2-2, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 2013-01-30
Giroud 65,
Walcott 67
Yet again we turn a poor first half performance into a brilliant second half performance... What is going on?! It appears as though we get an excess of confidence in the second half to turn games around with...
After no more than five minutes Liverpool scored through Suarez, whose shot took a deflection off Sagna. The following minute Walcott forced a great save out of Reina with a low and powerful shot. Giroud had two shots going wide in the first half while, after a corner, Vermaelen's shot was blocked and the ball made its way to Walcott, whose shot was saved by Reina. Liverpool ended the half better as they had a header saved on the goal line by Podolski and Szczesny made a bad call in venturing way too far from the goal, fortunately Henderson's effort went over the bar.
But then came the second half and with it, as usual these days, a different-looking Arsenal team. A great interchange of passes between Podolski and Wilshere led to a great opportunity for the German, unfortunately his shot was blocked and Walcott's follow-up went over the goal. Then Liverpool scored again through Henderson, our defending was worse than terrible as we constantly failed to get a tackle in to prevent the goal. Podolski had a thundering shot wide right before we finally got back in the game twenty minutes into the half. Olivier Giroud, who is on quite a roll, headed the ball into the back of the net! Walcott won a free kick, Wilshere took it and the Frenchman met it with a resolute header! Two minutes later we found the equaliser, through the another man who is on quite a roll, namely Theo Walcott! It was a stunning shot from a somewhat tight angle, the Englishman somehow found the far corner. What is worth mentioning is that it was a brilliant assist from Giroud who quickly tapped it forward for Theo.
Three minutes later Walcott came close to a reprise of his goal, but this time the shot went just wide. Mertesacker had a powerful header from a Cazorla free kick that went just over the top corner of the goal and Cazorla himself had a shot/cross almost met by Giroud, but instead it went wide. The Frenchman followed this up with a double-chance, first a shot from a counter attack saved by Reina and the following corner was headed over the bar. Giroud then had our final chance but as the goal stood wide open before him he missed the ball, obviously immensely disappointing. The very last chance, however, was Liverpool's as Santos missed a pass, leading to Liverpool almost scoring in the last minute. Fortunately they did not.
Considering the performance of the first half, this was obviously a good point gained. But at the same time we really need to start winning these bigger games, and we had some really good chances to do that this evening. Yet we did not and now we will just have to ensure a victory against Stoke on Saturday.
Injury Update:
- Gibbs received a thigh strain in the first half and will be out for three weeks.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Brighton vs. Arsenal + 5th Round Draw
3-2, The FA Cup, Arnex Stadium, 2013-01-26
Giroud 16, 56,
Walcott 85
This turned out to be quite the intense cup game! Fortunately we managed to grab the late winner, but Brighton proved to be a rather tough obstacle to cross.
We took the lead after about fifteen minutes, through a brilliant shot by Olivier Giroud! He found the top corner of the goal with a powerful strike! Unfortunately the joy proved to be short-lived as Reading equalized from a corner approximately thirty minutes into the game.
At the start of the second half we recovered our lead, once again it was Olivier Giroud who scored for us! This time the Frenchman's shot was from a closer range, due to an amazing assist from Diaby, but it was quite an achievement to get a shot away as the keeper closed him down. Yet this lead proved to be even more short-lived than the first one as it took five minutes until Brighton found their second equalizer. However, we had one player on the bench who would come on to make the difference. Theo Walcott continued his good form with yet another goal, and it was quite an important one too! As we took a corner, the ball eventually found its way to Walcott, whose shot was deflected off a defender to find the back of the net!
Needless to say it is great to have qualified for the 5th round, where we will face Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates! It is always a relief to get drawn at home for these games. Next game will be against Liverpool on Wednesday in the Premier League.
Giroud 16, 56,
Walcott 85
This turned out to be quite the intense cup game! Fortunately we managed to grab the late winner, but Brighton proved to be a rather tough obstacle to cross.
We took the lead after about fifteen minutes, through a brilliant shot by Olivier Giroud! He found the top corner of the goal with a powerful strike! Unfortunately the joy proved to be short-lived as Reading equalized from a corner approximately thirty minutes into the game.
