1-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 29 March 2014
Flamini 53
A win was needed in order to retain some hope of the league title. Unfortunate our display, even though it was a definite improvement from recent games, was not enough in the end. However, as mentioned the display in this game was a clear improvement, which is something to bring into the FA Cup semi-final fast approaching.
The first half contained two goal, although ours was disallowed. We also had a penalty shout as Rosicky was brought down in the box where replays show that it very well could have, and possibly should have, been a penalty. Then Silva scored for City through a counter-attack. Four minutes later Flamini scored, but the goal was not given as he was offside.
We grabbed the equaliser at the start of the second half, Mathieu Flamini fired a show away from near the penalty spot that went past Hart in the City goal and into the back of the net! Shortly afterwards Podolski sent a great chance wide, and Fernandinho fired a shot just over the bar for City. Both teams went for the winning goal, though none found it.
So we must now muster what confidence and spirit we can and bring that into the FA Cup as well as the final games of the season!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Arsenal vs. Swansea
2-2, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 25 March 2014
Podolski 73,
Giroud 74
This was a game that at first appeared to end in disaster, then the turning-point of our spring, but ended up as another dismal and disappointing result. However, there was some positive news in relation to the game since neither Gibbs nor the Ox was suspended for the game, considering the strange situation in the previous game.
Coincidentally, it was the Ox who had the first chance of the game with a shot on target. Ten minutes into the half, however, the initial disaster struck as Swansea scored with a header past Szczesny. The arguably best chance of the half that we produced was a Mertesacker header that hit the side-netting following a corner.
We had a complete turnaround in the second half, with two goals in two minutes! With approximately fifteen minutes to go Gibbs ran into the box, found Lukas Podolski right in front of the goal, and the German steered it past the 'keeper and into the back of the net! The following minute we completed the turnaround as the previous goalscorer set up Olivier Giroud, who put it into the back of the net from close range! Then, in the 90th minute Swansea equalised, through an unfortunate own-goal as Szczesny made the save with his legs, but the rebound hit Flamini and went into the open net.
So what could have been a significant point for the rest of the spring was spurned, turning into a dismal draw at our own turf. Källström had his debut for the latter part of the second half, but did not produce anything particularly astonishing.
Podolski 73,
Giroud 74
This was a game that at first appeared to end in disaster, then the turning-point of our spring, but ended up as another dismal and disappointing result. However, there was some positive news in relation to the game since neither Gibbs nor the Ox was suspended for the game, considering the strange situation in the previous game.
Coincidentally, it was the Ox who had the first chance of the game with a shot on target. Ten minutes into the half, however, the initial disaster struck as Swansea scored with a header past Szczesny. The arguably best chance of the half that we produced was a Mertesacker header that hit the side-netting following a corner.
We had a complete turnaround in the second half, with two goals in two minutes! With approximately fifteen minutes to go Gibbs ran into the box, found Lukas Podolski right in front of the goal, and the German steered it past the 'keeper and into the back of the net! The following minute we completed the turnaround as the previous goalscorer set up Olivier Giroud, who put it into the back of the net from close range! Then, in the 90th minute Swansea equalised, through an unfortunate own-goal as Szczesny made the save with his legs, but the rebound hit Flamini and went into the open net.
So what could have been a significant point for the rest of the spring was spurned, turning into a dismal draw at our own turf. Källström had his debut for the latter part of the second half, but did not produce anything particularly astonishing.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Chelsea vs. Arsenal
6-0, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, 22 March 2014
In the second half we conceded two more, and were over-all poor.
We were down by 4-0 at the end of the first half and one man less after Gibbs was sent off in a weird situation. The Ox had touched the ball with his hand in the box and Chelsea was awarded with the penalty, yet the Ox did not even receive a yellow card. It also appeared as though he attempted to tell the ref he was wrong, but if he did it did not make any difference.
