The Arsenal Way

It's a special thing to be able to watch your team's first game of the season. And to top that, I watched the lads do it The Arsenal Way. Unfortunately, this meant that the Gunners would trail first, create about 173 chances that do not bear fruit, before killing off their adversaries in the last ten minutes of the game. But hey, I'm not complaining - we won 2-1. Arsenal is the most resilient team in the EPL and I'm proud to be wearing the red-and-white.

The traveling Fulham fans were loud and energetic this afternoon. And why shouldn't they be? A Jens Lehmann blunder gifted debutant Healy with an early opener - Clichy had lightly brush the ball to Lehmann, but our German miskicked and literally passed the ball to Healy. Within a minute of the whistle, the Cottagers were a goal to the good.Hleb was inspirational as he tapped around midfield dazzling his markers. Our Belarusian had a genuine claim for a penalty in the 10th minute after being tripped by Baird, but the official of the day, Dowd, waved his appeals away.

The best new Arsenal pairing, Sagna and Eboue, were impressive and would produce a series of short and precise one-twos which drove the Fulham defence giddy.The first came in the 13th minute and the eventual cross found Tomas Rosicky, but he finished wide. The duo then set up Hleb just five minutes later. This time the effort was blocked.

Warner, who was a surprise starter (Niemi injured himself during warm up), was well fenced by his defensive line until a Rosicky shot crept through from outside the box in the 35th minute. Warner would make a number of impressive stops in the course of the 90 minutes, but this was the first.

In the 40th minute, Cesc drilled one of his famous defence-splitting passes to Robin van Persie. Turning well, Van Persie headed towards goal before laying it off for Hleb. Hleb's shot was parried away well by Warner. The ball fell to Van Persie who attempted to sneak it into the near post, but the alert Warner was once again there to turn the shot away. The keeper also palmed away a similar shot by Tomas Rosicky two minutes later.

Lehmann obviously did not have a good start to the season, but despite his slip, he did make several stops against Smertin, Healy and Davies in the first period. Arsenal as always, had the lion's share of possession, but had not found their just reward as yet. While Fulham played well and managed hold on to their lead, it was frustrating to see a team start to waste time as soon as they took the lead. Which, I should remind you, meant that their theatrics begun from the first minute of play. This continued throughout the second half much to the disgust of the fans.

Arsenal never stopped searching for their equaliser and early in the second period, Rosicky almost found it as he raced into a one-on-one with the keeper. Tomas did well, but Warner did better to block his efforts. Arsenal's defence had been suspicious for the first 45, but it continue to scare the hack out of me in the second. Some slack defending saw Davies fire another shot off in the 48th minute, but Lehmann, making up for his early lapse, palmed it away comfortably.

Yet another penalty claim was turned down in the 51st minute when Robin van Persie was fell by Warner. Fulham themselves were denied a two-goal lead when Dempsey (on for Bouazza in the 46th) missed a sitter.

As the clocked ticked into the final 10 minutes, the Fulham fans were singing and basking in the prospect of getting their first three points of the season. Kolo Toure then dashed their hopes when he surged into the box, forcing an error off Bocanegra. Dowd pointed to the spot this time and Robin tucked it away with grace.There was then a little scuttle in the Fulham box when the visitors would not give the ball back to resume play. The gallant Fabregas went head to head with the big boys and made his point before reclaiming the ball. When are teams going to learn that time-wasting against Arsenal will do them no good?

Hleb, who had been denied many times already would make his final strike of the game the most memorable. Exhibiting good control and composure, Alex shimmied towards the 12-yard area before belting his winner past Warner. The home crowd went wild.I guess you can't call it the PERFECT start to the season, but I'll happily take the three points. The lads played outstandingly especially Fabregas, Clichy, Sagna, Eboue, Flamini and Hleb. The opposing fans can call us cheats or sing Henry's name in an effort to taunt us (oh yes they did), but Arsenal makes a point like no other and Fulham is just the first to be outplayed by the mighty Gunners.

Sorry you couldn't be here Baby!