I don't normally do a match report, but after Sunday I thought I'd enjoy the moment and do one anyway. Within 4 minutes we were 1-0 down thanks to a lucky deflection that painfully looped over Szczesny, there was luck with the deflection but we got carved open at the back. We came back into the game and looked threatening then in typical Arsenal style we gave away a penalty that from where I was looked like one, although I was up the other end of the stadium. A message from my friend however confirmed, the chimp faced, big eared Welsh shit had in fact dived (it's nice to see how the media fawn over him yet never any mention of the many times he's been caught out for simulation). Adebayor stepped up and of course scored. 2-0 down and we all feared the worse.
After 6 minutes of contemplating just how bad this could get we were celebrating and very much back in the game as Sagna powered his header past Friedel. His subdued celebration showed that we really meant business, he ran back to the centre plonked the ball on the spot and the team galvanised. From this point onwards it was all Arsenal, we went forward with purpose and a poor attempted clearance from afro-man saw the ball fall to Van Persie. He turned 2 defenders and curled the ball past Friedel, a magical moment from a magical player, sparking wild celebrations from me and 57,000 other gooners. We showed real fight and spirit trying to win every ball and we looked the much better side.
I was concerned that we'd come out the second half with Tottenham pressing again and we wouldn't show the spirit we needed to try and take the points. I was wrong. We came out and 5 minutes later Rosicky who played brilliantly gave us the lead, The Emirates was now truly rocking. Along with Rosicky there were some real stand out performances from Benayoun, Sagna, Song and Szczesny. One the other hand Walcott had been abused by nearly everyone in the whole stadium including myself for a truly awful first half performance. We were calling for his head but the manager stuck by him, now I'm not going to say he was great in the second half because he wasn't, more on him at the end.
The demolition continued as Walcott was freed by RVP and after a few lucky touches he finished superbly showing what he can do, chipping the oncoming goalkeeper. By this time Arsenal were cruising and The Emirates had a real party atmosphere, it was a day that I'm proud to say I was lucky enough to witness. The day was completed as Song floated a wonderful ball over the top for Theo who completed his brace firing the ball across Friedel and into the corner. Victory is sweet.
Now it doesn't paper over the cracks and there's a way to go yet but this week is all about enjoying it. We've been without something to enjoy for a while so make the most of it. Now onto Walcott. This is a sticky subject as he's out of contract in the summer. Now suggesting that he deserves £80,000 a week to me, is absurd. Yes he scored twice in the derby but he's far too inconsistent and on the tube on the way back I was next to two fans discussing whether we should stick with him. One of them made the point which I quite agree with "remember when he went one on one against QPR? He didn't even hit the target" and that's what it all boils down to. He just doesn't produce enough and until he does I'm struggling to see justification of the wages he deserves.
Anyway, enjoy this week and we're off to Anfield on Saturday. Adebayor what's the score?
I don't want to talk about the weekend gone, all I can say is 7 years, time for a rethink Arsene. Your 5 year plan has failed, act this summer.
The game on Sunday is the biggest home game of the season and possibly for many the biggest of the whole season (bar cup finals). The derby is something completely different to any other game. The form guide goes out the window, table position goes out the window, the only determining factor is who wants it more. This is highlighted by the fact we're favourites, bookmakers simply put the home team as favourite. Most people, myself included would put Tottenham as the team to win, but derbies throw up all sorts of different results.
After recent weeks, this is a game that we simply cannot afford to lose. The team needs to get up for it and put in a good shift, we've lost our last 2, now we need to react positively. Wenger has come under heavy fire recently, but I just don't think the players are giving him everything which they need to do. I understand the manager should be getting players up for games but when they don't perform what can he do? sub them? with 10 injuries that just isn't possible. We just have to hope the team come out all guns blazing on Sunday.
