1-0, Premier League, DW Stadium, 2012-12-22
Arteta 60
This game turned out to be quite different from the last one! Wigan played really well in this game, either that or we played considerably worse compared to the Reading game. Thankfully that did not matter and we've got an early Christmas gift in the shape of being third in the league, which is remarkable considering where we were just some weeks ago.
Wigan started this game a lot better than we did, we were generally poor throughout the entire first half as we did not create many chances. The only chances of note that we created were two shots on goal that were both saved by the 'keeper from Oxlade-Chamberlain (who received the man of the match award) and Podolski.
However, we upped our game in the second half and the pace of the game increased. Not even five minutes into the half Oxlade-Chamberlain played the ball to Walcott, whose shot was unfortunately parried by the 'keeper. The Englishman played up-front for the second game running and at the hour-mark he was clipped from behind in the box and we were awarded with a penalty. Mikel Arteta stepped up to take it and he converted it with ease to give us the lead! After the goal it was just a matter of us holding onto the lead and endure for the rest of the half, Walcott had a decent free-kick attempt with fifteen minutes to go that went over the bar.
Even though this was no stunning victory, it was vital for us to win the game even if we were not at our best. Now we can celebrate Christmas having gone past Tottenham in the league table, a truly magnificent Christmas gift!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Champions League Last 16 Draw
We have been drawn against Bayern Munich for the first knock-out stage of the Champions League. It goes without saying that this is some really tough opponents but it's not over till it's over and we can definitely beat them as long as we come together as a team!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Reading vs. Arsenal
5-2, Premier League, Madejski Stadium, 2012-12-17
Podolski 14,
Cazorla 32, 35, 60,
Walcott 80
For the first time in what feels like forever Arsenal produced a mind-blowing performance! We were brilliant for the majority of the game, as the scoreline will show. Tons of chances were created from many different players and it was truly great to see it!
Just about fifteen minutes into the first half we opened the scoring through Lukas Podolski, whose shot went into the back of the net from close range after a great cross from Gibbs. However, we truly brought the heat half an hour into the game when Cazorla scored twice within three minutes to grant us an astonishing first half lead. His first was quite a shocker, suddenly Santi Cazorla popped up in the box to score with a header! The most likely shortest player on the pitch got to score with a header.. Remarkable. A couple of minutes later he did it again, although not with his head. Walcott crossed the ball to Gibbs, who headed it down for Santi Cazorla to fire a quick shot into goal! Right before half-time Oxlade-Chamberlain got close with a header from Sagna's cross, it was saved by the 'keeper though.
We started the first half in like fashion as the first as Walcott came close to scoring, unfortunately the ball was cleared in the last second by a defender. However, fifteen minutes into the half out new Spaniard got to complete his first hat-trick in the Premier League. Podolski found him in the box, and Santi Cazorla had no difficulties tapping the ball into the back of the net. We appeared to get a bit complacent after that fourth goal and made some sloppy mistakes that led to Reading pulling two goals back. Yet, we got the last say of the game as our central striker for the day, Theo Walcott, got to fire away a wonderful shot due to an assist from Cazorla.
It was indeed great to watch the Arsenal in this game, hopefully we will keep up the good work as it was stunning at times in this game. Cazorla had an outstanding game, not to forget Walcott's performance up-front. Everything seemed to click in this game and it was definitely vital as we now find ourselves in fifth place for the hectic Christmas period!
Injury Update:
- Walcott made it back for this game from his recent injury problems.
Podolski 14,
Cazorla 32, 35, 60,
Walcott 80
For the first time in what feels like forever Arsenal produced a mind-blowing performance! We were brilliant for the majority of the game, as the scoreline will show. Tons of chances were created from many different players and it was truly great to see it!
