“In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love; they had five hundred years of democracy and peace and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.”

Orson Welles, The Third Man, 1949

Is controversy and change what Italian football needs right now? Because that’s probably what it will be getting. The prospective break-away will shape the future of Italian football, having suffered many twists and turns over the past few years, from corruption to fan violence. Will it rise out from the dark and produce the goods on the big stage as other Italians have done in the past?

In an attempt to emulate the success of the 1992 Premier league formation, Serie A is set to break away from Serie B. Realising how the English top division has prospered through the ability to negotiate its own television deal and how it has become the most lucrative competition in the world, the top Italian division is looking to bring more money into the division to enable it to compete on a level playing field with the other top football leagues.

The major factor in the move is the disagreement with Serie B over television rights, with a final offer of 65 million euros, but second tier clubs are widely expected to refuse that deal in a meeting later this week. Serie B clubs have struggled with a lack of a television deal last year and falling attendances but feel the money offered does not represent value. In comparison to England’s Coca Cola Championship, the Italian league is not even close in terms of money, while attendances are also much higher in England, despite inflation ticket prices, with QPR pricing some seats at a landmark £50 recently.

In February 1992, the old Division One broke away from the English League in a bid to compete with foreign opposition, with Serie A the leading competition in world football at the time. The clubs decided to sell the rights to BSkyB, a move which proved correct over time, and raked in the pound notes, with even more profitable deals being negotiated until present day for broadcasting rights at home and abroad. Unsurprisingly the competition seems as healthy as ever, with 50% of the television income split among the clubs, while another 25% depends on the number of broadcast matches a club is involved in. The final quarter is determined on merit, with Manchester United earning up to £50m last season for winning the title.

While there is a disagreement between the top tiers of Italian football, another issue is the fragile situation concerning how television money is split. With 26 of the 30 million (87%) football supporters supporting one of the ‘Big Three’ sides (Juventus, AC and Inter), there is little left for the other sides. The household names negotiate their own deals, earning huge sums in the process. This means roughly three quarters of the league, excluding Lazio and Roma, have an income of up to 10 times less then their rivals. The huge gulf in monetary terms subsequently causes another one in footballing quality. It does not help that Inter and AC Milan both have billionaire owners backing their cause.

If Serie A is to compete with its rivals, a joint deal much first be made to increase internal competition to help more sides break the stranglehold over the Scudetto. After all, money from European competition, gives the big clubs an advantage anyway, and to promote Serie A, this has to be done. After the Calciopoli scandal, and the emigration of Italian international abroad after the 2006 World Cup success, the popularity of the league was at an all time low. But with big names returning, it has undertaken a renaissance. With Jose Mourinho arriving in the black and blue half of the San Siro, the media have gone into overdrive, with the Portuguese manager criticising Claudio Ranieri amongst others before boasting of his annual salary of 14 million euros. On the other side, the Rossoneri have brought in fading superstar Ronaldinho. The name alone drove season ticket sales through the roof.

Other sides seem to be building on youth to compete, with Napoli and Fiorentina prime examples. Young talents such as Hamsik and Lavezzi signal a different approach to bridge the financial chasm in the league between the big sides and the chasing pack. Juventus have returned and should give a challenge for the title this time around, despite currently languishing in mid-table. Even if the Serie A revolution goes through, Europe now remains a number of years away. With England emerging as a major rival, even if the Italians can compete on a fiscal level, in footballing terms, their teams have been comprehensively beaten by the youth and pace that typifies English football.

Arsenal and Liverpool beat both Milan sides with ease, and they weren’t even the strongest sides in the league. That honour went to European Champions Manchester United and runners up Chelsea. Roma lost once again to Manchester United in last season’s competition, a year after losing 7-1 in the quarter final at Old Trafford. This year they face Chelsea in the Group Stage. If the idea of the big clubs is to bridge the European gap, which already seems huge, despite an Italian side winning Europe’s premier competition just in 2007, then they may be mistaken.

The Milan owner Berlusconi, now serving his fourth term as Prime Minister of Italy, doesn’t seem to be a fan of a shared television deal. In 2006, before he was defeated in the general election, he refused to pass legislation which would make such an agreement become reality. The action prompted Maurizio Zamparini, president of Sicilian team Palermo, to speak his mind, upon seeing Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party refuse to sanction the deal.

