Having spent 18 years in charge of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger is still incredibly reluctant to dwell on past successes. Yet, as an avid student of the game, he would have also been keenly aware of a few key statistics ahead of Galatasaray’s visit to the Emirates in the UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal have never lost to a Turkish side in regular time and Galatasaray have yet to record a win on English soil. The glaring footnote being the only other time these two sides have met – the 2000 UEFA Cup final, when Arsenal lost to the Turkish side in Copenhagen on penalties.

Ravaged by injuries, much of the pre-game column inches were devoted to speculation as to which midfield formation Arsene Wenger would deploy. Deprived of the midfield guile and stability that Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta provide, Wenger was also tasked with accommodating Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla in a fashion that would allow their creative talents to flourish without sacrificing the balance required in elite European competition.

Galatasaray, meanwhile, had the luxury of a fully fit squad to call upon but traveled to London on the back of distinctly average domestic form and a worrying defensive record in the Champions League. Galatasaray have recorded only one clean sheet in their last 14 Champions League games and needed a 91st-minute equalizer from Burak Yilmaz to salvage a draw at home against Anderlecht last time out.

Arsenal:

Szczesny 5 – Completely untroubled until the penalty incident when he had little choice but to commit to a challenge for the ball with Yilmaz played through on goal. Replays suggest that could have been braver when diving at feet but can have no arguments about the red card.

Chambers 8 – Impossible to believe that the 19-year-old is playing his first season in the UEFA Champions League. Also showed incredible tactical discipline against superior numbers. An additional half point for somehow not picking up his customary yellow card.

Mertesacker 7.5 – Typically solid and another no-frills display in defense. Once again, his lack of pace more than made up for by flawless positional awareness.

Koscielny 8 – Followed up a superb display against Spurs with yet another clinic in central defending. Also seems to have shaken off a poor habit of diving in on players in the penalty area and was completely unfazed by the extra man.

Gibbs 8 – Wenger may well be ruing how well Gibbs is playing lately as it may inevitably lead to a call-up to the England squad in a few weeks. Dangerous moving forward and tidy in defense, Gibbs is quietly learning which of these virtues is required by his team when circumstances dictate.

Flamini 7 – Followed up a very poor performance in the north London derby with the sort of shift Arsenal need from a holding midfielder. Nothing spectacular, but gladly carried water and provided a platform for the more creative players.

Oxlade-Chamberlain 8.5 – Seems to be on a mission lately to make it impossible for Wenger to drop him. Beautiful assist for Welbeck while simultaneously showcasing the type of engine and industry that should excite every England fan.

Alexis 8 – Amidst increasing speculation that he might not fit into the current Arsenal set-up, never went hiding and dispatched a clinical finish. Also starting to show an eye for a pass that suggests he might be one to watch for assists this season. Deducted half a point for not gratuitously hiking up his shorts. Tease.

Cazorla 8.5- Worked his boy’s department sized socks off and provided a crucial link between defense and attack. Incredibly unfortunate not to score, which would have been no less reward than his overall team contribution deserved.

Ozil 8 – Unabashedly shy in the tackle, the roaming Ozil found space all over the Emirates. Did what he does best and orchestrated the attack with subtle movements and insightful forward play. Clearly benefits with runners ahead of him and not having to do anything that might hurt.

Welbeck 9.5 – Tired towards the end, which is about the only criticism that can be leveled against the England international tonight. Has Welbeck found his spiritual home? Is he trolling his Manchester United mates on social media tonight? If he isn’t, he should.

Galatasaray:

Muslera 5 – Won’t be buying his defense dinner anytime soon. Neither clearly at fault for any of the goals, nor did his cover himself in glory with the kind of saves you need away from your goalkeeper, away from home, at this level of competition.

Chedjou: 5 – Suffered in the same way the rest of the Turkish back line did with Arsenal’s movement and pace. Nothing noticeably deficient in his performance but looked out of his depth in the face of quick passing.

Melo: 4 – Looked more comfortable when shunted into midfield but struggled all night trying to contain an inspired Welbeck. Incredibly lucky not to receive an early bath after a reckless (at best) challenge on Alexis.

Kaya: 5 – Must also share the collective responsibility of an incredibly poor back line and woefully caught out of position too often. Will be lucky if his goalkeeper speaks to him in training this week.

Sari: 5 – Almost impossible to rate because of a pretty anonymous performance. Did very little to contribute to his team’s performance and far too happy to hide when his teammates needed him most. Utterly lost on the big stage.

Kurtulus: 6 – Showed more industry and willing than his counterparts but struggled to contain the mercurial Carzola. Can at least be confident he won’t be the primary candidate of the next dressing room prank.

Dzemaili: 6 – Lively in spurts but suffered from no obvious outlets in the same colored shirt. Often far too frustrated by the additional defensive responsibilities imposed upon him by a very mobile Arsenal side.

