2-2, Premier League, St. Mary's, 28 January 2014
Giroud 48,
Cazorla 52
We were quite miserable in the first half of this game. We, quite literally, created nothing going forward and more or less just let Southampton dominate the game completely. Fortunately, we managed to turn it around for the second half through a minor miracle.
Szczesny had to make some decent saves during the game, the first truly brilliant one came after eight minutes as we lost possession in our own box. Southampton then fired wide before finding the back of the net through a header at the edge of the box.
We should have gotten a penalty in the first half, even though we did not play very well at all, as there was a clear hand ball by a Southampton player, but nothing was given. Towards the end of the half we came close to finding ourselves two goals behind as Monreal fired a clearance into the back of a Southampton player, and the ball fell to the feet of Gallagher, who somehow managed to put it wide from right in front of the goal!
In the final minute we did create one chance, though, as Koscielny managed to get an effort on target following a corner, but unfortunately it was right at the 'keeper.
Right from the start of the second half the game pretty much exploded. A few minutes in we got the equaliser as Sagna provided a decent pass to Olivier Giroud, who steered the ball into the back of the net with a classy back-heel! Four minutes later we found ourselves in the lead, as Santi Cazorla fired a long-distance shot from outside the 18-yard-box past the 'keeper, burying it right by the post!
The turn-around would have been even more incredible had we not conceded a second goal shortly after, which effectively meant that we had to settle for just the one point in this game. However, before the end of the game Özil had time for a brilliant surge forward, but his effort glanced off a defender and hit the bar! And, on a more negative note, Flamini was shown a red card after a harsh tackle, which was especially miserable considering how good he was throughout the game.
The fact that we dropped two points here mean that we risk losing the top spot to either Manchester City (should they win their game later this evening) or/and Chelsea (should they win their game with a two-goal margin).
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Arsenal vs. Coventry City
4-0, The FA Cup, Emirates Stadium, 24 January 2014
Podolski 15, 27,
Giroud 84,
Cazorla 89
This was without a doubt a game that we were expected to win with ease, but that certainly includes a degree of danger, since there has been quite a few shockers in this cup over the years. Fortunately for us, this was not the case this time around.
Our first, decent chance of the game was the product of an Oxlade-Chamberlain cross that was met by Podolski, but the effort went high and wide. However, that was not to be the case of his second attempt. Özil provided the assist, but in the end it was just sheer brilliance from Lukas Podolski, who rounded the 'keeper and put the ball into the back of the net!
Coventry did have a good chance to score after that, as Baker unleashed a shot towards our goal. Fortunately Fabianski came up with a wonderful save to deny Coventry an equaliser. Then the German was at it again. Gnabry sent a corner into the far end of the box, where Lukas Podolski was awaiting it and headed it past the 'keeper!
Coventry, once again, came up with quite the decent chance right at the start of the second half, as Clarke hit the post from the edge of the 18-yard-box. But that was as close as they would get in this game. Bendtner, back from injury, had a shot going wide before the end was approaching and we ensured the win.
With five minutes to go Gibbs' cross into the box found Olivier Giroud, who fired a shot into the back of the net! Then, in the very last minute before added time, Jenkinson had a shot cleared by the 'keeper, but only as fas as to Santi Cazorla, who produced a strike that made the final score-line of the game 4-0!
So this win takes us into the next round of the FA Cup, which is certainly a trophy that we will be aiming to win!
Podolski 15, 27,
Giroud 84,
Cazorla 89
This was without a doubt a game that we were expected to win with ease, but that certainly includes a degree of danger, since there has been quite a few shockers in this cup over the years. Fortunately for us, this was not the case this time around.
Our first, decent chance of the game was the product of an Oxlade-Chamberlain cross that was met by Podolski, but the effort went high and wide. However, that was not to be the case of his second attempt. Özil provided the assist, but in the end it was just sheer brilliance from Lukas Podolski, who rounded the 'keeper and put the ball into the back of the net!