At the start of the second half we recovered our lead, once again it was Olivier Giroud who scored for us! This time the Frenchman's shot was from a closer range, due to an amazing assist from Diaby, but it was quite an achievement to get a shot away as the keeper closed him down. Yet this lead proved to be even more short-lived than the first one as it took five minutes until Brighton found their second equalizer. However, we had one player on the bench who would come on to make the difference. Theo Walcott continued his good form with yet another goal, and it was quite an important one too! As we took a corner, the ball eventually found its way to Walcott, whose shot was deflected off a defender to find the back of the net!
Needless to say it is great to have qualified for the 5th round, where we will face Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates! It is always a relief to get drawn at home for these games. Next game will be against Liverpool on Wednesday in the Premier League.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Arsenal vs. West Ham
5-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 2013-01-23
Podolski 22,
Giroud 47, 57,
Cazorla 52,
Walcott 54
There is currently a rather peculiar trend taking place with this team... For some reason we play a (more or less) poor first half only to return (more or less) looking like a team changed for the second half. It was noticeable against Manchester City and Chelsea, but in this game it just blew all of our minds!
That is not to say that we were rubbish in the first half (at least in this game), five minutes into the first half Walcott made a great run, but could not find a team-mate with his cross, which was pretty much the story of our first half: plenty of decent play but the final, decisive, pass constantly failed or was intercepted. Ten minutes later Walcott made yet another brilliant run, spotted by Wilshere, unfortunately Walcott's shot went wide. Then disaster struck as West Ham scored from a shot right after a corner, we were not fast enough at closing the player down.
However, our response to this was not long in its coming! Lukas Podolski, back from illness, scored with a stunning shot, containing plenty of both power and precision, from quite a distance! From then on we continued to rack up chances to score, Vermaelen made an amazing pass to Walcott, whose dangerous cross was cleared by a defender. Podolski had another shot at goal that went past the keeper, but a defender managed to clear the ball before it reached the back of the net. Ramsey did likewise for us five minutes later, that is, sliding in behind Szczesny to clear the ball away from the goal. In the very last minute of the half Cazorla was awarded a free-kick at the edge of the box and he took it himself, putting it in the top corner, forcing a great save from the keeper.
In the second half we were, quite simply, of a completely different class! Our performance (during the first half of the second half in particular) was out of this world, and it began right at the start of the half with Walcott's cross almost being turned into an own goal by a defender, however, it went just wide instead. Our leading goal came just a minute later, two minutes into the half, when Olivier Giroud fired a thundering shot that bounced off the keeper's shoulder to hit the back of the net! What made this goal extra spectacular was that we actually scored it from a corner! Walcott took the corner-kick where a clever tactic meant that Giroud could find space by the near-post, Mertesacker originally stood by the post, but as the corner was taken he ran back, switching place with the Frenchman.
About ten minutes into the second half Walcott made yet another amazing run, and the manner in which he brought the ball down was just delightful to watch, but the shot did not hit the target this time. In the very same minute, though, it did, only it was Santi Cazorla who scored! Podolski showed great generosity as he passed the ball to the Spaniard, right in front of the goal, for Cazorla to skilfully back-heel the ball into the goal! Two minutes after this goal Theo Walcott got his for the evening! Needless to say, it was from a brilliant run by the Englishman, which was spotted by Podolski and a stunning assist was provided by the German, all Walcott had to do really was to fire it home! Then, three minutes later, Olivier Giroud finished the scoring with his second goal of the evening. Wilshere picked out Podolski with a marvellous pass, and the cross from Podolski did not disappoint as it was met perfectly by Giroud, yet another amazing goal!
We kept up the good work throughout the rest of the game with plenty of chances, but after a severe injury to a West Ham player the game slowed down considerably. Walcott had a golden opportunity to score at the very end of the game as he got a quite unexpected chance. Wilshere pressured the keeper, causing him to play the ball straight at Walcott! Unfortunately the chip that Walcott attempted was not quite high enough and the keeper managed to get his hands to it.
What a game. We looked formidable in that second half, scoring four goals within ten minutes! To name just one, Podolski had an outstanding game, with one goal and three assists! Hopefully we will continue to play in this manner, only bring it into the first half as well, so we won't have to come from behind in all games from now on!
Injury Update:
- Both Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain recovered from illness to feature in this game, the former made his way straight into the starting XI whereas the latter started on the bench.