Just about fifteen minutes into the first half we opened the scoring through Lukas Podolski, whose shot went into the back of the net from close range after a great cross from Gibbs. However, we truly brought the heat half an hour into the game when Cazorla scored twice within three minutes to grant us an astonishing first half lead. His first was quite a shocker, suddenly Santi Cazorla popped up in the box to score with a header! The most likely shortest player on the pitch got to score with a header.. Remarkable. A couple of minutes later he did it again, although not with his head. Walcott crossed the ball to Gibbs, who headed it down for Santi Cazorla to fire a quick shot into goal! Right before half-time Oxlade-Chamberlain got close with a header from Sagna's cross, it was saved by the 'keeper though.
We started the first half in like fashion as the first as Walcott came close to scoring, unfortunately the ball was cleared in the last second by a defender. However, fifteen minutes into the half out new Spaniard got to complete his first hat-trick in the Premier League. Podolski found him in the box, and Santi Cazorla had no difficulties tapping the ball into the back of the net. We appeared to get a bit complacent after that fourth goal and made some sloppy mistakes that led to Reading pulling two goals back. Yet, we got the last say of the game as our central striker for the day, Theo Walcott, got to fire away a wonderful shot due to an assist from Cazorla.
It was indeed great to watch the Arsenal in this game, hopefully we will keep up the good work as it was stunning at times in this game. Cazorla had an outstanding game, not to forget Walcott's performance up-front. Everything seemed to click in this game and it was definitely vital as we now find ourselves in fifth place for the hectic Christmas period!
Injury Update:
- Walcott made it back for this game from his recent injury problems.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Bradford vs. Arsenal
1-1 (Bradford won penalties 3-2), Capital One Cup, Coral Windows Stadium, 2012-12-11
Vermaelen 88
We were close to recreate a similar (though somewhat less spectacular) comeback as in the last cup game against Reading, but we did not seem to have the same urgency or luck as in that amazing game and in the end it was just another disappointing evening.
With the line-up that we had for this game, players such as Podolski and Gervinho in the starting eleven, you more or less expected us to beat the league two side that is Bradford. Yet things seldom are as easy as they may appear on paper in England and we found ourselves 0-1 down after fifteen minutes. Then they would have increased their lead mere minutes later, had it not been for Gibbs' clearing on the line. Right before the half-time Coquelin had a shot off the post and Gervinho had a shot off-target just two yards from the goal.
In the second half we kept looking for that equalizer, but we never looked that very likely to get it. That is, until the very last minutes when our captain, Thomas Vermaelen, headed the ball into the back of the net as Cazorla provided an excellent cross!
During the extra-time we had two brilliant chances to win the game, first there was a header from Sagna that was cleared off the line. Then there was a sizzling shot from Santi Cazorla that hit the bar from 25 yards out!
As we failed to score from those two opportunities the game went on to penalties, and we had quite the nightmare start. Bradford scored their first two while Cazorla's penalty was saved by the 'keeper and Chamakh hit the post. Then Szczesny saved the next penalty from Bradford and Wilshere fired the ball into the back of the net to score our first penalty. Bradford then scored as did Oxlade-Chamberlain, next up was Bradford and Szczesny provided yet another vital save. Thomas Vermaelen stepped up to take the next penalty, with the knowledge that if he missed we would be out, and for the second time during the penalty shoot-out we hit the post. Meaning that the final result of the penalties was 3-2 to Bradford.
This was obviously immensely disappointing, as we were so close to turning yet another cup game around and qualify for the semi-finals. At the end of the day we just weren't good enough, so let's look ahead and prepare for the game against Reading on Monday.
Injury Update:
- We currently have Walcott, Santos, Koscielny and Diaby sidelined with injuries.
- Giroud got a kick in the back in the last game and did not recover for this game.
Vermaelen 88
We were close to recreate a similar (though somewhat less spectacular) comeback as in the last cup game against Reading, but we did not seem to have the same urgency or luck as in that amazing game and in the end it was just another disappointing evening.
With the line-up that we had for this game, players such as Podolski and Gervinho in the starting eleven, you more or less expected us to beat the league two side that is Bradford. Yet things seldom are as easy as they may appear on paper in England and we found ourselves 0-1 down after fifteen minutes. Then they would have increased their lead mere minutes later, had it not been for Gibbs' clearing on the line. Right before the half-time Coquelin had a shot off the post and Gervinho had a shot off-target just two yards from the goal.
