4-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 2013-03-30
Gervinho 11,
Cazorla 48,
Giroud 67,
Arteta 77
This was quite simply one of those games that you'd expect us to win, and win it we did. We looked comfortable in the lead from the moment we scored that first goal and there was no way that we were going to lose this game.
Four minutes into the first half Giroud had a header that was saved by the 'keeper, but approximately ten minutes into the game we had our lead. Cazorla provided something of a mix between a shot and a pass that was met by Gervinho, who put the ball into the back of the net with ease from close-range. Some minutes later Cazorla had a shot blocked and Sagna provided a cross that was met by Giroud, unfortunately the header went wide. We should have gotten a penalty as Giroud was harshly brought down by the 'keeper after having gotten the ball past him, but a defender cleared the ball before it reached the goal and no penalty was awarded. The final chances of the half came through a shot from Ramsey that was blocked and a Cazorla shot that went wide.
We seemed to have picked up some determination in the half-time, as the efficiency was greatly improved in the second half. Three minutes into it Santi Cazorla fired a sizzling shot at the edge of the box that went past the 'keeper to find its way into the goal! Then it did not take long before Olivier Giroud added a third goal. A counter-attack was converted into a goal as Gervinho passed the ball to the French striker, who managed to produce a fine shot that found the back of the net! It was slightly disappointing for us to concede just a minute after that third goal, due to a lapse of focus from our side. Reading had a cross into our box that was met by a header, which went past Fabianski in the goal. We did get the last say, though, as Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down in the box and the (long overdue) penalty was fired past the 'keeper by Mikel Arteta!
As mentioned above, this was just one of those games that you are expected to win, but that does not mean that the satisfaction of actually winning those are lessened. We know from experience that Arsenal has struggled with these games occasionally in the past, so it was nice to see such a comfortable victory as this one.
I just have one last thing to mention before wrapping up this post, at the end of April I will be travelling to London for the Manchester United game! I've already got a ticket (thanks, membership card!), which I never though that I would be able to get (thanks, ticket exchange!). Needless to say I am super-excited for it!!
Injury Update:
- Walcott will be out for about a week with a groin problem.
- Wilshere is approximately two weeks away from returning to action.
- Diaby has picked up a new injury which will keep him out of action for 8-9 months, devastating news for the midfielder.
- Gibbs had to start this game on the bench due to a virus that he picked up earlier in the week.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Swansea vs. Arsenal
2-0, Premier League, Liberty Stadium, 2013-03-16
Monreal 74,
Gervinho 91
It was vital for us to win this game (as with all remaining games) if we are to maintain any hope of reaching the fourth spot, which makes the relief of these three points quite immense. It looked as though this would turn out to be one of those games where we just couldn't seem to get the ball into the back of the net, but luckily that was not the case!
Five minutes into the game Oxlade-Chamberlain made a brilliant solo effort as he advanced into the box and unleashed a sizzling shot that, unfortunately, hit the bar. After that the game slowed down remarkably and Swansea had a chance through Michu, who fired just wide. Then Cazorla had a powerful, curling shot from outside the box saved by the Swansea 'keeper, Vorm. The last decent chance to score came when Walcott almost got a shot away as he was played in brilliantly by Cazorla, but a defender managed to disarm the Englishman before he could fire.
Right at the start of the second half Cazorla had a shot on target saved by Vorm, before we finally managed to get a shot past that 'keeper! After some chaos in the box, with approximately fifteen minutes to go, where we just couldn't seem to get the ball into the back of the net Nacho Monreal showed up and fired a bouncing shot past Vorm in the Swansea goal! Cazorla then had a shot deflected wide right before we finally sealed the game in the 91st minute. Ramsey played a decent ball to Gervinho, who managed to fire past the 'keeper and seal those vital three points!
So we are definitely still in the race for the fourth place in the league, even though we'll not only need to win all of our games but also count on our opponents dropping some more points before the end of the season.
Injury Update:
- Gibbs was moved to the bench for this game, having returned against Bayern Munich earlier this week.
- Podolski and Wilshere were both still injured and missed out on this game.
- On a different note, Diaby made it back straight into the starting IX for this game.
Monreal 74,
Gervinho 91
It was vital for us to win this game (as with all remaining games) if we are to maintain any hope of reaching the fourth spot, which makes the relief of these three points quite immense. It looked as though this would turn out to be one of those games where we just couldn't seem to get the ball into the back of the net, but luckily that was not the case!