Podolski 22,
Giroud 47, 57,
Cazorla 52,
Walcott 54
There is currently a rather peculiar trend taking place with this team... For some reason we play a (more or less) poor first half only to return (more or less) looking like a team changed for the second half. It was noticeable against Manchester City and Chelsea, but in this game it just blew all of our minds!
That is not to say that we were rubbish in the first half (at least in this game), five minutes into the first half Walcott made a great run, but could not find a team-mate with his cross, which was pretty much the story of our first half: plenty of decent play but the final, decisive, pass constantly failed or was intercepted. Ten minutes later Walcott made yet another brilliant run, spotted by Wilshere, unfortunately Walcott's shot went wide. Then disaster struck as West Ham scored from a shot right after a corner, we were not fast enough at closing the player down.
However, our response to this was not long in its coming! Lukas Podolski, back from illness, scored with a stunning shot, containing plenty of both power and precision, from quite a distance! From then on we continued to rack up chances to score, Vermaelen made an amazing pass to Walcott, whose dangerous cross was cleared by a defender. Podolski had another shot at goal that went past the keeper, but a defender managed to clear the ball before it reached the back of the net. Ramsey did likewise for us five minutes later, that is, sliding in behind Szczesny to clear the ball away from the goal. In the very last minute of the half Cazorla was awarded a free-kick at the edge of the box and he took it himself, putting it in the top corner, forcing a great save from the keeper.
In the second half we were, quite simply, of a completely different class! Our performance (during the first half of the second half in particular) was out of this world, and it began right at the start of the half with Walcott's cross almost being turned into an own goal by a defender, however, it went just wide instead. Our leading goal came just a minute later, two minutes into the half, when Olivier Giroud fired a thundering shot that bounced off the keeper's shoulder to hit the back of the net! What made this goal extra spectacular was that we actually scored it from a corner! Walcott took the corner-kick where a clever tactic meant that Giroud could find space by the near-post, Mertesacker originally stood by the post, but as the corner was taken he ran back, switching place with the Frenchman.
About ten minutes into the second half Walcott made yet another amazing run, and the manner in which he brought the ball down was just delightful to watch, but the shot did not hit the target this time. In the very same minute, though, it did, only it was Santi Cazorla who scored! Podolski showed great generosity as he passed the ball to the Spaniard, right in front of the goal, for Cazorla to skilfully back-heel the ball into the goal! Two minutes after this goal Theo Walcott got his for the evening! Needless to say, it was from a brilliant run by the Englishman, which was spotted by Podolski and a stunning assist was provided by the German, all Walcott had to do really was to fire it home! Then, three minutes later, Olivier Giroud finished the scoring with his second goal of the evening. Wilshere picked out Podolski with a marvellous pass, and the cross from Podolski did not disappoint as it was met perfectly by Giroud, yet another amazing goal!
We kept up the good work throughout the rest of the game with plenty of chances, but after a severe injury to a West Ham player the game slowed down considerably. Walcott had a golden opportunity to score at the very end of the game as he got a quite unexpected chance. Wilshere pressured the keeper, causing him to play the ball straight at Walcott! Unfortunately the chip that Walcott attempted was not quite high enough and the keeper managed to get his hands to it.
What a game. We looked formidable in that second half, scoring four goals within ten minutes! To name just one, Podolski had an outstanding game, with one goal and three assists! Hopefully we will continue to play in this manner, only bring it into the first half as well, so we won't have to come from behind in all games from now on!
Injury Update:
- Both Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain recovered from illness to feature in this game, the former made his way straight into the starting XI whereas the latter started on the bench.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Chelsea vs. Arsenal
1-2, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, 2013-01-20
Walcott 58
We just can't seem to win these 'big' games, which obviously is damaging our prospect of finishing within the top four. This game was very much like the Manchester City game in the sense that we were rubbish throughout the first half but came on as a team changed for the second half, however, as we failed in both of these games to turn the game around it will be forgotten before long.
