Up and coming in Canada

So Grand Prix season is now in full swing and we've moved on to Skate Canada. The pairs contest sees the first outing of Worlds Champs Robin Solkowy and Aliona Savchenko, along with a couple of exciting up and coming couples so let's dive right in.

Rise and Fall at Skate America

So finally after a months long wait, the figure skating season has started again. Joy of joys, figure skating is back in all its floaty, sparkly, ridiculous glory. And the whole shebang kicked off good and proper at Skate America.

Nightmare in Norwich

Well, there's not a lot you can say about a performance like that. But that's what I'm here for, so here we go.

The great Grand Prix preview

So Skate America and the beginning of the Grand Prix series are now just over a week away and the entry lists are out. Having looked over the new programme list and the entry list for each Grand Prix, I'm very very excited to see what these competitions are going to bring. So who is going where? And what impact will it have? Well let us begin at the beginning with Skate America...

On the up at Upton park

So today's match had a bit of a feeling of deja vu about it. Occasionally sketchy moments in defence? Check. Someone in midfield having an off day? Check. Letting in a silly goal? Check. Fighting spirit? Check. Excellent comeback goals? Check. Olivier Giroud? Check.

medal worthy at olympiakos

So, our unbeaten start to the season  game to an end against Chelsea at the weekend, meaning that our Champion's League tie against Olympiakos was not only a chance to take a significant hold on the group but also to restore our momentum.

Progress

So, we were having a frustrating start to the season. Then we played Liverpool. The team pulled out an inspired performance and things seemed to be coming together. Then this weekend we played Southampton and really hit it out of the park.
The performance level of the whole team really seems to have gone up several notches over the past couple of matches. The whole team has been really really excellent, with everyone putting in a shift. I really want to commend the defence, who seem to have made a massive leap forward, due in no small part I'm sure to Steve Bould. Per Mertesacker has, so far this season, been outstanding. He seems a completely different player from last season. Kieran Gibbs has improved massively and was brilliant on Saturday, running up and down the wing like no one's business. Carl Jenkinson seems to be improving too and Thomas Vermaelen is reliable and strong as always and seems to be taking to his new role as captain very well. Sticking with defense (sort of) Mikel Arteta is really starting to make defensive midfield his own. Simply, he kicks ass. He's strong, he's efficient, he's calm and unflappable and he's an excellent passer of the ball. And now for a sentence I never thought I'd say; let's hope Diaby comes back quickly because against Liverpool he really showed us what we've all been waiting for. Then we have the rapidly forming understanding between Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski which is just glorious to behold. I'm very very excited to see what those two could do for us this season. And even Gervinho is having something of a renaissance. His performance on Saturday harked back to the promise he showed when he first arrived. And I'm hoping he can get an extended run in the team and take his chance. There is of course still the Giroud problem to solve but I think the solution to that may just be time and a the confidence he'll get when he hits his first goal.
And tonight marks the exciting return of Champion's League football. I for one can't wait. Arsenal in Europe is generally an adventure (of both the exciting and stressful kind) so I can't wait to see what this year's campaign has in store.