My vote went to Cesc's rather unusual strike at Sunderland, the reason to why I voted for that one? Simply just because it was rather bizarre! You don't get to see too many of those in a lifetime.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Partizan Belgrade vs. Arsenal
3-1, Champions League, FK Partizan Stadium, 28/9 -10
Arshavin 14,
Chamakh 70,
Squillaci 82
We definitely had the right attitude coming into this game, unlike at the weekend, but really, even though we have like tons of injuries we fought for the three points, which is something we totally have to bring into the Chelsea clash.
Arshavin 14,
Chamakh 70,
Squillaci 82
We definitely had the right attitude coming into this game, unlike at the weekend, but really, even though we have like tons of injuries we fought for the three points, which is something we totally have to bring into the Chelsea clash.
Almunia picked up an injury from the last game, so Fabianski started the game between the posts, and he had a great game! Even though he only had something really vital to do thrice, once when Partizan were awarded with their first penalty, he failed then, but late in the game he pulled out a save against their second penalty, and just after that penalty he saved brilliantly from close range.
The beginning of the first half was really slow, then came the goal, a beautiful back-heel from Wilshere cleared room for Arshavin to score, and with it we began to gain possession and start dictating the game, but we were unlucky when a cross hit Denilson's arm, after that we slowly got back in the game, but it took quite some time before we managed to have our breakthrough.
In the second half we pretty much took off where we left off, and after fifteen minutes we were awarded a penalty when Chamakh was brought down in the box, Arshavin stepped up to the spot, but his effort was all power and went straight at the legs of the 'keeper, but at least we had a numerical advantage by then, as the player that brought down Chamakh was shown red.
We were getting closer and closer to the second goal after that, and eventually it came when Chamakh headed the ball at the bar, but the rebound went our way and Chamakh could then easily head the ball into the empty net.
Before the end there were three eventful moments, first our goal, Squillaci opens his account for the club with a fine header after a fine performance.
But then it was all Fabianski, for us at least, first he made a great save from a penalty (a really cheap one as well, Gibbs clearly got the ball away first) and then Lukasz pulled out another great save to deny Partizan a way back into the game.
Injury Update:
-Both Cesc and Thomas has a chance to be back in time for the Chelsea game, but to be honest I don't think that the odds are on our side, at least not concerning Fabregas.
-Gibbs were back for this game, and looked as good as ever.
-Almunia might be back for the Chelsea clash, though it is uncertain at the moment.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Arsenal vs. West Bromwich
2-3, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 25/9 -10
Nasri 76, 90
We were really poor troughout the entire game, almost completed a nice fightback though, was really down for a while, but then just thought what the heck, it doesn't matter whether they suck or not, i'll just end up watching them again anyway.
Though there is one thing still not quite right with my mind after a defeat, I don't feel hungry, I haven't eaten for almost ten hours at time of writing, and do not feel like eating a shit, and the only fluid I drank during those ten hours was a glass of water when I got home from the stable.
Champions League game midweek, then a vital trip to Chelsea, with some luck we might have the Verminator and Cesc back in time for the Chelsea clash, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Good news is that Chelsea lost away against Man City today, so we haven't lost any ground on them at least...
I don't feel like writing, and no Arsenal fan could possibly want to read anymore about this game, Nasri is beginning to find top form though.
Nasri 76, 90
We were really poor troughout the entire game, almost completed a nice fightback though, was really down for a while, but then just thought what the heck, it doesn't matter whether they suck or not, i'll just end up watching them again anyway.
Though there is one thing still not quite right with my mind after a defeat, I don't feel hungry, I haven't eaten for almost ten hours at time of writing, and do not feel like eating a shit, and the only fluid I drank during those ten hours was a glass of water when I got home from the stable.
Champions League game midweek, then a vital trip to Chelsea, with some luck we might have the Verminator and Cesc back in time for the Chelsea clash, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Good news is that Chelsea lost away against Man City today, so we haven't lost any ground on them at least...
