0-1, Premier League, St James' Park, 19.05.2013
Koscielny 52
Ahead of the game we knew that a win was the only way to be 100% sure of a place in the Champions League, but is there ever a way for the last game of the season not to equal 90 minutes of nerve-wrecking helplessness?
We had a positive start to the game, but overall the game was quite even. Walcott had a shot over the bar after approximately five minutes, following a free-kick taken by Cazorla. In the following minutes Newcastle striker Cisse fired over the bar as well, as we lost track of him in our box. Before long Koscielny proved both his defensive and attacking qualities as he met a corner well but was unable to direct it towards the goal, so it merely went across the goal and wide. The minute after he was called into action again, making a vital clearance right in front of the feet of Cisse.
Bad news arrived right before the half-hour mark, as Arteta (who was doubtful ahead of the game) had to be replaced due to an injury. Oxlade-Chamberlain came on for the Spaniard. Before the end of the half both teams had more shots going over the bar, this time through Cazorla and Ben Arfa, whereas Szczesny got to make a comfortable as Cabaye got a long-range shot away.
To some up the first half in a few words, we did not seem quite at ease, possibly due to nerves, and we lacked sharpness, not having many (or any) attempts on target.
Whatever Wenger said during the break paid off, though, as we came out firing on all cylinders! In the very first minute of the half Walcott forced a great save out of Harper with a low shot, and then came the goal that sent us into the Champions League. Seven minutes into the half Walcott took a free-kick, which was headed on forward by Podolski and Laurent Koscielny made an acrobatic kick to take the ball past Harper and into the back of the net! As long as we held onto the lead now, the fourth place was assured.
But as one might have expected, holding onto the lead was not an easy thing to do. Mertesacker made an important block to deny Gouffran a chance to score and Newcastle had a penalty shout late on, fortunately for us the ref ignored it. Our final two substitutes came towards the end as well, Giroud being introduced at the expense of Podolski and Wilshere coming on for Cazorla.
So going into the final four minutes we had a 1-0 lead, but as Tottenham scored I found myself at the edge of my seat (or, rather, couch) as this meant that if we conceded one goal we were out. When Walcott ran past one defender and dribbled past the other to find himself free in the area to take a shot, I was sure that the victory was sealed, but his shot hit the post! How devastating would not that have been for us had Newcastle equalised in the last minute...? Fortunately, Cazorla created a corner for us in the very last minute, and relief and joy as the ref blew the whistle was indescribable! Personally, I would say that this win was largely due to our great collective defending, which has really improved of late.
So this means that another season has ended, and considering the circumstances we can be very pleased to have ensured the qualification place for the Champions League. However, next season the aim will hopefully be higher towards the end of the season (and one can only hope less dramatic). At the moment it feels as though a summer break will be necessary, but it won't be long before you start missing the games every weekend... Thankfully they will be back before we know it !
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Arsenal vs. Wigan
4-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 14.05.2013
Podolski 11, 68,
Walcott 63,
Ramsey 71
These two final games of the season are must-wins for us, and we are off to a good start with this win over Wigan!
Our first goal came quite early in the first half, but it was not our first chance as Walcott crossed the ball into the box that was met by Cazorla with a header that went wide. Minutes later we got the lead as Cazorla took a corner-kick that was headed into the back of the net by Lukas Podolski from close range! It was quite a relief to get that early goal, even though it would be cancelled out before the end of the half.
There was, however, much action before that. Our two full-backs linked up to create a dangerous chance as Sagna's shot was almost met by Gibbs, who was inches away from reaching the shot by the far post. The left-back was brilliant defensively as well, doing very well against the ever-dangerous McManaman. In the following minute both Walcott and Arteta saw shots blocked, within mere seconds. We may have produced lots of chances, but we had to remain vigilant at the back as well. Koscielny had to make a vital clearance as Wigan striker Kone got close to a one-on-one with Szczesny about midway through the half. The Ivorian striker would also see a shot going wide before the end of the half, and Arteta had to make an important block as Maloney got a shot away.
Before the end of the half we had another decent chance following a corner, once again it was Cazorla who took the corner but this time it was met by Koscielny, unfortunately it was not turned into the back of the net this time. Walcott scored from an offside position before Wigan equalised in the very last minute as Maloney scored from a (very cheap) free-kick.
It proved to be detrimental to our second half, as we were far from as fluid in our passing as we could have been. Wigan had a good start, Szczesny had to make a vital save as Kone got a shot away and the visitors had a goal disallowed due to an offside position within the first five minutes.