“Democracy doesn’t exist in Italy. All there is is a group of powerful clubs that try to get their hands on something that will suit them and help them win for the next few years. We are constantly reinforcing the power of the big clubs at the expense of the smaller ones.”

The controversial president with a penchant for going through managers like a serial womanizer had a point. If the Italian league is going to reach its previous heights, maybe corruption and internal warfare is not what the game needs, irrespective of what similar conditions in the nations’ past produced. Orson Welles’ character Harry in the 1949 film may have had a point but it isn’t relevant for modern Italy and its football.

The decision later this week will be pivotal for the European game. And more importantly, more money will be pumped into the game. As if it needed it.

Philippe Auclair recently claimed in an interview with Gooner Talk that UEFA president gives him ‘the mental equivalent of a nappy rash’. The music producer-turned-football journalist voiced an opinion as to what most think. The outspoken Frenchman he referred to has an altruistic view of the world’s biggest sport and has the power to make his vision come true. But are his ideals totally driven by this pure vision or is there a monetary reason behind the dream? Will he ‘kill’ football as he accuses others of doing so?

His idea of increasing the number of teams in the UEFA European Championships from 16 to 24 can only be described as baffling. Having witnessed one of the finest footballing spectacles in recent years, Platini decided to increase the number of sides in the competition. Most fans realise the World Cup lacks the quality of a smaller tournament, with mediocre sides qualifying for the 32 man finals. These teams adopt a defensive mentality and lower the quality of attacking football. Therefore why allow these sides an easier path to the biggest stage?

It would be more difficult to find a host which would support an even greater number of sides for a few weeks in the summer. If the idea is to rejuvenate poorer countries such as Poland and the Ukraine, it isn’t working. These sides formerly of the Soviet bloc are struggling to have the infrastructure in place for sixteen sides in time for 2012, so how could they do so for twenty four teams? Obviously, a larger number of sides mean more matches, and so more revenue from television and tickets. Not to mention the amount of advertising and business partners UEFA accumulates when the time of the main event arrives.

This money-motivated agenda continued with Platini announcing a new format for the second tier European club competition. The UEFA Cup is already bloated despite Platini’s assurances:

 “The new format will give the UEFA Europa League a successful new impetus”

Most realise that this apparent urge to give more fans a taste of European club football is just a ploy to gather more money by the executives at UEFA. The recent Champions League final included Manchester United and Chelsea, whereas the UEFA Cup involved Glasgow Rangers and Zenit St. Petersburg. Which game do you think had the bigger draw?

UEFA can rebrand the tournament as many times as they like, but the fact remains the same. It will remain a second tier competition as long as the Champions League exists. After these business-based actions, Platini has no leg to stand on in criticising Arsene Wenger for a similar attitude. The long-serving Arsenal boss was attacked by his countryman who seemed to be on an agenda. The hypocritical UEFA president spoke of Wenger only wanting:

“To talk about football, he (Wenger) only cares about business. We must shut up with Wenger and everything. He is an extremely selfish person.”

How ironic considering his recent actions to make UEFA even wealthier. The Euro 1984 winner was a wonderful playmaker but as a politician he is fast losing his highly esteemed reputation.

 It was always going to be billed Lionel Messi against Sergio Aguero. It was Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in what was the biggest game of the weekend all across Europe. Both players have been burdened with that tag.

Yes, they’ve both been compared el Diego. What doesn’t help the hype is Aguero shacking up with Maradona’s youngest daughter Gianina, who is pregnant with their first child. While Roberto Gomez of Marca may dream of the possibility of offspring with out-of-this-world footballing ability combining the genes of both, the Rojiblancos will be intent on mounting a title challenge to keep hold of and match the ambitions their Romario-esque superstar.

Messi has been busy saving Barcelona once more, having scored twice off the bench midweek in Donetsk. The Catalan outfit seems more focussed on the task at hand, unlike last year, but the constant changes in formation and tactics from rookie coach Josep Guardiola, has caused a lack of consistency. There were several talking points other than Iniesta’s haircut in the opening minutes. Barcelona were rampant.

