Sharpening their Daggers

THE Dagenham & Redbridge revolution under Wayne Burnett has really started to gain momentum in recent weeks, writes Ricky Butler. The pub team from Essex, who only survived in the Football League at the end of last season on goal difference, currently sit just three points off the top of Sky Bet League Two after a run of only one defeat from 11 games.

Dagenham & Redbridge are once again defying the odds under the guidance of Wayne Burnett

It has been quite a transformation down at Victoria Road. Following the departure in February of legendary boss John Still things looked to have been on a downward spiral for the Daggers. A dreadful run of results under caretaker-manager Burnett, who had been a coach under Still, saw the club sink towards the relegation trap door and they only survived on the final day of the season thanks to Barnet's defeat at Northampton.

Still had transformed the club from Ryman League also-rans into League Two play off winners and his side was just one point away from League One survival in 2011. But that great team, which included such household names as goalkeeper Tony Roberts, defender Mark Arber, midfielders Romain Vincelot and Danny Green, and striker Paul Benson, soon broke up and it appeared that the Daggers 6-year stay in the Football League was about to come to an end with the departure of Still to Conference Premier side Luton earlier this year.

Burnett, 42, who had previously managed at Fisher Athletic, Dulwich Hamlet and Grays, was thrown in at the deep end and he very nearly drowned. Having looked all-but safe when Still left, the Daggers won only two of their final 14 matches and were dragged into the relegation dogfight which they only survived by default, having lost the final match of the season at home York City.

After keeping the club up, albeit by the narrowest of margins, Burnett, who appeared in the Sky TV drama Dream Team, was offered the job on a permanent basis over the summer and he slowly set about rebuilding the side. The arrival of former Arsenal striker Rhys Murphy gave the Daggers a sharper cutting edge but a run of only one win from their opening 6 matches appeared to justify their pre-season tag of relegation favourites.

However, Burnett's young side was boosted further by the arrival of ex-West Ham and Bradford forward Zavon Hines just before the end of the transfer window and suddenly they were transformed. But while it has been the goals of the front two - 12 to their credit so far - that has rightly caught the headlines it has been the defensive solidity that has seen them become so hard to beat.

Zavon Hines in action for the Daggers

Goalkeeper Chris Lewington has proved a worthy successor to Roberts while former Weymouth centre half Scott Doe has taken on the responsibility at the back alongside another new signing, Brian Saah, a local lad who joined from Torquay. Burnett has also managed to get more from midfield duo Luke Howell and ex-Arsenal trainee Abu Ogogo, while Medy Elito has revelled in the free role behind the strikers.

The team has a freshness about them. They are young, fast and hungry. The team spirit and work rate, so important under Still, have been reignited and a surprise play-off challenge now looks possible at Victoria Road. Burnett, however, is trying to keep things in perspective.

"I can’t praise my players enough," said the young Daggers boss. "Against all the odds they’ve done brilliant. Let’s not forget, we’re the bookies favourite to go down. I know they aren't always right and our budget isn’t up there with the big boys but the team are surpassing expectations and to be where we are is fantastic.

"We’ve got a long way to go, we’re not getting carried away; we haven’t done anything yet. I’ll be more interested to see where we are after Christmas, to see if we’re still in contention, but hopefully we will be."

Having beaten league leaders Rochdale 3-1 last Saturday, the Daggers are fast becoming the surprise package of the season. Many in Essex thought the club would never again reach the heights of the Still regime but perhaps under Burnett they can surpass that. The revival continues at Hartlepool this weekend.

This is how it feels to draw away at West Brom

OF course we should have known what to expect. The last 7 away games Emerson and I had been to had yielded just 4 Arsenal goals, although the great day up at Newcastle in May more than made up for that.

But we both believed this would be different. The good form of the team and the chance to see Mesut Ozil in the flesh for the first time meant we made the 170-mile journey down the A1, M18, M1, A42, M42, M6 and M5, full of optimism.

Emerson was going for an exciting 3-2 victory, I was thinking more 2-1. Either way we were both confident that we would see Arsenal score more once in an away game for the first time since a 3-0 victory up the road at Wolves back in March 2012.

The journey down was smooth and took around 2 and a half hours, which included a brief stop off at Tamworth. Parking near the ground was more of a problem. I refuse to pay £5 to park in a car park on land that does not even belong to the people asking for the money, so we searched for a side street instead.

West Bromwich, it appears, does has a large Asian population. In fact every house in every street we drove down was occupied by Asians and whatever you feel about multiculturalism, and I personally think it enriches our lives if managed in the correct way, this does make you feel a little uncomfortable.

Emerson tried to re-assured me by pointing out that Muslims (although there was nothing to say these were Muslims, I should point out) are against all crime so it would be safe to leave the car there as no one would break into it. Good thinking, son...So we found a place on one of the Asian estates and took our chances.

Say what you like about West Brom but the birds are quality

On the walk to the ground a lad on a bike rode past and said, 'Hope you thrash them Baggies today.' Clearly a Wolves fan! A sign, I thought.