Sneijder: 6.5 – Increasingly influential, especially with a man advantage, but not the Sneijder of old that could grab a game by the scruff of the neck. A few pot-shots from the edge of the area hinted at his superior class but not nearly enough on the night.

Telles: 5.5 – Clearly hoped to take advantage of Arsenal’s right flank with a teenage defender ahead of him but rarely troubled a composed Chambers. Plenty of huff and puff but never showing any real likelihood of blowing the house down.

On the deciding day of the World Cup for Group E, a resurgent French side needed only a point to top their group and avoid Argentina in the last 16. Meanwhile, Ecuador would have to beat their opponents and maintain their goal difference over Switzerland to advance to the next round. Ominously, if France were to beat Ecuador it will be only the second time they have won all of their World Cup group matches. The other occasion occurring on home soil in 1998 and ending in raucous celebrations along the Champs-Elysees.

Much of the pre-game chatter centered around tales of redemption and two strikers. Having limped through a qualifying play off against the Ukraine, even the domestic media were speculating if this was the worst French team ever. Yet, after two impressive wins over Honduras and Switzerland, a few eyebrows were suddenly being raised in French coach Didier Deschamps direction. France appeared transformed, as did the form of one of their star strikers.

Both Karim Benzema and Enner Valencia have notched three goals in the tournament so far. Benzema in particular had endured a torrid domestic season for Real Madrid amid poor displays for Les Bleus in qualification but appeared a quite different proposition in Brazil.

Ecaudor made only one change from the side that defeated Honduras, Caicedo making way for midfielder Arroyo. France, however, rang the changes following their demolition of Switzerland, with Griezmann starting in place of Giroud and Sagna, Digne and Koscielny appearing in defense. Pogma also being tapped with the task of deputizing for the suspended Cabaye in midfield.

A confident French side started off on the front foot with only Sakho providing cause for concern, an errant elbow in Enner Valencia’s direction rather fortuitously avoiding punishment. Responding to a dominant opening, Ecuador switched the dangerous Montero to the right flank with Antonio Valencia moving behind Enner Valencia. Despite the tactical switch Ecuador, and their wingers in particular, continued to struggle against a far more powerful French side. An illustrative moment of the first half saw Noboa and Matuidi clash heads with the Ecuadorian faring worse from the exchange and consequently sporting an unattractive hair net for the duration of the contest.

By the interval the Swiss were comfortably beating Honduras, leaving Ecuador at the start of the second half desperately in need of inspiration. Instead they found themselves a man down on 49 minutes when their captain Antonio Valencia recklessly brought Digne down in a dangerous challenge, thus seeing red. Bizarrely galvanized by the set back, Ecuador then fashion their best chance of the game four minutes later with Noboa, hair net and all, shooting wide with the goal at his mercy.

The rest of the second period was a previously ruthless French side squander a number of opportunities. In the latter stages, Pogma flashed a header narrowly wide from a delightful Sagna cross and both Giroud and Benzema are frustrated by the excellent Dominguez in goal. The tempo resembled a pre-season friendly so it was no surprise when the full-time whistle blew on a goalless draw.

With Switzerland prevailing comfortably against Honduras, France will join their neighbors in the next round following a pedestrian performance in their final group game. Considering what was at stake, Ecuador were surprisingly unadventurous in their approach. As a consequence, France progress despite rarely shifting out of second gear and, as such, remain something of an unknown quantity. Devastating against opposition in a weak group but as yet untested against far more illustrious opponents. As we move into the last 16, far more severe examinations await.

“What the transfer deadline gives you is a clear indication of which are the badly run football clubs” tweeted Gary Neville on August 12, right as the soccer supermarket sweeps were starting in earnest. It’s doubtful that a man who practically bleeds little Red Devils was referring directly to his beloved Manchester United at the time, but it could well have been a prophetic statement.

Much has been made of the managerial merry-go-round at the top of the English Premier League, and if the last transfer window is anything to go by, it might well be Manchester United who struggle the most to adapt. Manchester City must now be so accustomed to the revolving door at the Etihad that they’ve turned off the air conditioning completely. Chelsea merely welcomed back their prodigal Special One who one suspects never gave back the spare key to the training ground, such is his obvious affection for the club and its fans. Both Mourinho and Pellegrini can also point to significant experience battling the cream of Europe and the particular pressures of dealing with club hierarchies that have short and demanding attention spans.

Manchester United have enjoyed an incredibly consistent and outrageously successful 27 years under Sir Alex Ferguson, the likes of which in today’s cut throat soccer world will almost certainly never be seen again. To say the least, the red half of Manchester is most unaccustomed to change or failure. Losing a 71 year-old manager to retirement is understandable, but to also replace your long-standing chief executive in the same summer is starting to look irresponsible.