This was the side that won the Champions League in 2006 and not the one that stuttered to a trophy-less season last year. The home side had three set pieces and profited greatly from each one. Messi was instrumental in two of the goals. First Rafael Marquez glanced home at the near post, then Messi himself was fouled, with Eto’o sending Coupet the wrong way from the spot. Finally Messi curled home a quick free-kick, with consent from the referee.

The Nou Camp crowd were chanting ‘ole’ after eleven minutes; such was the shock of their barnstorming start. Yet, inspirational captain Maxi Rodriguez took advantage of cantera product Sergi Busquets’ error to curl home a sumptuous effort. Was it game on? Not if Samuel Eto’o had anything to do with it.

The striker, who had an uncertain future during the summer, seems to be paying back the fans with some very determined performances. He chested down Xavi’s floated pass turned Ujfalusi inside out and slotted home with the ’keeper committed. While Barcelona celebrated a breathtaking start, Atletico’s anguish was compounded with an injury to Maxi. 4-1 and game over.

Liverpool fans must have been enjoying the total confusion in the Madrid side’s backline, certain that Torres would be able to exploit the positional errors in his former side’s defence. Kun Aguero was anonymous with one attempt to do it all himself blocked by the Barca defence, but all the action was at the other end.

One spectator commented upon the game comparing the six goals scored over four games in the Premier League earlier today with this game itself. Six goals in only 28 minutes, it was unbelievable attacking and shambolic defending which made it impossible to look away. Iniesta drove at the defence, cut in and shot. His effort bounced off the near post and fell into the path of Eidur Gudjonsen who tucked it home.

The efforts continued with Iniesta curling a shot onto the post. The rebound fell to Messi, who dragged his shot wide, with Eto’o attempting to head it in. On a night like this, you couldn’t blame him. Yet there was a sour note, as Antonio Lopez brought down Messi, who had a noticeable gash on his thigh. He was booked for this terrible tackle – he should have been sent off. Xavi then danced down the right flank and cut back for Gudjonsen whose shinned effort blazed wide. Messi was through the middle twice inside a minute, bearing down on goal, but he clipped his first effort wide, while Heitinga remembered his job as a central defender and made a fine recovery tackle. It was a high point for the Dutchman on a night of new lows.

The one notable chance was unsurprisingly created by Aguero, who skipped past four Barcelona challenges and floated a ball to the far post, where Luis Garcia cut in, but his touch let him down. It could have been 10 goals for the Blaugrana, such was their dominance. While Barcelona were at their free-flowing best, they were aided by the ineptitude of the referee, who was unable to display who was on the receiving end of the numerous yellow cards he brandished.

This caused much confusion, with one of Ujfalusi or Lopez being on two yellow cards but still playing on the pitch. Another who was in the mood to confuse views was Javier Aguirre who started a centre back at right back and a full back in the middle. The Mexican then brought on a defensive midfielder with a penchant for the nightlife in Ever Banega for a frustrated Aguero. The midfielder made several dirty tackles with one elbow on Busquets revealing a unsporting side of the youngster.

Samuel Eto’o was brought off to a standing ovation, with £16.1m replacement Thierry Henry joining the part. But the Frenchman’s luck (or lack of) in Spain continued, as he lost possession easily with his first touch and then was unfortunate to be booked. Messi had one last part to play before he was taken off for Bojan. The diminutive playmaker controlled a pass at an awkward height, flicked the ball around his marker, and ran past him, before sliding in Gudjonsen, whose curled effort was caught by Coupet.

The Spanish tabloids will have no doubt made extra column inches for the Argentinean attacker’s performance. Despite a poor start, Henry received a spectacular lift. A wonderful, incisive passing move involving Xavi and Bojan set up the Frenchman to rifle home from the edge of the box. Bojan tried to get into the act but scuffed his shot wide. The most impressive showing was how the ‘full court pressing’ game continued throughout the ninety minutes with each player determined to make an impression.

Last season, Aguero embarrassed Barcelona scoring twice in a 4-2 victory. It was the crowning moment in a season in which the Argentine was named player of the season, having scored 19 goals and led Atletico back to the Champions League. This time Messi outshone his international strike partner and Barcelona stated their intentions for the rest of the season. Due to the fixtures, every side has to play the top four consecutively. Atletico at least have the Madrid derby to bounce back in. No? I didn’t think so. As we move into another mind numbing international break, Barcelona displayed a blueprint on how football should be played. It ended 6-1 to Barcelona.

