1-3, Premier League, Emirates, 31/1 -10
Vermaelen (somewhere near the end)
This is officially the worst day of my life.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
0-0, Premier League, Villa Park, 27/1 -10
There's two ways to look at this, either you see it as two points lost, or one point gained, either way it is our first 0-0 draw of the season, personally I like to think it as one point gained, considering that Villa have won against Chelsea, United and Liverpool this season, but we didn't let them beat the entire 'big four'.
The game was quite even, Villa mainly went for long balls towards Heskey and Agbonlahor, and they really kept our defence busy, and things didn't get better when Vermaelen picked up an injury in the 35th minute and had to be replaced by Campbell, not a bad replacer but you never like to replace defenders...
We actually hit the woodwork twice in the game, one time in each half, the first was when Cesc got it past Friedel, only to strike the post, and on the rebound Rosicky went for it, but Ramsey got there before him in a wrong angle, and when Rosicky eventually got the ball, the Villa defence were collected and the shot went wide.
In the second it was Rosickys turn to hit the woodwork, it was such a fluent move when Arshavins shot was blocked, Cesc fed Rosicky with the rebound, but his shot struck the underside of the bar and went out...
Just before that Eduardo hobbled off, he was chasing the ball when all of a sudden something went wrong and he just turned with a not so pleased look on his face, giving the indication for a switch, Bendtner got on, not really the sort of happy return we would have liked, but that's been the Arsenal story so far this season, when we get one player back, another one limps off injured.
Injury Update;
-Vermaelen hasn't fractured the leg, but he may still miss the United game on Sunday, but it seems to be a short-term at least.
-Eduardo will for certain miss Sunday's clash, but he will be back for next week against Chelsea, and Diaby will be back for that game as well.
-Both Eboue and Song are back from the African Championship and will feature against United on Sunday.
There's two ways to look at this, either you see it as two points lost, or one point gained, either way it is our first 0-0 draw of the season, personally I like to think it as one point gained, considering that Villa have won against Chelsea, United and Liverpool this season, but we didn't let them beat the entire 'big four'.
The game was quite even, Villa mainly went for long balls towards Heskey and Agbonlahor, and they really kept our defence busy, and things didn't get better when Vermaelen picked up an injury in the 35th minute and had to be replaced by Campbell, not a bad replacer but you never like to replace defenders...
We actually hit the woodwork twice in the game, one time in each half, the first was when Cesc got it past Friedel, only to strike the post, and on the rebound Rosicky went for it, but Ramsey got there before him in a wrong angle, and when Rosicky eventually got the ball, the Villa defence were collected and the shot went wide.
In the second it was Rosickys turn to hit the woodwork, it was such a fluent move when Arshavins shot was blocked, Cesc fed Rosicky with the rebound, but his shot struck the underside of the bar and went out...
Just before that Eduardo hobbled off, he was chasing the ball when all of a sudden something went wrong and he just turned with a not so pleased look on his face, giving the indication for a switch, Bendtner got on, not really the sort of happy return we would have liked, but that's been the Arsenal story so far this season, when we get one player back, another one limps off injured.
Injury Update;
-Vermaelen hasn't fractured the leg, but he may still miss the United game on Sunday, but it seems to be a short-term at least.
-Eduardo will for certain miss Sunday's clash, but he will be back for next week against Chelsea, and Diaby will be back for that game as well.
-Both Eboue and Song are back from the African Championship and will feature against United on Sunday.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Stoke vs. Arsenal
1-3, The FA cup, Britannia Stadium, 24/1 -10
Denilson 41
A game to forget.. Except for the fact that it was Sol Campbell's first game since re-signing! (I might have forgot to mention that he re-signed for us a week or so ago)..
Stoke took the lead after just 1 minute, another Delap throw in did the damage, we didn't play too good but when we got a free kick Cesc played it to Denilson who's shot didn't let us down.