I don't feel like writing, and no Arsenal fan could possibly want to read anymore about this game, Nasri is beginning to find top form though.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tottenham vs. Arsenal
1-1 (ET 4-1), Carling Cup 4th round, White Hart Lane, 21/9 -10
Lansbury 15,
Nasri 91 (pen), 95 (pen),
Arshavin 105
As one of the fans said after the game, "Winning 4-1 at White Hart Lane is like winning silverware itself!", and I can say that I agree, but it is unfortunately not quite at the same level as winning silverware, but let's just enjoy the moment while it lasts!
Wenger served a one-match ban that he picked up at Sunderland in the last game, but after the game Rosicky said with a laugh that he didn't even notice that the boss weren't on the bench until half-time!
It was also revealed after the game that the reason Nasri didn't take the penalty against Sunderland was that he had this superstition that the one who was brought down should not take the penalty, but he got over that and scored two brilliant penalties in extra-time, the first one after he had been brought down himself!
We completely outplayed Tottenham in the first half, and the goal from Lansbury came after some great playing by Rosicky and Wilshere, the young Englishman's cross was easily converted from six yards.
If you wonder the squad was rather mixed, in the starting line-up there were the likes of Nasri, Rosicky, Denilson, Wilshere, Lansbury and Djourou amongst other.
We also had one goal disallowed for offside on Gibbs, when the replay showed that he was by far onside!
And the referees participation wasn't any better at the start of the second half, when Keane scored for Tottenham, from a crystal clear offside position.
After that the second half was very tight, with us having the most possession, but it was in extra time that we showed which team has the stamina for these type of games, Nasri was pulled down in the box and converted the penalty himself, just four minutes later Chamakh was harshly pulled down as well and Nasri converted another penalty, which more or less sealed the game.
Before Arshavin settled the scoring after a fine pass by Wilshire Gibbs hobbled off, and it is still unsure how long he will be away.
Injury Update;
-Cesc Fabregas will miss two - three weeks of action after picking up a hamstring injury against Sunderland, which ultimately means that he may miss the Chelsea trip at the start of October.
-Gibbs' injury wasn't a broken leg as first feared, which means that it will be more short-term, hopefully he will be back before we know it !
Lansbury 15,
Nasri 91 (pen), 95 (pen),
Arshavin 105
As one of the fans said after the game, "Winning 4-1 at White Hart Lane is like winning silverware itself!", and I can say that I agree, but it is unfortunately not quite at the same level as winning silverware, but let's just enjoy the moment while it lasts!
Wenger served a one-match ban that he picked up at Sunderland in the last game, but after the game Rosicky said with a laugh that he didn't even notice that the boss weren't on the bench until half-time!
It was also revealed after the game that the reason Nasri didn't take the penalty against Sunderland was that he had this superstition that the one who was brought down should not take the penalty, but he got over that and scored two brilliant penalties in extra-time, the first one after he had been brought down himself!
We completely outplayed Tottenham in the first half, and the goal from Lansbury came after some great playing by Rosicky and Wilshere, the young Englishman's cross was easily converted from six yards.
If you wonder the squad was rather mixed, in the starting line-up there were the likes of Nasri, Rosicky, Denilson, Wilshere, Lansbury and Djourou amongst other.
We also had one goal disallowed for offside on Gibbs, when the replay showed that he was by far onside!
And the referees participation wasn't any better at the start of the second half, when Keane scored for Tottenham, from a crystal clear offside position.
After that the second half was very tight, with us having the most possession, but it was in extra time that we showed which team has the stamina for these type of games, Nasri was pulled down in the box and converted the penalty himself, just four minutes later Chamakh was harshly pulled down as well and Nasri converted another penalty, which more or less sealed the game.
Before Arshavin settled the scoring after a fine pass by Wilshire Gibbs hobbled off, and it is still unsure how long he will be away.
Injury Update;
-Cesc Fabregas will miss two - three weeks of action after picking up a hamstring injury against Sunderland, which ultimately means that he may miss the Chelsea trip at the start of October.
-Gibbs' injury wasn't a broken leg as first feared, which means that it will be more short-term, hopefully he will be back before we know it !
