Archive for May, 2010
May 10th, 2010
Arsenal 4 – 0 Fulham (Arshavin 21, Van Persie 26, Baird og 37, Vela 84)
Highlights | Arsene’s reaction
They didn’t call it a lap of honour. They called it a lap of appreciation. I don’t need to tell you why.
As the match wore on and news of Spurs’ defeat at Burnely seeped in via the 3G airwaves, some people in the crowd began to gloat, and laugh at our rivals falling short of third place. There’s no honour in that. I’d describe my reaction to us edging them to automatic Champions League qualification as one of relief, tinged with a little bit of shame that we let them get so close.
The match itself was something of a formality. Fulham fielded a collection of reserves and first-team players whose kit masked several layers of protective cotton wool. Their minds were on Wednesday’s Europa League Final, as were their arms, legs, and just about everything else.
Proof of their disinterest was stamped all over the opening goal. The usually ultra-reliable Mark Schwarzer miscontrolled a backpass, giving the ball straight to Andrey Arshavin, who wasted no time providing efficient punishment. He stepped inside the goalkeeper, and with Robin van Persie waiting for a pass, the Russian disguised a thumped shot in to the net from a tight angle. It was his twelfth goal of the season. Despite his patchy form, that’s a record of better than one goal for every three starts.
Arshavin and Van Persie provided a tandem threat throughout the game. When Adebayor left many expected them to be our principal attacking players, but injuries to both players have meant that they only really played together with any regularity at the start of the season. Note: that’s when we were at our most potent.
It was Van Persie who scored the second. Theo Walcott was played in behind, and when Schwarzer atoned for his mistake with a stunning tip on to the bar, the Dutchman was fortunate enough to see the ball bounce back in to his path for a tap-in.
A Walcott cross created the third too. The ball ricocheted off Chris Smalling and Emmanuel Eboue before Chris Baird obligingly poked the ball in to his own top corner. 3-0 at half-time, and third place assured.
Van Persie almost scored a carbon copy of his first in the second half, but was denied by the post, before Carlos Vela added the cherry to what was otherwise a rather stodgy cake. When Vela was put through one-on-one with Schwarzer, it quickly became clear no-one had told him this wasn’t the Carling Cup, as he showed remarkable composure to clip a sumptuous chip over the Aussie goalkeeper. He ran to celebrate with the departing Fran Merida – despite this outrageous display of ability, I wouldn’t be too surprised to see Vela join his friend in La Liga next season.
At full-time, the players embarked on their celebratory appreciative lap. Despite not being included in the matchday squad, Manuel Almunia and Eduardo were both there, showing no visible signs of injury. Mikael Silvestre pointedly clapped his goodbyes, and William Gallas was conspicuous by his absence.
Third place and a Champions League quarter-final feels about right for this squad. The next few weeks will be spent analysing why that is, and what we need to do to push on to the next level.
May 9th, 2010
So here we are: the final game of our season. It’s been an exciting journey, but one that’s ultimately ended in disappointment. Like a tour of London that ends in Tottenham. Speaking of our neighbours, it’s essential we win today: losing to Fulham could mean slipping behind Spurs to 4th.
It’s a measure of how much our season has petered out that Spurs can even contemplate finishing above us. Whilst they have admittedly been in terrific form, beating us, Chelsea and City, the tightening of the gap is as much due to our dreadful run – we’ve now had just one win in eight games. Ever since Kevin Phillips scored that late equaliser at St. Andrews, we haven’t looked right, and we’re now in a position where we’re vulnerable to the humiliating prospect of lagging behind our oldest enemy.
Fortunately we’re facing a Fulham side who’ll hopefully have their minds on Wednesday’s Europa Cup Final with Atletico Madrid. They may even rest the majority of their first team. The final is a momentous occasion for them, and shedding blood and sweat to win at the Emirates and claim a tenth place league finish is probably not top of their agenda right now.
I fully expect us to have enough in the tank to raise our game and beat the west Londoners. After the lifeless displays against Wigan and Blackburn, the players owe it to the fans to give them a performance and a decent summer send-off. The manager knows it too:
“I believe for long periods in the season the fans were behind the team like never before and they deserve a big thank you.
We gave everything this year and we will try that again on the last game of the season. Despite some disappointments they have always supported the team very well.â€
One hopes the squad will respect that and show their appreciation in the ‘lap of honour’ – a term for essentially walking around in a big circle that the more disgruntled among you will certainly debate.
Whatever your feelings about the team, the manager, and the season, we can’t afford any antipathy to run the risk of precipitating the indignity of defeat and losing third position. If you’re at the Emirates today, get behind the team as you have done all season long. If you’re watching at home, put on your lucky pants and cross every available digit. The season has ended with a decidedly soggy squib, but our own poor form has handed us an unlikely cup final of our own: beat Fulham, and the prize is retained respectability. It’s not the trophy we all crave, but nor is it something we can afford to lose. Come On, one last time, You Reds.
—
Arsenal probable (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Clichy; Diaby, Eboué; Walcott, Nasri, Arshavin; Van Persie.
Fulham possible (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Baird, Smalling, Konchesky; Riise, Greening, Dikgacoi, Davies; Dempsey, Nevland.
Referee: Mike Jones.