After that you could have thought that we really should be able to play some football, but we just couldn't get to our flow, and to be honest we never really looked like taking the lead.
When Arshavin, Ramsey and Eduardo all at once replaced Walcott, Coquelin and Jay-Emmanuel Thomas I thought that now we would be able to take the lead and win the shit, but it didn't make any difference and when Fuller with ten minutes left scored his second, I still hadn't given up hope, all we needed was one goal and then it would at least be a replay, but I just didn't see any fighting spirit when Whitehead was clean in front of our goal...
So we are out of the FA cup for this season, but now we must look ahead since the next fortnight or contains four highly extreme games, Aston Villa away, Man United home, Chelsea away and Liverpool home, and just after that the Champions League kicks off again!
Denilson 41
A game to forget.. Except for the fact that it was Sol Campbell's first game since re-signing! (I might have forgot to mention that he re-signed for us a week or so ago)..
Stoke took the lead after just 1 minute, another Delap throw in did the damage, we didn't play too good but when we got a free kick Cesc played it to Denilson who's shot didn't let us down.
After that you could have thought that we really should be able to play some football, but we just couldn't get to our flow, and to be honest we never really looked like taking the lead.
When Arshavin, Ramsey and Eduardo all at once replaced Walcott, Coquelin and Jay-Emmanuel Thomas I thought that now we would be able to take the lead and win the shit, but it didn't make any difference and when Fuller with ten minutes left scored his second, I still hadn't given up hope, all we needed was one goal and then it would at least be a replay, but I just didn't see any fighting spirit when Whitehead was clean in front of our goal...
So we are out of the FA cup for this season, but now we must look ahead since the next fortnight or contains four highly extreme games, Aston Villa away, Man United home, Chelsea away and Liverpool home, and just after that the Champions League kicks off again!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Arsenal vs. Bolton
4-2, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 20/1 -10
Rosicky 44,
Fabregas 53,
Vermaelen 65,
Arshavin 85
We go top of the league after yet another nightmare start (referring to the Standard Liége game).
2-0 down after just 28 minutes, but we are getting good at comebacks after, amongst others, Liverpool away and Standard away.
So, really a slow start but in the end I'm proud that we got back and took all three points + getting a two goal lead, cause that's what we needed to go top of the table for a couple of days! (Chelsea has 1 game less played).
Bolton took the lead after 6 minutes and added the lead (unfairly) when Denilson brought down a Bolton player in the box, but after that we just kept on the good play and eventually it payed out, just before half-time Rosicky smashed it in after a beautiful Fabregas pass.
That was exactly what we needed and it didn't take long before the equalizer came, Gallas harshly tackled Mark Davies, but the referee waved play on and Cesc picked up the ball, bundled his way through the box and finished brilliantly in the far corner!
Not too long after the equalizer we got the lead we so badly deserved, and it was time for one of our central defenders to strike again, and it was Vermaelen who got to show his shot, and he used power, and it went straight for goal!!
But just because we got the lead didn't mean that the game was over, Bolton were really dangerous from time to time, so when Andrey finally could give us a two goal cushion, I was more than relieved!
Injury Update;
-Walcott played for the last couple of minutes, so he's back and running!
-Denilson also returned today and started a but shaky but just kept getting better and better!
-Clichy made his first start since injury and I just have to say, What A Performance!! He never stopped running and timed everything perfect!
-Diaby seems to have picked up a calf injury, he's calf was a bit stiff before the game, unfortunately he didn't make it through the game, he will certainly be out for Stoke and Villa, but if we're lucky he'll be back for the United game.
-Sagna has a small shoulder problem, so he will be rested against Stoke.
Rosicky 44,
Fabregas 53,
Vermaelen 65,
Arshavin 85
We go top of the league after yet another nightmare start (referring to the Standard Liége game).
2-0 down after just 28 minutes, but we are getting good at comebacks after, amongst others, Liverpool away and Standard away.
