0-2, Capital One Cup, Emirates Stadium, 29 October 2013
A disappointing game consisting of few chances, we never looked likely to turn the game around after getting behind.
Miyaichi got close to scoring twenty minutes into the first half as he got the ball past the 'keeper, but defender Cahill cleared it before Ryo could get a shot away. Then, mere minutes later, Chelsea took the lead as Jenkinson made a poor header back to Fabianski that Azpilicueta could intercept. Last proper chance of the half went to Monreal who produced a shot that ended up inches wide of the far post.
The second half was no improvement, with more or less all of our shots ending up wide. Ramsey began the half with two shots going just wide before Chelsea scored again through Mata. Giroud had a shot on target saved by Schwarzer and Cazorla ended the game with another shot wide.
Overall the game was simply depressing, there were lots of changes in our squad from the previous game, and we can only hope that we will put on a better display against Liverpool this weekend.
Injury Update:
- Flamini will be out for a couple of weeks due to a groin injury.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal
0-2, Premier League, Selhurst Park, 26 October 2013
Arteta 47 (pen),
Giroud 87
This game was a tough fight, from start to finish. In a way this makes the victory even sweeter, and we know that we will have to get more hard-fought wins like this one if we are to remain at the top of the league.
Our first decent chance of the game came after three minutes, when Giroud met Sagna's cross with a header. Unfortunately it went wide, and what was even more unfortunate was Flamini having to go off due to some kind of groin problem eight minutes into the game. He was replaced by Serge Gnabry.
Approximately ten minutes after our first chance Crystal Palace had theirs, another header over the bar. Their next chance was slightly better, though, as Chamakh (who has ended up in Crystal Palace since leaving us) had a shot on target saved by Szczesny. A couple of minutes later they had another shot on target saved by our Polish 'keeper and a shot going just wide as well.
On the other side of the pitch Cazorla had a shot inches away from being met by Giroud, which instead ended up going just wide. Then Ramsey had a shot from a steep angle saved by Crystal Palace 'keeper Speroni, before Giroud had a shot saved as well right before half-time.
At the very beginning of the second half we got that desired lead. When Gnabry was brought down in the box the referee did not hesitate to give the penalty, and in the following minute Mikel Arteta scored from the penalty spot with a penalty that was simply too well struck to be saved, even though Speroni went the right way. Minutes later Gnabry created a chance for himself, but his effort went wide.
Disaster struck when Arteta received a red card for bringing down Chamakh in a 'last man' situation, meaning that he could miss our upcoming game against Liverpool. This also meant that Gnabry had to leave the pitch, having come on in the first half, as Wilshere was introduced.
Even though we were ten against eleven we continued to create some chances, Giroud had a dangerous cross into the box almost met by Ramsey at the far post. Huge credit for this win will have to go to Szczesny, though, who made two brilliant saves with fifteen minutes to go that definitely aided in ensuring this win. He tipped one shot into the bar with his fingertips, and in the following minute he made a stunning, one-hand save from a long-distance shot.
Right at the end we secured the win through a certain French striker. Ramsey made a neat run into the 18-yard-box and provided a brilliant pass that was met by Olivier Giroud with a thundering header past Speroni!
With this win we ensure another week at the top of the league, and come next weekend we have a chance of putting Liverpool further behind us as we go head-to-head to with them. For now, however, the focus lies on Tuesday's clash against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup!
Injury Update:
- Flamini returned from the concussion he picked up last weekend, only to go off after eight minutes due to what appeared to be a groin problem.
Arteta 47 (pen),
Giroud 87
This game was a tough fight, from start to finish. In a way this makes the victory even sweeter, and we know that we will have to get more hard-fought wins like this one if we are to remain at the top of the league.
Our first decent chance of the game came after three minutes, when Giroud met Sagna's cross with a header. Unfortunately it went wide, and what was even more unfortunate was Flamini having to go off due to some kind of groin problem eight minutes into the game. He was replaced by Serge Gnabry.
Approximately ten minutes after our first chance Crystal Palace had theirs, another header over the bar. Their next chance was slightly better, though, as Chamakh (who has ended up in Crystal Palace since leaving us) had a shot on target saved by Szczesny. A couple of minutes later they had another shot on target saved by our Polish 'keeper and a shot going just wide as well.