Emerson likes to get in the ground and to his seat early, but I bumped into an old friend Rob in the concourse and stopped for a chat. Emerson was not having any of it and literally dragged me up to our seats, which were just to the right of the goal about halfway up. A good view.

The view from our seats

The atmosphere was building nicely now with Emerson particularly enjoying the new Ozil song, sung to the tune of This Is How It Feels by the Inspiral Carpets; 'How does it feel to be Tottenham, how does it feel to be small, you sold Bale and we signed Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil...'

Say what you like about WBA but the atmosphere in the stadium is great. The teams came out to some techno dance number which Emerson was jigging about to like he was at his school disco, and then the real action could began.

Arsenal was attacking the home end in the first half, always the best way I feel, and the majority of the play was in their half of the pitch. Although we had all the possession we rarely looked like opening them up and the only real chances we created was a shot from Gibbo which flew over the top, after an unreal pass from Ozil, and an effort from Rambo which was well saved by Boaz Myhill.

With half time approaching, Albion, who had looked sharp and well organised throughout, started to threaten and they took the lead three minutes before the break. Jenko's clearance from a corner only fell to Mulumbu who played it out wide to Amalifitardo and his cross was headed in at the near post by Yacob - his first goal for the club as the stadium announcer took great pleasure in informing us.



Emerson always enjoys his away days

Having not conceded first in any game this season, and not at all away from home since our last defeat on the road at Spurs in March, we were unsure how we would respond. The answer looked to be not very well judging by the opening period of the second half. Twice Anelka, who always scores against us, should have made it 2-0, and had he done so it would have been game over.

But we began to show the character that Wenger has often spoken about, although it was only after the introduction of Rosicky that we really began to look like getting back on level terms. Most around us were screaming for Jack to be taken off as he was not having his best game, but instead it was Rambo who made way, much to the indignation of the chap behind me who proceeded to call Wenger every name under the sun for leaving Jack on the pitch. He was not alone either.

But Wenger is paid £7m a year to make such decisions while the chap behind me is not. And within 4 minutes we could see why. Ozil started the move by tracking back and winning the ball on the edge of our penalty area (something of the Bergkamp's about him - not afraid to do the dirty work) before setting off on a run down the left.

He played the ball up to Giroud who cut inside and fed Rosicky on the edge of the area. His lay-off was perfect for the fast-arriving Jack who hit an instant left-footed shot into the corner of the net via a slight deflection off Olsson - only his second ever Premier League goal which the stadium announcer did not feel the need to inform us of. Cue delirium in the away end.

There are few better feelings in the world than seeing your team score at your end away from home, especially if that goal puts you in front or brings you level. Emerson is now getting tall enough to see most of the action and he really enjoyed this goal, jumping about and, oddly, slapping me on the head. Not that I minded of course.

When the celebrations had died down, I turned to the guy behind me and said, 'Perhaps that is why he kept him on...' He just nodded and grunted.

Now for the winner. But it did not arrive. Giroud came closest when Jack, now moved centrally and thus having more influence, picked him out with an Ozil-like ball and the big striker tried to round Myhill. However, the 'keeper managed to get his hand to the shot and kept it out.

The final 20 minutes saw both teams try and win it. Well when I say both teams, I actually mean Arsenal. WBA seemed content to waste time and hang on for the point, although in the end I think that was probably the most we deserved anyway. Credit to Albion though who look a good side and will take points off most of the top sides. And Man. United.

The highlight of the second half, apart from Jack's goal of course, was the news that Spurs were losing 3-0 at home to West Ham. 3-0 to West Ham. At home! Very funny of course, especially as it meant the draw was enough to take us back to the top, but hardly reason for some moron behind us to sing 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' for ten minutes. Some people really do take Spurs far too seriously.

So not the goal-fest Emerson and I were hoping for but the second half in particular was very enjoyable. Not many teams will come here and win so a draw was a decent result. And they always feel so much better when you have come from behind too. (ooh, Matron!)

There were a few muted chants of  'We are top of the league' as we made our way out of the stadium, but the overriding feeling seemed to be one of disappointment. I tried to cheer up the guy next to me who was looking like his cat had died. 'Cheer up mate, we can't win every game,' I said. 'We looked tired but got a point. I'd say that was a decent effort.'

He smiled but I am not sure he agreed. That is the trouble with a winning run, it raises expectations.

Emerson now just wanted his customary post-match McDonalds, and after an hour-long queue in the traffic to get back on the M5, we stopped off at Tamworth again before demolishing a box of 20 nuggets between us.

Overall it was a good day out and a decent match. Of course we were disappointed not to see us win or score more than once, but we are still top of the league and nothing can beat the rock songs Emerson insists on playing on the journey home.

We're half way there, screamed Jon Bon Jovi from the speakers as we headed off up the M42. Not quite half way perhaps, but it is an encouraging start nonetheless. Next up for us is a trip to Old Trafford in November where revenge for the 8-2 may well be on the cards. So it is bound to finish 0-0 then. But we wouldn't change it for anything.

Now where is my Inspiral Carpets CD.