Anyway enough of the problems and onto what we know about Sunday. Team news is sketchy at best, unfortunately. Gibbs who played against Milan didn't make the squad on Saturday and instead was replaced by Coquelin. Watching on Saturday our players were dropping like flies and that means its difficult for me to pick a team. The site are keeping pretty quiet. Ramsey went off but he appears to be OK the same with Coquelin. Koscielny was out after going off against Milan, Wenger said "He should be back for next week", we can only hope. Don't take this as a given by any means but I'd guess at: Szczesny, Gibbs?, Vermaelen, Kosicleny?, Sagna, Song, Ramsey?, Arteta, Oxlade, Gervinho, RVP.
To Sp*rs, who The Mirror decided to suggest were having an "injury crisis". What a piss take. The word is that Adebayor will be fit to play (cue abuse from every Arsenal fan) but they have the option of Defoe as well as Van Der Vaart. There are a few doubts over that afro prick at left back meaning that the Chimp may have to slot in at left back but I doubt that will happen. Apart from that the squad will be relatively normal. Obviously Adebayor, Chimp man, Van der Vaart and the usual suspects will be the main threats. However I have my doubt about Dawson at the back, I just don't think he's up to scratch so hopefully we can get behind them that way.
Anyway in other news it appears season tickets will remain at a fixed price next season. For those of you who have Club Level season tickets, yours will be going up 2%, don't worry your bonus will cover that and the rest. Ivan Gazidis said when questioned about general tickers said
"We haven't made a decision on general admission just yet...the objective there has been to make those tickets more affordable for fans"
Interesting stuff, but I wouldn't expect a drop in general ticket prices so lets not get excited just yet.
So roll on Sunday and lets have it! One team in London...
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Tottenham
Lack of fight. Lack of passion. Lack of quality? These have all been factors that are to blame for the painful defeat we suffered on Wednesday. We were poor from start to finish, none of the players apart from Henry, RVP and when he came on Chamberlain seemed to care about the game. We were particularly poor at the back and got opened up time after time by the same lack of awareness. After beasting him since arrival I must admit, we missed Mertesacker. Yes he makes us defend much deeper than we normally would and yes hes slow but his height and organisation were missed. He keeps the line and on Wednesday there was no structure. We lost out in the air with Ibrahimovic winning every ball, there wasn't even a challenge. if we'd have scored there was a chance, but at 4-0 we need a miracle.
Anyway I think the quicker we move on from it the better. Now to our only chance of silverware this season and a really tricky FA cup against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light for the second weekend in a row and of all the teams you don't want to be playing right now Sunderland are up there (along with Tottenham who we play next weekend). Yes we won there last weekend but it was hardly convincing was it? This is going to be a real challenge and I can see it being a draw.
Team news and after limping off on Wednesday it appears Koscielny's injury isn't too bad and he should be back for the derby next weekend. This means that more than likely we'll have Djourou and Vermaelen at the back with Gibbs and Sagna in the full back roles. The rest of the team I would imagine will revert to normal Premier League standard with us playing 4-3-3 with the 2 wingers adopting their normal positions. Gervinho is back so Wenger will probably start him instead of the Ox.
Sunderland threats come from the usual suspects: Campbell, McClean and Larsson along with a few others. Once again however their lack of pace at the back is where we need to break and hopefully get in behind them. This is going to be a really hard game and we certainly worked for the points last week, lets hope that we can pull it out this time.
Until next time COGY!!
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
You just couldn't write it. Thierry Henry's last PL game (again) and of course he scored the winner in the last minute. True class as always. It was a massive win for us and a massive 3 points to see up go back into fourth, albeit by goals scored but still fourth. Sunderland are a difficult team and to get a result was encouraging. However with the greatest respect to Sunderland we're facing arguably the toughest test of the season so far tonight.
In recent years we have a good record in the San Siro winning 2-0 in March 2008 and of course hammering Inter 5-1 in 2003. History is also on out side with Italian teams often faltering against English opposition, but of course in these games history is irrelevant. It all comes down to the performance on the night, as we found last year. We went out "without a hope" of beating Barcelona and the rest as they say is history. There is no doubt we can turn it on when we want too, lets hope the lads can turn it on tonight.