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Sunderland vs. Arsenal
1-1, Premier League, Stadium of Light, 18/9 -10
Fabregas 12
First heartache of the season, I had completely forgot the feeling, it feels like you've been stabbed and it spreads all over your body, I haven't missed it, that's for sure..
If you just read the result you might think that I overreact quite a bit, I mean a point away against Sunderland doesn't sound too bad if you hadn't watched the game..
There were 4 minutes of added time, they score in the 95th minute.. All I can think is fecking fecking referee...
One thing you always now but never will accept is how unfair football can be, cruel and unfair is what it is in the end...
The first thing I said, and surely many other fans out there, when we were awarded the penalty with 17 minutes to go was "we have to nail this one", and when I saw the penalty taker, sorry Rosicky, I adore you but also now that you aren't the most prolific goal scorer we have, I thought at once why? why? why? why?!
Sometimes you can just feel that something somewhere is going to go really wrong, and that was what I felt when I saw the no. 7 lining up to take the penalty that would virtually seal the game. (Cesc had to leave the pitch after less than thirty minutes, due to an injury(!) and Arshavin, who usually takes them when the captain isn't available, was substituted just before).
I had actually expected someone like Nasri (or why not Chamakh?) to take it, but that wasn't the case and this time, maybe it should have been, for had that penalty gone in, I'm 100 percent sure we would have got the three points.
And one other thing that was defining was that Song was sent off just eleven minutes into the second half after picking up two yellow cards.
So the team fought like heroes every single minute of the game, but when the game had passed 94 minutes and Sunderland were allowed to lift it back into our box everything fell apart, and I'm honestly still having trouble to fight off the burning anger I feel everytime I think about it, we deserved so much more than that fecking referee permitted. Phil Dowd, that's a name I shall never think kindly of again.
Unfortunately I do not feel like writing about our goal, but can just mention that Cesc interrupted a pass and it bounced into the net.
Injury Update;
-I know nothing about Cesc's injury yet, hopefully nothing serious though... But it wouldn't surprise me if it would end his season, considering the luck we seem to have on the injury department.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Arsenal vs. Braga
6-0, Premier League, Emirates, 16/9 -10
Fabregas 9 (pen), 53,
Arshavin 30,
Chamakh 34,
Vela 69, 84
Football is pure magic, when played correctly it can even get my dad (diehard united fan) to urge Cesc Fabregas to shoot to complete a hat-trick for the Arsenal.
Though Cesc didn't shoot himself, he provided an assist for Vela in the 84th minute of the game, but to me that makes him even greater than if he would have scored a hat-trick, it just shows all that is Arsenal, and who is better suited to show that than the captain himself!
This surely is one of the best games I have seen us play during the two years I have supported Arsenal, and that was achieved without the likes of van Persie, Walcott & Vermaelen (and many others).
Wilshere really proved his worth in this game, playing for the entire 90 minutes and being one of the best on the pitch, really impressive stuff. Another youngster proving that he is striving to get into the starting eleven was Carlos Vela, coming in with 27 minutes to go and showing some nice finishing.
We played fantastic throughout the entire game, a very direct football, especially in the first half, which in the end led to many brilliant goals.
The first came from the penalty spot though, Chamakh was brought down in the box (does it ring a bell? (Blackpool)) and Fabregas converted the penalty in fine style.
Fabregas 9 (pen), 53,
Arshavin 30,
Chamakh 34,
Vela 69, 84
Football is pure magic, when played correctly it can even get my dad (diehard united fan) to urge Cesc Fabregas to shoot to complete a hat-trick for the Arsenal.
Though Cesc didn't shoot himself, he provided an assist for Vela in the 84th minute of the game, but to me that makes him even greater than if he would have scored a hat-trick, it just shows all that is Arsenal, and who is better suited to show that than the captain himself!
This surely is one of the best games I have seen us play during the two years I have supported Arsenal, and that was achieved without the likes of van Persie, Walcott & Vermaelen (and many others).
