Arsenal 2 - 0 Marseille Match Report: Wilshere shines in comfortable victory

Another victory, another clean sheet and another assured performance, however Dortmund's victory over Napoli means that despite having racked up 12 points in 5 games, qualification into the last 16 isn't yet guaranteed.  Poor old Marseille further enhanced their status as group whipping boys and the difference in class was clear.

There were signs against Southampton that Jack Wilshere was getting back to his best with a very strong performance and almost an exceptional goal.  Last night deployed out on the right, he wasted no time when after just half a minute of the match, he cut in side and curled a beauty into the top corner. It was a sensational goal and a sensational start to the match.  Jack has received some criticism lately, particularly from supporters of the national side but it takes someone of very little patience or a very short memory to write off a player off such obvious potential and quality. He took his goal tally for the season to four last night - a very encouraging figure which I am sure he can build on. His goals were well timed last night as Ramsey came close a couple of times but along with Özil was denied by some good saves.

It should have been 2-0 before half time after Ramsey flicked the ball over his man before being taken out on the edge of the box (probably just outside). The referee pointed to the spot but when Özil stepped up, his penalty was soft and comfortably saved. It was a mixed bag from our record signing last night; he missed a penalty and had some sloppy moments but he also showed a few moments of quality and created 5 chances, including the assist for Wilshere's second goal of the game.  After a lovely slide-rule pass from Ramsey, Özil played a neat ball with the outside if his foot across the area to the well-positioned Wilshere, who finished confidently with the inside of his left boot.

"I liked his first goal. Before, he rushed a little bit. He's starting to think 'what Ramsey can do, I can do as well'. He's calm in front of goal and especially the first goal shows that." - Arsène Wenger on Jack Wilshere

The team's performance was one of dominance; it was a comfortable game as we bossed possession (67.3%) and it was very disciplined too - we only conceded 5 fouls and picked up no yellow cards, even with Flamini starting. It was perhaps a sign of how strong a team we are at the moment that there was a feeling of having let Marseille off a bit lightly - perhaps we could have been a little more urgent and clinical but ultimately is was another encouraging performance.  We also showed a little strength in depth by bringing in Rosicky, Flamini and Monreal and Walcott made his second substitute appearance of the week.  The game shouldn't have been too physically demanding and the team should be fighting fit for their tricky but ultimately winnable trip to Cardiff on Saturday.

So what does this mean for our hopes of going through? In short, presuming Dortmund beat Marseille in France, Arsenal will need to avoid defeat by three goals in Napoli. It would be surprising and upsetting if we managed to lose by three goals against a team we beat with such style and brilliance at the Emirates stadium.

Man of the match: Jack Wilshere

Arsenal 4 - 1 Norwich City Match Report: That was fun!

I don't know about you but I woke up feeling pretty content this morning; probably because Arsenal spoilt me rotten yesterday.  Those lucky enough to be in the Emirates Stadium last night were treated to some absolutely glorious football.  Arsenal fans were left revelling in the beauty of the goals, unleashing an unbearable twitter storm of smugness that no doubt left our rival fans as angry as this guy.

Arsenal fans finally had a chance to see Santi Cazorla and Mesut Özil on the pitch together as Aaron Ramsey started on the bench after playing two full international games.  Santi understandably isn't quite at his outstanding best yet but the signs are good and Arsène is now starting to have some really tough selection choices.

The first goal, scored by an impressive Jack Wilshere, was outrageous - first time, intricate, improvised passing and movement at its best leaving Norwich players stunned and helpless.

"A mixture of technical quality, speedy thinking, quick reaction and as well being calm in front of goal.  It had nearly everything you want to have, combined speed and calm and relaxed attitude.  It was a great goal." - Arsène Wenger

One negative to the game was an injury to Matthieu Flamini - after a nasty clash of heads a rather groggy, double-visioned Matthieu was withdrawn for Ramsey at 1-0 for his own safety.  On the bright side, he would then have seen six more Arsenal goals instead of three...