In the second half we kept looking for that equalizer, but we never looked that very likely to get it. That is, until the very last minutes when our captain, Thomas Vermaelen, headed the ball into the back of the net as Cazorla provided an excellent cross!
During the extra-time we had two brilliant chances to win the game, first there was a header from Sagna that was cleared off the line. Then there was a sizzling shot from Santi Cazorla that hit the bar from 25 yards out!
As we failed to score from those two opportunities the game went on to penalties, and we had quite the nightmare start. Bradford scored their first two while Cazorla's penalty was saved by the 'keeper and Chamakh hit the post. Then Szczesny saved the next penalty from Bradford and Wilshere fired the ball into the back of the net to score our first penalty. Bradford then scored as did Oxlade-Chamberlain, next up was Bradford and Szczesny provided yet another vital save. Thomas Vermaelen stepped up to take the next penalty, with the knowledge that if he missed we would be out, and for the second time during the penalty shoot-out we hit the post. Meaning that the final result of the penalties was 3-2 to Bradford.
This was obviously immensely disappointing, as we were so close to turning yet another cup game around and qualify for the semi-finals. At the end of the day we just weren't good enough, so let's look ahead and prepare for the game against Reading on Monday.
Injury Update:
- We currently have Walcott, Santos, Koscielny and Diaby sidelined with injuries.
- Giroud got a kick in the back in the last game and did not recover for this game.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion
2-0, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 2012-12-08
Arteta 26, 64
We dominated this game from start to finish, there was no questioning who deserved to win. However, it is always unfortunate when you score dubious penalties, fortunately that was not the only goal scored today! What matters most is that we are back on track after a rough couple of weeks.
As mentioned above, we dominated this game and the first half was no exception. But there is definitely still room for improvement as we created few clear-cut chances and were offside way too many times. Our first good chance came after five minutes when Gervinho got close after some chaos in the box, unfortunately he did not get a clean hit on the ball so the shot did not find its way into the back of the net.
About ten minutes into the game Cazorla had a decent shot from a distance, but it went wide. Oxlade-Chamberlain looked fresh throughout the game today and provided lots of good crosses, his first real good cross was met by Cazorla, who could not manage to keep it on-target.
West Bromwich did not have many chances whatsoever, but Brunt came quite close with a shot midway through the half that went wide. The following minutes proved very eventful for us and they started with a great run from Gervinho, unfortunately it was rendered useless as he did not find a fellow team-mate with his cross.
Then came the dubious penalty, Cazorla fell in the box and it looked rather cheap. At least this meant that Mikel Arteta could get retribution from the Fulham game as he scored from the penalty spot with a risky strike in the centre of the goal.
It has been priceless to have Wilshere back in the squad and he got extremely close when Gervinho provided a brilliant cross, however the young Englishman did not get enough onto the ball to score. Then Gervinho had a go himself with a decent shot, but it was saved by the 'keeper. In the last minute of the half Oxlade-Chamberlain tried out an acrobatic over-head kick, without any success.
The second half looked pretty much the same as the first, with us in clear domination when it came to both possession and chances created. Fifteen minutes into the half Gervinho had yet another strike that got close, but he just could not seem to score in this game.
The game was more or less punctuated when we got our second penalty of the game. Oxlade-Chamberlain was awarded with a penalty when he was brought down harshly in the box, this time it was certainly not a dubious penalty. Mikel Arteta scored yet again from the penalty spot and yet again he chose to put it in the centre of the goal!
With about ten minutes to go the Spaniard got close with a free-kick, but it went just wide of the goal. Podolski rounded the game off with a shot from close-range that was somehow put over the bar from a brilliant pass by Wilshere.
It was definitely an extreme relief to win this game, given the latest results and the way we have played. The one aspect of our game that I was the most satisfied with today was our midfield trio. It was a pure joy to watch Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshere link-up in the midfield and control our game with flair.
Injury Update:
- Walcott is injured once again, needless to say it is disappointing.
