Just Like the Old Days...But Better - Arsenal 4-1 Norwich

It wasn't Thierry Henry hooking up with Bobby or Berkamp sliding a pass through to Freddy.  Instead it was Jack, Mesut, Santi, Ollie, and Ramsey with the flicks, backheels, and volleys that sealed Norwich's fate.  Why am I savoring this win perhaps more than those of times gone by?  I think it's because of the drought of pretty play endured by the fans over the past few years, and seeing those young players that we wrung our hands over (as Wenger persisted in being patient), coming good and enjoying their football.

What more pleasure is there in seeing Aaron Ramsey shake and bake his way past Norwich defenders to put the ball in goal? A player abused by his own fans just last year is having fun.  Having come on in the 37th minute for The Flying Flamini (head collision), Ramsey took until the second half to put on his shooting boots, scoring in the 83rd minute.

If shake and bake isn't your cup of tea, take a look at Arsenal's first goal - aptly named WengerBall.  Santi passes to Giroud who goes to Jack who gives it back to Giroud, who then then lofts the ball back to Jack who calmly slots it home.  If you think that last sentence was confusing, take a look at the two backheels that were exchanged - they left the Norwich defense completely bewildered.

And let's not forget our mega-star signing who scored his first two Premier League goals in front of a rip-roaring Emirates crowd.  He looked as though he thoroughly enjoyed his triumph too.

His first goal was a header - really unusual for the creative midfielder.  The timing of his run to get on the end of Ramsey's cross was perfect, and he threw himself into it.  His second goal came off a great assist from Giroud who caught a cross from Rosicky on the volley and jabbed it back toward Ozil.  One touch each.  Perfect.

The fun of watching the Arsenal game was magnified by the surroundings in which I watched.  I traveled to North Carolina this week to visit old friends and fellow Arsenal fans Jeane and Doc who now are part of a group called The Triangle Gooners of Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh. They frequent a pub called Bull McCabes.  The bar was stocked full of enthusiastic Gooners who were cheering, clapping, jeering, and best of all, chanting authentic Arsenal chants.  Loved it.

The next few weeks will be interesting.  Flamini is out with a concussion.  We have Dortmund at home on Tuesday, Crystal Palace on Saturday, and then Chelsea for the Capital One Cup again on Tuesday.  That takes care of October.  Then fasten your seatbelts for November when we play Liverpool, Dortmund (away), Manchester United, Southhampton, and Marseilles all before Thanksgiving.  Our longer term injured players should be returning in time to rotate the squad.

In the meantime, savor being top of the league yet again.  Like I said, this is fun, like the old days, but...well...you get it.

Have a good one Gooners.