Last night I sat and watched quite possibly the most ridiculous 120 minutes of football I've ever seen. I saw Arsenal at their absolute worse and then at one of their best. A combination of defensive errors, keeping errors and just terrible play meant that after 37 minutes we were 4-0 down to a Reading side that we had basically let run riot. We all had that feeling that we could have been well and truly embarrassed and it was looking more than possible that we'd go down conceding more than 8.
Then came the first of three moments that changed the entire match. Arshavin who had another hit and miss match, slid the ball through for Walcott who clipped the ball over the onrushing keeper and we had a faint glimer of hope. After presumably a bollocking at the half Wenger sent the same side out to correcct their mess. We began to get a foothold in the game and then the second turning point in the match when Wenger brought on Giroud and Eisfled, which turned out to be an inspired substitution. 2 minutes after arriving Giroud powered his header back across goal and it was 4-2 and we started to believe.
The game went on and then hope began to fade as we seemed to be throwing chances away. In the 89th minute, Koscielny put right his wrong and also scored a header. This only galvanised the team and 6 minutes into the added 4, Walcott's shot crossed the line and was cleared off, the official didn't give it but Jenkinson made sure the ball went in and smashed it into the net. 4-4 and we were in control. In an amusing moment at the end of this Coquelin and Giroud threw their shirts into the crowd, before being told there was no replay in this competition.
The equaliser was the last turning point in the match and totally deflated the hosts. We kicked off extra time and the game was a bit end to end and after a few scary moments, Chamakh the man who hasn't scored in 13 months drilled his shot low into the corner and we had the lead for the first time in the match.
We started the second half of extra time and rather predictably Reading scored from a header and then penalties looked a sure thing. But Walcott who played outstandingly wasn't having that and after a bit of confusion he smashed the ball home from about 8 yards sending the absolutely immense away support into utter delirium. Moments later Chamakh put the icing on the cake lobbing the keeper from 30 yards and that was finally that.
Overall it was a ridiculous night, in which we conceded 5 yet through spirit, grit and determination sent all of our away fans, who were most definitely our 12th man, away with beaming smiles.
It wasn't pretty, it wasn't easy and it certainly wasn't what we expected but we got there in the end. It was by no means a classic Arsenal performance but overall we deserved the victory. QPR can whine and moan all they like but Julio Cesar kept them in it and they had chances to score but didn't take them. It was getting to the point where I just didn't think it was going to our day with Cesar denying Giroud, Wilshere and others, then the best chance of the game fell to the one man we all wanted it too with acres of space, only to see Cazorla blaze it over on the half volley. Then in the 84th minute Arshavin (who played really well for the time he was on) clipped a lovely ball over the top for Giroud who on another day would have scored only to be stopped yet again by Cesar, the ball broke loose and after some scrambling and a header off the bar Arteta poked the ball home and we finally had our goal. I must say Wilshere and Sagna both played very well and looked like they've been playing all year.
Tomorrow we have a league cup game at Reading and frankly I'm not expecting much in terms of a first team fielded. But this is to be expected bearing in mind we have a daunting trip to Old Trafford at the weekend and Wenger will want us sharp and fully fit for that. As nice as it would be to win the League Cup to be honest I'm with Wenger, I'd take Champions League qualification over the Capital One Cup every season. I would however expect Reading to field a strong team so it will by no means be easy for us.
I would expect to see the likes of Miquel, Gnabry, Martinez, Afobe and co. to play which is good for them and for us. They get experience and the chance to show us what they're made of and we get a glimpse of the future of Arsenal. We may mix it up with a few fringe players like Arshavin and others in there just to try and balance the team out. There seems no point in me naming a team as I have no idea who we'll play. However make no mistake the team that Wenger fields will be more than capable of winning the match so expect us to compete none the less. Similarly with Reading I have no idea who they will play so there's no point in me guessing. In other news SZCZ has re-joined the first team for training which is encouraging for the weekend.
We have a big match this weekend and nobody will be surprised to see Wenger field a young side and rest many of our key players before we travel up north. It would be nice for us to have a good run in this competition but if we were to go out its not the end of the world. COYG!!
Prediction: Reading 1-2 Arsenal
After the debacle that was Schalke on Wednesday night we return to the Premier League with a home tie against struggling QPR. That said we played against a struggling Norwich side the other week and look what happened there.