On the other side of the pitch Cazorla had a shot inches away from being met by Giroud, which instead ended up going just wide. Then Ramsey had a shot from a steep angle saved by Crystal Palace 'keeper Speroni, before Giroud had a shot saved as well right before half-time.
At the very beginning of the second half we got that desired lead. When Gnabry was brought down in the box the referee did not hesitate to give the penalty, and in the following minute Mikel Arteta scored from the penalty spot with a penalty that was simply too well struck to be saved, even though Speroni went the right way. Minutes later Gnabry created a chance for himself, but his effort went wide.
Disaster struck when Arteta received a red card for bringing down Chamakh in a 'last man' situation, meaning that he could miss our upcoming game against Liverpool. This also meant that Gnabry had to leave the pitch, having come on in the first half, as Wilshere was introduced.
Even though we were ten against eleven we continued to create some chances, Giroud had a dangerous cross into the box almost met by Ramsey at the far post. Huge credit for this win will have to go to Szczesny, though, who made two brilliant saves with fifteen minutes to go that definitely aided in ensuring this win. He tipped one shot into the bar with his fingertips, and in the following minute he made a stunning, one-hand save from a long-distance shot.
Right at the end we secured the win through a certain French striker. Ramsey made a neat run into the 18-yard-box and provided a brilliant pass that was met by Olivier Giroud with a thundering header past Speroni!
With this win we ensure another week at the top of the league, and come next weekend we have a chance of putting Liverpool further behind us as we go head-to-head to with them. For now, however, the focus lies on Tuesday's clash against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup!
Injury Update:
- Flamini returned from the concussion he picked up last weekend, only to go off after eight minutes due to what appeared to be a groin problem.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Arsenal vs. Borussia Dortmund
1-2, Champions League, Emirates Stadium, 22 October 2013
Giroud 41
This is our first loss since the very first game of the season, and I cannot say that I have missed this bitter feeling... We did by no means deserve to lose this game, especially in the fashion of a late, second-half goal following a spell of where we completely dominated the play...
We started the game as we ended it, behind. Dortmund scored fifteen minutes into the game as Ramsey lost possession at the edge of the 18-yard-box and Mkhitaryan's shot was place out of Szczesny's reach, being buried by the post. Our response to this came quite late, and just before the actual equaliser Rosicky had a shot saved on the goal-line by a defender. Our only goal of the game came right at the end of the half as Ramsey got the ball to Sagna, whose cross created some confusion between 'keeper and defender, so Olivier Giroud intercepted and put the ball into the back of the net!
Overall, the game contained through decent chances to score. The second half was no exception, but we upped our game in it to be in brilliant control of the play to create some more chances. Cazorla hit the bar at one point in the half with a beautifully curved shot, and a while later he almost reached the ball in the box before the 'keeper got to it.
Then disaster struck in the last ten minutes as Lewandowski scored the winning goal for Dortmund. We lost track of him in the box, which proved costly and we certainly should not have lost this game considering how we played in the second half, it was sloppy.
Even though it is immensely disappointing to have lost this game, we have to acknowledge that we do still have a good chance of qualifying for the knock-out rounds. This group stage is by no means over.
Injury Update:
- Wilshere appeared to pick up some kind of problem in this game and had to be replaced.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Arsenal vs. Norwich City
4-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 19 October 2013
Wilshere 18,
Özil 58, 88
Ramsey 83
After a week of international football, the return of the league was anticipated. We left off before the break at the top of the league with a brilliant run unbeaten, and that's how we continue following this win and three important points, leaving us alone at the top of the league!
It took us almost twenty minutes to break the deadlock, but the relief it brought was well worth the wait! Giroud played a clever ball to a Jack Wilshere, whose finished ended up right where it should have, in the back of the net! This is the second league game running in which the English midfielder has scored, and the first goal scored by him at the Emirates!
