Hleb Drives Arsenal To Victory
9 comments March 19th, 2006
An increasingly potent Arsenal side brushed away a poor Charlton yesterday with a 3-0 victory, that, to be frank, flattered their opponents. This new-look Arsenal side has managed to marry pace and power with technique and flair. For every Philippe Senderos, there’s a Cesc Fabregas. For every Emmanuel Adebayor, there’s a Thierry Henry.
The new side is based on partnerships. Toure and Senderos are solid at the back. Kolo and Eboue have a fantastic understanding on the right hand side, and Eboue also links well with Aleksandr Hleb. Hleb in turn has forged a potent creative combination with Cesc Fabregas, and the new boy Adebayor does a good job alongside Henry.
Beating Real Madrid has given the young players confidence and belief, and it’s really showing. Eboue, Senderos, Flamini and Fabregas have matured immeasurably. But the player whose undergone the biggest transformation has been Alex Hleb. Despite starting the season well, he suffered with injuries and looked like a mis-fit with a penchant for a mis-hit. However, in recent weeks, he has become a powerful, skillful, creative midfielder- a combination of Freddie Ljungberg’s endeavour and Robert Pires’ flair. Hopefully yesterday’s final goal is a sign he has picked up some of their finishing ability too.
It was Pires who opened the scoring yesterday, tapping in after a flowing move finishing with an Henry cut-back. Adebayor then poked home a second, having missed two earlier opportunities. Like EastLower, I’m a real fan of the Togolese striker. He isn’t the best finisher, but he gets himself into dangerous areas, and as Wenger puts it, “I believe that he gives something to the team and especially something to Thierry – he gives him more room. Physical presence, he is good in the air, protects well the ball”. He’ll give Robin van Persie a run for his place, that’s for sure.
I’d say we’re starting to look like the Arsenal of old, but that’d be missing a point. We’re starting to build the new Arsenal, and it’s potentially excellent. Fourth place is well within our grasp, and I sincerely believe we’re now in a position to grab it.
