Charlton 1 – 2 Arsenal: Van Persie volley blasts Arsenal to fourth consecutive win
524 comments September 30th, 2006
21 minutes into this tricky London derby, a controversial offside decision allowed Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in behind Arsenal’s back four. Looking up, Hasselbaink managed to square for Darren Bent to tap in the first goal of the game. Arsenal fans’ heads dropped. The BBC Sport website gleefully pointed out that The Gunners had failed to win any game in which they’d fallen behind this season.
But Robin van Persie had other ideas. Arsenal had been the better side throughout the game, but lacked a cutting edge. Either side of half-time, he provided it. Firstly, Aleksandr Hleb outwitted three Charlton defenders in the penalty area before crossing to the dutchman, who controlled and finished calmly into the far corner.
His second goal was quite remarkable: after the game, Arsene called it “the goal of a lifetime”, and it’s certainly the goal of his Arsenal life so far. Another good cross from the overlapping Emmanuel Eboué dropped towards van Persie, rushing towards goal. The ball was at waist-height, almost impossible to control. Incredibly, the young forward leapt into the air and scissor-kicked it at full power into the far top corner from fully twenty yards out. The celebration matched the magnificence of the goal, charging up some stewards steps to take in the away fans’ crazed applause.
Today was important for Robin. He was playing in a slightly unfamiliar left-sided role in a 4-3-3, and with no goals so far this season, he would be excused for lacking confidence. However, the game showed just how devastating he can be when his head is right. Technichally, he is unsurpassed at our club. if he can keep the temper that saw him recieve a booking in check, and regularly score goals of anywhere near the quality he did today, then his place alongside Henry is assured. He should be targetting 15 goals a season: he is more than capable.
A word for Alex Hleb who was absolutely outstanding at both ends of the pitch, with a hand in both of our goals to match. Hleb has his doubters, but his energy and work-rate are fantastic. That is not a slight on his technical play, but on days like today a bit of grafting can make all the difference.
With Chelsea failing to beat Aston Villa (and to think we were mocked for the same thing), Liverpool crashing at Bolton, and Manchester United facing a tricky game tomorrow it really is an excellent victory.
And for that, we have one man to thank.
For various reasons, there probably won’t be an update tomorrow, so come back on Monday for full reaction to the win.
We lost 1-0. If that hasn’t condemned us, nothing will.
The team I played against Charlton with was the one to the right here.