After Flamini's departure we lost a bit of a grip on the game and Norwich came back into it and actually our second was a little against the run of play.  Olivier Giroud picked up his second excellent assist of the game with a terrific dinked cross onto the head of Mesut Özil.  His header was top-drawer, especially when you consider it was the first headed goal of his career.

A well taken Norwich goal from Jonny Howson after an unconvincing Mertesacker clearance gave us a slightly edgy finish but a now customary moment of Aaron Ramsey brilliance put the result beyond doubt.  It was his 9th Arsenal goal of the season and probably the best.  He was exceptional after the break and clearly enjoyed playing in the centre of midfield again.

Our fourth was another excellent team goal - substitute Tomas Rosicky picked out Aaron Ramsey at the back post who pulled back to put the ball on a plate for Mesut Özil, who gratefully gobbled up his second of the game.  It must be nice for Mesut to be receiving such excellent assists rather than giving them - I'm sure he didn't get that level of service at Real Madrid!

Arsène has some tricky decisions to make going into the Dortmund game.  Our last Champions League home game was of course the terrific win over Napoli which was built on a very solid foundation provided by Flamini and Arteta but Wenger must be tempted to bring Aaron Ramsey into the centre of midfield where he has been his most effective.  The Flamini head injury might make that decision for him but picking between Wilshere, Cazorla and Rosicky isn't an easy decision either although I would guess he will plump for Wilshere given his performance yesterday.  It's nice to have these decisions to make as all three substitutes yesterday played well (yes, Bendtner was very good!) and players of the calibre of Vermaelen and Monreal can't get a game at the moment.  When the Ox, Theo and Lukas 'thumbs up' Podolski are back we really do have a formidable squad.

Match of the Day made particularly entertaining viewing as points were dropped by Liverpool and Manchester United (remember them? They used to be title-challengers? Ask your parents).  An old and bitter Scottish fella reluctantly praised Arsenal before ruling out a title-challenge.  It's his last season on Match of the Day apparently so let's make sure he goes out looking silly.

Arsenal are such a joy to watch at the moment and thankfully we only have to wait until Tuesday for the Great British Bake Off Final Dortmund game.

Man of the Match: Mesut Özil

W.B.A. 1 - 1 Arsenal Match Report: Jack's game of two halves

Well, all good things must come to an end and Sunday saw our 10 game winning streak stopped at the Hawthorns. A point here is no disaster and we can be proud to sit top of the table going into the international break.

Jack Wilshere continued to grab headlines after his cheeky mid-week ciggy. In the first half he was caught in possession more times than Pete Doherty and went down more times than Linda Lovelace but he raised his game after the break to show some of that mental strength Arsène likes so much.  He scored the equalising goal and played a superb ball to Olivier Giroud which would have resulted in a winner if it wasn't for some good work from Boaz Myhill.

When Claudio Jacob headed the Baggies in front in the 42nd minute it was the first time we conceded the opening goal this season and we knew we were in for a real test.  Our first half was uninspiring, lacking our recent zip and fluidity. It could have been worse had the impressive Wojciech Szczęsny not pulled off a stunning save following a wicked buttock deflection off Matthieu Flamini. With Jack and Rambo on the wings our narrow attacks were snuffed out without too much trouble.  Hopefully when the international break is over, we will have Cazorla available again and the Ox, Theo and Podolski shouldn't be too far behind.

The second half was more open and Nicolas Anelka thankfully spurned two good chances to put the match out of our reach. Thomas Rosicky came on for Aaron Ramsey and had a positive impact, laying the ball off for Wilshere's goal and providing a bit more pace and decisiveness.

Overall a draw seemed a fair result to me and it is a decent point, especially considering their win at Old Trafford the previous weekend.  We have a host of challenging games coming up against Dortmund, Liverpool, Chelsea and United.  If we come out of those games with some good results then we must be considered serious title-challengers.

Despite not taking all of the points yesterday, there was one rather large consolation for the better half of North London as our neighbours were hammered 3-0 at home by West Ham. I've always liked Sam Allardyce...

Man of the Match: Wojciech Szczęsny