Coventry did have a good chance to score after that, as Baker unleashed a shot towards our goal. Fortunately Fabianski came up with a wonderful save to deny Coventry an equaliser. Then the German was at it again. Gnabry sent a corner into the far end of the box, where Lukas Podolski was awaiting it and headed it past the 'keeper!
Coventry, once again, came up with quite the decent chance right at the start of the second half, as Clarke hit the post from the edge of the 18-yard-box. But that was as close as they would get in this game. Bendtner, back from injury, had a shot going wide before the end was approaching and we ensured the win.
With five minutes to go Gibbs' cross into the box found Olivier Giroud, who fired a shot into the back of the net! Then, in the very last minute before added time, Jenkinson had a shot cleared by the 'keeper, but only as fas as to Santi Cazorla, who produced a strike that made the final score-line of the game 4-0!
So this win takes us into the next round of the FA Cup, which is certainly a trophy that we will be aiming to win!
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Arsenal vs. Fulham
2-0, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 18 January 2014
Cazorla 57, 62
This was a game that had quite the slow start, only to explode in the second half with a quick successions of goals, ensuring yet another win and three points!
The first half was fairly even, with no team getting the advantage. Right at the beginning of the half we had to decent chances, the first being a Sagna cross that was almost met by Giroud in the box and the second being an Özil shot/pass where he got past Fulham 'keeper Stockdale only to see a defender clear the effort. The 'keeper made a decent save, though, as Sagna had a rebound towards goal. On the other end, Szczesny was called into action a couple of times, first saving a Sidwell shot and then making a timely intervention to deny Kacaniklic a chance to score.
The start of the second half would prove to settle the tone for the remainder of the game, with a quick successions of chances and goals! The minute prior to the first goal we came extremely close to scoring as Gnabry fired a shot away after some scramble in the box, but his effort was saved by Stockdale.
Then came the two goals from the one goalscorer that essentially won us the game. Santi Cazorla started the attack, and via Giroud and Wilshere the Spaniard, who popped up in the box, got the ball back and fired past the 'keeper! Mere minutes later he was at it again, Monreal provided the cross that reached Santi Cazorla a couple of yards outside of the 18-yard-box, and the Spaniard fired another shot into the back of the net!
Podolski was brought on with approximately twenty minutes to go, and at once came close to scoring, twice! His first shot was blocked by a defender, and the second powerful strike hit the post! Then in the very final minutes Bent got past Szczesny and found the goal completely open, but Koscielny showed up to disturb the striker enough for him to fire wide! In the very last minute Oxlade-Chamberlain almost headed the ball into the back of the net, unfortunately it went just over the bar.
So, the final score-line of this game was to be 2-0, and I can definitely say that it was to my liking! Now we are going on a short break from the league, and prepare to face Coventry in the FA Cup on Friday evening.
Cazorla 57, 62
This was a game that had quite the slow start, only to explode in the second half with a quick successions of goals, ensuring yet another win and three points!
The first half was fairly even, with no team getting the advantage. Right at the beginning of the half we had to decent chances, the first being a Sagna cross that was almost met by Giroud in the box and the second being an Özil shot/pass where he got past Fulham 'keeper Stockdale only to see a defender clear the effort. The 'keeper made a decent save, though, as Sagna had a rebound towards goal. On the other end, Szczesny was called into action a couple of times, first saving a Sidwell shot and then making a timely intervention to deny Kacaniklic a chance to score.
The start of the second half would prove to settle the tone for the remainder of the game, with a quick successions of chances and goals! The minute prior to the first goal we came extremely close to scoring as Gnabry fired a shot away after some scramble in the box, but his effort was saved by Stockdale.
