Archive for October, 2009
October 6th, 2009
Arsenal 6 – 2 Blackburn (Vermaelen 17, Van Persie 33, Arshavin 37, Fabregas 57, Walcott 75, Bendtner 89)
Highlights here; Arsene’s reaction here
As I was away this weekend on the briefest of holidays, I watched this match on Monday via the magic (for it truly is) of Sky+. I could’ve been forgiven for thinking I was watching the 06/07 fixture, were it not for the new personnel and system that so stamped their authority on this game.
Defensively, there were lapses. A combination of indecisive goalkeeping from Mannone and the sun preventing Vermaelen from spotting a dropping ball led to us falling behind to an Nzonzi header, and Blackburn’s second goal was the result of a counter-attack where we were as caught out as Nicklas Bendtner was here.
Going forward, however, we were stunning. The 4-3-3 system allowed Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby to roam forward in support of an electrifying front three of Arshavin, Van Persie and Tomas Rosicky.
We netted six goals, each with a different scorer. Vermaelen lashed in our first from twenty five yards, before a composed Van Persie finish for his third goal in three games. Arshavin’s shot on the spin put us 3-2 ahead, before Cesc’s floating volley killed the contest. Theo Walcott came on for his first appearance of the season and rounded off a stunning counter, before the recovered Nicklas Bendtner crashed an effort in off the post with similar to force to that with which he crashed his Aston Martin into a Hertfordshire fence.
There’s a more extensive match report here, but the undoubted talking point is the stunning performance of Cesc Fabregas. He assisted or scored the first five goals (he was off the field for the sixth), and celebrated his own strike with a badge-kissing display of loyalty that was reminscent of the affection between player and club we experienced with the watching Thierry Henry.
Cesc is an outstanding player who, in conjuction with the likes of Andrey Arshavin, is capable of lifting this side to sufficient heights that joining Barcelona remains a future option rather than an immediate neccessity. Against Blackburn there signs of the team’s potential, and Arsene is adamant about the strength of their capabilities, and honest about their flaws:
“There are some strengths coming out of this team and we have to add some discipline defensively because we struggled a little bit defensively today. We looked always like we know we will score goals.”
It’s the International break now, so bask in the entertainment this win provided while you can. You’ll be spending the next week or two waiting for something to match it.
October 5th, 2009
Due to being abroad, I’m yet to see Arsenal vs Blackburn.
Due to the magic of Sky+, I’m about to.
For my reactions to the match ‘as live’, starting in the next twenty minutes or so, be sure to follow me on Twitter.
Match report to follow.
October 1st, 2009
As of today, Arsene Wenger is Arsenal’s longest serving manager, surpassing the record previously held by George Allison for his spell in the thirties and forties.
The official site have trawled through the archives and produced a couple of nice pieces that are definitely worth a look. It’s only when you look back at pictures from when Arsene was first appointed that the amount of time that’s passed really hits some.
Arsene and the club are now synonymous. There is a whole generation of fans who do not know an Arsenal without him. There are countless more who can no longer imagine the same eventuality.
Arsene is not only our longest serving manager, but our greatest. And what a servant he has been, bearing the load of our debt to enable us to move into the finest club stadium in the country. Under his term we have become one of the European elite.
The world of football is now very different to how it was when he arrived. To win trophies with shrewd acquisitions and ingenious tactics proves ever more difficult when there are several teams able to invest hundreds of millions of pounds to counteract that. Arsene’s later years have been about trying to find a formula to succeed without disproportionate investment. A man once regarded by some as a chequebook manager has become a crèche supervisor. Thus far, it’s not delivered any trophies, but it is still delivering me a club and a team I feel immensely proud of.
The longer Arsene remains at the helm the closer his departure comes. It is genuinely hard to envisage the day when he is not conducting affairs at London Colney, but it can only be a few seasons away now. My one wish for the remainder of Arsene’s reign is that he is able to win the trophies that give him closure on this – his fourth Arsenal team, and greatest project to date.
Here’s to you, Arsene.
October 1st, 2009
Arsenal 2 – 0 Olympiacos (Van Persie 78, Arshavin 86)
Highlights here; Arsene’s reaction here
Arsenal’s crowd, like the team, are learning to deal with frustration. In the past, night’s like Tuesday would have yielded immature responses from both: as the game remained at 0-0 in spite of the home side’s domination, the fans would have howled “Shoot†at the players as their efforts became increasingly less fluid and more frantic.
On Tuesday, however, there was expectancy without pressure, and there was assurance without arrogance. Olympiacos showed no ambition, and eventually we punished them. It took until the 78th minute, but the goal eventually came – a flowing move ending with substitute Eduardo crossing for Robin van Persie to tap in his first goal at the Emirates this season.
Before full-time we had a chance to grab a second. Andrey Arshavin combined beautifully with Cesc Fabregas (along with a brief intervention from Aaron Ramsey) for the Catalan to cross to the Russian on the edge of the six yard box. Although the number twenty-three appeared marginally offside, his delicious back-heeled finish provided the scoreline with a deserved two-goal margin.
Whilst the whole team contributed to our performance, Arshavin’s display was the highlight of the night for me. In our early games he appeared unfit and occasionally unfocused. Against Olympiacos he gave a ninety minute display full of the deft touches that typified his first six months at the club. To achieve honours this season we require a focused and fit Arshavin – on Tuesday we got it. The Russian now has three goals in his last four appearances.
As I said, everybody played well. The back four was solid, Song broke up play well, Diaby impressed in a roaming midfield role, Fabregas and Van Persie linked play brilliantly, and in the absence of Nicklas Bendtner Tomas Rosicky produced an intelligent display on the right wing.
The result leaves us in a fantastic position to qualify from the group early, which’d be a bonus and a relief.
We actually beat Olympiacos on three fronts over the last 48 hours – Theo Walcott made his comeback in a win for a Reserve XI, whilst the women hammered them 9-0 in their equivalent of the Champions League. Good going, girls.
Finally, congratulations today to Arsene Wenger: our longest serving manager. A remarkable feat in this modern age. This deserves greater comment, and it’ll get it tomorrow. Till then.
Next Posts
