Full backs integral to home success

Arsenal showed good patience and gave a strong defensive display to dispatch Sheffield United 3-0 for our first win at the Emirates.

Lets be honest, Sheffield United are going to get relegated. They came for a point and as soon as we scored first that dream was over.

Why do relegation threatened teams try and frustrate from the start of the season? They would probably be better off trying to win, as 1 time in 3 away from home it might come off, confidence might come and they might actually improve as a team. The manager setting up a team to get a 0-0 is like saying

'They are much better than you, the best we hope for is to get a lucky point if our keeper plays well and they have an off day'. Anyway..

Gallas scored first from an Henry pass and Fabregas lay off, Henry scored a headed third and crossed for a horribly sliced own goal in between.

What was noticable was our obvious attempts to use the width of the pitch. Ljungberg, Gallas and Eboue were trying to stay on the touchlines which was encouraging as at least it gives us another option, even if we will insist on come inside more often than not.

The full backs have a huge responsibility. Especially at home. Eboue and Gallas were instrumental, each having 2 or 3 efforts on goal (Eboue has had the most shots of any Arsenal player this season) and helped us keep balance in the midfield. Gallas got the opener and Eboue crossed for Henry to head the second.

Clichy, a naturally left footed player will aid that even more, although Gallas is doing an admirable job at present. We saw how effective a left side of Cole - Pires - Henry could be but that one left sided player is important as he allows the winger the freedom to go inside or stay wide by holding his position on the touchline.

Away from home it isn't such an issue as teams are liable to attack more and afford us more space in doing so meaning there is more space for our own midfield and forwards in central areas. That is why the 4-5-1 works so well for us.

The substitutions of Ljungberg, Adebayor and Rosicky for Baptista, Hleb and Van Persie show the quality we have in depth. Plus we have Senderos, Clichy, Lauren and Diaby coming back.

It'll take time to get used to a slight change in style but the signs are positive.

Porto at the Emirates tomorrow night. I wonder if Arsene will give a game to Van Persie and Hleb seeing as they were rested for Saturday? Baptista to figure?

Porto are a dangerous side and as we know the mentality in the ECL is slightly different from a league match. With an away win in the first game I wouldn't expect us to go attacking too hard too early, as a 0-0 draw would suit both teams (arguably them more than us) at this stage of the group.