3-2, FA Cup Final, Wembley, 17 May 2014
Cazorla 17,
Koscielny 71,
Ramsey 109
Nine years (and 400 blog posts) down the road, we're back. However, in the true Arsenal spirit, it started out heading for disaster.
Within the first fifteen minutes we were two-nil down and Gibbs had just cleared a header, following a Hull corner, on the goal-line. The first goal did, coincidentally, come from a corner as a shot from outside the 18-yard-box, following a corner, was re-directed by a fellow Hull player into the goal. Four minutes later Hull scored yet again, Fabianski did make the initial save but the rebound was fired into the back of the net.
Fortunately, from that moment on we were brilliant, created more or less all of the chances (at the very least it must have been 85% of them) and slowly but steadily got back in the game! It all started with getting one goal back fairly quick, and what a goal it was! Santi Cazorla thundered a free-kick into the top corner of the goal! Stunning goal to match the occasion from the Spaniard!
Even though we would not grab another goal until the second half, we continued creating lots and lots of chances. Özil had a couple of brilliant chances midway through the half, the first one taking place right in front of the goal, but as he did not get a direct hit it did not end up on target. The second shot, however, was on target, unfortunately it was cleared by a defender just in front of the goal. Giroud wrapped up the half with a series chances of various kinds. The first being a shot that was blocked by a defender (with the follow-up by Podolski being cleared into a corner), the second being an effort from a rather steep angle going wide and the third and final being a cross into the box that just barely eluded all team-mates present.
We continued the second half in similar fashion, although it did take approximately twenty minutes until we actually began creating some decent chances again. Before that, however, Hull did have a shot going over the bar.
Fortunately we were not left ruing this, but we had three penalty shouts in throughout the game, all of them were strong, but one in particular was completely obvious. In the first half, Giroud was brought down in the box by having an arm flung over his throat (not exactly standard football-playing, is it?), and then in the second half Cazorla was brought down in the box. But in between those two, there was one situation so obvious it could only be denied by a lack of competence from the ref. Or just complete ignorance, although that would most likely be a result of the lack of competence. Anyhow, a Hull player did, in their own box, flung out both hands in the box and struck the ball clear. How the ref could either have missed it or deemed it legit is beyond me.
The goal that would buy us enough time to find the winner was not long in the coming, though, and it came at the hand (or rather, foot) of this one guy who keeps popping up with goals when we seem to need them the most: Laurent Koscielny. He fired past the 'keeper in the scramble following a corner! Brilliant from the absolutely amazing Frenchman!
Although we would not score again in this half, Gibbs did get THE opportunity to win the game, but his strike from right in front of a virtually completely open goal went over the bar in an attempt to get it over the on-rushing 'keeper (which, by the way, it clearly did). Then Giroud and Sanogo fired away a few more shots before the game went into extra time, the former having two shots saved by the 'keeper and the latter firing a shot inches wide of the goal!
Entering extra time, it did not even take five minutes for Giroud to deliver a header onto the bar! It was a perfect cross from Ramsey who brought it about, and we would see more of the Welshman before the end of this clash... During the first fifteen minutes he forced a save out of the 'keeper and fired into the side-netting, but it was his achievement in the last fifteen minutes of the extra time that would make history.
It was a goal that not only won us the game, but it won us the game in true Arsenal fashion. Giroud back-heeled the ball to the one and only Aaron Ramsey, who fired his shot right into the bottom corner of the goal! Yes, Aaron freakin' Ramsey. Rambo. He has definitely been our player of the season (at least he got my vote!) and he proved that one final time before the end of the season! However, it must be mentioned that we very nearly had to face penalties as Hull got forward and Fabianski went as far as to leave the 18-yard-box completely! Fortunately the shot went wide, although we had players running back, monitoring the shot. Fabianski then had to make an excellent save as Hull produced one last shot. We did, however, get the last say in the game as Rosicky's effort was saved on the line by a defender!
So, there it is then. Nine years later we're back as the winners of the FA Cup, and we're back winning a trophy! Cheers for this season Arsenal, I guess there's just one thing left to say: we did it.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Norwich vs. Arsenal
0-2, Premier League, Carrow Road, 11 May 2014
Ramsey 53,
Jenkinson 62
We ended the Premier League season on a high with this win over Norwich. Although the points in themselves mean little, since we had already secured the fourth spot last weekend, the win will give us a boost for next weekend, as our season is not quite over yet...
Although the first half was goalless, the second proved more bountiful with two goals that gave us the win. The first goal of this last PL game could very well be the best of the season, Giroud chipped the ball across the box to Aaron Ramsey, whose strike on volley went into the top corner of the goal! Absolutely stunning goal! The second goal came not even ten minutes later, and was no less special. Carl Jenkinson score his first goal for the first team, running into the box, reaching the ball and firing it into the back of the net! It is also worth to mention that Diaby came on for the final fifteen minutes of this game, hopefully his long injuries are behind him now!