Daggers pace too much for struggling Stanley

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 2
By Ricky Butler at the Store First Stadium

SECOND half goals from speedy strikers Zavon Hines and Rhys Murphy gave in-form Dagenham and Redbridge victory at the league’s bottom side Accrington Stanley on Friday evening.

After a tight, goalless first half in which Stanley’s Peter Murphy had struck a post, the match came to life after the break as swift counter attacks saw Hines and Murphy put the visitors in control.

Stanley did pull a goal back in the first minute of stoppage time when substitute James Gray followed up to score after a shot from Will Hatfield had been pushed out by Daggers goalkeeper Chris Lewington, but it was too little too late for James Beattie’s side, who still await their first win of the season.

The Daggers had started the season as favourites to go down, having only survived on goal difference at the end of the last campaign, but manager Wayne Burnett has assembled a side with enough pace and quality to suggest they could instead challenge for a place in the play-offs.

Arriving in Lancashire on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, the Daggers started brightly with Hines going close in the 8th minute after getting in behind the Stanley defence, but goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, on loan from Fulham, did well to deny him.

It is a different story for poor Stanley, however. James Beattie, in his first managerial role, has really been throw in at the deep end and was forced to name himself on the bench such is the lack of numbers in the home ranks.

However, his troops looked the more likely in the first half and they were nearly rewarded after quarter of an hour. Lee Naylor whipped in a corner from the right and Peter Murphy’s header beat Lewington but not the upright.

It was a poor back pass from defender Brian Saah that presented Stanley with an even better opportunity midway through the half. Kayodi Odejayi was quick to react and beat Lewington to the ball but it spun away at the vital moment and the Daggers were able to clear their lines.

But the turning point arrived six minutes into the second period. The home fans behind the goal thought Shay McCartan had headed their side in front from a Tom Aldred cross, but the ball landed in the side netting and within moments the Daggers had made the breakthrough.

A swift counter attack saw Rhys Murphy slip in Hines and the former Bradford City man coolly slotted past Bettinelli for his first goal for the Essex club.

You could almost see the confidence drain from Beattie’s side after that and it was no surprise when the visitors doubled their lead just past the hour. It was another counter attack at pace that caused the problems - Hines this time returning the favour for Murphy to make it 2-0.

Beattie made all three substitutions - bringing on James Caton for his home debut, Kai Naismith and Gray – and it gave his side some impetus in the closing stages, but it was the Daggers who created the better opportunities. Hines came close to a second - firing over after good work from debutant Chris Dickson - before substitute Medy Elito headed wide from close range.

Stanley did give their fans something to cheer in the first minute of stoppage time when Lewington failed to hold a long range effort from Hatfield and Gray followed up to score, but it was not enough to prevent the Daggers moving to within two points a play-off place.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY – Bettinelli; Hunt (Caton 58), Aldred, Atkinson, Naylor; Murphy, Joyce, Miller(Naismith 70) , Hatfield; McCartan (Gray 78); Odejayi.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE - Lewington; Wilkinson, Connors (Illesanmi 76), Saah, Hoyte; Bingham, Ogogo, Howell; Hines, Obafemi (Elito 78), Murphy (Dickson 86).

REFEREE – M. Russell

ATTENDANCE: 1,833

Ozil off the mark as Arsenal crush Italian league leaders

ARSENAL 2 NAPOLI 0

By Ricky Butler at Emirates Stadium

ARSENAL conducted their Champions League business early last night as goals in the opening quarter of an hour from Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud made the ‘Group of Death’ look that little bit easier.

This victory over the previously-unbeaten Italian leaders, which make no mistake about it could have been by a much greater margin, made it two out of two in Group F and should not be under-estimated. Arsene Wenger’s side showed a quality and maturity which suggests they can become real contenders this season.

And in Ozil they have a very special talent. The first goal since his record-breaking transfer from Real Madrid last month was a thing of beauty. Giroud and man-of-the-moment Aaron Ramsey combined elegantly down the right after just six minutes but the Welshman’s cross still needed some finishing, and finish it Ozil did – first time, left-footed from 20 yards – giving Pepe Reina no chance.

Not content with that, the little German then created the second for Giroud, eight minutes later. Ozil headed straight for the right by-line and the French striker, who had started the move, burst into the six-yard box to fire into the roof of Reina’s net.

At this stage Arsenal looked as good as anyone in Europe. Napoli, in a strange camouflage kit, was shell-shocked as Wenger’s side showed all their new-found confidence. There cannot be many better players anywhere in the world at the moment than Ramsey and Ozil, and they were at the heart of everything. Meanwhile, in Giroud, the Gunners have a real outlet.

In fact it was the Frenchman who was the star of this particular show. It seems hard to believe now just how much he struggled at times last season as these days he looks the perfect centre forward. Running the channels and holding the ball up, Giroud even took on the role of Ozil early in the second period with a powerful run down the right. It would have been the assist of the season too had the returning Tomas Rosicky managed to apply the finishing touch.

But it mattered little in the end. With the job done, Arsenal eased off after the break but was still able to keep the Italians at arms length with relative ease. They could even have added a third in the closing stages when Reina somehow kept a close range effort from Laurnet Koscielny.

