Pompey in ruins- No volcanic eruption this time around though.

ARSENAL 4-1 PORTSMOUTH
Saturday August 22, 2009
Emirates Stadium, London

A rampant Diaby fires in Arsenal's first goal. Hopefully this will be the first of many for Vieira Jr this season.

A Gunner goal fest did it this time around. Arsenal took up the role of Mt.Vesuvius to destroy Pompey comprehensively, although the final score 4-1, many say might have been a touch generous on the away side.

The only major changes to the starting eleven were the exclusion of Sagna and Bendtner, who I'm assuming both picked up slight knocks at Celtic Park (OR) Wenger must have given them a breather ahead of the toughies against Celtic, United and Citeh that follow. Legend Eboue and legender Eduardo Da Silva served as the replacements. Other changes included Gibbs for Clichy and Diaby for Song.

And how Wenger will be thanking himself for that, for it was the splendid assist from the two new starters 'legend' and legender that set up the first two goals, both scored by Vassirikki Abou Diaby. Both were class finishes and the French midfielder would have definitely stamped his authority on the pitch and sent a real statement not just to his boss, but also to the other teams around the league. Seriously, I think Abou's footwork and dribbles are sensational. And for some reason, I keep thinking his tackles are clean as a whistle and 'elegant' to watch. Yes. I know I'll receive some stick for this, but I have always held Diaby in very high regard. Wenger is making no mistake comparing him with former Gooner captain and club legend Patrick Vieira. Anyway not drifting away from the two assist-men, Eduardo pulled off a trademark skill down the left flank hitting the ball on the outside of the defender and running around to it from the inside. (Remember he did the same against Sparta Prague in an Arsenal UCL qualifier a couple of years back?) We saw Eduardo grace us with that trick on another occasion in the game, no rewards though.

About the second assist-maker, is there anything one can really say? I mean, Eboue is legend. Lets just leave it there, shall we? Simple as that. On a more serious note, the Ivorian played a brilliant game at right back (as he has always done. I think its mostly Wenger's fault to play Eboue in creative midfield positions, even though he is not suited to play there) and it was his driving run off an Arsenal counter (hey, I'm loving it now, finally seeing trademark Arsenal counter attack goals after what seems like seasons) that perfectly set things on the plate for Vieira Jr to slot home his second of the game.

And regarding Arsenal's Mr.Reliable (I obviously mean our ex-captain William Gallas, d'oh!) he put in another rock solid performance at the back alongside his new defensive partner, Thomas Vermaelen. That was good to see, needless to say. However, how creative can one get?! Seriously, having scored a goal with his balls, with his back and scuffed the ball into the goal many a time making it seem like the clumsiest of finishes, we can safely say that Gallas now holds the distinction of having scored a goal with maximum body parts possible (yes, he went to the extent of scoring even with his balls) So I don't think there was any shock when he got the ball in off his jaw while attempting to stroke it in with his left foot (perhaps he intended on getting it done with his right, but hit his left instead for all you know)

Aaron Ramsey capped off a fine evening for the Gunners with his first ever goal in the BPL and Arsenal's fourth on the afternoon. That goal was perhaps Van Persie's lone highlight of the game, the Dutchman having a very very quiet ineffective game by his standards. But an assist a night works fine.

There are slight concerns about the injury which Fabregas picked up while darting forward on a brilliant solo run. Wenger is not too sure about the extent of the injury, however it sure is a relief that worst case scenario, his absence is not going to stretch beyond three weeks (I'm just fantasizing, Fabregas out for three weeks, Rosicky possibly back around the same time, both of them come on as subs and score quick fire goals) Darn, I'm blabbering again.

Summary of the game, thoroughly satisfying opening home game of the season. Arshavin looking a little sharper, linking up very well with his team-mates. Diaby exemplary. Van Persie poor. Eboue legendary (heard that one before? And no, I'm serious here. He didn't put a foot wrong) and Almunia shoddy. Definitely more of positives though.

Celtic is up next. Thankfully this is at the Emirates which is going through an Arsenalization phase. I don't see Wenger risking Fabregas ahead of the Old Trafford trip. So that would probably mean a run out for wonderkid Ramsey. And Wilshere? I'd love to see Messi Jr. run around in a Champions League game. Expect a lot of changes for this game, given that Arsenal have a commanding 2-0 lead from the first leg at Parkhead. The tie is not yet decided by any stretch of the imagination, but I cannot be blamed for saying the all-Greens have it all to do.

Next post on Thursday after the Celtic tie. Cheers, Goons.

(I regret the delay in posting this entry. My internet connection was fucdek up beyond all recognition for over 48 hours and I just got it fixed. Cannot wait to access the internet with a wi-fi connection, less than a month to go for that, hurrah)