The game could have looked very different had Giroud scored when he made a brilliant run, spotted by Walcott who provided the pass, but the shot went wide and in the following minute Chelsea found themselves in front after a Mata goal. We were unlucky in this situation as we should have been awarded a free-kick just before when Coquelin was stepped on by a Chelsea player, but as the ref apparently missed that situation the goal was allowed. Ten minutes later Lampard put Chelsea further in front from the penalty spot as our defence lost track of Ramires in the box and Szczesny's attempt to get the ball only resulted in a Chelsea penalty. The Polish keeper then had to make a vital save from a Hazard shot before that miserable half was over.
As mentioned above, it was as though a different team entered the pitch for the second half. We played with more urgency and efficiency, finally putting pressure on Chelsea and all of a sudden we were the ones dominating the game after an incredibly poor first half performance.
Merely two minutes into the half Mertesacker (of all players) fired a shot on target, unfortunately it went straight at Cech. The next minute the Chelsea keeper had to make yet another save as Walcott got within firing range of the goal. Before we eventually managed to find a way back into the game Giroud had a header which Cech, yet again, saved.
Then we finally put the ball past the blasted keeper, and it was no other than Theo Walcott (who just signed a new contract with the club!) who scored, through a delightful chip over Cech to find the back of the net! The Englishman followed up his goal with a shot, however, he did not manage to keep it on target this time.
It is, however, important to mention that Chelsea remained a constant threat. Szczesny made a vital save as he grabbed hold of the ball right in front of Torres' feet and later on our keeper went far out to intercept as Ba was moving towards the goal, yet the striker went around Szczesny, fortunately for us captain Vermaelen blocked the shot right in front of the goal!
In the final minutes of the game we put immense pressure on Chelsea, with a Vermaelen free-kick going just wide and Giroud having a shot saved by Cech and a header going just over the bar as we played corner after corner.
It is a great disappointment to lose yet another important game for our prospect of finishing higher than 6th, but we are just quite simply going to have to get the three points on Wednesday against West Ham instead, focus on what is up ahead.
Injury Update:
- Both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski missed this game due to illness while Arteta and Rosicky remain injured.
Walcott 58
We just can't seem to win these 'big' games, which obviously is damaging our prospect of finishing within the top four. This game was very much like the Manchester City game in the sense that we were rubbish throughout the first half but came on as a team changed for the second half, however, as we failed in both of these games to turn the game around it will be forgotten before long.
The game could have looked very different had Giroud scored when he made a brilliant run, spotted by Walcott who provided the pass, but the shot went wide and in the following minute Chelsea found themselves in front after a Mata goal. We were unlucky in this situation as we should have been awarded a free-kick just before when Coquelin was stepped on by a Chelsea player, but as the ref apparently missed that situation the goal was allowed. Ten minutes later Lampard put Chelsea further in front from the penalty spot as our defence lost track of Ramires in the box and Szczesny's attempt to get the ball only resulted in a Chelsea penalty. The Polish keeper then had to make a vital save from a Hazard shot before that miserable half was over.
As mentioned above, it was as though a different team entered the pitch for the second half. We played with more urgency and efficiency, finally putting pressure on Chelsea and all of a sudden we were the ones dominating the game after an incredibly poor first half performance.
Merely two minutes into the half Mertesacker (of all players) fired a shot on target, unfortunately it went straight at Cech. The next minute the Chelsea keeper had to make yet another save as Walcott got within firing range of the goal. Before we eventually managed to find a way back into the game Giroud had a header which Cech, yet again, saved.
Then we finally put the ball past the blasted keeper, and it was no other than Theo Walcott (who just signed a new contract with the club!) who scored, through a delightful chip over Cech to find the back of the net! The Englishman followed up his goal with a shot, however, he did not manage to keep it on target this time.
It is, however, important to mention that Chelsea remained a constant threat. Szczesny made a vital save as he grabbed hold of the ball right in front of Torres' feet and later on our keeper went far out to intercept as Ba was moving towards the goal, yet the striker went around Szczesny, fortunately for us captain Vermaelen blocked the shot right in front of the goal!
In the final minutes of the game we put immense pressure on Chelsea, with a Vermaelen free-kick going just wide and Giroud having a shot saved by Cech and a header going just over the bar as we played corner after corner.
It is a great disappointment to lose yet another important game for our prospect of finishing higher than 6th, but we are just quite simply going to have to get the three points on Wednesday against West Ham instead, focus on what is up ahead.