It is Koscielny's central defensive partnership with Per Metesacker that has slowly developed into one of the best in Europe, while in front of them, Mathieu Flamini is providing the extra security which has seen the club concede just six goals in their 10-match winning run since the opening day defeat by Aston Villa.

It is not often that so many players all reach their peak at the same time. The last time it happened at Arsenal was in the Invinsible’s season 10 years ago, but this group are showing they could be worthy successors.

The balance is right throughout the side and when you take into account the quality of the players currently out injured – Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – thoughts that the squad is not strong enough are soon dismissed.

Concerns remain over what would happen should Giroud pick up an injury, but a revitalised Nicklas Bendtner could do a job, while Podolski is another option when he returns in the next few weeks.

Wenger even had the luxury of resting Jack Wilshere last night as Rosicky was back from a hamstring injury, picked up on international duty. The 32-year old Czech has struggled with injury over the years but is still an important player when fit. He adds a new dimension to their attacking play with his electric change of pace and dribbling ability.

So while Ramsey and Ozil are rightly picking up all the plaudits, the glass is most certainly overflowing for Wenger at the moment. So much so in fact that the ‘Group of Death’ might just become a walk in the park. The forthcoming head-to-head with last year’s finalists Borussia Dortmund may well tell us more.

"This group still looks very tight," said Wenger at the whistle. "The key game will be us against Dortmund here in the next game. But winning is a nice habit to have.

"I am delighted, of course. It was a very enjoyable game with a fantastic first half, played with a great pace and belief. The second half was a bit more cautious and we played not to make a mistake."

On Ozil, the Arsenal boss said: "We are lucky to have got him. He just enjoys to play football and you can see that on the pitch. He has integrated quickly. He came in at a time where we are doing well and that has made it easier.

Asked if Flamini could be as influential a signing as Ozil, Wenger said: "He gives a balance to team and qualities that are needed for sure.

"Look, we are here to win trophies but there is along way to go. We have a good basis, we have good potential but lets just focus on the next game."

Arsenal; a force to be reckoned with both domestically and in Europe. Who’d have thought it.

Ozil-inspired Arsenal back on top

ARSENAL 3 STOKE CITY 1
by Ricky Butler at the Emirates Stadium

CRISIS-club Arsenal went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a comfortable victory over Mark Hughes' new-look Stoke side at the Emirates on Sunday.

And it was deadline day record signing - pass-master Mesut Ozil - who was the architect with another three assists as Arsene Wenger's side continue to confound the critics.

After a tough summer when many were questioning his future, Wenger has quietly assembled a very good group of players who finally look ready to end the much talked about trophy drought. The addition of Ozil could prove to be the final piece of the jigsaw.

The little German has played just two Premier League matches for the club but the king of the assist is top of the assist table with four to his credit already.

The squad is still a little short on numbers perhaps, although when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski, Tomas Rosicky and Santi Cazorla all return from injury, Arsenal will have an abundance of riches in attacking areas.

There was some good news for Wenger on the injury front however, with Mikel Arteta coming on for the final 12 minutes following a thigh injury that has kept him out since pre-season.

"He is a technical leader on the pitch so it is great to have him available again," said the Arsenal boss.

While the £42.5m signing of Ozil has captured the imagination, it may well be a returning Frenchman on a free who could prove to be Wenger's best piece of summer business.

Mathieu Flamini has slipped effortlessly back into the Gunners midfield, offering a solid base for the likes of Ozil, Jack Wilshere and in-form Aaron Ramsey to pull the strings further forward.

In fact it was Ramsey who profited from a 4th minute Ozil set piece to fire Arsenal ahead - his 7th goal of an incredible season.

Wilshere was fouled 25 yards from goal by Charlie Adam and when Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic could only push out the German's free kick, Ramsey arrived to fire home from six yards.

All credit to Hughes' side who are clearly trying to change their style this season. While still being combative in midfield, they are now playing a more measured, passing game and this was emphasised by their equaliser midway through the first half.

Steven Nzonzi exposed the apparent weakness at the heart of the Arsenal defence with a neat ball over the top which Marko Arnautovic turned onto the post. But full back Geoff Cameron, who had started the move by winning the ball on halfway and charging forward, finished it with a first time effort from 16 yards.

Wenger's side, looking leggy after their midweek Champions League exploits, could have buckled but they managed to rouse themselves again to regain the lead 10 minutes later. This time it was a corner delivery from Ozil that created the opportunity for compatriot Per Mertersacker to glance home a backwards header from 10 yards.

And it was that man Ozil again who made it a hat-trick of assists 20 minutes from time. Wilshere bought a foul from Jon Walters on the left side of the penalty area and Ozil's floated free kick was headed home by Bacary Sagna at the far post - his first goal in over 18 months. Three Arsenal goals from set-pieces against Stoke. Who would have thought it?

Wenger said: "It is unusual for us to score from set pieces, especially against a team like Stoke. But the delivery was the most important part of that.

