WELL, FOOTBALL REACHED ANOTHER LEVEL LAST NIGHT!

Slavia Prague (albeit with several first-teamers absent) came to town to play Arsenal (on an 11 match winning streck) in The Champions League. Now, Slavia Prague had caused Sevilla some problems in the last game-week, scoring two goals in Andalucia on the way to a 4-2 defeat.

What Arsenal served up for them at The Emirates stadium was possibly their best performance since the heights reached pre-’pizzagate’ in 2004. Man-of-the-moment Cesc Fabregas opened up the scoring with a fine curling shot after great approach play by Alexander Hleb. Hleb’s deflected shot made it 2-0, then, with half-time approaching, Theo Walcott capitalised on a shocking goalkeeper error to net his first goal at home. So 3-0 and gameover. What would Arsenal do after the break? Would they slow down and sit back (like recently against Sunderland) or come out, all guns blazing and put Slavia to the sword.

Arsene Wenger, having celebrated his 58th birthday, probably told his loyal troops to enjoy themselves (as long as the clean sheet stayed intact). And the team certainly did just that. A slaloming run down the left wing by Hleb, then a quick dummy followed by a snap-shot made it 4-0. Hleb is looking much more influential this season (something I noticed during The Emirates Cup in pre-season) and he could easily score into double figures by next May. Walcott’s Thierry Henry-esque break down the left into the box culminated in a cool outside-of-the-foot shot that went in off the far post to make it 5-0. For the 6th goal, Arsenal turned on the show-boating, which was capped off with a lovely pass from Walcott (this time on the right) to Fabregas, who slipped the ball in to make it 6-0. Only a superb save by the Czech keeper denied Walcott a hugely deserved hat-trick, and the follow up shot from the save was hit against the goal-frame by substitute (and Czech national team captain) Tomas Rosicky. It was up to another substitute; the out-spoken Nicklas Bendtner to make it 7-0, after an audacious back-heal by Eboue played him into the box, where he produced an equally skillful flick by the tall Dane played the ball around the desparing ‘keeper and over the line. It could have been double figures.

No, Slavia Prague aren’t amongst the best of the teams in this competition. But nor are they the worst. You can only beat who you face. Can Arsenal take this form to Anfield - where memories of a 4-1 defeat surely linger strongly? Arsenal have enjoyed a good record against Liverpool recently; after years of rewardless matches against that particular club in the 1990’s.

Will Arsenal fans now lay-off Theo Walcott on forums and websites after this performance? Will Fabregas’ price tag rise a few more million? And will Jens Lehmann (dropped to the bench and not happy, expressing petty remarks to the German press allegedly) leave come the opening of the Winter transfer window?

So many questions. Will it get better than that this season? I think all Arsenal fans will want to see wins against Liverpool and Manchester United in the coming fixtures, but even with a 7-0 win and all the confidence that breeds, will it be enough to see them past their nearest likeliest league rivals?

Either way, Arsenal fans got a seven course feast last night, and should revel in the glory! Liverpool will curse themselves for slipping up in Turkey last night and Arsenal may be capable of dishing out a dish best served cold; revenge for that 4-1 debacle last season.

Happy birthday Arsene!

[Late Publishing from yesterday]

It’s been an interesting week for Arsenal fans, despite the international break’s persistent efforts to depress all English fans. Arsene Wenger has had a bronze bust constructed of him, which will go alongside Herbert Chapman’s. Arsene has also spoken of his hopes for the young English contingent coming through the ranks, and of course the AGM was held. It’s been an interesting week for Bolton fans too. They’ve finally disposed of the useless Sammy Lee and are hunting for a replacement. Archie Knox will take charge for Saturday’s game. 

Bolton are firmly stuck in the relegation mire, with the same number of points as hopeless Derby. Often it is the way with troubled clubs that they give great performances after parting company with their manager, so complacency will be a dangerous thing at the Emirates. With Nicolas Anelka looking unlikely to feature, however, their attack looks somewhat toothless, but the returns of Kevin Nolan and Gary Speed will be a boost. 