Then came the two goals from the one goalscorer that essentially won us the game. Santi Cazorla started the attack, and via Giroud and Wilshere the Spaniard, who popped up in the box, got the ball back and fired past the 'keeper! Mere minutes later he was at it again, Monreal provided the cross that reached Santi Cazorla a couple of yards outside of the 18-yard-box, and the Spaniard fired another shot into the back of the net!
Podolski was brought on with approximately twenty minutes to go, and at once came close to scoring, twice! His first shot was blocked by a defender, and the second powerful strike hit the post! Then in the very final minutes Bent got past Szczesny and found the goal completely open, but Koscielny showed up to disturb the striker enough for him to fire wide! In the very last minute Oxlade-Chamberlain almost headed the ball into the back of the net, unfortunately it went just over the bar.
So, the final score-line of this game was to be 2-0, and I can definitely say that it was to my liking! Now we are going on a short break from the league, and prepare to face Coventry in the FA Cup on Friday evening.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
1-2, Premier League, Villa Park, 13 January 2014
Wilshere 34,
Giroud 35
Considering the fact that all the top teams had already won their games of this round, it was vital for us to beat Villa in order to remain top of the leauge. For a while it looked as though it wouldn't be a too difficult win, but towards the end things got pretty nerve-wracking!
Within the first fifteen minutes, both teams had had two chances going wide, Giroud with a header and Delph with a shot. It took us more than half an hour to get the lead, but once we did the second came mere seconds later. The first one happened as Monreal cut a pass back to Jack Wilshere at the edge of the box, who fired a shot that went in right by the right post! And the following minute we were at it again! Wilshere won the ball and played it to Olivier Giroud, who had an exquisite touch and got a bit lucky to get the ball with him, and the strike hit the same spot as Wilshere's in the previous minute!!
Szczesny was called into action in the second half as he saved a shot not five minutes into the half, and then made another one a while later. Unfortunately he could save Benteke's header with fifteen minutes to go, and all of a sudden Villa was back in the game. Fortunately they did not get closer than that and we held out to grab the important three points!
So it turned out to be a hard-fought for win, but a deserved one as well. Next up is Fulham on Saturday, definitely another must-win game for us!
Injury Update:
- Last week we received the devastating news that Theo Walcott will be out for six months due to the injury he picked up on his knee in the recent win over Tottenham. It is a very harsh blow, especially considering his current form and importance in the team.
- On a more positive note, the Ox is back! Having picked up an injury in the very first game of the season against Villa at the Emirates, the twenty-year old midfielder was brought on in the 86th minute to make his long-awaited return to the first team!
Wilshere 34,
Giroud 35
Considering the fact that all the top teams had already won their games of this round, it was vital for us to beat Villa in order to remain top of the leauge. For a while it looked as though it wouldn't be a too difficult win, but towards the end things got pretty nerve-wracking!
Within the first fifteen minutes, both teams had had two chances going wide, Giroud with a header and Delph with a shot. It took us more than half an hour to get the lead, but once we did the second came mere seconds later. The first one happened as Monreal cut a pass back to Jack Wilshere at the edge of the box, who fired a shot that went in right by the right post! And the following minute we were at it again! Wilshere won the ball and played it to Olivier Giroud, who had an exquisite touch and got a bit lucky to get the ball with him, and the strike hit the same spot as Wilshere's in the previous minute!!
Szczesny was called into action in the second half as he saved a shot not five minutes into the half, and then made another one a while later. Unfortunately he could save Benteke's header with fifteen minutes to go, and all of a sudden Villa was back in the game. Fortunately they did not get closer than that and we held out to grab the important three points!
So it turned out to be a hard-fought for win, but a deserved one as well. Next up is Fulham on Saturday, definitely another must-win game for us!
Injury Update:
- Last week we received the devastating news that Theo Walcott will be out for six months due to the injury he picked up on his knee in the recent win over Tottenham. It is a very harsh blow, especially considering his current form and importance in the team.
