let's get things straight on the smoking front.
I am not a smoker but neither do I judge those who wish to smoke, either casually or regularly. Jack Wilshere is a human being as well as a footballer. Sound obvious, but many people seem to need reminding of this simple fact.
Smoking isn't recommended as a professional footballer, as is drinking, but everyone enjoys a tipple now and again without it doing damage to your health and the same applies to a cigarette. We all know about the build up of tar and such other horrible things, but one cigarette being smoked outside a club...really?
I get he's a public figure in the football world and may have an image to abide by, but in his own personal life (like I said, don't forget footballers have lives off the pitch too), he should be allowed a break.
Having a puff: The father of two is disgraced by the media for his actions
The 'racist' row if we can call it that, has similarly been met by those on both sides of the fence, but perhaps a little too much negativity has been made of his remarks.
He openly denied that his comments were made about Manchester United's rising star Adnan Januzaj, who faces the options of representing either England, his country of birth Belgium, or his parent's respective country of births Turkey or Serbia. He would be able to represent the English national side from 2018, after living in the country for what would make five years.
The midfielder faced a host of backlash from other sporting professionals including cricketer Kevin Pietersen. The south-African born Batsman quizzed our number 10 on the eligibility of non-ngland born sports men and women playing for England in their respected sports.
But what makes a person English? To me nobody belongs to a country. If you believe the research done into the history of civilisation even, we all descend from Africa. Does that make us African instead? I'm not Wilshere's personal family historian but there would have been a point in time where his family crossed over to England.
I don't think he's racist and for the development of young hopefuls already in England, and for the national team to become a strong side, who's to say even restricting the number of recent foreign born players would be a bad thing?
The highly rated youngster is rumoured to have been offered 60k a week at Old Trafford.
German football has been growing and we are seeing, and have seen the talent and capabilities the national team are producing. So Podolski, Kheidera, Gomez and Klose had / have other nationalities but again this backs up nobody really belongs to a country but they chose a national side who have become second to Spain, whereas we remain a little further behind.
Something still needs to change but England are currently top of the group heading into the final World Cup qualifier against Poland tomorrow (15/10/2013 7:45pm k/o BST) night.
Wilshere need not let all the media focus effect him in a bad way, for no matter what he does off the field, on it is what England fans and Arsenal fans alike will judge him by.
Arsenal had to claw a goal back after falling behind to West Brom on Sunday; the first time I felt a little concerned this season for them since the opening couple of weeks.
They did well to draw level (1-1) and take a point in the end though as they continued their undefeated streak.
Jack Wilshere got his first goal in around three years for the club to avoid a disappointing result, in a game that might have swung either way. Both sides had spells and opportunities but nevertheless, Arsenal had to settle for the point that sees them joint top of the league alongside Liverpool.
It's the return of the internationals now with England (bore) up against Montenegro and Poland in the next week as they aim to qualify for the World Cup finals which take place next summer.
Gibbs has been called up, and deservedly so, to England's defence with Ashley Cole injured, though Leighton Baines is most likely to get the nod ahead of our left back.
Wilshere, who is buoyed by the returns of Rooney and Sturridge as the BBC are reporting, will aim to be the play-maker who can help to England qualify from Group H though Theo Walcott remains sidelined through injury.
Could the break deter Arsenal from their fine recent performances? A dip in form could always be around the corner for any good team as I wrote a few weeks ago. Regardless, I hope England will qualify and that all our players do well for their respected countries...and not pick up any more injuries in the process!
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli: Arsenal celebrate their 10th successive win of the campaign as I look back over Arsene Wenger's reign in charge of the Gunners.
Tonight's 2-0 win against Napoli was the perfect way to celebrate Arsene Wenger's 17 year mark at the club.
The magnificent Mesut Ozil scored a beautiful goal to open his Arsenal account, before teeing up Giroud as Arsenal emphatically saw off their Italian opponents making it 10 consecutive wins.
They are now top of Group F with six points from a possible six, on the day where in 1996 a certain Frenchman was introduced as the new boss at Highbury. Nobody would have predicted the success that would follow under his reign.
Oozing with class: Mesut Ozil scores his first Arsenal goal in the 2-0 win against Napoli
Not particularly well known around the world as he is now, Wenger had managerial and coaching experiences with AS Cannes, Nancy, Monaco and Nagoya Grampus Eight before joining his friend David Dein at Arsenal, where he replaced Bruce Rioch.
He arrived at Highbury inheriting a side with the likes of Bould, Adams, Parlour and Wright, to name a few, and other world class talent would later arrive.