Towards the end of the half we almost doubled the lead as Gibbs made a great interception, winning us the ball high up on the field and getting the ball to Giroud, but Norwich 'keeper Ruddy produced a stunning save to temporarily deny us a two-goal lead. Before the end of the half Flamini had to be replaced by Ramsey as he got a concussion and Sagna had a volley caught by Ruddy, with Szczesny being called into action in the final minutes, tipping the ball wide all the way to a Norwich throw.
Less than fifteen minutes into the second half we did get that two-goal lead, through none other than Mesut Özil! In a quick counter-attack Giroud and the German play-maker switched positions to link-up and create a goal as the French striker provided the cross that Özil headed into the back of the net!
Then Norwich enjoyed a decent spell where first Pilkington got a chance to score for Norwich as they were four against two defenders, fortunately his shot went wide. Almost ten minutes later, however, Norwich got one back when Mertesacker slightly miss-kicked a clearance, leading to a shot from Howson that went past Szczesny.
Instead of backing home and defending our lead we went for our trademark offensive approach, and it certainly paid off! Our stunning Welshman got back on the score-sheet today through a brilliant solo effort. Aaron Ramsey got the ball from Wilshere, then tricked his way past two defenders in the box before finishing the move off with a cracking shot past Ruddy! A simply brilliant move by a simply brilliant player!
Before the end of the game we would get one more goal, but first Mertesacker had a header gracing the post, sadly ending up wide. But our other German player on the field today would get his first brace for the Arsenal before the end of the game. Rosicky found Ramsey at the edge of the box, whose immensely clever "volley pass" to Mesut Özil was just perfect, and the German then doubled his tally for the game with a decent strike from close range! In the final minute Wilshere made an attempt at getting a brace of his own, but his sizzling shot from the edge of the box went just wide.
So, our stunning run continues with this great result. Not only did we score four goals, we scored four pieces of art! All the goals today included class and finesse, and will be remembered for quite some time ahead! Next up is a Champions League clash against Dortmund at the Emirates on Tuesday!
Injury Update:
- Cazorla was back in the starting XI for this game!
Wilshere 18,
Özil 58, 88
Ramsey 83
After a week of international football, the return of the league was anticipated. We left off before the break at the top of the league with a brilliant run unbeaten, and that's how we continue following this win and three important points, leaving us alone at the top of the league!
It took us almost twenty minutes to break the deadlock, but the relief it brought was well worth the wait! Giroud played a clever ball to a Jack Wilshere, whose finished ended up right where it should have, in the back of the net! This is the second league game running in which the English midfielder has scored, and the first goal scored by him at the Emirates!
Towards the end of the half we almost doubled the lead as Gibbs made a great interception, winning us the ball high up on the field and getting the ball to Giroud, but Norwich 'keeper Ruddy produced a stunning save to temporarily deny us a two-goal lead. Before the end of the half Flamini had to be replaced by Ramsey as he got a concussion and Sagna had a volley caught by Ruddy, with Szczesny being called into action in the final minutes, tipping the ball wide all the way to a Norwich throw.
Less than fifteen minutes into the second half we did get that two-goal lead, through none other than Mesut Özil! In a quick counter-attack Giroud and the German play-maker switched positions to link-up and create a goal as the French striker provided the cross that Özil headed into the back of the net!
Then Norwich enjoyed a decent spell where first Pilkington got a chance to score for Norwich as they were four against two defenders, fortunately his shot went wide. Almost ten minutes later, however, Norwich got one back when Mertesacker slightly miss-kicked a clearance, leading to a shot from Howson that went past Szczesny.
Instead of backing home and defending our lead we went for our trademark offensive approach, and it certainly paid off! Our stunning Welshman got back on the score-sheet today through a brilliant solo effort. Aaron Ramsey got the ball from Wilshere, then tricked his way past two defenders in the box before finishing the move off with a cracking shot past Ruddy! A simply brilliant move by a simply brilliant player!
Before the end of the game we would get one more goal, but first Mertesacker had a header gracing the post, sadly ending up wide. But our other German player on the field today would get his first brace for the Arsenal before the end of the game. Rosicky found Ramsey at the edge of the box, whose immensely clever "volley pass" to Mesut Özil was just perfect, and the German then doubled his tally for the game with a decent strike from close range! In the final minute Wilshere made an attempt at getting a brace of his own, but his sizzling shot from the edge of the box went just wide.