- On a more positive note, the Ox is back! Having picked up an injury in the very first game of the season against Villa at the Emirates, the twenty-year old midfielder was brought on in the 86th minute to make his long-awaited return to the first team!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Arsenal vs. Tottenham
2-0, The FA Cup, Emirates Stadium, 4 January 2013
Cazorla 31,
Rosicky 62
Like every North London Derby, winning this game meant more than mere qualification to the next round in the cup. It is all about showing that North London Is Red.
We were excellent throughout this game, completely dominated through a brilliant passing game that has seen us through more or less this entire season so far. Fabianski was called into action early on, though, as Eriksen got into a one-on-one with the Polish 'keeper, who made a great save. On the other side of the pitch, where most of the action happened, Walcott had two shots, one on target that was saved by Lloris and a second that was deflected wide. In the resulting corner Gnabry fired mere inches over the bar. Eriksen created another chance for Tottenham with a free-kick that went slightly over the bar, while Cazorla fired wide and Walcott saw his effort saved as he too got in a one-on-one with the 'keeper.
Half an hour into the game we took the lead. Gnabry made a great run, and while Walcott drew the defenders' attention Santi Cazorla was completely unmarked on the left-hand side. Gnabry provided the necessary pass for the Spaniard to fire into the back of the net. He may not have scored too much so far this season, but he certainly chose the right occasion for this one! We almost added to the goal before the end of the half as Walcott had a volley going over the bar and a free-kick was inches away from being met by Sagna at the far post.
The second half started much like the first, there might have been a slight improvement in Tottenham's play, but it was most certainly far from enough. After fifteen minutes Walcott hit the side netting as he got past Lloris but found the angle to steep to score from, but then came the goal that sealed the game.
When Tottenham were looking for the equaliser with all save one man and the 'keeper in our half, Tomas Rosicky nicked the ball off of that one man and ran across the entire Tottenham half to chip the ball over Lloris and score! A truly wonderful goal, showing the true spirit of the Czech midfielder.
The only sad news of the day was that Walcott was stretchered off with ten minutes to go as he injured his knee. We can only hope that he will be back before long.
So another North London Derby played, and another North London Derby won. Things are definitely looking good at the moment!
In the next round we will face Coventry at the Emirates. It's a game that we will be confident to win, but one must never underestimate the opponents in these cups, as shocking results appear rather frequently.
Injury Update:
- Giroud missed out on this game due to sickness, but should be back for the Villa game next Monday.
- Bendtner will be out for a month due to the injury he picked up in the last game.
Cazorla 31,
Rosicky 62
Like every North London Derby, winning this game meant more than mere qualification to the next round in the cup. It is all about showing that North London Is Red.
We were excellent throughout this game, completely dominated through a brilliant passing game that has seen us through more or less this entire season so far. Fabianski was called into action early on, though, as Eriksen got into a one-on-one with the Polish 'keeper, who made a great save. On the other side of the pitch, where most of the action happened, Walcott had two shots, one on target that was saved by Lloris and a second that was deflected wide. In the resulting corner Gnabry fired mere inches over the bar. Eriksen created another chance for Tottenham with a free-kick that went slightly over the bar, while Cazorla fired wide and Walcott saw his effort saved as he too got in a one-on-one with the 'keeper.
Half an hour into the game we took the lead. Gnabry made a great run, and while Walcott drew the defenders' attention Santi Cazorla was completely unmarked on the left-hand side. Gnabry provided the necessary pass for the Spaniard to fire into the back of the net. He may not have scored too much so far this season, but he certainly chose the right occasion for this one! We almost added to the goal before the end of the half as Walcott had a volley going over the bar and a free-kick was inches away from being met by Sagna at the far post.
The second half started much like the first, there might have been a slight improvement in Tottenham's play, but it was most certainly far from enough. After fifteen minutes Walcott hit the side netting as he got past Lloris but found the angle to steep to score from, but then came the goal that sealed the game.