Anyway the last 2 matches are in the past and there's no point moaning about it because there's nothing we can do. QPR have had, quite frankly, an appalling start to the season. From 8 games they've taken 3 points and not won once. This match for us is really exactly what we need to get some of that confidence back especially as we face a daunting trip to Old Traffod next week. Right now the prospect of that fills me with dread, but a solid performance at the weekend preferably by a high margin will make me feel slightly better.
Team news is looking slightly more positive for us with Wilshere and Sagna both looking for places on the bench. It will be too soon for either to start but I would expect to see Wilshere make some sort of appearance. Alex OC is still a doubt after taking a knock the other week and Walcott is definitely out, which still worries me as without their pace we sometimes look lacking going forward. Gibbs is still out so Santos will once again be required to step in at left back, if his performance is any worse than Wednesday then frankly we should release him. It baffles me as to why Wenger who supposedly has so much faith in his signings refuses to play Giroud who clearly needs games to bed in. I think he'll return this weekend against QPR with Gervinho returning to the right and Ramsey slotting back into the centre with Arteta.
QPR's team looks fairly strong, especially going forward with Zamora and Hoilett in the middle. On the wings Park (who always scores against us) and Taarabt give them pace and it will be another testing match for our full backs. They also have a rather attack minded back 4 with M'Bia and Bosingwa likely to go tearing up the pitch. I think we'll just have too much for them when we break.
Let's hope that come 10 to 5 tomorrow afternoon we'll all be reflecting on a team who have returned to winning ways with an emphatic win. COYG!
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 QPR
Last night was one of the worst performances from an Arsenal side that I can remember. For a team that prides itself on the back of attacking football, to have one shot on target in the 94th minute, its quite frankly appalling. We never looked like creating anything going forward and defensively we had a disaster. Santos had a complete mare at the back and wasn't helped by the fact he got no cover from Podolski or anyone else for that matter.
We started Gervinho ahead of Giroud which in my opinion is a disaster to start with. The Ivorian is erratic and quite frankly not us to our level. Wenger keeps saying he has faith in our new signing yet his reluctance to play them to me suggests something else. Giroud needs games to bed in and at the moment he's just not getting them and I can imagine that frustrates him a lot. The managerial tactics were poor too, we clearly weren't at the races yet we still waited until the 70th minute to make changes. All players will struggle to make an impact with 20 minutes to go and they came on and did very little. The last 2 games have been worrying and today made for a feisty, angry and uncomfortable AGM.
After reading what was essentially a transcript of it I have come to the conclusion I came to a few years ago. The board need to change and they need to change NOW! Peter Hill-Wood is past it and has no agenda apart from his own. Gazadis is pushing the same boat he has been for years, financially stable and all that but when asked about squad investment, dodged the question. If you believe what was said Arsene has the money to spend but chooses not too because of his beliefs. I find that a hard pill to swallow, when you look back to his early years, did we develop Viera, Pires, Ljungberg, Bergkamp? No. I think the board are using Wenger in a manner that he can't defend.
Signing multi-million pound deals is all well and good but only when the team compete and the stadium is full. Last night neither happened and I'm afraid if something doesn't change sooner rather than later, the deals will stop, the money will stop and the club will be in danger of entering an era we cannot escape from. So my feeling at the moment is: Wenger in, Hill-Wood out.
Back to the football and Saturday the team has a chance to redeem itself by returning to winning ways playing QPR at home and hopefully they will be bolstered by injury returns. Until then, have a good week.
After returning from Norwich with out tails between our legs, tonight we need to re-focus as we welcome the team that I think will give us the most problems in our group, German side Schalke. Unlike us the Germans are coming into this game off the back of a fantastic away win over current champions and bitter rivals Dortmund.
Schalke are a strong outfit and they retain possession well in the middle. Like us they play a tight passing game and they have good chemistry amongst the squad, the midfield in particular. On the wings they have pace from the 3 main wingers who the manager alternates: Farfan, Draxler and Affelay. Farfarn is quick and can deliver when he needs too. Draxler and Affelay are more tricky and are more than happy beating players and cutting inside. Whoever he pairs (I think Farfan and Affelay) our full backs will have to be on the ball tonight and will absolutely have to get back after going forwards. Upfront they have an accomplished striker in Klaas Jan Huntelaar, a poacher no doubt but make no mistake he can work the ball and space well when he has too. That's why he scored 47 in 48 last season, we'll have to tighten up at the back to ensure he doesn't get his way.