So it was the younger generation that won the game for us, and they will hopefully be just as deadly on Saturday! But this was the end of the Premier League season of 13/14. It was a season that started with much promise and hope, but ended up as another season of reaching no higher than the fourth spot.
Ramsey 53,
Jenkinson 62
We ended the Premier League season on a high with this win over Norwich. Although the points in themselves mean little, since we had already secured the fourth spot last weekend, the win will give us a boost for next weekend, as our season is not quite over yet...
Although the first half was goalless, the second proved more bountiful with two goals that gave us the win. The first goal of this last PL game could very well be the best of the season, Giroud chipped the ball across the box to Aaron Ramsey, whose strike on volley went into the top corner of the goal! Absolutely stunning goal! The second goal came not even ten minutes later, and was no less special. Carl Jenkinson score his first goal for the first team, running into the box, reaching the ball and firing it into the back of the net! It is also worth to mention that Diaby came on for the final fifteen minutes of this game, hopefully his long injuries are behind him now!
So it was the younger generation that won the game for us, and they will hopefully be just as deadly on Saturday! But this was the end of the Premier League season of 13/14. It was a season that started with much promise and hope, but ended up as another season of reaching no higher than the fourth spot.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion
1-0, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 04 May 2014
Giroud 14
A solid, final home game of the season proved enough to grant us another three points as we secure the fourth spot in the league and a place in the Champions League for next season.
We scored just at the fifteen minute mark, Cazorla swung in a brilliant corner that was met by Olivier Giroud, who headed the ball into the back of the net as he outran the defender! The first half in general contained lots of decent chances for us and a very good over-all play.
WBA got forward a lot more in the second half and created several decent chances, but we did manage to hit the woodwork in the final fifteen minutes and Özil had a decent free-kick going on target.
1-0 to the Arsenal proved enough in this game, however, and we can now look ahead even further to the FA Cup final in a couple of weeks!
Giroud 14
A solid, final home game of the season proved enough to grant us another three points as we secure the fourth spot in the league and a place in the Champions League for next season.
We scored just at the fifteen minute mark, Cazorla swung in a brilliant corner that was met by Olivier Giroud, who headed the ball into the back of the net as he outran the defender! The first half in general contained lots of decent chances for us and a very good over-all play.
WBA got forward a lot more in the second half and created several decent chances, but we did manage to hit the woodwork in the final fifteen minutes and Özil had a decent free-kick going on target.
1-0 to the Arsenal proved enough in this game, however, and we can now look ahead even further to the FA Cup final in a couple of weeks!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Arsenal vs. Newcastle
3-0, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 28 April 2014
Koscielny 26,
Özil 42,
Giroud 66
We are now looking quite likely to finish at fourth, since Everton dropped more points this weekend.
This game was more or less sealed already in the first half, as we scored twice before the half-time whistle was blown. Santi Cazorla's free-kick was met by an on-rushing Laurent Koscielny, who got a foot to it and poked it into the back of the net for the first goal of the game! Towards the end of the half the second goal came, this one after some insane play around the box where Giroud had shots saved twice before the rebound fell to Mesut Özil, who tapped the ball into a more or less open net!
We looked convincing in the second half as well, and got the third and final goal midway through the half. Ramsey, back from injury and in terrific form yet again, passed the ball to Özil, who swung it into the box for Olivier Giroud to head past the 'keeper! Brilliant play and a brilliant goal!
With this win we are now one win away from securing the fourth spot and turning the focus to the FA Cup final!
Koscielny 26,
Özil 42,
Giroud 66
We are now looking quite likely to finish at fourth, since Everton dropped more points this weekend.
This game was more or less sealed already in the first half, as we scored twice before the half-time whistle was blown. Santi Cazorla's free-kick was met by an on-rushing Laurent Koscielny, who got a foot to it and poked it into the back of the net for the first goal of the game! Towards the end of the half the second goal came, this one after some insane play around the box where Giroud had shots saved twice before the rebound fell to Mesut Özil, who tapped the ball into a more or less open net!
We looked convincing in the second half as well, and got the third and final goal midway through the half. Ramsey, back from injury and in terrific form yet again, passed the ball to Özil, who swung it into the box for Olivier Giroud to head past the 'keeper! Brilliant play and a brilliant goal!
With this win we are now one win away from securing the fourth spot and turning the focus to the FA Cup final!
Monday, April 21, 2014
Hull vs. Arsenal
0-3, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 20 April 2014
Ramsey 31,
Podolski 45, 54
A comfortable win that not only further ensures that fourth spot, but also gives us a taste of what might be in the FA Cup final....