In the second half we conceded two more, and were over-all poor.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Tottenham vs. Arsenal
0-1, Premier League, White Hart Lane, 16 March 2014
Rosicky 2
Not only were we in desperate need of three points, but it was from a North London Derby that we desperately needed those three points. And most importantly, it was from a North London Derby that we took those three points!
Rosicky 2
Not only were we in desperate need of three points, but it was from a North London Derby that we desperately needed those three points. And most importantly, it was from a North London Derby that we took those three points!
Just two minutes into the game we grabbed the lead that would last through the entire game. During a counter-attack Rosicky passed the ball to the Ox, then got it back at the edge of the 18-yard-box and fired an unstoppable shot past the 'keeper!
Before the end of the half Oxlade-Chamberlain got a decent chance himself to score, he rushed forward and with a chip got the ball over the 'keeper, but his effort went way wide instead of hitting the back of the net.
Before the end of the half Oxlade-Chamberlain got a decent chance himself to score, he rushed forward and with a chip got the ball over the 'keeper, but his effort went way wide instead of hitting the back of the net.
The second half consisted of Tottenham trying to find the equaliser. At the start of the half they had a cross being inches away from being met by an on-rushing player right in front of the goal. Then Adebayor had a header going wide from right in front of the goal.
Towards the end Mertesacker had a dangerous shot on target following a free-kick that forces a great save by Lloris.
As the end drew nearer Tottenham increased the pressure, but we held firm and ensured a season of 100% wins against Tottenham!
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal
1-1, Champions League, Allianz Arena, 11 March 2014
Podolski 57
Even though the game was more or less already decided due to the result of the first clash, we did go out in the right way with this display, even though it obviously wasn't enough.
Bayern Munich were solid throughout the game, posing constant threats to our defense while we looked to grab a goal (or two) ourselves. Schweinsteiger had a shot on target within the first five minutes, but it was comfortably dealt with by Fabianski, standing in as 'keeper due to Szczesny's red card in the previous game.
The main man going forward for us was, unexpectedly, Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Ox has been in immaculate form recently and will certainly prove important for the league run-in and the FA Cup semi-final (and hopefully final). The first we got to see of him in this game was as he surged forward, resulting in a defender bringing him down harshly, which, in turn, led to a free-kick and booking.
Bayern Munich did score in the first half, fortunately it was a clear offside and the goal was not given. Mere minutes later the Ox surged forward again with an astounding solo run, containing plenty of dribbling in order to get past the defenders, but he was eventually felled and a free-kick was given. That free-kick was taken by Cazorla and hit the wall, and in the resulting corner Giroud got a header on target, but it was saved by Neuer.
The half was concluded with a brilliant save by Fabianski as Götze fired a fast-paced shot on target.
At the start of the second half Robben fell easily in the box, shouting for a penalty, but nothing was given. Unfortunately it only took about four minutes after that penalty-shout before they actually got the lead, which inevitably ended much of whatever hope that was left for us. The space in front of the goal completely opened up for Schweinsteiger, leaving Fabianski quite helpless.
Somehow that seemed to ignite a spark within (or maybe it was just pure luck) but two minutes after that goal we grabbed one ourselves! And once again it was a German player who scored it! Lukas Podolski smashed the ball into the back of the net after winning the ball from Lahm! That goal did give us some hope, however futile, and the following minute the Ox had a shot on target, from outside the box, saved by Neuer.
But Fabianski had to remain vigilant till the very end, however unfortunate that was for us. Robben had an effort that he had to save with fifteen minutes to go, and then during the added time he had to face a penalty! Robben was brought down in the box and the ref gave the penalty this time around. Müller stepped up to take the penalty, but Fabianski produced an amazing save, somehow leaving the ball spinning on the goal-line to his left! So he threw himself back across the goal and poked it clear before any on-rushing Munich player could teach it! Astounding goalkeeping!
