3-0, Premier League, Emirates, 2012-03-24
Gibbs 16,
Walcott 25,
Arteta 90
What a game! We were brilliant from start to finish and just eased through this game!
The opener came just after the first fifteen minutes, and it was a very happy goalscorer. Kieran Gibbs scored, assisted by Gervinho, and he certainly deserves to get on the score-sheet, what with all the injuries that he has had. He had a really good game in general. The second goal came about ten minutes later when Alex Song spotted a run by Theo Walcott, and provided a perfect assist for the young Englishman to finish off with style.
We kept on piling up chance after chance and looked in control throughout the entire game. In the last minute we got to see a truly amazing goal scored by Mikel Arteta. He stepped up to take a free-kick and placed it perfectly and had a brilliant amount of power in the shot. There was no chance for the keeper to take that one and a truly artistic goal.
Another three points and since Tottenham and Chelsea drew earlier today we are beginning to create a gap of our own.
Injury Update;
-Koscielny picked up a slight knee injury just before the game today and had to be substituted before the game had even begun. It didn't appear to be too serious though.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Everton vs. Arsenal
1-0, Premier League, Goodison Park, 2012-03-22
Vermaelen 8
This was a real good old classic, 1-0 to the Arsenal!
You don't get to see that scoreline often these days, and even though we missed several good opportunities in the game I'd take that result any time away against Everton.
We were brilliant the first half-hour of the game. Absolutely radiant! We set up chance after chance, so it wasn't a too big surprise when we found ourselves in front after eight minutes. Robin van Persie swung in his corner and Thomas Vermaelen met it wonderfully with a header.
Unfortunately, after the goal Everton got more and more back into the game, and had a lot of chances themselves throughout the remainder of the game. Even though we started to push back within the last fifteen or so minutes.
Anyways, it was a vital win and since Tottenham lost points at home against Stoke, we've now got that third place! How funny aren't those "mind the gap" shirts now huh!? (yes, I'm aware that I've mentioned that before, but if something can stand being repeated it is just that).
Injury Update;
-Diaby is getting close to a return to the first team again.
-Wilshere is making fine progress but is still some time away unfortunately.
-Mertesacker has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with his ankle injury.
Vermaelen 8
This was a real good old classic, 1-0 to the Arsenal!
You don't get to see that scoreline often these days, and even though we missed several good opportunities in the game I'd take that result any time away against Everton.
We were brilliant the first half-hour of the game. Absolutely radiant! We set up chance after chance, so it wasn't a too big surprise when we found ourselves in front after eight minutes. Robin van Persie swung in his corner and Thomas Vermaelen met it wonderfully with a header.
Unfortunately, after the goal Everton got more and more back into the game, and had a lot of chances themselves throughout the remainder of the game. Even though we started to push back within the last fifteen or so minutes.
Anyways, it was a vital win and since Tottenham lost points at home against Stoke, we've now got that third place! How funny aren't those "mind the gap" shirts now huh!? (yes, I'm aware that I've mentioned that before, but if something can stand being repeated it is just that).
Injury Update;
-Diaby is getting close to a return to the first team again.
-Wilshere is making fine progress but is still some time away unfortunately.
-Mertesacker has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with his ankle injury.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Arsenal vs. Newcastle
2-1, Premier League, Emirates, 12-03-2012
van Persie 14
Vermaelen 90
We have become the comeback kings! We've made it into the record books as the first team ever to come from behind and win 4 games in a row (and three of those victories have come in the final minutes)! And what's more, we're now only one point behind Tottenham! Mind the gap, eh?
Newcastle played really well in the first fifteen minutes, we still had some really good chances but they played well. Then they got the lead in the 13th minute. Yet it didn't last long. Walcott was released down the right-hand side by Rosicky (who signed a new contract this week and continued his brilliant form in this game) and the young Englishman provided a great cross for the skipper. Robin van Persie looked as though he had ice flowing through his veins when he first took the ball past a defender and then sent it sizzling into the back of the net!
