Arsenal's next challenge

Ok. So they won the Champions League game against Ukrainian side, Dynamo Kiev - barely. But they had to labor for 86 minutes to break through Dynamo's defense. Not a promising start for Arsenal's new captain, Cesc Fabregas. Nonetheless, it will have to do for now.

Kiev proved a resilient opponent at Emirates, with Ismael Bagoura, Oleksandr Aliyev and Artem Milevskiy all came close to adding their name to the score sheet. Had they done so, Arsenal would have been dealt a serious blow to their already battered morale before the game at Stamford Bridge.

However, they did won the game, even with a controversial goal emanating from a dubious free kick when Fabregas should have passed the ball - in fair play - to Kiev. Yet referee Alain Hamer allowed the goal, despite Kiev's protests.

Minutes later Aliyev was sent-off when he shoved Hamer aside to take a free kick within yards of Arsenal's box. Which was not surprising given the fact that Aliyev at one point during the second half, fell down feigning injury, and yet, quickly rose and ran towards Arsenal's goal when Kiev played the advantage.

Still this victory should keep the feet of Arsenal's young lads firmly on the ground. Their next task would be insurmountable, given Chelsea's strong squad and Anelka's superb goal scoring form.

Fabregas's task seemed gargantuan, yet I do not envy him. He knows victory at Stamford Bridge would indeed be a moral booster for Arsenal.

It would also give the fans a renewed sense of faith in Arsene Wenger's philosophical game.