Arteta 26, 64
We dominated this game from start to finish, there was no questioning who deserved to win. However, it is always unfortunate when you score dubious penalties, fortunately that was not the only goal scored today! What matters most is that we are back on track after a rough couple of weeks.
As mentioned above, we dominated this game and the first half was no exception. But there is definitely still room for improvement as we created few clear-cut chances and were offside way too many times. Our first good chance came after five minutes when Gervinho got close after some chaos in the box, unfortunately he did not get a clean hit on the ball so the shot did not find its way into the back of the net.
About ten minutes into the game Cazorla had a decent shot from a distance, but it went wide. Oxlade-Chamberlain looked fresh throughout the game today and provided lots of good crosses, his first real good cross was met by Cazorla, who could not manage to keep it on-target.
West Bromwich did not have many chances whatsoever, but Brunt came quite close with a shot midway through the half that went wide. The following minutes proved very eventful for us and they started with a great run from Gervinho, unfortunately it was rendered useless as he did not find a fellow team-mate with his cross.
Then came the dubious penalty, Cazorla fell in the box and it looked rather cheap. At least this meant that Mikel Arteta could get retribution from the Fulham game as he scored from the penalty spot with a risky strike in the centre of the goal.
It has been priceless to have Wilshere back in the squad and he got extremely close when Gervinho provided a brilliant cross, however the young Englishman did not get enough onto the ball to score. Then Gervinho had a go himself with a decent shot, but it was saved by the 'keeper. In the last minute of the half Oxlade-Chamberlain tried out an acrobatic over-head kick, without any success.
The second half looked pretty much the same as the first, with us in clear domination when it came to both possession and chances created. Fifteen minutes into the half Gervinho had yet another strike that got close, but he just could not seem to score in this game.
The game was more or less punctuated when we got our second penalty of the game. Oxlade-Chamberlain was awarded with a penalty when he was brought down harshly in the box, this time it was certainly not a dubious penalty. Mikel Arteta scored yet again from the penalty spot and yet again he chose to put it in the centre of the goal!
With about ten minutes to go the Spaniard got close with a free-kick, but it went just wide of the goal. Podolski rounded the game off with a shot from close-range that was somehow put over the bar from a brilliant pass by Wilshere.
It was definitely an extreme relief to win this game, given the latest results and the way we have played. The one aspect of our game that I was the most satisfied with today was our midfield trio. It was a pure joy to watch Arteta, Cazorla and Wilshere link-up in the midfield and control our game with flair.
Injury Update:
- Walcott is injured once again, needless to say it is disappointing.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Olympiacos vs. Arsenal
1-2, Champions League, Karaiskakis Stadium, 2012-12-04
Rosicky 38
Fortunately we had already qualified for the knock-out stages ahead of this game, so it was not a game that we had to win. However, it is always immensely disappointing when you lead at half-time and then end up losing the game.
Olympiacos started the game better and came close to scoring after about ten minutes. Then Ramsey had a golden opportunity to score when Oxlade-Chamberlain crossed the ball into the box and Chamakh headed it down, but Ramsey misjudged the ball and did not get a shot away. After about twenty minutes Szczesny made a great save on the goal-line and was called into action several times in the minutes to come. Even though we never looked very likely to score we somehow managed to do it! Gervinho played a brilliant pass back to Tomas Rosicky, whose shot was placed right by the post, impossible to save!
We completely failed to show up for the second half, leading to a complete turnaround of the scoreline. Olympiacos equalized about twenty minutes into the half, minutes later they had a header just wide of the goal and three minutes after that they took the lead.
Even though this game was not the most important of games and a lot of the players were rested, I am concerned. We have not played well in the past couple of games (as the results definitely indicates) and I really cannot see us winning any game, no matter the opposition, if we continue this trend. We look uninspired and tired for the majority of the games, our amazing passing system seems like a long, lost memory.
Injury Update:
- Rosicky started this game and looked really good, he will hopefully be back in full-fitness soon!
Rosicky 38
Fortunately we had already qualified for the knock-out stages ahead of this game, so it was not a game that we had to win. However, it is always immensely disappointing when you lead at half-time and then end up losing the game.