In only his second year in North London, Arsenal did the double with Wenger (and it wouldn't be their only double winning season as we well known). They finished top with a mere point more than Manchester United with players such as Overmars and Petit enjoying their opening seasons in England.
Wenger continued to attract big names to Highbury in Vieira, Bergkamp, Henry, Pires, Ljungberg...I could go on! But Arsene is known for nurturing talent and Thierry Henry is perhaps the obvious example to choose here.
The French winger, as he was then, joined the Gunners from Juventus, but Wenger knew him from his managerial days at Monaco where Henry had played. Arsene was keen to bring in the 22-year-old Henry as a replaceent for Anelka...and the rest is history as they say.
Thierry Henry, one of the best strikers ever to grace the Premier League, signs for Arsenal in 1999.
Arsenal did the double yet again under Wenger in the 2001-2002 season: another magnificent achievement for the club but something perhaps just as great was only two seasons down the line. The Premier League was won in 2002, rather significantly perhaps, with Wiltord securing a win and the title at Old Trafford!
Two years on then and having moulded into a striker and with support in the likes of Bergkamp, Vieira, Ljungbery and Pires, Thierry Henry and co completed what only Preston North End had done 115 years before, and went the whole season unbeaten in the 2003-2004 campaign.
Wenger suggested his side could do this only the year before, but we'll let The Professor off for being a year out. Maybe he might predict something similar again soon? They remained unbeaten going into the 2004-2005 season, and the Invincibles as they became known as, finally managed a staggering 49-game unbeaten run which ended in October 2005.
The club weren't able to maintain their title the following year but instead lifted the FA Cup, with a penalty shoot-out win against Manchester United. The winning spot kick that afternoon, proved to be the last kick in Vieira's Arsenal career. Thus began trophy-less Arsenal.
So despite all the successes, then came the downs as well. 2006 saw Arsenal make a step-up with the big sides in Europe, and for the first time in their history, made the final of the Champions League.
Sol Campbell headed Arsenal in front as they gave their all against Barcelona in Paris. The crazy yet much-loved Jens Lehmann was sent off in the first half forcing Arsenal to play with ten men for the majority of the match, and many still question Arsene's decision to bring off Pires that evening. Eventually, a fatigued Arsenal were undone and Barcelona won 2-1 to lift the trophy.
Disappointment: Champions League defeat
Since then Arsenal have made finals such as the League Cup in 2007 and 2011 but have fallen short while there have been no more Premier League titles to add to their trophy cabinet either.
There is no doubting it has taken time for Arsenal to settle in their new home of the Emirates Stadium. Highbury, in my opinion, remains the home of Arsenal but the Emirates has slowly grown into the hearts of fans since its initial opening in 2006. It is a wonderful stadium but the debt it accumulated had been a crucial factor in Arsenal's ability to spend in order to keep up with the other big clubs in modern football.
Top players have also gone year on year and Wenger has come under huge scrutiny for his attitude in the transfer market. Vieira started the trend having left at the end of the 2004-2005 season, followed by Henry, Nasri, Fabregas, Cole *cough*, Song, Van Persie etc. But this season we have seen the return of Flamini and Wenger finally splashed the cash on Ozil as they look to be considered one of the big threats in the world of football.
However, Arsenal's defence and midfield has more maturity, organisation and stability this year with Flamini's return and with former defender Bould returning to Arsenal in a coaching role. Ozil has to be the signing of the summer and he has been influential in the midfield, with the rest of the squad oozing with confidence and playing world-class football once again.
There is great positivity around Arsenal these days, as they look to master the style of football we haven't really seen for some time at the club. There are signs this could be a promising year for the club, but they have to maintain this fine form.
Arsene's contract runs out at the end of the season, and all those shouts for a change of manager are now gone. Whatever happens between now and next summer, who could really imagine an Arsenal without Arsene Wenger at the helm?
The Professor has kept Arsenal in the Champions League
every season since he has been in charge.
First of all allow me to apologise for the title...I'm not usually a great fan of using puns. However it was Nacho Monreal's winning penalty kick that sent Arsenal through to the next round of the League Cup last night at the expense of West Brom.
It is bad enough listening to football on the radio, without the use of eyes as comfort to know exactly what is going on, but to say it was tense listening to a penalty shoot-out doesn't quite come close enough. I did a fist pump in celebration as the better half tried to watch TV; I don't think she understood how dramatic it was.
Anyhow, the Gunners will now play Chelsea in the fourth round at the Emirates, where they will hope the home tie will give them the edge over Jose Mourinho's side. But, on recent form, I would still give us chance if the tie was due to be played at Stamford Bridge!