The game continued with us dominating most of the game and Newcastle time-wasting like crazy. Their 'keeper, Krul, proved extra talented at that. However, their time-wasting didn't pay off in the end. Thomas Vermaelen ran like a man possessed to meet Walcott's cross in the very last minute of the game! He scored with power and the stadium's atmosphere changed from desperate to euphoric (as it's getting used to these days)!
This scoring late business is really tearing down my nerves, but I do not complain. It doesn't matter when we score, as long as we keep winning the games! But all these late winners really shows how the team is fighting until the very end for each other, Wenger and the club. And that is something you can never complain of!
Injury Update;
-Santos was back on the bench for this game and is scheduled to play for the reserves on Wednesday.
-Wilshere is still some time away but Diaby should be back for the Everton game next Wednesday!
van Persie 14
Vermaelen 90
We have become the comeback kings! We've made it into the record books as the first team ever to come from behind and win 4 games in a row (and three of those victories have come in the final minutes)! And what's more, we're now only one point behind Tottenham! Mind the gap, eh?
Newcastle played really well in the first fifteen minutes, we still had some really good chances but they played well. Then they got the lead in the 13th minute. Yet it didn't last long. Walcott was released down the right-hand side by Rosicky (who signed a new contract this week and continued his brilliant form in this game) and the young Englishman provided a great cross for the skipper. Robin van Persie looked as though he had ice flowing through his veins when he first took the ball past a defender and then sent it sizzling into the back of the net!
The game continued with us dominating most of the game and Newcastle time-wasting like crazy. Their 'keeper, Krul, proved extra talented at that. However, their time-wasting didn't pay off in the end. Thomas Vermaelen ran like a man possessed to meet Walcott's cross in the very last minute of the game! He scored with power and the stadium's atmosphere changed from desperate to euphoric (as it's getting used to these days)!
This scoring late business is really tearing down my nerves, but I do not complain. It doesn't matter when we score, as long as we keep winning the games! But all these late winners really shows how the team is fighting until the very end for each other, Wenger and the club. And that is something you can never complain of!
Injury Update;
-Santos was back on the bench for this game and is scheduled to play for the reserves on Wednesday.
-Wilshere is still some time away but Diaby should be back for the Everton game next Wednesday!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Arsenal vs. AC Milan
3-0, Champions League, Emirates, 06-03-2012
Koscielny 6,
Rosicky 26,
van Persie 43
An inspired display by the team. We may not have scored the four that we needed, but we went out fighting! I think I speak for all the fans when I say that we are proud to support the Arsenal after a game like that.
What pretty much everyone agreed upon before the game was that we needed an early goal to breathe life into the tie. And we got it from the most unlikely source, a corner! It looked as though the team had practised the tactics in training. Three players (Vermaelen, van Persie and Song) backwards, providing valuable space for Laurent Koscielny who could come from behind to meet the ball and head it into the back of the net!
We played brilliant football in the first half, and soon we found ourselves half the way through an (to say the least) unlikely comeback. Walcott's cross was cleared poorly by a defender, and fell straight into the path of Tomas Rosicky, who's shot was perfectly executed! I would like to take this opportunity to compliment the midfielder. He has been in absolutely stunning form these past couple of weeks, and put in another brilliant display in this game.
Before half-time we scored a third, which was more than any could've thought likely to occur! Oxlade-Chamberlain (who was amazing in a central-midfield role) made a great run with the ball, and when he was harshly brought down in the box there was never going to be a discussion about it, penalty was awarded! The skipper, Robin van Persie, was always the one who were going to take the penalty. And always the one who were going to score.
We got agonisingly close to scoring in the second half when Gervinho's shot was blocked by the 'keeper and van Persie got to the rebound, but the 'keeper made a great save to deny us the fourth goal.
