Tuesday 28 February 2012

Tottenham Match Report


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?