Last night's cup game extended Arsenal's away winning form but it was a contest that, as the game progressed, might have swung one way or the other, before penalties could have been established.
The (and I use the word loosely) 'Great' Dane Nicklas Bendtner played in an Arsenal shirt for the first time since 2011 and he did okay. He has a point to prove, if he is as good as he thinks, and I believe Wenger will give him that opportunity as we now lack in striking options due to injuries.
His hair and facial hair has grown since we last saw him all of two-years-ago. Wilson!!
I managed to catch the very brief BBC highlights late last night, and saw he should have scored late on when 1v1. However he slowed too much allowing an excellent recovering tackle by one of the Baggies' defenders, but from listening to the game as well, he appears to have the mentality and professionalism to come back to the side with the attitude to succeed. He definitely has some rustiness to shake off first!
West Brom looked threatening against an Arsenal side mixed with experience and new, young talent. They held their own against West Brom though which is a good sign. People knew what they would see in Wenger's starting XI and the youngsters impressed.
Bellerin, Miyaichi, Gnabry, Hayden, Olsson, Eisfield and Akpom all featured with Iwobi and unused substitute, alongside loanee keeper Viviano and forward Ju Young Park.
That's right, I said Park! Remember him? I still do not know why Wenger signed the South Korean who never gets a game. He couldn't even get on last night and I would love to question Wenger on where he stands at the club.
However, on the pitch Arsenal took the lead when Bendtner slipped a perfect pass to Eisfield, whose nice touch allowed to calmly slot the ball into the West Brom goal just after the hour mark.
The game had needed a goal, but it then got another ten minutes later. This time, West Brom were level when Saido Berahino found space in the box and headed past Fabianksi. The Baggies man was eager to continue his scoring form, following a hat-trick against Notts County in the previous round.
This made things tense as West Brom began to dominate against a young and tiring Arsenal midfield. They came close with the bar denying them but they could not be separated at the end of 90 minutes or after extra time.
Penalties would decide who would progress to round four.
Reid stepped up first four the Baggies who smashed it high into the roof of the night with Fabianki never having a chance (1-0). Bendtner cooly placed Arsenal's first (1-1), before Rosenberg went down the middle (2-1). Then it looked unlikely to be our night as Gnabry saw his poor effort saved (2-1) and West Brom added their third from Morrison's well placed spot kick (3-1). Olsson scored his penalty to prevent Arsenal's chances slipping away (3-2) but then McAuley hit his penalty wide of Fabianski's left hand post (3-2). Arsenal levelled through Akpom who sent Daniels the wrong way (3-3), Amalfitano then missed (3-3), and Monreal stepped up to strike Arsenal's fifth and winning penalty to send the Gunners through to the next round.
West Brom 0-0 Arsenal (Arsenal win 4-3 on penalties)
Arsenal play away to Swansea on Saturday evening (17:30pm k/o) in the Premier League. Swansea will be looking to move on from their League Cup exit last night, as they fell at the hands of Championship side Birmingham City 3-1.
Jubilance as Monreal's penalty secures a fourth round tie with Chelsea.
The season may only have recently started but assessing early progress, albeit with five games played, is worth it.
Looking back on the club over the last eight years is hard. But with the difficulties faced, for Wenger and the side any apparent progress being made now should be taken little by little.
By this I feel the club's aims and goals should be short-term and assessments made in short intervals. We have seen sides go up and down in form, and despite fans being hopeful the side can keep things going the way they currently are, nobody would be foolish for thinking a dip could occur at any moment.
At least for now, the side appear to know each other and this comes from Wenger being able to maintain his starting players for the first time in years. Not that we need reminding but in the past top players in the likes of Vieira, Henry, Clichy, Nasri, Fabregas, and Van Perise have all left, questioning the sides abilities to challenge with the best.
A poor start against Villa seems a long, long time ago
So in assessment of this early milestone, what has happened at Arsenal so far?
It began with the usual; fans (including myself) demanding for Wenger to spend what is demanded on world-class players. Nothing happened among all the media talk of Higuain, Suarez and Rooney and I saw the team struggle in their pre-season tournament against Napoli (2-2), before losing against Didier Drogba's Galatasary (1-2) at the Emirates Stadium.
Two players were brought in ahead of deadline day in unknown young striker Yaya Sanogo, and there was a welcome return for midfielder Mathieu Flamini. He's been a solid establishment in the Arsenal midfield behind Ramsey, and our attacking force while Arteta has been sidelined through injury.
