CSKA Moscow 1 – 0 Arsenal: Irritatingly inevitable
76 comments October 18th, 2006
After four consecutive Premiership wins, and two in the Champions League to boot, it was inevitable that we’d return to Earth with a bump eventually. Yesterday, Arsenal’s usually slick pass-and-move game was disjointed and disorganised. Yes, the pitch wasn’t great, but at times we looked like we were playing on some kind of huge, Russian bouncy castle. And that’s not just because the side lacked balance.
Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott were left out, with Alex Hleb and Robin van Persie coming in to play on the wings of a 4-5-1. Despite being rested on Saturday, neither particularly distinguished himself last night, van Persie in particular failing to make the most of a couple of promising opportunities. On one occasion he failed to either play in William Gallas or successfully go it alone, and indecision was again his enemy when he broke into the area with Kolo Toure in support.
Toure, on the other hand was outstanding. When Arsenal conceded thanks to a 24th-minute bullet free-kick from Daniel Carvalho, it was the Ivorian who took the game to the Russians, with several bursts forwards reminiscent of Patrick Vieira in his prime. He needed to be at his best, with Johan Djourou having one of his shakiest games for the club, and Justin Hoyte showing just why I’ve lovingly nicknamed him “the bastard love-child of Pascal Cygan and Alex Song”.
In midfield, Gilberto defended admirably but passed appallingly, whilst Cesc Fabregas didn’t really turn up until the last half-hour: a criticism which could be attached to pretty much the entire Arsenal side. The late introduction of Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Adebayor helped bring about a more direct, attacking approach. Indeed, we even managed to get the ball in the back of the net, with Thierry Henry calmly slotting home before being penalised for a handball that wasn’t.
However, I’m not one to complain. I don’t think we deserved too much from a game in which we failed to perform. There aren’t any specific reasons that we failed to win: we just didn’t play very well, Toure excepted.
Still, Reading on Sunday, and a chance to put things right. Which leads me on to a question that’s been bothering me: why have Sky as yet failed to show a live Premiership game at the Emirates Stadium? Is it simply because there hasn’t been a suitable game, or is it a technical issue to do with the new environment? Do they like to get used to the camera rigs etc before transmitting live?
Just something that’s been bothering me. Answers below, please.
