Baptista & Gilberto 3 – 0 Tevez & Mascherano
12 comments September 4th, 2006
Because I’ve been away in Edinburgh, this was the first live match I’ve attended this season. However, it’s one I will probably remember for the rest of my life. The opportunity to see Brazil play Argentina doesn’t come along too often, and when it does, you hardly expect it to live up to expectations. But it did.
In a match that showed off the remarkable technique of every player involved, Brazil were triumphant. Though both sides missed key players (Ronaldinho for Brazil, Crespo for Argentina), it was the seleção who coped better. Shaktar Donestk’s versatile midfielder Elano fired home the first two goals before a virtuoso effort from Kaka gave Brazil a flattering third. Goals here.
Gilberto Silva played in the guise of new manager, Dunga, doing a fantastic marking job on Juan Riquelme. Julio Baptista also made his Emirates Stadium debut, recieving a rapturous reception when he replaced Elano with 20 minutes to play.
The Beast himself was moved to say:
“It was very nice and I am so happy to be made so welcome at my new ground. I just hope I am made to feel this welcome when I play in the Premiership. I am confident I will be a good acquisition to the team. It’s a traditional club and a well run club. They reached the Champion’s League final last season and I hope with my help they can do it again this season.
“I am very happy to sign a four year contract. But after the one year loan it is up to Arsenal to discuss with Real Madrid if they want to keep me. Hopefully they will say yes and I can stay. I am very very humbled that Arsene Wenger was so interested in me. I will be very happy to stay here for a long time, as long as the club wants me.”
Nice words, and certainly puts the concerns of those amongst us who were concerned his heart wasn’t in it to rest. A four-year deal would be lovely. Thierry’s pleased too.
Back to the game, it really was an incredible experience. When you see these players live, in the flesh, you realise just how far away us English our in terms of technique. Every player on the pitch, probably including the goalkeepers, was capable of a remarkable level of skill and invention. This was typified by the outstanding Robinho, who justified Arsene Wenger’s interest in him last summer with a truly dazzling display. For me, he was the man of the match.
Like Arsene, I’m not a huge fan of Internationals, particularly friendlies, especially when it means that most of our squad run the risk of getting injured. But games like yesterday are unmissable. It was a genuine “Harlem Globetrotters” event. Whether that’s right or wrong, it was very enjoyable.
As a friend of mine said, yesterday was the first classic match at the Emirates Stadium. Let’s hope the next one is against Middlesbrough next saturday.
Site news: You may have noticed the site has been down over the past couple of days. Well, it’s back up now, I think. There are a few tiny issues. For example, if you check the Archives, you’ll note that “Arsène” has become “Arsène”. Devastating. Anyway, thanks to arseblogger and Tom who helped get it all back up. They’re smart, nice folk.
As for the site being down, over the next few days I’ll reveal the shattering truth about who fed me to the sharks. It changed my view forever on the hosting I regarded as family.
