5 More Things We've Learnt So Far

1. Sanchez still needs plenty of time to adjust

Some players just land with their feet running. Look at Torres for Liverpool, Ba for Newcastle, Tevez for West Ham. I don't think Sanchez is one of those players but strongly believe that when he adjusts to the league's brutal pace and improves his fitness he'll be devastating to the opposition.

2. Trophy success last season has already had an effect on the mentality of the players

The boys in red are winners, with two trophies in quick succession they now know how to get over the line. The way Arsenal fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the FA Cup final showed amazing resolve and I believe this same attitude is already carrying through to their league performances after Ramsey's last minute winner against Palace and the amazing comeback against Everton.

3. Carl Jenkinson looks likely to have another frustrating season on the periphery of the club

Poor Carl. A gunner through and through it looks as though this could be another season without the breakthrough he sorely craves. Loaned out to the Hammers, Carl suffered an injury setback meaning that he will struggle to get much playing time and make the improvements Wenger was looking to see. Debuchy's outstanding performances so far, combined with the promise of Chambers and Bellerin could spell the end of Jenkisnon's time at his boyhood club.

4. Jack Wilshere is in for another tough season from the press

The latest golden child of the England national team, Jack has always been billed as the next Gazza, Wazza, and every other 'azza' going. His bad luck with injury has kept Jack from fulfilling his potential and the media has jumped on every chance to picture the young man out with a cigarette or drinking a beer. If he doesn't put in some dazzling performances this season expect greater emphasis to be placed on his personal life.

5. Giroud has to start. 

Two games now Arsenal have struggled without the talismanic Frenchman leading the line. Not only does he bring goals but he also creates space for others to run in behind as he occupies two defenders at a time. It also looks as though he's added some more technique and close control to his game and after 2 seasons in the premier league this could be season where he shines.

Thanks to Giacomo Detomaso for help with this one! Italian Gunners and fans of Serie A, NBA & NFL follow Giacomo's brilliant blog

ildetonatore.wordpress.com

Twitter: @gdetomaso

Everton v Arsenal Preview

Arsenal take on Everton at Goodison Park this afternoon at 5.30 in the second weekend of Premier League fixtures.

Last season the two sides were embroiled in an intriguing race for fourth place which ultimately saw Arsenal take the final Champions League spot.

Everton had a fantastic season by all accounts and worryingly put in an outstanding performance against the Gunners in this same fixture last year cruising to a 3-0 victory.

However at the Emirates Arsenal were unlucky not to win 1-0 and would have done so were it not for a late equaliser from Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu who produced a sublime finish from 10 yards.

The two sides also faced each in the FA Cup quarter final. The match was played at the Emirates and Arsenal won comfortably by a margin of 4-1. The first half was relatively cagey however once Arsenal scored their second the floodgates opened and the match ended in emphatic style with a brace of goals from Olivier Giroud.

The Arsenal team for today is likely to be as follows:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Debuchy, Arteta, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Wilshere and Giroud

Arsenal's performance last week against Crystal Palace will give the Gunners plenty of confidence as they were able to win ugly. Their slick passing game was by no means at its best, however second half substitutions to bring on Oxlade-Chamberlain and Giroud proved crucial in keeping the pressure on Palace allowing Ramsey to score a late winner.

Although Aaron Ramsey is ineligible for Arsenals Champions League second round tie with Besiktas he is expected to start today and Arsenal will need the Welsh Jesus firing on all cylinders to beat a strong Toffees side.

Everton had a less inspiring start to their 2014/15 Premier League campaign, drawing 2-2 against Leicester. The Toffees lead for most of the second half until an 86th minute equaliser from Leicester's Chris Wood.

Everton twice held the lead but were unable to see the game out against a plucky Leicester side which bodes well for an Arsenal who have plenty of attacking options.

The Gunner's prospects will also be boosted by the return of their German World Cup winners per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukasz Podolski who could all feature in today's match.

5 Things We've Learnt So Far

The premier league season is up and running. Arsenal have played one, won one after a hard-fought match against an organised Crystal Palace side.

Arsenal have also played in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Besiktas, drawing the game 0 - 0 in less than favourable conditions.

The Lovely Reds along with Italian journalist Giacomo Detomaso take a look at what we can learn from these early matches..

1. Maybe letting Fabregas go to Chelsea wasn't such a smart idea after all

With Ramsey out of the second qualifying leg and Ozil still not match sharp after a lengthy world Cup campaign, Fabregas would have been the perfect man to come in and lead our midfield.

As it stands he now looks like a member of a drug cartel playing under the tutelage of a man who bayed for his blood whilst at Arsenal.

2. Who needs Bacary Sagna when you've got Debuchy making the right back position his own

Many Gunners were sad to see Sagna go after many standout performances but Debuchy has come in and taken to Wenger's system like a duck to water. He looks calm, composed and potent going forward, everything Sagna had but younger, and with a much better haircut.

3. Calum Chambers has all the potential to be a future Arsenal and England stalwart

At £16m Chambers looks already to be one of the signings of the season. His performances belie his age and he has already worked out a good relationship with Koscielny. His ability to play right-back and his height (6ft 2) mean he could be a potential option at CDM if required. A modern versatile player.

4. Ramsey has picked up where he left off last season but he can't do it all on his own

The Welsh Jesus has scored in his last three competitive games in England (FA Cup final, Community Shield and Crystal Palace) bringing that electric form with him into the 2014/15 season. However he looks as though he desperately needs someone on his level alongside, hopefully the return of Ozil will bring just that.

5.  Sanchez still needs plenty of time to adjust

Some players just land with their feet running. Look at Torres for Liverpool, Ba for Newcastle, Tevez for West Ham. I don't think Sanchez is one of those players but strongly believe that when he adjusts to the league's brutal pace and improves his fitness he'll be devastating to the opposition.

Thanks to Giacomo Detomaso for help with this one! Italian Gunners and fans of Serie A, NBA & NFL follow Giacomo's brilliant blog

ildetonatore.wordpress.com

Twitter: @gdetomaso

Ze Germans Aren't Coming

The news has come through this morning that Arsenal's returning heroes and world cup winners Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil are to miss the start of the premier league season.

The trio who featured in Germany's triumphant campaign in Brazil are still on holiday after a long and tiring season, particularly Ozil who played his first full season in the premier league and featured in all of Germany's world cup matches, a season which for the Arsenal playmaker has stretched from August 2013 to July 2014.

The news will not come as a huge surprise but hearing it directly from manager Arsene Wenger is an affirmation that although eligible to play, Arsenal's German players will be rested in order to allow a comprehensive preseason build up.

This is due to a FIFA imposed mandatory four week break for players who feature in the world cup finals, meaning that players involved in the tournament's last game will not return to training until 4 days before the start of the new season on August 16th.

Whilst many Arsenal fans will be disappointed and a little apprehensive at the prospect of going without two of our key players for the season's opener against Crystal Palace, I believe that this is the logical precaution the manager must take to protect our most valuable players from injury.

By Wenger's own admission last season's title was lost due to injury to our key players. At one point Ozil, Ramsey, Walcott and Wilshere were all ineligible to play through injury which ultimately cost us our first title since 2004.

It is, however, very likely that both Mertesacker and Ozil will play in Arsenal's second game of the season against Everton as by then they will have had nearly two weeks to prepare. My only concern is that whilst others will have had a full preseason to get up to match speed and fitness, our German players may take some time to adjust.

I suppose that's the price you pay for having three world cup winners in ya team....get innnnnn!!

For more Arsenal news follow us on twitter @thelovelyreds

Thanks for reading!