Tomorrow Real Madrid plays Espanyol in the second game between the two cities. With Los Blancos in imperious form as well, could there be another goal fest? For this season so far, La Liga has had an edge in terms of entertainment over its rivals. Let us hope it continues.

Player loyalty is a trait lost among the piles of £50 notes which so many of today’s footballers live in. Once that first big wage comes into their account, the alienation process begins. The footballer isn’t still a local lad from the same background as his fans, but instead a new man. He moves to a suburb, away from his roots and becomes totally immersed in a world of materialism, models and money. Yet, as we all know, there are a few players, who still remain exceptions to the rule.

Names such as Paolo Maldini, Raul and (horrible) pundit Mark Lawrenson’s favourite duo, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, still embody the ideals of loyalty and badge before wealth. There is a thin line in terms of loyalty and its opposite, which can be blurred on occasion, as Frank Lampard showed us this summer. Pining for a move to Inter Milan in a bid to be reunited with his old boss Jose Mourinho, Lampard eventually set his heart on a stay having been persuaded by a five year deal and £150,000 a week. Throughout this summer, we were entertained by shallow footballers, flaunting their desire to join another club, yet upon failing to realise their dream of doubling their wages, return, put out reassuring quotes in the media, and of course doing everyone’s favourite act – kissing the badge. This is not just about Emmanuel Adebayor and Cristiano Ronaldo. While they may dream of AC Milan or Real Madrid, money is the motivating factor and is secondary to little else.

Yet a footballing heaven is the dream for a number of players. Joseba Etxeberria is one of these. The winger has remained in the Basque country for his entire footballing career and his ties to Atletico Bilbao are so strong that the loyal player has signed a one year extension with an enormous weekly wage of £0 a week. In a side where nearly all the players derive from the Basque state, the ‘cantera’ policy of the club and team selection suggests that this idea will be very well received. That’s the difference between Frank Limper’s loyalty and that of someone like Exteberria. Despite having claimed a letter from a fan changed his mind, during the unfortunate passing of his mother, a £10,000 per week increase in the contract offer with the addition of another year may have been the deciding factor.

Rarely do we see those who are motivated by money thrive elsewhere. Many speak of a curse following those who depart Arsenal on acrimonious terms. Nicolas Anelka had his head turned by the interest of Real Madrid and left for £23m in 2000. Since then, he is the most expensive player in world football, but has become a journeyman in terms of his performances on the pitch. Only at Bolton did he threaten to blossom into the player Arsenal fans dreamt he would over 10 years ago. There are examples all over the world, such as Rafael Sobis, once rated the next big thing, had stagnated badly and departed to the UAE, where at least he’ll secure his financial future albeit in a league of very poor sporting standards.

Others lose their innocence and joy for the game once seeing dollar signs in front of their eyes. Ronaldinho of Barcelona from 2003-6 was the greatest player on the planet. Then an addiction to the nightlife made him a shadow of the player he was. Sure the ‘fat’ jibes didn’t help, but on the whole it was his fault. Only now, having signed for AC Milan, earning roughly £6 million a year, is he showing glimpses of the world’s best player. Others make poor career choices, with Mauro Zarate initially moving to Qatar for a huge contract, but regretting his decision and leaving desperately on loan, now he is flourishing at Lazio with 6 goals in 5 games.

Yet others have different principles. Homegrown players from clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and even Bilbao, have an undying loyalty to their club. Carlos Puyol is living the Catalan schoolboy’s dream in captaining his dream side, while the triumvirate of Raul, Guti and Iker Casillas have remained with Los Blancos since the beginning of their careers. It does help being (deservedly) paid on par with the biggest foreign stars though. Paolo Maldini has been at the peak of the game for roughly twenty years winning a number of European Cups and Serie A titles but never loses the motivation to win. This mentality stops the attractiveness of money affecting him and he provides a perfect role model for many young footballers. In being the captain of the club for such a long time, he has accumulated respect for displaying traits which all players should. Compare this attitude to that of Ashley Cole, who claimed to have aspirations of becoming Arsenal captain, but nearly ‘swerved off the road’ upon hearing of a £5,000 per week decrease from his original contract offer. Aside from admitting dangerous driving and use of a phone in his hand whilst driving, he also confirmed his appetite for the pound.

