Topsy-Turvy Arsenal Take Point Home
3 comments October 21st, 2004
Arsenal picked up a point in a topsy turvy 2-2 draw in Greece last night.
A great turn and pass from Jose Reyes allowed Freddie to steal in and flick the ball over the keeper for an early lead.
It was into the second half when they sent a long ball over the top, Jens Lehmann came charging out and headed away, only for their man to produce a quite stunning finish by lobbing mad Jens from all of 30 yards.
In hindsight, it was a mistake. But if the ball doesn’t go sailing over his head into the net, as would happen 99 times out of 100, then people would say he was performing well as the “sweeper keeper“. He can’t really be blamed.
Anyway, it seemed not to matter too much, as we went charging up the other end, with a classic counter-attack ending with Thierry coaxing the ball beyond the keeper.
However, the second goal that we conceded was in many ways more disappointing than the first. A corner was swung in, and with little-to-no marking they were able to knock a free header beyond the on-rushing Lehmann.
So, 2-2. A point away from home. Not so bad. Certainly not the disaster some would have you believe.
Still, I don’t understand why Pires played up-front with Jose on the left. It seems to me that Arsene prefers Reyes as a left-winger, and yet seems unwilling to go back on his word, so insists he is primarily a forward.
Also, Edu looked way off-the-plot last night. His long time spent away from the first team is certainly showing. I stand by my earlier piece whereby I suggested he may well leave in January.
So roll on Sunday. Roll on Man United.
Roll on the great reprise of “The Battle of Old Trafford“.
Roll on 50 games unbeaten.
Roll on Arsenal.