Editor’s note: It gives me great pleasure to introduce the first guest writer for the new iteration of the BackWomb. Some of you may be familiar with Xander who used to write the State of Football column on the old site. He will be returning, Gunner’s propaganda and all, to write the new Football Matters column. Expect plenty of news, blatant favoritism, and likely drunken posting on the Premiership and European ties.

I believe the events that have occurred in the Premiership this past week call for a beginning that does not include Arsenal. Ok, I lie… top of the table with a game in hand! But I’ll get back to that a little later on. I must give my five cents (HA!) about the “Special One.” I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that it came as a bit of a shock to see Jose Mourinho leave Chelsea. Don’t get me wrong, I despised the man, but I did respect him. Anybody who arrives at a club, and in three years wins back to back League titles, two Carling Cups and two FA cups, deserves the respect of everyone. He was annoying, and it really got to me every time he would make excuses as to why Chelsea didn’t win. But he will be missed, comments and all. I hope he does well wherever it is his wallet leads him to (Italy or Germany likely). I think that when the owner of a team seems to be playing fantasy football but with actual players and trying to run things both in boardroom and the dressing room, bad things are going to happen… and they have. However, you cannot write Chelsea off. The truth of the matter is there is still a lot of talent in the team, but they do need to up their level. They are already 5 adrift of the leaders (us!), and if they don’t get good results soon, things may be over before you know it. Adds some spice to what has the potential of being a great year in football!

Right then. What a spectacular week for the Gunners. After last week’s thrashing of the other buggers from North London, we played Sevilla in a Champions League tie. Now, Sevilla aren’t just any team. They have won back to back UEFA cups, and finished high in the Spanish League. Not a thing for the Gunners, 3-0 in our favor. Fantastic! Another thrashing over the weekend would certainly boost the lads confidence… and no better game to do that than against Derby at the Emirates. Even before the game, Derby’s manager had written off any chances of his team doing anything. And nothing was exactly what they did, unless losing 5-0 is considered something. Fabregas once again has shown his talent and incredible vision for creative and beautiful football. Wenger really is a master in taking young talent and turning them into diamonds. I think these results show that since Henry has left, the lads feel free to play football, and have fun. Before, they were constantly depending on the talismanic striker, always feeding balls up front to him. Now, they just play and have fun. Fabregas is even scoring. He has scored more goals this season than he did all of last year. I do feel, though, that if Arsenal fall short of silverware again, it will be hard to keep him. But judging by their performances so far, we should be able to get at least one cup. There is one point of concern though … we have only played two away games. We need to work on our away form…

Well… That’s really all I wanted to say … Oh, and that Chelsea lost their first post-Mourinho game against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Man U. did need a dodgy penalty in the third minute of overtime (although the referee set only 2 minutes of injury time. WTF?). They are second though, and I only expect their form to better as the season progresses.

We are away from home to West Ham this weekend, so three points here would be fantastic. If we continue playing the way we have been, it shouldn’t be a problem. See you all soon…

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