Etxeberria may not have been at one club all his life, having made seven appearances for Real Sociedad whilst a youngster, but this gesture is brilliant. The former Spain international and current Bilbao captain stated “I wanted to do this gesture but never did I want to set a precedent.” Hopefully he does indeed do so. The game is so full of money that essentially the England captain earns roughly in a week what the Prime Minister earns in a year.

Huge rises ticket prices have killed the almost religious following from the working class fans, whilst laughably many of these millionaires claim that they need a rise to secure their financial futures, stupidly unaware that the current economic climate makes it far worse for the average man in the street. We should be glad Joseba Etxeberria has done this, and hopefully others of similar high regard in world football take notice and do the same.

Bar the English interest, this was the pick of the ties for the second match-day in the Champions League. The UEFA Cup and Super Cup holders face the Spanish Champions, with a plethora of big names on either side. The big news was the absence of Club legend and Champions league record goal-scorer Raul Gonzalez, with Gonzalo Higuain stepping in as he has done recently.

Within the opening 2 minutes, a Ruud Van Nistlerooy cross reached Higuain, whose powerful header was tipped over the bar by Malafeev. It was a sign of things to come in an opening and exciting match. Very soon after this warning, Van Der Vaart slid ball across the box and Hubocan, the Slovakian defender, knocked it in with Van Nistlerooy lurking. Robben then caused danger by playing the ball to the strikers, and it broke loose for Van Nistlerooy, but his shot was blocked by a last ditch lunge.

On 10 minutes, Robben beat two men and reached the by-line. He crossed low across the box, but fortunately for Zenit, the ball was cut out for a corner. The Zenit players didn’t seem to move out of their box quickly or press well, despite their reputation as a well drilled unit. Los Blancos were playing their best football of the season in the opening 15 minutes, with Zenit shell-shocked. Soon after Zenit got back into the game, as the full-back Sirl was on the end of a fine passing move, but his cross was cut out before it reached Pobgrebniak, the Russian striker, who missed out on Euro 2008 due to a knee injury.

Yet there were still glimpses of threat to Zenit, who struggled with Madrid’s mobile play and especially their crosses, with Hubocan once more getting a last ditch touch. Zenit’s full backs began to influence proceedings with Sirl crossing but neither Arshavin nor Pobgrebniak could add the finishing touch. Soon after Zenit broke, as Higuain’s pass was behind Ramos, with two consecutive dummies from Zenit fooling the Real defence, but as was the story of the game, Zenit couldn’t make their domination of the situation tell. Iker Casillas bravely dived on the ball ahead of Pobgrebniak, the keeper taking a kick in the chest for his troubles, but the lead remained intact.

The attacking pressure from the Russians continued as Arshavin shot from edge of box, but it was comfortably into the arms of Casillas. But on 24 minutes, the £24 million pound signing from Dinamo Moscow, Danny, met a Arshavin cross at the far post, with a fine stabbed finish. Ramos failed to pick up Arshavin in his defensive area and it proved costly, while Cannavaro played Arshavin onside before the original move. Van Der Vaart could have restored the lead almost instantaneously but his shot was palmed away by Malafeev.

On the half hour mark, Van Der Vaart shot directed into the path of Ruud Van Nistlerooy, by a flailing Zenit foot, and the prolific striker fired in his 62^nd goal in only 87 appearances for the club. Who needs Raul, who was anonymous at Betis on the weekend, when you have this man? Another Dutchman almost helped make it three, with a delightful backheeled flick into the path of Higuain, who lifted his shot over the keeper and the bar under pressure from the last man. As the half drew to a close, the game became stretched as a Denisov cross was palmed out for a corner by Casillas, from which the ball was deflected a number of times and eventually ended up in the arms of a grateful Casillas. The Real Madrid legend threw the ball out to Arjen Robben, who turned his man a number of times, but his ball across the six yard box couldn’t be turned in by Argentine Higuain.

Anyukov drew a corner but the Swiss referee Massimo Busacca blew for the interval, much to the anger of several members of the Russian giants, who felt they could have made the most of the corner. The second half began with Zenit attacking and it almost resulted in a goal. Tomas Hubocan, desperate to atone for his earlier error, went for the header and there were shouts for handball from the Zenit players, but was Hubocan who was surprisingly booked. The game always had an edge and Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy quickly followed the Slovakian into the book for a foul on Andrei Arshavin.

