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AZ Alkmaar were one of the surprise packages in the Dutch Eredivisie last season, their hard working side finishing second in the league behind PSV and ahead of traditional table toppers Ajax and Feyenoord. Their rise and excellent league finish was coupled with the completion of their new home, the DSB Stadion.

AZ had invited Arsenal to be the first opposition at their new stadium, and the London club had accepted even though the date of the tie coincided with a previously scheduled fixture with Boreham Wood. It was decided that an Arsenal XI side will be sent to the BW friendly, while the first team will visit Alkmaar.

Arsene Wenger put out a starting lineup that will most probably feature against Zagreb Tuesday night. Though I expect Tomas Rosicky, a surprise exclusion from tonight’s squad, to replace Jose Reyes on the left. Robin van Persie and Manu Adebayor started up front, with the regular midfield of Cesc and Gilberto behind them.

Arsenal stamped their authority right from the start. Robin van Persie and Adebayor had been extremely impressive against rivals of lesser repute in Austria, however, they maintained the standards they’d set for themselves and put together some excellent moves from the start, with van Persie coming the closest to scoring. Wantaway winger Reyes looked lively as well, though his workrate was not of the level we’ve come to expect, and it could be argued that his usually professional demeanour has been affected by Madrid’s rumoured offer to Arsenal.

It was a looping freekick from Reyes that helped set up the opener. The Spaniard sent a ball curling over the defence and away from the keeper and Gilberto rose to head the ball in. There was a worrying period where Gilberto seemed to have done his ankle, but he looked alright afterwards and I hope its nothing that can’t be fixed with an icepack and some rest.

The second half saw Justin Hoyte come on for Mathieu Flamini to man the leftback position. Adebayor doubled our lead with a brilliantly taken poacher’s goal after the goalkeeper had parried a shot. It was just reward for our new recruit who worked his socks off, constantly harrassing the AZ defence. His transfer has been criticized by many fans, yet he’s constantly strengthened his case with goals and great all-round play following his January transfer from Monaco.

However, our main man out there was Robin van Persie. He slammed a brilliant volley towards goal, beating the goalkeeper, but luck wasn’t on his side and the ball pinged off the post, went across the goal, and pinged off the other post as well! However, he would soon have a goal that he richly deserved.

A throughball from the ever-wonderful Cesc Fabregas sent Aliadiere and van Persie through two-on-two against the AZ defence. Aliadiere took it forward and upon entering the penalty area, squared it for van Persie who was taken down by the onrushing keeper. van Persie took the penalty himself and sent it with force and accuracy to the bottom corner.

Wenger brought on a trio of subsitutes, Cygan, Song and Mart Poom all getting a run out towards the end of a very promising and clinical performance from a team that is currently suffering from a host of injuries and fitness problems. While Ashley Cole did not travel with the squad, we had three possible leftbacks on show: Flamini, Hoyte and Traore. And all of them looked comfortable and up for it.

Everyone was (perhaps, rightly) quick to dismiss Arsenal’s 8-1 demolition of Schwadorf as an insignificant runout against lower division Austrian opposition. Yet the team has maintained that kind of performance against an opposition that was a massive jump in quality over our previous opponents. Robin van Persie and Manu Adebayor showed that they are no mugs and can hold their own up front come Tuesday. Cesc was immaculate and efficient as always, delighting the Dutch crowd with some magic moments as well. Kolo Toure, Manu Eboue and Djourou all look fit and ready. While we still need major reinforcements in midfield and defence, this squad has shown its hunger, commitment and desire to give their best and Arsenal fans should be assured of a 100% performance against Zagreb.

Finally, congratulations and well done to AZ Alkmaar for their move to the new stadium. Their fans were amazing and cheered their team on throughout the match, getting louder as the scoreline increased in Arsenal’s favour! In all, a good runout for both teams and a great occasion to open the Dutch league’s newest Arena.

Man of the Match: Robin van Persie. While Cesc Fabregas was brilliant in midfield, pulling strings and directing play, it was our effervescent Dutchman up front who really shone. Technique, strength, flamboyance and spontaneity: all were present in ample quantity as the Dutchman prepares build on his excellent World Cup to take the Premiership by storm.