So, really a slow start but in the end I'm proud that we got back and took all three points + getting a two goal lead, cause that's what we needed to go top of the table for a couple of days! (Chelsea has 1 game less played).
Bolton took the lead after 6 minutes and added the lead (unfairly) when Denilson brought down a Bolton player in the box, but after that we just kept on the good play and eventually it payed out, just before half-time Rosicky smashed it in after a beautiful Fabregas pass.
That was exactly what we needed and it didn't take long before the equalizer came, Gallas harshly tackled Mark Davies, but the referee waved play on and Cesc picked up the ball, bundled his way through the box and finished brilliantly in the far corner!
Not too long after the equalizer we got the lead we so badly deserved, and it was time for one of our central defenders to strike again, and it was Vermaelen who got to show his shot, and he used power, and it went straight for goal!!
But just because we got the lead didn't mean that the game was over, Bolton were really dangerous from time to time, so when Andrey finally could give us a two goal cushion, I was more than relieved!
Injury Update;
-Walcott played for the last couple of minutes, so he's back and running!
-Denilson also returned today and started a but shaky but just kept getting better and better!
-Clichy made his first start since injury and I just have to say, What A Performance!! He never stopped running and timed everything perfect!
-Diaby seems to have picked up a calf injury, he's calf was a bit stiff before the game, unfortunately he didn't make it through the game, he will certainly be out for Stoke and Villa, but if we're lucky he'll be back for the United game.
-Sagna has a small shoulder problem, so he will be rested against Stoke.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Bolton vs. Arsenal
2-0, Premier League, Reebok Stadium, 17/1 -10
Fabregas 28,
Merida 78
A completely priceless win against a very tricky Bolton side, who obviously had a point to prove since it was Owen Coyle's first game since being appointed as the new Bolton manager (Gary Megson got fired).
What was better still was that Fabregas made his comeback after being sidelined for two weeks, and he was brilliant, but he received a lot of tackles and shit, after approximately 10 minutes he had his first of two penalty shouts (it really should have been a penalty) when he flicked the ball past Jaaskelainen but the Bolton keeper' brought him down, but Phil Dowd ignored it.
After a fluent Arsenal move Fabregas could fire it to 1-0, after being beautifully served by Eduardo.
Just after that the second penalty situation occurred, Cesc was brought down deep in the box, and Bolton got a free kick! But the worst was that when the whistle had gone, Matthew Taylor first kicked Cesc in the head, and then he tried to pull him up by grabbing his hair! But Taylor wasn't booked..
After that situation the feelings on both sides were heated up and both Paul Robinson and Tomas Rosicky were booked.
In the 63rd minute Merida replaced Eastmond (it was his first start for the first team) and in the end he sealed the three points with a classy finish, and once again Eduardo provided the assist.
So in the end we got three good points, and after the return at home against Bolton (if we win we will be at the top of the table, but Chelsea has a game in hand), but after that we have four tricky games, Villa away, United home, Chelsea away and Liverpool home. (And after all this the Champions League begins again).
Injury Update;
-The good news is that Cesc and Gael is back (Gael played for 15 minutes today)
-But Nasri and Ramsey is likely to be out for 21 days, while Denilson might feature on Wednesday.
Fabregas 28,
Merida 78
A completely priceless win against a very tricky Bolton side, who obviously had a point to prove since it was Owen Coyle's first game since being appointed as the new Bolton manager (Gary Megson got fired).
What was better still was that Fabregas made his comeback after being sidelined for two weeks, and he was brilliant, but he received a lot of tackles and shit, after approximately 10 minutes he had his first of two penalty shouts (it really should have been a penalty) when he flicked the ball past Jaaskelainen but the Bolton keeper' brought him down, but Phil Dowd ignored it.
After a fluent Arsenal move Fabregas could fire it to 1-0, after being beautifully served by Eduardo.
Just after that the second penalty situation occurred, Cesc was brought down deep in the box, and Bolton got a free kick! But the worst was that when the whistle had gone, Matthew Taylor first kicked Cesc in the head, and then he tried to pull him up by grabbing his hair! But Taylor wasn't booked..
