Baptista & Gilberto 3 - 0 Tevez & Mascherano
0 guns September 4th, 2006
Because I’ve been away in Edinburgh, this was the first live match I’ve attended this season. However, it’s one I will probably remember for the rest of my life. The opportunity to see Brazil play Argentina doesn’t come along too often, and when it does, you hardly expect it to live up to expectations. But it did.
In a match that showed off the remarkable technique of every player involved, Brazil were triumphant. Though both sides missed key players (Ronaldinho for Brazil, Crespo for Argentina), it was the seleção who coped better. Shaktar Donestk’s versatile midfielder Elano fired home the first two goals before a virtuoso effort from Kaka gave Brazil a flattering third. Goals here.
Gilberto Silva played in the guise of new manager, Dunga, doing a fantastic marking job on Juan Riquelme. Julio Baptista also made his Emirates Stadium debut, recieving a rapturous reception when he replaced Elano with 20 minutes to play.
The Beast himself was moved to say:
“It was very nice and I am so happy to be made so welcome at my new ground. I just hope I am made to feel this welcome when I play in the Premiership. I am confident I will be a good acquisition to the team. It’s a traditional club and a well run club. They reached the Champion’s League final last season and I hope with my help they can do it again this season.
“I am very happy to sign a four year contract. But after the one year loan it is up to Arsenal to discuss with Real Madrid if they want to keep me. Hopefully they will say yes and I can stay. I am very very humbled that Arsene Wenger was so interested in me. I will be very happy to stay here for a long time, as long as the club wants me.”
Nice words, and certainly puts the concerns of those amongst us who were concerned his heart wasn’t in it to rest. A four-year deal would be lovely. Thierry’s pleased too.
Back to the game, it really was an incredible experience. When you see these players live, in the flesh, you realise just how far away us English our in terms of technique. Every player on the pitch, probably including the goalkeepers, was capable of a remarkable level of skill and invention. This was typified by the outstanding Robinho, who justified Arsene Wenger’s interest in him last summer with a truly dazzling display. For me, he was the man of the match.
Like Arsene, I’m not a huge fan of Internationals, particularly friendlies, especially when it means that most of our squad run the risk of getting injured. But games like yesterday are unmissable. It was a genuine “Harlem Globetrotters” event. Whether that’s right or wrong, it was very enjoyable.
As a friend of mine said, yesterday was the first classic match at the Emirates Stadium. Let’s hope the next one is against Middlesbrough next saturday.
Site news: You may have noticed the site has been down over the past couple of days. Well, it’s back up now, I think. There are a few tiny issues. For example, if you check the Archives, you’ll note that “Arsène” has become “Arsène”. Devastating. Anyway, thanks to arseblogger and Tom who helped get it all back up. They’re smart, nice folk.
As for the site being down, over the next few days I’ll reveal the shattering truth about who fed me to the sharks. It changed my view forever on the hosting I regarded as family.
12 Comments Add your own
1. Gunnerz | September 4th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
I watched yesterdays match and it was a classic in my eyes. I am pleased to hear that julio baptista wants to sign a 4 year deal and i think he will do very well in the premiership this season.
2. Big Gooner | September 4th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
Imagine if we keep Baptista, and then Reyes comes back. I don’t like everyone else in the world apart from the madrid president, think reyes is sh*t. Look at how many assists he got last year, and he is someone who will improve. I reckon he’s going to be a flop at Real, and he’s going to come back to Arsenal a much better, less vocal person, though i suppose he has never been very vocal, as he cant speak english.
3. gunner8 | September 4th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Big Gooner: Reyes did get a lot of assists, but had one of the worst first touches… …against the physical teams that closed down on us quickly meant that he gave the ball away more then he passed it… …as far as I am concerned he can fuck cashley up the arse! the gay boys that they are.
Gilberto looked very c,c&c yesterday and dealt with the dodgy argies with ease… …question: Did “Argie Bargie” come about because of the way they play football? Yesterdays ref was shocking, the dirty scummy argies were using ice hockey blocks and not even getting yellows and that little bastard messi was falling all over himself.
The beast looked like he was sleeping, I know he came on late but he didn’t look like much yesterday (I hope to see more), was he in midfield or attack?
4. bombay arsenal connection | September 4th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
it will be interesting to see if baptista has the same flair and sublime technique of some of his brazillian compatriots. or whether he is he just a physical player with a lot of running and a good shot. his build is quite different from the typical brazillian, leading me to think that he will adapt quickly to the relatively physical nature of the premiership. i am really looking forward to seeing him. hope AW gives him a good run out on saturday.
5. Peter Taleban | September 4th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Its a real shame we didn’t get Robinho, although we did get Walcott instead in january. The two are incredibly similar players, but even with incredible optimism about Walcotts potential it would still have to be incredible progress for him to become as good as Robinho.
His opening games for the club have been extremely promising, I just can’t wait to watch him more. Vive le Cott!
6. Ambrose | September 4th, 2006 at 4:31 pm
It was an entertaining game yesterday and played with the freedom of a one off game. The early goal for Brazil seemed to set the pattern of the game with Brazil hitting on the break. I thought Messi looked good and for a time the Argie left back Rodriguez played pretty well. Interesting to note that we will see some of these Brazilians again against CSKA Moscow in the CL.
Difficult to judge Baptista on this game. He didn’t look too special but then he only had 20 minutes or so playing for a team who felt they had the game in the bag by the time he came on. He was playing right midfield which is where he was used by Real. I can’t see him playing that role for us and if Cesc and Gilberto are fit he could only really play instead of Adebayor or RvP. He’ll be on the bench on Saturday I would think.
7. Wright 88 | September 4th, 2006 at 5:56 pm
Baptista looked good in the few minutes he played,i`m sure he will be a good signing……..COME ON YOU REDS COME ON YOU GUNNERS
8. Anti | September 4th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
When I saw Kaka at the World Cup it was a shock to see how tall he is, and yesterday you saw how graceful he can be.
That boy is a real talent; if Fabregas gets to that level Arsenal will be difficult to beat.
9. lasagnechef | September 4th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
Welcome back GS!
10. chipmunk | September 5th, 2006 at 1:37 am
gallas exxelten addition baptista uo frnt with henry rvp on the left flank absoloutely fabulous
11. ozz | September 5th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
class blogging
that stuff at the bottom is hilarious
12. Gunnerblog »&hellip | September 6th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
[...] Baptista & Gilberto 3 - 0 Tevez & Mascherano [...]
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