"We have established a good run (since Aston Villa) and after a Champions League game it is very important to win, and we did it today.

"I think we had two halves; the first was fluent and the second half we looked jaded physically. In the end we lost our technical quality.

"But we have shown another aspect as well; that we can dig in and fight when we were under pressure.

"It's been a good week for us. We won in Marseille, we won in Sunderland and we won today so it has been a very positive week."

Stoke boss Hughes was not happy about the goals his side conceded. He said: "We are disappointed with the manner of the goals, we lost three goals to set plays and that's not something we usually do.

"And I don't think there are many occasions where Arsenal score from free-kicks or from balls into the box.

"We showed good courage to get on level terms, but their second goal was disappointing. In the second half we looked like we were the more likely to score but when they got a third it took the wind out of our sails."

Arsenal was thrown a last-minute curve ball with the withdrawal of abdominal-injury victim Theo Walcott just before kick off, giving 18-year old Serge Gnabry, the least known of Arsenal's four Germans, a first Premier League start.

Although the teenager looks another exciting prospect and showed some nice touches, he lacked the attacking thrust of the Englishman and as a result the Gunners attacking play often appeared pedestrian.

But thanks to the prompting of Ozil, they still had more than enough to seal a seventh win on the spin. Not bad for a club in crisis.

ARSENAL - Szczesny 6, Sagna 7, Mertersacker 7, Koscielny 7, Gibbs 7, Wilshere 6 (Monreal 6, 72), Flamini 7, RAMSEY 8, Gnabry 6( Miyachi 6, 72), Giroud 6, Ozil 7(Atreta 7, 79).

STOKE CITY - Begovic 7, Pieters 6 (Palacios 5, 66), Huth 6, Shawcross 6, Cameron 7, Arnautovic, 7 Wilson 7, Adam 5 (Ireland 5, 58), Nzonzi 7, Jones 5 (Pennant 5, 75), Walters 6.

REFEREE - M. Dean 7 - The sign of a good referee is that you rarely notice him and Dean went about his work with the minimum of fuss.

Opening home defeat not usually a bad thing for Arsenal

ARSENAL'S great form since the opening day home defeat by Aston Villa should not really have come as any great surprise. History shows that defeat in their opening home match of the season is usually the sign of a trophy-winning campaign for the Gunners.

Lets look at the facts. Since losing 2-1 at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the 1987-88 season, Arsenal have lost their first home match on four occasions and each time the club has gone on to lift a trophy.

In 1988-89, it was again Aston Villa who left Highbury with all three points in the first home match with a 3-2 success. But the season would see Arsenal crowned champions after the now infamous 2-0 last day win at Anfield.

The next time Arsenal would lose their opening home match was on the day first day of the Premier League in August 1992. Despite leading 2-0 at half time against Norwich City, Arsenal was on the wrong end of a 4-2 defeat in front of the mural, but the season ended with George Graham's side lifting both the League Cup and FA Cup - the first club ever to win that particular double.

The following 1993-94 season again began with a home defeat as a Mickey Quinn hat-trick gave Coventry a 3-0 success on the day the new North Bank stand opened. But the campaign ended in glory as Arsenal won the European Cup Winners Cup with victory over Parma in Copenhagen.

It would be another eight years before Arsenal would lose their opening home match again - Leeds United winning 2-1 at Highbury in August 2001. However, the season would end with the Gunners winning their third double after victories over Manchester United and Chelsea in the space of four days.

Since then, Arsenal have only once lost their opening home league match - Liverpool leaving the Emirates with a 2-0 victory in 2011. However, that was not the opening home match that season as Arsenal had beaten Udinese 1-0 in a Champions League qualifier four days earlier.

So if history is to repeat itself, Arsenal will be celebrating a long-awaited trophy success next May.

Can Giroud emulate Smith and fire Arsenal to title glory?

OLIVIER GIROUD'S fine start to the season has brought comparisons to former Arsenal great Alan Smith. Apart from sharing a similar playing style - tall, good in the air, great with their back to goal -  both also had very similar starts to their Arsenal careers.

Despite scoring a hat-trick against Portsmouth early in 1987-88, Smith failed to convince for much of his first season at Highbury. He could look cumbersome and awkward at times and many fans were left wondering if he really was much better than the much-maligned Niall Quinn, the striker he had been bought to replace.

In fact by Christmas 1987, Smith had been dropped to the bench in favour of the hapless Quinn. Yes, that was how badly he had been playing. However, a goal from bench at Portsmouth on New Year's Day 1988 signalled a change in fortune for Smith and by the end of the season, the former Leicester man had began to show exactly what he could do.

In the end, Smith finished his first campaign at Arsenal with 16 goals in all competitions, including one at Wembley in the Littlewoods Cup final defeat to Luton Town. But as the club chased a big-name striker throughout the summer of 1988, it appeared Smith's days could be numbered.

Giroud's first season at Arsenal proved to be very similar. He also took a while to settle and many fans were wondering if he was good enough. He could look cumbersome and awkward and found himself in and out of the side. But like Smith, it was an appearance from the bench around Christmas time that proved to be the turning point.