The first half contained plenty of chances for both teams, Szczesny had to make several decent saves throughout the half. However, we were the only ones to actually score! The first goal was scored by Aaron Ramsey, proving that he is getting back to the brilliant form he was in before the injury. Özil passed to Ramsey who, via a quick interchange of passes with Cazorla, got through the defence and neatly placed the ball past the 'keeper!
Mere minutes later Hull hit the post, but that was as close as they would get. Just before the half was over Lukas Podolski smashed the ball into the back of the net with a powerful strike, Ramsey had used his chest to get the ball down for the German to reach. These two players in particular proved to be the winning recipe of this game...
We began the second half much like we had ended the first one, with a goal! The 'keeper made an excellent save from Ramsey's thundering shot, but the rebound fell perfectly for Lukas Podolski, who tucked it home! Ten minutes later Giroud hit the bar! He stole the ball off of the 'keeper, but got into a very steep angle and was only able to kick the ball up into the bar, so close though!
In the end three goals were enough, and we are now looking more likely to qualify for the Champions League yet another year!
Ramsey 31,
Podolski 45, 54
A comfortable win that not only further ensures that fourth spot, but also gives us a taste of what might be in the FA Cup final....
The first half contained plenty of chances for both teams, Szczesny had to make several decent saves throughout the half. However, we were the only ones to actually score! The first goal was scored by Aaron Ramsey, proving that he is getting back to the brilliant form he was in before the injury. Özil passed to Ramsey who, via a quick interchange of passes with Cazorla, got through the defence and neatly placed the ball past the 'keeper!
Mere minutes later Hull hit the post, but that was as close as they would get. Just before the half was over Lukas Podolski smashed the ball into the back of the net with a powerful strike, Ramsey had used his chest to get the ball down for the German to reach. These two players in particular proved to be the winning recipe of this game...
We began the second half much like we had ended the first one, with a goal! The 'keeper made an excellent save from Ramsey's thundering shot, but the rebound fell perfectly for Lukas Podolski, who tucked it home! Ten minutes later Giroud hit the bar! He stole the ball off of the 'keeper, but got into a very steep angle and was only able to kick the ball up into the bar, so close though!
In the end three goals were enough, and we are now looking more likely to qualify for the Champions League yet another year!
Friday, April 18, 2014
Arsenal vs. West Ham
3-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 15 April 2014
Podolski 44, 78
Giroud 55
We are unfortunately in a situation where we will, most likely, have to win all the rest of our games this season in order to qualify for the Champions League (by secure the 4th spot). Fortunately we are off to a good start, winning whilst Everton dropped points!
West Ham looked quite dangerous in the first half, grabbing several mildly threatening chances before their goal. Szczesny made the initial save by the rebound went past him to Jarvis, who headed the ball into the back of the net. Luckily we came up with a quick response, just a minute before half-time! Cazorla produced a fast-paced pass into the box that was met by Lukas Podolski, who instantly smashed it past the 'keeper! A quick and resolute response that would eventually lead us to victory!
Merely ten minutes into the second half we grabbed the lead that we would keep for the rest of the game. Vermaelen provided the amazing assist, coming from half a pitch away, but even more brilliant was Olivier Giroud's first touch and perfect strike to hit the back of the net! The Frenchman then played a part in the final goal, as he played the ball into the box, which was then headed onwards by Ramsey to Lukas Podolski, who once again came up with a powerful shot that soared past the 'keeper, effectively sealing the win!
We have it all in our own hands now, so let's just make sure to win the rest of the games then!
Podolski 44, 78
Giroud 55
We are unfortunately in a situation where we will, most likely, have to win all the rest of our games this season in order to qualify for the Champions League (by secure the 4th spot). Fortunately we are off to a good start, winning whilst Everton dropped points!
West Ham looked quite dangerous in the first half, grabbing several mildly threatening chances before their goal. Szczesny made the initial save by the rebound went past him to Jarvis, who headed the ball into the back of the net. Luckily we came up with a quick response, just a minute before half-time! Cazorla produced a fast-paced pass into the box that was met by Lukas Podolski, who instantly smashed it past the 'keeper! A quick and resolute response that would eventually lead us to victory!
Merely ten minutes into the second half we grabbed the lead that we would keep for the rest of the game. Vermaelen provided the amazing assist, coming from half a pitch away, but even more brilliant was Olivier Giroud's first touch and perfect strike to hit the back of the net! The Frenchman then played a part in the final goal, as he played the ball into the box, which was then headed onwards by Ramsey to Lukas Podolski, who once again came up with a powerful shot that soared past the 'keeper, effectively sealing the win!
