It was a great game especially as it worked out in our favour at the end. We're elated this morning as we should be. The players gave their best and never gave up even when Udinese had drawn level and were so purposeful on the breakaway. The right people did the right thing when it mattered which was to put the ball in the net and boy, what a save by Chesney. But what of tomorrow? Our next meeting is in the northwest against arguably, by record anyway, the best team in the land. We've beaten them before though it must be said, not many do it on their home turf. Sunday brings us back to reality again and it would even if we come away with all three points. There are still deficiencies in the team and while we would all love it, for them to play with conviction week in week out and at every match would be quite a tall order. However it doesn't mean the job cannot be done. All good and great teams who have had consistent success are the ones who are able to carve out victories, even narrow ones when they are not firing on all cylinders. To do that though we need to have enough of the key pieces in place. Last night our forwards were not able to convert their chances through the first half of the game. We really do need to be more clinical. I know the ball isn't always going to go in everytime one of our players strikes it but you can improve your rate of achieving this. Others have done that so why not us? We still require creativity in midfield without which the forward line would be muted. Thus far we have come up empty in all our endeavours and 'Time Gentlemen Please' on the transfer window is fast approaching. The defence is still shaky. We could have come away with a major fight on our hands had Udinese had more of the success our forwards would have liked. We can still be caught short in our positioning and indeed be a man or two short in both defence and in the midfield. Fortunately for us, the gatekeeper at the back is looking very formidable. His performance last night will ensure that we save a bagful of points over the coming season. His confidence too is second to none and fortunate we are to have him, we cannot place all our reliance on him. Now all this would have come to pass had the management employed a little foresight and concluded our business in the transfer market but instead we are where we have been before. Now everyone whom we approach will also know we have the means to engage in some major shopping. That this isn't our style won't matter to them. It's a seller's market. We have helped make it that way but it's something we have all agonised over before so we need to spare ourselves that agony by acting swiftly. Tomorrow and for the sake of all our tomorrows, we need to make some signings. Not those that would placate the clamour of us the fans but for the key players who can supply the pieces of magic which can ensure we utilise this fresh new start to the season and make this great opportunity count. To the board of Arsenal Football Club, the ball is truly in your court.
