“1-0 to the Arsenal”…
7 comments April 26th, 2005
It seems that with our quite superb defensive form, the famous chant may once again be heard ringing around Highbury on a regular basis.
Though in all honesty, this could (and perhaps should) have been much more. It was, in fact, a 1-0 thrashing.
In the first half, Arsenal were absolutely electric. Jose Reyes should have made it 1-0 just 60 seconds in, rounding Paul Robinson after a sublime through ball from Robin van Persie, only to hit the side netting with his weaker right foot.
Van Persie, starting ahead of 35 year old fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp, showed great maturity and composure in the latest in a sequence of excellent performances that further his claim for a regular starting berth.
On 22 minutes, Arsenal did take the lead. Some neat work between Cesc Fabregas and Patrick Vieira resulted in the teenager poking a ball between Michael Dawson and Stephen Kelly. After his early miss, you feared for the confidence of Jose Antonio Reyes, but the aplomb with which he accelerated onto the through-ball and smashed it past Paul Robinson showed some real promise.
The goal ultimately settled the contest, in spite of there being plenty of football still to play. Arsenal moved into cruise control, and came closer to adding to their lead through Van Persie, Vieira, Toure, Senderos, and excellent substitute Edu, who struck a post.
Late on, they were almost punished for not adding to their lead when Robbie Keane headed wide from 8 yards out.
However, as the final whistle blew, and messrs Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Senderos, and Cole chalked up their 8th consecutive clean sheet, the unusually noisy Highbury crowd let loose a cheer of real satisfaction. Arsenal had done the double over Spurs for the first time since 1989, and denied Tottenham the satisfaction of forcing the Premiership trophy into Chelsea’s hands.
That, it seems, must wait till Saturday.
I was particularly pleased for Jose. Not Mourinho, who had claimed that he wanted Arsenal to win, but our own Spanish starlet, Reyes. It was a very significant goal for him and the club, and his overall performance seemed lifted by the clinical nature of the strike. The 87 minutes of excellent work that he put in left you feeling optimistic about his possible future at the club. However, Arsene had some solemn words after the game, saying “He knows I’d love him to stay but I fear he will go”. With words as frank as that, I’d imagine there’s already been some contact between Real and Arsenal over a possible transfer. If Madrid’s bid hits the £15m mark, and Jose truly does want away, then he will go.
Another young striker whose future is a little crowded, the controversial Quincy, has been released on bail. Hopefully he’ll be cleared of all charges, and resume his step-overring antics on the pitch.
Have a good Tuesday, and check out the funky new-look arseblog.