Am obviously disappointed at being knocked out of the Champions League, but there is no shame in the manner that we've gone out. Feel immensely proud of the team, it was unfortunate that tiredness got to us in the second half, but hey, we're only human.
Injury Update;
-Walcott picked up an injury in the second half and had to be substituted, but don't know of the extent of the injury.
Koscielny 6,
Rosicky 26,
van Persie 43
An inspired display by the team. We may not have scored the four that we needed, but we went out fighting! I think I speak for all the fans when I say that we are proud to support the Arsenal after a game like that.
What pretty much everyone agreed upon before the game was that we needed an early goal to breathe life into the tie. And we got it from the most unlikely source, a corner! It looked as though the team had practised the tactics in training. Three players (Vermaelen, van Persie and Song) backwards, providing valuable space for Laurent Koscielny who could come from behind to meet the ball and head it into the back of the net!
We played brilliant football in the first half, and soon we found ourselves half the way through an (to say the least) unlikely comeback. Walcott's cross was cleared poorly by a defender, and fell straight into the path of Tomas Rosicky, who's shot was perfectly executed! I would like to take this opportunity to compliment the midfielder. He has been in absolutely stunning form these past couple of weeks, and put in another brilliant display in this game.
Before half-time we scored a third, which was more than any could've thought likely to occur! Oxlade-Chamberlain (who was amazing in a central-midfield role) made a great run with the ball, and when he was harshly brought down in the box there was never going to be a discussion about it, penalty was awarded! The skipper, Robin van Persie, was always the one who were going to take the penalty. And always the one who were going to score.
We got agonisingly close to scoring in the second half when Gervinho's shot was blocked by the 'keeper and van Persie got to the rebound, but the 'keeper made a great save to deny us the fourth goal.
Am obviously disappointed at being knocked out of the Champions League, but there is no shame in the manner that we've gone out. Feel immensely proud of the team, it was unfortunate that tiredness got to us in the second half, but hey, we're only human.
Injury Update;
-Walcott picked up an injury in the second half and had to be substituted, but don't know of the extent of the injury.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Liverpool vs. Arsenal
2-1, Premier League, Anfield, 03-03-2012
van Persie 31, 90
We barely won a game in which we score all the goals... Ahhh, the irony... Well, won it we did and our captain is on a rampage at the moment! (well, replace at the moment with the past year and it will be more accurate).
By no means did we dominate this game, as we tend to do, but we showed that dominance and corners (I think the final count got to around 15 for Liverpool and none for us) doesn't win a game. Spirit and efficiency does.
The first half was rather eventful, to say the least. Liverpool was awarded with a corner when Suarez practised his artistic skills. Kuyt stepped up to take the penalty, struck it towards the left post, and Szczesny gets his hand to it! The rebound bounces back to Kuyt, who strikes it towards the right side, and somehow Szczesny pops up to punch it to a corner. A heroic action that further emphasises his value as a world-class 'keeper.
However, the joy was somewhat short-lived as Koscielny misjudged a cross into the box and put it in the back of wrong net.
Yet the lead would not last into half-time. Robin van Persie, made sure of that. As Sagna provided an amazing cross into the box, the skipper created some space for himself and headed the goal into the back of the net, the right one. It was poor marking from Carragher, but the Dutchman's qualities need not to be questioned.
We played dangerously close to the edge in the second half, and had to defend pretty much constantly. We've never been lucky when it comes to injuries, and this game was no different. Arteta collided with Henderson in an unfortunate situation, completely off the ball. It took the medical team quite some time to sort him out and have him stretched off the pitch. It looked as though he got a concussion, but I can't be too sure yet. Diaby replaced him, and it was at least some cause to cheer, as he has been out for quite some time. But, horror struck again as he was himself replaced before the end. What is the most distressing about this is that when Wenger spoke of him before the game, he said that if he had another set-back he would probably be out for the rest of the season...