Wilshere really proved his worth in this game, playing for the entire 90 minutes and being one of the best on the pitch, really impressive stuff. Another youngster proving that he is striving to get into the starting eleven was Carlos Vela, coming in with 27 minutes to go and showing some nice finishing.
We played fantastic throughout the entire game, a very direct football, especially in the first half, which in the end led to many brilliant goals.
The first came from the penalty spot though, Chamakh was brought down in the box (does it ring a bell? (Blackpool)) and Fabregas converted the penalty in fine style.
Arshavin has struggled a bit in the past couple of weeks, but is still scoring some goals, and he looked really good in the second half, he made it two-nil after half an hour, Cesc Fabregas providing the assist.
The third one game just four minutes after Arshavin's strike, and this was quite a beauty, Fabregas spotted Chamakh at the edge of the box, Marouane quickly played it to Wilshere who played it back in an instant, and Chamakh didn't need more time to score his first goal for Arsenal with his feet, he has now scored in the last three games and I dare say that he will be vital for us in the future, really an amazing signing from mr Wenger.
In the second half we kept things rolling and it didn't take too long for us to score again, this time the captain grabbed his second, with his head! It was quite a surprise, but you have to give most of the credit to Andrey, an amazing pass that made things too easy for Cesc.
Arshavin wasn't done assisting though, just before he was substituted he cleverly poked a ball in the path of Vela, who didn't let anyone down with the finish! (actually he scored with a small chip).
As the game was running towards it's end (unfortunately), Fabregas received a cross and had a great opportunity to complete a hat-trick, but instead he passed it to Vela who sealed the game with a cool finish at the near-post.
We were really effective in this game and had a much more direct attacking football than previously, it sure was a very exciting game.
Injury Update;
-Vermaelen and Diaby are both set to feature against West Brom next week, though for Diaby it might be longer.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Arsenal vs. Bolton
4-1, Premier League, Emirates, 11/9 -10
Koscielny 23,
Chamakh 60,
Song 78,
Vela 83
The game was a lot harder than the score board shows, but in the end a comfortable win at the Emirates.
Ahead of the game we received lots of injuries, not so surprising since it has been a week of internationals, Theo will be gone for 4-6 weeks after picking up an ankle injury against Switzerland, huge blow for us but it didn't end there, Vermaelen picked up an Achilles injury when playing for Belgium, though he has a chance of returning for the Braga game on Wednesday.
This meant that Squillaci was handed his first start of the season, playing alongside Koscielny, and what a game they both had, Koscielny scoring and Squillaci looking really solid in a tough game.
Fabregas seems to be getting closer to finding his form, he produced three assists and obviously was the heartbeat of the squad once again.
The first half was really tight, Arshavin made some great runs, but in the end proved fruitless, we took the lead though, a great cross from Wilshere reached Fabregas, who beautifully played it in towards Koscielny, who after some struggling on the box managed to get it in and score his first goal for the Arsenal!
Though if there is someone to blame for the equalizer, I'm afraid many fingers will be pointing at Koscielny, his header back towards Almunia was intercepted by Chung-Jong Lee, who played the ball back into the box for Johan Elmander to head in.
The second half started just as the first half, it was tight and hard for us to find enough spaces to score from, but we did and that was only made possible when Cesc Fabregas created an amazing cross toward Chamakh, and it really wasn't hard for the moroccan international to score his second Arsenal goal with the head.
We only managed to start playing our free-flowing football when Bolton were down to ten men, which happened after Gary Cahill went in with a harsh and unnecessary tackle on Chamakh (who luckily managed to remain injury free), as mentioned, after that we managed to start playing some nice football, and that proved to settle the match.
Remarkably it was Song who made it three, rather unusual for him to score, and even more unusual was the character of the goal, a really beautiful solo goal where he managed to get the ball past the 'keeper in a tight angle, most probably the most beautiful goal he has scored! And it was the 1000th goal for Arsenal during the Wenger era.
