Rangers had by far the better of the first minute's play but the game was all over after our first attack. The move involved Arshavin, Fabregas, Andrey again with a little back heel and a finish from Wilshere that was hit low past their keeper to make it 1-0 to the Arsenal after 1 minute and 42 seconds. Weak keeping McGregor I felt, but a very tidy goal for all that. First nutmeg I've noticed this season was by Eduardo although it wasn't the only one of the match. What's Crozilian for 'nuts'? Arsenal dominated as soon as we scored and quite frankly the Ranger's defenders didn't know how, why or where the next attack was coming from. Such good interchanging and slick passing is, I imagine, something they rarely see north of the border and they really didn't cope with it until the second half.
Our second came when a long ball out was headed back by Arshavin into the path of Fran Merida who found Eduardo, on the shoulder of the last man, with a neat pass. Ed took it on and set himself up to clip it low round the keeper and slotted it home via the inside of the far post. This was a really clinical finish, the sort we've really missed all last season. 2-0 with 9 minutes and 58 seconds on the clock. I would have said ten minutes but it looks so much more impressive to be so ridiculously precise don't you think?
Almunia was out well as a sweeper. Arshavin and Eduardo worked their way into the box with neat one-twos. Arshavin shot from range. The Sky stats declared 60% possession to Arsenal after 16 minutes. A foul by Weir, who it seems is old enough to be Vieira's grandfather, set up Cesc with a free kick that he put into their wall. It occurred to me about this time that we only had Song and Gallas on the pitch capable of defending high set plays. Fortunately this wasn't a problem as Rangers couldn't get the ball. Backheels were the order of the day. Silvestre did his best to score an o.g. whilst clearing. Song was not really acting as a holding player but pressing quite high up the pitch. Merida with a shot from about 30 yards out, well struck but wide. Merida with a near perfect chip to Ed. Classy move followed classy move. An impudent shot from the AA man from a really narrow angle after skinning the full back. Good late run from Merida, nicely timed but his shot was wide. Davis hit a free kick into our wall. Almunia punched clear from the corner. Truly stunning play from Jack finished off with a chip that almost beat the keeper. Eboue with a shot of his usual standard, some things never change. Brilliant first time ball form Arshavin to Eduardo. Half time arrived, which no doubt delighted the Rangers defence.
Denilson and Traore on for Clichy and Gallas with Song moving into our back four after the break. Merida shot low and hard from range. Good cross from Rangers' right which Eboue helped see off before Song blocked a shot beyond the far post. Lee McCulloch carded for a crude foul. Mike Dean had awarded the booking for McCulloch's three foul accumulation in just six minutes. Rangers were much improved after the break, assuming we hadn't eased off. Wilshere nearly scored following some seriously quick and dainty footwork. Mendez offside as his header hit our post. Almunia out to hoof away. Ed with a free kick of Ronaldo type range into their wall. Rangers should have scored but screwed up a simple attack down the middle. Bendtner and Sanchez Watt on for Eduardo and Arshavin (63 minutes). Nicely set up for Fab but his shot was well blocked. Ramsey on for Merida (66 minutes) and straight into the action.
Almunia saved from Naismith but he was offside anyway. Denilson blasts over a neat set up by Cesc. Watt steals the ball and finds Ramsey, who finds the onrushing Wilshere, who slams home on the half volley. 3-0 after 71 minutes and 8 seconds. Rosicky on for Cesc and he dons the captain's armband. From here on in the game died a little as the two teams tired from their two match exertions in two days. Some good play from Ramsey going forward. Miller fired one past the far post. Ramsey had a decent shot with his left peg and the game ended with a deserved scoreline of 3-0 to the Arsenal. Wilshere was voted man of the match again and tried to be modest in the post match interview whilst his team mates walking past flicking his ear.
You'd like to think that Jack might get a few starts in the coming season, he's certainly good enough. But don't count on it because Arsene knows you just can't rush a masterpiece in the making. Fabio Capello was wise enough to turn up and watch the only Englishman playing this weekend and it would be really interesting to hear his thoughts on the subject. But I suspect the media will already be applying enough pressure on Jack's young shoulders without the England manager adding to it. What Jack needs now is patience, to build his strength, to have more patience, continue to work hard, acquire yet more patience, keep his feet on the ground and to learn that good things come to those who wait. While quite often great things come to youngsters at Arsenal under Wenger.
I wonder whether or not that jerk Platini was watching today. Because thanks to him Arsenal are set to play a half decent team in the Champions League qualifiers soon, while Rangers go straight through to the group stages. Good luck to Rangers, but there is no justifiable footballing reason for this, just a prick playing politics.