Fortunately we made our way back into the game and regained dominance of the play. Walcott provided a brilliant cross that lead to Cazorla getting two shots away, though both were saved by Wigan 'keeper Joel and Rosicky's follow-up effort went wide. The Wigan 'keeper made yet another two saves before we rattled the net again, Podolski had a header saved and Walcott a shot denied by Joel.
Then came the breakthrough, through none other than Theo Walcott. Cazorla sent a cross into the box and Walcott met it by using his lightning speed, which allowed him to put it over Joel from close range. Five minutes later we increased the lead as our German striker doubled his tally. Yet again Cazorla provided the assist, as he headed the ball to Lukas Podolski, who cheekily lifted the ball over a standing Joel! The last goal came mere minutes after the third goal, and no guesses as to who assisted the goal. Yet again Cazorla proved his brilliant passing, but the goal was a stunning solo effort by Aaron Ramsey! The Welshman advanced along the left-hand side and finished the move in quite some style as his shot came from a rather acute angle!
This game was won and sealed within less than ten minutes in the second half, but it felt as though some nerves got to us when the score-line was 1-1. However, it is the three points that matter and now there is just one win missing from completing this season on a high!
Podolski 11, 68,
Walcott 63,
Ramsey 71
These two final games of the season are must-wins for us, and we are off to a good start with this win over Wigan!
Our first goal came quite early in the first half, but it was not our first chance as Walcott crossed the ball into the box that was met by Cazorla with a header that went wide. Minutes later we got the lead as Cazorla took a corner-kick that was headed into the back of the net by Lukas Podolski from close range! It was quite a relief to get that early goal, even though it would be cancelled out before the end of the half.
There was, however, much action before that. Our two full-backs linked up to create a dangerous chance as Sagna's shot was almost met by Gibbs, who was inches away from reaching the shot by the far post. The left-back was brilliant defensively as well, doing very well against the ever-dangerous McManaman. In the following minute both Walcott and Arteta saw shots blocked, within mere seconds. We may have produced lots of chances, but we had to remain vigilant at the back as well. Koscielny had to make a vital clearance as Wigan striker Kone got close to a one-on-one with Szczesny about midway through the half. The Ivorian striker would also see a shot going wide before the end of the half, and Arteta had to make an important block as Maloney got a shot away.
Before the end of the half we had another decent chance following a corner, once again it was Cazorla who took the corner but this time it was met by Koscielny, unfortunately it was not turned into the back of the net this time. Walcott scored from an offside position before Wigan equalised in the very last minute as Maloney scored from a (very cheap) free-kick.
It proved to be detrimental to our second half, as we were far from as fluid in our passing as we could have been. Wigan had a good start, Szczesny had to make a vital save as Kone got a shot away and the visitors had a goal disallowed due to an offside position within the first five minutes.
Fortunately we made our way back into the game and regained dominance of the play. Walcott provided a brilliant cross that lead to Cazorla getting two shots away, though both were saved by Wigan 'keeper Joel and Rosicky's follow-up effort went wide. The Wigan 'keeper made yet another two saves before we rattled the net again, Podolski had a header saved and Walcott a shot denied by Joel.
Then came the breakthrough, through none other than Theo Walcott. Cazorla sent a cross into the box and Walcott met it by using his lightning speed, which allowed him to put it over Joel from close range. Five minutes later we increased the lead as our German striker doubled his tally. Yet again Cazorla provided the assist, as he headed the ball to Lukas Podolski, who cheekily lifted the ball over a standing Joel! The last goal came mere minutes after the third goal, and no guesses as to who assisted the goal. Yet again Cazorla proved his brilliant passing, but the goal was a stunning solo effort by Aaron Ramsey! The Welshman advanced along the left-hand side and finished the move in quite some style as his shot came from a rather acute angle!
This game was won and sealed within less than ten minutes in the second half, but it felt as though some nerves got to us when the score-line was 1-1. However, it is the three points that matter and now there is just one win missing from completing this season on a high!
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Q.P.R. vs. Arsenal
0-1, Premier League, Loftus Road, 04.05.2013
Walcott 1
This was another difficult game as we approach the end of the season and it was definitely vital for us to get back on track with another three points following last week's drop against United.
As the game last week, Theo Walcott scored early on to give us the lead. However, this time around it was not in the second minute, but in the very first minute! Arteta found Walcott in the box, and the striker used his trademark quick feet to fire a powerful strike that found its way into the back of the net! After no more than 21 seconds! (Making it the fastest scored goal in the Premier League since 2006!)