After that situation the feelings on both sides were heated up and both Paul Robinson and Tomas Rosicky were booked.
In the 63rd minute Merida replaced Eastmond (it was his first start for the first team) and in the end he sealed the three points with a classy finish, and once again Eduardo provided the assist.
So in the end we got three good points, and after the return at home against Bolton (if we win we will be at the top of the table, but Chelsea has a game in hand), but after that we have four tricky games, Villa away, United home, Chelsea away and Liverpool home. (And after all this the Champions League begins again).
Injury Update;
-The good news is that Cesc and Gael is back (Gael played for 15 minutes today)
-But Nasri and Ramsey is likely to be out for 21 days, while Denilson might feature on Wednesday.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Arsenal vs. Everton
2-2, Premier League, Emirates, 9/1 -10
Denilson 28,
Rosicky 92
Wenger was right about what he said when the Bolton game got postponed, the break really was inconvenient since we were in a great winning streak, but we remain unbeaten since the Chelsea game though.
Due to the circumstances I'm pleased that we could fightback for a point, but I'm afraid that in the end we could have needed those two points.. But for now, let's just keep up the good spirits and see some brightness in the situation, but beside that point we gained, there really isn't much to cheer about, Denilson collapsed while just jogging with the ball and was stretchered off.
And earlier in the game Gallas had just collapsed while jogging after the ball, a back problem but he just came straight back in after 30 seconds, he's definitely an Iron Man! xD
We didn't look good in the first fifteen minute, but then we got a goal against us and that was the wake-up call we needed, Denilson's shot was deflected and went in!! That was the first equalizer, and the least dramatic one...
Denilson was later on brought down in the box, clearly a penalty but the referee had his eyes on something else (the referee was actually 50 years old, and usually the english referees aren't allowed to be older than 49..) and the scene just quite simply went unnoticed.
The major error according to me in the goal that we conceded later, was that weirdly enough everyone was in the box for a corner(in the 81st minute), no one was left behind to help Almunia defend our own, so it really was easy for Pienaar to score when he was one on one with the keeper', but Rosicky saved us with 3 minutes to go and that felt totally awesome!!
We actually had some chances to take all the points, but couldn't manage in the end and let's just hope that United will drop as well!! (89th minute and still 1-1 away against Birmingham!)
Injury Update;
-Denilson's future is still uncertain, just after the game he said that Denilson was walking quite normal but it could still be lots of different injuries, perhaps a broken rib or some problem with the lungs, but I seriously doubt a broken rib since he was just jogging with the ball when he just collapsed...
-Fabregas still looks set to comeback against Bolton next Sunday.
Denilson 28,
Rosicky 92
Wenger was right about what he said when the Bolton game got postponed, the break really was inconvenient since we were in a great winning streak, but we remain unbeaten since the Chelsea game though.
Due to the circumstances I'm pleased that we could fightback for a point, but I'm afraid that in the end we could have needed those two points.. But for now, let's just keep up the good spirits and see some brightness in the situation, but beside that point we gained, there really isn't much to cheer about, Denilson collapsed while just jogging with the ball and was stretchered off.
And earlier in the game Gallas had just collapsed while jogging after the ball, a back problem but he just came straight back in after 30 seconds, he's definitely an Iron Man! xD
We didn't look good in the first fifteen minute, but then we got a goal against us and that was the wake-up call we needed, Denilson's shot was deflected and went in!! That was the first equalizer, and the least dramatic one...
Denilson was later on brought down in the box, clearly a penalty but the referee had his eyes on something else (the referee was actually 50 years old, and usually the english referees aren't allowed to be older than 49..) and the scene just quite simply went unnoticed.
The major error according to me in the goal that we conceded later, was that weirdly enough everyone was in the box for a corner(in the 81st minute), no one was left behind to help Almunia defend our own, so it really was easy for Pienaar to score when he was one on one with the keeper', but Rosicky saved us with 3 minutes to go and that felt totally awesome!!