But going into this game we knew that goalkeeping alone would not save us, and we have to face being eliminated in the first knock-out stage yet again. It is quite disappointing, obviously, but not altogether unexpected and all we can do now is be sure to bring home the FA Cup trophy and have a decent finish to the league.
Podolski 57
Even though the game was more or less already decided due to the result of the first clash, we did go out in the right way with this display, even though it obviously wasn't enough.
Bayern Munich were solid throughout the game, posing constant threats to our defense while we looked to grab a goal (or two) ourselves. Schweinsteiger had a shot on target within the first five minutes, but it was comfortably dealt with by Fabianski, standing in as 'keeper due to Szczesny's red card in the previous game.
The main man going forward for us was, unexpectedly, Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Ox has been in immaculate form recently and will certainly prove important for the league run-in and the FA Cup semi-final (and hopefully final). The first we got to see of him in this game was as he surged forward, resulting in a defender bringing him down harshly, which, in turn, led to a free-kick and booking.
Bayern Munich did score in the first half, fortunately it was a clear offside and the goal was not given. Mere minutes later the Ox surged forward again with an astounding solo run, containing plenty of dribbling in order to get past the defenders, but he was eventually felled and a free-kick was given. That free-kick was taken by Cazorla and hit the wall, and in the resulting corner Giroud got a header on target, but it was saved by Neuer.
The half was concluded with a brilliant save by Fabianski as Götze fired a fast-paced shot on target.
At the start of the second half Robben fell easily in the box, shouting for a penalty, but nothing was given. Unfortunately it only took about four minutes after that penalty-shout before they actually got the lead, which inevitably ended much of whatever hope that was left for us. The space in front of the goal completely opened up for Schweinsteiger, leaving Fabianski quite helpless.
Somehow that seemed to ignite a spark within (or maybe it was just pure luck) but two minutes after that goal we grabbed one ourselves! And once again it was a German player who scored it! Lukas Podolski smashed the ball into the back of the net after winning the ball from Lahm! That goal did give us some hope, however futile, and the following minute the Ox had a shot on target, from outside the box, saved by Neuer.
But Fabianski had to remain vigilant till the very end, however unfortunate that was for us. Robben had an effort that he had to save with fifteen minutes to go, and then during the added time he had to face a penalty! Robben was brought down in the box and the ref gave the penalty this time around. Müller stepped up to take the penalty, but Fabianski produced an amazing save, somehow leaving the ball spinning on the goal-line to his left! So he threw himself back across the goal and poked it clear before any on-rushing Munich player could teach it! Astounding goalkeeping!
But going into this game we knew that goalkeeping alone would not save us, and we have to face being eliminated in the first knock-out stage yet again. It is quite disappointing, obviously, but not altogether unexpected and all we can do now is be sure to bring home the FA Cup trophy and have a decent finish to the league.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Arsenal vs. Everton
4-1, The FA Cup, Emirates Stadium, 08 March 2014
Özil 7,
Arteta (pen) 68,
Giroud 83, 85
Özil 7,
Arteta (pen) 68,
Giroud 83, 85
There was no better way of responding to the recent tough games than a more or less comfortable win over Everton, taking us into the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Wembley!
We started the game in brilliant fashion, by scoring! In the first proper attack that we had Cazorla provided an excellent pass to Mesut Özil and the German international struck at once to put the ball past the 'keeper! It must have felt great for him to score again, since it has been quite some time since the last time and there has undoubtedly been some rough critique laid on him lately.
However, one player in particular that is worth mentioning from this game is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He may not have scored, but he sure was amazing nonetheless. He created most of our chances, at least it certainly felt that way, and in the first half he had one thundering shot from outside the 18-yard-box saved by the 'keeper, another shot blocked right in front of the goal and another shot forcing yet another decent save out of the 'keeper. Unfortunately he did not create a second goal at the time, and Everton had time to equalise before the end of the first half through Lukaku.