Arshavin played an instinctive reverse pass to Anyukov but move, one of several promising attacks, broke down. Real faced wave after wave of Zenit attacks, with several goalmouth scrambles occurring, while Casillas was performing heroics as usual. The best chance came to Pobgrebniak who spooned his shot over as he fell down close to the goal line. The game was essentially a rematch of the Euro 2008 semi-final between Russia and Spain, but this time the Russians were far more influential in their play, with Arshavin particularly menacing. Real’s defence moved deeper and deeper as they tried to stop the Russians getting in behind, causing their strikers to be isolated up front. But when they did Higuain’s shot was saved.

Fatih Tekke’s effort from Dominguez’s cross was saved at point blank range by Casillas, while at the other end Real’s forwards managed another counter attack, as Robben took on his man but dragged his shot wide. On 78 minutes, Zenit exploited Ramos’ adventurous attacking play, by attacking the space he leaves behind him, with Arshavin hits the post from the resultant cross. In stoppage time, Arshavin cut inside, fooling Van Nistlerooy (yes, Real were being dragged back to such an extent) and Heinze, and setting up Danny, whose effort went over with aid of Pepe. It was unthinkable as to how the home side hadn’t forced home an equaliser. Zenit dominated but didn’t find the cutting edge which any Champions League challenging side needs.

It is quite right to say the Spanish Champions stole all three points, especially based on the second half. Real showed great resilience and clinical finishing and needed a huge amount of luck to escape as they did. Zenit will be wondering how they have zero points after two games in which they should have taken at least two points.

Arsene Wenger spoke of change, but there was little in terms of personnel, but only Samir Nasri came in for a much improved Emmanuel Eboue. While he appealed to the media’s demand for drastic change in his words, the boss knows what he wants and that was focus from his team. Fabregas showed this focus with a sharp tackle to stop any chance of a Porto spell of possession. There were signs of anxiety with the ball being given away twice in quick succession, but both Porto attacks fortunately broke down for the nervous Arsenal defence.

The first Arsenal move saw the ball being switched from left to right, with Adebayor feeding in Walcott, whose near-post shot was saved by Helton for a corner, which as usual was unsuccessful, despite causing some danger. Arsenal were playing at a high tempo and some good possession culminated in a curling Van Persie effort, which was palmed away by Helton, who cut an imposing figure. Porto showed their threat in a counter-attack on ten minutes, with birthday boy Christian Rodriquez finishing a sharp attack, by heading against the bar, with Almunia well beaten.

Patient possession by the home side resulted in Fabregas spotting a Van Persie run and supplying the Dutchman with a lofted ball, which Van Persie drove into the ground and the ball looped over the bar, as the Gunners began to exert their influence on the game. Fabregas was on form, with a one touch pass straight into the path of Walcott whose subsequent cross was blocked for a corner. A well-worked corner by Arsenal happened again, with a short pass to Van Persie was followed by a drop of the shoulder and a swift turn, but his cross was met by a weak Adebayor header.

Once more, William Gallas raided forward, but Nasri was unable to feed him. The Gunners were sold short at the back once more with Almunia forced into a diving save against Lisandro Lopez. The resulting corner highlighted our set-piece difficulties, with Clichy having to clear off the line and Toure forced into a last ditch clearance. The threat was evident and to quell it Arsenal would have to remain concentrated, with Denilson’s pointless flick and loss of possession deviating from the focus the manager called for.

Yet the attackers were focussed and clearly in the picture, unlike on Saturday, as Fabregas fed an onside Adebayor, who paused and waited for the near post run of Robin Van Persie who stabbed the ball home for a 1-0 lead. The strikers combined well, with criticism of their inability to link up in attacking play notable in recent days. The officials were consistent in their ability to give corners on two occasions where the goalkeeper did not get a touch on the ball (first from Walcott’s effort, then from Costa’s shot). Yet from a corner which was rightly given, the other criticised striker in Emmanuel Adebayor headed down into the ground, with the ball bouncing in off the bar. Arsenal finally scored from a set-piece, after being awarded a huge number of corners this season.