We actually had some chances to take all the points, but couldn't manage in the end and let's just hope that United will drop as well!! (89th minute and still 1-1 away against Birmingham!)
Injury Update;
-Denilson's future is still uncertain, just after the game he said that Denilson was walking quite normal but it could still be lots of different injuries, perhaps a broken rib or some problem with the lungs, but I seriously doubt a broken rib since he was just jogging with the ball when he just collapsed...
-Fabregas still looks set to comeback against Bolton next Sunday.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Arsenal vs. Bolton POSTPONED
The weather in England has been terrible lately, lots of snowstorms and stuff, so basically all the games so far this week has been postponed, it looked as though Arsenal were going to be able to play, but the weather changed quickly and they had to cancel the game hours before kick-off.
This was our game in hand, but we are just going to play at some other time, so we're still third in the league!
All the games in the weekend is still likely to be played though.
Injury Update;
-Fabregas will miss Saturday's game against Everton, but is likely to feature in the game after.
-Clichy will start training on Monday, so he should soon be fit to play.
-Both Arshavin and Denilson are fit again, so they will be able to play against Everton.
This was our game in hand, but we are just going to play at some other time, so we're still third in the league!
All the games in the weekend is still likely to be played though.
Injury Update;
-Fabregas will miss Saturday's game against Everton, but is likely to feature in the game after.
-Clichy will start training on Monday, so he should soon be fit to play.
-Both Arshavin and Denilson are fit again, so they will be able to play against Everton.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
West Ham vs. Arsenal
2-1, the FA Cup, Upton Park, 3/1 -10
Ramsey 78,
Eduardo 83
After a completely rubbish first half we only got better and better, not least thanks to Diaby and Nasri who came in for Merida and Wilshere in the second.
There isn't really much to take from the first half, except that West Ham grabbed a goal in the 47th minute..
But after that things only got better, Nasri and Diaby really was the injection that we needed, and we gradually got back to our game, with a great chance for Diaby and then Song on the rebound.
Robert Green had a great game, but when the game was approaching 70 minutes, they just couldn't keep up anymore and after some great passing in the box Ramsey got the chance he needed and beautifully smashed it in!!
And just five minutes later Vela crossed deliciously to Eduardo, who headed the ball straight to the top corner of the goal, and Green couldn't keep it out!!
After that we just dug in and had some great chances, but we're in the 4th round!!
And in the 4th round we will travel to Stoke of all places! We haven't had any luck in the FA cup draw so far this season! But there will hopefully be more chance for luck in the FA cup this season.
Injury Update:
-Arshavin has picked up a slight problem with his foot, he could be back for the Bolton game.
-Denilson has a chance to return for the Bolton game, after picking up a back injury against Villa.
Ramsey 78,
Eduardo 83
After a completely rubbish first half we only got better and better, not least thanks to Diaby and Nasri who came in for Merida and Wilshere in the second.
There isn't really much to take from the first half, except that West Ham grabbed a goal in the 47th minute..
But after that things only got better, Nasri and Diaby really was the injection that we needed, and we gradually got back to our game, with a great chance for Diaby and then Song on the rebound.
Robert Green had a great game, but when the game was approaching 70 minutes, they just couldn't keep up anymore and after some great passing in the box Ramsey got the chance he needed and beautifully smashed it in!!
And just five minutes later Vela crossed deliciously to Eduardo, who headed the ball straight to the top corner of the goal, and Green couldn't keep it out!!
After that we just dug in and had some great chances, but we're in the 4th round!!
And in the 4th round we will travel to Stoke of all places! We haven't had any luck in the FA cup draw so far this season! But there will hopefully be more chance for luck in the FA cup this season.
Injury Update:
-Arshavin has picked up a slight problem with his foot, he could be back for the Bolton game.
