Man Utd 0 - 1 Arsenal: Pain of Paris Vanquished with Stunning Display
0 guns September 18th, 2006
In the 86th minute, Cesc Fabregas stole the ball from Ronaldo, ploughed through two challenges, and slid an exsquisite reverse pass beyond Wes Brown. Emmanuel Adbeyaor, breaking off the back of Brown, latched onto the ball and poked it beyond the Polish debutant Tomasz Kuszczak. And my sitting room errupted.
Granted, there was only me and my eleven-year old sister in there, but they could probably still hear me at Old Trafford. After out-playing Manchester United over 90 enthralling minutes, Arsenal had got what they deserved: a win, their first of the season, and one that could ignite the flames of a previously floundering Premiership campaign.
After Gilberto slipped and had his 13th minute penalty saved, Rosicky’s powerful effort was tipped away, and Julio Baptista’s curled finish whipped just wide, I began to think we were going to have to settle for a draw. And what a draw: going into the game, United were huge favourites, and we were being written off by just about every pundit going. Had you asked sane Arsenal fan before the game if they’d have taken a point, and I’m sure they would’ve said yes.
But on the day, even Fergie had to admit we deserved to win. Employing the 4-5-1 formation that served us so well in Europe last season, our fluid pass-and-move game eclipsed United’s midfield entirely. Their problem was simple: unlike Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Man City they attempted to play good football against us. Whilst all our other opponents this season have realised that by sitting back and congesting the midfield they can disturb our triangular passing moves, United came out willing to attack. Consequently, we were given room in which we simply out-passed and out-classed them.
Although it was a fantastic team performance, it’s worth talking about individuals. In goal, Jens Lehmann was absolutely outstanding. He made two quite incredible saves: one with his face after Cristiano Ronaldo had got in at the far post, and another plunging low to his right after Ole Solskjaer was sure he had scored. Although I did become worried he was going to get himself sent off, Lehmann must surely now be universally recognised as one of Europe’s best goalkeepers.
The defence was extremely solid, with the exception of a couple of concentration lapses from Emmanuel Eboué. Johan Djourou and Kolo Toure were immense. Toure in particular played through a painful hip problem as if his life depended on it. At left-back, William Gallas showed his class, and with the addition of the Frenchman we really do have potentially excellent back-line these days.
The sheer number of interceptions Gilberto made in critical situations shows his worth. The 4-5-1 we play is almost a 4-1-4-1, with Gilberto’s discipline allowing the creative players ahead of him the freedom to strut their stuff. Without him, the system would fail. Unlucky with his penalty, he captained the side excellently in another crucial victory.
Out wide, both Alex Hleb and Freddie Ljungberg worked tirelessly to protect their full-backs, whilst also showing a willingness to get forward to support the lone front-man. Hleb was replaced by Julio Baptista, who was finally allowed to play in his preferred position as a support striker, and showed his promise with a couple of surging runs from deep.
In the centre, we are blessed with two wonderful footballing brains in Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas. Rosicky appears to be a nigh-perfect replacement for Robert Pires. He has the frenchman’s skill and ability to make things happen, but adds a whole lot more in terms of work-rate and impressive tackling. Cesc, another all-round footballer, didn’t have his best ever game for Arsenal, dallying on the ball on a couple of occasions. In spite of this, it was his moment of magic that created the late late winning goal. Arseblogger is right when he says that no other player in our team could’ve placed that pass to such perfection.
And finally, the goalscorer himself, Emmanuel Adebayor. Often criticised for his unpredictable antics in front of gole, the Togolese beanpole proved his mettle with a diligent and measured display. After a couple of erratic flicks, he managed to hold the ball well and link with the supporting midfielders. His power and pace trouble any back line, and if he adds composure in front of goal to an already bulging armoury of talents, he has potential to become an excellent player for Arsenal. More of the same, please.
The fact I’ve been able to talk about every player glowingly shows just how good a performance this was. Ever since the Champions League final defeat, a cloud of melancholy has hovered ominously over the team. After yesterday’s win, it seems to have cleared. The belief is there, and the club is once again brimming with confidence.
Who knows, maybe Thierry’s words before kick-off had the desired effect? Naturally, I don’t want to go overboard, but you get the feeling that this could just be the start of something for this team. We’ve said that before and been wrong, but the significance of a victory like yesterday’s cannot be underestimated. Roll on the next game…
28 Comments Add your own
1. asdasd | September 18th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
I am a prick.
2. Gaga | September 18th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
I’m feeling much better too!
3. Andrew | September 18th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
do you think Gilberto is better captain than Henry?