May 7th, 2010
According to Arsenal.com, the weekly press conference with Arsène Wenger, scheduled for this afternoon, has been cancelled due to the manager having a sore throat and being unable to speak.
Accordingly, Arsenal.com say they’re unable to bring us their usual ‘as live’ coverage, which is a shame for those ArsenalTV members who hoped to see streamed footage of Arsene laid up in bed drinking lemon and honey and watching repeats of Diagnosis Murder.
Of course, in an election week, the nation has the scent of spin in their nostrils, and even the most banal of statements will be interrogated. What, fans are wondering, is the real reason that Arsene’s press conference has been cancelled. Could it be:
- he is giving Marouane Chamakh a first tour around London
- he is meeting, greeting, wining, dining, then hopefully signing a new goalkeeper
- he’s attempting to disuade William Gallas from re-signing for Chelsea – undoubtedly one of the most bizarre transfer rumours I’ve ever read
- he is so sickened by Spurs securing fourth place that he can’t face talking about it
- he is at Number 10, attempting to help reach a coalition agreement. Apparently he will only offer Brown a one-year rolling deal.
Or is it possible that could he actually just have a sore throat. But how did he acquire it? Talking to agents until his voice departed him, or yelling at the players after their lifeless performance at Blackburn last week?
There’s a bit of early Fulham team news here – more on that, and the health of Arsene’s pharynx, tomorrow.
May 6th, 2010
Hey guys. In an a crazy rush this morning so I’ve just got time to fire you the morning’s headlines:
Marouane Chamakh has all but confirmed his impending move to Arsenal
Enjoyably, he’s also admitted turning down the likes of Liverpool and Spurs to do the deal. He made a reference to “nine days” yesterday – if that’s what the move will be announced, I don’t know.
Andrey Arshavin has denied that he is represented by Dennis Lachter
He has also confirmed that he has never spoken to The People newspaper. He does not, however, go as far as saying that he has no interest in a move to Barcelona. Honest till the last, eh.
I got my wish: Spurs will be in the Champions League qualifying round
Let’s all laugh at Adebayor, then get on with praying to whatever dark gods may be listening that they get a tough draw. After all that effort, it would be hilarious for them not to reach the group stage.
Right, got to run. Happy voting, British Gooners.
May 5th, 2010
Tonight Manchester City face Spurs in what is being called, somewhat cumbersomely, a £20m Champions League qualification play-off.
It’s not so much about the money for City. £20m is loose change to them. For them, it’s about credibility. Qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition would allow them access to a galaxy of stars that have so far been beyond their reach.
For Spurs, the financial boom would be significant. But more importantly, they’d be able to finally join their bitter rivals in the elite. For years they’ve had to endure watching us consistently reach the latter stages of the Champions League. This would be their chance to prove their mettle.
Choosing between them is difficult. Spurs success leaves a rare but unpleasant sensation in the mouth, whilst Manchester City’s gross profligacy would make them unappealing even before you consider personnel such as Tevez, Bellamy and Adebayor.
Today’s headline means you already know which way the pendulum is swinging for me. I see it like this: if City finish fourth, they’ll go on a spending spree which will make their previous forays in to the transfer market look like a trip to the pound shop. This will be Supermarket Sweep. In Harrods. I’d fully expect them to be title challengers next year, and put our current slot as part of a ‘top three’ under threat.
If, however, it is Tottenham who triumph, I don’t expect much to change. They will be looking over their shoulder rather than ahead, fending off renewed bids for fourth from City, Liverpool and Villa. And do you know what the clincher is? If Spurs do get fourth spot, they still have such an extraordinary capacity for implosion that it wouldn’t surprise me if they then failed to make it through the qualifying round.
All that said, when I settle down to watch the game tonight, I suspect instinct may take over and I’ll be cheering against the old enemy. There’s little place for rationality in these things.
In Arsenal news, The Times suggest that Sol Campbell will be handed a new deal, though there’s nothing to suggest there’s anything more than guesswork behind the story. There’s some talk of an England recall for him, but I think Sol’s time on the international stage has come and gone. Very happy to keep him at Arsenal though – in fact, he’s just been named our Player of the Month.
Will we keep Jack Wilshere in our clutches next term, or will Owen Coyle will granted his wish to keep him for another six months? I think it depends entirely on Arsene’s plans for the player. When he first went to Bolton he played in an unfamiliar left-wing role. In recent games he’s moved to central midfield, which is where he’s played at every age level, and impressed enormously. He didn’t make a single league start in the first half of the season here – if he’s going to be sat on the bench, he’s better off developing at Bolton. But I suspect he’d be ahead of the likes of Rosicky and Walcott in my pecking order next season.
Unsurprisingly given the form of Wookash Flappyhandski, we’ve been linked with a couple of keepers: Joe Hart and Gigi Buffon. The former is a fairly spurious Guardian piece which suggests City would be disinclined to sell anyway, whilst the latter contains a statement from Buffon saying his future may lie in England. Juventus have failed to qualify for the Champions League next season, and he may represent a saleable asset for them. At 32, he’d still be a fantastic signing for us.
Right, so that’s it. Eyes forward to tonight’s game. Come on you…
oh sod it. I hope it’s a draw.
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