-Denilson has a chance to return for the Bolton game, after picking up a back injury against Villa.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Portsmouth vs. Arsenal
4-1, Premier League, Fratton Park, 30/12 -09
Eduardo 27,
Nasri 41,
Ramsey 68,
Song 81
It's actually 2010 right now, I haven't been able to watch the game until now since United played at the same time and, well, what is there to say.. When United and Arsenal play at the same time there isn't really much that I can do, except turn on the computer and watch the live text on BBC!
But now I'm watching second half and I've already seen goals and highlights, so I should be able to manage!
At the start of the game Portsmouth played really well but couldn't really keep up and we gradually made the game ours, it was great to hear the fans singing like crazy basically the entire game!!
Diaby got the first really great chance to score, but Begovic managed a brilliant save to deny the frenchman, I just have to mention that Diaby and Song totally were the best in this game, It'll be sad to see Song go after Sunday's game, but hopefully Diaby will relish in his role during his absence.
Eduardo opened the scoring with a quite lucky goal, but it was certainly a deserved one, his free kick deflected on Kaboul and into the goal by the post, and by that post Hreidarsson stood, but he couldn't keep it out and 1-0 to the Arsenal!!
We kept up the good pace after that and eventually a typical Arsenal goal came, some passing in the box and then Ramsey gave the ball to Nasri who was in a good position to shoot, and a great shot it was!
In the beginning of the second Portsmouth tried hard to get back in the game, but things didn't go their way and wonder boy Ramsey played some amazing football to add our tally, he won the ball and just strode towards goal, finishing the move with a brilliant shot, definitely the beauty of the game.
Portsmouth got one back just after that, but we dug in and didn't concede, and when the game was approaching the end, Song grabbed a well deserved goal, he headed in Nasri's cross.
Injury Update;
-Fabregas will be out for 10-12 days, so the big question is will he play Everton on the 9th or not.
-Rosicky came off the bench in this game after 71 minutes, he had a solid display and is likely to start against West Ham
-Walcott has ripped a muscle and it looks the same for him as for Cesc, so Everton or not..
Eduardo 27,
Nasri 41,
Ramsey 68,
Song 81
It's actually 2010 right now, I haven't been able to watch the game until now since United played at the same time and, well, what is there to say.. When United and Arsenal play at the same time there isn't really much that I can do, except turn on the computer and watch the live text on BBC!
But now I'm watching second half and I've already seen goals and highlights, so I should be able to manage!
At the start of the game Portsmouth played really well but couldn't really keep up and we gradually made the game ours, it was great to hear the fans singing like crazy basically the entire game!!
Diaby got the first really great chance to score, but Begovic managed a brilliant save to deny the frenchman, I just have to mention that Diaby and Song totally were the best in this game, It'll be sad to see Song go after Sunday's game, but hopefully Diaby will relish in his role during his absence.
Eduardo opened the scoring with a quite lucky goal, but it was certainly a deserved one, his free kick deflected on Kaboul and into the goal by the post, and by that post Hreidarsson stood, but he couldn't keep it out and 1-0 to the Arsenal!!
We kept up the good pace after that and eventually a typical Arsenal goal came, some passing in the box and then Ramsey gave the ball to Nasri who was in a good position to shoot, and a great shot it was!
In the beginning of the second Portsmouth tried hard to get back in the game, but things didn't go their way and wonder boy Ramsey played some amazing football to add our tally, he won the ball and just strode towards goal, finishing the move with a brilliant shot, definitely the beauty of the game.
Portsmouth got one back just after that, but we dug in and didn't concede, and when the game was approaching the end, Song grabbed a well deserved goal, he headed in Nasri's cross.
Injury Update;
-Fabregas will be out for 10-12 days, so the big question is will he play Everton on the 9th or not.
-Rosicky came off the bench in this game after 71 minutes, he had a solid display and is likely to start against West Ham
-Walcott has ripped a muscle and it looks the same for him as for Cesc, so Everton or not..
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