We have it all in our own hands now, so let's just make sure to win the rest of the games then!
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Wigan vs. Arsenal
1-1 (2-4 after penalties), The FA Cup, Wembley Stadium, 12 April 2014
82 - Mertesacker
This was most certainly a game that we were expected to win, meaning that (in a sense) we went into the game with everything to lose, which can be quite nerve-wrecking. This was no exception, but we came out victorious and are now real close to the first trophy for quite some time!
We had a good initial five minutes of the first half, the Ox rushed forward in the first minute as Ramsey played him in, but the 'keeper got there first. Then Sanogo had a header right in front of the goal going straight at the 'keeper, it was a great pass by the Ox, though.
The rest of the half was rather lame, Wigan did not create anything particularly dangerous and we produced a Podolski free-kick wide as well as a Sanogo one-on-one with the 'keeper that was saved.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Wigan were awarded with a penalty when Mertesacker brought a player down in the box. Wigan scored and we had to replace Monreal, due to an injury, with Gibbs. Towards the end we brought some much-needed urgency into our game. The Ox had a shot on target saved with fifteen minutes to go and we had a header hitting the post! Also, Gibbs saw a header saved on the goal-line by a defender before we actually managed to get back in the game. It was a big fucking German that got to redeem himself for the penalty situation, Per Mertesacker threw himself down after some scramble in the box and used his chest to get the ball past the 'keeper! A rather unusual method, but nonetheless an effective one!
Before the end of the initial 90 minutes Giroud had a shot on target saved by the 'keeper and Mertesacker had a header going over the bar following a corner.
During extra-time we had one major chance to score, the Ox thundered a shot into the bar, leaving it shaking for quite some time! It was heading straight for the top corner and would have been an amazing goal to settle the game had it hit the back of the net. Instead, we were heading to penalties.
Fabianski turned out to be the one who saved it all for us, he made two incredible, solid saves from Wigan's first two penalties, leaving us in a golden position to take home the game! Arteta was first up for us and buried it at the bottom corner, then Källström scored as well for us while Wigan had not yet scored a single one. Wigan did, however, score their third penalty, but Giroud scored our third as well. Even though Wigan did score their fourth as well Cazorla could send us into the final should he put his penalty into the back of the net, which he did!!!
So we are into the final of the FA Cup now! We will face a similar situation as we did in this game, no doubt, as we are still the team with "everything to lose". But considering the fact that we actually have something to lose in this stage of the season sure is amazing and no small feat!
82 - Mertesacker
This was most certainly a game that we were expected to win, meaning that (in a sense) we went into the game with everything to lose, which can be quite nerve-wrecking. This was no exception, but we came out victorious and are now real close to the first trophy for quite some time!
We had a good initial five minutes of the first half, the Ox rushed forward in the first minute as Ramsey played him in, but the 'keeper got there first. Then Sanogo had a header right in front of the goal going straight at the 'keeper, it was a great pass by the Ox, though.
The rest of the half was rather lame, Wigan did not create anything particularly dangerous and we produced a Podolski free-kick wide as well as a Sanogo one-on-one with the 'keeper that was saved.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Wigan were awarded with a penalty when Mertesacker brought a player down in the box. Wigan scored and we had to replace Monreal, due to an injury, with Gibbs. Towards the end we brought some much-needed urgency into our game. The Ox had a shot on target saved with fifteen minutes to go and we had a header hitting the post! Also, Gibbs saw a header saved on the goal-line by a defender before we actually managed to get back in the game. It was a big fucking German that got to redeem himself for the penalty situation, Per Mertesacker threw himself down after some scramble in the box and used his chest to get the ball past the 'keeper! A rather unusual method, but nonetheless an effective one!
Before the end of the initial 90 minutes Giroud had a shot on target saved by the 'keeper and Mertesacker had a header going over the bar following a corner.
During extra-time we had one major chance to score, the Ox thundered a shot into the bar, leaving it shaking for quite some time! It was heading straight for the top corner and would have been an amazing goal to settle the game had it hit the back of the net. Instead, we were heading to penalties.
Fabianski turned out to be the one who saved it all for us, he made two incredible, solid saves from Wigan's first two penalties, leaving us in a golden position to take home the game! Arteta was first up for us and buried it at the bottom corner, then Källström scored as well for us while Wigan had not yet scored a single one. Wigan did, however, score their third penalty, but Giroud scored our third as well. Even though Wigan did score their fourth as well Cazorla could send us into the final should he put his penalty into the back of the net, which he did!!!
So we are into the final of the FA Cup now! We will face a similar situation as we did in this game, no doubt, as we are still the team with "everything to lose". But considering the fact that we actually have something to lose in this stage of the season sure is amazing and no small feat!
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