Injury Update:
- Both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski missed this game due to illness while Arteta and Rosicky remain injured.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Arsenal vs. Swansea
1-0, the FA cup, Emirates Stadium, 2013-01-16
Wilshere 86
It seemed as though this evening would end in tears for us as we kept on creating chances but just couldn't seem to convert them into goals, until a certain Jack Wilshere came in and saved the day! An absolutely stunning goal to get us through to the next stage of the FA Cup!
Our first decent chance to score came when Walcott crossed the ball to Giroud about five minutes into the game, unfortunately the header went wide and when the Frenchman got in a shooting position just after the header his shot went wide as well. Fifteen minutes later we had a great free-kick opportunity as Walcott was brought down right at the edge of the box, but Vermaelen's powerful shot went over the bar. Mere minutes later Bartley headed the ball against the bar for Swansea, a rather serious warning of the threat that Swansea posed in this game. Before half-time we had one more shot at goal, Walcott's strike was saved by the keeper though.
In the second half we began to build up even more pressure on Swansea and right as the half began Walcott was given a golden opportunity, quite surprisingly his shot went wide. Cazorla had a shot over the bar just a couple of minutes later.
Giroud continued to put his headers wide as he met Walcott's corner brilliantly but just couldn't seem to get it on target. Then Wilshere had two great chances, first his shot was deflected wide and from the resulting corner he eventually got a shot from close-range, which first was saved by the keeper and then saved on the goal-line by a defender. Another corner-kick just a minute later was yet again saved on the goal-line by a Swansea player.
We continued to create chance upon chance, Giroud had a shot on target saved by the keeper a minute before Walcott fired a shot wide. With ten minutes to go Giroud had a shot taken right at the keeper and Sagna's cross was almost met by Walcott, but ended up hitting the post. As extra-time approached Giroud had a header on target that was saved on the goal-line and the following shot was blocked.
Then salvation came as Jack Wilshere showed up, firing a powerful shot that went past the keeper and into the back of the net! A truly brilliant volley!
Jack has improved from game to game since returning from his long-term injury, we are fortunate to have him. Next up in the FA cup is Brighton away for us, that game will take place next weekend. This weekend we face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which ought to be quite a challenge.
Injury Update:
- Arteta and Rosicky will both miss the Chelsea game through injury.
Wilshere 86
It seemed as though this evening would end in tears for us as we kept on creating chances but just couldn't seem to convert them into goals, until a certain Jack Wilshere came in and saved the day! An absolutely stunning goal to get us through to the next stage of the FA Cup!
Our first decent chance to score came when Walcott crossed the ball to Giroud about five minutes into the game, unfortunately the header went wide and when the Frenchman got in a shooting position just after the header his shot went wide as well. Fifteen minutes later we had a great free-kick opportunity as Walcott was brought down right at the edge of the box, but Vermaelen's powerful shot went over the bar. Mere minutes later Bartley headed the ball against the bar for Swansea, a rather serious warning of the threat that Swansea posed in this game. Before half-time we had one more shot at goal, Walcott's strike was saved by the keeper though.
In the second half we began to build up even more pressure on Swansea and right as the half began Walcott was given a golden opportunity, quite surprisingly his shot went wide. Cazorla had a shot over the bar just a couple of minutes later.
Giroud continued to put his headers wide as he met Walcott's corner brilliantly but just couldn't seem to get it on target. Then Wilshere had two great chances, first his shot was deflected wide and from the resulting corner he eventually got a shot from close-range, which first was saved by the keeper and then saved on the goal-line by a defender. Another corner-kick just a minute later was yet again saved on the goal-line by a Swansea player.
We continued to create chance upon chance, Giroud had a shot on target saved by the keeper a minute before Walcott fired a shot wide. With ten minutes to go Giroud had a shot taken right at the keeper and Sagna's cross was almost met by Walcott, but ended up hitting the post. As extra-time approached Giroud had a header on target that was saved on the goal-line and the following shot was blocked.
Then salvation came as Jack Wilshere showed up, firing a powerful shot that went past the keeper and into the back of the net! A truly brilliant volley!
Jack has improved from game to game since returning from his long-term injury, we are fortunate to have him. Next up in the FA cup is Brighton away for us, that game will take place next weekend. This weekend we face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which ought to be quite a challenge.