Giroud's two goals in the 7-3 win over Newcastle last December began a great run of form for the Frenchman and he ended his first season at the club with 17 goals in all competitions. Like Smith before him, however, many fans were left wondering if he really was the man to lead Arsenal to glory.

Arsenal spent the summer of 1988 chasing a striker and were close to splashing out a club record fee on West Ham's Tony Cottee. However, when the deal fell through and Cottee moved to Everton instead, Smith was thrown into the side for the league opener at Wimbledon.

Arsenal won 5-1 that day and Smith claimed a hat-trick. He would never look back. In fact he would score in each of the opening eight league matches as Arsenal went to the top of the table. Suddenly he had become the fulcrum of the attack and he would finish the season as the Golden Boot winner as Arsenal won their first league title in 18 years.

Fast-forward to the summer of 2013. Arsenal was again chasing a big name striker. Names like Higuain, Rooney and Suarez were all linked to the club but when they fell through, it was Giroud who began the season as Arsenal's centre forward.

And here we are four games into the campaign with the Frenchman having scored in each. He has become the fulcrum of the attack and it is now hard to imagine an Arsenal side without him in it. Of course it is still early days but I certainly would not bet against Giroud scoring the goals that lead to Arsenal ending another long title drought.

It has been said that a team are only good as its centre forward and back in 1988-89 that was certainly true for George Graham's Arsenal side - Smith scoring 23 times as they lifted the title. This season, will it be the goals of Giroud that will fire the Gunners to similar glory?

Giroud goal sees off big-spending Spurs

ARSENAL 1 SPURS 0
By Ricky Butler at the Emirates Stadium

A FIRST half goal of real quality from Olivier Giroud settled a tense North London derby at the Emirates on Sunday as Arsenal's miserly defence showed it is not necessarily about how much you spend.

Spurs, who have splashed out nearly £107m this summer, arrived on the back of four wins from four matches in all competitions this season, while Arsene Wenger's side, with only two free transfers brought in so far, had apparently been going through something of a crisis.

Not that you would have known it here as they produced a display of real grit and determination to show that money cannot buy this kind of team spirit. In fact it was the sort of performance that used to be synonymous with the club - 1-0 to the Arsenal.

Of course this result will not have changed Wenger's need to bring in new recruitments ahead of today's transfer deadline, but perhaps things are not quite as bad in this part of North London as many would have you believe.

This crucial and hard fought victory was achieved with a threadbare squad too. Already depleted by injuries to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Vermaelen, Wenger's plans were further disrupted by illness to Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere.

While the England midfield man was considered fit enough to start, he did not make it to half time before being replaced by Wenger's most recent signing, the returning Mathieu Flamini - on a free transfer of course.

But despite conceding far more possession at the Emirates than they usually do, make no mistake about it, Arsenal fully deserved this victory.

After a bright start in which Santi Cazorla had twice threatened with free kicks, the Gunners were forced back by a Spurs side who looked determined not to suffer a third successive 5-2 defeat on the ground of their bitter rivals.

It was therefore no real surprise that when the goal arrived - midway through the first half - it was scored on the counter attack. Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey combined with Tomas Rosicky, who fed Theo Walcott down the right.

With Michael Dawson playing him onside, the England winger advanced towards the bye-line before drilling a low cross into the six yard box for the late-arriving Giroud to stab home with the outside of his left foot.

With talk of a big-money striker arriving, the Frenchman has now scored four goals in five matches this season and is really starting to look the part.

Arsenal could now relax and Walcott was denied by Hugo Lloris as Wenger's side looked for some breathing space before the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with the visitors dominating possession but playing mainly in front of an Arsenal defence that looked strong and organised, and the visitors rarely threatened Wojciech Szczesny's goal.

In fact it was the Gunners who came closest to a second when only a fine save from Lloris denied his compatriot Giroud after another rapid counter-attack.

Arsenal came under an inevitable Spurs onslaught in the final 10 minutes and Szczesny had to be at his best to keep out a deflected effort from substitute Jermain Defoe.

But that was as close as Andre Villas-Boas' side came to preserving their unbeaten start and it was the much-maligned Wenger who was celebrating at the final whistle.

The Arsenal boss said: "In the end we had to hang on because we could not score the second goal. It was a very intense game but overall I feel we deserved it as their goalkeeper was their best player.

"We have had some very intense games in the last two weeks and we had to dig deep to win in the end."

When asked about the form of Giroud, Wenger said: "Last year, he came to a new league which is a level up and he had to adapt. Now in his second season he is more comfortable and you can see from his movement and technique how much he has improved."

"He is a fantastic guy with a great charisma and he was a real leader on the pitch today."

Villas Boas, meanwhile, felt his side were a little unfortunate to come away from the Emirates empty-handed again. He said: "It was very tight in the first half and they had one or two opportunities but I thought the second half was very, very strong from us.

"I thought we deserved something in the end. Arsenal was more clinical in front of goal but I thought a draw would have been a fair result."

There was more bad news for the Spurs boss last night when it was revealed that Real Madrid had finally completed the signing of Gareth Bale for a world record fee of 100m Euros.