We followed the goal with dominating the initial half of the first half, Cazorla and Walcott both had shots blocked. The latter of the two almost made his tally a brace as he made a quick turn following a pass from Rosicky, but Walcott's shot went via Q.P.R. 'keeper Green to hit the post and stay clear of the goal-line.
However, as the half progressed Q.P.R. gradually got back in the game and at the half-hour mark Ji Sung Park fired a shot above the crossbar. Apart from the goal, though, there were not very many decent chances to score in the first half.
At the start of the second half Q.P.R. continued their good run from the second half, Szczesny had to make several saves. He got his fingers to a cross, steering it clear of the goal, as well as making a good save as Townsend fired a powerful shot from outside the box.
Then we recovered and began dominating the second half as we had in the first. Koscielny forced a save out of Green as he put the ball into the box following a free-kick. The Q.P.R. 'keeper was called into action minutes later, as both Cazorla and Walcott had shots on-target.
Szczesny was called back into action with a brilliant save in the final ten minutes, as Remy fired a curling, goal-bound shot. Fortunately we held onto the lead from the very first minute and got those three, vital points.
This game was all hard work, but that is only to be expected in these final games of the season. To think, there are only two games remaining of the season for us now... Another six points are definitely needed, though!
Injury Update:
- Fabianski is still out with an injury problem.
Walcott 1
This was another difficult game as we approach the end of the season and it was definitely vital for us to get back on track with another three points following last week's drop against United.
As the game last week, Theo Walcott scored early on to give us the lead. However, this time around it was not in the second minute, but in the very first minute! Arteta found Walcott in the box, and the striker used his trademark quick feet to fire a powerful strike that found its way into the back of the net! After no more than 21 seconds! (Making it the fastest scored goal in the Premier League since 2006!)
We followed the goal with dominating the initial half of the first half, Cazorla and Walcott both had shots blocked. The latter of the two almost made his tally a brace as he made a quick turn following a pass from Rosicky, but Walcott's shot went via Q.P.R. 'keeper Green to hit the post and stay clear of the goal-line.
However, as the half progressed Q.P.R. gradually got back in the game and at the half-hour mark Ji Sung Park fired a shot above the crossbar. Apart from the goal, though, there were not very many decent chances to score in the first half.
At the start of the second half Q.P.R. continued their good run from the second half, Szczesny had to make several saves. He got his fingers to a cross, steering it clear of the goal, as well as making a good save as Townsend fired a powerful shot from outside the box.
Then we recovered and began dominating the second half as we had in the first. Koscielny forced a save out of Green as he put the ball into the box following a free-kick. The Q.P.R. 'keeper was called into action minutes later, as both Cazorla and Walcott had shots on-target.
Szczesny was called back into action with a brilliant save in the final ten minutes, as Remy fired a curling, goal-bound shot. Fortunately we held onto the lead from the very first minute and got those three, vital points.
This game was all hard work, but that is only to be expected in these final games of the season. To think, there are only two games remaining of the season for us now... Another six points are definitely needed, though!
Injury Update:
- Fabianski is still out with an injury problem.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Arsenal vs. Manchester United
1-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 28.04.2013
Walcott 2
We certainly cannot afford to lose any more points now, if we are to succeed in finishing at least fourth. Since I watched this game live, naturally I experienced it as intense and thrilling, where the first half was by far the best from us.
To take the lead after merely two minutes was quite astounding. Theo Walcott proved that he can well and truly fire some amazing shots as his effort found the back of the net. And as mentioned, we were great during the first half, creating lots of chances and dominating the play. Unfortunately Sagna did not have a very great game, and when he brought down van Persie in the box at the end of the half and the Dutchman could score from the penalty spot the disappointment was immense.
In the second half we were not quite the same team and suffered from it. Nothing seemed to go our way and we never looked very likely to score another goal. Fortunately neither did United, and if we win all of our remaining games we are likely to play in the Champions League next season.
Walcott 2
We certainly cannot afford to lose any more points now, if we are to succeed in finishing at least fourth. Since I watched this game live, naturally I experienced it as intense and thrilling, where the first half was by far the best from us.
To take the lead after merely two minutes was quite astounding. Theo Walcott proved that he can well and truly fire some amazing shots as his effort found the back of the net. And as mentioned, we were great during the first half, creating lots of chances and dominating the play. Unfortunately Sagna did not have a very great game, and when he brought down van Persie in the box at the end of the half and the Dutchman could score from the penalty spot the disappointment was immense.
In the second half we were not quite the same team and suffered from it. Nothing seemed to go our way and we never looked very likely to score another goal. Fortunately neither did United, and if we win all of our remaining games we are likely to play in the Champions League next season.
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