4. glo | September 18th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
That all the more shows why Cesc is an outstanding player, he didn’t have his best game and he was the best player on the pitch. I agree with one article I read yesterday, of all the teams that played yesterday, Arsenal were by far the best team.
I won’t be suprised if against stubborn teams like Bolton and Blackburn, Arsenal employ the 4-5-1 formation. Arsenal can win the premiership only if they build upon this win and make other team scare of Arsenal like Man Utd did yesterday, when the Beast came on yesterday Man Utd panic, they did through out the whole game.
What this 4-5-1 formation does is that it makes top teams look stupid even Barcelona. I just hope that they continue to work hard and beat all those team who keeps defending 4-0 everytime.
I disagree with Alan from BBC, because I think that he sometimes get things wrong and he has got this one wrong, the reason why Arsenal have lost or drawn our game in PL until yesterday was that we then to over play.
The team has to continue to work hard and work hard and work for each other. They must keep their head.
come on come on…………….
5. glo | September 18th, 2006 at 5:55 pm
Fools keep doubting Henry like one time when you were doubting Arsene, what foolssssssssssssssssss
6. bob dave | September 18th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
i think someone like toure should be made captain i think he’s fast becoming one of the best defenders in the world, the bloke has everything - speed, agility, never say die attitude, he really is gonna be a legend.
7. Amos | September 18th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
What really excites me is that we haven’t had a bad game all season - just bad results. We didn’t play any better or worse yesterday than we played in previous games - if anything we had fewer goal attempts and less posession.
Even against all out defence we have had enough chances to win. If we can remain defensively sound and get a bit more out of our chances, without me getting too carried away, this could be a really exciting season. It isn’t even 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1, whenToure can stride purposefully past midfield and thunder a shot just wide and Djourou has the confidence to make forward runs then this is TOTAL football!
8. bombaygunner | September 18th, 2006 at 6:07 pm
Arseblogger is right when he says that no other player in our team could’ve placed that pass to such perfection.
I don’t know whether Arseblogger watches only Fabregas. IMHO, Rosicky and Hleb could do the same. They’ve demonstrated their creative passing skills in this game and many earlier games.
BTW, did you notice that Arsenal did not give any chance to ManU to hack the players down. Remember Reyes almost telling Neville ‘come hack me down.’
9. gt | September 18th, 2006 at 6:46 pm
I only watched the highlights but I loved it when Adebayor headed the ball back for Rosicky to blast a shot only to be saved by the goalkeeper. That is what Crouch has done for Gerrard for a long time, with enormous success. More of this type of set-up please.
10. Andrew | September 18th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
We have some great players and youth coming through. But IMHO Toure is simply fantastic. To think he cost half mil. He struggled to find his best position. Then one day Wenger played him at center back and he found his ‘home’. Truly remarkable considering he wasn’t a natural defender. He settled down and has made an astonshing transition. Not only cemting his his place but growing every year to the extent that he is regarded as a world class defender. Remarkable. His attitude and commitment can never be questioned. I simply love this guy. He is alway my player of the season.
11. Jamie Pullman | September 18th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Yup, Toure is great, and so is Gallas, and Senderos can be great too, and who knows, maybe Djourou as well. That’s excellent years ahead for the Arsenal defence, maybe this lot could be the next Keown Adams Bould for our central defence.
I only saw the second half yesterday, but what I loved to see was the effort that was going in. Sometimes TH doesn’t exude the sort of oomph that the team needs. Va va voom he’s got in spades, but to be honest, I don’t think he’s the best choice for captain. Maybe he was made captain to give him another reason to stay, but if Gilberto or Toure can be effective leaders too, then we’ve got a lot to look forward to.
12. Sweet F.A | September 18th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
I was in a pub watching the game yesterday and there was quite a good mix off both fans, except for one loud mouthed cocky slimy fat twat!! who kept ranting off at the trap about how the game was gonna be a waste of time … and that we had major problems and all that gumpf then the line up and he started chanting ‘donkeybayor’ and how gangly and crap he is ….. i was flying when the boy put it in the back of the net …. i was buzzing but even more whhen i looked over to see that turkey tits had disappeared up his own arse….
what a start to the week the young lads have given Henry something to chew on … i hope this triggers him off, i agree with his comments before the game … we can’t always rely on him…. but proving we don’t have to may just be a slight thorn in his side …. oh how i’d love to see himm banging them away again and not from the penalty spot either…
13. blue champion | September 18th, 2006 at 8:57 pm
Very good win. Give more credit to Man United who played attacking football that allowed Arsenal to blossom. Smaller teams may not play like this and they know how to frustrate Arsenal by crowding the defence.
http://bluechampions.com/
14. Gelbs | September 18th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
Blue seriously. Why don’t you just fuck off back to your Chelsea blogs/sites?! No-one gives a shit about your lame after match comments. I don’t even bother clicking on your link neither. Piss off.