Injury Update:
- Arteta and Rosicky will both miss the Chelsea game through injury.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Arsenal vs. Manchester City
0-2, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 2013-01-13
This game was more or less settled by a singular event ten minutes into the game. Naturally it is very upsetting to receive a red card that early in the game, especially when you feel as though a yellow would have, by far, sufficed! Anyway, we fought bravely throughout the game but ten men just weren't enough against this City side.
It was Koscielny who was shown off the pitch after ten minutes as he held onto Dzeko in the box, in my (biased) opinion it was definitely not a red card, maybe a yellow but never a red. However, Szczesny saved the penalty! And in quite some remarkable fashion it was: he saved the shot with his legs, the ball then bounced off the post to find its way into the 'keeper arms. Yet the joy of that penalty save proved to be short-lived as Milner scored for City five minutes later and Dzeko added to that lead at the half-hour mark.
With ten minutes of the half to go Podolski had a shot at goal saved by Hart and just a minute before the break Wilshere headed the ball clear on the goal-line to deny City a third goal.
In the second half we fought bravely to get back in the game, Gibbs had a powerful shot blocked and ten minutes later Cazorla's shot went over the bar. Giroud came on in the second half and had a dangerous header over the bar.
On the other side of the pitch Szczesny made some vital saves, mainly from a one-on-one situation with Tevez.
With fifteen minutes left Kompany was given a red card for a dangerous tackle on Wilshere, unfortunately it appeared as though this sending off came to late for us. There was a remarkable difference in possession as we were back to the same number of players, it was unfortunate for us that we failed to capitalise on it.
During the last couple of minutes we had two chances to score, the main one being a shot from Walcott that beat Hart but was saved right in front of the goal by Lescott. Then Giroud had a shot at goal, but it was rather comfortably saved by Hart.
Injury Update:
- Diaby made his first first-team appearance since September as he started this game.
- Arteta missed this game due to an injury and will most likely be away for 3 weeks.
This game was more or less settled by a singular event ten minutes into the game. Naturally it is very upsetting to receive a red card that early in the game, especially when you feel as though a yellow would have, by far, sufficed! Anyway, we fought bravely throughout the game but ten men just weren't enough against this City side.
It was Koscielny who was shown off the pitch after ten minutes as he held onto Dzeko in the box, in my (biased) opinion it was definitely not a red card, maybe a yellow but never a red. However, Szczesny saved the penalty! And in quite some remarkable fashion it was: he saved the shot with his legs, the ball then bounced off the post to find its way into the 'keeper arms. Yet the joy of that penalty save proved to be short-lived as Milner scored for City five minutes later and Dzeko added to that lead at the half-hour mark.
With ten minutes of the half to go Podolski had a shot at goal saved by Hart and just a minute before the break Wilshere headed the ball clear on the goal-line to deny City a third goal.
In the second half we fought bravely to get back in the game, Gibbs had a powerful shot blocked and ten minutes later Cazorla's shot went over the bar. Giroud came on in the second half and had a dangerous header over the bar.
On the other side of the pitch Szczesny made some vital saves, mainly from a one-on-one situation with Tevez.
With fifteen minutes left Kompany was given a red card for a dangerous tackle on Wilshere, unfortunately it appeared as though this sending off came to late for us. There was a remarkable difference in possession as we were back to the same number of players, it was unfortunate for us that we failed to capitalise on it.
During the last couple of minutes we had two chances to score, the main one being a shot from Walcott that beat Hart but was saved right in front of the goal by Lescott. Then Giroud had a shot at goal, but it was rather comfortably saved by Hart.
Injury Update:
- Diaby made his first first-team appearance since September as he started this game.
- Arteta missed this game due to an injury and will most likely be away for 3 weeks.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Swansea vs. Arsenal
2-2, The FA Cup, Liberty Stadium, 2012-01-06
Podolski 81,
Gibbs 83
Quite remarkably and definitely disastrously Swedish television has stopped broadcasting the FA Cup! Hence, I was unable to watch this game... I have, however, seen the goals and can thus make a short post about them!
First up there was the goal by Lukas Podolski, which came at a rather vital moment in the game and it was a powerful shot by the German striker. But, what a strike by Kieran Gibbs! Absolutely amazing technique showcased by the full-back to get such a clean strike off a volley!