Nasri continued to lift the mood on his return from injury, escaping the attentions of two Porto players with a delightful turn and nutmeg. The first half ended with Arsenal leading, but it was not without worrying moments for the Emirates outfit. Porto reacted by bringing on club talisman Lucho Gonzalez, who missed the weekend game through injury. I’ll admit, I was very critical of Robin Van Persie over the weekend, but having taken Walcott’s pass, he ghosted past Bruno Alves and prodded the ball into the far corner. This is the striker we want to see, and even on a bad day, he needs to at least impress through work rate. Soon after, Walcott sprinted down the flank and crossed for Nasri, who was beaten to the ball by the defender. Arsenal toyed with the Portuguese champions, who created havoc in their on box, due to some desire not to clear their lines. Soon after Toure, who stayed up from the resulting corner after a strong period of pressure, fed Walcott, who shot wide, with the whole goal to aim at.

Nasri had a similar attempt, after a remarkable counter attack from a shanked clearance from Toure, which soon ended up at the feet of Walcott. The young winger outpaced his marker with much to spare and cut back, but the ball arrived at an awkward height for Nasri. The Marseille favourite knocked the ball wide with his thigh as he tried to outdo Walcott’s miss, which was considerably worse. Soon after Adebayor volleyed Sagna’s low cross wide. Then both clubs made a number of changes, with Nasri and Van Persie off for Eboue and Bendtner. On the Porto side, Hulk came on for Raul Meireles. Arsenal continued to knock on the Porto door as Helton spilled a Fabregas shot, but the big Brazilian recovered well to block Adebayor’s follow up. The goals continued as Guarin made an impatient hack on Bendtner, with Adebayor sending Helton the wrong way to make it 4-0.

Surely the celebratory jig between Adebayor and Eboue was worth the entrance fee alone. Walcott came off having taken a knock a few minutes earlier and on came the fans’ latest hero, Carlos Vela. The brilliant Mexican dribbled past a number of players in the box and laid it off to Bendtner, who had his initial effort blocked and having fallen off balance, he swung a leg at the ball and his effort went out for a throw in. Even Arsene Wenger could see what there was to laugh about in a comic high point of an assured second half performance. There was even an Adebayor offside and it took 81 minutes!

Bendtner showed direct, aggressive running as he drove into the box and slipped in Adebayor who slid his shot wide. Eboue comfortably added his name into the award for the worst miss of the evening whilst also attempting a trick and forgetting the ball. At least there’s never a dull moment with the Ivorian. The game ended 4-0, but should have been more. The Champions league campaign will rely on the home games and this was a good start and an antidote to THAT game.

It was Arsene Wenger’s twelfth anniversary in charge of the club, Hull City were the opponents. The fans were expectant of a cricket score. Yet as has been seen in a number of games in the past four years, the players became complacent. They did not respect Hull City in this game. They played at a snail’s pace in terms of tempo, didn’t fight for any ball, and were beaten by the better team. The second half, after our goal, was shambolic.

What was ominous about the Hull game was how Fabregas spoke of the Champions League in the build up to the Hull game, a telling sign that the players were supposedly saving themselves for the bigger name. After a week, where the club was in the headlines consistently, with first the side taking the three points for the third game running at the Reebok, and then the youngest ever side thrashing Championship side Sheffield United, the players bought into their own hype, as has happened many times over the past few years.

The excuses have come out, with it being quite ironic for William Gallas to speak of complacency. It seems he has regressed in his defensive capabilities and is infatuated at playing a Beckenbauer role, in setting up attacks from deep, and often finishing. Yes, he has scored three goals, which have led to some key results in the Champions League, but his main occupation is to defend. And it seems that he is slow to pick up his marker, complacent on the ball and poor when attacking an aerial ball. While he may not be one of the most vocal leaders, he has to lead by example in his play. There is no doubt that some smug pundit will mention the incidents at St. Andrews last season, but it isn’t a matter of his speech-making capabilities this time, but simple defending. And it appears he can’t do that either.