Olympiacos started the game better and came close to scoring after about ten minutes. Then Ramsey had a golden opportunity to score when Oxlade-Chamberlain crossed the ball into the box and Chamakh headed it down, but Ramsey misjudged the ball and did not get a shot away. After about twenty minutes Szczesny made a great save on the goal-line and was called into action several times in the minutes to come. Even though we never looked very likely to score we somehow managed to do it! Gervinho played a brilliant pass back to Tomas Rosicky, whose shot was placed right by the post, impossible to save!
We completely failed to show up for the second half, leading to a complete turnaround of the scoreline. Olympiacos equalized about twenty minutes into the half, minutes later they had a header just wide of the goal and three minutes after that they took the lead.
Even though this game was not the most important of games and a lot of the players were rested, I am concerned. We have not played well in the past couple of games (as the results definitely indicates) and I really cannot see us winning any game, no matter the opposition, if we continue this trend. We look uninspired and tired for the majority of the games, our amazing passing system seems like a long, lost memory.
Injury Update:
- Rosicky started this game and looked really good, he will hopefully be back in full-fitness soon!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Arsenal vs. Swansea
0-2, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 2012-12-01
Needless to say, these are the games that we have to win. When we looked to be heading for a goalless draw I was disappointed, when Swansea began scoring I could not help but feeling that we are a hopeless case.
Swansea were great throughout the entire game, they started the first half as the by far better team. Szczesny made two great saves after about fifteen minutes to deny Swansea an early lead. Then we worked our way into the half. Jenkinson provided several brilliant crosses, one which was met by Cazorla, his header was comfortably dealt with by the 'keeper though. Just before that chance Podolski had a shot blocked by a defender after receiving the ball from Wilshere. In the last minute of the half Gervinho had a header that unfortunately went wide. Overall it was a disappointing half, we created close to nothing whilst looking vulnerable in the back.
That, however, seemed to change in the second half as we started the half better. Cazorla had several sizzling shouts throughout the entire half, unfortunately for us they all went straight into the arms of the 'keeper. The minute before Swansea's first goal we had our chance to win the game when Oxlade-Chamberlain crossed the ball to Vermaelen, but the defender's header went straight at the Swansea 'keeper, as most of our chances today. Then Swansea scored twice within three minutes to both win and seal the game.
I just feel immense disappointment in the team, we never looked like we were going to win this game and that has to change fast, we may not have a shot at the title but we have to at least reach that fourth spot!
Injury Update:
- Sagna picked up an injury in the previous game and had to sit this one out.
- Rosicky returned from a long-term injury in this game.
Needless to say, these are the games that we have to win. When we looked to be heading for a goalless draw I was disappointed, when Swansea began scoring I could not help but feeling that we are a hopeless case.
Swansea were great throughout the entire game, they started the first half as the by far better team. Szczesny made two great saves after about fifteen minutes to deny Swansea an early lead. Then we worked our way into the half. Jenkinson provided several brilliant crosses, one which was met by Cazorla, his header was comfortably dealt with by the 'keeper though. Just before that chance Podolski had a shot blocked by a defender after receiving the ball from Wilshere. In the last minute of the half Gervinho had a header that unfortunately went wide. Overall it was a disappointing half, we created close to nothing whilst looking vulnerable in the back.
That, however, seemed to change in the second half as we started the half better. Cazorla had several sizzling shouts throughout the entire half, unfortunately for us they all went straight into the arms of the 'keeper. The minute before Swansea's first goal we had our chance to win the game when Oxlade-Chamberlain crossed the ball to Vermaelen, but the defender's header went straight at the Swansea 'keeper, as most of our chances today. Then Swansea scored twice within three minutes to both win and seal the game.
I just feel immense disappointment in the team, we never looked like we were going to win this game and that has to change fast, we may not have a shot at the title but we have to at least reach that fourth spot!
Injury Update:
- Sagna picked up an injury in the previous game and had to sit this one out.
- Rosicky returned from a long-term injury in this game.
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