I think its vital that we get at least a score draw. Obviously a win would be great but I think the importance of an away goal may be the difference in what I can see being a tight tie. That said, we need to remember there are 2 legs to this game and that come full time tonight we're only half way there. I don't think there will be a lot of change to our team obviously bar Mertesacker who, bless him, isn't having the best time at the moment. I think Robbie Fowler being the wanker that he is may have been a bit harsh saying that it was Per's fault that Sunderland scored after he went down injured, but anyway I think this will see the manager shift Vermaelen back in and play Gibbs. He has other options if he thinks this might be a bit too intense for Gibbs who hasn't played in a while, but he's got to come back some time and its not like we have an easy game in the near future. The only other decision will be the choice between Rosicky and Ramsey, which I would think he'll choose Thomas purely because of experience.
AC Milan of course are an Italian superpower and sit top of the league, even though its very tight. Their strike force of Robinho, Pato and KP Boateng have been lethal this season and we'll need to watch their incisive moves tonight. Ibrahimovic is another option upfront and the midfield has the likes of Gattuso, Seedorf, Aquilani etc. so certainly no lack of talent.
Tonight will be tough, but it will be open and there's no reason to think we go into it without a hope. COYG!
Prediction: AC Milan 1-1 Arsenal
Well nobody could have predicted that. Just what we needed after a few rocky weeks, to really open a team up and show what we can do. It was like watching Arsenal of old and memories came flooding back of when we scored 7 before notably against Everton and Middlesbrough. It was a blinding performance from RVP, Walcott who desperately needed to perform and Oxlade Chamberlain who just continues to impress. That said we can't get carried away, we have some difficult games coming up and we need to stay focused to keep up with Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool.
Sunderland are a team at the moment who have found a new life under Martin O'Neil (prick) and with a double header away up in the North East we by no means have it easy. Sunderland are a stubborn team and cause problems, they're difficult to break down and with the likes of Sessegnon going forward they don't lack goals. This will be a tough test for our defence who weren't really troubled last week. With Liverpool playing United and Tottenham playing Newcastle there's a chance to make up some ground, that said a point would still be a decent result up there.
So our team could well remain unchanged but with Ramsey being rested last week he might slot back in. Good news from the defensive aspect is Gibbs is back but I think this might be too soon for the fragile left back who'll do well to remain fit for the rest of the season given his track record. So I imagine the team will be relatively similar to the one we fielded last weekend.
Sunderland have some really dangerous players and they can score and defend fairly well. Sessegnon and Campbell work well upfront and with supply from Larsson and the young lad who has really impressed me McClean. So they'll have no problem going forward, their defence in itself isn't great Bardsley and O'Shea are slow and I fancy us having some joy down the left. Usually the rest of the team tracks back well but if we can break with some pace then we should stick 1 or 2 in.
It's a real tough one to predict here so I'm gonna be optimistic. Let's hope I'm right! COYG!!
Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal
This is only going to be a short post ahead of tonight's game but more to wrap up what happened yesterday. You may remember me mentioning that we were in talks with Anzhi Makachakala over Andrey Arshavin. However those deals broke down and nothing else materialised so Arshavin is still our player. There was very little going on concerning Arsenal yesterday, but we did bring a player in.
Don't get too excited but he's 19, from Borussia Dortmund, that's right Thomas Eisfeld. A typical Wenger signing, young, little to no experience and nobody has ever heard of him. Brilliant, I wasn't even gonna post about this because I didn't think it was important, but that's being disrespectful for all we know he may well turn out to be a really good player, I just wouldn't expect to see him any time soon. In other new Ryo Miyaichi has gone out on loan to Bolton which can only be good for him really, hopefully he'll get some game time which is really what he needs.
That's it really a few deals going on elsewhere but nothing really concerning us. So roll on Bolton Away. COYG!