ARSENAL - Szczesny 7, Jenkinson 6, Mertesacker 8, Koscielny 8, Gibbs 7, Ramsey 8, Wilshere 5 (Flamini 43, 7), Rosicky 7 (Monreal 78, 6) Cazorla 8, Walcott 7 (Sagna 90), GIROUD 9.

SPURS - Lloris 8, Walker 6, Dawson 5, Vertonghen 6, Rose 7, Dembele 6 (Defoe 67, 6), Paulinho 6, Capoue 6 (Sandro 73, 6), Chadli 7, Townsend 7 (Lamela 73, 6), Soldado 5.

REFEREE - M Oliver 7

ATTENDANCE: 60.071

Arsenal and big name signings - a potted history

I HAVE never understood this obsession with the transfer window. Perhaps being an Arsenal fan I have just got used to the fact that we are never going to make the big, exciting signings of clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United.

In fact since I first started supporting the club back in the late 1970s, I can count on one hand the number of really big name signings we have made. So why would anyone think this year will be any different.

The first big signing I can recall was back in the summer of 1976. Terry Neill had just taken over as manager, from Spurs of all places, and he wanted to make a big impression. He certainly did just that with the signing of Malcolm MacDonald from Newcastle.

 

Malcolm MacDonald scored 29 in his first season at Highbury

At the time Super Mac was one of best strikers in the country and it was a great coup for the club. He went on to score 29 goals that season as Neill began building a side that would reach three consecutive FA Cup finals by the turn of the decade. Unfortunately Super Mac was forced to retire in 1979 due to a serious knee injury and missed the FA Cup success that year.

The early 1980s saw our best players depart (sound familiar?) and we were crying out for another signing to get excited about. The summer of 1982 brought one - Tony Woodcock. The former Nottingham Forest striker arrived from Cologne in a bid to fill the void left by the departure of Frank Stapleton a year earlier.

Tony Woodcock running at the Man. United defence in 1983

He was certainly a big name player at the time and a player I had always admired from his Forest days. He was a success on the pitch too, scoring 21 goals in his first season, and 23 in his second. But he could not inspire the team to glory and left four years later having won nothing with the club.

The following summer bought an even bigger arrival. Charlie Nicholas had scored over 50 goals for Celtic in the 1982-83 season and he was the hottest property in British football that summer. But he snubbed Manchester United and Liverpool to come to Highbury. There is no doubt this was a massive signing for the club at the time and excitement was at fever pitch as the season began.

Charlie Nicholas, who never lived up to the hype but always had nice hair

But Nicholas took time to settle and his lack of goals, just 3 by Christmas, contributed to the sacking of Neill in December. Nicholas quickly became the fans favourite but there is no doubt that he failed to live up to the hype on the pitch. His 2 goals that won the Littlewoods Cup in 1987 apart, he often flattered to deceive and left in 1988 as one of football's great wasted talents.

The signing of Nicholas was the last really exciting arrival until that of Ian Wright, 8 years later. Wrighty had come to prominence with 2 goals for Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup final and we were all thrilled when George Graham completed the signing in September 1991.

Wrighty doing what he did best - celebrating another goal

However, his arrival coincided with the decline of the team that had won the title the previous season, and although Wrighy's goals helped us win the domestic cup double in 1993 and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1994, the team became far too reliant on him. Of course he did end up breaking the club's goal-scoring record in 1997 and left a hero after helping us win the double in 1998.

All those signings paled into insignificance in the summer of 1995 however, when not only did England captain David Platt arrive, but also Dennis Bergkamp. This remains the biggest and most exciting signing we have ever made. Bergkamp was a superstar of world football at the time and I remember looking on in disbelief when I saw the pictures of him in an Arsenal shirt on the back page of the Daily Mirror whilst on holiday that summer.

The picture that got me so excited - Dennis Bergkamp in an Arsenal shirt

This turned out to be not only the best signing in the clubs history but possibly in the history of English football as well. Quite simply, Bergkamp was the greatest footballer I had ever seen. Technically he was flawless and he inspired the team to seven major trophies in his 11 years at Highbury. The word legend is used too easily these days but it sums up Bergkamp perfectly.

Since then however, the nearest we have come to genuine big name signings are those of Andrey Arshavin in 2009 and Lukas Podolski last summer. Arshavin had been the star of Euro 2008 and was certainly an exciting arrival. At first he did not disappoint with a series of amazing performances (like the 4-goal haul at Anfield) but it soon went wrong and he left the club this summer after nearly two years in the wilderness.

The jury is still out on Podolski. As a German international of over 100 caps, there is no doubt he was a big name when he arrived, although most of us did not feel that pang of excitement we did for say Nicholas or Bergkamp.

Lukas Podolski, the latest big name signing

I believe he could yet become one of our best ever signings, although I guess there is also a chance he could become the new Arshavin given Arsene Wenger's insistence on playing him on the wing.

