The game against ManUre wasn't a cracker but it was entertaining enough.
The team wasn't at its best but neither was it at its worst. Some players seemed to really get in the mood which is great to see.
Nothing like bitter rivalry to spur things forward.
Gilberto Silva had one of his better games. For once he was getting in the tackles and winning the ball back for the team.
That helped Arsenal hold plenty of possession in the first half.
Cygan was dodgy throughout and it looked like the defence was going to crack towards the latter part of the game because of his mistakes in giving away possession.
He keeps getting sucked into more central midfield battles when he should mind his own business and keep the left flank clear.
Luckily though, Sol Campbell had a decent game this time around. He got stuck in and placed a few very important, well timed tackles.
Jens Lehmann pulled off a great reaction save to deny Rude Van Nestleboy and continues to be consistent.
He's probably got the World Cup to motivate him on though I have a feeling he's going to be bitterly disappointed.
Thierry Henry occasionally showed some great movement but wasn't awfully effective.
Robert Pires tried but just couldn't do enough.
Jose Reyes ran his socks off. I have new found respect and hope for the boy. His commitment to the Arsenal cause has been undenyable in the past few games.
Alex Hleb tried but like in previous games, just hasn't gelled with the others yet. His time will come.
Cesc Fabregas probed and ran at the midfielders but couldn't break through.
In the end, I guess it was a point well earned for both teams. Neither really threatened but they kept getting at each other.
I was a committed performance from both sides and though tempers were beginning to show, nothing got out of control and neither side put in any nasty challenges.
A point to note is that Arsenal were actually playing a 4-5-1 formation rather than their usual 4-4-2 so maybe that's why they weren't getting forward enough.
With 4-5-1, I feel you need an out-and-out striker with pace. While Henry has the pace, he's just a typical centre forward and not an out-and-out striker.
He seems to either need to pass or run onto a great through ball to his feet that only either Bergkamp or Pires are capable of making in this current Arsenal side.
I'm hoping Cesc and Hleb will take on the mantle for creative passing really soon. They have so much potential.
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