Aside from the obvious benefits that continuity brings, David Moyes (Ferguson’s hand-picked replacement no less), is untested in too many elite environments to be left without a reliable wingman. Like the coveted top spots in the Premier League for instance, anywhere near the UEFA Champions League or at the pointy end of negotiations with world-class players. After chasing down the truly blind alley that was the pursuit of Cesc Fabregas at the beginning of the summer, and looking devoid of a plan in the middle of it, United then hit the wall in slapstick fashion on deadline day by failing to capture Ander Herrera or show even a vague familiarity with Spanish law. So alarming and unfamiliar were the club’s business dealings under the new regime it was the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust that led the inquests. Moyes will point to the signing of Marouane Fellaini as an important acquisition but what United needed far more urgently was a creative playmaker to add spark to a distinctly average looking midfield. A player of Mesut Ozil’s abilities perhaps? Oh. There are also lingering concerns about Wayne Rooney’s state of mind as well the state of his relationship with David Moyes and the Old Trafford faithful. There have even been whisperings that the indispensable Robin van Persie is unhappy with some of the new manager’s techniques and if his demeanor in the Liverpool game is anything to go by, there could be some truth to the rumors. The insipid defeat at Anfield did show a continuity of sorts – David Moyes had a terrible record against Liverpool while at Everton, which won’t do much to appease concerns about whether the Scot is ready to step-up into the big time.

United’s problems aren’t just internal. Competition for Champions League qualification has never been fiercer. Of the top four finishers from last season, Manchester City were most United like in their efficient capture of top quality reinforcements this summer. Chelsea also strengthened and got the man at the helm they’ve been craving since, well, he left the first time and Arsenal scored the coup of the window without the usual significant departures. In addition, Liverpool has shown ominous early season form, retained Suarez and really appear to be collectively buying into the Brendan Rodgers rebuilding program. Tottenham meanwhile have shown great determination to finally crack the top four and spend whatever it takes to never miss Gareth Bale. Sir Alex Ferguson was given six trophyless years to build a dynasty but it was in a different era and without the expectation of relentless success.

Even with the season in its infancy, David Moyes will have to show far more than he has to date to generate the belief he should be afforded the same latitude.

With six London clubs currently plying their trade in England’s Premier League, there will be plenty of local derby matches to look forward to this season.  None of these fixtures, it can be argued, will be more fiercely contested than those between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.  The return of The Recently More Diplomatic One will have injected some spice into already key games with perennial title hopefuls Chelsea, but there is still something special about the north London rivalry.  With only four miles separating the stadiums and only two points total in the last two seasons separating the teams, any historic animosity has only been ignited further.

With one tedious and protracted transfer window and a 1-0 to the Arsenal already in the books, it’s clear that both Arsenal and Spurs face pivotal seasons.  Arsene Wenger is in the last year of his contract and currently on an eight year trophyless streak.  Andre Villas-Boas has thrown the check book, kitchen sink and Gareth Bale at the transfer window and would surely not survive another finish outside of the top four. Both managers are under enormous pressure to deliver in an increasingly competitive league.  What remains to be seen is which of their footballing philosophies will bear fruit.

For the first time in many summers, Arsenal fans didn’t have to endure the slow but inevitable departure of their star player (and usually the club captain to boot). Spurs fans, by contrast, spent the majority of it with one eye on a stage at the Bernabeu and the other on Twitter as a steady stream of new players joined their ranks. In an effort to mitigate the loss of their talisman Bale, Spurs went about their summer business aggressively and swiftly brought in seven very good signings.  Arsenal, usually so reluctant to acquire anything that isn’t French or free (or preferably both), obliterated their club transfer record at the last minute on one world-class playmaker.  It’s hard to imagine Wenger making such wholesale changes such is his preoccupation with team balance and stability. Wenger, so often criticized in the past for a lack of home grown players, is now betting on the evolution of a solid British core of Jenkinson, Ramsey, Wilshere, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlin. AVB’s expensive foreign revolution has only just begun.

So the period between now and the next transfer window in January will be a season within a season. Despite the Ozil transfer coup and the Flamini security blanket, Arsenal are still considered light in numbers and their thin squad must navigate a very tricky UEFA Champions League group. Spurs must hope that their new signings bed in quickly and find a more convincing synchronicity and understanding than they have demonstrated so far.  Depending on what happens between now and 2014, both teams could find themselves squaring-off in another important transfer window.  Any serious injury to Giroud or freshman wobbles from Soldado would leave both sides worrying about goals.  With the majority of the much vaunted war chest still safely stashed under Wenger’s floorboards, combined with the draw of Ozil and a newly found penchant for spending, there could well be additional new faces at the Emirates.  Spurs will argue that they recouped much of their summer outlay from the massive Bale transfer fee and could still spend more, but surely must now have one eye on their increasing wage bill.

Whatever transpires in the interim, by the time these two sides meet again in mid-March it will be fascinating to see whether north London is still red or turning white.