In terms of Arsenal we only have one player returning and thats Koscielny. This game has come just a bit too quick for Wilshere and Sagna, this weekend is far more liklely. I have seen a couple of conflicting reports, one suggests we will remain fairly similar to the side that started at the weekend, another suggests we will push Gervinho back into the centre and Ramsey to the right. Another suggestiosn Coq will return to the side to give us a bit more of a defensive minded midfield. I'm not going to guess at a line up cause there's too much flying around at the moment to even get close.
Tonight's game is a huge test for us, the toughest team in the group, and I think there will be goals at both ends. A draw is not a disaster tonight but a win cements our position at the top of the group. Until next time COGY!
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Schalke
After waiting 2 weeks to watch Arsenal again, they performed like that?! It was one of those games where we just never got into it, didn't click, couldn't find our rhythm, however you want to put it, it was terrible. We didn't look interested in the match and for the 4th league game in a row conceded first. This time there was no reply.
We dominated possession but far too often Giroud was isolated upfront and we couldn't supply him. Then in the 19th minute Mannone spilled a shot that he probably should have held and even against Grant Holt Mertesacker couldn't match his pace to block his finish. Again this leaves question marks over Mannone about whether he really can challenge for number 1. That for the moment is a debate for another day though as at this current moment we simply have no choice with SZCZ and Fabianski out for the near future anyway.
From that we never really looked like getting an equaliser. Giroud had a half chance with a falling, overhead kick, a difficult technique so no surprises when he didn't quite pull it off. Then the best chance of the game fell to Gervinho. Serge Gnabry who every time I've seen him has been quality, slipped a perfect ball through for the Ivorian who delayed too long before pulling the trigger and saw his shot blocked. In all honesty, he may have scored 5 goal this season but I still see him as the weak link and the sooner he disappears off to the ACoN the better in my opinion.
It was interested to hear what Arteta had to say after the game about defensive issues and the effect conceding has on a team:
“If you go ahead, it gives you a lift, the other team has to take risks,
and you can cause mistakes. You can’t get back in the game every time
you fall behind. It’s a tough ask and we haven’t done it today."
He's correct in what he says and it was clear to see that he was highly disappointed with the performance of the team and to be honest he should be.
Ah well that's the end of the match and now it has to be forgotten before we face the toughest opponents in our group, Schalke, at the Emirates on Wednesday night. A preview of that match will be up tomorrow. Until then chin up and lets move on.
After the dullness of the international break, the Premier League returns and we travel to Carrow Road to face a stumbling Norwich team who haven't had a win so far this season. Hopefully our players can pick up where they left off before representing their respective countries. We haven't escaped totally unscathed though, Theo Walcott has a chest injury and is a doubt against Norwich. We are also without Szczesny and Fabianski so this has sparked a "keeper crisis" style newsflash. It is a worry that we currently have one keeper in the shape of Mannone, but crisis may be too stronger word at the moment.
In good news Wilshere and Sagna both played a full 90 against a Chelsea XI the other day which is promising but both are still off match fitness so I wouldn't expect to see either of them this weekend. Gibbs picked up a knock at West Ham and is also a doubt but hopefully he will pull through, otherwise Santos will have to slot in at LB. So with all this taken into account I think the team will look like this: SZCZ, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos/Gibbs, Gervinho, Arteta, Ramsey, Podolski, Cazorla, Giroud. I assume Santi will occupy the role behind Giroud who was superb against West Ham and scored against Spain in the internationals just gone.
Norwich will hope for the return of Snodgrass which may mean Poldi will have to drop back more than he would like or is used too. Upfront Holt is a throwback to the tradition powerful English striker and I think Mertesacker will have a real battle on his hands up against him. If he is partnered with Hoolahan then we will have to keep tabs on him, if he is partnered with Jackson, he offers a different outlet in the form of a pacey, nimble striker.
The midfield will be dominated with Arsenal possession as Norwich prefer to sit deeper than other teams so it may be hard to break them down initially but I think should we score first and they get stretched pushing for a reply we may see a goal flurry. However there are no easy games in the PL so assuming this is a banker is a dangerous thing to do.
I think it may take some time before we see a name on the Arsenal score sheet but once/if we do then we may start to open the up a bit easier. So till next time COYG!!
