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There are no easy matches in Europe any more, well certainly not in the league stages of the Champions League but we have tougher battles each week physically and technically we must be a match for anyone in Europe. So just maybe this could be our season for the big one. Certainly anyone playing against us, with the exception of a couple of Spanish and one German team, should be more worried of us than we are of them. Our form has never been better, our confidence never higher and our squad never stronger. But we have a long way to go and this seasons adventure started tonight at home to Borussia Dortmund and if we're lucky and all goes to plan it will end at Old Trafford in May.
Our starting line-up was that which opened against Charlton except that Freddie replaced the injured Edu and received exactly the sort of reception you'd expect. With seven substitutes allowed in Europe our crowded bench comprised Taylor, Kanu, Cygan, Pennant, Lauren, Toure, Francis Jeffers.
The Swedish referee tonight was A Frisk who booked just the one player as I recall. A lesson for tossers like D'Urso and other Premiership big name collectors in how to control a game.
Borussia's main threat should have been the colossal Koller but Martin and Sol were both well up to the task. Livelier players like Ewerthon, and Evanilson might have proved a threat but our dominance grew as the game progressed. We started fast and got faster. Not sure how O2 feel about Seaman appearing in Orange but it clashed nicely with their garish yellow tops and outlandish black and yellow hooped sox.
Dortmund survived an early handball appeal before Dede had the first real shot but it was high, wide and not very handsome. The Germans like to take their time so we didn't let them on any part of the pitch, Dennis and Thierry closed them down as well up front as Ashley and Oleg did down the flanks. We pressed them here, there and everywhere and it usually resulted in a rushed error eventually. I like this tactic, play the game the English way and let them try to cope with the speed of play. I like it best of all because it works. Start fast and get faster, way to go Arsenal.
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Loads of latecomers were evidence of transport problems getting to the match but UEFA don't care. It has to be a 7.45 kick off, what difference it makes at this stage is beyond me. Still at least Arsenal had no problems transporting the ball. Dennis had a tame shot, Bergkamp almost found Sylvain but Thierry took the ball instead, shame because it was a great run by Wiltord. Henry was chopped on the edge of the box Madouni got the yellow and that was the only card of the game. Henry, the only one allowed to take free kicks now, found the wall. We were pressing well. Freddie was breaking, Pat was juggling out of defence, we were looking pretty good. Frings hit a free kick high and wide. Koller fouled Pat, Kehl fouled Freddie but the cards stayed in Frisk's pocket.
A fabulous interception by Cole set up a great move. Henry got off a shot on target. Great break involving Freddie, Dennis and Henry but the Frenchman's shot was wide. Continuous pressure from the reds. Cole's only mistake of the game was cleared up well by Sol. Freddie to Henry, to Wiltord it looked on for a goal but was saved well. They did have the odd attack, like when Oleg saved the day but it was our half despite not being emphatic. Dennis and Henry combined well prior to a tasty shot from Fernadez that whistled over. Cole took out Kehl who went for an Oscar. Freddie shot following a blocked Wiltord shot and a rare half time score line of nil - nil.
Sol was out late for the second half, but that was the only thing he was late for all game. He and Martin looked totally solid at the back. Henry netted following a great through ball but he was well offside. Martin out jumped Koller, no men feat. Henry and Freddie pressed well. Henry was given offside but there was no way it was on this occasion. Ewerthon responded by hitting the side netting before we took the lead. A throw on the right to Wiltord inside to Gilberto, on to Wiltord who'd continued his run for the neatest of reverse passes to Dennis, Bergkamp controlled and shot, the slightest of deflections and 1-0 to the Arsenal. You just knew it was coming. Slick stuff.
'We've got Dennis Bergkamp' 'One Dennis Bergkamp' 'One nil to the Arsenal' 'We only sing when we're winning' yes we probably had been asleep. Henry given half a chance by a weak keepers clearance but poor control from Thierry blew it. Freddie had a weak shot, well set up by Dennis who was in superb form tonight. Lots of almost balls continue to pepper the German's defence as they push on and we kill them on the break. Dennis to Freddie who almost chips well but it's cut out. Martin blocked really well. Freddie onside, Henry off but play is waved on as Freddie takes it and fires just wide. A double substitution for Borussia.
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We could have had more but we'd bossed a decent side. Sol and the great Yellow giant clashed heads but it was Koller who came off worse. This was just after Koller had been doing his Oscar routine after a solid Campbell tackle that appeared to win the ball cleanly. Seaman was finally called upon and he was alert enough to make a brilliant low save to his right when he clutched onto a fine shot from Evanilson. They had a bit more hopeful play around our goalmouth but there was still time for Kolo Toure, on for Freddie after 89 minutes to give us another enthusiastic solo.
Good win, good start and a possible variation to the song? Try this on for size 'Say we are top of the Leagues, say we are top of the Leagues''.