Even more surprising was Kolo Toure’s admission that the pressure of the fan’s overwhelming expectation affected him. It is these sorts of situations a Champions League-quality player should thrive on. It is a part of the job a player has in dealing the media attention and if it affected him, he should seriously look at his career prospects. This was Hull City, no disrespect to a Tigers side who fully deserved their victory, not Real Madrid. No doubt this was just another pathetic reason, which the players are forced to come out with upon closer scrutiny by the media in the press conference.

Tonight’s game against Porto is another chance to make this a memorable 12^th anniversary for the Arsenal boss. Wenger claimed there were elements of the game which made him physically sick. While he will never admit it in front of the media, there is no other word instead of complacency to describe the Arsenal mentality seen on Saturday. Most fans will be glad to hear that a number of changes will happen but it is very likely that some of the poorest performers will remain. Toure, despite the more consistent central defender should make way for Johan Djourou, who is taller and perhaps more capable with an aerial threat. Gallas’ errors make him the obvious choice to be banished to the bench, but having the armband makes him unsusceptible to demotion. Hopefully this view is proved wrong by the boss, but the idea of making substitutions and team selection based on seniority is a major flaw in Arsene Wenger’s tactical arsenal. If this flaw lives up to its reputation, than we could even see the veteran Mikael Silvestre start.

Samir Nasri is fit and if he starts, he should provide balance and elegance to complement the direct runner on the right flank, be it the improving Eboue or an unpolished diamond in Walcott. The latter showed his indecision in front of goal when given time to make a choice. When only given one option, he has shown the direct attitude, which has suddenly made him a worldwide star. The assisting dribble and pass for our scrappy goal was one of the few instances in which our most dangerous player was able to exert his influence. On a number of other occasions, he flashed in decent crosses, which our non-existent strike-force didn’t bother to attack. Walcott should start but do not be surprised to see Eboue, whose partnership with Sagna makes the full-back much more effective and provides further defensive security.

Unfortunately Alexandre Song is still feeling the effects of a knock from the Carling Cup victory, and despite making the bench on Saturday, will not take any part in a game where his strength and tactical nous would have been vital. His exclusion has opened up a spot on the bench possibly for one of the younger players, such as Aaron Ramsey or Jack Wilshere. What must be done, however, is a change in the striking department. While Robin Van Persie may be technically superior to most footballers, his selfishness is an attribute that is affecting the team negatively. The over-reliance on power, with accuracy sacrificed, when shooting, and some reckless challenges out of frustration are reasons why he should be benched. He has the hallmarks of a certain Arsenal Dutch legend but he must iron out these flaws to reach his pinnacle.

The enigmatic Dutchman is not effective to the side as Adebayor is currently. Both will improve but for tonight Nicklas Bendtner must play some part. One assumes the home encounter will result in a 4-4-2 formation. Yet Wenger has been known to spring some surprises and a 4-5-1 with Nasri in the half striker role is not at all inconceivable. The game is the first Arsenal group stage game on ITV since the 1-0 success against PSV Eindhoven courtesy of an Alex goal in 2004. Let’s hope the terrible football analysis (see: camera shots showing Andy Townsend using a computer to make his point) is overshadowed by a great game of football.

As for the opponents, they have endured a shaky start to the league season. Yet a success against Fenerbache on the opening match-day, which currently has them heading the table, and a narrow victory against Paços de Ferreira, courtesy of a Raul Meireles strike, has turned fortunes around. They have lost the marauding full-back Jose Bosingwa to Chelsea and the man who is eternally in Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow, Ricardo Quaresma has signed for Inter, with his last performance an anonymous 90 minutes in the Milan derby. Lucho Gonzalez, the Argentinean maestro, returns having missed their weekend fixture, while Lisandro Lopez, scorer of 24 goals last season, is also available. The 2004 winners are a much more attacking line up now, yet some argue they lack the cutting edge to pose a huge threat to the English dominance of the competition.

If nothing eventful happens in the game tonight, keep an eye out for the wonderfully named Hulk, a 22 year old Brazilian striker (real name: Givanildo Vieira de Souza). He is likely to start as a substitute to Argentine attacker Farias. Euro 2008 star Raul Meireles will also look to start in Jesualdo Ferreira’s side that Arsenal should approach with respect. Arsenals are at their best when there is no media attention or on the end of a defeat and heavy criticism. There will be a reaction on Tuesday and Porto will prove a huge test. Fabregas talked of its importance, now they have to deliver.

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