So, our stunning run continues with this great result. Not only did we score four goals, we scored four pieces of art! All the goals today included class and finesse, and will be remembered for quite some time ahead! Next up is a Champions League clash against Dortmund at the Emirates on Tuesday!
Injury Update:
- Cazorla was back in the starting XI for this game!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
W.B.A vs. Arsenal
1-1, Premier League, The Hawthorns, 06 October 2013
Wilshere 65
Considering the recent Capital One Cup clash and the fact that they beat Manchester United last week, we knew that this would be a tough game against West Bromwich Albion. And it certainly was a tough game, one that looked to be heading in the wrong direction for us for quite some time!
The initial fifteen minutes consisted of both teams creating half-chances without really getting anywhere, Arteta had a shot deflected off of Giroud wide and Ramsey sent a free-kick over the bar. The first decent chance to score belonged to West Bromwich as they had a shot on target, fortunately Szczesny was there to make the save. We continued to fire high and wide, however, with Gibbs' effort after approximately twenty minutes going way over the crossbar and Wilshere firing wide from outside the 18-yard-box five minutes later.
West Brom took the lead at the end of the half through a header by Yacob.
Six minutes into the second half Anelka almost made it 2-0, but his shot went just wide as West Brom created another decent chance to score.
With just over half an hour to go Flamini had a shot blocked by a defender and then caught by the 'keeper. The following minute saw Ramsey get replaced by Rosicky. Then, at last, we got one back! Jack Wilshere scored with a powerful strike after a quick round of passes from Giroud, to Rosicky, to the Englishman! It has been quite some time since Wilshere last scored, so it is certainly nice to see him back on the score-sheet.
Szczesny was called into action again with about twenty minutes to go as Jones produced a shot on target. The following minutes Gibbs did well to deny another shot bound for our Polish 'keeper.
Giroud got extremely close to giving us the lead with fifteen minutes to go as he ran past the 'keeper, who somehow managed to get back in time to block the goal-bound shot! The Frenchman was then replaced by Bendtner, the Dane getting five minutes to produce something spectacular. Unfortunately he, nor anyone else for that matter, managed to do so and we had to settle for just the one point this time around, putting an end to our stunning run of consecutive wins.
The one point was enough for us to retain our top spot in the league, even though Liverpool now has the same amount of points as ourselves. So let's remember, a draw at the Hawthorns is no easy feat and we should definitely be pleased with it.
Wilshere 65
Considering the recent Capital One Cup clash and the fact that they beat Manchester United last week, we knew that this would be a tough game against West Bromwich Albion. And it certainly was a tough game, one that looked to be heading in the wrong direction for us for quite some time!
The initial fifteen minutes consisted of both teams creating half-chances without really getting anywhere, Arteta had a shot deflected off of Giroud wide and Ramsey sent a free-kick over the bar. The first decent chance to score belonged to West Bromwich as they had a shot on target, fortunately Szczesny was there to make the save. We continued to fire high and wide, however, with Gibbs' effort after approximately twenty minutes going way over the crossbar and Wilshere firing wide from outside the 18-yard-box five minutes later.
West Brom took the lead at the end of the half through a header by Yacob.
Six minutes into the second half Anelka almost made it 2-0, but his shot went just wide as West Brom created another decent chance to score.
With just over half an hour to go Flamini had a shot blocked by a defender and then caught by the 'keeper. The following minute saw Ramsey get replaced by Rosicky. Then, at last, we got one back! Jack Wilshere scored with a powerful strike after a quick round of passes from Giroud, to Rosicky, to the Englishman! It has been quite some time since Wilshere last scored, so it is certainly nice to see him back on the score-sheet.
Szczesny was called into action again with about twenty minutes to go as Jones produced a shot on target. The following minutes Gibbs did well to deny another shot bound for our Polish 'keeper.
Giroud got extremely close to giving us the lead with fifteen minutes to go as he ran past the 'keeper, who somehow managed to get back in time to block the goal-bound shot! The Frenchman was then replaced by Bendtner, the Dane getting five minutes to produce something spectacular. Unfortunately he, nor anyone else for that matter, managed to do so and we had to settle for just the one point this time around, putting an end to our stunning run of consecutive wins.
