Frontline Football Blog

The Nationalmannschaft entered the tournament without the services of Captain Michael Ballack and first choice goalkeeper Rene Adler. However, German manager Joachim Loew did what many managers failed to do and mixed the young with the old as the likes of Ozil, Muller and Badstuber gelled well with the older heads of Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Podolski and Klose.

The Germans belied their national stereotype as they won the game playing fast, fluid patterns that easily dissected the overwhelmed Australians who were caught trying to play the offside trap all too often.

Loew's side were ahead after just 8 minutes when the superb Mesut Ozil sent a ball into space down the right for Thomas Muller who pulled the ball back for Lukas Podolski to send an unstoppable strike into the back of a helpless Matt Schwarzer's net

The media can't seem to find the superlatives for the fleeting cameo Cesc Fabregas gave for Arsenal yesterday as they overcame an inform Aston Villa 3-0.

With the scores level, the Spaniard arose from the bench to win and score a sumptuous free-kick before sealing the game with a confident finish after been set up by Theo Walcott.

Fabregas then returned to the bench after aggravating his hamstring injury before the imperious Abou Diaby made it three with a storming solo goal.

A young man with pace to burn who causes fear in opposition defenders or simply a guy with pace to burn?

Since joining Arsenal in 2006, Walcott has often threatened to fulfil his supposed promise but all the Gunner faithful and England supporters have witnessed are cameos and snippets.

His brace at Birmingham, run at Anfield, and hat-trick against Croatia now seem lost to a mirage of "he's injury-prone," he's "got no confidence," he "just ain't any good."

For many of the bigger sides it is an opportunity to give some of the younger and reserve players a run out in competitive games.

To many, Arsenal are the forerunners in giving youth its chance and this season will be no different.

Speaking after the victory over Wigan at the weekend, Arsene Wenger said his aim is to combine youth and experience.

Not exactly a great start, nor a terrible one either. There is a long way to go in the Premier League yet and with Chelsea and Manchester City the only undefeated sides to date, one can count on it been a good race this season.

Whether Arsenal will be in the race or not is another matter.

Two defeats to date isn't ideal but shouldn't raise panic stations among Arsenal supporters just yet.

Bobby was perhaps best known for his work with Newcastle United when he took them to the lofty echelons of the Premier League and secured them a Champions League berth in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003.

In what is an ever rare occurence in modern sport, he was loved by all involved in football. Robson was recognised as a gentleman and someone who was in the game merely for the love of it.

His playing career in the 1950s and 1960s was spent with Fulham and West Bromwich Albion.

This morning at Arsenal's annual pre-season summer camp in Austria, French international Samir Nasri suffered a fractured right fibula which could put him out of action for up to three months.

Considering that Tomas Rosicky got a "short-term injury" and only returned on Saturday against Barnet after an 18 month lay off, I'll not hold my breath.

In the last number of transfer windows, Arsenal have been accused of being too slow in their dealings and missing out on key players as a result.

However, so far this summer Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been quick to address the first team's defensive frailties with the signing of Belgian international Tomas Vermaelen.

Someone who knows when to walk away or someone who quits when the going gets tough?

If anyone has divided people into lovers or haters it is former Manchester United and Rep. Ireland Captain, Roy Keane.

It is as expected the 23-year-old Belgian international and former Ajax skipper Tomas Vermaelen.

Vermaelen has been linked with the Gunners for the last number of weeks and has spoken of his joy at joining the North London side. With neither Arsene Wenger or either club denying the claims, it always seemed a matter of when and not if.

The club's official website claim the deal to be "long term" and "undisclosed", however many believe it to be a four-year contract worth in the region of £10 million.