Off and running

And so the new season kicked off on Saturday; with Arsenal adopting their rightful place on top of the table...

OK, I'm joking, and there won't be many 'easier' opponents in this season's Premier League than Fulham. However, there have been occasions in recent seasons when Arsenal have struggled against such opposition (I can think of quite a few last season) and you can only beat what's in front of you, so kudos for putting them away with the minimum of fuss.

There are a number of positives to take out of the game, and I'll just run through what I particularly enjoyed:

1.    Gabriel's debut. Apart from a very early mix-up in communication between himself and Leno, he had a solid game, leading the team in many stats, and got a debut goal - the first Arsenal centre-half to do since since Thomas Vermaelen

2.    Just how well-coached this side looks. Everyone seems to know their place - in or out of possession - and there is a solidity that we've not seen for a long time

3.    Aubameyang. Not much more to be said about him, as he started as if he's never been away. I'm sure that teams will learn how to deal with the movement that led to his goal - Willian's assist was remarkably similar to Saka's in the Community Shield - but he's a threat whether he starts down the middle or on the left. Let's just have the official announcement that he has 'signed da ting', please

4.    Willian. Of course, it can hardly be a surprise that he found it easy to integrate into a new side; he's a very good player. But to come away with three assists - and hit the post - in his first competitive game is very promising. Here's what Aubameyang already thinks of him

And now a few other bits and pieces:

1.    The squad still needs work:

a)     only Arsenal can find themselves with 8 central defenders on their books - and no less than 5 of them are injured! But ideally two or three need to go (although due to injury it may take a window or two). Saliba to chuck into the mix will of course be interesting

b)     if there is a hole that needs to be filled, it that of a midfielder. Numbers are fluid here, with Torreira likely to leave and Guendouzi's re-integration very much up in the air despite his attempts (finally) to repair the post-Brighton damage. So we're light in there, and the addition of a 'heavyweight' figure would be useful. Somebody who can help transition the side, and better than what we already have

c)     Competition for places. We now have that almost all over the pitch. This can only be good. But I can also see a number of younger players who would benefit from a loan to another Premier League club, and from playing regularly. We shall see how this develops over the next three weeks

2.    The Arteta Factor - our new First Team Manager (no longer Head Coach - good for him) continues to have a massive influence on way the team is playing and the direction the club is taking. At the moment I don't see a ceiling for him, and it's up to the club to show that it matches his ambitions

3.    Emi Martinez is off to Aston Villa and a guaranteed first team place. He did a fantastic job following Leno's injury, but Arsenal need to sell in order to buy, the German has considerably more experience, and pragmatism would suggest that Emi's value won't go much higher than it is right now.  I will not be alone in wishing him well

4.     It's too early to be too amused, but it was fun to see Tottenham get off to the start we'd hoped for yesterday. Long may that form continue; and I'll continue to enjoy All Or Nothing on Amazon Prime (spoiler - it's Nothing...). In the meantime, I think we might be able to find a stream somewhere for their 'key' Europa League qualifier in Plovdiv on Thursday...

And so to West Ham next weekend. They were poor in their first game, so that bodes well. After that, it gets harder.