When Tottenham were looking for the equaliser with all save one man and the 'keeper in our half, Tomas Rosicky nicked the ball off of that one man and ran across the entire Tottenham half to chip the ball over Lloris and score! A truly wonderful goal, showing the true spirit of the Czech midfielder.
The only sad news of the day was that Walcott was stretchered off with ten minutes to go as he injured his knee. We can only hope that he will be back before long.
So another North London Derby played, and another North London Derby won. Things are definitely looking good at the moment!
In the next round we will face Coventry at the Emirates. It's a game that we will be confident to win, but one must never underestimate the opponents in these cups, as shocking results appear rather frequently.
Injury Update:
- Giroud missed out on this game due to sickness, but should be back for the Villa game next Monday.
- Bendtner will be out for a month due to the injury he picked up in the last game.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Arsenal vs. Cardiff
2-0, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 1 January 2014
Bendtner 88,
Walcott 92
On paper, this was one of those home games against a side on the other end of the table that is an essential, 'must-win' type of game. However, that is rarely the case in this league and this game turned out to be quite the struggle, fortunately it had an happy ending this time around.
The first half was rather uneventful, Sagna had a free-kick hitting the wall and Walcott fired both over the bar and into the side netting. The latter being a result of some brilliant dribbling from Cazorla that got him past a defender to cut it back to Walcott.
In the second half the need for a goal became more and more urgent and so the pressure we put on Cardiff increased as the game drew closer to the end. Wilshere saw a brilliant solo effort hitting the bar while Mertesacker had a double chance, ending with a header going just wide of the goal. Then both Wilshere and Walcott had efforts going wide and Bendtner came close to reaching crosses in the box twice, the first from Walcott and the second from Rosicky.
Two minutes before added time we got the much-needed goal. Monreal provided a cross into the box that was met by Sagna, whose header was saved by the 'keeper, only for Nicklas Bendtner to show up and slam the rebound into the back of the net!! Unfortunately the Danish striker injured himself in the process and had to be replaced, but that goal was vital for us to remain in the fight for the league title! Minutes later we sealed the game as Wilshere provided a pass through the defence, perfect for one of Theo Walcott's trademark runs and the Englishman chipped it over the 'keeper!
Szczesny had to make a great save in the very final minute as Cardiff tried to get a consolation goal.
These three points were absolutely vital and we have now started the new year as we ended it, with a win and the top spot in the league!
Bendtner 88,
Walcott 92
On paper, this was one of those home games against a side on the other end of the table that is an essential, 'must-win' type of game. However, that is rarely the case in this league and this game turned out to be quite the struggle, fortunately it had an happy ending this time around.
The first half was rather uneventful, Sagna had a free-kick hitting the wall and Walcott fired both over the bar and into the side netting. The latter being a result of some brilliant dribbling from Cazorla that got him past a defender to cut it back to Walcott.
In the second half the need for a goal became more and more urgent and so the pressure we put on Cardiff increased as the game drew closer to the end. Wilshere saw a brilliant solo effort hitting the bar while Mertesacker had a double chance, ending with a header going just wide of the goal. Then both Wilshere and Walcott had efforts going wide and Bendtner came close to reaching crosses in the box twice, the first from Walcott and the second from Rosicky.
Two minutes before added time we got the much-needed goal. Monreal provided a cross into the box that was met by Sagna, whose header was saved by the 'keeper, only for Nicklas Bendtner to show up and slam the rebound into the back of the net!! Unfortunately the Danish striker injured himself in the process and had to be replaced, but that goal was vital for us to remain in the fight for the league title! Minutes later we sealed the game as Wilshere provided a pass through the defence, perfect for one of Theo Walcott's trademark runs and the Englishman chipped it over the 'keeper!
Szczesny had to make a great save in the very final minute as Cardiff tried to get a consolation goal.
These three points were absolutely vital and we have now started the new year as we ended it, with a win and the top spot in the league!
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