Speaking of the midfield, Ramsey has been exceptional and few would have expected this of the 22-year-old Welshman following a disappointing season last time round. He has relished in his starting opportunities with goals spread out across the Champions League and Premier league. He currently has six goals to his name this season with three in the league - one behind Giroud, who leads the Premier League's top scorers alongside Aston Villa's Benteke - and there appears to be no stopping the former Cardiff player.
I mentioned Arsenal's poor displays in their pre-season tournament hosting Napoli and Galatasary and they certainly weren't up the opening game of the campaign at home to Aston Villa. They lost 3-1 that day, with some calling it probably the worst league display from Arsenal for some time. Of course the first game of the season is difficult for all teams, who go into the new football year fresh and on level terms, but that afternoon appears to have given Wenger's side the kick up the backside that they needed. Would we be on the high we are now if not?
And then Transfer Deadline Day happened.
Arsenal's capture of Ozil has been compared to that of Dennis Bergkamp's.
He's become an instant hit, nicknamed the Wizard of Oz.
The capture of Mesut Ozil has been praised continuously. I mean, everyone knew of his abilities and world-class status, but he looks as though he has been playing in this Arsenal side for three years, yet along a few weeks. Lacking in muscle perhaps, but he has all the attributes of a real world-class playmaker and is doing what he does best, with three assists in two games already.
Former Gunner now-turned-coach, Steve Bould, took to helping the defence at the start of the 2012-13 season but I don't think it really clicked (and not that the media talk of a rift between Wenger and Bould would have helped). Something seems different this year however, despite there still being some vulnerabilities, but they are a much more organised side while defending more solidly as a team and this is encouraging.
The first of the two North London derby's is out of the way, with a win for Arsenal, assisting them in the current four game unbeaten run in the league. Add to that their Champions League wins over Fenerbache and Marseille bringing their total unbeaten streak to seven from a possible eight. The Gunners have also won their last ten away games on the bounce; a run which dates back to their 2-0 win against Bayern Munich in Germany in March.
We're five games in and Arsenal begin their League Cup campaign away to West Bromwich Albion (WBA) tomorrow night (25/09 - 8pm k/o GMT) before they travel to the South of Wales to play Swansea on Saturday night (5:30pm k/o GMT), enabling them to increase their unbeaten and away streaks.
All the players are doing well but I still wonder how they will fair against Manchester City or Chelsea. Manchester United have been iffy, but they are the might comeback kings, right? They always turn things around. Still, we shall see what happens when the fixtures come round and as the season progresses.
Whatever may be around the corner, the fans and the players are jubilant with the form they find themselves in. Long may it continue, but let's assess that at the 10-match milestone.
The BBC's Premier League table can be viewed here.
Arsenal's players have been away on international duty this week, but I'm pleased, and re-assured, that Premier League football returns this weekend.
The international break frustrates me, and not only because England play dire football, while it makes it feel an age before the last Premier League games, to when they return. Arsenal had some momentum before the break but will hopefully continue to be buoyed with the arrival of Mesut Ozil.
Our £42 million pound signing from Real Madrid scored from the spot and Mertesacker grabbed himself a goal for Germany. Walcott and Wilshere appeared for England in their qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, with Walcott looking to have picked an injury following a tough challenge in the game against Ukraine.
Elsewhere Giroud and Sagna got international time for France,who battled from behind to beat Belarus 4-2, and Cazorla and Monreal helped Spain in their 2-2 draw with Chile. Rosicky returns injured however, just for a change, and despite Ramsey's recent run of outstanding performances (which helped him win Arsenal Player for August) Wales succumbed to a 3-0 loss at the hands of Serbia.
San Marino, despite not being considered competition contenders, were Poland's opponents on Tuesday night; a game of which Both Szczesny and Fabianski were unused substitutes for Poland. Southampton's Boruc started in-between the sticks which surprises me considering the form of Szczesny. I'd say our number 1 would be well suited to being number 1 for his country and I feel he would enjoy and succeed with the pressure, which could only boost his performances for he club!
With the Premier League's return on Saturday, Arsenal players will turn their attentions to Sunderland, and I only hope they hit the ground running. Prior to international requirements, Arsenal had won their previous four games in all competitions after the disappointment of their opening day against Villa.
Giroud's class finish and brilliant teamwork (including defending for a change) helped secure a 1-0 win over Spurs where many anticipated a thrashing against our neighbours. Let's hope they pick up where the left off, although there is every chance Paolo Di Canio's Sunderland may well be more refreshed after the international fixtures.
The Black Cats host Arsenal this Saturday at the Stadium of Light (3pm kick off).
The in-form Ramsey, in action against Sunderland last season
