Barnet Musings

I sat through the Barnet game on TV on Saturday. It was utterly pointless for the most part, but it was good to see some footy for a change rather than reading crap in the papers about players.

First impression is the new strip. Its not terrible, but the absence of white on the sleeves is very noticeable from the back. It really does look like a Charlton strip. However, its probably the best home strip we have had for a while.

AW used 24 players (I think), changing the entire XI at half time and a couple more during the second half. The first half was supposed to be the stronger one for us, with Clichy, Sagna, Hoyte, Denilson, Bendtner and Walcott all starting. However, the less said about it the better. Aaron Ramsey (pictured) looked our best player by a mile, comfortable on the ball and a good passer. Of the kids who played in the first half, it was clearly asking a bit much of them, but Henri Lansbury on the right probably just shaded Armand Traore on the left. But lets not get over-excited. We were 1-0 at half time and had barely created a chance.

The real kids came on second half. I didn't know all the players - Arsenal.com lists them for you here. However, most of them clearly know how to play a bit and looked far sharper overall than their more illustrious colleagues. However, Barnet had also made wholesale changes and their second string is obviously far weaker. The goals came from Jay Simpson and Nacer Barazite, but the noteworthy performances came from Paul Rodgers at centre back, who looked solid, and Jack Wilshere in midfield, who does justify the hype he is already getting and is definitely one for the future.