However, one player in particular that is worth mentioning from this game is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He may not have scored, but he sure was amazing nonetheless. He created most of our chances, at least it certainly felt that way, and in the first half he had one thundering shot from outside the 18-yard-box saved by the 'keeper, another shot blocked right in front of the goal and another shot forcing yet another decent save out of the 'keeper. Unfortunately he did not create a second goal at the time, and Everton had time to equalise before the end of the first half through Lukaku.
Fortunately we did step up for the second half, and ended up completely dominating it. Cazorla's curling shot forced a great save out of the 'keeper, and ten minutes later we would take the lead back. When Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down in the box we were awarded with a penalty, and Arteta had to score it twice for it to register! He started with a low and assured strike that hit the back of the net, but it had to be re-done as Giroud stepped into the box too early (he redeemed it later, though) and Mikel Arteta slammed the second one in as well, this time going for a higher strike that went over the 'keeper!
As mentioned, Olivier Giroud redeemed himself before the end of the game. The first of the two goals came when Sagna cut the ball back to the fellow Frenchman, whose strike from close range left the 'keeper with no chance. The second goal of Olivier Giroud came two minutes later, through a great counter-attack. Rosicky played the ball to Özil, and Özil to Giroud, who fired it into the back of the net!
As mentioned, Olivier Giroud redeemed himself before the end of the game. The first of the two goals came when Sagna cut the ball back to the fellow Frenchman, whose strike from close range left the 'keeper with no chance. The second goal of Olivier Giroud came two minutes later, through a great counter-attack. Rosicky played the ball to Özil, and Özil to Giroud, who fired it into the back of the net!
At the semi-finals, played at Wembley, we will face Wigan, last year's winners, who beat Manchester City in their quarter-final!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Stoke vs. Arsenal
1-0, Premier League, Britannia Stadium, 01 March 2014
This was quite possibly the most dismal game I've watched us play so far this season. We hardly created anything, in fact, the game in general hardly contained any chances.
Stoke had an effort inches wide of the post fifteen minutes into the half, and then there was more or less nothing happening until the final minutes of the half when Cazorla's shot on target was saved by Begovic.
In the second half Stoke created a bit more chances, while we remained over-all poor. Crouch created two chances within ten minutes, starting with meeting a free-kick, but his touch brought it up into the air rather than towards the goal. The second was a trademark header, which forced a great save out of Szczesny. From the resulting corner Cameron fired a shot wide.
Disaster struck with fifteen minutes to go, though it might not have been altogether unexpected. The fashion of the goal, on the other hand, was rather disagreeable. Stoke were awarded with a penalty as both Koscielny and the Stoke player went for the ball with high kicks, and both missed. Absolute joke by the ref to give in favour of one or the other.... Walters converted the penalty, giving us a tough outlook on the remainder of the season.
As we are approaching the final stretch of the league run, this was disastrous for our title chances. We truly face ending another season without a title at the moment.
This was quite possibly the most dismal game I've watched us play so far this season. We hardly created anything, in fact, the game in general hardly contained any chances.
Stoke had an effort inches wide of the post fifteen minutes into the half, and then there was more or less nothing happening until the final minutes of the half when Cazorla's shot on target was saved by Begovic.
In the second half Stoke created a bit more chances, while we remained over-all poor. Crouch created two chances within ten minutes, starting with meeting a free-kick, but his touch brought it up into the air rather than towards the goal. The second was a trademark header, which forced a great save out of Szczesny. From the resulting corner Cameron fired a shot wide.
Disaster struck with fifteen minutes to go, though it might not have been altogether unexpected. The fashion of the goal, on the other hand, was rather disagreeable. Stoke were awarded with a penalty as both Koscielny and the Stoke player went for the ball with high kicks, and both missed. Absolute joke by the ref to give in favour of one or the other.... Walters converted the penalty, giving us a tough outlook on the remainder of the season.
As we are approaching the final stretch of the league run, this was disastrous for our title chances. We truly face ending another season without a title at the moment.
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