Five minutes into the game Oxlade-Chamberlain made a brilliant solo effort as he advanced into the box and unleashed a sizzling shot that, unfortunately, hit the bar. After that the game slowed down remarkably and Swansea had a chance through Michu, who fired just wide. Then Cazorla had a powerful, curling shot from outside the box saved by the Swansea 'keeper, Vorm. The last decent chance to score came when Walcott almost got a shot away as he was played in brilliantly by Cazorla, but a defender managed to disarm the Englishman before he could fire.
Right at the start of the second half Cazorla had a shot on target saved by Vorm, before we finally managed to get a shot past that 'keeper! After some chaos in the box, with approximately fifteen minutes to go, where we just couldn't seem to get the ball into the back of the net Nacho Monreal showed up and fired a bouncing shot past Vorm in the Swansea goal! Cazorla then had a shot deflected wide right before we finally sealed the game in the 91st minute. Ramsey played a decent ball to Gervinho, who managed to fire past the 'keeper and seal those vital three points!
So we are definitely still in the race for the fourth place in the league, even though we'll not only need to win all of our games but also count on our opponents dropping some more points before the end of the season.
Injury Update:
- Gibbs was moved to the bench for this game, having returned against Bayern Munich earlier this week.
- Podolski and Wilshere were both still injured and missed out on this game.
- On a different note, Diaby made it back straight into the starting IX for this game.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal
2-0, Champions League, Allianz Arena, 2013-03-13
Giroud 3,
Koscielny 86
A tie that was thought already settled turned out to be rather unsettled as we came immensely close to qualifying for the next round even though we'd lost quite severely at home. I have to admit that I did not think that we would manage to turn the game around, until about three minutes into the game, that is!
When we scored right at the start of the game I did not believe my eyes, it seemed as if it was a dream. Walcott was released down the right-hand side and provided a brilliant cross that was met by Olivier Giroud and the Frenchman smashed the ball into the back of the net from close range! And so it was that what had seemed unlikely had occurred, we were somehow back in the tie! However, after the goal Bayern Munich slowly took over the game and were a constant threat. Yet our defence held firm, even with the absence of both Vermaelen and Szczesny. It took approximately thirty minutes before we had another half-decent chance, as Walcott provided a cross similar to the one that Giroud had scored from, but this time there was no team-mate who managed to reach it.
Right at the start of the second half Bayern Munich put further pressure on us and we had to settle with some counter-attacks. Walcott was ruled offside when he was actually onside and what made the situation even more disappointing was that he had got himself a truly good chance to score.
As mentioned, Bayern Munich remained a constant threat and Fabianski made a brilliant save in a one-on-one situation with Robben with twenty minutes of the game to go. With ten minutes to go Gervinho put the ball just wide of the goal as Cazorla provided an amazing pass. Then chaos erupted as we put the goal into the back of the net for the second time, this time through Laurent Koscielny! There were some truly unbelievable scenes at the Allianz Arena as we only needed one more goal to knock Bayern Munich out of the Champions League at their own turf!
Unfortunately the goal came too late for us and we found ourselves knocked out due to the away goal rule. However, we can be truly proud of our team, it is not every week that you beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Allianz Arena! We always seem to produce the best results when we've already been written off, sadly for two years in a row that has not been enough as we have been one goal away from qualifying for the next round in the Champions League. Now all that is left for us is that fourth place in the league, hopefully we can manage that at least!
Injury Update:
- Both Wilshere and Podolski missed out on this game, but they should not be away for a very long time.
- Szczesny did not feature in this game for some reason, he was replaced by Fabianski.
- Vermaelen was also mysteriously absent from this game.
Giroud 3,
Koscielny 86
A tie that was thought already settled turned out to be rather unsettled as we came immensely close to qualifying for the next round even though we'd lost quite severely at home. I have to admit that I did not think that we would manage to turn the game around, until about three minutes into the game, that is!
When we scored right at the start of the game I did not believe my eyes, it seemed as if it was a dream. Walcott was released down the right-hand side and provided a brilliant cross that was met by Olivier Giroud and the Frenchman smashed the ball into the back of the net from close range! And so it was that what had seemed unlikely had occurred, we were somehow back in the tie! However, after the goal Bayern Munich slowly took over the game and were a constant threat. Yet our defence held firm, even with the absence of both Vermaelen and Szczesny. It took approximately thirty minutes before we had another half-decent chance, as Walcott provided a cross similar to the one that Giroud had scored from, but this time there was no team-mate who managed to reach it.
Right at the start of the second half Bayern Munich put further pressure on us and we had to settle with some counter-attacks. Walcott was ruled offside when he was actually onside and what made the situation even more disappointing was that he had got himself a truly good chance to score.