So in conclusion, Arsenal rarely sign big names players and when they have done so it has rarely had the desired effect. Bergkamp and Wright apart, the others failed to win a single trophy with the club and were unable to significantly inspire those around them. It has always been the lesser known signings who have shone at Arsenal - Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie etc. so perhaps this time next year we will all be singing the praises of a certain Yaya Sanogo.



Yaya Sanogo - the new Thierry Henry??

With the start of the season less than four days away, that is what I will be trying to convince myself anyway.

Carver and Mingoia give Stanley shock Riverside success

CAPITAL ONE CUP 1ST ROUND
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2
By Ricky Butler at The Riverside Stadium

GOALS at the end of each half from teenager striker Marcus Carver and Piero Mingoia gave Accrington Stanley a shock Capital One Cup victory at the Riverside last night.

But it was only the heroics of goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin that ensured the League Two side held off a late Middlesbrough rally to take their place in the 2nd Round draw.

Stanley boss James Beattie made three changes to the side that had been beaten 4-1 three days earlier at Newport in the Skybet League Two opener and they responded in magnificent style as they came from behind to knock out the Championship side.

“It's a great feeling,” said the former Blackburn, Southampton and England striker. “I said to the lads in the dressing room to enjoy all the plaudits you are going to get and then focus your minds on Saturday (against Portsmouth) which is another massive game."

As for match winner Mingoia, who just a few weeks ago was without a club and facing an uncertain future, it showed the fickle nature of the game.

He said: “That sums up football really. I didn’t even know where I would be a few weeks ago but thankfully Accrington and the gaffer gave me a chance and I just want to give everything to repay the trust they shown in me.

“The boys are over the moon. We had a feeling there could be an upset tonight and we managed to do it.”

Inevitably Stanley found themselves under pressure from the start – Dunbavin called into action to deny Marvin Emnes inside three minutes - but they almost grabbed a shock 6^th minute lead.

Peter Murphy did well down the right and when his cross found Michael Richardson at the far post, the Newcastle loanee’s first time effort was kept out by Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler. The danger was not quite over as the loose ball fell to Michael Liddle but he fired over the top with his weaker right foot.

However, it was the Championship side that went in front three minutes later. The Stanley defence failed to clear a corner from the right and Jozsef Varga headed on for Lukas Jutkiewicz to round Dunbavin and slot home.

And it was nearly 2-0 moments later when only a brave last-ditch challenge from the outstanding Tom Aldred denied Jutkiewicz a second at the far post.

But Stanley were surprisingly level five minutes before the break thanks to a first senior goal from 19 year-old Carver.

A long throw from the right by Nicky Hunt found the head of the teenager at the near post, and despite the best efforts of Middlesbrough defenders Justin Hoyte and Rhys Williams, the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line.

The second half saw a succession of last ditch blocks from the heroic Stanley defence as the hosts were restricted to mainly long range efforts from Grant Leadbitter.

Beattie threw on striker James Gray – born up the road in Yarm - and winger Shay McCartan in a bid to win it in normal time and it paid dividends nine minutes from the end. Will Hatfield’s corner from the right was flicked on by Aldred and the ball fell invitingly for Mingoia to drill an unstoppable shot past Leutwiler from 12 yards with the aid of a slight deflection.

It was backs-to-the-wall stuff for Stanley after that as Boro threw everything at them. But Dunbavin performed more heroics to deny Ben Gibson, Adam Reach, Leadbitter and Varga to complete a great night for Beattie and his troops.

“It is a great place to come and play," said the Stanley boss at the whistle. "I told the lads that passion overcomes logic and if there was going to be a shock this evening, I wanted it to be here at The Riverside.

“The spirit we have created in the dressing room has built up from the run we had at the end of last season. Middlesbrough threw everything at us but we were magnificent in the second phase of play and that has got us the result.

“A few more performances like this and I can see it being a couple of years before I go grey.”

Beleaguered Boro manager Tony Mowbray was philosophical about his side’s defeat.

He said: “They defended exceptionally well and have scored from two set plays. You can have all the ball in the world but if you don’t take your chances you can get punished and that is what has happened tonight.

“We started pretty well and could have scored 2 or 3 times before we took the lead but we have to take it on the chin and move on.

“We went along way in this competition last year with no benefit, and it probably cost us with the number of games we played, so we’ll put it behind us and move on.”

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2) – Leutwiler 6, Hoyte 5, Williams(R) 6, Gibson 7, Friend 5, Leadbitter 6, Varga 6, Ledesma 5 (Main 72, 5), Carayol 5, Jutkiewicz 6 (Reach 72, 5), Emnes 5 (Williams(L) 78, 5) . Subs not used – Steele, Halliday, Whitehead, Smallwood.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY (4-2-3-1) – Dunbavin 9, Hunt 7, Aldred 9, Atkinson 8, Liddle 8, Clark 6 (McCartan 70, 6), Richardson 8, Murphy 7, Hatfield 8, Mingoia 8 (Wilson 90, n/a), Carver 8 (Gray 70, 6). Subs not sued – Joyce, Winnard, Miller, Windass.

REFEREE: Scott Duncan.

ATTENDANCE: 6,774