15. Amos | September 18th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Gelbs- Do you reckon Blue is just setting the stall out for Chelsea’s tactics against us when we play them?
16. Gelbs | September 18th, 2006 at 9:36 pm
Chelsea will attack Arsenal more like United did. I share the same opinion as he. But why the hell bother coming on an Arsenal blog all the time posting comments when you support another team. Fucking lame. Only time I did it on others blogs was when Spurs fans were given Arsenal fans grief and that was justified.
17. Paddy | September 18th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
I still worry that if Gilberto can’t pass the ball now he’ll never learn. Time and again yesterday, as usual, he gave away very easy balls over 5-10 yards, putting under pressure. He’s not a patch on Makelele and I’m sure Wenger can find someone better for next year.
18. Amos | September 18th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
I am not so sure that Chelsea will play as openly as United - I hope they do but their style is far more cautious.
You can’t blame Chelsea supporters for finding Arsenal blogs more interesting than Chelsea ones. They probably find their own blogs as boring as their team.
19. Declan | September 18th, 2006 at 10:29 pm
17. Paddy | September 18th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
I still worry that if Gilberto can’t pass the ball now he’ll never learn. Time and again yesterday, as usual, he gave away very easy balls over 5-10 yards, putting under pressure. He’s not a patch on Makelele and I’m sure Wenger can find someone better for next year.
Did you even watch Gilberto was immense and has much more in his game than Makelele.
Makelele would struggle in our team he is too small and weak Gilberto is like a third CB for us he is tall strong quick (did you see hold rooney of at full pelt) Makelele couldnt do that.
There are only few better Dm than Gilberto and one of them is not makelele
20. Little Dutch | September 19th, 2006 at 12:34 am
Quite simply Gilberto is one of the most important players in our team. We simply do not function without him.
21. Vega | September 19th, 2006 at 9:16 am
I love arsenal…
22. ruralgoon | September 19th, 2006 at 11:44 am
Gilberto is a legend for doing just what he needs to. If you think hes giving the ball away lots its only down to the editing of the highlights. I thought that Cesc had a poor game from just watching the highlights, but the legend who lent me a recording of the game said just watch! i was amazed how brilliantly he played- as i said the highlights can make any playr look ordinary.
Second point- we all know that chavski will revert to playing long balls over the top to Drogba cos thats the only way they can play against a team with skill and passing ability!!
23. Good to be a GOONAH!! | September 20th, 2006 at 9:32 am
I agree with all of these later comments… Gilberto is absolutely immense for us.. I do think that his range of passing isnt what it should be but neither is Makekele’s.. as long as Cesc, Hleb or Rosicky are nearby to offer, Gilberto is absolutely fine…
By the way, I have no issue with Chelsea “supporters” like Blue Chump visiting our blogs… they fear us… enjoy their fear
24. blue champions | September 21st, 2006 at 6:03 pm
1. This blog is on the internet and there is no restriction on the non-Arsenal fans to post comments. Otherwise, you would have provided access by reference or by registration.
2. I did not abuse Arsenal. I just said:
“Very good win. Give more credit to Man United who played attacking football that allowed Arsenal to blossom. Smaller teams may not play like this and they know how to frustrate Arsenal by crowding the defence”. Can someone tell me what’s wrong with this statement?
3. I dont come here because “i see interesting stuff only here”. How dumb? I come here like I visit any other club’s site. As a football fan I would like to know all perspectives and as a Chelsea fan, I would like to know what’s on in the opposite camp.
If you still think otherwise, I suggest that the administrators ban me from here.
25. bebo the gooner | September 30th, 2006 at 6:55 am
ban him!ban him!
26. Darkins | January 22nd, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Same thing i said a couple of weeks ago when all u so called arsenal fans we’re dissing Eboue. All u haters should go support Chelsea man. The guy is quality i hope u’s lot finally leave him alone now.
27. GOONER 7 | June 13th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I AM PREDICTING A WHITE ARSENAL AWAY KIT FOR THE 2007/08 SEASON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????
28. Man Yoo Preview: Are you &hellip | April 13th, 2008 at 11:21 am
[...] into gear and we play as we did in patches against Liverpool, beating United is achievable. Hell, we did it last season. And we had injuries that day too: Lauren, Clichy, Senderos, Van Persie, and even Thierry Henry [...]
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