Prediction: Norwich City 1-3 Arsenal
As I'm sure you know I forgot to post a preview of the West Ham match before the game last week so thought I'd make it up instead by doing a report on the match.
We returned to winning ways after the loss against Chelsea with a 3-1 victory at a ground where we have a poor record. We bossed the match really from the start but West Ham showed what they can offer other than that donkey of a striker upfront. We dominated the match up until the 21st minute when Diame skipped through Aaron Ramsey and curled a superb shot into the far corner from a tight angle. A good goal no doubt but perhaps we could have dealt with it a bit better. Diame was lucky however not to get sent off after receiving a first yellow for celebrating with the crowd (which is an absurd rule), he proceeded to clatter Arteta with a dangerous looking tackle.
20 minutes later we were level, Giroud sprayed the ball out wide to Podolski who just delayed his cross for long enough before whipping it in to Giroud who poked it home at full stretch. A very well worked Arsenal move and a moment to savour for Olivier Giroud who is finally off the mark in the Premier League. A true poachers goal from the big Frenchman.
West Ham had chances to get themselves back in front with Carroll and Nolan wasting them. Gervinho who was poor all game really, was replaced by Theo Walcott after an hour and 17 minutes later he was on the score sheet. This time Giroud turned provider sliding an inch perfect pass through to Walcott who slotted under the onrushing Jaaskelainen at the near post. A typical Theo goal and again reinforcing the fact that I think we really need to tie him down to a new contract.
After 2 worked team goals, a piece of individual brilliance secured the 3 points and it was that little man who has just controlled the midfield since arriving, Santi Cazorla. Walcott got himself into a bit of trouble but managed to poke the ball across to Cazorla who went one way before crashing his shot into the top right hand corner from all of 25 yards. A fantastic goal from a fantastic player.
The only down side for us was when Gibbs came off with a slight muscular strain but he's pulled out of the England squad so he will have had a couple of weeks to recover before we travel to Norwich. I'd like to say that it might be a blessing in disguise for Diaby who also has a strain but for some absurd reason Didier Deschamps has decided to call him up for the France team for their international match with whoever the fuck it is. Another injury that was picked up this time in an international was Theo Walcott who went off in the victory over San Marino with a chest problem. He has since pulled out of the squad for the match against Poland, we await to see the extent of that injury.
Right that's is for this week. Back next week with all the build up to the Norwich match.
Our unbeaten run came to end on Saturday as we went down 2-1 to Chelsea, largely I have to say due to our own errors. Defensively we were all over the place and although I understand why Wenger chose Vermaelen and Koscielny over Mertesacker, it was the wrong choice and I think he knows that. The first goal came from a free kick conceded by Vermaelen who steamed through Torres, as it was put in Torres somehoe wrapped his foot around Koscielny and put it into the top corner.
We retaliated before the half when Gervinho stopped an Ox cross in the box, pivoted and rifled into the roof of the net leaving Cech no chance. It was a great goal but apart from that Gervinho had a relatively indifferent game, there is no doubt he is one of the most frustrating players there are. We started the second half well and for the first 7 or 8 minutes we were the better team but then once again we conceded a free kick which Juan Mata whipped in and Koscielny could do nothing but help it into the net. It was goal bound anyway. After that we went totally flat and didn't do much, Cazorla was shut out effectively by Chelsea and I think we lost something after Diaby went off 15 minutes in with what we now know is a Thigh strain. Perhaps we should have had a draw when Giroud rounded Cech and but only found the side-netting from a tight angle, not the easiest chance but the opportunity was there to shoot and a player in form may have found the finish.
Champions League action tomorrow as we host Olympiacos. After beating French champions Montpellier in France, a win tomorrow would set us up nicely. Judging the team is difficult at the moment. With Diaby out it's possibly we may see Frimpong occupy his role but I doubt that is the case. I think its more likely we'll see Ramsey sit behind the front line with Arteta, far from an ideal setup but there you go. I think the line up will be something like this: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ramsey, Arteta, Alex OC, Cazorla, Podolski, Gervinho. This is another game we should be winning in the group and it will be interesting to see how the team bounce back after the weekends disappointment.
In other news it's good to see that Jack Wilshere has played his first 60 minutes of competitive football in 14 months, after making an appearance in the 1-0 defeat to West Brom U21's yesterday. Let's hope we'll soon see him back in the first team.
I don't think tomorrow will be too challenging but in the Champions League very few games are easy.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Olympiacos