The one point was enough for us to retain our top spot in the league, even though Liverpool now has the same amount of points as ourselves. So let's remember, a draw at the Hawthorns is no easy feat and we should definitely be pleased with it.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Arsenal vs. Napoli
2-0, Champions League, Emirates Stadium, 01 October 2013
Özil 8,
Giroud 15
The first half was one of the best halves I've seen us play in a long time, and that's saying something considering our recent run! Within the first fifteen minutes we had completed 100 passes, compared to Napoli's 24 and had had 70% of the possession. Add to that two goals and you could say that we were the better team.
We went ahead eight minutes into the game, and stayed ahead for the rest of the game. Giroud made a cheeky back-heel to get the ball to Ramsey, who created the perfect pass to Mesut Özil. The German play-maker only needed one touch to place his shot out of Reina's reach and thus score his first goal for Arsenal! He has already had an amazing start to his time here, and now he can add a goal to all those assists! He continued providing assists in this game as well, though, as he got around the defence to cut the ball back for Olivier Giroud to tap into the back of the net from close range!
Napoli got quite close to scoring once this half as we had a lapse of focus in the box and Britos was left unmarked during a corner, fortunately his header went wide. Over-all, however, we were great at defending as a team, completely ruling the midfield by winning the ball back quickly whenever we lost it. Szczesny only had to make one save this half, the threat coming in the shape of a daisy-cutter.
Needless to say Ramsey created lots of chances in this game as well. Before the end of the half he had two shots blocked by defenders and, after showing some slick moves to shake off a defender with a quick turn, he had a shot deflected wide.
The second half was more or less all about maintaining the result and thus ensuring the three points. Rosicky almost made it 3-0, though, in the very first minute of the half as he got into a brilliant position right in front of the goal. Unfortunately he missed the ball as Giroud got it towards him. With fifteen minutes to go we had another decent chance of another goal as Özil's cross reached Arteta's head, who played it on to Koscielny, whose effort was saved by Reina.
This win means that we are currently top of the group! Needless to say there is plenty more points to play for and we will need more of them to ensure qualification, but we are off to a good start!
Injury Update:
- Rosicky returned back from injury to start in this game!
Özil 8,
Giroud 15
The first half was one of the best halves I've seen us play in a long time, and that's saying something considering our recent run! Within the first fifteen minutes we had completed 100 passes, compared to Napoli's 24 and had had 70% of the possession. Add to that two goals and you could say that we were the better team.
We went ahead eight minutes into the game, and stayed ahead for the rest of the game. Giroud made a cheeky back-heel to get the ball to Ramsey, who created the perfect pass to Mesut Özil. The German play-maker only needed one touch to place his shot out of Reina's reach and thus score his first goal for Arsenal! He has already had an amazing start to his time here, and now he can add a goal to all those assists! He continued providing assists in this game as well, though, as he got around the defence to cut the ball back for Olivier Giroud to tap into the back of the net from close range!
Napoli got quite close to scoring once this half as we had a lapse of focus in the box and Britos was left unmarked during a corner, fortunately his header went wide. Over-all, however, we were great at defending as a team, completely ruling the midfield by winning the ball back quickly whenever we lost it. Szczesny only had to make one save this half, the threat coming in the shape of a daisy-cutter.
Needless to say Ramsey created lots of chances in this game as well. Before the end of the half he had two shots blocked by defenders and, after showing some slick moves to shake off a defender with a quick turn, he had a shot deflected wide.
The second half was more or less all about maintaining the result and thus ensuring the three points. Rosicky almost made it 3-0, though, in the very first minute of the half as he got into a brilliant position right in front of the goal. Unfortunately he missed the ball as Giroud got it towards him. With fifteen minutes to go we had another decent chance of another goal as Özil's cross reached Arteta's head, who played it on to Koscielny, whose effort was saved by Reina.
This win means that we are currently top of the group! Needless to say there is plenty more points to play for and we will need more of them to ensure qualification, but we are off to a good start!
Injury Update:
- Rosicky returned back from injury to start in this game!
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