They could have tried 2006-7 when Freddy got no goals and no assists in the Premiership, he fared similarly the season before that.

But that was then and this is now

Of course that doesn’t change the fact that Rosicky and Hleb have created, and scored, far less than Bobby and Freddy in their heyday. But things are changing. It should also be kept in mind that in the first few years of their careers Freddy and Bobby were not as prolific as they  became later. 

However things are changing and changing quickly. Arsenal’s midfielders are scoring more and more. Fabregas has four already, Rosicky 3 and Hleb 2. Statistics stand still, life doesn’t, even without specialised wingers Arsenal are developing. I suspect that Rosicky’s and Hleb’s figures will be much improved by the end of the season. It wont be long and it will be their figures that are superior. 

Proof of the Pudding is in the eating

And what a pudding it was it was almost too rich. The crowd were enthralled in the Grove sunshine. Who was man of the match? Were Sky right to give it to Fabregas, or should the little Mozart have got it? What of Hleb who seems to have the ball super glued to his boot. Perhaps Flamini or Toure were deserving of it, or Adebayor with his selfless running, Clichy with his defending and high speed overlapping. Should it have been the 10 men?

Robin van Persie looked more relaxed and was actually finding and passing to team mates. Every corner the Gunners took was full of menace, and every patch of the lush green, well soaked, turf was used to full effect.

 If there were no wingers then who was it terrorising Portsmouth’s defence on either wing?This team can mix it – it was long ball – and short ball, shots and headers (true the heading is in need of improvement, although it was a good save that kept Senderos’s one out).

The Gunners welcomed  the extra space afforded by Senderos’s sending off, and became even more adventurous, scoring a goal within seconds of his departure to make it 3-0. 

 However his sending off  also motivated, what up to then had been a spiritless Pompey. Arsenal’s fervid attacks allowed Kanu to get ahead of the back four and strike a fluke goal.

 But still Arsenal kept going for goal, the game swung from end to end at fever pitch. The Gunners defended and attacked with passion – Portsmouth, in spite of their own frenzied attacks had left it too late. This was a great game to watch if you were not Portsmouth’s defence coach.

 The atmosphere was terrific the crowd got behind the team to make sure that Pompey’s extra man didn’t count, and he didn’t. If Arsenal are missing wingers it really didn’t show in this game. 

What a pity that international week will interrupt this fast developing Arsenal team.  For a large selection of Arsenal Books, DVDs, PC games AND MORE at Bargain Prices visit the Arsenal Times Store CLICK HERE 

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