Though we had all these concerns upon us, we ended the game with plenty of reasons to cheer. Our very own Captain Vantastic wasn't done with Liverpool yet. In the ninety third minute (there were eight added minutes due to Arteta's injury) Song provided an amazing assist that Robin van Persie made sure counted. On volley he hit the ball with his left foot, and the shot was too powerful for Reina to be able to save. Suddenly Anfield was filled with chants of the Arsenal! The away fans have been brilliant all season through, and this game was by no means any exception.
He scores when he wants, He scores when he wants. Robin van Persie, He scores when he wants!
A win which goes beyond the three points. Liverpool are now ten points behind us (granted, they have a game in hand) and we have racked up plenty of victories of late. Confidence is high and times certainly feel brilliant!
I would like to end with a special congratulation to Mr. Wenger upon receiving the February Manager of the Month award. It was well deserved since we won all the three games we played in the month and we scored fourteen amazing goals.
Injury Update,
-There is still no telling how serious Arteta's injury is, but hope for a swift return for him, he is a vital midfield player for us.
-Don't know about Diaby either, but am hopeful that he'll be back before too long.
van Persie 31, 90
We barely won a game in which we score all the goals... Ahhh, the irony... Well, won it we did and our captain is on a rampage at the moment! (well, replace at the moment with the past year and it will be more accurate).
By no means did we dominate this game, as we tend to do, but we showed that dominance and corners (I think the final count got to around 15 for Liverpool and none for us) doesn't win a game. Spirit and efficiency does.
The first half was rather eventful, to say the least. Liverpool was awarded with a corner when Suarez practised his artistic skills. Kuyt stepped up to take the penalty, struck it towards the left post, and Szczesny gets his hand to it! The rebound bounces back to Kuyt, who strikes it towards the right side, and somehow Szczesny pops up to punch it to a corner. A heroic action that further emphasises his value as a world-class 'keeper.
However, the joy was somewhat short-lived as Koscielny misjudged a cross into the box and put it in the back of wrong net.
Yet the lead would not last into half-time. Robin van Persie, made sure of that. As Sagna provided an amazing cross into the box, the skipper created some space for himself and headed the goal into the back of the net, the right one. It was poor marking from Carragher, but the Dutchman's qualities need not to be questioned.
We played dangerously close to the edge in the second half, and had to defend pretty much constantly. We've never been lucky when it comes to injuries, and this game was no different. Arteta collided with Henderson in an unfortunate situation, completely off the ball. It took the medical team quite some time to sort him out and have him stretched off the pitch. It looked as though he got a concussion, but I can't be too sure yet. Diaby replaced him, and it was at least some cause to cheer, as he has been out for quite some time. But, horror struck again as he was himself replaced before the end. What is the most distressing about this is that when Wenger spoke of him before the game, he said that if he had another set-back he would probably be out for the rest of the season...
Though we had all these concerns upon us, we ended the game with plenty of reasons to cheer. Our very own Captain Vantastic wasn't done with Liverpool yet. In the ninety third minute (there were eight added minutes due to Arteta's injury) Song provided an amazing assist that Robin van Persie made sure counted. On volley he hit the ball with his left foot, and the shot was too powerful for Reina to be able to save. Suddenly Anfield was filled with chants of the Arsenal! The away fans have been brilliant all season through, and this game was by no means any exception.
He scores when he wants, He scores when he wants. Robin van Persie, He scores when he wants!
A win which goes beyond the three points. Liverpool are now ten points behind us (granted, they have a game in hand) and we have racked up plenty of victories of late. Confidence is high and times certainly feel brilliant!
I would like to end with a special congratulation to Mr. Wenger upon receiving the February Manager of the Month award. It was well deserved since we won all the three games we played in the month and we scored fourteen amazing goals.
Injury Update,
-There is still no telling how serious Arteta's injury is, but hope for a swift return for him, he is a vital midfield player for us.
-Don't know about Diaby either, but am hopeful that he'll be back before too long.
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