Archive for March, 2005
March 15th, 2005
Yesterday we drew Blackburn in the FA Cup Semi-Final, which of course means that Arsenal and Man U have been kept apart, teasing the possibility of a positively mouthwatering final.
But before that, we must focus our attentions on beating FA Cup specialist Mark Hughes’ Blackburn side. Only one hitch: we’re not very good at that. They’re one of those tricky, Bolton-esque sides that always seem able to turn us over, just when we really don’t want them to. Another battling performance will be required if we want to go back to Cardiff on the 21st May.
Meanwhile, there is some rather encouraging news on Gilberto Silva: he played his first game for 6 months in a strong reserve side’s victory over Chelsea last night. Nice to see another long-term absentee, Jeremie Aliadiere, grab a hatrick.
That’s all for now.
March 14th, 2005
Is to walk away on a Bosman, if you listen to the Daily Mirror. With a full two years still to run on his current contract, I’d be surprised if this has entered Ash’s mind yet. A slightly miffed Arsene Wenger said “I am surprised by the whole story. How can it happen in the centre of London? Why did they not do it in the middle of a roundabout on the M25, then everyone would have known about it?”
On a return trip to Spain with his family, Jose Reyes has revealed that “Anyone would want to play for a club as big as that – but for that to happen the directors must speak.” Nice and reassurring, there. Arseblogger eloquently discusses the possibility of selling our Spaniard. I’m not quite sure where I stand on this one yet, but I’m sure you’ll be the first to know when I do.
Monday morning. Yawn.
March 13th, 2005
Swiss Toni is a particularly fitting nickname for our young defender, Philippe Senderos. Swiss? Fairly obvious. Toni? A homage to his great predecessor, Tony Adams. And Swiss Toni, the lascivious car dealer from The Fast Show.
Thanks to Blogasaurus Rex for the image.
I’m not in anyway suggesting that Senderos is as good as Tony Adams. Or that he ever will be. I’m merely praising him for a couple of sterling performances in central defence over the past few games, as our lads have picked up four consecutive clean sheets.
And that was the key to our win over Bolton. After an early Freddie Ljungberg goal, we were able to hold off Bolton’s attack, aided by the stupidly deserved red card to El Hadji Diouf. Semi-finals here we come.
Jens Lehmann was solid between the sticks, Big Phil held the back-line well, Vieira put in a captain’s performance in midfield, and Jose Reyes seemed to regain some confidence in a striking role.
Gael Clichy was also excellent at left-back, with a headline-making Ashley Cole on the bench. Arsene has been a little more candid about his views on the Chelsea scandal, but the whole thing is surrounded by such a cloud of smoke that it seems pointless even to comment on it.
Man U in the final?
March 12th, 2005
Well, that’s the European dream over for another year. There’s nothing more to say that hasn’t been said. What I’d rather do, is look forward to the match with Bolton later today.
The FA Cup is seen by many as the great consolation prize, but I’d still take great pleasure from reaching the final, and even more from winning it. Progression in the competition could also give us another chance to break our recent hoodoo with Man U. What is it now, 5 games without beating them? Community Shield aside, that is? Wouldn’t it be nice to beat them on a way to a trophy?
We’ll have to do it, at least tomorrow, without Thierry Henry, who, by the way, didn’t moan about the board, and isn’t leaving.
C’mon Arsenal.
March 9th, 2005
Tonight’s game with Bayern is massive. A 2-0 win is required to see us through, and on paper, it looks a tough prospect.
However, my nerve’s have been calmed somewhat by arseblogger’s revelation that we will actually win 3-0. Phew.
Arsene certainly seems pretty confident, and interestingly was in a hurry to point out “the quality of the defenders”. Despite his assertion that “Senderos is going to be a very good centre-back”, it’s fascinating that after the disaster of Munich he should choose to praise our defence.
In attack, Jose Reyes will start ahead of Robert Pires on the left, with Dennis Bergkamp joining Thierry Henry up front.
I don’t get to watch the game, which, as I’m sure you can imagine, is really rather frustrating. Oh well.
3-0 it is.
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