6 - 0 Spanking for Blackpool and a Hat Trick for Theo!

Well, that's more like it. Our first home game of the 2010-2011 season starts off with a sound beating of a newly promoted team. There were no surprise losses, we kept a clean sheet, and no one was carried off on a stretcher (Van Persie went down but was back on the pitch - fingers crossed and all that). On top of all that, Theo Walcott had a great match rounding it off with a hat trick before being taken off in the second half. His critics will retort with "Well, that was against Blackpool and they went down to 10 men". That may be true, but Theo could have blown every pass and shot and then people would have accused him of not being able to show up to even the easy games. He really does have a hard time getting a break from fans and critics alike (sometimes those are the same people). I say well done Theo. He looked full of confidence and even showed some leadership on the field asking for a pass and directing others. He even looked as though he was having some fun. Capello was in the stands watching, and I don't think he was disappointed.

Overall, everyone played well. Arshavin showed up and had some nice passes and link up play. He didn't score, or shoot enough in my opinion, but had a nice impact on the game. The same can be said of Rosicky who I was hoping would score as I thought he deserved a goal for all his work. Song filled in for Koz, I guess because he was in better form than Djourou who was on the bench but didn't get to play. I hope Song does not end up with any nigglies after this as he played the whole match with no prior game time under his belt. He performed okay, but one can see how the holding midfielder role is so instilled in him as he chose to try and pass out of trouble instead of just clearing the ball. Still, no damage done. Diaby was back in Song's position and had a great goal from an equally great pass from Sagna (yes, I was shocked as well). The pass was right to his foot, but a little high and Diaby timed his shot perfectly. His goal abated my irritation at him for not knowing how to receive and then pass immediately. Diaby seems to want to hold onto the ball, slowing things down whilst going in circles. Does he not know the meaning of a one/two hookup? When we have our center backs back, and Song back at his regular position, Diaby is going to have to develop his timing and passing or he could be out of the starting 11, especially when Ramsey and Nasri get healthy.

What else? Chamakh was much more involved in play today also, earning our penalty shot, missing one header but scoring another. What a beauty of a goal that was, too. Is it his long neck that allows him to turn his head perfectly for those headers? You have to wonder. Maybe he gets more force on it because of it. His build I think has to have something to do with it. He again showed fearlessness in several occasions taking on the goalie for shots. I think he's going to be wonderful.

Cesc and Van Persie came on for Arshavin and Diaby. Even though they both looked expectantly rusty, it was fun to see them on the pitch. Think of what we can achieve when all the cogs of the wheel are turning. Both also looked happy to be playing.

I guess that's about it. Frog man had a pretty quiet game with Blackpool only getting three shots on goal and two corners. I will say he did have a couple of passes to the center backs that I thought were dangerously close to being picked off. But like I said before, no harm done.

We are at Blackburn next Saturday for a match that will challenge us more as the Rovers will, in true Walrus tradition, sit behind the ball and try to kick our shins off. Koz should be back. The rest of the squad is up in the air as I'm sure someone will have a pulled something or other after today. Yes, I am a cynic these days (in some areas). Have a great day Gooners and enjoy the win.