Two of Arsenal’s older head’s futures look uncertain. Jens spoke out again this week, stating his confidence that he will be recalled to the starting line up after a successful break with Germany. Arsene has rewarded this confidence by leaving Lehmann out of the 18 man squad, Fabianski deputising. The German now looks certain to leave Arsenal, as he desperately wants to be involved in Euro 2008 next summer. Gilberto is the other uncertainty, Arsene has confirmed he will be left on the bench for Saturday’s game, but the Frenchman also said that this was because he had been playing in South America recently, and was tired from travelling. 

Phillipe Senderos is out, but conveniently just in time for William Gallas to take his place. Flamini, or Gattuso, whichever you prefer looks likely to start. Rosicky makes the bench, so Diaby may fill the role on the left. Eduardo and Bendtner are vying for starts following van Persie’s layoff, but it will probably be the former who runs out tomorrow. Walcott is in the mix for a start too. 

My prediction: 3-0 to Arsenal

AH, THE INTERNATIONAL WEEK. It always splits myself up from my friends because of our differing views about International football. This isn’t a Joey Barton-esque rant, but I guess I want to see if there are other Arsenal (or differing club’s supporters) who feel the same way as me when these International weekends are ‘dumped’ upon us.

Now, I am English, British, whatever. I was born in Shoreham, West Sussex and I now live in East Sussex. My Dad’s family are Sussex born and bred. My Mum’s family are salt-of-the-earth Yorkshire folk. I am pretty British. I am not saying I am anymore British than anyone else (personally, I feel anyone owning a British passport, regardless of their place of birth is as British as me) , just that my roots are tied to this nation. And yet…and yet…I can never raise the same levels of enthusiasim for England matches as I can for Arsenal matches. And my friends cannot see why this is.

Of course, when Seaman, Cole, Adams et al turned out in the White, Red and Blue, I was singing and cheering with the best of them, but I was only really interested in the Arsenal players’ performances, rather than those of Shearer, Ince etc. Nowadays, the England contingent in Arsenal is somewhat smaller, with Theo Walcott being our only full cap now and Justin Hoyte only playing for U21’s at the moment. So, I feel it is only natural to follow the other Arsenal players in their International teams; van Persie at Holland, Fabregas in Spain, Gallas and Sagna for France…

Basically, if England play Brasil, and Gilberto is playing, I want him to play a better game than anyone in an England shirt. I don’t want to cheer on Gary Neville, Stewart Downing or Frank Lampard. I don’t for league games, in fact, I want them (99% of the time) to have poor games so Arsenal benefit. So why should I cheer them on for England? Yes, I know it is my country, but this is football, not heritage or history. When it comes to football, Arsenal have 100% of my attention. When Arsenal aren’t playing, then Arsenal players - wherever they are playing - get my attention.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not a ‘country hater’ or anything like that. this isn’t an anti-England (as a nation) rant, purely a football one.

But for me, it is club over country. Everytime.

I agree with Arsene Wenger when he justifies his foreign buys; he looks to improve Arsenal, not England. It isn’t foreign players ruining the chances England have in tournaments. I don’t recall many foreign players plying their trade in England during the 70’s and 80’s, so did England win any trophies in that period?! It is all down to grass-roots training and coaches (even our National Team coach isn’t the best manager in the country) and playing fields being sold and having houses built on them can’t be helping. Players like Bergkamp, Cantona and Zola have added new angles and approaches for this countries’ next generation of players to copy and these lessons are being squandered down the line.

Would I want to see an England captain lifting a World Cup? Of course. But not anymore than wanting to see an Arsenal player lifting the World Cup. France ‘98 was a great tournament for me; seeing Vieira and Petit in the final, with that 3rd goal link-up, winning the cup and lifting it, was as good as any football memory I have.

Well, rant over! I guess I just don’t like these mid-season breaks in the domestic fixture calender. I want Arsenal games every week!