Hannover 0 -1 Arsenal, and Bye Bye Kolo, thanks for the memories.

An absolutely flawless first half by Arsenal was matched by an embarrassingly poor second half. The team started off in a 4-3-3 formation.

Mannone

Eboue Gallas Vermaelen Traore

Song Denilson

Fabregas (c)

Bendtner v.Persie Arshavin

The game was marred by some incredibly dirty and malicious play by the German team, especially considering this is pre-season, as well as some shameless diving. The worst culprit was some angry guy called Haggui, and unfortunately his inability to make a tackle, and apparent want to hurt people frustrated RvP in particular, thus forcing the Boy Wonder into a bit of retribution. The Arsenal goal came from a delicious lob by Nik B followed by an equally sumptious through ball by van Persie. Cesc got there before the keeper, rounded him cooly and slotted home.

The first half was absolutely flawless. Literally nothing went wrong. Apart from a Bendtner miss, which was tricky as he was stretching for it anyway. Everything was amazing. Then came the second half, which was literally the worst thing I've ever seen. Hannover were crunching into everything, and Arsenal missed the guile of Cesc who came off at half-time. All in all though, a good test for Arsenal, and le Boss would have been encouraged by what he saw in the first half.

Onto to Kolo, who has now officially left the club for surprise-surprise an undisclosed fee. It is thought to be around £16million. When you consider he was bought for £250,000, this is absolutely amazing business by Wenger. Fans will understandably want the money to be spent on strengthening the squad. As do I. Unfortunately though as I've said in a previous article, I honestly don't expect AW to buy in anybody else, unless it is a Diarra or Silvestre situation, where a player he wants becomes available on the cheap. By the way, whisper it quietly, but Silvestre may not be a bad left back. Awful centre back. Let's hope Wenger plays Silvestre as a backup left back, and backup left back only. But anyway I digress. All the chat about Kolo has already been bandied about. So all I will say is, he was the only player left from the invincibles, his work rate was incredible, his grin was amazing and he was Mr. Professional. I understand why the boss has sold him, he honestly has not been the same since the last African cup of nations. I think his best years are behind him. Still, it'll only be really worth it if we strengthen.

So bye bye Kolo, thanks for the memories, and we wish you luck on international duty in the future (not for Man City though).

Next game is on saturday against Atletico Madrid, I'll be there. Can't wait.
'Til then Gooners.