Boro 1-1 Arsenal: We’ve forgotten how to lose
117 comments February 5th, 2007
Which isn’t such a bad thing to forget. Indeed, we’re yet to lose in 2007. What we have forgotten is how to start well. It seems to take us about half an hour to get going in games, and this one was no different. The first half was a real bore, and subsequently the second half became a 45-minute game in it’s own right.
We were slowly cranking up the pressure, when a defensive slip allowed Yakubu to burst through on goal. Philippe Senderos came across, foolishly made the tiniest bit of contact (the initial part of which was outside the box), Yakubu tumbled into the box and the penalty was given. Not only that, but Senderos was sent off. Yes, it was harsh, and Yakubu himself reportedly admitted it had not been a foul, but perhaps Senderos should have reasoned that Yakubu was beyond him, and sometimes you have to let it go and trust your goalkeeper.
As it was, Lehmann was having a great game, but not even he could stop Yakubu’s calm penalty. But our recent habit of coming from behind, whilst inconvenient, has toughened this side up. When our goal came, it was like Rosicky’s against Spurs: from a direct long-ball to Adebayor. The ball cannoned off his shoulder, and in two touches Henry controlled it and passed it into the corner with his left-foot.
In the circumstances, 1-1 was a decent result. I agree with Arsene that with eleven men we would’ve gone on to win, but once we lost Senderos, a draw has to be seen as a decent result. We looked uncomfortable and never really gelled, but we got away with it against a team in very good form.
I’m insanely busy at the moment (hence no blog yesterday), but fortunately it’s International week, and there isn’t very much to report anyway. Or is there.
