Morning all.

Well that was back down to earth with a bang wasn’t it.

Saturday was what it was and there were many reasons to be cheerful having seen Sanogo finally break his duck and Campbell scoring a very good goal but sadly, that goal flurry didn’t continue yesterday whilst up against a strong Monaco side.

The frailties we witnessed last season all too often were again on show yesterday but just as our feet should have remained firmly on the ground after beating a very average Benfica side, we shouldn’t let the 1-0 loss to a strong Monaco side fill us with rage either.

Our marking on set-pieces was our downfall. Yes our big German may have stopped Falcao from scoring but in all seriousness, his goal was a result of school boy defending. Oh, and a simply stupid tackle in the first place by Jack which led to the free kick.

But not all was doom and gloom, Chambers again played well, as did Debucy, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey and of course, Alexis and a couple of others.

Another problem was in midfield. We have a glut of midfielders in the squad, but not one is defensive enough imo. That’s our weak link and it has been for a long while. Monaco bossed that area all afternoon and they exposed our left side too. I don’t wholeheartedly blame Monreal after all, he wasn’t given a lot of support…

Up front is another problem area, I know it’s pre-season, but Giroud just doesn’t get into the right places quick enough. Will that ever change? I doubt it. Maybe that’s why so many of us were pleased to see Sanogo and Campbell so busy in and around the box on Saturday and of course scoring goals.

And what about Martin Atkinson? What a shocker he had yet again. Poor Akpom, hacked over in the box by their keeper, Atkinson points to the spot immediately and then linesman who was clearly on work experience, convinced him that the incident took place outside the area.

Not that the Bradford born official would have needed much persuading!

It’s quite clear that Arsenal have gone into this summer with a plan, even Arsene Wenger said that it was months ago when he decided he wanted to sign Calum Chambers, well he has. He’s also signed up three other very good players, all of whom are very experienced.

The jigsaw is still missing a few pieces though but as long as those pieces are signed and they fit, the big picture will be complete.

We still have just under four weeks of this transfer window left, two before the season kicks off but as long as they are in before the 2nd of September, I’ll be happy as I’m sure we all will….

Gossip:

According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Sporting could be willing to accept Arsenal’s likely £24m bid, despite Carvalho having a £37m release clause in his contract.

The Mirror report that we have made a move for Atletico Madrid’s French international Josuha Guilavogui. The player joined Atletico Madrid from Saint Etienne last summer, but has failed to nail down a place in the side.

That story originates from ‘A Bola’…..

And on that note, have a good day folks….