This result means that the game will be replayed at the Emirates, and the date for that game is January 16.
Podolski 81,
Gibbs 83
Quite remarkably and definitely disastrously Swedish television has stopped broadcasting the FA Cup! Hence, I was unable to watch this game... I have, however, seen the goals and can thus make a short post about them!
First up there was the goal by Lukas Podolski, which came at a rather vital moment in the game and it was a powerful shot by the German striker. But, what a strike by Kieran Gibbs! Absolutely amazing technique showcased by the full-back to get such a clean strike off a volley!
This result means that the game will be replayed at the Emirates, and the date for that game is January 16.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Southampton vs. Arsenal
1-1, Premier League, St. Mary's Stadium, 2013-01-01
Do Prado (og) 41
Unfortunately we did not manage to continue 2013 as we ended 2012. The Arsenal on display today was hardly recognisable from the team that beat Newcastle just a few days ago, and the starting eleven for both of these games was exactly the same! It is certainly disappointing to drop points considering that we had four consecutive games ahead of this game.
Five minutes into the game Cazorla had a shot deflected just wide and about ten minutes later Podolski's shot from close range was blocked. After those first fifteen minutes the game slowed down considerably and it was not until ten minutes before half-time that some action was introduced again, yet it was not a good kind of action for us. Southampton scored after some chaos in our box where Sagna cleared the ball straight to a Southampton player and our early possession proved useless. However, we got lucky as Do Prado scored an own goal five minutes before the break as Walcott produced a great free-kick. The English striker scored a goal of his own in the very last minute, but unfortunately for us it was ruled offside.
The second half began with a brilliant Szczesny save on the line from a corner, which was followed by a quarter of an hour of rather slow and uninteresting play. Then, in the final twenty minutes of the game, both teams really went for the win. Walcott had a shot saved by the keeper and Southampton scored, yet that goal was not given by the referee due to a push on Koscielny. With ten minutes to go Arteta fired a powerful long-range shot just wide and Gervinho did not fare better with a close-range shot. In the final minutes Szczesny made a decent save as Southampton had a shot on goal and Gibbs provided a great cross that was blocked by a Southampton defender.
So our good run of victories is over, but that just means that we need to start a new one! Next weekend we face Swansea away in the FA-cup and the weekend after that it is time for Manchester City at the Emirates, which ought to be interesting.
Injury Update:
- Mertesacker has recovered from illness but started this game on the bench.
- Diaby has recently resumed training and should be back fairly soon.
Do Prado (og) 41
Unfortunately we did not manage to continue 2013 as we ended 2012. The Arsenal on display today was hardly recognisable from the team that beat Newcastle just a few days ago, and the starting eleven for both of these games was exactly the same! It is certainly disappointing to drop points considering that we had four consecutive games ahead of this game.
Five minutes into the game Cazorla had a shot deflected just wide and about ten minutes later Podolski's shot from close range was blocked. After those first fifteen minutes the game slowed down considerably and it was not until ten minutes before half-time that some action was introduced again, yet it was not a good kind of action for us. Southampton scored after some chaos in our box where Sagna cleared the ball straight to a Southampton player and our early possession proved useless. However, we got lucky as Do Prado scored an own goal five minutes before the break as Walcott produced a great free-kick. The English striker scored a goal of his own in the very last minute, but unfortunately for us it was ruled offside.
The second half began with a brilliant Szczesny save on the line from a corner, which was followed by a quarter of an hour of rather slow and uninteresting play. Then, in the final twenty minutes of the game, both teams really went for the win. Walcott had a shot saved by the keeper and Southampton scored, yet that goal was not given by the referee due to a push on Koscielny. With ten minutes to go Arteta fired a powerful long-range shot just wide and Gervinho did not fare better with a close-range shot. In the final minutes Szczesny made a decent save as Southampton had a shot on goal and Gibbs provided a great cross that was blocked by a Southampton defender.
So our good run of victories is over, but that just means that we need to start a new one! Next weekend we face Swansea away in the FA-cup and the weekend after that it is time for Manchester City at the Emirates, which ought to be interesting.
Injury Update:
- Mertesacker has recovered from illness but started this game on the bench.
- Diaby has recently resumed training and should be back fairly soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)