And to round things off an amazing goal from our young Mexican Vela! Fabregas (who else?) spotted him making a run and the defense couldn't keep track of him, though for once when he only had the 'keeper to beat he didn't chip it! (I know, it's hard to believe) He went for power instead and it settled nicely at the far post.
Injury News;
-Walcott had to sit and watch from the stands this time around, and he will for another four to six weeks, hugely disappointing for the young lad, his form has been amazing and it is a huge loss for us.
-Another huge loss will be that van Persie is expected to be out for the same time as Walcott, at first he was expected back after one or two weeks, but we won't be seeing him for quite some time, yet again.
-Bendtner will be the first of the three strikers to return, being expected back within three to four weeks.
-Vermaelen might make it for the Braga game on Wednesday, otherwise he is likely to feature against Sunderland on Saturday.
-Diaby came in during the second half, but had to be replaced after eleven minutes due to an ankle or shin injury, Wenger said in the post match interview that he couldn't move his leg, which doesn't exactly sound like good news, but on the brighter note Denilson and Nasri are both back, so we have options.
Koscielny 23,
Chamakh 60,
Song 78,
Vela 83
The game was a lot harder than the score board shows, but in the end a comfortable win at the Emirates.
Ahead of the game we received lots of injuries, not so surprising since it has been a week of internationals, Theo will be gone for 4-6 weeks after picking up an ankle injury against Switzerland, huge blow for us but it didn't end there, Vermaelen picked up an Achilles injury when playing for Belgium, though he has a chance of returning for the Braga game on Wednesday.
This meant that Squillaci was handed his first start of the season, playing alongside Koscielny, and what a game they both had, Koscielny scoring and Squillaci looking really solid in a tough game.
Fabregas seems to be getting closer to finding his form, he produced three assists and obviously was the heartbeat of the squad once again.
The first half was really tight, Arshavin made some great runs, but in the end proved fruitless, we took the lead though, a great cross from Wilshere reached Fabregas, who beautifully played it in towards Koscielny, who after some struggling on the box managed to get it in and score his first goal for the Arsenal!
Though if there is someone to blame for the equalizer, I'm afraid many fingers will be pointing at Koscielny, his header back towards Almunia was intercepted by Chung-Jong Lee, who played the ball back into the box for Johan Elmander to head in.
The second half started just as the first half, it was tight and hard for us to find enough spaces to score from, but we did and that was only made possible when Cesc Fabregas created an amazing cross toward Chamakh, and it really wasn't hard for the moroccan international to score his second Arsenal goal with the head.
We only managed to start playing our free-flowing football when Bolton were down to ten men, which happened after Gary Cahill went in with a harsh and unnecessary tackle on Chamakh (who luckily managed to remain injury free), as mentioned, after that we managed to start playing some nice football, and that proved to settle the match.
Remarkably it was Song who made it three, rather unusual for him to score, and even more unusual was the character of the goal, a really beautiful solo goal where he managed to get the ball past the 'keeper in a tight angle, most probably the most beautiful goal he has scored! And it was the 1000th goal for Arsenal during the Wenger era.
And to round things off an amazing goal from our young Mexican Vela! Fabregas (who else?) spotted him making a run and the defense couldn't keep track of him, though for once when he only had the 'keeper to beat he didn't chip it! (I know, it's hard to believe) He went for power instead and it settled nicely at the far post.
Injury News;
-Walcott had to sit and watch from the stands this time around, and he will for another four to six weeks, hugely disappointing for the young lad, his form has been amazing and it is a huge loss for us.
-Another huge loss will be that van Persie is expected to be out for the same time as Walcott, at first he was expected back after one or two weeks, but we won't be seeing him for quite some time, yet again.
-Bendtner will be the first of the three strikers to return, being expected back within three to four weeks.
-Vermaelen might make it for the Braga game on Wednesday, otherwise he is likely to feature against Sunderland on Saturday.
-Diaby came in during the second half, but had to be replaced after eleven minutes due to an ankle or shin injury, Wenger said in the post match interview that he couldn't move his leg, which doesn't exactly sound like good news, but on the brighter note Denilson and Nasri are both back, so we have options.
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