As mentioned, Bayern Munich remained a constant threat and Fabianski made a brilliant save in a one-on-one situation with Robben with twenty minutes of the game to go. With ten minutes to go Gervinho put the ball just wide of the goal as Cazorla provided an amazing pass. Then chaos erupted as we put the goal into the back of the net for the second time, this time through Laurent Koscielny! There were some truly unbelievable scenes at the Allianz Arena as we only needed one more goal to knock Bayern Munich out of the Champions League at their own turf!
Unfortunately the goal came too late for us and we found ourselves knocked out due to the away goal rule. However, we can be truly proud of our team, it is not every week that you beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Allianz Arena! We always seem to produce the best results when we've already been written off, sadly for two years in a row that has not been enough as we have been one goal away from qualifying for the next round in the Champions League. Now all that is left for us is that fourth place in the league, hopefully we can manage that at least!
Injury Update:
- Both Wilshere and Podolski missed out on this game, but they should not be away for a very long time.
- Szczesny did not feature in this game for some reason, he was replaced by Fabianski.
- Vermaelen was also mysteriously absent from this game.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Tottenham vs. Arsenal
1-2, Premier League, White Hart Lane, 2013-03-03
Mertesacker 51
The possibility of finishing fourth in the league grows ever smaller after this defeat in the North London Derby.
We started the first half as the better team, yet there weren't many goalscoring opportunities in the game. After approximately five minutes Jenkinson provided a great cross that was almost met by Walcott and from the following corner Giroud headed on target, but Lloris made the save. A couple of minutes later Giroud had another chance as he was released onto goal, but unfortunately he failed to get the shot away.
Through quite some aggressive play in the midfield the game looked to be headed in our favour, when two lapses of concentration meant that we found ourselves two goals down after the first half. In our attempt to play with a high back-four the defence made two fatal errors in trying to keep Bale and Lennon offside, which led to two goals for Tottenham within two minutes.
This was obviously a very harsh position for us to be in, but a situation proving how vital it is to be efficient, both going forward and defending. However, as the second half began we played even better and it did not take much more than five minutes for us to find a way back in the game! Walcott provided a free-kick that was met perfectly by the big fucking German, Per Mertesacker! It was a curling header that found its way past Lloris, through a deflection off Bale.
Two minutes later Monreal had a powerful shot that went just wide and Jenkinson's cross was almost turned into the back of the net, but the keeper managed to get his hands to it. Tottenham had a couple of decent chances themselves, Bale fired over the bar from a close range and Sigurdsson opted for a pass instead of a shot as the goal opened up for him.
Podolski was eventually introduced and had a chance immediately, unfortunately his poor touch meant that the ball got too far from him and too close to the keeper. Them Ramsey fired just wide as his shot took a deflection off a defender and Walcott fired wide himself from a free-kick in the final minutes.
This is one of those defeats that are especially hard to accept as we should have gotten more out of it, the way we played. But life is not always fair, and football is most certainly not always fair, so all we can do is keep fighting for that fourth place until the end of the season and see where that takes us.
Mertesacker 51
The possibility of finishing fourth in the league grows ever smaller after this defeat in the North London Derby.
We started the first half as the better team, yet there weren't many goalscoring opportunities in the game. After approximately five minutes Jenkinson provided a great cross that was almost met by Walcott and from the following corner Giroud headed on target, but Lloris made the save. A couple of minutes later Giroud had another chance as he was released onto goal, but unfortunately he failed to get the shot away.
Through quite some aggressive play in the midfield the game looked to be headed in our favour, when two lapses of concentration meant that we found ourselves two goals down after the first half. In our attempt to play with a high back-four the defence made two fatal errors in trying to keep Bale and Lennon offside, which led to two goals for Tottenham within two minutes.
This was obviously a very harsh position for us to be in, but a situation proving how vital it is to be efficient, both going forward and defending. However, as the second half began we played even better and it did not take much more than five minutes for us to find a way back in the game! Walcott provided a free-kick that was met perfectly by the big fucking German, Per Mertesacker! It was a curling header that found its way past Lloris, through a deflection off Bale.
Two minutes later Monreal had a powerful shot that went just wide and Jenkinson's cross was almost turned into the back of the net, but the keeper managed to get his hands to it. Tottenham had a couple of decent chances themselves, Bale fired over the bar from a close range and Sigurdsson opted for a pass instead of a shot as the goal opened up for him.
Podolski was eventually introduced and had a chance immediately, unfortunately his poor touch meant that the ball got too far from him and too close to the keeper. Them Ramsey fired just wide as his shot took a deflection off a defender and Walcott fired wide himself from a free-kick in the final minutes.
This is one of those defeats that are especially hard to accept as we should have gotten more out of it, the way we played. But life is not always fair, and football is most certainly not always fair, so all we can do is keep fighting for that fourth place until the end of the season and see where that takes us.
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