I always love watching the preseason games, not for the quality of the play, but for the opportunity to watch the youngsters have a run. Barnet v Arsenal was no exception, with 24 players getting a run, and most of them were fringe players.

Barnet did a fantastic job in the first half of compressing their midfield with their defensive unit, making it difficult for Bendtner and Walcott to have an impact up front. They also score from a free kick through Kenny Gillet curving the ball around the wall into the left hand edge of the Goal. Surely Almunia would have been disappointed in failing to cover it.

The first half was also an opportunity to see Aaron Ramsey in action, after signing from Cardiff in June. He was certianly the only standout in the first half from my viewing, looking like he always had plenty of time on the ball, and showing amazing vision with some of his long switches, and through balls.

It was fantastic to see Sagna return to football after being injured in the latter part of the season. Nordtveit looked completey outcalssed, going to ground unnecessarily in some challenges, and not looking at all calm when under pressure.

The second half saw the whole side replaced, and I saw a whole side of players which I had mostly never seen in action (excepts were Randall and G.Hoyte). The outstanding performances in the second half came from Jack Wilshere, who absolutely amazed me. He was fast, tenacious, and played a part in setting up both goals. Barazite and Ruis Fonte also impressed

All up we were lucky to escape with a win, and there was not much to be learned in terms of the first team regulars. My biggest take away from the match was the performances of Ramsey and Wilshere. From this performance, Ramsey has to be on the verge of the first team from the start of the season (probably from the bench), He clearly challenged my thoughts at the time of his signing that he was more likely to be used in the cups at the start of the season, and off the bench in second half of the campaign.

The commentators were suggesting that Wilshere was still quite a way away from first team action, but I expect we will see him in some of the cup games sooner rather than later.